Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Midnight Bargain

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

11 reviews

saphfics's review

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

There were moments I like. I loved Isabetta and Beatrice's mom. The relationship and understanding between Isabetta and Beatrice felt more like the heart of the story than Beatrice's romance. The misogyny was very violent to read so do be careful with that.

However there were still a lot of things that were less enjoyable to me as a reader. Beatrice as a protagonist was very infuriating at times. Especially near the end when it felt like the author was making her make stupid and rash decisions to make the story have more tensions. Like I felt there was just a little more communication needed. And it was to the point that I wanted Isabetta to be the main protagonist. Like without me wanting to know the end of Isabetta's story caused me me not DNF.

I felt like the dad was forgiven way too easily for what he has done and I didn't like it how the way he treated in this family was never addressed.

Like he wanted to marry her to someone who was trying to kill her. Helped violently attack her, ignored her when her mother was pleading with him

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lizzie_b99's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective relaxing tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this more than I expected I would! After reading ACOTAR, I found it a bit difficult to get past the hero's name, but they're ideologies are completely different - I promise. The action really picks up for the last 100 or so pages. I would have liked more explanation for some of the magic things since the system wasn't always explained well, which becomes more of an issue later in the novel as the magic becomes more complex. It's a cute fantasy world that seems reminiscent of Regency England although the world is definitely in an entirely fictional space.

I'm really shocked that Beatrice seemed to completely forgive her father at the end. Given his behaviour and his willingness to marry her off to someone who was LITERALLY WILLING TO KILL HER just a few days before, I don't think I'd have been able to forgive him, especially as quickly as she seems to. Ditto for Ysbeta and her parents. I also wish the epilogue addressed women like Beatrice's mom who are sorceresses but are married to non-sorcerers. How do they protect their children without the collar? The epilogue acknowledges that there's more to learn and more secrets to discover, but I wish there was an answer for people like Mrs Clayborn since so many of the marriages are between non-sorcerer men who want to add magic to their bloodlines.

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anjasshelf's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

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claudiashelf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

I’d like to mention that this book is ideal for those who enjoy YA fantasy regency novels with strong female characters and interesting plots. ( It did an excellent job of showing gender inequity in a brand-new, interesting way. )

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but my apologies; I chose this book because of the captivating cover art. And surprisingly, I relished spending time in this book’s fantasy world. I believe that this book’s world-building and magic system are its greatest assets. Everything in this book is fascinating and alluring. This perspective on magic and the tension it generated regarding spirits residing in unborn infants and causing them to be born into the world, which would result in death and destruction, were both appealing to me.

This is a well-written fantasy book that is overall entertaining to read. This book contains some extremely moving lines, but the plot focuses more on how the MC will be able to maintain their magic. Also, this book’s solid magic system and convincing fantasy setting remind me of June Austen’s Britain but with magic. Although the story of Beatrice and Ianthe made me sob, I don’t really like instant love, which makes me feel a little strange. Overall, it’s worth reading.

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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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bretagnereads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.0

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hilarylouise's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring 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

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ehmannky's review against another edition

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emotional tense 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

4.5

I love when writers dabble in historical fantasy. There's something about throwing magic in with petticoats that just makes me so happy. I loved the central love story between Ianthe and Beatrice, and I also loved that Ysbeta is ace. I loved Beatrice's struggle to balance familial duty with her own desires. I'd recommend this book if you're a fan of Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories series or Silvia Moreno-Garcia's The Beautiful Ones. They have a similar vaguely 1800s with magic setting and are centered on women's stories navigating that world. If I'm honest, I'm a bit bummed that there's only one in this series, because I would love to read a series of relationships in this world like what if there was a ployam throuple or a single woman trying to do her best in defending her children. So much to think about.

It's a great read, with women's rights and really interrogating what it means to be equal in a partnership beyond just *allowing* someone to be who they are and loving them. That a solid relationship demands compromises and sacrifices from both parties.

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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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