I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. I enjoyed that it was so similar to The Belles and I super love that novel, however, this felt like it dragged so much in the middle that I was bored and not entirely paying attention at times. The novel really did feel like a similar storyline to The Belles and it really sort of ended in a similar situation. Overall, the novel was enjoyable and I liked the magic and 19020s type twist. I do appreciate that I am able to go straight into book two, as well!

First of all, this was such a fun and entertaining read! I had a great time reading, getting to know the characters. and living in the setting! I will be giving this book 3/5 stars!

Nightbirds follows magical girls called "nightbirds" in a 1920's-esque setting who have magical powers that can be gifted with a kiss. While magic is prohibited in this society, people willing to pay are awarded with a magical gift. When a political scheme turns their lives upside down, the Nightbirds are forced to work together to protect themselves and the ones they love and take down a society that lables them "witches."

I had a lot of fun reading this and many parts were super engaging. I enjoyed a lot of the characters and relationships in this story, as well as the magical, mystical setting in the jazz age. I loved the friendship built between the girls and how they truly worked together by the end. I predict this will continue to have a "found family" aspect in the next book. I'm excited to read book two at some point to see where these characters go next.

The reason for my 3-star rating is that there was a lot to enjoy, but there was also a lot that was very basic and middle-of-the-road for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I felt that it was a back and forth of cliche moments and unique moments. Some really fun chapters, while others felt boring and did not catch my attention. There was not a lot of growth for most of the characters throughout, but that could still happen in book two.

I wish the villains were explained more in depth. I wanted to know more about them and their motivations, especially the religious villains in this story. I felt that we heard about them and how they were villainous but not enough backstory to warrant everything that happened.

Again, overall a fun enjoyable read, but I wish there was more depth to the story! WIll be reading book two at some point.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate J. Armstrong, and Penguin for this review copy!

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong was a solid read with strong character work and some surprising twists. It was a slow build, but once you are in the meat of the book, it gets more engaging. I look forward to the next one to come out and hopefully get some more answers and see relationships develop further.

Such a good read ❤️ I really enjoyed this book! It's a fun fairly unique magic system and I highly recommend giving it a try!

I loved this book. Four girls who couldn't be more different from one another, a patriarchal society, and so much emotional angst and secrets. The world build was slow but well put together, and each POV gave great character building. I can't wait to read the next book.

Full disclaimer: if I'd read this book 4 years ago, I would've devoured it. But after reading and reviewing SO MUCH YA fantasy the past year and a half, I think I'm getting that dreaded book fatigue. The reason why I say this is Nightbirds does absolutely nothing wrong. It's a strong, atmospheric debut with lovable characters and enough intrigue to serve as a series starter; it more than deserves the praise Amie Kauffman heaped on it in her book blurb. But I just didn't feel that special spark, and I found myself able to pick it up and put it down with ease.

For folks new to YA fantasy, or those who are seeking Gatsby-inspired fantasy worlds, I think there's a lot to love. The premise is executed well--girls with magical kisses ("nightbirds") uncover dangerous secrets in their city, awakening their own power in the process--and I really enjoyed the feminist twist. Each of the girls--Matilde, Sayer, and Aesa--has a distinct personality, as well as potential love interests and character arcs that are done with varying levels of strength. Flirty, rich girl Matilde has (in my opinion) the least character growth, but the most interesting romance. Headstrong Sayer and her love interest Fen will appeal to fans of sapphic romance (Sayer was my favorite). And shy Aesa has a sweet romance with her bodyguard, as well a truly fantastic character arc. Together, their girl gang is a fun bunch, and I found the interactions between them to be truly delightful.

But ultimately, I felt like this was a lot of style and not a lot of substance. I am not sure if it's just that I'm burnt out (likely), or that I like a little more social commentary in my fantasy, but I found that Nightbirds talks a lot about girls reclaiming their power...and doesn't say much about the system of power that keeps them oppressed. There's great potential for critique here--magic is banned for being sinful, and the city the girls live in is ultimately an oligarchy--but a slightly-bloated plot and too many POVs makes it feel muddy. The next book in the series, Fyrebirds, may solve all of these problems, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Nancy Paulson Books, and Kate J. Armstrong for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 / 5 stars
This was a very interesting and readable YA fantasy. The characters were lovable, the story was intriguing and the writing was nice. The story is nothing groundbreaking, and has a lot of the story beats that are usually found in YA fantasies that are clearly supposed to be feminist, but the presence of these rather predictable elements did not impede my enjoyment of the book.
The weakest part of the book was, in my opinion, the beginning. In fact, the style and pacing of the first 3 or so chapters had me genuinely considering DNFing, though I am ultimately very glad that I kept going. I cannot pinpoint exactly what about it was so unappealing, only that it eased off after those first few chapters. The first chapter especially feels off, and seems a bit out of place, and overall just feels like a bad way to begin the book.
My other main gripe with the book was the magic system, which seemed a bit... unfinished, I guess? The whole premise that only girls/women have magic is already a bit flimsy, but I understand the purpose of this dynamic in-world, what with the feminism aspect of it all. Nonetheless, it seemed very shaky and not very believable to have this as the basis for an entire magic system, without any further explanation. It also would've been really interesting to have some discussion about the fluidity of gender and what that means in relation to this gender/sex-based system, but I fully understand that might be too much for a simple YA fantasy book.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading this. The story kept my interest and I was always excited to read what comes next. Apart from the first few chapters, the pacing was also nice, moving not too fast but also not taking too long. The three main characters' voices also felt reasonably distinct, so that I was never confused about whose perspective I was reading at any given point.

**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!

Strong female leads and INCREDIBLE world building. I loved this book and cannot wait to jump into the next. It’s giving roaring twenties meets dystopian strong female badassery. 10/10. Slightly slow to grip me? But once I was in the story I never put it down. This was a 1 sitting read for me. So good.

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 basic feminist YA read, with a unique fantasy twist, this is a fun one to pick up.

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong is a clever fantasy set in a fascinating world and filled with intriguing characters. The Nightbirds of the title are a group of young girls who wield magic in a society where it has been effectively banned. Shrouded in secrecy they meet their clients while masked and guarded and bestow their individual gifts by means of a kiss. When the girls find themselves caught up in a political scheme that threatens both them and their families they learn that they have not been told the truth about their powers, and the society that they thought was protecting them was in fact little more than a cage. Will they rise up and take control of the society that tried to clip their wings?
I loved the premise of this book, I was immediately drawn to the sense of mystery and intrigue that surrounded the NIghtbirds and those around them, and though it took me a little time to warm to some of the characters, I did find myself growing more invested as their stories unfolded. There is a lot of world building and lore incorporated into the storytelling but it is very well done and I found that it added to my enjoyment of the book as a whole. Setting it in a world that was reminiscent of the prohibition era, if magic was controlled rather than alcohol, was a touch of genius.
This is lush, vividly imagined tale of action and adventure and above all empowerment and I enjoyed it very much indeed.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

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!

✨Thank you, Penguin Random House and NetGalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read. ✨

Reading this book was so fantastic! This world of Nightbirds and the magic that they have was so interesting to read, and seeing how the girls fit into society, I had to read more! And of course things aren't what they seem, and I had to keep reading!

I was quickly caught up in this world, getting to know these characters, as they navigated what they knew, and what they were finding out, and how that was affecting them. It was such a delight, continuing to read and learning more!

One thing that I really enjoyed was the atmosphere. The mix of Prohibition and magic, and the aristocracy, with secrets and balls, it brought this world to life. It was magical and a delight to read, that influenced what I was feeling when things were emotional, like those patriarchy moments.

This group of girls was in a difficult position, to keep on as they were that was known, or taking a chance on something new. Watching how all these girls all dealt with it, they all had their own thoughts and reasons why they were dealing with it, and the decisions that they were making.

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

*Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for providing me with this ebook in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Nightbirds. It was a beautiful written book with interesting characters and an amazing world building. I'd like to see more character development for some characters, but other than that I HIGHLY suggest this book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. While I was intrigued by the characters and the outcome of the Nightbirds as they became entangled in a political game, there were moments where the story fell flat for me. At over 400 pages, it felt like the book could have been trimmed down, as some of the side storylines shifted focus away from the bonds forged between the Nightbirds and felt unnecessary. If you enjoy more of a folklore steeped in magic with a political plot this book is perfect for you.

*Thank you to Kate J. Armstrong, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

In *Nightbirds*, a group of young women with magical abilities—known as Nightbirds—live in a theocratic society where magic is forbidden and women are oppressed. These girls can transfer their magic through a kiss, offering their powers to wealthy men of the Great Houses in exchange for protection, but their status as vessels for magic makes them vulnerable to exploitation and violence. When an attack forces three Nightbirds—Matilde, Sayer, and Æsa—into hiding, they must navigate a world of classism, misogyny, and religious zealotry, while discovering the strength to defy the forces that seek to control them.

The first in a planned series, this *Nightbirds* builds a compelling world and introduces readers to an engaging cast of characters, leaving you on the edge of your seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment.

It’s weird to have a book where so many characters are accused of living in a brothel that says so little about sex work! Ultimately I enjoyed this book - I think the character work was really well done. Plot wise it is pretty boiler-plate “they’re burning the witches, even if you’re not one “ feminism. That’s a thing I like so I’m not going to knock it, but I wish more had been done to make this story feel fresh.

This book was cute. I don’t know what I was expecting when I started It but I enjoyed Reading the book and I will be on the lookout for more books by this author.

I absolutely loved this book. The aesthetics and vibes are amazing and I need more books like this immediately! I was hooked pretty early on and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

set in a glittering jazz age-inspired world, nightbirds follows this year’s set of nightbirds—young women from noble families born with illicit, inherited magic. the nightbird system purports to protect them in exchange for gifting their magic to wealthy clients and eventually marrying and raising the next generation of nightbirds, but a political plot forces the girls to reconsider their gilded cage and question the lies they’ve been told about their own history.

nightbirds is… fine? it’s a generic YA fantasy that doesn’t do anything new or inventive for the genre, but it incorporates a lot of popular YA trends and i think i might have enjoyed it more if i hadn’t already read so many similar books. some parts actually reminded me of early 2010s YA fantasy in a positive way.

i think my biggest complaint is how surface level everything is, from the characters to the themes. most of the characters are stereotypes with no real personality beyond that mold. similarly, armstrong manages to touch on a lot of interesting themes (sex work, consent/rape culture, religious oppression, church/state) without really addressing any of them in any meaningful way. and what was the point of all the different—and yet often indistinguishable—POVs?

the most interesting part for me was the lore about the nightbirds and their fyrebird ancestors. i enjoyed what we saw of that and i wish it had been explored further.

while ultimately not a book i would pick up again (i’m only finishing the series because i have an eARC of the sequel as well), i think a lot of my complaints can be attributed to the fact that this is a debut novel that would have benefited from significantly more pruning.