2021 World Fantasy Award Finalist for Best Novel | 2021 Nebula Award Finalist for Best Novel | 2021 FIYAHCON Ignyte Award Finalist for Best Novel | 2021 Canada Reads Finalist | NPR Best Books of 2020 | November 2020 Indie Next Pick | Apple Books: Best Books of October
“A sleek, beautiful book with a quietly serious heart.” —The New York Times
From the bestselling, 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?
Thanks to #Netgalley for providing this free book in exchange for an honest review!
In a regency inspired world where women have to lose their magic when they get married, Beatrice has been secretly practising magic and hoping she could get married to her beloved, and keep her magic.
This premise holds such potential and I was so excited to read it. I'm sure so many reads will be captivated by Beatrice and her fight for freedom.
I loved the main characters individually, but also seeing their dynamics between each other and within the society they live in. I absolutely adored Nadi throughout and feel like she definitely provided some of the best moments in the book.
The Midnight Bargain draws some interesting, but painfully relevant, parallels between our world and Beatrice's world inrelation to sexism, misogyny and womens autonomy.
Polk has such a wonderful way making me feel like I was fully immersed in Beatrice's world and life. Between the magic system and relationship between characters, this feels like a solid book either stand alone or to start a series. The only downside to this book is that I felt the pacing was a little bit off in places, but I adored the plot and the characters which is why this is a 4 ☆
