I really loved the premise of this book, and the interactions with magic and magical beings was definitely intriguing. But I found the main character to be somewhat...ungraspable? I couldn't quite feel along with her, and the magic felt like it kind of faded into the background. I did like the love interest, but that wasn't enough to keep me reading - got about halfway through I realised that I wasn't particularly enjoying things so just decided to DNF this one.

I requested this one last fall, mostly because I always like historical fantasy novels and because of the simple, but beautiful, cover art. Romance is always a plus too! But here we are in the spring of 2021 before I finally got around to it. Part of that is due to my own poor management of my TBR pile, of course. But my recent enjoyment of “Sorcerer to the Crown,” a title to which this one sounds similar, was really the kick in the pants I needed top finally pick this one up. Unfortunately, that same comparison that spurred my renewed interest is also the thing that ultimately hurt this book for me in the end.

For Beatrice, the life path laid out before her is as set-in-stone as it is unwanted. With a destitute family depending on her, she unhappily looks ahead to a life where she will be forced to give up her magic in order to marry well and restore her family’s prospects. In her efforts to avoid this life, Beatrice pursues a powerful, magical book that will unlock her abilities and make her a Magnus. But as she gets closer and closer to this opportunity, the choices before her become harder and harder. When she meets an intriguing young man, she begins to realize that she will have to lose one of her loves: a beloved husband or her magic.

While I didn’t love this book, there were a few things that stood out to me on the positive side. I thought the integration of the magical system and the Regency world-building was interesting and unique. It was fairly simplistic, but in some ways I think that worked well for this book that was trying to span at least three different genres: fantasy, historical fiction, and romance. And what included was interesting in its own right, with the grimoires and the summoning of spirits at the heart of the fantasy. I also thought the complication of the dangers magic posed to childbearing was an interesting, if a bit heavy-handed, wrinkle to throw in the fold.

However, there were a few too many things that got in the way of my enjoying those aspects of the story too much. Immediately, I struggled with the writing. There is a lot of telling and a distinct lack of showing in the style of the story. And this is especially tedious in the beginning of the story where many bits of information are rather inexpertly dumped on to readers with very little done to obscure this goal. This is a personal preference, of course, but I also found myself becoming increasingly distracted and annoyed by the use of exclamation points in the writing. Not simply in dialogue, but in the actual description of events. It made many of these passages read as juvenile and a bit ridiculous.

I also found the main character fairly unlikable, coming across more annoying than fierce. The love story was also very superficial. It’s pretty much your typical insta-love story, and from there all the “drama” feels artificial and contrived. None of which helps the main character’s likability in the least. The conflict between her (instant) love with the hero, who seemed like obviously a genuinely good guy right from the start, and retaining her magic began to lose its weight fairly early.

The story itself had strange pacing, seeming to drag for long periods in the middle only to pick up again, briefly, towards the end. This wasn’t helped by the fact that, all told, it’s a fairly straight-forward and predictable affair. I struggled quite a bit to maintain interest, which is always a fairly bad sign when I reflect back on my feelings on a book. Overall, I think there are likely better examples of books like this, “Sorcerer to the Crown” (obviously) and also “The Dark Days Club” and its sequels come to mind.

Rating 6: A unique idea falters under poor pacing and a plot that veers to closely to predictable tropes.

Really enjoyed the story and premise of the book. The world building was unique and interesting and I loved how well it was explained and described.
Unfortunately the characters felt a little lacking to me and I wish they had been more fleshed out and more nuanced.
Overall an enjoyable read.

It took me about a chapter to get into this book and then I was hooked! I really enjoyed the parallel aristocratic world that Polk created in which the most desirable debutantes not only have the right connections and family, but also have a deep well of magical power (because this means they can breed powerful sorcerer sons). Women, however, are not allowed to train in the magical arts and are only allowed to dabble in charms and have their power contained as soon as they are able to have children. But Beatrice is doing everything she can to fight this conforming, suffocating path. She wants to be able to train and become the highest level of magician, however, her Father has pinned the hopes and dreams of keeping their family from the brink of disaster on her having a successful Season. Now, Beatrice must figure out what path to choose as either way she will have to sacrifice something of herself.

I have mixed feelings about this book. You know I love some good world-building. Magic is just part of the world, but to do higher magic, they have to have a specific grimoire. Beatrice loves magic, but once she's married, she has to wear a collar that prevents her from doing magic so her unborn child aren't born possessed, so it's a choice between magic, which she loves, and an advantageous marriage, which would save her family, who is in debt. The instant love story is eye rolling as always, but it's to be expected. It's a good story.

This book was a great book to pass the time. Although I was not wowed I really loved the elements of magic and intrigue with which the characters had. I really think if this book were longer and had time to develop more I would be rating this higher. I look forward to C L Polk's next work.

Very slow to start! Slower than the authors other works in my opinion. I really enjoyed the story once it got going though. The relationships were all so central to the plot in a way that I think carried the story. I like the magical system, but would have liked it fleshed out a little bit more because the solution does seem to be one that only applies to the upper classes which holds more problems. The spirit was so much fun!

Unique fantasy set in Regency England where women are forced to wear a collar to suppress their magic and bear and raise healthy children. Beatrice wants to use her magic, and not be forced into marriage and having babies. This is a young adult book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I read it earlier to vote for the Library list. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the ARC.

It is truly sad how easily believable such a misogynistic world is, and infuriating to see how women are prized entirely for the uterus and it’s expulsions. I did appreciate the heroine’s difficult choice between love and magic, something which women often have to deal with (albeit in more mundane ways). Never before have I been so enraged and enraptured by a book.

Beatrice Clayborn is a young sorceress on Chasland who dreams of mastering her powers one day but the only obstacle in her way is that she is a women in a world where power & dreams are only reserved for men while women have to give up their power but putting a collar around their neck at the time of their marriage which suppress their magic and further they are only expected to produce heir to their husbands specially a BOY.

She practices her magic secretly and dreads the day when she too will have to put the collar around her neck but The Bargaining Season is here, young men & ladies go to parties in the hopes of securing a marriage contract & only way to save her family.

In her conquest to find powers she gains the fellowship of Lavan siblings Ianthe and Ysbeta the most eligible members of The Bargaining Season. Also she get to have friendship with a spirit named Nadi, who is a spirit of fortune.

With her friendship with Ianthe she is now also struggling with the feelings of becoming his wife after all among all the men she have met until now cares about what she thinks.

At last she is faced with choices: Get married to his love, & do what her society & family expects him to do or give up her family & love for her dreams.

Well in a fantasy world this book described the real world scenario of male dominated society where there are unlimited excuses why women should quit on there dreams & further solutions for most of the problems are restrictions on women only.

The only down point in this book for me was the rushed romance, it was too much of an instant love which felt like a cringe. Otherwise the book, characters & world building all were amazing.

Beatrice wants to be a magician, but in Chasland, women don't get that choice. Besides, Beatrice must marry in order to keep her financially ruined family afloat. Think Bridgerton meets Dragon Age's mage towers.

I immensely enjoyed this book. The regency-esque setting was fun and gave me plenty of Bridgerton vibes, but the characters and world were wide and diverse. I appreciate that the story follows Beatrice who is willing to fight for what she wants and the ending felt realistic while also being clever. Overall, a wonderful read about the power we all have to shape our destiny and what happens when women boost other women.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of The Midnight Bargain.
I enjoyed the writing style in this book, and I found it easy to read even when heavy topics such as sexism and body autonomy were being discussed.
The world-building was good, and I liked how the magic system was unique and fresh.
Definitely a suitable read for anyone who is a fan of fantasy, Bridgerton, and magic in general.
I will be buying a physical copy of this book!

The Midnight Bargain is a pretty fresh take on a world with magic, especially considering the independent nature of our main character Beatrice. While I enjoyed the premise, the writing style wasn't one that I connected to. It's very delicate and airy, and it pairs well with the historical setting. I'm also not a fan of instant love with no context, and we are quite literally thrown into Beatrice and Ianthe's relationship from the first chapter. Overall, I think this book is good for those looking for a more whimsical historical fiction.

The Midnight Bargain, is a Young Adult Fantasy Regency Romance. This book is an exciting novel with swoon worthy romance and witty characters. It took me a while to gel with the characters. I adored Ysbeta and Beatrice becoming friends.

This is one of those stories that sweeps you up in a gorgeous writing style and interesting plot.

It wasn't a 5 star read for me but I enjoyed the journey.

Thanks to Erewhon and NetGalley for this eARC (AGESSSSS ago).

I love a fantasy standalone, and very much enjoyed the world building here (think the season from a regency novel + magic + power spirits). Ysbeta (the new friend of the protagonist) was a particularly compelling character. The central romance didn't work as well for me, but the friendship was very good.

An interesting premise for sure, that was occasionally lacking in execution.

I was really looking forward to this book, but it didn't meet my expectations. So many things were missing. The main character's sister was such an annoying character that it felt unrealistic. The romance part felt too insta-lovey and it took me too much time to warm up to them as a couple. The idea behind this was intriguing, but the execution of the story lacked depth and sense.

DNF. This book wasn't for me. The blurb drew me in, but I could not get into the story. I'm surprised, because the concept is right up my alley. Based on some of the 4 and 5-star reviews, I'm sure many other readers will enjoy it.

I ADORED this book. It had a lot that I absolutely love- a cool magic system, a heroine smashing the patriarchy, a Jane Austen vibe, and a romance that I actually found interesting. If you like any of those things, or just appreciate good writing and characters, give this one a try.

This is a beautiful Regency-era fantasy that tackles female empowerment with more gusto (and explicit passion) than any historical fiction I’ve read in a long while. While I enjoyed reading this, I'm not sure I can say it will stay with me. It was fun and and breezy to read through though, so I would recommend it as a light reading project.

I was honestly suprised when this book was a DNF for me. It's very rare that I don't finish a book. I'm not sure if it was the fact that book read a little to young for me or the fact that the author's style isn't my personal choice in books. I don't feel the book was bad I just couldn't seem to find myself interested in actually finishing it.