The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk | Bridgerton Meets Magic?!
The Midnight Bargain is my first ARC review of the year, and I couldn’t have done it at a better time! Oh, my goodness! It reminded me of the Bridgerton Netflix series so much, and I loved it. I had just finished watching the series, so I was totally into the whole Regency-era setting. It was perfect! Courting, balls, fashion, and romance… And magic! Here’s my review.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
“I mean to uncover lost traditions and find the truth of sorcery and spirits. I want to learn something new every day and teach another something that could have been lost. I will find cities lost to legend and preserve wisdom from dying traditions.”
My Review
World-Building
I finished The Midnight Bargain within half a day. I pretty much went in blind. The book had been on my Netgalley shelf since the end of summer and though I did check out its Netgalley page before starting, I was still clueless. Imagine my surprise when the setting was quite like the Regency-era of Bridgerton! This makes it easy to imagine the world of The Midnight Bargain. Besides that, however, I’m a little bit disappointed. I can’t exactly put my finger on the “why”, though. It’s this huge new fantasy world with different countries, languages, and cultures; which is great! Some elements were developed really well, while others lacked a bit.
Characters
The Midnight Bargain has a small cast of interesting characters. Beatrice and Ysbeta are interesting characters. They’re both after the same thing for reasons that are both very similar and very different. I liked their dynamic because of it. I simply adore Ianthe. He’s such a gentleman! He’s a great brother and love interest. As for Beatrice’s sister Harriet; what a delight! For the most part, she’s such a joyful, caring little sister and she brought some light and happiness to the cast of serious characters.
Plot
Like I mentioned before, The Midnight Bargain reminded me a lot of Bridgerton and that’s probably why I liked it so much. Other than that, though… The more I think of it, the less I actually like the book. The pacing was really slow – if there was any at all. For the most part of the book, nothing actually happens. It’s probably because of this fact that the ending felt utterly rushed. The end left me sort of satisfied, as well as wanting more.
Romantic Fantasy?
With a title such as The Midnight Bargain, I hoped for a dark, magical fantasy. Unfortunately, it didn’t really deliver. Which probably has more to do with my expectations than the book itself. As for the magic – or lack thereof – I’m not impressed. That goes for the romance as well. Don’t tell me I’ll be reading this romantic fantasy with sorcery when there’s barely any magic and the romance falls flat. As I was reading the book, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I really did! But looking back, it just lacks the things I really love in books, which is a shame.
My Rating
Reviewing The Midnight Bargain was difficult. I like it enough to say I’ve genuinely enjoyed it, but at the same time I’m just very unimpressed. The setting was great and the characters interesting to read about. Unfortunately, it lacked when it comes to the plot and the “romantic fantasy” we were promised.
About The Midnight Bargain
From the beloved World Fantasy Award-winning author of Witchmark comes a sweeping, romantic new fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, where women’s magic is taken from them when they marry. A sorceress must balance her desire to become the first great female magician against her duty to her family.
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?
Have you read The Midnight Bargain? Do you agree with my thoughts on it? Let’s chat!
