Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
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Web ID: 18496909Speakeasies and Magic
**Features:** - Jazz Age inspired fantasy world - Characters that must navigate the politics of both the elite and the seedy underworld that keeps them in power - Women finding their true power and voice in a world trying to silence them **Summary:** In an age of Prohibition, magic is only reserved for the rich and powerful. However, even that is only the little tinctures and tricks alchemy can provide. True magic is held by the Nightbirds alone and access to it comes at a high price. As Matilde has discovered, being a Nightbird comes with its privileges, but newcomers Sayer and AEsa only feel trapped in a dangerous system seeking to exploit them. When political machinations and revived religious fervour threaten to destroy the Nightbirds, not even their complex nest of secrets will be enough to protect them. Will this be the end of the witches or an invitation for them to finally fly free? **Thoughts:** This book really hits it out of the park with its Jazz Age inspired world where the prohibition of magic has made it an underground luxury. Though it has all of the glamour, secrecy, and seediness you would expect, this is a unique world I was eager to explore from the very beginning. We experience the story through three different characters: Matilde, Sayer, and AEsa. Though each character strongly follows certain archetypes, I loved getting to see the world from multiple viewpoints and watch as they grew both individually and as a group. At its heart, this is very much a ‘witch’ story that explores female agency and power in a patriarchal society. I don’t feel it adds much new to this conversation, but I enjoyed how it presents its themes. Though the overall pacing is good, there are a few individual elements of the story that struggle to find the right balance. This can lead to a lack of clarity at certain points in the story, but trust the process. It might take some patience, but everything ties back together in ways that are both surprising and satisfying. I am definitely looking forward to picking up the sequel! Special thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fantasy fantasy
Night Birds by Kate J. Armstrong is a haunting and atmospheric debut novel that explores themes of loss, identity, and the tension between tradition and self-discovery. Armstrong’s writing is evocative, while delving into the emotional complexity of the characters. The tension between the sisters is palpable, with their fractured relationship adding layers of depth to the plot. While *Night Birds* is a character-driven story, the book also weaves in elements of magical realism. The lyrical prose makes it a captivating read for those who enjoy atmospheric, introspective fiction with a touch of the uncanny. Though the pacing is deliberate and introspective, the emotional payoff is rich, making NightBirds a compelling read with a dark, mysterious edge. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out to see what happens next with our characters.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
a unique feminist fantasy!
This was a unique fantasy - full of flair and witches and magic. Having read a lot of YA in my time, I thought this was a refreshing series starter. The romance is there, but light, and I appreciate that the story focuses more on the plot and political machinations. For critique, some of the character arcs did not completely sell me. As a character driven reader, I needed more individuality and depth to them. If you are looking for a feminist YA read, with a unique fantasy twist, this is a fun one to pick up.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
LOVE!!!!!
If you’re looking for a spellbinding YA fantasy that shimmers with glamour and rebellion, Nightbirds is your next must-read. Set in a dazzling, jazz age-inspired world, this story drips with intrigue, power, and bold femininity. It's a tale where whispered secrets meet fiery resolve, and where young women discover the true beauty of their magic—and their strength. The Nightbirds—Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer—are part of Simta’s best-kept secret. They’re girls born with rare, inherited magic, sharing it with a kiss while the church declares it blasphemy. On the surface, their lives seem charmed: protected by the Great Houses, they live in luxury, their gifts sought after by the elite. But beneath the glittering facade lies a truth that’s far from enchanting. As they navigate a season of gifting their magic, political plots and forbidden truths force them to question the Nightbird system’s purpose—and their own futures. What makes Nightbirds soar is its rich world-building and unapologetic focus on female empowerment. The vivid setting captures the elegance and corruption of a society where magic is both coveted and feared. The girls' journey—from accepting their cage to reclaiming their autonomy—is a powerful exploration of identity and agency. Themes of friendship, courage, and rebellion weave seamlessly with the plot, creating a story as layered as it is riveting. Perfect for fans of political intrigue, strong heroines, and a touch of magic, Nightbirds will leave readers inspired to spread their own wings. It's a reminder that even in a world that seeks to diminish you, your power is yours to wield. A magical, empowering read that YA audiences will treasure!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing YA fantasy with feminine rage and power
This is an audiobook review 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5) 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶 As I've previously read this book (4.5 stars), this rating and review will focus on narration and production. I thoroughly enjoyed the single narration of this audiobook, and loved the voices and accents for all of the characters; I always knew who was speaking aloud. But the general narration of the three POVs (not speaking voices) used the same voice, so sometimes it was tricky to remember whose POV I was in. I would have preferred each POV to be narrated in that character's voice, especially since there was such an amazing & unique voice for each! The production was great! I loved the little musical intro at the very start of the audiobook — it really helped set the scene of 1920s vibes. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑰 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕: speaking voice narration — unique voices and accents, musical intro, production as a whole, forbidden magic, young woman with feminine rage towards the patriarchy, the Hawks (male bodyguards of the Nightbirds), found family, & sapphic rep.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fantasy Prohibition
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review The Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong is a third person multi-POV YA fantasy inspired by Prohibition. The Nightbirds are young women who give the people they kiss the use of their powers for a brief period of time but cannot use their powers themselves. The current Nightbirds, Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer have their own romantic entanglements and reasons for being Nightbirds, but not everyone is alright with their activities. The worldbuilding read very strongly to me of New York during Prohibition. Fen, Sayer's friend and love interest, leads a gang in the criminal underworld while a class of Great Houses, people with money and power, have access to the Nightbirds to keep increasing their fortunes. The use of masks, speakeasies servicing a kind of artificial magic, and strict rules as people preach against using magic only further serve to enhance the worldbuilding. I'm all for magical girls in Prohibition era New York, so I was a big fan. Of the three, Matilde might have been my favorite Nightbird, but Sayer and Fen were my favorite relationship. The yearning Sayer has for Fen and how there's this constant push and pull of secrets and vulnerability were incredibly compelling. I absolutely want them to get together in the sequel. For Matilde, what I liked about her POV was how we got a lot of worldbuilding details but it was juxtaposed to the world's that Æsa and Sayer came from. Matilde was born to one of the Great Houses and has a relationship with an alchemical shop owner, an old friend of her grandfather. Sayer and Æsa both grew up with very little and have Illish backgrounds, both don't have the privilege Matilde was born with but do have a privilege from having magic even if it's in secrecy. The way the world is set up makes the magic system an allegory for sex work. Magic is not only bought and sold, it is delivered with a kiss and vulnerable young women are pushed into it and various factions are strongly against it. Magic is passed from mother's to daughters and eventually fades over time, putting pressure on these magical young women to get married and have children quickly, mirroring how much value is placed on youth in modern society. Content warning for brief depictions of sexual assault I would recommend this book to readers of YA fantasy who like an exploration of social commentary, fans of the magical girl genre, and those looking for a fantasy Prohibition book
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Engaging Story
A mystical story of rebellion against a place run by church fanatics determined to destroy any forms of magic. Magic is a gross sin and must be expunged from society. In this place, reside three powerful witches whose power has been masked until it erupts into a powerful force. An exciting and engaging story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com