The Midnight Bargain
Compelling
Heartwarming
Predictable

The Midnight Bargain

C. L. Polk2020
From the beloved 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?
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Reviews

Photo of Claudia Sinclair.
Claudia Sinclair.@claudiashelf
4.75 stars
Jan 7, 2024
Photo of Beatrice
Beatrice@bookforthought
3 stars
May 5, 2023
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Shereen Evans@fellexya
4 stars
Aug 15, 2022
Photo of Fraser Simons
Fraser Simons@frasersimons
3 stars
Jun 9, 2022
Photo of Caitlyn Hagen
Caitlyn Hagen@clovermine
4 stars
Mar 3, 2022
Photo of Aundreya Rich
Aundreya Rich@readinginwatercolor
4 stars
Feb 9, 2022
Photo of Sahi K
Sahi K@sahibooknerd
3 stars
Jan 5, 2022
Photo of Jennifer
Jennifer@vivaldi
4 stars
Dec 14, 2021
Photo of Moray Lyle McIntosh
Moray Lyle McIntosh@bookish_arcadia
3.5 stars
Dec 7, 2021
Charming
Creative
Feel good
Delightful
Fast paced
Heartwarming
Photo of Nickie Mohler
Nickie Mohler@hazelreads1
3 stars
Nov 18, 2021
Photo of Abby Hoggatt
Abby Hoggatt@abbyhoggatt
4 stars
Nov 16, 2021
Photo of Rina
Rina@rinareads
2.5 stars
Nov 3, 2021
This review contains a spoiler
Offbeat
Unoriginal
Implausible
Predictable
Photo of erin s
erin s@sirissacgluten
2 stars
Nov 2, 2021
Photo of Insiya Ghadiali
Insiya Ghadiali@insi
4 stars
Oct 29, 2021
Photo of Heather Harrington
Heather Harrington@nerdybynatureblog
2 stars
Oct 23, 2021
Photo of Jagoda Nowak
Jagoda Nowak@bookishy
3 stars
Sep 7, 2021
Photo of Emily
Emily @emilymiahreads
4 stars
Aug 26, 2021
Photo of Catalina Petre
Catalina Petre@katalinareads
4 stars
Aug 18, 2021
Photo of Molly Sanderson
Molly Sanderson @ms22
4 stars
Jan 3, 2024
Vivid
Intense
Original
Compelling
Photo of Savannah Lowe
Savannah Lowe@savyyloloreads
4 stars
Apr 30, 2023
Photo of Sophia
Sophia @phiabia
3 stars
Dec 4, 2022
Deep
Compelling
Thought provoking
Photo of Sophie
Sophie@sophiereads
4.5 stars
May 9, 2022
Photo of Megan BV
Megan BV@megplantparm
4 stars
Mar 22, 2022
Photo of Megan Lydom-Howe
Megan Lydom-Howe@meganhowe
4.5 stars
Dec 17, 2021