Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Midnight Bargain

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

7 reviews

grey_jayne's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I have now read all of C.L. Polk's books to date. The Midnight Bargain was a bit too slow for my own taste, but I'm sure that won't be a problem for others.

This is a blistering feminist tale, dark and dangerous when you stop to think about the society this is occurring in. The magic is really cool too, although much of its discussion and use is clandestine so you really feel the craft being held away from women by men.

Not my favorite Polk novel while still being better than most books. I jumped into the audiobook 2/3 of the way and that was well done.

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elderwoodreads's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I picked this up after reading Even Though I Knew The End, wanting to try more of Polk's work. This didn't disappoint! I feel like Polk did a little better with the novella as I felt this novel got a little repetitive at points, but I loved the characters and worldbuilding (which is where I feel Polk shines). This is a great read with a fun cast of characters.

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greenlivingaudioworm's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

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ruthh's review against another edition

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3.5

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codywolf's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I usually try to read a few of the book from the Canada Reads Longlist each year. The Midnight Bargain wasn't necessarily on my list for this year, but my book club picked it, so I picked it up. The first thing that comes to be is that Polk is a very talented writer and storyteller. The writing was easy and smooth and help the pages turn easily. The storyline and characters were a mix of a lot of things for me. I liked parted and others not so much. Fantasy/magic books are not really my thing. I wish Polk had built the backstory to this up a bit more. But I enjoyed the spirits, especially Nadi, she made me laugh a few times. Beatrice was lovely as a main character, though I did feel she lacked depth. She was headstrong and determined and I appreciated that for the times this story was set in. The inequality between men and women was a central theme of the book that I appreciated some aspects of and felt it spoke truth to reality, but at times it also felt a bit too drawn out. The romance aspect was interesting and I felt it went back and forth between being centre stages and a sideline. The friendship aspect was one I enjoyed more, and wanted more of at the end. This book did take a bit to get into, but I found myself enjoying it the more I got into it. Overall, I'm happy I was encouraged to pick it up and would recommend it, but not a priority.

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iviarelle's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What an incredible story, beautifully told. I had to put the book down a couple of times, because I felt too deeply for Beatrice's plight and what was being done to her. But, fortunately, the ending is worth it, and the journey ain't half bad neither. I felt the dramatic climax was... both rushed and drawn out, somehow? But that's not necessarily a complaint, either. It's weird and I love it.

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