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.

Thank you Erewhon Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

I just finished reading The Midnight bargain. The cover and the description drew my attention when I saw it on Netgalley so I requested it and was glad I got the opportunity to read this e-arc.

The topic of this book is not something very original; there are more writers who write books with the same topic. It is however a topic I find very interesting. I think because girls and woman can relate to it in today’s society where there is still a lot of discrimination by gender.

This book however didn’t hold my attention through the story. I found the characters flat and I couldn’t relate to them. Beside that the story was for me uninteresting and I was bored while reading this book.

I saw many good reviews giving to this book so this book works definitely for other people.

Entering her first bargaining season, Beatrice Clayborn must find a wealthy husband in order to save her family from destitution. Beatrice wants to help her family, but she longs to pursue magic and become a full-fledged Magus instead. If she marries, she's be locked in a collar that cuts off magical powers to protect her unborn children. Beatrice summons a spirit to aid her, but the price is her first kiss, which entangles her with the wealthy handsome Ianthe Lavan and his sister Ysbeta, who has secret passions of her own.

The Midnight Bargain is a delightfully fun fantasy romance in an alternate regency-era England. The more Beatrice spends time with the Lavan siblings, the more her plans go awry. She finds an ally in magic, but she's also falling in love, and her decision only becomes harder and harder. She must save her family, but if she marries, she'll sacrifice her magic and her dreams. Beatrice is tenacious and spunky, and outspoken on the ways women lack the advantages as men. And paired with the luck spirit Nadi she summons, Beatrice also becomes spontaneous and strong.

Beatrice's relationship with Ysbeta is more nuanced than her immediate romantic connection with Ianthe, who makes her feel wobbly in the knees when she's not on her feminist soapbox. But at least Ianthe is considerate and caring and empathetic to Beatrice's cause without being a pushover. But Ysbeta is a force of nature, and their partnership eventually blossoms into a very deep friendship.

With attendants, maids, and cooks following at our heroes footsteps, the equality issue does seem to fall a bit flat, but if you make allowances for the unmentioned classism, this light-hearted fantasy is nicely satisfying.

Highly recommended as a magical romantic escape!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the storyline, writing style. It has some amazing lines. I didn't like MC Beatrice's character much, she lacked emotional depth. But I loved Ysbeta and Ianthe. However, my favourite character was Nadi, who's a lesser spirit, who was fun and witty.
I felt the story was a bit rushed, everything happened too fast. But in the story ,Beatrice and her family has some urgency to get what they want, so the pace can be justified. The world building was excellent, and the book has a strong feminist aspect.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It is a beautiful book, and I definitely recommend it. I may not get back to the book any time soon, but I'll remember the story.

I loved the way the author shows the struggle of women to assert ourselves in this world where men are given more freedom.

In a fantastic way, it reveals some of the injustices we go through, such as that of many times not being the owners of our bodies and our destinies.
The Midnight Bargain was a reading that made me feel like I can be whatever I want and fight for it.

----
Me encanto la manera en que la autora de muestra la lucha de las mujeres para hacernos valer en este mundo donde al hombre se le dan mas libertades.

De una manera fantastica da a conocer algunas de las injusticias por las que pasamos, como la de muchas veces no ser dueñas de nustros cuerpos y de nuestros destinos.
The Midnight Bargain fue una lectura que me hizo sentir que puedo ser lo que yo quiera y luchar por ello.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre,  however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for  opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.

Pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book. The story follows young Beatrice who wants to pursue her ambitions but finds love, Beatrice comes from an impoverished family and need to marry into money. But the twist is that women can’t practice magic once pregnant, therefore being forced at their wedding to wear a collar which prevents their magical abilities. Rules that are of course established by men. This story is like Cinderella with feminism and magic.

It was also interesting for the author to include interracial relationship in a society that values money over the colour of their skin. However, the plot missed some logic at some point but overall, an easy and enjoyable read.

This book was well written and had some interesting world building. The book is set in a world that has small magic abilities for most people but to become a Mage and operate higher magics you have to bind a spirit to your soul. Women are not allowed this higher binding. To ensure this, they are married off young and then bound by a metal collar that takes magic away from the bearer. They wear this collar until they are no longer of child bearing age.


There was something that held me slightly back from really enjoying the book. I don’t know if I have just heard this story before (similar to Sorcery of Thorns) or if I’m just kind of done reading books set in obscenely misogynistic societies. I also didn’t love the focus on child bearing - it kind of reminded me of one of my big fantasy pet peeves presenting women as vessels for the future not as individuals with autonomy. That being said, at least the two main female protagonists (Beatrice and Ysbeta) are somewhat aware that these archaic practices should be obsolete. I also didn’t fully engage the romance, it felt very instantaneous without a ton of context. I almost felt there was more of a romantic connection between the Beatrice and Ysbeta than between Beatrice and the person she “loves”. The pace of this book was also a little slower than I typically like.

All that being said, I did still enjoy this book. I liked entering this world for a little bit of time. And I would recommend this book to others.

Thanks so much to the publisher and the netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so fresh and original and a joy to read, I had trouble putting it down.

I would recommend if you're looking for:

-amazing world building
-old-fashioned dating, almost competing that reminded me of The Selection in the best way
-fiesty spirits
-ballroom flirting
-a meddling little sister


In The Midnight Bargain women are forced to choose: a future of independence with magic, or a future married with a child smothering that side of yourself. Except most women are not even given the choice. This book just made you think, about your choices in your life, and a woman's agency in the best way. The romance was light in this book, it was there, but I'll be honest it was not what I connected with. It was Beatrice's story as she fought for what she wanted most. Ianthe was a sweet love interest but I didn't feel the spark there. There is no steam in this one.

This book is not perfect, it portrays a very heteronormative world, but it sparks a debate. The world was fresh, and clearly well thought out. I enjoyed the magic and the analogy to different aspects of the real world. If you're looking for your next sci-fi read with a little romance mixed in I would definitely recommend this one.

Rating: 4 stars

I expected a lot from this book after reading the synopsis, and I got more than I could have hoped for. Magic, thrills, romance, espionage, all in a beautiful historical setting. Excellent

I wanted to like this book. The magic was interesting, The world building was very good. I got tired of the under-theme about equal rights. It is an interesting way to direct the conversation about sexism but when character personalities so one toned and focused on the issue the author is trying to address, the message can get lost. Beatrice wants to keep her powers and find love. She is well within her rights to demand equal treatment. I think I just wanted one time where Beatrice was happy to be a woman. Feminism is not all about fighting to get on the same level as men but loving and appreciating what a woman is. "Midnight Bargain" missed that aspect. By the end of it I did not care if Beatrice got every she wanted I just wanted her to stop whining and say something positive.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Midnight Bargain. Following Beatrice, a young woman on the verge of great magic, C.L. Polk takes the reader on a journey as Beatrice discovers what she really wants from her life, whether love or freedom is more important, and whether she can have both.

I was swept away by this story. Beatrice was a strong character, caught between duty to her family and to her dreams. Along the way, Beatrice found friendship, family, and love in Ysbeta and her brother Ianthe. In a world where women have to give up their natural gifts as they concede control of who they are, Beatrice is a wonderful example of female strength and how it's not a weakness to follow new dreams. Ianthe made for a fantastic example of a supportive, feminist love interest who acknowledges that the ways of the past are flawed and fights to help change how women like Beatrice and Ysbeta are treated.

I highly recommend this book for fans of magic and fantasy, as well as fans of strong women who believe in their convictions and prove they have the power to change the world.

This is the sort of story that often makes my blood boil, but they are important to read. Women are looked down upon. They are stripped of their magic powers when married and are just expected to breed, and the men take all the magic power. Beatrice wants more but her family is seriously in debt and she could save them by making a good marriage match. I would have liked more about the magic itself.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the whole plotline. I am someone who likes to devour good Fantasy books and needless to say this one has gotten on the list of books that I devoured!

Magic, feminism, and historical fiction? Who could ask for more?

The author created a world that was easy to step into immediately and understand. The world of magic and spirits was a creative spin on the typical fantasy novel and I found that while not everything was as thoroughly explained and explored as I would’ve liked, the gist of the magic and hierarchy of the fictional world was laid out well.

The character development of outlying characters could have had a bit more help as we only them as they served the main plot but overall the characters were flawed and still likeable, and the dialogue moved the plot along quickly.

This book was a fun read about magic and mages, courtship and love, duty and pursuing passion, with a heavy dousing of feminism and a woman’s right to choose her own path in a patriarchal oppressive alternate society. The use of shielding collars on married women, although perhaps a bit heavy handed symbolism, allowed the story to explore darker themes of power and control, equality, and freedom.

Overall, it was a fun quick read with a feminist spin on magic in a historical fiction type setting and I really enjoyed it.