Book Review
Sep. 12th, 2022 10:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Midnight Bargain
by C.L. Polk
This YA fantasy is set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, but with magic based on dealing with spirits. Unfortunately, in this world, women with magical abilities are forced to wear a collar upon marriage that cancels out their magic, as the spirits can threaten a fetus. Beatrice is the daughter of a minor merchant family in financial trouble who must marry well to keep her family from ruin. However, she is also a strong and talented sorceress and wants to pursue magic rather than give it up for marriage. At the beginning of the season, Beatrice meets the Lavan siblings, Ysbeta and Ianthe and finds herself falling in love with Ianthe and forming an alliance with Ysbeta, a fellow sorceress who also wants to stay unmarried. The dilemma of choosing Ianthe or magic drives Beatrice to try to find another way, with Ysbeta's assistance.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The world and story combined elements I have always enjoyed: an interesting magic system, Austen-style marriage games, an appealing romance, a delightful heroine, and feminism. Beatrice is a terrific character - she's smart and headstrong, and I loved a heroine who can care deeply for her family while still insisting on her right to follow her own path. Ysbeta is also great, another heroine who relentlessly pursues her own dreams and goals while still aiding and caring for those around her. The thing I loved most about
by C.L. Polk
This YA fantasy is set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, but with magic based on dealing with spirits. Unfortunately, in this world, women with magical abilities are forced to wear a collar upon marriage that cancels out their magic, as the spirits can threaten a fetus. Beatrice is the daughter of a minor merchant family in financial trouble who must marry well to keep her family from ruin. However, she is also a strong and talented sorceress and wants to pursue magic rather than give it up for marriage. At the beginning of the season, Beatrice meets the Lavan siblings, Ysbeta and Ianthe and finds herself falling in love with Ianthe and forming an alliance with Ysbeta, a fellow sorceress who also wants to stay unmarried. The dilemma of choosing Ianthe or magic drives Beatrice to try to find another way, with Ysbeta's assistance.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The world and story combined elements I have always enjoyed: an interesting magic system, Austen-style marriage games, an appealing romance, a delightful heroine, and feminism. Beatrice is a terrific character - she's smart and headstrong, and I loved a heroine who can care deeply for her family while still insisting on her right to follow her own path. Ysbeta is also great, another heroine who relentlessly pursues her own dreams and goals while still aiding and caring for those around her. The thing I loved most about
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The Midnight Bargain
by C.L. Polk
This YA fantasy is set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, but with magic based on dealing with spirits. Unfortunately, in this world, women with magical abilities are forced to wear a collar upon marriage that cancels out their magic, as the spirits can threaten a fetus. Beatrice is the daughter of a minor merchant family in financial trouble who must marry well to keep her family from ruin. However, she is also a strong and talented sorceress and wants to pursue magic rather than give it up for marriage. At the beginning of the season, Beatrice meets the Lavan siblings, Ysbeta and Ianthe and finds herself falling in love with Ianthe and forming an alliance with Ysbeta, a fellow sorceress who also wants to stay unmarried. The dilemma of choosing Ianthe or magic drives Beatrice to try to find another way, with Ysbeta's assistance.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The world and story combined elements I have always enjoyed: an interesting magic system, Austen-style marriage games, an appealing romance, a delightful heroine, and feminism. Beatrice is a terrific character - she's smart and headstrong, and I loved a heroine who can care deeply for her family while still insisting on her right to follow her own path. Ysbeta is also great, another heroine who relentlessly pursues her own dreams and goals while still aiding and caring for those around her. The thing I loved most about <I><The Midnight Bargain</i> was that it is ultimately about finding solutions and ways to make things work rather than about sacrifice or renunciation.
by C.L. Polk
This YA fantasy is set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, but with magic based on dealing with spirits. Unfortunately, in this world, women with magical abilities are forced to wear a collar upon marriage that cancels out their magic, as the spirits can threaten a fetus. Beatrice is the daughter of a minor merchant family in financial trouble who must marry well to keep her family from ruin. However, she is also a strong and talented sorceress and wants to pursue magic rather than give it up for marriage. At the beginning of the season, Beatrice meets the Lavan siblings, Ysbeta and Ianthe and finds herself falling in love with Ianthe and forming an alliance with Ysbeta, a fellow sorceress who also wants to stay unmarried. The dilemma of choosing Ianthe or magic drives Beatrice to try to find another way, with Ysbeta's assistance.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The world and story combined elements I have always enjoyed: an interesting magic system, Austen-style marriage games, an appealing romance, a delightful heroine, and feminism. Beatrice is a terrific character - she's smart and headstrong, and I loved a heroine who can care deeply for her family while still insisting on her right to follow her own path. Ysbeta is also great, another heroine who relentlessly pursues her own dreams and goals while still aiding and caring for those around her. The thing I loved most about <I><The Midnight Bargain</i> was that it is ultimately about finding solutions and ways to make things work rather than about sacrifice or renunciation.
