Review of 'The Midnight Girls'

In a snow-cloaked kingdom, two wicked rivals secretly compete for the pure heart of a prince, only to discover they might be falling for each other.

Karnawal season is a time for mischief and revelry. For the next few weeks, all will be wintry balls, glittery disguises, and nightly torch-lit sleigh-parties.

Unbeknownst to the merrymakers, two uninvited girls join the fun. Zosia and Marynka are drawn to each other the moment they meet, until they discover they're rivals, who both have their sights set on the prince's heart. If one consumes a pure heart, she'll gain immeasurable power. Marynka plans to bring the prince's back to her patron in order to prove herself. While Zosia is determined to take his heart and its power for her own.

Their ambition turns into a magical contest with both girls vying to keep the prince out of the other's grasp, even as their attraction to one another grows. But their attempts on his life draws the attention of the city that would die for him, and suddenly their escalating rivalry might cost them not just their love for each other, but both their lives.

Review

An LGBTQ romance, The Midnight Girls develops the story quickly, filled with magic and mayhem.

Storytelling

The Midnight Girls is a quick read. But it lacks a measure of depth that Jasinka’s previous novel had.

Where The Dark Tide had more world-building and mystery behind all the fantasy, this novel focuses more on the characters and the dynamic between them.

The Midnight Girls retells the tale of Baba Yaga, who is split into three figures: White Yaga, Red Yaga, and Black Yaga. They each have a servant, whom they call Morning, Midday, and Midnight. Midday is MArynka, and Midnight is Zosia. They are often pitted against one another, sent to steal the prince’s hearts. But these girls have never met.

They balance one another out quite well, where Marynka is rash and wild like a raging fire, and Zosia is more controlled, calmer, and icy. They are perfect foils for one another, and that’s why the romance works so well.

They balance one another out quite well, where Marynka is rash and wild like a raging fire, and Zosia is more controlled, calmer, and icy. They are perfect foils for one another, and that’s why the romance works so well.

All Marynka wants is the love of her Grandmother for her to be proud of.

Final Thoughts

I will say this is more of a character-driven story. The characters grow, and the reader realizes they live in a very toxic situation. The Yaga are abusive, emotionally and physically. Red Yaga is also manipulative, and it’s not until the end that MArynka understands what real love looks and feels like. She understands it can be complicated and challenging, but true love is never cruel.

While it may seem superficial compared to her debut, The Midnight Girls offers readers a bittersweet ending and ultimately leaves the reader smiling.

• Writing Quality : 7/10
• Character Development : 7/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 7/10
• Intellectual Depth: 7/10
• Originality: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.