Wow I loved this. The magic system was really interesting and I loved Wolfe & Tana. This is definitely Rachel Griffin’s best book (which is saying a lot because her other books are great too). Also loved the ending! I also really enjoyed her relationship with her dad - it was so nice to read a ya book where the mc has a good relationship with her dad. Honestly their moments together made me just as emotional as Tana’s moments with Wolfe.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how this book still had a climate themed to it. I also loved how this book was love to hate but was a super compeling story!! I also really liked the world and all the side characters in this read! I loved magic filled stories and this world fetl very magical to me. I also thought the romance was well done and this book was a very fast pace read and loved all the elements to the is read and loved the main character!!

This is my first book by Rachel Griffin and she is now an auto buy author for me. I’m so excited that she has another two books that I can go run and read! The setting of this story is captivating. I want to jump on a ferry to the Witchery right now! The characters have depth and the story is a beautiful one about staying true to yourself. Once I reached 65%, I could not put this book down. I was completely entangled and my heart was in knots until I got to the end of the book. Soooooo so so good. Highly recommend!

Griffin's latest book is probably her best yet! It has been such a joy to watch her grow as an author and in Bring Me Your Midnight, you are transported to an island you never want to leave. Between her unforgettable lines, her story building, and her character depictions, this book has become my favorite book so far of 2023.

Tana isn’t sure why she has such a deep connection to the sea, but she knows what her future holds. She will marry Landon and bring together the humans who do not trust the witches and the witches who are forced to live on an island and practice a form of mild witchcraft. Enter Wolfe who comes from the supposedly long gone witches who practice dark magic.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this book, but what really struck me was how easily I could do a Book Talk with my students. They would easily be intrigued to read it without committing to a series. Too many of my students who are low readers, low-interest readers, and ESOL enjoy Fantasy, but are thrown off by the thought of reading a series. This is perfect for them and frankly all the rest of our students.
Thanks #NetGalley!

I think Rachel Griffin may be the queen of atmospheric writing. The way she writes wraps around you, entangles every limb, catches each breath. Tana, a witch, has lived her entire life knowing her purpose: she will marry the mainlander Landon in order to save her people. But when she missee an important ritual and encounters Wolfe who claims he is from a coven that shouldn’t exist. After he saves her life, she finds herself inextricably drawn to him. Wolfe represents everything she is not, and she wars with herself. Does she choose the marriage that will ensure her people’s way of life, or does she choose the boy who may be the one she loves? And when truths are discovered to be lies, what life and which people can she trust?

I loved this book and Tana’s struggle between what she’s known and what she discovers. The magic system is so interesting and intricately woven into the island the story is set on. The relationship between Wolfe and Tana is absolutely delicious, but the other relationships in the story (between Tana and Ivy, Tana and Landon, and Tana and her parents) are all full of depth. There are so many layers of gray instead of easy black and white answers, and the characters’ struggles all feel important and realistic. The craft of the story is superb, and the way Griffin writes is magic itself.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bring Me Your Midnight had a really interesting concept - I think where it fell short for me was in the execution. You have Tana, a witch who lives on the Witchery (for some reason, this name irked me - couldn't be anything cooler?!), betrothed to Landon, the governor's son on the Mainland. Tana was adamant it was her duty to marry him to protect the Witchery... until suddenly she wasn't.

There wasn't enough world-building in this book for me, which is why I sometimes have an issue with standalone fantasies. We didn't understand anything about the Mainland - how big is it? Is it the only non-witch land? Is the Mainland part of a bigger country? Continent? What else is out there? And the witch's lore itself was not expanded upon enough for my taste.

Truthfully, I didn't understand Tana. It felt like her emotions were very surface-level, and she would think "The sky is blue!" and five minutes later, someone would tell her the sky is pink, would have zero evidence, would just say this very passionately, and she wouldn't question it, she would just immediately go "I guess I was wrong! The sky is pink!"

I was generally uninterested in the love interest since he was as interesting as a piece of seaweed.

My favorite part of the book was actually Tana's friendship with Ivy and her relationship with her parents. Both, at times, were tumultuous, but I felt like those relationships were a lot more interesting than either of Tana's love interests.

My biggest issue is that the concept was unique, but the author didn't capitalize enough on any of it. It felt like every other fantasy book I've ever read, and didn't stand on it's own enough.

In the end, I wouldn't say this was a bad book. It was just a little bland for my personal tastes.

This was literal perfection. Rachel Griffin is THE STANDARD for YA witchy reads and the most magical atmosphere. Each book she writes becomes my newest hyperfixation!

You could say I’ve been bewitched by Rachel Griffin’s writing. I’ve irrevocably fallen in love with every leading witch she’s written. Bring Me Your Midnight was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Rachel as an author. Strong character development, magical settings, a compelling storyline, and in depth magic systems all so believable and immersive, make you forget this is fiction, for a time. This was an instant five-star read for me. I was brought to laughter as well as tears while being swept away and immersed in this world. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooksfire for the advance reader copy.

This book was an exquisitely beautiful and enchanting read that captivated me from start to finish. It embodies the essence of cozy fantasy perfection, weaving an angsty and forbidden romance that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you yearning to uncover what lies ahead. Rachel Griffin's portrayal of the cozy little magical island is nothing short of delightful, resembling a fairy wonderland that comes alive through her vivid and picturesque descriptions. The author's masterful use of beautiful imagery effortlessly transports the reader into this captivating world.

The story resonated with me, reminiscent of the enchantment found in "The Little Mermaid," and yet it possesses a unique charm all its own. We are introduced to Tana, a young witch whose destiny has been predetermined since before her birth. She is meant to enter into a marriage to secure an alliance, safeguarding her coven and forging connections with the non-magical mainland. However, as her wedding day and the inevitable binding to her coven draw nearer, Tana begins to question the truths she has been taught her entire life. In her blossoming relationship with Wolfe, a member of a secret coven, she confronts the ultimate choice: to adhere to the prescribed path and meet everyone's expectations or to forge her own destiny, even if it means disappointing her entire coven.

The chemistry between Tana and Wolfe is palpable right from the start. Both characters exude a fierce determination to fight for what they believe in, harboring passion and loyalty deep within their hearts.
Their relationship is strictly forbidden and they must choose to fight for each other, in the face of so much adversity against them. Additionally, the endearing friendship between Tana and Ivy adds another layer of depth to the narrative. It is refreshing to witness a romance book that emphasizes the importance of meaningful friendships alongside romantic relationships.

Tana's struggles in this book are relatable to every person who has grappled with the desire to do what is expected of them, despite feeling an inner conflict. The torment of being torn between these opposing desires can feel paralyzing, but the story beautifully illustrates the power that comes with standing up for one's own convictions and choosing a path that aligns with personal truth, regardless of others' opinions.

The magical and alluring world created in this book effortlessly immerses readers, evoking a longing for oceanic adventures, soulful walks amidst nature, and the comforting warmth of a good cup of tea. It is a truly captivating and enchanting experience that will leave you yearning for more.

Another wonderful new adult witch book by R Griffin, where nature and magic merge beautifully, where good intentions lead to drama, where circumstances are the antagonists and healing is essential and healthy communication and lots and lots of feels.
I love the ocean, so I was excited to see the author tackle that type of wilderness, and while I enjoyed the story, I must say I don't think she is so familiar with beach living, contrarily to camping. There were lots of strange little details like salt-caking eyebrows and going actually swimming in your clothes. But those are details.
This is very much about a mother-daughter relationship, about the weight of responsibility, about love, about finding your role, about family, about becoming an adult, about having a passion. If you love cozy witch books talking about ecology with a central love story then this is for you.

thank you netgalley for the arc !

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 3/5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚

read if you like:
♡ witchcraft
♡ lush island atmosphere
♡ longing & angst
♡ forbidden love

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ cascading with witchery and breathtakingly atmospheric, bring me your midnight is a lyrical fairytale of duty - to ones self and those we love.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ to tana fairchild, her future is not her own. she is the governor’s son landon’s intended, a loveless engagement founded for the purpose of an alliance the likes of which the mainlanders and witches such as tana herself, who populate the island she calls home, have never before seen. for her fellow witches, this is a great stride towards a more peaceable existence between the two peoples as the mainlanders have never quite ceased in their fear and subsequent hostility towards them. in order to pacify the mainlanders further, in a midnight rite, the witches have been expelling most of their magic. when tana thinks she’s spotted a flower which is deadly to her kind, she rushes off to investigate only to collide with the mysterious and scowling wolfe hawthorne. detained by him she then misses the ritual and must find a way to release her power before it kills her. forced to turn to wolfe, who alleges himself to be from a coven of black magic wielders - long believed to have died out - tana will soon find herself in dangerous waters, questioning the nature of her magic, her duty and everything she knows…

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ as many other reviewers have already drawn attention to, the gorgeous and wild atmosphere evoked within every page is truly a testament to rachel griffin’s prowess as a writer. the premise itself is rather unadorned in its pretty simplicity, pivoting around a sweet if perhaps a little puerile at times romance, tana’s dragging her heels over her future as she is torn between personal desire and a fulfilment of duty, and darker, more ambitious/higher-hanging fruit themes of “othering” and xenophobia.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ i admire how griffin conveys the strength of sensitivity in a ya literary world where most fmc are all grr rawr and perpetually cool-girl sneering and then we have tana who is both intrepid and a people-pleaser. these conflicting temperaments of hers create most of the intrigue and tension as the storyline moves forward. it’s her internal turmoil, mirrored often in the churning sea imagery and wildness of the island, which i hold in high esteem. apart from the use of the environment as conceit for introspection, there is alas, a marked lack in tension and intrigue. yes, there absolutely are complications and high-stake scenes, however there is a considerable flatness in tana’s voice which falls short of lending much real suspense and any conflict introduced is made short work of besides.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ conclusion:
a cozy, lilting tale of witches, the ocean and a young woman’s negotiation of her responsibility to herself and her people, bring me your midnight will immerse you in its ambience even if there is a certain lack of depth to its substance.

Once again, Rachel Griffin has stolen my heart. The moment I picked up Bring Me Your Midnight, I knew I was going to love it. Rachel Griffin has created such a unique and transportive world, that I immediately fell in love with the setting and story of this novel. As the plot progressed, I did find the romance to be a bit rushed, as well as the conclusion, but other than that, this was an incredible read. It made me want to go to a coastal beach town and learn magic, as well as reread all of this author's works.

"Let me love you until you're sure it's magic."

This book is pure magic.
I absolutely loved it!
It's the most beautiful, delicate book I've read this year.

What happens when duty is not enough? When everyone expects you to fulfil your role to save others even if it means you have to give up love and passion and your freedom?
What if there's another way?

I absolutely adored Tana and Wolfe's relationship, how pure and raw their feelings were for each other.

the magic?
the cozy vibe?
the love between Tana and Wolfe?

I'm obsessed!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc of this beautiful book!

Tana is intended to marry Landon, the governor’s son, to solidify the relationship between the mainlanders and the Witchery. But when Tana misses the witches’ midnight ritual to release excess magic, her life is in danger and there is nowhere to turn—until she meets Wolfe, who claims to be from a dark magic coven. Now Tana must choose love and wild power or Landon and peace for her coven…

I loved the descriptions of this peaceful island full of small magical delights. Yet there was a thin thread of tension from the start as the mainlander’s fear of magic showed up in small incidents.

I loved Tana’s connection to the sea and the beautiful imagery used when magic was described.

I liked that Landon was generally a good man and that their potential alliance was a source of hope for so many, making Tana’s decision more difficult.

And even when Tana’s friendship with Ivy was strained, their genuine affection remained.

And Wolfe… whether gruff, playful, challenging, or vulnerable, he was fire!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC.

Genre: YA Fantasy
TW: PLEASE CHECK
Spice: YA
*Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing a free e-book in exchange for an honest review*
 
Plot:
Tana’s fate was decided the moment she was born. She was to marry Landon, the Governor’s son, to secure a much-needed alliance between the island witches of her coven and the non-magical mainlanders. All was going according to plan, until Tana met Wolfe and he opened to eyes to see that things were not always what they seemed. With the Islands currents become more dangerous Tana must learn to trust Wolfe & his forbidden magic. With their chemistry burning will she be able to choose between love and duty when the time came?
 
Thoughts:
This story has such a powerful message weaved thought its pages. It teaches you to follow your gut and what you believe to be true even if it goes against all odds.
 
I appreciated witnessing the struggles of the MC Tana. I could personally relate to her desire to do what is right for everyone else despite feeling that it is wrong for her. The struggle of being torn between those two opposing desires can truly feel paralyzing at times, but there is immense power in finally standing for what you truly believe to be the right path for you, regardless of everyone else’s opinion.
 
Even though the writing was poetic, the repetitiveness of it made it fall slightly flat for me, but I will admit that there was something truly magical about this book’s plot that just kept me enticed. The magic system had quite an interesting take on it and the duality between the magic and non-magic beings along with the high and low magic systems was alluring.
 
I was also not a fan of how the Instalove was developed. There was such a short span between 0-60 that it left little to no development prior to professing their undying love. It felt a bit too much for my liking.

“Let me love you until you’re sure it’s magic.”

This was a quick, entrancing read! The beginning felt very much like Spells for Forgetting with the island/mainland dichotomy. From almost the very beginning I was angry on behalf of poor naive Tana. An anger that it didn’t even occur to her to feel. I was captivated as soon as we meet Wolfe though. His frustrations with Tana mirrored my own (in her defense, she’s been lied to her entire life). The tension between them and because of all the secrets really kept me engaged. The author pulled a lot of emotions from me in the last half of the book; anger, heartache, frustration, and finally relief and happiness.
This was my first Rachel Griffin book so I must go read her earlier books now after thoroughly enjoying this one!

4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a requested copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Bring Me Your Midnight is about a coven of witches who practice gentle magic on an island off of the mainland, where they were once banished by humans for practicing "dark magic." The main character, Tana, is the daughter of the coven's leader, and she has been betrothed to the son of the mainland's governor, in an attempt to strengthen the alliance between witches and humans and to protect the witches from ever being attacked again. But when Tana meets Wolfe, one of the old coven who continue to practice "dark magic" and secretly reside on the same island, she realizes that the witches' way of life is a lie and that suppressing their magic is destroying their island.

I think Rachel Griffin's writing is very pretty. The language is literally and figuratively flowery. Tana's family owns a perfumery so they are always out in nature collecting flowers, herbs, grasses, etc. to make their magical perfumes. And the witches' power came from a particular flower, too. There is a lot in this book about duty and what Tana and her family and her friends are willing to sacrifice to protect their lives, namely by sacrificing Tana's happiness and even her magic, banishing her to a virtually magicless life on the mainland. And for me, that's where we hit the problem here. I actually did enjoy Tana and Wolfe, who initially disliked each other, but pretty quickly fell madly in love (of course) (Wolfe, I don't think you did anything wrong!) But the sort of insta-love forbidden love thing wasn't really my favorite, especially because it shouldn't have been that hard for Tana to make her choice? Her mom and her best friend and her dad and the rest of her coven were willing to do some pretty heinous things in my opinion to ensure their alliance with the mainland and Tana I guess is a way better person than me because I would have told them to choke! This is her mom and her best friend doing these things to her...woof.

Anyway I loved the contrasts between the new coven and the old, the pastels and the goth vibes, the haunting candlelit manor and the cottagecore village. That was cool.

Nobody does witches like Rachel Griffin! Her witches and their connection to nature is so beautiful and comforting. Every single one of her books is so unique, yet cohesive. This story is atmospheric and romantic, it was easy to get lost in it — I absolutely adored and devoured it. I absolutely recommend Bright Me Your Midnight if you want a poetic story about witches, love, and finding your place in the world. It might be my new favorite book of hers.

Rachel Griffin masterfully reminds us of the magic of nature in this spellbinding tale that transports readers to a world brimming with wonder and self-discovery. I love how the themes of identity, forbidden love, and the interconnectedness of the world are explored through both the old and new covens' connections to the natural world and the fate of The Witchery. With her exquisite prose and memorable characters, Griffin has crafted a truly immersive reading experience that will leave you longing for more. This book is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. A wonderfully witchy read for YA fans!