Magic and romance, the perfect combination. I found this story really interesting since its main focus was about a young sorceress trying to keep her magic (which would be taken from her when she married) while also trying not to fall in love with her new friend's brother. The struggle that both Beatrice and Ysebta both faced as young women trying to find freedom on their magic in a society that keeps trying to force them to settle into the norm and leash their magic was a great one to read about. I enjoyed the relationship between Beatrice and Nani (her spirit of fortune) and how they came to trust and love each other. This book was a great read and I loved how it dealt with the matter of women's freedom in the face of society that tries to take it away from them and the understanding of loved ones.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in one sitting, and stayed up way too late! The Midnight Bargain does an excellent job combining fantasy and romance, while questioning gender and reproductive roles. The characters and plot are well developed and interesting. The Regency England-like setting was wonderfully detailed. The way that women had their magic taken from them when they married, by wearing a collar that effectively trapped their powers, was heartbreaking. I found myself cheering for the main character, hoping that things would work out for her in the end. Sigh. I didn't want the book to end. I definitely recommend it.

Though this book was a bit outside my typical genre, I quickly became obsessed with the plot and characters, and finished the book in one sitting! The Midnight Bargain is a story, while set in a time and place much different from our own, that has very contemporary and relevant themes (reproductive rights and traditional gender roles). While these are some complex topics to tackle, the fantasy setting made them feel accessible and presented the issues in a new and engaging way. All in all, it was the perfect combination of fantasy, romance, and, surprisingly, social issues! A truly fantastic read!!