Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

A soaring 2nd book in this series. While I am disappointed in the cover change, I still loved all the characters. We get a bit more romance and magic and that is always great. The writing is great as usual and I enjoyed the second installment!

This one was a bit slower, and a lot more political in nature. Matilde, Æsa, Sayer and Fen have their work cut out for them as they escape and are separated. The Fyrebirds. They will be more powerful than anyone can imagine, and there are many who won't let that happen.

Through their bonds, the girls work together trying to save everyone they can, but it feels like the world is against them at times. As they fight to stay alive and find one another, each has their own story to complete and a sacrifice to make before they can reunite.

This was not as compelling as the first book. I wanted something punchier in terms of both plot and pacing, especially as I believe this is the conclusion to a duology. While I enjoyed the writing style and the Prohibition era thematics, the first 60-70% of the story reads like an exposition rather than the continuation of a series, which made for an oddly slow and disjointed narrative.

Thank you to NetGally and the author and publisher for this advance copy of Fyrebirds to read in exchange for my review.

This finale in the Nightbirds duology, was pretty much everything I wanted it to be. We are welcomed back into the world fairly shortly after book one ends. Our main characters are split up and trying to figure things out on their own and trying to use their strength and will to change things. But as tension builds and new threats arise, the Nightbirds realize that they are stronger together. Their plans aren't always perfect, and things sometimes go awry, but where would the fun be if everything went as planned? For my personal preferences the story wrapped up fairly nicely without many loose ends, which is always a huge pet peeve. This is a series I would recommend, and I wouldn't mind being dropped back into this world in the future.

I liked this one better than book 1 of the series. The action picks up the pace, and still gives Serpent and Dove vibes, as all four of the Nightbird girls mold into Fyrebirds. The girls are all torn between their obligations and following their hearts/duties.

The storyline focuses a little more on Matilde’s POV, which was okay, I wanted more of Aesa and Wallen. I really wasn’t invested in Sayer and Fen’s budding romance, it was disjointed and didn’t fit much of the storyline for this 2nd book in the series.

There is the cliffhanger ending so more is to come in the series. I think I am invested in finding out what happens, so I will most likely read that when it comes out.

Fyrebirds by Kate T. Armstrong is an outstanding sequel to Nightbirds that brilliantly continues the gripping story from its predecessor. Armstrong's vivid world-building and intricate plot twists keep the narrative engaging and suspenseful. The sequel's rich character development and thrilling pace make it a captivating read that surpasses expectations.

3.5⭐️ This was such an enjoyable and entertaining follow up to Nightbirds. I loved going back into this world and seeing our characters grow into Fyrebirds!

My favorite part of this book is the characters (especially Æesa) and their relationships with one another. I love the different dynamics and the sisterhood that they share. I also love the romantic relationships in this book there were so many moments that made me say “AWWWW 🥹”.

My biggest gripe with the book was we were introduced to King Joost and his plot line and honestly I don’t feel like it brought much to the overall story. I actually felt like it took away time from character development/ furthering other plot lines. It felt unnecessary. Overall I really liked this book but it didn’t wow me like the first book did.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Fyrebirds by Kate J. Armstrong is a third person multi-POV YA fantasy continuation of Nightbirds. Sayer, Fen, Matilde, and Æsa are saving the other magical girls in their own ways. Æsa has taken some of the girls back to her home country, Sayer has become the Storm Witch and spies on the upper houses, Matilde agrees to marry the leader of their nation to keep the others safe, and Fen is hiding her powers. The girls are brought back together when an enemy nation is taking magical girls for themselves and the upper houses are drugging young women.

The themes of sex work from Nightbird are continued in Fyrebirds and expanded into sex trafficking and a clear allegory for drugs like Rohypnol. As more and more young women get involved in online social justice spaces, more and more are going to want books that explore these very difficult themes that absolutely do impact people their age and even younger. It’s very difficult to read a young girl be compelled to do things she doesn’t want to do while knowing that this does happen in real life, but that’s part of why some people turn to books and the fantasy genre: to explore difficult topics with a degree of separation so they can start talking about it. Nightbirds and Fyrebirds help start this conversation masterfully.

Of the three romantic arcs, my favorite was still Sayer and Fen’s. The yearning, the years of knowing each other and not knowing how to have the conversation to start something, the lack of support and quality romantic relationships for them to observe in real life all add to a emotionally complex romance between two young women with secrets. While Fen’s powers are on the downlow, she is going out of her way to help other girls when she sees something going on, giving her the moniker Flower Witch, which makes her a parallel to Sayer.

To my surprise, my favorite POV this book was actually Æsa’s. She was vulnerable, struggling to be separated from her friends but holding the line to keep the other girls safe, all while hiding the truth from her father, who she knows will not be understanding of her gifts. And she’s just so cool as the Wave Witch. Her romance with Willan feels real and raw and was a close second to Sayer and Fen. The girl who was the most scared in the first book became the girl who grew and changed the most in the second book and I loved it.

Content warning for depictions of drugging young women and enslavement.

I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy that explore social issues, readers looking for a multi-POV YA fantasy, and those looking for several romance arcs in their fantasy

"With tensions rising and their powers no longer a secret, the Nightbirds must decide for whom and for what they are willing to fight for and how far they will go in the spellbinding sequel to the international bestseller Nightbirds.

The Nightbirds were once their city's best-kept secret, but now the secret's out. What's more, they can do feats of magic no one has seen in centuries. They're like the Fyrebirds of old: the powerful women who once moved mountains, parted seas, and led armies. Some say that when four join together, they become a force that shakes the earth and sends magic rippling through it. It does seem as if something has awoken in Eudea, but the four girls responsible don't want the world to know the full extent of what they can do - at least not yet.

As the new leader of Eudea works to lift the prohibition on magic, the churchmen who do not support it - and the gang lords who profit from it - whisper rebellion. The secret resistance who once sheltered the Nightbirds is rallying, too. Smelling blood in the water, an ambitious Farlands king threatens to take Eudea. As war looms, and the empire's fate hangs from a knife's edge, the Nightbirds have to decide if becoming more than that are - Fyrebirds - to protect Simta is worth losing themselves entirely and the lives and loves they might have had."

Damn. I loved the cover of Nightbirds, and while this is an entirely different style this cover for Fyrebirds is also on fire.

This had less of a 1920's feel than the first book did. It's a lot of the same, run, run, run. A few fight, some are trying to change things but getting trapped. It feels a little repetative. It's not bad, it's a good continuation of the first book but I didn't feel as invested as I had hoped I would be in the girls themselves. They spend most of the book apart from each other even though it's clear from the end of the first book they're strongest together. But, as usual, they can't agree with how to bring about change so they break apart. The writing is good and the story does keep moving, I just wish I cared more about them.

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

This is the conclusion to the duology. In the first book, it was all about hiding magic and had prohibition vibes. Now the 4 girls, who all have different magical abilities face a new foe as everyone is aware they are witches. Someone has found a way to control a witch’s magic and the girls must find a way to stop him before he collects all the witches.
I like that all the girls have a different upbringing and backstory & you get to see their POVs. It was fast paced and I prefer this book a little more than Nightbirds because you got to see the magic more and you were familiar with the characters. There is a dash of romance between a few characters (LGBTQ rep) but it isn’t the focus.
The conclusion was satisfying and everything was wrapped up nicely.
I paired my physical ARC with the audio and enjoyed the narration a lot.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy!

This one missed the mark for me a bit. It was quite slow for most of the story and then suddenly everything is happening and wrapped with a neat bow and it’s over. I wasn’t as immersed in the world with this one as I feel I was with the first book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book to review!

I think this was a great conclusion to Nightbirds! After the girls ended up in different places at the end of the first book it was neat to see them all pulled back together and how they each grow. I loved getting more magic from them in this book and more lore about their magics though I wish we could've gotten more diary entries from the first Fyrebird. I was very excited when they found it and wanted more from it. Once the action picked up I felt like it didn't stop until the end. I am happy with that little spark at the ending. Overall really enjoyed this one and wouldn't hate it if the author decided to give us a prequel series or just brought us back to Simta eventually. :)

I wish this book had been over 400 pages like the first because it felt like the story was rushed to meet it's conclusion. I wanted to see a bit more of our four main female characters coming in and doing the damn thing. I feel like that was the biggest issue with the story. It just needed more time. But all in all it was a good ending to the story regardless.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Fyrebirds by Kate J Armstrong.
This sequel to NightBirds was a good addition to the series. However, I believe that the author went a little quick in the details of this book.

I really enjoyed this story about 4 girls whose magic was once subdued and could only be given to others via a kiss. The 4 Fyrebirds are fierce girls who will stop at nothing to do what they feel is right to keep the other girls with magic safe. Each of the 4 has her own way to go about doing things but in the end they are there for each other. This was such a powerful story and I really enjoyed it I couldn't stop turning the pages!!

Fyrebirds" by Kate J. Armstrong takes readers on a magical journey through the city of Eudea, where the Nightbirds, once a closely guarded secret, are now thrust into the limelight. With abilities reminiscent of the legendary Fyrebirds who could move mountains and part seas, these young women find themselves at the center of a power struggle that could reshape their world.

The story's premise is intriguing, blending political intrigue, rebellion, and magical prowess. The concept of four powerful women coming together to become an unstoppable force adds a layer of epic potential to the narrative. Armstrong's world-building is commendable, painting a vivid picture of Eudea and the various factions vying for control, from the churchmen and gang lords to the ambitious Farlands king.

Armstrong's writing is descriptive and rich, but it occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, slowing the narrative momentum. The themes of power, identity, and sacrifice are explored, but not always with the nuance and complexity they deserve.

Overall, "Fyrebirds" offers a solid fantasy tale with an interesting premise and a richly imagined world. While it doesn't fully live up to its potential, it's a worthwhile read for fans of magical adventures and political intrigue. It’s a book that sparks curiosity and leaves room for growth in potential sequels, where deeper character development and more consistent pacing could elevate the story to greater heights.

A great ending to the duology!! It was as immersive as the first book (Nightbirds) and honestly, for me it wasn't 5 stars only because I still don't really like the povs but seeing the development of the characters and how it ended was so good. When people ask me for recommendations for duology, this will definitely be at the top of my list.

3.97 ★

my expectations were very high after the brilliance that was nightbirds, and i will say that this did not quite meet the mark, but it was nevertheless a wondrous experience. (anything with sayer in it would be, obviously.) the atmosphere and the magic remained the main attraction of the novel for me, and the poetic writing concealed what flaws there were in pacing and characterization.

there is mostly slow buildup for the first 70% of the book, with everything wrapping up quickly and almost too neatly within just the last 15%, so the end was somewhat of a letdown. and the thing with joost should have been explored way more in-depth, perhaps even in a whole another book. most of the story is of the wyllo regnis-red hand agenda, but objectively, the handmaid's tale-esque colonization attempt seems more significant? even if it couldn't have been the majority of the plot, it should have taken up at least the same amount of screentime.

and finally, almost half of this book was solely about matilde. and she's not a character who does things—that would be fenlin and sayer—things just seem to happen to her. with the exception of the final battle. perhaps i'm biased, because sayer and fenlin are my favorite characters, but i wish they had a larger role. especially because they're lesbian, and that should be an important story to tell in a feminist fantasy.

but regardless, i've come to adore kate j. armstrong's prose, and i will always be on the lookout for anything new from her.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

These characters are so great and so interesting. I was intrigued going into this book after the first one, but it definitely hooked more towards the end of the book rather than the beginning. A great sequel! Thank you Penguin Group and Nancy Paulsen Books for sending me a copy of this book.