3.75 stars

The story is about 3 sisters, Hannah, Levana and Sarah who were from a devoted Jewish family in 14th century. They were also gifted with special power that influence their fate in life. Fills with folkfore, legends and history together blended with Jewish heritage and Eastern Europe mythology. This is the first time I encounter and read Jewish representation book which also contained LGBTQ rep (bisexual & lesbian love interest). Also included so many triggered warning like sexual violence, anti-semitism, sexism, sexual content, grief,violence and death.

The good point for this book, I would recognize the beautiful and melodic writing style. The story telling here reminds you of fairy tales. Author successfully display the beauty of Jewish culture and religion. The usage of Yiddish & Hebrew makes Jews proud of it. I love how the romance interest got me with the lines.

The negative sides were MCs heavily depicted to wanting a marriage & have sex desperately eventhough they were still minors. I mean like um what? The romance interest actually seems unreal because it's happening too fast and desperate before even investing it deeper. The aspect that I hardly catch up was the language and cultural aspect. I am less likely exposed to Jews and when I read it, I kinda lost. Despite of having glossal at the back, it must at least have an intro because e-books definitely hard to do so. I appreciated for some of it has explaination however some of it not. To educate non-Jewish, I believe author should consider to make easier to read as well despite this is heavily targeting Jewish reader.

***Will be reviewing in Goodreads seperately due to technical errors***

A complex and rich interweaving of history and fiction, layered with Jewish folklore, legends, and magic. Told through the POV of three very different sisters, it is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The lyrical prose emphasises the power of stories and their ability to help make sense of the world. This is a timeless tale that will benefit from multiple readings.

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner is an intriguing and unusual blend of historical fiction and folk tale. Heavily influenced by the author's Jewish heritage and her family history, this book is an ambitious and richly layered offering . Three sisters , each with unusual abilities are living deep in the Hungarian woods. As descendants of King Solomon they and their father are held in high regard by the rest of their community, Hannah the oldest sister has an affinity for nature, able to coax plants to grow even in unfavourable conditions. Middle sister Sarah has an affinity for fire and flame, but struggles with control while youngest sister Levana can see the secrets of the stars. When a strange black mist starts to creep across the land, a shadow falls over not just this family but every Jewish family and when the authorities turn on them they are forced to flee and create a new identity for themselves to hide their faith. Even when they find a home where they feel safe, their troubles are not at an end, and each of the sisters will face their own difficult choices and challenges.
I loved the rich prose the author used to weave the book together , it was beautifully descriptive and had a soothing cadence that really fit with the fairy tale vibe of the book. Like all the best folk and fairy tales there is a healthy helping of darkness and violence, with brutal descriptions of anti Semitic attacks, rape and assault , but there are also some moments filled with beauty, light and hope to act as a counterbalance. As the book is the story of three sisters we are given three different perspectives, and at times it felt a little muddled, particularly the stories of Hannah and Sarah who had similar voices within the book, I really liked the decision to tell Levana's story in a type of free verse, it made her perspective really stand out and fit the character very well. Although the book did feel a little repetitive at times ,especially when the sisters were telling their stories to other characters, I didn't really mind as I liked the way these stories within the story were written.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Having previously read 'The Sisters of the Winter Wood', I came to this book expecting the same magical elements. Yes, there is magic, but it seems darker. Once again The author is telling us stories of Jewish persecution - this time in 14th Century Hungary - and once again she is interweaving her own family's history with retelling of fairy tales and figures and events from history.

The story is about Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters and the magic that they have within them. Hannah can make things grow, Sarah can control fire and Levana can read the stars. However a black mist is descending and for a while Rabbi Isaac and his followers keep it at bay and the family live a life that is devout and happy until a terrible tragedy befalls them and they are forced to flee. They find a new home where there is more religious freedom but change their names and hide their faith. The story then recounts the choices each sister makes to keep herself and her family safe.

The book is written from the point of view of each of the sisters and, although they are young and think of love and marriage, you are able to understand their deep love for family, for their faith. The persecution of the Jews in this book is much more 'real'. There is a violence in this book that was not in the previous one and be aware that there are a couple of scenes that are disturbing. The author does not shield the reader from the reality of what the Jews suffered in those times. But the magical element is quite breath-taking. There are dragons, what is there not to love?

Although, on the whole, I prefer 'The Sisters of the Winter Wood', I did enjoy this and the way that each sister's story developed as they grew to understand their own abilities. In particular I loved the story-telling, as all of the characters would weave fairy tales into their own narratives to reveal truths. If you love history, magic, fairy-tales and of course the occasional dragon, pick this one up.

Three sisters with very definite characters of their own,growing up in a very male dominated world.
Theres magic,and mystery,and folk tales.
Theres death and destruction too.
Theres a lot to like in fact.
For me though,as I followed those sisters on their journey,I felt it lacked a certain spark that had me fully invested.

An entertaining read non the less.