The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk is one of those books that in my opinion has an interesting premise but lacks execution. In a world where magic exists and is commonplace, the rules to protect men and women are fascinating. Each country takes a different approach and learning of them added an extra layer to the story.

If only the main character wasn't so frustrating.

Beatrice Clayborn is eighteen so I know some of her more irritating traits can be pinned on the fact that she is so young. She has had a somewhat sheltered life and would be considered one of the genteel poor. She does not have a good deal of experience with the upper echelons of society having spent a good deal of her young life in the countryside with her family. This could be forgiven and overlooked if she weren't also so incredibly selfish. Nearly every thought and action she has is centered on herself. Even when she plans to help her family, the plans themselves still boil down to focusing on her. Numerous times I found myself rolling my eyes at her thoughts or actions and on more than one occasion I wanted to give her a good shake.

The overall romance aspect also felt a bit rushed and slapdash. A few times I had to go back and make sure I didn't miss anything simply because the romance between the two main characters jumped ahead so quickly. I understand wanting to have a Happily Ever After type of ending, just not when it comes at the expense of the rest of the story.

The fantasy aspects of the story were sorely lacking and for me, that made the story less enjoyable. Several times we readers were given tantalizing clues about magic and how it was interwoven with the world at large yet it was never really followed up on. I honestly would have enjoyed more backstory in regards to magic and less focus on the romance of the characters.

Honestly, I wanted to enjoy reading The Midnight Bargain. I'm not going to say it was bad but in my opinion, it wasn't very good either. It was merely okay. I know other readers have enjoyed the book and should the author write anything else I will leave it to them.

Thank you Netgalley for the E-Arc in exchange of a review.
I started reading this one but didn't hold my interest. I thought the concept was good but I wish I could have connected with the characters and plot more.

This was an ok read for me, but I found the themes of feminism in the book to be really heavy handed to the detriment of the plot and character development. It was a shame because the world-building that we do get was really interesting and would have made a fun series to read.

I loved the victorian fantasy setting and the parallels between women not being aloud to use magic to our own world, where women had to fight to be given any rights as well.
I loved the demons in this world and the character interactions.
Highly, highly recommend.

I loved C.L. Polk's Witchmark series so I was so excited to be approved to read this book! Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I've tried to read it a few times over the last couple years and I've put aside each time around the 25% mark. I loved the premise of this story and the writing is good. I just can't get my brain to focus on the story.

Absolutely divine. Everything I had hoped for and more; which is really saying something as I had high expectations for Polk’s latest novel.
This feels like Pride and Prejudice with magic and a (healthy!) female friendship thrown in for good measure.
Everything Polk touches is magical (literally and figuratively).
Do yourself a favour and pick this one up. It’s lovely!

Beatrice is entering her first season on the marriage market, though the last thing she wants is to get married. Marriage means giving up her innate magical abilities, something she loves and feels would be much more useful to her family than a loveless, magic-less marriage, especially if she's able to make the great bargain: summoning and harnessing a greater spirit to do her bidding. Unfortunately, society's rules (and Beatrice's father) are dead set against this happening, and Beatrice's only hope is a grimoire that has fallen into the hands of Ysbeta Lavan, who also seeks to make the great bargain.

In the acknowledgements, the author describes the book as "Pokémon, but make it Jane Austen," and that's a funny and fairly good description. Except that it leaves out the currents of feminism, rebellion, and oppressive patriarchy that makes the book so compelling. I have some quibbles with the plot, which wrapped up WAY too neatly, but otherwise it was an enjoyable read.

I initially read the first chapter years ago when I wanted to pick a new read from first chapters alone. This first chapter didn't particularly grab me, so it went on the am reading pile without me actually continuing it. I now wanted to give it another chance, and I'm so glad I did because I ended up really enjoying it! It made for the perfect Sunday afternoon read, and I flew through the book. If you are looking for great characters and a lovely plot with regency feels, I can highly recommend this!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A blending of Bridgerton vibes and magical mystery. This book deserves all the positive reviews and then some as it inspired me to read more books hy this author.

This is a novel of fantasy, feminism, frocks, and flirtation. It combines a strong dose of Jane Austen (one of the towns is even named Meryton, just as in Pride and Prejudice) with a generous dollop of magic. It succeeds in this well enough to have been nominated for the Nebula Award for the best fantasy novel of 2020.

I found it a fun, fast reading pleasure. I liked Beatrice, the heroine, and, among the supporting cast, I especially liked Nadi. The resolution is adroitly managed and pleasing. Spoilers ahead. While I very much enjoyed Ivanthe, the romantic interest, I note that he's no Mr. Darcy. Where Mr. Darcy riveted me with his initial arrogance, Ivanthe was sweet from the start. N.B. It delighted me that Polk clearly establishes that Ivanthe is dark-skinned and strikingly handsome.

Two other notes. Firstly, I found the heroine's father sufficiently repellent that I was rooting for him NOT to reconcile with the heroine at the end. Secondly, I wished Clara had been given a little more space in the novel, and, in particular, that we'd seen Beatrice being kinder to her early on.

Thoroughly enjoyable.

A must read for fans of T. Kingfisher, this fits right in with the slightly ominous, slightly cozy, intriguing world building lane. Really loved the unique magic system, the slow burn romance, and the fun twists in the plot. Great for high school fantasy fans who don't mind a romance subplot.

Thank you NetGalley

I read it on the middle of the pandemic and it was so nice to be distracted that perhaps is not the most original tory but it was nice and fullfil his purpose

As my former review of this book was on GR when I read it in 2021 & disappeared, this is a quick new review. Apologies if it isn't as good as my old one:

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I. Absolutely. Love. This. Book.

This is my first foray into the works of C.L. Polk, but it was a great start and definitely incentive to read more. I was recommended this book for a readathon that I participated in, and it was my favorite book I read during that readathon and a top read for the whole month. I didn't know this was a genre I needed. Fantasy Romance set in the Regency like I was hooked so fast. Even moreso we get our social commentary with whispers of the possibility of not just being able to decide ones own future, but to possibly change society's rules entirely. Wealthy women can't attend school for magic, and are even discouraged from simple charms, and once a contract is made in Bargaining Season well. . . that is it as married women must wearing magic-blocking collars during their reproductive years and the only one with the key is their husband.

The worldbuilding in Chasland and beyond was fascinating, especially in terms of commentary on ways women are restricted in society by claims that supposedly are meant to be protect them, and I do hope we'll get to see more of it in future works. It is definitely inspired by Regency England to some extent, but not entirely and we see this with the Lavan siblings who are not from Chasland and are visiting as their Mother has arranged a contract for Ysbeta that she is trying to get out of as well. While the romance between Beatrice and Ianthe is swoon-worthy? I love the friendship between Beatrice and Ysbeta that's born out of a common goal.

Another great aspect is that Beatrice's goal might sound selfish at first glance — though she entirely has the right to be if she chooses — yet as the story progresses you learn that it's about more than just her. And honestly, more caring than a certain family member deserves(I must say that of her family my favorite is absolutely her little sister Harriet). And as time is limited to save herself, she finds herself pushed closer to the Lavan siblings by her own goal, social circumstances, and by Nadi(who is such a fascinating character all by themself). This proximity leads to more interaction with Ianthe who Beatrice finds herself falling hard for as she learns he has more open-minded views — though perhaps a little naive about just how restrictive society is — being from a place that is more progressive. For Beatrice those feelings are dangerous as even where the Lavan siblings are from women are still prevented from studying higher level magic and must be collared. This makes everything much more tense, and then the book becomes even moreso. . . especially as Beatrice's father learns what is happening. But the outcome of the story as a whole and the wait for the HEA is worth everything.

The chosen family vibes, the LQBTIA+ rep, the interesting class dynamics relating to the difference in social power for wealthy women vs working class women, and more is great in this book. I will say that my only complaint is what happens concerning Beatrice's Father cause I think it was far too nice. But that is all I'll say.

I really enjoyed this! On the one hand it's a Regency-era story with magic, but on the other hand it has some really good and interesting things to say about the role of women and female power.

The Midnight Bargain by C L Polk

A reasonable story but I found it very slow going to get into the story the main characters fairly mediocre.

The magic system seemed to be where the author invested most into the story . Expected a better balance to the story and characters fairly disappointing . 2.5/5

5/5 stars

Well-executed. Blended lots of genres that I typically enjoy (History, fantasy etc.). Good pacing--was a light and fast read. Really enjoyed.

(i received an e-arc from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

c l polk certainly has a way with words, spinning them like fine silk and holding me close with every page.

Great book! Wonderful characterization, great love interest, and a genius magic system.
I loved every bit of this story

Loved the blend of romance, fantasy, literary, and historical genres in The Midnight Bargain. You really get a sense of the world through the female lead's perspective: her interest in magic, struggles with her family, and even the process of falling in love.

This was a very quick and light read. Just what I was looking for. The book had a very interesting concept, and I thought the author executed that concept very well.