The Midnight Bargain is a daring new fantasy that harkens back to the lush balls and proper courtships of the Regency Era. C.L. Polk’s refreshing take on body autonomy, women’s rights, and sexism propels this novel from mere fairytale romance to a scintillating work of art that is sure to become a favorite among feminists, romantics, and fantasy readers alike.
The world that Polk has created is familiar, but at the same time diverse, atmospheric, and magical. The societal pressures to fill a certain role are ones that many modern females have felt. Despite this story taking place in a fantasy world inspired by Regency England, many can relate to the crippling power of misogyny, although not nearly in such a literal way as a metal collar that suppresses magical ability. The addition of the magic system provides a levity to a story that could otherwise have been a depressing saga of desperation.
Beatrice is a firecracker and I adore her character. It is refreshing to see a feminist MC that does not completely reject the idea of marrying and bearing children. Beatrice both acknowledges her desire to honor traditional roles and yearns for something more. As a contrast, Ysbeta represents women that crave complete independence. Their partnership and eventual friendship provides insight into both perspectives and gives dimension to the battle for women’s rights. Additionally, Ianthe’s development from bystander to ally is thorough and convincing. The diversity of the characters and their backgrounds provides the necessary differences to make his conversion more believable.
The romance develops quickly, but there is enough doubt and turmoil that it doesn’t feel rushed. For a standalone, the pacing is spot on. I won’t go as far as to say the story is action-packed, but, between the secret meetings, constant suitors, and magical experiments, I couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this book to fans of A Discovery of Witches and Sorcery of Thorns.
This book is set to release October 13, 2020. Thank you to Erewhon Books and NetGalley for providing me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.