I always love folklore / mythology retellings and when i found out this was also queer, i was all in.

This book is dual pov and the main characters are witch's apprentices for two out of the three witches of Lechija.

The witches are called White Yaga, Red Yaga and Black Yaga and have jurisdiction over Morning, Midday and Midnight respectively.

Each has an 'apprentice' to do their bidding and gather hearts for them to consume.

However, a rivalry that has been going on for years between Marynka (Midday's servant) and Zosia (Midnight's servant) will be put to the test when the two are once again sent out to capture a heart.

Marynka & Beata (Morning's servant) end up accidentally travelling with Zosia (as they don't know who the other is). Marynka & Zosia become very close very quickly. But their fast friendship is put to the test when their identities are revealed.

I absolutely loved Marynka and Zosia, they were both morally grey and didn't apologise for it. One wants power and one wants freedom but ultimately what they want is the same thing.

I really enjoyed the story but i felt it ended a bit abruptly and really would've liked to see more of Marynka and Zosia after the events of the book.

CW: death, blood, murder, child abuse, injury, self harm, war

The Midnight Girls was a breath of fresh air for the genre. Reminded me a bit of Deathless by C.M Valente. Pacing was a bit rushed towards the end but characterisation remained decent throughout.

Set in a fantastical, wintry Poland, "The Midnight Girls" follows two magical girls, Zosia and Marynka, who compete to capture pure hearts for their witch masters. Their fierce rivalry turns into an unexpected attraction amidst a backdrop of political tension and impending war. I thought the book was captivating with its unique setting and intriguing storyline. The concept of rival magical girls was engaging, and the wintery atmosphere added a mystical touch. It was an overall enjoyable read!

Read a finished copy and it was INCREDIBLE. I loved this so much more than when I first tried to read it. My one complaint is there’s no sequel because I want MORE. I could have read a thousand more pages about Marynka and Zosia but I guess it was nice to have a shorter fantasy stand alone.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

"The Midnight Girls" by Alicia Jasinska is a spellbinding tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance. Set in a world where darkness holds sway, the story follows two captivating protagonists, each with their own secrets and desires. Jasinska's lush prose brings the eerie atmosphere of the Midnight Realm to life, while her deft characterization makes the struggles and triumphs of the main characters feel deeply personal. With its gripping plot twists and poignant themes of love and sacrifice, "The Midnight Girls" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and compelling storytelling.

It is not often that readers come across a book that has so much representation that just makes sense. The Midnight Girls is one of those books. Muslim and Jewish characters alongside Eastern European characters that don't normally get much positive representation are the main focus of this book, and then make the main love story LGBTQIA+ and it's a modern love story with twists and turns. Being of polish descent and part of the queer community, I felt like I was part of the story, because the main characters are like me! This is an important part of modern fantasy.

For some reason I forgot to write a review when I read this back in 2022, but it was one of my favourite books of the year. I loved the dynamic between the two leads, both the rivalry and the romance kept me eagerly turning the (digital) pages. Definitely one I will have to reread, I'm excited to get sucked back into this exciting world

Seeing the cover of "The Midnight Girls" brought me to tears. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect a mainstream book to feature girls in traditional Polish attire, let alone sapphic ones. With Jasińska's previous work fresh in my mind, I knew this book would be something special. It did not disappoint, exceeding every expectation I had.

The Polishness of the story is undeniable, even for those unfamiliar with the country. The historical references are subtle yet impactful, especially concerning King Stanisław August Poniatowski. Every veiled critique of his politics resonated deeply within me. While not a history lesson, these nods are a treat for those familiar with Polish history.

Jasińska lovingly incorporates every facet of Polish culture. The food - the iconic duck blood soup! - is described with mouthwatering detail, and even uses Polish names. Clothes are meticulously described, some even retaining Polish terms. The characters' names feel authentic, with proper diminutives - a rare feat in Western literature.

This book serves as a poignant reminder of Poland's rich past, when Muslim and Jewish communities thrived, showcasing a tolerance that contrasts starkly with present-day political realities.

The fantasy elements feel inherently Polish, particularly the magic system. Jasińska expertly transforms Polish religious beliefs and fervor into tangible magic. The flaming swords, reminiscent of the "knights of Saint Mary," evoke a sense of historical accuracy. The amulets, resembling those used in traditional Polish practices, add a layer of authenticity. This is storytelling at its finest.

But the true heart of this book lies in its intense sapphic romance. Zosia and Marynka, literal monsters, are enemies seeking each other's demise. They are ruthless, taking lives without hesitation. Their love, built on tension and competition, fuels their monstrous desires. This is the sapphic monster romance we've been waiting for!

The portrayal of Zosia's companion Józef and Marynka's brother Kajetan adds an interesting parallel. Both couples crave freedom and control over their destiny, particularly Józef in his desire for Lechija's autonomy. Both Marynka and Kajetan struggle with the desire for family approval despite experiencing abuse. Their internal conflict mirrors the central couple's contradictory emotions: wanting the other dead yet desperately wanting their safety.

"The Midnight Girls" fills me with immense joy. It caters to my every literary preference, celebrating Polish culture in a way that feels both fantastical and grounded. It's a winter story with a heart of fire, fueled by the intensity of a sapphic relationship. This book is pure magic, in every sense of the word.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

This book just wasn't for me. I didn't really connect with the characters so it made it hard to care about the story. The magic system was too unexplained for my taste, so at the end there was really anything that I cared about by the end. I think this book just reaffirmed why I've been reading less YA.

But objectively, I really don't think there is something wrong with the book, I just didn't connect with it. If you are interested after reading the synopsis, and if you don't mind YA on a younger side - give it a try.


Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

The Midnight Girls was a wonderful journey full of magic, and slow-burn sapphic romance. Marynka and Zosia are dynamic characters, and the wintry backdrop really drew me in. The setting is very descriptive, and you will be transported to the 18th century Poland. I enjoyed that history was woven into this tale. It has some political intrigue.

Marynka is a morally grey character, who rivals Zosia, a cautious character. These girls try to one up each other every chance they get. It’s such a great enemy to a lover’s book. This was a wonderful read for pride month.

Thank you to the publisher, Alicia Jasinka, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

3 stars

The Midnight Girls was not a bad book, just not the book for me. It seems as I get older, I get less and less interested in YA books. And this one felt a little too YA for me to fully enjoy.'

I struggle with a few things in this book, the characters for one. I just didn't connect with the main characters. I don't think their characters were very fleshed out. Honestly think this could have been a bit longer of a book to make that happen.

Another thing I struggled with was the writing style, I ended up skimming a lot of the middle because I wasn't enjoying it. It just did not work for me. I think I hyped it up too much in my head. With the tagline Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows, two of my favorites by the way. I didn't really see the comparison. And that is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I had a really hard time reading this book. I felt like it went a little in circles. I struggled to finish it. I really wanted to like it with the whole premise of heart stealing.

I enjoyed this! I liked the world building, I liked the tension, I liked the monster element! If anything, I would have liked this to be longer because I liked the side story with the prince and his friend just as much.

The Midnight Girls is an awesome fantasy loosely based on Polish history and featuring a sapphic enemies to lovers romance.

I really liked Alicia Jasinska's first book Deep Tide, and The Midnight Girls was just as great. It's the story of the rivalry between two young witches. Marynka is the servant to Red Jaga, the Midday witch, and Zosia is the servant to Black Jaga, the Midnight witch. The servants are given powers by the witches, and they serve the witches by stealing the hearts of princes. The older witches send both girls after the same hearts. Zosia is usually one step ahead of Marynka, and although the two have never met, Marynka is obsessed with besting her rival. Things come to a head when both girls are sent to the capital to steal the heart of the beloved Prince Jozef.

The magical world building is excellent and the action is fast-paced. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys books about witches and enemies to lovers romances.

If you enjoy a good rivals-to-lovers story, then Alicia Jasinska's 'The Midnight Girls' is definitely a novel you should check out. With an intriguing story and captivating characters, 'The Midnight Girls' should be on everyone's reading radar.

3.5/5

This story took me a while to get into, but I kept pushing and ended up really enjoying it.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

An enjoyable, queer, enemies to lovers story.

I liked the magic system and abilities of the two main characters.

The ending felt rushed and unfinished, lowering my overall rating.

The descriptions were well done and helped immensely in placing me in this alternate universe. The wintery vibes and folklore aspects were very cozy and enjoyable, perfect for the season I started the book in.

I think the author has a ton of potential and I look forward to reading future novels by Jasinska.