So I wanted to love this one. I've tried reading it three times now and just cannot get into it.

On paper this one sounds right up my street but for some reason I just am not enjoying it.

I might try and give the author's other book a go and see if it was just this one.

I'm so sorry but I ended up dnf-ing this one.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

I truly expected to enjoy this novel, because I love Alice Hoffman and her books that combine magic, witchcraft and Jewish folklore work so well. Her book, The World That We Knew, set in Paris during the German occupation, mixes the story of The Golem with the escape of two young girls. This novel is the story of three Jewish sisters, who are daughters of the rabbi, and practice magic in secret just in case they are denounced as witches. This is the 14th Century and in Hungary, a place and time I know little about but the atmosphere was well established and it the peppering of the narrative with Hungarian words really added to the authenticity. The eldest daughter as the power to heal, which she has inherited from her mother. The middle daughter can summon fire and the youngest can tell your future by consulting the stars. A brilliant set up and I was drawn straight into the world they inhabited.

However, the narrative is very complex. Each sister has her own narrative section, which gives us a great idea of their individual characters, but this is further woven with folk or fairy tales they tell each other. Each section is headed up with quote from the fictional Book of Solomonars, based on Hebrew religious texts and it is in these different mythologies I started to feel bogged down. There is a glossary for the language, a whole background mythology and the youngest sister’s section is in blank verse. It’s so creative, but a lot of ideas all at once. I felt like I was watching a book trilogy that had been squashed into one film, rather than being allowed to grow slowly over time. However, it does mean there’s something for everyone from a bit of shape shifting, to romance, then suspense, and Jewish folklore on the side. It’s such a bold and busy narrative that I started to feel like there was so much detail I couldn’t keep it all straight in my head. If you love fantasy that’s rich in detail and historical reference points this is the book for you.

The story flowed effortlessly from chapter to chapter with a wonderfully descriptive vocabulary, bringing the reader into each character’s personality and surrounding imagery in such a colourful way.

The Light of the Midnight Stars is a good read, I need to start with that, it’s a well written, intricately woven and powerful story, intelligent and beautiful, however I found it quite heavy going due to the folklore being listed out, it did feel more like a lesson than a story at times . That's not to say they weren't interesting because they were but I don’t think so many were needed. On the whole the story was sweet and moving but I think needed more editing (3.5 stars)

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This was a beautifully written and enchanting story that is well-paced and full of interesting plot lines and story points. It was a lovely whimsical read from the first chapter but held a lot of substance.

A haunting tale about three sisters in the 14th century. Because of the fragmented story structure it took me a while to really get into it. But it was compelling enough to keep reading. I really enjoyed the mix of fairy tales, fantasy, Jewish folklore and historical fiction.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting take for a book, filled with magic, love, loss, and religion. It's sad and awful at times, with glimpses of hope.

folklore, magical elements and adult fairytales umm yes please. I eally enjoyed this book and couldnt put it down, I didnt want it to end.

"The Light of the Midnight Stars" by Rena Rossner takes a bit of getting into but it is so worth it. Essentially it is a fairy tale for grown ups, with lots of story-telling interspersed with Jewish traditions and stories. Parts sad, parts beautiful, a lovely read.

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.


Previous review,as it appears I read a while ago.