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.

DNF @ 15%

I am...incredibly shocked at this DNF; I really expected to fall head over heels for this book. But something about the writing is just not jiving with me. Perhaps it's that it's all a little heavy-handed, perhaps it's that it reads very, very young, I don't know! I don't dislike it, exactly, but it's just not drawing me in at all for some reason! Plus I keep seeing reviews complaining about instalove, which I've already gotten a taste of with the last scene I read, so I don't think my opinion of this book is going to improve, sadly!

Damn, that was a fantastic book. Imagine Bridgerton meeting the Handmaid's Tale in a magical fantasy world... then make it better. I need to read all of CL Polk's books now.

Settling into a new C. L. Polk novel is akin to wrapping myself in a plushy robe, hot chocolate in hand, and then fastening my seat belt. And just after I wrote this, I learned that The Midnight Bargain has been named a Finalist for the Nebula Award. I’m delighted but not in the least surprised.

The Midnight Bargain is set is a culture with many of the same technology levels and romantic sensibilities as Polk’s previous Witchmark and Stormsong, sort-of-Western-European settings in which magic is both prized and limited. In the world of The Midnight Bargain, boys master their magic through rigorous training, but girls are all but forbidden the same knowledge, no matter how strong their talents. Their value lies in the marriage alliances they will bring to their families, through the “bargaining season” of formal, organized courtship, and the magically gifted sons they will bear. Upon marriage, a bride is locked into a magic-nullifying collar, akin to rendering her half-blind, half-deaf, and half-alive, to prevent her from carrying a child whose soul can then be stolen by a demon. Only after she has passed her child-bearing years, when it is too late to achieve any degree of mastery, will her husband, the keeper of the keys, release her.

Into this world comes Beatrice Clayton, powerfully magical and even more powerfully determined to practice her talents to the fullest. Her impoverished but genteel family counts on her to make a brilliant (meaning wealthy) match. Her only hope is to find a grimoire that will teach her how to bind a lesser, and then a greater, demon, thus qualifying her as a Magus, beyond the usual expectations of marriage.

The Midnight Bargain has so many story elements I adore: a strong woman protagonist with a gift for friendship and a determination to live her own life on her own terms; impossible situations requiring unexpected, creative solutions; the enduring value of friendships; and self-worth valued above romance. As with Polk’s previous novels, the story swept me up, turning pages late into the night, in love with Beatrice and the other characters (well, not the loathsome toad ones). My particular favorite was Nadi, minor demon of luck, desperately hungry for human sensory experiences, at times childish and mischievous but always amusing.

At turns romantic, dramatic, and humorous, The Midnight Bargain is highly recommended.

Finally got around to finishing this one and I really loved it! While I wasn’t completely swept away by the characters like I was in Witchmark, I ended up enjoying all the twists and magical turns this took. I put it down a bit before I finally was able to get into it but it was worth it in the end.

A really solid story, enjoyable, but a lot of exclamation points put me a little bit out of the story -- it was always! like she was! surprised!

A little different to the flowing prose of Polk's other novel, Witchmark, and so I liked this a little less as well, but still very entertaining.

I liked this regency era take on love and magic. As a fan of regency romance novels I found this to be a neat way to extend beyond the genre more fantasy like Bridgerton’s the show except even more so. This is an insta love story which I don’t usually mind, but something about this one didn’t grab me. All that to say I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it.

I loved the premise of this book and will definitely recommend to those looking for a light fantasy young adult novel. I do feel like some of the world building and relationships could have been given more depth- although it was an enjoyable read it felt slightly surface-level.

This book sounded very interesting and had a lot of potential. Once I started reading it though I wasn't sure if it wanted to be a romance, a book on female empowerment or a book about magic. I think the concept was to broad and the story would have been better if the focus was trimmed down.

The Midnight Bargain by CL Polk is a fantasy novel set in a regency era where magic is an integrated part of their society. Women are expected to marry, wear a collar that suppresses their magic, and have magical sons. Men are free to practice their magic, be educated in it, and become powerful mages. It is considered their right. This book created a great platform to discuss male privilege, the sacrifices women are expected to make, and the policing of women’s bodies by men. The book itself uses a very binary gender, which is of course an oversimplification of the real world. I do think the messaging of the book can be applied to how our communities/governments try to control the bodies of all genders. Particularly if they deviate outside of being white, cis, and male. There is also romance in the story, however, I don’t think it’s the central focus. The central focus was the main character’s desire to fully become a mage, as should be her right, and not to be controlled by another person. She meets another woman with similar dreams and different circumstances, and I enjoyed seeing them discuss and work together. What does it mean to truly be free to choose the life you want, to sacrifice, and what does equity looks like?

Overall, I thought this was really fun to read and would recommend if you’re looking for a lighter fantasy that doesn’t have too complex world-building.

I'm really REALLY not a fan of the insta-love trope. I wish I'd read the reviews on before requesting the ARC.

Even so, thank you kindly to the author and Erewhon Books for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll make this short, since I hate leaving bad reviews. I wanted to love this novel because I do enjoy a regency romance now and then, especially with the added YA influence of magic and world building. First, let me commend the author on her fantastic writing style. I was getting Bridgerton vibes from the first chapter. The magic system and the world C.L. Polk created is fascinating and well thought out.
But I came here for the chemistry between the main characters. Ianthe and Beatrice as a couple are frankly uninspiring. Also did I mention I HATE insta-love tropes. So unrealistic when the main characters have met like ONCE and that meeting wasn't even earth shattering.

I think it's in bad taste to rant on and beat a dead horse. Suffice it to say, this wasn't for me, but there have been great reviews for it and I don't mind being in the minority here. Don't take my word for it, though, give it a chance. If for no other reason than because the writing is good.

This book was amazing! If you're looking for a seriously enjoyable feminist fantasy with an original world-building and delightful characters that really make you root for them - look no further, you've arrived to your destination.

Very excited to read this book was not a fan. I am not sure what did not click with me. But I found it hard to connect to the story and characters. The plot was confusing too and I wasn't sure what I was reading at times.

I finally got a copy myself since I didn’t realize I was given an ARC. This book has twists and turns and all the ups and downs. If you truly think about it, the way the women are treated and their ‘magic’ is taken away. Because women have always been looked down upon. But that is neither here nor there.

Nadi, omg LOVE her.

This is such a wonderfully written book that draws you in and won’t let you go until you finish it!

*I received this from netgalley in exchange for review*

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.