The Midnight Bargain was a surprisingly engaging read, if a bit rough in the beginning, with quite a bit of tension and a writing style that was easy to get into. The world-building was really intriguing–the questions it raised and the answers provided were some of my favorite things about the novel.

The characters were all pretty interesting, but some of them could have been more fleshed out. The novel was told entirely from Beatrice’s perspective and, in the first 25%, it was a bit difficult to get a good sense of her personality. She did have amazing moments of development throughout the novel, though, and the last 30% or so showed the heart of her.

The romance was pretty sweet (and a bit tragic, but not for long!) and I loved so much how Polk addressed the main conflict between Beatrice and Ianthe when it came to children. That was not a topic I’ve seen much in Fantasy, even when it’s so prevalent in society, and the way that unfolded was so great.

I did have a tiny bit of an issue in the first few chapters with some of the plot points: they seemed to be incredibly convenient and made to put Beatrice in a difficult situation. Yet the way the final chapters progressed and the plot twists were so! good! They hooked me and I could not put the book down until I reached the ending. It was amazing 😀

Such an interesting take on fantasy and historical fiction. Well written with strong characters and an intriguing exploration on equality for women.

My favourite thing about the book is probably the cover though....It's an enjoyable read but not a favourite.

The Midnight Bargain is set in a country where women are prized for their magic ability, yet that very magic is kept from them.

Beatrice has wanted to do proper magic her entire life, but as she turns 18, her family's financial fate rests entirely on her ability to find a husband. Desperate to find a way out, she teams up with Ysbeta Lavan, Bargaining Season's most eligible woman, in order to get both of them out of their predicament.
What starts out as a grudging friendship, turns into a deep bond between the two women. The progress of their friendship was lovely to read. They're both head strong so there's a lot of give and take, but it just makes them stronger, especially once they come together.
Ysbeta is especially headstrong, having come from a family with a powerful matriarch, and a country that allows women more freedom, which makes her especially desperate to get out of being married and collared. This makes her character rather unlikable in the first half of the book, a welcome surprise in a YA novel.
Beatrice, on the other hand, starts out with a singular quest in her mind but slowly becomes more and more torn as she falls in love. Even in a freer country and more allowing husband, she would still be subject to his whims.
That brings us to the main theme of the books: its gender politics. The Midnight Bargain delves into what it means to be beholden to a partner, and how that feels. Beatrice doesn't start out with a desire to free all women from their collars, just herself, but she grows into the idea the more she learns about the effects of the marital collar.

The romance is beautiful. I loved how it developed, and I particularly loved how messy it was on an emotional level. Unlike many other YA stories, the outside forces at work to stop this union pale in comparison to the main characters' own convictions. I won't say any more on that to avoid spoilers.

The Midnight Bargain is a fantastic book. It pulled me in with the magic and kept me there by entwining that with gender politics that resonate even in our world. Its engaging plot and wonderful characters only serve to elevate the book further. I would recommend this without reservation.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
It was very hard to rate this book with a star rating, as there were things I really enjoyed about it, and things I found different.
I liked the relationship that Beatrice had with Nadi and the possibility of this world being shared with spirits. What I found was, that I wanted to know more about how these spirits came about. Being a stand alone I was sad not to have explored this.
I liked that feminism (or just equal rights really) was a major theme in the writing. Beatrice's father annoyed me a bit and it definitely reminded me of how society works today.
The writing was easy to read, it was just tricky to know whether it was a Young Adult novel as sometimes it felt like one.
3.5 stars

What a great find! A friend recommended and I’m glad I was able to get a copy from @netgalley.

Such a great story with such a good message for females that we can do a lot even when things are stacked against us. And that there are males, who are in power, out there that will support us.

The story centers around Beatrice and Ysabel, two young women that being, essentially, sold to the highest bidder. We follow them as they try to find ways to rebel against what their society expects from them. They fight tooth and nail foe their dreams. Luckily, in this story, they have Ianthe not only being sympathetic to their cause but eventually is able to help them on their journey.

I really enjoyed the world building, the character development, he characters, both the harsh relationships and the good ones, and how the story comes to a conclusion. I was only supposed to start the first chapter or so when I started but I was hooked, kept saying “one more chapter...”!

There are different ways that I decide which books are good, great, excellent, etc based on emotions I get, physical reactions, and how the story sticks in my head. This one is definitely up there because throughout the story I had all 3 reactions. The ending while good, kept me wanting more!

This book is by far one of my new favorites! C. L. Polk was Abe to write fantastic relationships and kept the reader on the toes the entire time. Beatrice is an excellent female character and I couldn't be more happy with how her story ended. Any fans of fantasy or witches, this is a must read and it promises not to disappoint!

I couldn't get into this one. It could be a timing issue, I'm pretty burned out on fantasy at the moment, but The Midnight Bargain felt similar story-wise to several other books I've read recently. Stories with grimoires and spirits being summoned and that sort of thing. This one just didn't stand out in the mix. It also felt a bit insta-lovey to me, something I'm really not a fan of. I did somewhat enjoy the main character, she was fun and spunky. It just wasn't enough to really make this story pull through for me.

Firstly, I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publishers of The Midnight Bargain for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Plot: 4⭐️
When I began the book I was quite skeptical about where the story would go. It took me a while to get used to the names of the locations, surroundings, and the magic system. It felt like I was missing important information when I read the book. Plus, I was really worried about how the story would play out in the end and how the romance between Beatrice and Ianthe would continue as Beatrice became a mage. But surprisingly, I was actually happy with the ending and ended up liking the plot points leading up to the climax.


Pacing: 4⭐️
This was one of the rare books where I liked the pacing and didn’t think it was too slow. I did, however, think that some scenes were a little too rushed, making it hard to keep up.

Character Development: 3⭐️
In terms of the characters, I have mixed feelings. I really liked Beatrice and Ysbeta’s growth in the story and how they both ended up getting what they wanted through different paths. I also enjoyed the message about gender equality in relationships and society, as well as the commentary on classism. However, at times I found myself feeling quite frustrated at Beatrice and her decisions and I was not sure whether I should root for her or not. It also felt like Ianthe and Beatrice’s love for each other was a bit too instantaneous.

Writing Style: 3⭐️
Personally, I felt like the writing style was just not for me and I couldn’t figure out why. Perhaps, it could have used more editing. Also, I would have appreciated more information about the world and the history behind the magic.

Would you recommend it?
I would still recommend this book to anyone who likes Fantasy or Historical Fiction.

I love romantic arcs in fantasy but oof I did not feel the chemistry here. Interesting worldbuilding and Polk's writing is great as always, but I can't love a book if I don't love the ship.

As someone who loves Regency romances and historical fantasy, this book was so much fun! My only disappointment was that in skimming other reviews and seeing there was a Beatrice/Ianthe romance, I'd gone in thinking Ianthe was a girl, but I liked male Ianthe and their relationship so I quickly got over that. :) I'd recommend this title for fans of Susanna Clarke, Patricia C. Wrede, Mary Robinette Kowal, and Stephanie Burgis.

i want to thank netgalley and the publisher for giving giving me the possibility to read this book!

I have not read C.L. Polk's previous novel "witchmark" so I cannot comment on the likeness to it, or if it's as good. But this novel was strong in some things. The feminism which is portrayed is done well and with good intent. The magic system felt realistic and beautiful. It made sense.
I love the relationship portrayed by Beatrice's mother and her. How you can see and feel the constraints in her relationship with her husband, and how she tries to give Beatrice an opportunity. I enjoyed Nadi very much. Ysbeta also adds a certain flair to the story which I enjoyed.
How Polk drags in bodily autonomy in such an interesting way which she did it in this as well as the ramifications which can happen was something that was tackled in such a good way. I really enjoyed reading about it, and how it differed from culture to culture. It tackled the feminism aspect on it very well.

I didn't immediately fall for the love story in this, which is a shame. I feel like the romance could have been developed a tad bit more to make it more interesting and believable. Ianthe felt at times flat and not someone I could relate to being in love with at all.
For me, this is a 3.75 stars. I think this would fit well for someone who is into Regency novels, feminist fantasy and like complicated relationships.

C.L Polk is the author of one of the books, Witchmark, that got me back into reading and blogging after several years without it. So I was inordinately excited to read her new book, The Midnight Bargain. I was a little wary during the first 20%, but after that, the plot and characters really begin to shine and I couldn't stop reading!

The Midnight Bargain follows Beatrice, a young ingenue in her first bargaining season, whereby gentlemen try to woo and win over women for marriage. Beatrice needs a good match, as her father's fortunes were decimated by a bad investment and now the family is close to ruin. But if she marries, Beatrice is forced into a binding collar, which removes all her magic in order to protect any unborn child who might be possessed by a spirit. Beatrice is torn between wanting to help her family and wanting to pursue her dreams of freedom without a binding collar. It becomes an even harder decision when she falls in love with one of the gentlemen, Ianthe. But she has found someone who understands her desires in Ianthe's sister, Ysbeta, who also does not want to marry. The two plan to help each other bind a greater spirit which will prevent anyone from marrying them.

The first 20% of this book I did struggle. C.L Polk, along with V.E Schwab, is one of those authors that I really struggle to care about their female characters because they are just so annoying. I felt this in Witchmark with Grace, a character we're supposed to care about when she wants to enslave her brother for her own power? Yeah no thanks (it's why I haven't ever read the sequel to Witchmark despite how much I adored that book). And I worried during the first 20% of the book because Beatrice, our main character, starts out a little bratty and whiny. It really isn't clear why she wants to pursue magic, and thus the initial conflict between magic and marriage that will save her family doesn't feel particularly strong. It seems like a whiny selfish girl not wanting to help her family. Which is fine if that was who Beatrice was! But she was portrayed as really wanting to save her family and give up her life for them, so it felt very contradictory when you can't really see any strong reasons for why she wants magic at such great expense to her family. Add that to the insufferable Harriet, Beatrice's sister who seems to care naught a single bit for her sister, doesn't care what Beatrice might desire and more importantly, doesn't care what Beatrice might suffer. So I did spend the first 20% thinking oh god not another book with insufferable female characters.

BUT! PUSH THROUGH! Becayse after about 20%, everything really changes. As Beatrice meets Ysbeta and Ianthe, we really see her personality blossom, along with her two desires: saving her family and being a mage. I really loved this exploration of individualistic vs collective goals in this society, and to see Beatrice's struggle to reconcile her wish to save her family with her wish to not be shackled and sold off in a marriage contract, no matter how much she loved Ianthe. I really appreciated the emphasis on Beatrice's family and the strength of her love for them throughout the book, no matter what happened. A lot of other books exploring this, the struggle never really feels fully real - you always kind of know of course the person is going to pick themselves. And I loved that that feeling wasn't there. I had no idea what Beatrice would do and I think that's down to the strength in the second half of portraying this sense of selfish, individualistic wishes alongside the hopes of her family who have bankrupted themselves for her.

I adored the friendship with Ysbeta. The fire in these two as they try to find a way out of marriage really helps bring Beatrice's desires into a much stronger and clearer light, and thus my initial problem with her characterisation in the first 20% disappears. They have such a strong friendship and I really appreciated Ysbeta's character. In a book so focused on marriage and tying yourself away to someone, Ysbeta was a breath of fresh air as someone who knows she doesn't ever want to get married. I very much read her as somewhere on the ace spectrum, though it isn't on page rep, as her desires to not get married felt like they went beyond just her wishes to be a mage and travel the world.

I'm also a huge Ianthe fan. In a society such as this, he of course does not start off perfect. I loved that Beatrice was unafraid to stand up to him and the two had so many fierce discussions around the morals and ethics surrounding Chasland society and culture. The way she challenges him made the relationship feel so much more positive and really makes you root for them because Ianthe is so willing to change and grow for Beatrice.

I really enjoyed this book. Despite my intiial concerns during the first 20%, they were completely blown away by the rest of the book. I loved the emphasis on friendship, Ysbeta is pretty much one of the best female characters I've read all year and the relationship was very sweet.

Beatrice Clayborn lives in a patriarchal fantasy world where most people have some magical talent. However, only boys are trained in magic and inducted into a magical society. Girls are allowed to learn charms and minor childish magic but are never taught higher skills. When they marry they must a collar that blocks their magical abilities to protect their unborn children's souls being taken by a spirit. Beatrice, however, has taught herself magic from grimoires that she found and decoded. Instead of marrying she wants to become a sorceress and help her family rebuilt their wealth, but her father is determined that she will find a husband in this year's season of parties and balls.

This is an enjoyable fantasy and romance, but I thought the world building, system of magic and even the romance could have all done with a bit more development. I felt we really just got the bare bones of all of these. There was so much more we could have learnt about this fascinating world and it's magic. I enjoyed the spirits, especially the exuberant and joyful Nadi who Beatrice conjures up, but I really didn't learn much more of what other magic could be done in this world. The romance was also very sudden with very little build up to make it interesting. Beatrice's love interest Ianthe was also a bit flat, especially early on during their courting and a little more rounding of his character would have made him even more delightful.

Rating: 2.5 stars

"Tell me how can I be happy when you have sent me this terrible choice? Who do I save: my family or myself?"

Beatrice Clayborn must choose between true love and her lifelong dream of becoming a mage. I wish I could say The Midnight Bargain induced such intense or even conflicted feelings, but I finished the book just feeling...underwhelmed.

I feel like YA has become so enamored with Strong Female Protagonists that authors avoid any mention of familial obligation or maternal instincts for fear of ruining their heroine's image as a strong, independent woman. I was hoping for a nuanced exploration of the tension between Beatrice's desire for love and her passion for magic--especially when she went off about the innate desire to protect and care for babies even when they're not your own.

Unfortunately, this felt more like an extended, heavy-handed metaphor for bodily autonomy.

In the interest of full disclosure, I wasn't super into the setting to begin with. The magic resolves around summoning spirits that inhabit the user and was a little too occult-y for me. Still, the world-building was lackluster and superficial. The magic system wasn't fully fleshed out and bit confusing at times. I also found the pacing a little strange. The story meandered for most of the book, but everything was rushed once we hit the climax.

My bigger issue with the book, though, was that the characters were flat. I never really got into the story because I wasn't invested in any of the characters. Beatrice, in particular, was especially undefined. Her most notable characteristic was her polemic, and even then she came across as more of a watered-down SJW than anything else. Ianthe was simply another rich and handsome love interest with no other distinguishing feature. I feel like Polk was trying to build a healthy, supportive relationship between the two, but it reeked heavily of insta-love and lacked any kind of meaningful development. Their relationship was essentially Beatrice getting up on her soapbox and Ianthe thanking her for educating him. Ysbeta was probably the most interesting of the trio, but even she was never fully fleshed out. Ironically, Beatrice's sister, Harriet, was probably the character with the best arc and development, but she plays a rather minor role in the story.

Despite the promising premise, The Midnight Bargain was a bit of a let-down for me.

Thanks to Erewhon Books for the ARC!

Beatrice lives in a society of sorcery where women are fitted with a neck brace to dampen their magic so that they can bear children. Beatrice’s father has brought them to town so that he can marry her off to a wealthy family because his poor decisions have left them in great debt. Beatrice wants nothing more than to be a Mage, to harness magic and live a life of freedom. She will do whatever it takes to gain this freedom; even give up love.

The world building reminds me of 19th century Victorian England with magic. Women are property and controlled by husbands and fathers. Girls are expected to choose their family over themselves. But there is a underground society of women who rebel, who believe that a women’s body is hers to do as she decides (sound familiar?).

At first I thought that this would be a cliched story of a girl against society. And it is. But it is also so much more than that. I liked the characters (even the spirits) and the plot. I enjoyed the dances and parties and teas. But I also enjoyed Beatrice’s defiance. I couldn’t put it down for the the last 100 pages.

The end was a little flowery. And the main male character acts in ways that are not completely in line with what we expect him to do. But, I can overlook it.

I’d recommend this one. It’s an easy read that does take a bit of time to get into, but ends up being enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

Okay. This was a Regency-themed book about a girl entering her first Season secretly hoping to come out of it with a forbidden knowledge of magic rather than a husband. Sound cool? I thought so.

It's not actually Regency, because it takes place in a vaguely not-England sort of place that still somehow has a town called Meryton. The big difference is that across the sea there's a powerful country of infinitely more sophisticated black people which holds economic and cultural sway over backward, provincial not-England. Diversity, in MY Regency fiction? It's more likely than you think.

There's also magic. In general, it's a promising setup.

Beatrice is a bullheaded, independent-minded young lady who is determined to be a magical spinster forever, despite her family's wishes. Until she meets "the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan," as the book's summary says. Ianthe also has a sister, who really interacts a lot more with Beatrice than her brother does. And she's also more interesting, and has flaws, and goals, and a personality. What results is a strange mix of genteel dances/picnics/calling cards with secret sessions of dangerous, illegal, and - let's be honest - stupid magic.

Like, I know these girls have no one to teach them the right way to go about magic because it's illegal for women to do. But oh my word, they almost gave me a stress migraine. Risking life and limb over and over with hardly any forethought! Saying over and over "oh you have to teach me this" and then, every time, running into time constraints and going OH WELL WE DON'T HAVE TIME, LET'S JUST RISK IT.

I was pinching the bridge of my nose and wincing through a whole lot of these shenanigans. It doesn't feel like calculated risk under desperate circumstances. It feels like unrepentant, thoughtless recklessness that got lucky to an extent that would be impossible outside the context of an obligatory-happy-ending romance like this one. This was an okay book that held my attention the whole time, but I think there were a lot of things that could have made it better:

• Beatrice and Ysbeta clearly share one brain cell. I think upping this amount by even just double and allowing them their own independent brain cell might have improved things substantially.

• Give Ianthe a personality. Yes, he's kind and good and generous and open-minded and well-meaning and loves Beatrice. But like, what does he want outside of that? What are his goals for his life, besides just whatever Beatrice wants? Did he exist before he saw her? What are his hopes, his petty likes and dislikes? It feels like he's just there to exist helpfully and lovingly at the edge of every scene, when Beatrice doesn't really seem to deserve it.

• MORE NADI. Build his and Beatrice's friendship! More detail on how a relationship like that works!

• Really lean into the Regency stuff. Don't just use Harriet as a random etiquette prop 3 times. What are the norms, the unspoken requirements, the secret social rules! Let's see Beatrice navigate them, or at least fail to navigate them at first and start learning! Let's see some witty, circuitous conversation! I know we're not all Jane Austen, but we should at least take our best stab at it.

• On sort of the same topic, more Nadi and Regency stuff! After the first cringe-inducing debut into society before Beatrice had an accord with him, I wanted to see so much more of this once they became friends. Imagine the ripostes and shadow victories that could be won over boorish and mean-spirited opponents on the field of Regency social battle with supernatural luck on your side! So many things infinitely more subtle than making people trip and spill things are possible!

• I'm reaching at this point but I would have liked to see Harriet and Beatrice have an actual sisterly relationship beyond just fighting and using each other. I just love sibling dynamics, okay, and it's a waste when they're not appreciated more for the genuine sources of motivating emotion that they are.

Just when you think every aspect of magic has been covered by authors and novels, something new comes along. The Midnight Bargain explores the juxtaposition of magic and women's rights, and how men have always tried to control women's access to power.

Beatrice is of age, and is taking part in her first Bargaining Season. She is a powerful mage and would make an excellent wife because she would pass on those strong magic skills to any sons (and daughters) she had. But Beatrice doesn't want to get married; she wants to use her magic to help her father in his business. She goes as far as to summon a minor spirit who is a spirit of luck. She wants to use the spirit's information and power to help her father make some money after he lost almost everything when he invested in orchids the year before. But she also wants to keep her family's reputation intact, so her younger sister can have her own Bargaining Season and make an advantageous match.

The problem with getting married? Every married woman must wear a collar which removes her magic. This is because if she gets pregnant, a spirit could enter her body and take over her child. Spirits want nothing more than to have a body to inhabit, and children don't have the power to expel them or control them.

She finds a grimoire that will help her continue her practice of magic and help her control a major spirit, which would be enough to ruin her chances of getting married, but would also mean she could help her father, if he would accept her help. But another woman, Ysbeta, steals her grimoire, and bargains with Beatrice. She also wants to control a major spirit, because, much like Beatrice, she doesn't want to get married, especially if she has to wear a collar and give up her chance to be a Mage.

Beatrice and Ysbeta find themselves trying to buck the system, with the help of Ysbeta's brother Ianthe, who falls in love with Beatrice.

Others found this book unevenly paced and boring in parts, but I didn't have that problem. I really enjoyed the story. The romance between Beatrice and Ianthe is a little forced, but I actually liked Ianthe and could see his struggle to rethink his assumptions about women, magic, and the current system of the use of major magic by men only.

This is an easy read, and one that feels believable, as women have always had their own magic (or use of herbs and natural remedies to solve health issues) that men have looked down upon.

A very comfort-food-esque high fantasy mixed with 17th century historical romance. I really liked that the intimacy and power of friendship seemed to be on the same level as the romance. The magic system, while not unique in conception, is quite unique in feeling. It’s sort of like The Host, if both the possessor and possessed got along. I wish the adventures in between the ending and the epilogue had been shared across two or three more books, but overall it’s a sweet, easy read.

Representation that may of interest:
- BIPOC author
- BIPOC main characters/love interest
- heavily implied aro/ace rep

Disclaimer: I got a digital copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review on all my bookish platforms. (This is also my first eARC read, so yay!)

I stumbled upon this in NetGalley last month while searching for a book to read. I was intrigued by the cover and blurb that I immediately requested it. The book did not disappoint at all. I honestly thought that I would just be neutral towards it, something to read to pass time but the characters and plot warmed up to me. This is what I love about discovering new and un-hyped books, with zero background on it, I have an unbiased opinion of the book. If I love it, then it was all me and not my friends or social media influencing me.

The Midnight Bargain is Regency-inspired fantasy fiction. A world of magic wherein men has more freedom, rights, and privileges than women. For women, you can be a wife or a Magus but can never be both. To be a female Magus would disgrace the family. To be a wife will save the rest of the family. Every year, men and women of means participate in the Bargaining Season, where families negotiate and arrange political marriages. The book contains injustice for women, fighting for equality, magic, courting, and summoning spirits. Everything is a bargain in this story.

Beatrice Clayton, a young sorceress, enters her first Bargaining Season. Her family risked everything to equip her for this event, determined to secure a husband that will save the family from debt. She, on the other hand, doesn’t want to marry and have her powers stripped away by a warding collar. She aspires to be a Magus, a calling only for men, and continue what she loves. And she will fight for it. But then she meets Ianthe.

Ysabeta Lavan, at first was an annoying woman whose intentions are unsure of. But along the way, you will realize how strong and clever she is. Ysabeta is a young woman participating in the Bargaining Season like Beatrice, along with her brother, Ianthe. By chance, the three met on a bookstore that housed a Grimoire that both women want. She, like our heroine, wants to be free from the expectations of women from their society.

Ianthe Lavan is such a charming character. A sweet, handsome, and swoon-worthy young lad who took an interest in Beatrice. Despite being raised like every man in society, he turned out to be very considerate and understanding of Beatrice’s arguments. What I like most about him, is his determination in pursuing the one he loves.

The love between the characters might be too sudden as it falls under the category of first love tropes. However, the foundation of their feelings ran deeper. They support and understand one another. They know the risk and yet, they are willing to sacrifice for the other. For a Regency-inspired fiction, the whole process of courtship was delightful.

The ending was a bit rushed and lacks closure to a reader’s imaginative mind. The story could be expanded more, a Duology (if not Trilogy) perhaps. I personally would love to know the trio’s adventure between the last chapter and the epilogue.

The words used were hard to comprehend at first, especially for a first-time reader of historical fiction like me. However, it gets easier once you’re deep into the story. The synopsis reminded me of a mix of Mulan and The Selection (Kiera Cass) with a touch of magic and historical fiction set in Europe. If I am not mistaken, this is a standalone book but I truly wish it isn’t and readers would get a sequel.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Recommended for those who love magic, regency, politically arranged marriages, feminist, and romantic fiction. If the criteria fit, then this is for you. Looking forward to its publication day and I can’t wait to get a hard copy of The Midnight Bargain.

The Midnight Bargain is a wonderful stand alone fantasy novel. C.L. Polk has created a world that feels very mid-18th century – not quite on the verge of an industrial revolution, but moving in that direction. The society is stratified by wealth and a good way to earn wealth is through magic and the magical societies open only to men. Women are prohibited from the magical education which would allow them to practice higher levels of magic. Beatrice Clayborn is the eldest daughter of a family on the fringes of wealth and respectability. She is smart and stubborn and has sought to teach herself magic. Her father made a foolish investment and now the family’s last hope of solvency is for Beatrice to marry well. When Beatrice marries though, she will be fitted with a warding collar, cutting her off from magic. When we meet Beatrice, her goal is to learn more magic and avoid marriage.

Beatrice is initially thwarted by Ysbeta Lavan, but the two come to an arrangement to help each other. Through their shared interest in magic and desire not to wed, they become allies and then friends. Ysbeta’s brother, Ianthe, becomes enamored of Beatrice, challenging her desire to stay a spinster. Beatrice and Ysbeta are rebels and as their families force them towards marriage they become more radical in their desire for autonomy. Polk has said definitively that this is a stand alone, but if she ever wants to revisit this world I would love to read their adventures out in the world.

The Midnight Bargain has strong romantic elements. Ianthe wants what’s best for his sister and for Beatrice, but it takes him a long time to realize that they know what’s best for themselves. And when he does finally see it, I swooned. Polk’s central conflict is the gendered oppression with some exploration of how that intersects with classism. Throughout the story we see the ways in which oppression blinds us, foments division and a creates poverty of compassion. Ianthe, who is a very good man and would be an exccellent romantic hero if this were a romance, does not see what Beatrice and Ysbeta face, he does not understand the questions they are asking, much less why they are asking them. He misinterprets their reactions and cannot see solutions to problems because he blindly accepts the premise of oppression. He does all that while also accepting that Ysbeta and Beatrice are not wrong.

One of the threads woven into this story was the way in which oppression corrupts. When power is in the hands of the few, those outside of that group are forced to fight over scraps of power and autonomy. People are punished unfairly and unequally. It would be easy to read The Midnight Bargain as the struggle for women’s rights in a fantasy setting, but I think Polk is telling a broader story.

The book cover features embroidered flowers and I think it so appropriate. Polk builds a lushly beautiful world with her words – a world you can feel, taste and smell. I know I’ve been going on about social justice, because that’s what hooks me, but aside from that, The Midnight Bargain is a great read. The characters are well drawn and interesting, the story has texture and the ending is happy.

I truly loved this book. I received it as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It’s out October 13.