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.

This book is beautiful in more ways than one. The world building is absolutely incredible. I absolutely loved the great gatsby era, the speakeasy's, the magic, the balls, the gangs - the chapter endings were so amazing. The thought and detail that went into this book was nothing short of beautiful.

The pacing of the story was right on point, as was the character development. The political plotting is intent, and sorry to say but all of the betrayal keeps the story fresh.

I can't wait for the second book and to see where this series goes, how it develops further, and where it ends up. Overall I was truly amazed by the fact that this is a debut novel.

Thank you to Katie Armstrong and NetGalley for the e-Arc.

Aesthetically this book is 10/10. Loved that it felt historical jazz era but wasn’t necessarily. I think the plot in the beginning was a bit slow which made it hard for me to get engrossed in the storytelling. But once they were in the tunnels I was much more involved. I think overall it needed a bit more but I still liked it enough to continue with the second part of the story.

Finally, a book where women with magic actually USE it and use it powerfully! I was so glad it wasnt another "i have magic but im too afraid to use it so i just dont" for the majority of the book. These girls may not know how powerful they are yet, but they are at least brave enough to try.
I really enjoyed this one. The writing, the world building and the magic are very well done. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

When you first start reading this book it is A Lot. There is a ton of info dumped and lots of world building in a very short amount of time, HOWEVER, do not let that turn you off. While it seemed daunting in the beginning, this book quickly absorbed me into its world of magic and secrets and girls with powers they are only beginning to understand. I love these characters fiercely and how seamlessly Kate J. Armstrong switches from one POV to the next. Each girl has such a clear voice and it is truly impossible to pick a favorite because they are heart tied.
Nightbirds has the perfect combination of found family/sisterhood, magic, world building, political intrigue, and romance. Really this is a 4.5 star read. I'm really excited to read the next book and see where the story goes and how it all ends.

First, this cover and then the cover I was sent was different so I hope the one with the girl and a bird is the actually cover because it is stunning. The maps are a great introduction to illustrate the setting which is so beautiful. There is no smut very light heart romance which makes me feel like it is a young adult book and I adore it. The magic was definitely whimsical and reminds of magically shows from my pre teens. The era of it like the gangs, underground speakeasy, and balls reminds me of Chloe gong. This didn’t read like a debut, I would like to read more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read this!

First off, I love the book cover! So beautiful. I love the female lead and can't wait to read the 2nd book. I'm so glad I decided to read it. Thank you for giving me a chance! Truly enjoyed it.

Kate J. Armstrong’s Nightbirds is an immersive and enchanting fantasy novel set in a world where magic is a rare, dangerous commodity. The story follows three Nightbirds—Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer—young women who possess the ability to bestow their magical powers with just a kiss. This rare gift places them in the crosshairs of a society eager to exploit their abilities for wealth and control.

Armstrong crafts a beautifully intricate world, full of political intrigue and societal divisions. The glamorous yet dangerous setting is brought to life with vivid descriptions that pull the reader into the world of the Nightbirds. Each of the girls' journeys toward self-discovery and reclaiming their autonomy is compelling, and their diverse personalities add richness to the narrative. Themes of empowerment, loyalty, and rebellion run deep, making this more than just a magical adventure—it’s a reflection on the fight for freedom in the face of oppression.

While the plot is engaging and full of twists, the pacing slows in places, and some of the secondary characters could have been more developed. I'm also not a huge fan of strong feminist themes. However, the captivating world-building and complex relationships make up for these shortcomings.

Overall, Nightbirds is a gripping, character-driven tale that fantasy fans will thoroughly enjoy. Armstrong has created a unique world filled with danger, intrigue, and strong female leads. A solid start to what could be an exciting new series!

This book, and series it looks like, has a lot of potential. I was engrossed in the story for the most part and I liked the world Armstrong created. The Nightbirds are three girls who have magic in them. Since magic is illegal in Simta the girls' charms are kept hidden, only being shared if someone with the right amount of status and money comes calling. They also can only share their magic through a kiss, but never for themselves - or so they think. But nothing can ever stay hidden for long and the moment they are unmasked they are forced to run. Matilde, Aesa, and Sayer need to work together to stay alive, and once they do they are in for a shock when their magical abilities are finally freed - allowing each girl to see their full potential.

This is sort of a romance but this is very limited. It is mostly historical fantasy. The character development and world building is where Armstrong really shines. I liked the feminist approach and the strength of the female characters. More and more girls with magical abilities come forward and watching them all begin to finally express themselves freely is worth the reading. There is a lot of action - with the church of Simta trying to control and extinguish all magic - but for the most part the story revolves around all three girls learning who they are and fighting over their feelings of having to work together. I didn't mind this though since we know after reading that the girls have had to hide who they are from everyone for their entire lives. Knowing there is a sequel, I am sure there will be more focus on relationships and life decisions. But this was a good first book of a magical fantasy series.