I'd previously read another of C.L. Polk's books (Witchmark, the first in her Kingston cycle of books), with some reservations about the strength of the characterisation and its treatment of class, so I suspect I was never going to be 100% sold on The Midnight Bargain unless those two issues were dealt with better here.

The basic premise of the book is that it's set in a country where both men and women can do magic but only men are allowed to study it to a high level and women with similar powers are admired only as breeding stock. To support this, women with inherent magical abilities are locked into warding collars from marriage to menopause, to protect their children from being possessed by a spirit in utero. It's revealed partway through the book that the majority of women who undergo this have no idea what it's like until it's too late - their particular society is massively patriarchal (think Victorian laws around women owning property) and therefore self-perpetuating.

Enter our female protagonist, Beatrice, who unbeknown to anyone has already acquired magical knowledge she's not supposed to have and is on the marriage market this year only because her family are drowning in debt. A good marriage is the only way to save them, even though this is the last thing in the world Beatrice wants - she wants to become a sorcerer, even though there is no opportunity to do this, not lose her magic till she's past child-bearing age. Early on, Beatrice falls in with a brother and sister, only to discover the sister is in a similar boat to her and they form an alliance, promising to help each other learn more about magic and discover if they can both avoid marriage and the loss of their powers.

So far, so good, if a little heavy-handed in terms of the allegories about bodily autonomy. Where it goes awry for me a little is again in characterisation - in this case, Beatrice falling madly in love with her new bestie's brother after one conversation and said brother's lack of 3-dimensionality. Ianthe, for that's said love interest's name, is everything the plot requires him to be: sensitive and thoughtful, willing to turn a blind eye (or assist) in whatever Beatrice and his sister are getting up to, and pretty to boot. It's your classic YA-instalust situation, with Beatrice thinking 'well, maybe losing my magic part-time wouldn't be so bad, if I'm shagging this hottie!' and wavering all over the place.

As a standalone novel, the author also falls into the trap of wanting everything to tie up neatly - the heroes get what they want, wrongdoers are punished, there are plans afoot to turn the world upside down after Beatrice figures out how to have their cake and eat it. It's a little like eating too much cake, to be honest, as the experience goes from sweet to slightly sickening in a matter of moments and I'm not sure I liked it all that much as a result.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I was enchanted by this story from the very beginning! I cheered for Beatrice throughout the entire story and couldn't wait to see how it ended. I loved her strength and courage to stand up for her freedom and wouldn't let anything get in the way.

This book had the perfect balance of magic, romance and suspense to keep you wanting more!

C.L. Polk's fantasy novel The Midnight Bargain is a prescient take on women's autonomy and strength. In this Regency-esque alternate world, our heroine Beatrice is expected to fall in line and marry an eligible bachelor to secure a fortune that will salvage her father's failed business ventures. However, she is a skilled sorceress (a quality many women in her world possess), but all married women are forced to surrender their magic upon marriage to prevent the magic from corrupting a pregnancy. She is resolved never to marry until she meets the handsome Ianthe Lavan and his passionate sister Ysbeta. It turns out that the similarly-gifted Ysbeta shares Beatrice's fear of losing her magic to matrimony, and the two strike a deal to secretly improve their skills and become Mages in defiance of their patriarchal society. Yet Beatrice can't help but fall for Ianthe, who respects her talents and listens to her fiery opinions, leading her to question what choice she should make.

This is a feminist tale that fantasy readers will enjoy, along with those looking for all the dreaminess of a Regency-era love story but with more resistance to the stereotypical societal pressures. I was not captivated by the novel, but I appreciated it and its firm stance on female agency. The magic systems were sometimes confusing (along with my personal pet peeve of lots of fantastical names that I don't know how to pronounce).

[3/5: A fun fantasy where a lead gets the man and to follow her dreams. Felt more YA than adult lit, so would likely appeal to both.]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was, to be honest, a little disappointing. The first of Polk's Kingston trilogy was one of my favourite reads the year it came out, so I was expecting more. It's a pleasant read, but I found the rather obvious "women's power over their own bodies" metaphor rather heavy-handed and the romance unconvincing.

Beatrice’s empowering need to do something for independence and for the women of magic shines through C.L. Polk’s novel, The Midnight Bargain.

Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress trying to discover how she can become a full-fledged Magus by practicing in secret. When she discovers a grimoire at a bookstore one day, she bumps into Ysbeta Lavan who is also after the same grimoire, alongside her brother Ianthe Lavan. Ysbeta takes the grimoire leaving Beatrice to strike up a deal with a spirit as long as she kisses the handsome, kind, and amazingly wealthy, Ianthe. Would she decide to risk becoming a powerful Magus for a kiss to seal the deal?

I gave The Midnight Bargain five stars, absolutely loving the magic and lessons behind the story. Beatrice was a really strong character to read and through her point of view we read the difficulties it was to be a women who wanted to become independent and become something in the world. Beatrice showed that women don’t need men to fuel their ambition.

The message behind Beatrice’s actions when having to strike up the deal and work with both Ysbeta and Ianthe were something that was very meaningful throughout the story and I really enjoyed the way they became friends and held each other closely throughout this book.

I loved the way Beatrice and Ianthe had an immediate connection with each other and that both of them worked hard to show each other that they were important in each other’s lives but also showing each other that they can equally have each other out of their lives. They romance in this book in this book developed strong and they were both understanding toward each other. For me, Ianthe didn’t take Beatrice’s magic and determination for granted, he stood by her side and believed in her and how she was a strong sorceress.

This was an absolutely fantastic read and I loved the character growth of Beatrice as she developed and improved her magic more. She fought for herself and was dedicating her time to solve the grimoire and become a powerful Magus to solve her toughest questions.

This was a fantastic read that I really enjoyed unexpectedly. I grew to really enjoy the plot and the magic that was pretty well developed throughout the story made me interested in continuing to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Midnight Bargain is *exactly* my type of book. Regency romance, ladies fighting for their rights, and witchcraft all rolled into one beautiful novel that sparked my soul again and again with every deepening friendship, every injustice, every bold action that could result in freedom or despair. It’s like Glamourist Histories meets Handmaid’s Tale, with more than a few nods to Revolutionary Girl Utena. My two favorite genres are clever period romance and feminist fantasy, and I honestly can’t imagine a better story to unite them as equals. I made the mistake of starting it when I only had 15 minutes free and then was irrationally angry for hours until I could pick it back up again, at which point I stayed up all night to finish it.

I loved Beatrice from the very first page. I think it’s sometimes a dirty trick to introduce a character we’re meant to like by showing them searching for books in a bookstore, because everyone who reads it is going to be like “mmm, girl I KNOW,” but the problems that led her there and the additional conflict that occurs there caught me up in her dilemmas and I was hooked. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but Beatrice is the heroine of both a romance and a revolution, and while those conflicts are often at odds, the genres aren’t. There are so many stories out there where one or the other feels tacked on, but the writing in The Midnight Bargain is so excellent, the two in tandem feel not only natural but necessary.

It looks like the pub date is still three months away, but I can’t wait to buy a copy for myself. And, let’s be honest, probably for several of my friends too. I would devour an entire series of this, but will remain content with this perfect morsel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc*

DNF *4o%*

I'm sorry but this in not my cup of tea. The plot has been so interesting and appealing and what I've found it was quite boring starting from the beginning.. I'm afraid I've read too many books with a sort of insta-love to be a fan of it, and the fact that the stories begins with no real introduction in the setting upsetted me a lot.
Maybe I haven't found the right connection with the author's writing style.

This book was a quick and entertaining read. It touched on the topics of magic, feminism, friendship, loyalty to one's family, and romance. Character development is one of this book's major strengths. The main character, Beatrice, has a unique, well-defined personality and voice. Even when Beatrice makes decisions that the reader might not agree with, she has rational reasons for everything that she does. She is intelligent and charming, which makes it easy for the reader to root for her. Additionally, I was also happily surprised by how focused this character was on women's rights. This topic becomes a driving catalyst for major plot points in the book. In summation, I really enjoyed Beatrice's adventure and would happily pick up the second one if the author decides to write a sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy.

Beatrice enchanted me from the very first sentence. I could not put this book down!

Beatrice knows what she wants: a life as a single woman practicing magic. In Chasland, a woman sorceress has to put on a collar that takes away her magic the day she marries. And since her abilities are strong, she’s sought after as a wife. Beatrice is determined to find the magic she needs to determine her own destiny.

Beatrice is seeking a book with the instructions she needs when she runs into Ysbeta and Ianthe. Ysbeta’s family is seeking a husband for her as well, and Beatrice and she form an uneasy alliance when they agree to share the book both wanted for themselves.

But Beatrice’s father has spent every penny he has and then some on helping Beatrice land a rich husband. And Beatrice didn’t expect her heart to leap every time she laid eyes on wealthy, handsome Ianthe, who’s falling for her as well. Beatrice faces an impossible choice between love and magic.

All of the characters were captivating and leapt off the page, especially headstrong Beatrice, who would risk everything for freedom in a world where women had none. I had to keep reading to see if Beatrice would find a way to make the life she wanted.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book especially because it involves magic and feminism.although it is 400 pages i flew quickly threw this book and could not wait to see what would happen next!

Story is set in Regency England where women’s magic is taken from them when they marry.
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and practices magic in secret. Her family is in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.

I've enjoyed this romantic fantasy.

I was given a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can honestly describe this book as fun. It has all the traits of a great regency romance but with magic. I really thought the author did an excellent job at weaving the magic system into a discussion about women’s body autonomy. I also thought the romance was very sweet.

The only problems I had with the book was that I didn’t get fully invested into the story until chapter 8. Another issue I had was I felt that some parts needed more dialogue tags.

Overall I loved this book so much and I will be picking up a finished copy when it officially is released.

The premise is reasonably good and the writing is a step or two above palatable, but points off for the easy 100 or so pages of waffling and indecision from the ingenue.

A secondary-world fantasy that is strongly Regency-romance-adjacent, and has (for me) the best parts of Regency romance.

It's all too easy, I suspect, to write a Regency romance about silly, vain women and stern, harsh men without confronting key truths about the era. Namely, that women of the upper and upper-middle classes were prevented by their society from doing anything productive or learning any useful skills, that they were <i>supposed</i> to be silly and vain, and that their economic security hinged terrifyingly on marriage to a (probably) stern, harsh man who would quite likely keep getting them pregnant until they died of it.

Those facts are very much present in this book, which also adds a fantasy layer that brings them out more sharply. In this setting, several different kinds of magic exist, including "high magic," which involves summoning and binding spirits. These spirits are capricious and hard to control, and love to experience the physical world via their hosts; if a pregnant woman has one, it will embody itself in the child, taking over from the human soul. So married women are bound with collars that prevent them from accessing magic throughout their fertile years.

The two main female characters of the book find this horrifying, and one of them is (in present-day terms) asexual or something like it as well; she wants to avoid marrying completely, and pursue magic instead. The other, the main protagonist and viewpoint character, also deeply desires magic, but she is in love, and struggles to choose between what seem like two incompatible goods. The object of her affections is a man who isn't stern and harsh, but empathetic and supportive; despite this, he still doesn't really get what the women are on about for a long time, a touch of realism that I appreciated.

The whole is well handled, with a motivated protagonist in a dynamic situation from the start, a powerful and seemingly insoluble dilemma, strong secondary characters both supporting and antagonistic, courageous and determined action from the main character, and a rich setting. The only criticism I really have is that I didn't see enough evidence of magic's impact on society in ways that didn't relate directly to the plot.

Highly recommended if you enjoy Regency romance with a feminist slant that still has room for positive portrayals of men, and adds in a magical dimension that contributes greatly to both plot and theme.

I received a review copy via Netgalley.

A good book, very light read, as I didn’t feel strongly connected to the characters. The world building was very confusing at first but with time I got used to it.

*I received this as an ARC ebook from Netgalley*

So the description of this story caught my eye on Netgalley and I'm glad to have gotten a copy. It was a little hard to get into at first but once it gets going, it's hard to put down. I don't even know what to compare this too, it's such an original story. I don't want to give too much away but I could absolutely see two more spin offs of this. I'd love to know what the trio (and their spirits) get up to in their search for the mother sorceress solution, especially if they do a little pirating on the way! I'd also love to know more about the secret society of women who maintain their magic, especially how they started and how they keep it all a secret. This is a great read for readers who like magical fantasy, strong female/feminist characters and a little bit of period revisionism.

I was NOT ready for the gut punch and heart twist of this book. So magical, so lovely... just the exact love story I needed at this moment. Can't wait to recommend.

The Midnight Bargain was a delightful read! Beatrice, a woman who must marry to save her family from debt, secretly wishes that she could openly learn about and use her magical powers. In her society, Beatrice’s role as a woman is to marry and produce as many children as possible. When a woman marries, her husband gains control of her magic. To save herself, Beatrice attempts to access a grimoire that may grant her the power she needs to avoid her fate. When she meets siblings Ianthe and Ysbeta, Ianthe and Beatrice form a romantic connection. Ysbeta shares Beatrice’s interest in grimoires, equally determined to avoid an arranged marriage. As both women push societal and magical boundaries, the writing is descriptive and draws parallels to the world we live in today.

With commentary on justice, women’s rights, and sexism, the issues Beatrice fights against feel very real and relevant to our world. Beatrice is a driven character- sometimes so focused that she misses something right in front of her. This can be a little bit jarring, but I enjoyed her curious nature. The ending and epilogue felt a little rushed to me, but ultimately still wrapped up well. The Midnight Bargain was a great fantasy story, with a creative intertwining of women’s rights and sorcery. This is the perfect book for fans of fantasy, regency romance, and strong women with magic. I’ll have to check out more of C.L. Polk’s work! The Midnight Bargain releases October 13, 2020. Thank you to C.L. Polk, Erewhon Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved CL Polk's Witchmark so I had very high hopes for The Midnight Bargain and I was not disappointed.

This is a charming fantasy of manners marrying an alternate Regency England with a world where some people are born with the ability to use magic.

Beatrice's family is pinning their hopes on her having a successful Bargaining Season and landing a wealthy husband to save the family after her father's poor investment choices have left the family with few options and fewer allies.

But marriage means giving up magic. A sorceress wears a warding collar until the day she reaches menopause because practicing magic while pregnant could allow the unborn child to become possessed. And Beatrice wants to practice magic, even the magics forbidden to women.

I loved the Regency romance types of details about clothing, food, and balls, even down to calling cards. The magic system was intriguing without being convoluted. And the characters.

I adored Beatrice, her determination to follow her dreams, to do the right thing, even when it was heartbreaking. Her younger sister, Harriet, was fiery fun. I know Goodreads doesn't have a sequel listed but I want to read Harriet's story.

Ianthe was the perfect Regency hero - gorgeous, wealthy, and loving. I want to read more about his sister, Ysabeta too - so bold and determined.

The ending was definitely a HEA Regency romance ending but I was so invested in the characters that that was perfectly fine with me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the DRC.

I had a tremendous amount of fun reading The Midnight Bargain! I just completely Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow and was having a hard time picking out my next read. It was suggested that this might be an excellent book chaser for OaFW. They were correct.

I happily accompanied Beatrice on her journey to discovery magic and independence, along with her unexpected find of love and friendship. Beatrice’s world requires that childbearing sorceresses wear a unique collar restraint for the purpose of preventing a devastating side effect of magic on a fetus during gestation. This restraint has become a custom for all women entering marriage. Now Beatrice must choose between her desire to become a mage (something women have long since been discouraged if not outright forbidden to aspire to) and rebel to do so or save her family from financial ruin by submitting to marriage (to an unexpected love), which would require her to wear a collar and forfeit her magic.

Along the way Beatrice meets Ianthe and Ysbeta Lavan. Ysbeta and her become reluctant friends as they both strive to unlock the secret to becoming a mage. While their friendship missed the mark with me, my enjoyment of the dynamic between Beatrice and her sister Harriet made up for it. The romance between Beatrice and Ianthe was featured enough to make me swoon but did not over take the story. That first kiss made me a little dizzy, so A+ there. I really enjoyed how into her he was. At one point Beatrice fumes “How dare he be so openly besotted?” I happily couldn’t agree more.

Ultimately, our resident spirit Nadi stole the show. The interactions and conversations between Beatrice and her were my favorite parts of the book.

This a really fun witchy read, perfect for the beach. If you enjoyed Witchmark, you will enjoy The Midnight Bargain.