I loved this YA romance, it was beautifully written with engaging characters and a very nice story.
I'd definitely continue reading from this author.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

The Midnight Lie is a beautifully written YA fantasy romance. Readers of The Winner's Curse trilogy will be thrilled to learn that this novel is set in that same universe, although it is a standalone story that doesn't require reading any of Rutkoski's previous novels. It does, however, enhance the story.

Nirrim lives in the Ward where the lower class lives and life is grim. Follow the strict rules or suffer the harsh consequences. Until one day, Nirrim comes across a stranger, Sid, who has travelled from far away and speaks of magic possessed by the upper class. Nirrim is tempted and must trust Sid on their journey to find the magic even though Sid asks not to be trusted.

A slow burn romance ensues that's impossible for readers not to root for. Rutkoski's writing is absolutely beautiful. Highly recommended to readers looking for a strong YA fantasy romance. This is one that'll have readers swooning.

The Midnight Lie is a Y/A fantasy set on the fictional island of Herrath, where a rigid caste system dictates every element of life for the Half Kith who are on the bottom rungs of society. Middlings enjoy some privileges whilst the High Kith are the only ones who enjoy total freedom with extravagant parties, games and excess. Nirrim is half kith, an orphan who was taken in by the unpredictable Raven, whom she feels indebted to. Nirrim also has an innate gift or talent in seeing what is hidden and the ability to remember things perfectly. After a misadventure one evening, Nirrim is imprisoned awaiting her fate, which usually means certain death for the Half Kith. However, Nirrim is saved by the rakish Sid, a traveller from a distant land who brings with her questions of magic and mystery and changes Nirrim’s life forever.

I loved the writing in this book so much, it was so beautiful with sumptuous descriptions and so many memorable quotes that I went a little highlight happy. I haven’t read any of Marie Rutkoski’s other books, including the well known Winners trilogy but I’m definitely putting it on my TBR now. I loved the slow build up in this novel and how there was a lot of exposition and world building, plus excellent characterisation in the first 3/4 of the novel then it was all guns blazing, in the last section. While usually pacing can be a major issue for me, it really worked for me here. Plus that gut punch of an ending? Wow, just wow. It’s been a seriously long time since an ending has left me this devastated but also excited to read what comes next.

As well as the writing itself, there were such interesting and realistic relationship dynamics explored within the book. Although Raven did take Nirrim in and has taken care of her since she was a baby, they have a complicated relationship which is rooted in manipulation and abuse. I thought this was such a sad but real portrayal and is approached in a nuanced way. Another disturbing relationship dynamic explored is between Nirrim and Aden, who guilts and pressures her in such insidious ways to returning his advances. There’s a lot to unpack here, but it is so refreshing and important that these issues are explored, especially in a Y/A novel.

Can I just say how much I love Sid? Sid is great, consider me a stan. I loved her whole attitude and her carefree, adventurous spirit but also her sensitivity which she rarely shows but is so obviously there. I thought the whole introduction between Sid and Nirrim via prison cells was fun to read and the flirtatious banter and sharing of their stories was A+. I can’t fault the romance in this novel, it’s slow burn, it’s angsty and it’s so sweet but sexy too. Hats off to Marie Rutkoski, she really did that.

Overall, The Midnight Lie was such an exciting beginning to this duology and I can’t wait to read the next book already. I can imagine a lot of people will love this book and it will definitely get a lot of hype which it so deserves.

ok. WHAT THE HELL MARIE RUTKOSKI?!?!?!?!

this book absolutely destroyed me. I LOVE Nirrim and I LOVE sid ❤️❤️❤️. They’re both some of my new fave characters and my god Marie Rutkoski can end me with literally a snap of her fingers.

The writing was exquisite and so entrancing that you genuinely feel like you’re in the Ward with the characters.
Sid is one of the most charming characters i’ve read about and Nirrim is the most sweet and lovable character. ai fell in love with them individually and with them as a couple almost instantaneously. Also their first meeting? PERFECTION!!

This world is so different than what we’re used to even though it is in the same universe as The Winners Trilogy, and it is so SO brutal!!

The ending was on the edge of your seat stuff, and I cannot wait for the sequel!

This was such an amazing read! If you want a cool plot, a f/f romance, a ton of action and lot of swoon, PICKT THIS UP! Right from the beginning I was hooked! And if you love cliffhangers, this book finishes on a high note! This book is set in a world that is separated by a caste system and Nirim, our sweet MC is the lowest ranked. This book follows her journey in this dystopian fantasy.

The chemistry between the two MC's was very interesting, and I can't wait for the next book in the series! i want a copy now!!

3.5 Stars

This was my first time reading Marie Rutkoski but this has made me interested in picking up the Winner's Trilogy, as this is billed as the author's return to this universe. I have to admit the world was what kept me reading this book, while the rest just kind of plodded along for me. That was until we got to the last 5% of the book.

This book left me a little torn. I am usually adore flowery purple prose but the writing style of this book just didn't gel with me for the first 50 or so pages. It was just filled with very flowery descriptions combined with hundreds of short sharp sentences that if read aloud I would imagine would leave one out of breath. It seemed to have this weird sense of urgency when it was actually a REALLY slow plot line. In fact it wasn't until the introduction of the love interest that I really started to have any interest in this book.

We follow Nirrim and her daily life in the Wards, a sector of a vast city where the oppressed people are marginalised to unable to travel, wear bright or beautiful clothing or eat sweet foods. Punishment for breaking any of these rules is a tithe of some form of bodily aspect such as hair or blood. Nirrim for me just doesn't sing as a main character she is predictable. An orphan, that is not like other girls, special but she doesn't know it, easily manipulated. She is insistent she is happy but then runs off in chase of adventure risking all those she insists she loves in a heartbeat. I have just met this character before. Of course her sense of adventure is spurred on by the arrival of the love interest Sid whom is rakish and good looking, flirtatious and doesn't care what anyone thinks of them. They can show Nirrim everything she has wondered about and more. Again we have seen that love interest before too.

While I did love Sid and Nirrim's relationship, it just didn't quite hit the mark. There was a lot of on paper will they wont they without letting the reader feel the angst, which for the major plot of the book was just a bit of a let down. It is still a good read just not thrilling. The same can be said for the secondary plot lines. I could see all the twists and turns coming a mile off. Within the first few chapters of the book I had already sussed out all the major "Twists" bar the one at the very very end (and even then I had an inkling). That again made this a good read but not a great one. It was just a little dull as when the reveals were finally made they were more of a poof than and bang.

The thing that saved this is the worldbuilding. God damn was it gorgeous and interesting and I really just wanted more. We spent a lot of time in middling scenes without action, which were almost static and it was a shame as if we could have spent those scenes exploring ward, the middling night market or the lavish parties I would have rated this book very highly. Also I will admit the ending did save this a bit. It left the romance behind and took Nirrim in a direction I had not considered. This sets us up for a very different story in book two, which it might have just persuaded me to pick up.

Overall my thoughts are this book was good, an enjoyable read, a cute romance and a great ending. It just wasn't knock your socks off.

It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I really appreciated it.
Even if I found it a bit slow at times I loved the great and lyric style of writing, the character development and the amazing world building.
The characters are all well thought and interesting and I liked how Nirrim evolves and changes.
The plot kept me turning pages and I was enthralled by what I was reading and enjoyed it.
It's an engrossing and entertaining, I cannot wait for the next instalment and I recommend this one.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I spent my last Christmas holidays completely immersed in the world of the Winner’s trilogy, reading all three books one after the other and I loved it, so I was really happy to go back in this fantastic world with Marie Rutkoski’s latest novel, The Midnight Lie.

The story is set in Herrah, an island with a strict class system. At the bottom, there are the Half Kith who live and die in the Ward while outside the High Kith live a life of richness, pleasure, and freedom. The protagonist of the story is Nirrim and she is a Half Kith. Orphaned and with a complex and emotionally abusive relationship with the woman who raised her, Nirrim is put in prison for a crime she didn’t commit and here she meets Sid, a traveler who questions Herrah’s society system and Nirrim’s beliefs. Why is Herrah’s like this? And why nobody seems to question it?

Nirrim is strong and well-developed. She just wants to be loved, so she puts all her trust in the woman who raised her and took care of her, no matter how twisted and complex their relationship is. Even though she started question Herrar’s society from the beginning, it’s her meeting with Sid that really changes her life and make her wonder about everything she believes in. I loved the character of Sid. Arrogant, loyal, charming, and a rulebreaker, Sid is definitely my favourite character in the story.

My favourite part of the story is the romance. The witty banter between Nirrim and Sid was engaging, sexy, funny and made for a captivating read. I liked how their relationship developed and how it takes most of the story. Of course, there is also a fantastic world-building, an intriguing and beautifully-written plot, plenty of surprises and magic that really kept me glued to the pages.

I LOVED the ending. Completely unexpected and so well-done that I can’t wait to see what happens next. Whether or not you have read the Winner’s trilogy, The Midnight Lie is a fantastic must-read!

Oozes danger, romance and an unusual magic (3.5 Stars)

The Midnight Lie is a beautifully written read and though it is different to the normal, action-packed fantasy books that monopolise my bookcase, by the end of the novel I really wanted more! Such an abrupt, and may I say cunningly evil, ending!

Nirrim lives in Herrath within the Ward, a walled-in part of society that houses the Half Kith, the lowest class in society who are treated like slaves and punished for the slightest of law infringements. The High Kith (the highest in society) live in luxury, full of pleasure, freedom and frivolity. The Half Kith will do anything to escape the Ward and become Middling, and Nirrim uses her special abilities to help others do exactly that. But when she meets Sid, a traveller from another land, she starts to question everything she knows, thinks and feels about her home.

I’ll admit that I found the book a bit hard to get into and felt it was a bit of a slow start. Perhaps this was because I struggled to connect with the main character, Nirrim, because of her naïveté and inability to see the blatant abuse from Raven. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of her relationship with Sid, and the undoing of her relationship with her abusive ‘mother’ figure. The novel explores some interesting topics - emotional and physical abuse and how that is perceived by a victim that loves their abuser, LGBTQ relationships and views and manipulation.

I don’t want to spoil the book, so I’ll say that some elements were predictable but these were outweighed by the beautiful development of the romantic sub plot, the detail of the world building and the ending that left me feeling hollow and hopeless (like I said, pure evil!), but wanting more.

I’d definitely recommend this book for fantasy and romance lovers. This isn’t your typical action-packed fantasy book, but it oozes danger, romance and an unusual magic. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.

This book. THIS BOOK TOOK MY HEART AND IT HELD IT SO VERY GENTLY! UNTIL IT DIDNT!

This is YA at its finest (in my opinion) a delicate piece of beautiful writing following Nirrim who tries to long for nothing, tries to be content with things being the way they are, till she meets Sid, and everything changes. And honestly Sid is such a rake - I spent most of the book between wanting to punch them and kiss them.
The intense banter which I wasn’t prepared for but none the less enjoyed immensely, and then the attraction between our two main characters – stunning.

The only upfront issue I have is that I wish it had been slightly longer. Our big climax felt a tad rushed, and though I did see some of the smaller turns coming, the big reveal was eye opening. And that ending. I will not be forgiving the author for not giving me a heads up that this book would drop me in the deep end and look at me slowly drown. At least – not till I get this second book… as this is apparently a duology.

But anyways, over all I don’t think I could fault this book. The intricate world, the magic, our main character all wonderful. I do wish I got to look inside the head of Sid a little – just so I could look at the world more comprehensively. With 1st point of view we are deep in Nirrims feelings, which is great. BUT I WANT MORE!

I do also want to highlight the very real way Rutkoski portrayed abuse and gaslighting. Especially concerning Nirrim. The inner monologue is very heartfelt and feels disturbingly real.

All in all I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, and magic and a beaut lgbtq relationship built from the ground up with that first kind of love – sweet and delicate and yet all encompassing. Also roaming gods, and a city walled in. Whats not to like?

This was a really good book and I feel like I have to read again The Winner's Trilogy, which I had started but not finished!

I don't have a lot to say, mainly because I loved the book and I have nothing to nag about! The characters were amazing, the writing beautiful, the world fascinating. I do believe that it was focused more on the relationship between Nirrim and Sid, rather than the plot, but it was not too big of a problem!
And let's not forget the diversity part (and the magic part !!)
Great start of a new trilogy, can't wait for the second book!

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

It’s been quite a while since I picked up a Marie Rutkoski book. Her last series, The Winner’s Curse trilogy was packed with beautiful prose, sizzling romances, and some really awesome characters. So, as weird as it sounds, I was kind of in two minds about The Midnight Lie, especially when I heard that the book would be set in the same universe as the trilogy. Thankfully, I needn’t have worried. Anyone who hasn’t read The Winner’s Curse series (or like me, has a sieve-like memory for settings and world building) should be perfectly capable of picking up The Midnight Lie without having to do a bunch of homework first. There were a few mentions here and there based on other countries and some political/foreign policy stuff that I am about 90% alludes to Rutkoski’s other work, but it’s still definitely a book that stands on its own and doesn’t require an extensive knowledge of the other series. If anything, I think fans who remember a lot of details from TWC books will probably smile wryly at the information and allusions, and then continue on. That’s it, really.

Initially, The Midnight Lie was a little difficult to sink my teeth into. The prose is… odd, especially to begin with. I know that doesn’t sound especially eloquent but it is just a bit unique and hard to wrap your head around to start with. It’s quite lyrical and flowery, and there’s a lot of glimpses into the character’s mind and thought process. But Nirrim also sees things, almost like a hallucination, so it can be kind of unsettling and difficult to come to terms with how she views the world around her, and how she describes these things. It also makes the pacing a little slow to start with, but it’s definitely worth powering through.

Character-wise, the book is definitely strong. Nirrim is fantastic, and I love how fleshed out she is and how she somehow manages to both be a survivor, and also come across as quite naïve and innocent. There are some moments in the book that might make readers eye-roll at how oblivious Nirrim is, but honestly, it was quite refreshing to see these situations given exploration in a YA book. I will say that there’s potentially some CWs for manipulation and abuse. I’m not personally sure if it’s something that should/would be addressed by Hodder or Rutkoski on the cover/in an intro to the book, or not, but I’m still mentioning it because it’s possible that people who have experienced similar behaviour might struggle with some scenes in the book. I personally think it is handled really well, but again I am coming at this with my own unique opinions, and it might not reflect what other people think. Sid is my favourite character. She was so mysterious and sneaky and infuriating, but also just marvellous in every way. Some of her secrets were pretty easy to figure out (or at least I thought so) but she definitely kept me on my toes throughout the story, and there were some twists and turns with her story that I did not expect.

The romance was also just breath-taking. Just so beautiful and amazing. There was a slight element of instalove in there, admittedly, but it was very well-written and felt organic. I liked that Rutkoski also wrote an LGBTQ+ romance that was so heavily character driven, and that wasn’t focused on coming out. While I appreciate that coming out stories are important, I also love when fantasy worlds don’t just mirror the realities of our world, and being LGBTQ is viewed differently. A lot of the narrative is focussed on this romance, and I think the magic mystery stuff is more of a sub-plot if I’m looking at it objectively, but I think this works in the book’s favour. We see so much of these characters and learn so much about them through their blossoming romance, so I don’t really mind that the other plot elements take a bit of a back-seat to them. Especially since this is the first book in a series.

I do also think the world-building was particularly well executed. I’m still not entirely sure about some of the mythology woven through the book, but I liked how there was lots of discussion about class and rules based on a society that revolves around status. Again, I thought this was handled very well. The magic did at times feel a bit odd, especially since it sometimes didn’t feel like a fantasy novel, but ultimately I quite enjoyed its inclusion. I think a lot of the magic use was creative and imaginative, and in some ways, the descriptions of the parties and the magic used at them kind of reminded me of Caraval and, to some extent, Harry Potter.

I definitely think this is a very unique fantasy book. The writing style is quite flowery in places, especially at the beginning, but once you get used to it, it does give the book a unique flavour. And I thought this worked well to give Nirrim a very defined voice. I don’t think the writing style will suit everyone, but it made the book stand out for me.

Overall, I’d give The Midnight Lie 9.5/10 stars. I thought the world-building and characters were very well-written and the book explores some areas I haven’t seen many YA books cover before. While the book is set in the same world as Rutkoski’s first series, it isn’t required reading, and I found The Midnight Lie perfectly accessible without refreshing my memory. I’m already quite excited for the follow up novel, especially since the plot really cranks up towards the end, and I fell in love with the characters and their stories. Definitely recommending this one to people who like a lot of romance in their YA, and quite flowery, lyrical prose.

Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
I have been a fan of Marie Rutkoski and her atmospheric writing ever since I first picked up the Winner's Curse so I was curios but also a bit terrified to read this. I shouldn't have worried. This is a masterpiece.
Paced incredibly well with a heart-wrenching sapphic relationship that had me swooning from the first moment Sid graced the pages and a mysterious plot involving long-forgotten gods and curious elixirs, this is the best fantasy novel I have read in a long while. Rutkoski excels at writing authentic characters whose struggles you can't help but feel for and creates a world so entrancing that even while you read about the Ward, you feel the walls closing in on yourself - when Nirrim gets her reprieve, so does the reader.
Nirrim was such a powerful and fierce protagonist and that cliffhanger ending had me biting my nails and makes me wish I could read the sequel right away. It's going to be a pain in the ass to wait for the next installment after those last few lines - I can't wait to see Nirrim make this world her own.

Book Review: The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton/ Hachette UK
Release Date: 3rd March, 2020

Lies: white lies, necessary lies, malicious lies, and whole island encompassing lies...this book is full of them!

Throughout, I found myself contemplating why I was ok with some lies and not others. Isn't lying just wrong? I was appalled when the protagonist lied about loving someone, but when she lied to cover up a murder! - No, apparently I was fine with that!

But I suppose with a lot of things it's the context that counts, and in The Midnight Lie the context is everything!

The history and truth about their society; way of life, has been hidden from them, and it has just become accepted; 'it is what it is.' Then Nirrim's curiosity is piqued and she vows, with the help of mysterious stranger Sid, to find out the truth.

Obviously, intertwined with this intricate and beautiful world building and Nirrim's search for the truth, is a romance that is doomed to end before it has really begun. Sid; the love interest, is cocky, arrogant and mysterious, in a wholly loveable and charming way of course.

I didn't feel like there were too many moments of high drama throughout the book. Even though Nirrim's world appears to be highly controlled by the militia, with severe 'tithes' for stepping out of line, the feeling of threat wasn't there. It's more of an adventure as Nirrim explores parts of her world she has not seen. We, the reader, learn about this place with her.

It was the description of this 'new place'; the High Kith part of the island that I enjoyed the most. Rutkoski vividly portrays the colour, vibrancy and mysticism of the city and all the pleasures given to those lucky enough to be born there. I really felt like I was in a dream-like state with the characters; as though the description had entranced me like the 'magic'. It's a complete contrast to the 'Ward', trapped behind a wall, where Nirrim grew up.

Although the world building and description were beautifully done, I felt like I was waiting for something (anything) to happen. And then the ending happened. Rutkoski was definitely setting the scene carefully, with lots of intricate details hinting at what is to play out in the next book. The 'evil' twist at the end has made me eager to read more as Nirrim's character has just become a whole lot more interesting!

Thank you to Net Galley and Hodder and Stoughton. Hachette UK for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc.

Sobs. How fast can Marie Rutoski write and get the next book published because ARGHHHHHHH. This was a book with a clever and intricate plot, things fell into place more fully only as the ending approached, then THAT. Okay, I’m going to calm the capitals now.

I am such a fan girl of The Winners Trilogy and this book set in that world was no disappointment. It was an island of class issues, prejudice, homophobia told through the eyes of seemingly gentle Nirrim. Nirrim had been living a life of oppression but she was beginning to spread her wings on her own, those wings were aided to flight by Sid. Sid was a character I loved, despite her elusiveness and secrets. I loved the build of more between these two, that part of the storyline was particulary fabulous.

Life in the wards had all the description of sights, sounds and smells that conjured a vivid impression despite the lack of actual colour. Discovering the differences between Half Kith, Middling and High Kith was such great plot development and observing Nirrim take steps in new places was intruiging.

I could not put this book down, I read it in a day, feeling fascination, excitement, frustration and desperation for answers. I loved the connection to the winners trilogy, some of which I guessed. This book killed me with the ending. I need more and I feel like I need it now but I am going to have to put my patient pants on and distract myself for a while.

Marie Rutoski has that talent of creating a fantastical world that feels so utterly different to any fantasy you have read before. I am here for her books, always.

Thank you to Hodder Books for the early review copy.

BOOK REVIEW: The Midnight Lie by @marierutkoski
4 stars
I loved The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski so was so excited to receive an arc of The Midnight Lie from Hodder!

I didn't know what to expect from this book but it was SO different to what I had thought!
Firstly let's talk about the two main characters Nirrim and Sid. Nirrim was a rather naive yet also brave character and I really liked her from the start. The journey her character went on was really interesting and I can't wait to see how she evolves further in the next book.
Sid was an absolute delight. A woman that dressed like a man and loved to please other women. She was full of energy and sass and was so vivacious you couldn't help but love her.
The storyline was interesting and was a slow build of twists and turns and a growing romance that seemed completely believable. The aspect of magic added an extra layer and I never knew where it was going to lead. Certainly not the absolute shocking cliffhanger of an ending that made me want second book right away!! A wonderful LGBTQ fantasy with two strong female leads, magic and adventure. What more could you want?! Please note that this book was gifted in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Hodder @hodderbooks @hodderscape @readeatretreat 🧡

This was a really welcome surprise for me, with a tightly woven narrative and a fascinating world. It tells the story of Nirrim, a young woman living in the Ward. When she meets Sid in prison, their relationship takes off and Nirrim's world expands in fascinating ways.

The Positives: I really liked the world Marie Rutkoski has created here and thought that the class divides were very interesting. There were lots of things that reminded me of Elizabethan England, such as the sumptuary laws and the way in which the High Kith sought pleasure above all else. I thought that a lot of things were very mysterious throughout and that the narrative was well paced for us to discover elements of the plot at the same time as Nirrim, which worked really well to maintain the suspense. I loved the relationship between Nirrim and Sid - it was passionate and felt very authentic as they get swept away by their feelings. I thought the relationships in the Ward were also really well done. Raven is abhorrent and her manipulations were incredibly well crafted.

The Negatives: There were a couple of plot points that I found pretty predictable. I also thought that this focuses very heavily on the relationship between Nirrim and Sid, which was fine, but it did mean that the plot was a little bit lacking in places and also meant that the conclusion felt quite rushed.

Overall, I thought this was a really engaging and well crafted novel that kept my interest throughout and I will definitely read Marie Rutkoski's future offerings.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Whoa. Just whoa .

That ending has me speechless, stunned, tongue-tied, stupefied... You get the gist.

Where do I start this review?

Do I tell you that this book is eloquently written, the world captivating and bewitching? Do I tell you that our characters have mettle; spunky yet endearing at the same time?

I'll just list out all the things I loved about this story, and hope that you'll see it as reason enough to read this book. Numbered lists are so much easier to deal with, when you're generally rendered dazed by a book like I am now.

1. The world-building is fantastic. The Midnight Lie is set on the island of Herrath, where the society is caste-based. The High Kith are akin to nobility, the Middlings their servants, and the Half Kith similar to serfs and indentured labourers. There are laws about everything — right from what colour clothes a particular caste is allowed to wear, to which section of the island they're allowed to exist in. The Half Kiths are made to pay hefty tithes (fines) for the smallest of transgressions, and there seem to be rules and no rules at the same time.

It's an intricately built world, and Marie Rutkoski's vivid descriptions remind me of two other worlds that I loved as a child — Holly Lisle's "Ruby Key" world, and Angie Sage's "Septimus Heap" world. I was enthralled right from the first line.

2. The characters are well-developed, tangible, and real. They have their imperfections, they make their mistakes. They lie, they steal, they even murder, but they also love, care, and help those in need.

Our main character is Nirrim. She's a lowly Half Kith who works for her abusive guardian, Raven. She thinks the cruelty from the lady she works for is love, because that form of exploitation is the only affection she's known. She's skilled at the work she does, and she cares about the people around her and her adopted family — she's a "good girl". But things happen (as they are wont to do in epic fantasies like this one), and she finds herself thrown into a sequence of events that cause her to meet Sid.

Sid, Sid, oh how do I even begin to describe Sid? Sid is someone I can see myself falling for — flirtatious, smart, witty, gentle, kind, confident, feminist — the list goes on.

Sid is a traveler who sails to Herrath (which Nirrim doesn't initially believe because her people have always been told that only Herrath exists), convinced that there's magic on this remote island; magic whose secrets Sid would like to learn about.

Sid convinces Nirrim to stick around long enough, and the two are off on an exploration of truth — do the High Kith really possess magic? Does magic actually exist in the first place? Why does no one on Herrath know the history of the island? Why does no one question how things are run in this orthodox society? Why does everyone say "it is what it is" , instead of being curious?

3. It's an epic fantasy with a sapphic romance. That's enough of a reason to love this book. Nirrim learns about her sexuality and eventually accepts it, and that sort of character growth makes her a protagonist whom I can root for.

And the romance — it's a slow burn. Nirrim and the lady she'll come to love are so perfect for each other, and the slow burn only makes it all the more tantalising and impactful. It's exactly the type of romance that makes a fantastic book even better; it's the wine that complements your feast.

4. That ending is cruel but delicious at the same time. In other words, I cannot wait for book 2.

5. The writing is impeccable. This is my first Marie Rotowski novel, and I'm already hooked to her writing. It's vivid and intricate and colourful. As I stated in the comments section while reading, I wanted to break open the screen of my Kindle and jump into the story. The plot and descriptions were that effing good.

This is the first time in a long time that I found absolutely nothing to criticise in the book, and while I wait for the sequel impatiently (we don't even have an ETA!), I 100% plan to read her other novels to fill the void I'm beginning to feel as I write this review.

As I said, I'm hooked.

I'm immensely grateful to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to read this story; for providing me an ARC via NetGalley. Words cannot express how much I loved this book, and how glad I am that I got an opprotunity to read this masterpiece.

*4.5 stars rounded up*

I was so excited to read this book: queer fantasy? Sign me the heck up. This book reminded me a little of Strange the Dreamer, with its beautiful, lyrical writing, and the city reminded me a lot of Weep. It also reminded me of Woven in Moonlight, mostly due to the richness of the setting and atmosphere

We follow Nirrim the Half-Kith, the lowest class in this world. Their section of the city is walled off from the Middling section, and the High-Kith beyond that. When Sid, a person who looks and acts High-Kith, enters Nirrim's life her world begins to expand and she's forced to question everything she knows about the class system

This book did something I love in fantasy: started off small, with one person's perspective of one place, and then expanded massively by the end. In that way it reminded me of Strange the Dreamer too

*mild spoilers ahead*

I was bothered a little by how quickly Nirrim grows accustomed to life in the wealthier portion of the city; I'm not sure it's believable she'd thrive in the lavish lifestyle that quickly. BUT that's my one gripe, everything else Nirrim did was totally believable

I also loved the rep of a lesbian relationship. I can name a million books I've enjoyed with male-male relationships I love but so few female-female, and I really appreciated it

5 Stars

I LOVED this. From the beautiful writing to the characters to the world-building to the plot - literally everything in The Midnight Lie was fantastic, and I need the sequel NOW because that ending hurt.

A spin-off of the Winner's Curse trilogy, The Midnight Lie very much works as a standalone, though for peak enjoyment I would suggest reading the original trilogy first. The way in which things have developed since the ending of the The Winner's Kiss is absolutely fascinating, and there is definitely an extra emotional layer to the story if you know what preceded it.

There are two main differences from the original trilogy that I found really fascinating. For one thing, the setting is completely different. Herrath, despite having a lot in common with Herran, is completely isolationist to the point that most of its people don't even believe in the outside world, and for an age the outside world similarly has been similarly unaware of Herrath's existence (though the occasional traveller sneaks in).

The second major difference is that this book is about magic. The Winner's Curse isn't really a magical fantasy, more of a story of political intrigue, whereas magic is an incredibly important part of The Midnight Lie. I really loved how the High Kith basically live like the citizens of the Capitol in The Hunger Games but with magic, and there's some super interesting stuff going on with the gods and Nirrim's own abilities too. It was simultaneously super fun and disturbing.

What I loved most about this book was the characters. First off, Nirrim herself. Nirrim is the main character, and like Kestrel in the original trilogy, she is a super fresh female lead - but in a completely different way. Nirrim is known for her kindness - which is her greatest strength and also her greatest weakness. An orphaned, lower class Half Kith, she accepts anything even resembling love, and because of this is a victim of multiple toxic, abusive relationships at the beginning of the story. As a reader you can see all the red flags, but you can also see why she is so dependant on these relationships. It's sad but also so, so realistic and well-written, and I loved watching her find herself throughout the story. Though Sid (the love interest) plays a big part in her progress, as well as her sisters, Nirrim's development is still at the end of the day the product of her own desire for more, for something new, and eventually for something better, not just for herself but for all the people she cares about. It's wonderful.

Then there's Sid. I LOVE Sid. She embodies what I have discovered is my absolute favourite trope, and though it would be a spoiler to say exactly what it is, I've never seen it in a female character before. Sid is alternatively hilarious and vulnerable and steals every scene she's in. She is a character who is open about being a liar, who plays games and hides under a mask of confidence as a form of defence, and she's so, so interesting. Her relationship with her parents and her home kingdom of Herran is heart-breaking (especially if you've read the original trilogy), and her relationship with Nirrim is absolutely wonderful. If you're looking for a great fantasy f/f romance, this is the best one I've read.

I've a sneaking suspicion this series may become a new favourite of mine.