by C.L. Polk
Published on October 13, 2020 by Erewhon
ISBN: 9781645660071
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.
In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss . . . with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.
The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken?
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The Midnight Bargain had all the makings of a great fantasy romance with a historical feel. When I started it, I could already imagine the sort of readers who would love it.
Unfortunately, for me, the book didn’t quite live up to the hype I’ve seen surrounding it.
The world is a patriarchy oppressing women. While some of the elements were a bit different from what I’ve seen,
So, of course, the protagonist Beatrice does not want to deal with that. She wants her freedom, to practice magic as she wishes without restriction. I felt like we were being set up for an amazing story of breaking rules and empowerment and overthrowing a patriarchy and while we got that… the book ultimately fell flat.
I’d say for about 50-60% of the book, I was pretty on board with the characters and the story. I liked Beatrice and wanted to root for her and Ysbeta, the sister of her would-be suitor Ianthe. Her learning magic while also navigating society, her connection to the spirit Nadi (who I absolutely adored), and the general character interactions were exactly what I was hoping for. I wouldn’t say the cast
The feel of a historical romance almost, but with the trappings of a fantasy novel.
But it was the romance that lost me for these characters. Beatrice and Ianthe have some serious insta-love going on in the bad way. There’s no build-up to it with the exception of the author outright telling the readers they have feelings for each other (I’d much rather see it). And, frankly, I felt more chemistry between Beatrice and Ysbeta and would have much preferred that be the dominating relationship. Ianthe was as boring as a love interest can be and it seemed like he was just standing in while Beatrice galivanted off with his sister.
Looking at The Midnight Bargain as a whole, I felt… underwhelmed. I anticipated it would bring something new to the table and it did a little but not enough to keep me engaged. I set it down frequently, pushing forward in small increments. Likely also due to the pacing, which was all over the place. Where the plot needed to move quicker, it dragged, and the opposite as well.
In general, the book was like eating a saltine cracker where someone forgot the salt. It wasn’t terrible. I was able to finish it in a relatively short time despite the constant start/stop. And if I hadn’t read it early, I would have bought it for the cover alone. The Midnight Bargain, while alright, just isn’t quite something I can fully recommend.
About Austine
I'm a 20-something research proposal developer with a background in the life sciences and education. Reviewer of books since 2011, amateur photographer by day, and aspiring author by night. I believe animals (and books) are better than people.
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