I loved the ending of this novel when Lark realizes that she can't be a hero alone, that was lovely. Sophie and Prince Jasper are awesome supporting characters, they are both smart, quirky, and loyal friends. I love middle grade fantasy novels, they are quick reads and keep you interested from beginning to end.

I received an e-galley of Nightingale from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

An adventurous and fun middle grade novel about a young girl who is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes a hero called the Nightingale. As reluctant heroes go, Lark is definitely not looking to become a hero but when situations arise and her friends and country are in danger, Lark finds that it’s not quite as easy to just ignore the call to help.

I enjoyed this middle grade adventure and I think that young readers will enjoy this fantasy story of girl power and social justice. Readers are sure to also enjoy the antics of Lark and Sword in this first book of a new fantasy series.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the galley via NetGalley.

This novel was fast paced and an adventure I was so excited to be a part of. I loved the world of this novel and really loved getting to know all of the little quirks of it.

The characters in this novel were also a joy to read about. They were brave and Lark was definitely a character I would love for my children to read about.

Also, the sword was such an incredible addition to this story. I loved its personality.

As with a lot of middle grades, the ending was cliche and definitely something you expect, but that being said, I’m not upset with it being so. I have come to expect this from middle grade and frankly I enjoy the reliability.

Gallant was once a wonderful city full of innovation and magic fueled by aether, now the nation is divided living in splendor and squalor. The rich live in a glittering world while many poor are forced to work in the mines and factories that produce aether to make ends meet. Unrefined, the substance is poisonous and leaves those exposed to flicker until they eventually fade completely. This is the life Lark seeks to avoid.. Hoping to steal some valuables to afford a better life, Lark breaks into the museum. Everything seems to go to plan until she spots a boy fiddling with a sword in the next room. When the sword ends up in her hands, Lark becomes it's new owner, the latest to become the Nightingale who protects Gallant in times of trouble. Being a hero is not in her plans but when Lark gets caught up in a conspiracy involving the mines, the workers union, and an old enemy of the original Nightingale it seems she might have little choice. With danger threatening herself, her friends, and her mothers legacy will Lark rise to the challenge?

Nightingale is a fast paced adventure that's easy to get lost in. I loved the world it's set in and enjoyed discovering how it worked. The sword brought such jot to my heart and lived amongst a great cast of characters. Faced with all sorts of challenges, Lark and her friends are incredibly fierce and brave. Unions and protests aren't usually seen in childrens fantasy so I really appreciated how they were put front and center. It was refreshing to see that it doesn't have to take superpowers or status to fight for what is right and fair.

This is a fantastic tale of friendship and what it truly means to be a hero. If you love legends and science fiction & fantasy inspired setting this is the book for you.

What a fun adventure! Deva Fagan's kingdom is a dazzling land of aethercraft marvels, heroic legends, and shimmering innovation, all built on the backs of poor workers who live in constant fear of "ghosting" into nothing.
In this lovely-yet-unjust world, we meet Lark, an indentured girl from the poorest neighborhood of her city who is determined to win her freedom. But when a robbery goes wrong, she finds herself in unexpected possession of a magical sword, a legendary new identity, and several dangerous enemies.

Fagan's writing felt classic from the start, effortlessly introducing readers to Lark's strife. Lark is an empathetic hero (no matter how she insists she is NOT heroic) and the central mystery (although a touch predictable) was super enjoyable and immersive. The supporting cast, including clever Prince Jasper, tenacious Sophie, and the other brave boarding-house girls were all wonderful, mirrored by a handful of dastardly villains who don't back down easily. But beyond the adventure, Fagan has sparked a genuinely fierce conversation about the exploitation of workers, and the cost of progress.

NIGHTINGALE is an exciting and angry book in the best possible way, weaving together friendship and sacrifice and magic in a manner that feels unquestionably legendary in its own right. 4.5/5.

ARC Copy...this felt fast paced and exciting for me. I would describe the setting-mood as a mix of Les Miserables (for the oppressive economic-social fabric and the clothing+sword on the cover looks French) and diesel-steam punk (for the technology described + slight art deco-ish architecture descriptions). The sword was fun to see both in action and bobbing around along side its mistress plus said is delightfully plucky as a heroine. With out giving too much away...I love the themes of team work + "no one can do this alone" and did suspect based on the sword's history that, it would play a critical role.