The Midnight Bargain by C.L. PolkMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I did opt to listen to the final version of the audiobook, which I highly recommend. The narrator does a wonderful job bringing this story to life.
If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, feminism, and fantasy this is the book for you. This is set in the time of what feels like Regency England, where social status is everything and who you marry during "bargaining season" means everything. Both men and women practice magic by summoning spirits to aid them, but men are allowed to pursue the practice of magic and become powerful Magus, while women are stripped of their magic as soon as they are married. Their magic is bound with a suppression collar to protect any children they may give birth to. Women are only valued for the financial and political gain they bring to the marriage and the children they will bear in their future husbands.
Enter Beatrice Clayborn, a powerful sorceress who has no interest in getting married or collared. She wants to help her father with his business by becoming a Magus. To do so she must practice magic on her own in secret. Unfortunately, her family is in debt and needs her to make a good match during the bargaining season. Beatrice finds a book that may be the key to her desires, but she is thwarted by another young lady, Ysbeta, who has similar goals but much higher social standing. Beatrice finds herself befriendinding the sorceress and they practice their magic together, however she finds that she is developing feelings for Ysbeta's brother Ianthe. This gives Beatrice mixed feelings because she doesn't believe she can have love and magic at the same time.
Overall I enjoyed this! The magic system is quite unique but like many other readers, I would have liked it to be a bit more flushed out. Then again as Ianthe explains to Beatrice, it is all quite mysterious so perhaps it was meant to be that way for the reader. I really liked the way Beatrice stuck to her beliefs and fought for herself to have equal footing amongst the men and Ianthe always supported her and Ysbeta in their happiness. This was my first book by Polk and I'm looking forward to reading more!
If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, feminism, and fantasy this is the book for you. This is set in the time of what feels like Regency England, where social status is everything and who you marry during "bargaining season" means everything. Both men and women practice magic by summoning spirits to aid them, but men are allowed to pursue the practice of magic and become powerful Magus, while women are stripped of their magic as soon as they are married. Their magic is bound with a suppression collar to protect any children they may give birth to. Women are only valued for the financial and political gain they bring to the marriage and the children they will bear in their future husbands.
Enter Beatrice Clayborn, a powerful sorceress who has no interest in getting married or collared. She wants to help her father with his business by becoming a Magus. To do so she must practice magic on her own in secret. Unfortunately, her family is in debt and needs her to make a good match during the bargaining season. Beatrice finds a book that may be the key to her desires, but she is thwarted by another young lady, Ysbeta, who has similar goals but much higher social standing. Beatrice finds herself befriendinding the sorceress and they practice their magic together, however she finds that she is developing feelings for Ysbeta's brother Ianthe. This gives Beatrice mixed feelings because she doesn't believe she can have love and magic at the same time.
Overall I enjoyed this! The magic system is quite unique but like many other readers, I would have liked it to be a bit more flushed out. Then again as Ianthe explains to Beatrice, it is all quite mysterious so perhaps it was meant to be that way for the reader. I really liked the way Beatrice stuck to her beliefs and fought for herself to have equal footing amongst the men and Ianthe always supported her and Ysbeta in their happiness. This was my first book by Polk and I'm looking forward to reading more!
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