The Midnight Bargain

By: C. Polk

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2020 C.L. Polk (P)2020 Recorded Books

The feminist fantasy you need to read!

This book was amazing and I am speechless. Polk delivered the first true feminist fantasy novel that I’ve ever read. I hadn’t even realized until finishing this book how lacking the fantasy genre is in feminist novels that show strong women who don’t bow to a man or lose themselves because they fell in love. This book is honesty so good I was addicted and could not stop listening. Thank you C. Polk I will sing this book’s praises to anyone that will listen!

LOVED IT!!!

I found this story to be so relatable, the characters very much likable (save for a few), and the narration was terrific!
How is it relatable, you ask? Going against the flow of what is socially acceptable to remain true to yourself. It’s not easy, most just go with the flow to avoid conflict, but those who choose to push for what they believe in/desire have many obstacles to overcome. This story struck me deep down as I found myself connecting with the main character’s emotions as she fought for what she desired most. It also made me think about, with great appreciation, what the women before us went through to carve the way for the women’s rights that we now have.
Moira Quirk did an amazing job, I was never confused of who was speaking and I actually forgot that she was the only narrator. I was able to just immerse myself into the story, which was nice.
This was my first time with this author and I’m very pleased, I’m going to go look right now at their other titles. Thank you, C. Polk!

Jane Austin meets Magic

I enjoyed the story and it kept me interested most of the time. However, much of the plot was driven by pomp and social proprieties, which felt at odds with a world of magic. If you like Austin, this book would be your cup of tea for sure!

Altogether lovely!

Premise was brilliant. The way they portrayed magic with the spirits was in a way I have never encountered before.

Performance: A+ honestly one of the best narrators I’ve encountered.

The character development was a little lacking towards the end but if one takes in consideration the age of the character, her behaviour does make sense.

Overall, I binged the book in a day. It was lovely.

good premise but the main character is weak

It was a good story but it would have been better is Ysabet was the lead character. She was more compelling. All the Clayborns, save the mother, were infuriating.

I really did want the father to have suffered more for his actions. I was not satisfied with the lack of his comeuppance.

Moira Quirk is a joy to listen to.

Loved, loved!

I enjoyed this fun, subtle (no crass descriptions), magic, tale! Loved it! I highly recommend it. The performance was also perfect!

Loved it!

Well-crafted, powerfully nuanced and highly engaging. You had me from “hello.” I will explore more of this author’s work.

so good

the ending actually made me tear up it started slow but sion I was wrapped up in the mischievous nature's to good to be true main characters it's a feel good story through and through

What a ride!

This story is amazing. The language lyrical and compelling. The character arcs are rich and complex and satisfying. Loved it!

good characters. good storytelling.

Enjoyed it thoroughly. it's getting harder to sift through the sludge of poorly written tales flooding Amazon. this one was well written, with good characters, good plot.