Day’s YA: MIDNIGHT ON THE CELESTIAL

MIDNIGHT ON THE CELESTIAL by Julia Alexandra
9781250380104
3/3/2026
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Roe Damarcus is a Morphic. Born with the power to temporarily summon spirits from the dead, she’s become a bit of a party trick at her esteemed family’s galas, wowing guests who travel far and wide just to catch a glimpse of those that they loved and lost. She’s practically destined to become the family’s shining jewel. But when she fails the realm’s coming of age trial that ensures she is not a danger to society and allows her to keep her gifts, she has two options: give up her powers completely, or board the Celestial, a magical ship created by her family where she will serve a punishment sentence and attempt to earn a coveted retrial along with other outcast Morphics. 

Despite her family’s insistence that she doesn’t board the ship, she sets sail on the luxurious cruise made of nightmares. As she heeds the demands of wealthy guests and cruel bosses to win their favor, and tries to win over her fellow staff members despite her privileged background, the true dangers of the ship begin to surface. After night falls, the Celestial transforms into halls of nightmares that kill the staff members. She begins to dig into the ship’s dark history, questioning the trials and the system that put her and other Morphics there. But as soon as she does, she is framed for a murder she did not commit, and must do whatever it takes to uncover the secrets of the Celestial—and her own family history—before she becomes the next victim.

MIDNIGHT ON THE CELESTIAL is a deliciously dark fantasy debut that somehow managed to charm and dazzle me, while simultaneously making me want to hide under my covers. Julia Alexandra’s writing is beautiful, with lavish descriptions of aerial silk performances and enchanted food and drink, to terrifying dark hallways, making the world feel vivid and real. The magic system is unlike any I’ve ever seen before, yet was easy to understand, making this a suitable read for any audience—even those who don’t typically dive into fantasy books. It’s fantasy with a little thriller, a little horror, and a little romance, and with a fast pace and high stakes, it’s one of those stories that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the very last page.

Roe is a wonderful main character—she’s brave and determined, and refuses to simply give up her gifts just because it’s what her family wants her to do. She knows what is important to her and why her powers are worth saving, and she chases that relentlessly. But as Roe begins her journey on the Celestial, she realizes that everything she’s been taught might be quite different from reality, and slowly works to uncover how her family history ties into the ship’s imprisonment system. After meeting other Morphics trapped on board, the group bands together to discover the secrets of the ship, free themselves and others, and dismantle the system to make sure that no Morphics are ever subjected to the same horrors again. And although it’s not the focal point of the story, the budding romance is one that you can’t help but swoon over. Ivander (our new charming silk aerialist book boyfriend!) and Roe were certainly not fans of one another right away, but as they learn to trust, care for, and look out for each other, they find their relationship crucial to staying afloat amidst the horrors (pun intended).

This is a story that showcases the power in paying attention to the world around you and fighting against unjust systems together. Perfect for fans of CARAVAL, HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE, DIVINE RIVALS, and FABLE, MIDNIGHT ON THE CELESTIAL is filled with magic, terrifying trials, intrigue, and romance that will sweep you away on an extraordinary voyage, beyond your wildest dreams and darkest fears.

Happy reading!
<3 Margo

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