Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Der Mitternachtspakt

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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wishbea's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

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

2.5

I kept reading this book because I was interested in the development of Beatrice's relationship with Ysbeta and Ianthe Lavan, however the intrigue of the romance fell apart for me once the book started wrapping up. Yet I still enjoyed the friendship between Beatrice and Ysbeta. I found Harriet to be an incredibly annoying and inconsistent character, which was a shame as she is a prevalent character in this story.

A great deal of the male characters were reprehensible and it made the book very hard to read, and the minor characters such as Clara simply have no personality and are merely there to do whatever the plot requires of them.

The book at first glance appears to have negative consequences for the characters, but they are very shallow consequences that are solved within a couple chapters. It never felt to me that there were any stakes and the pacing toward the end of the book was breakneck, I felt very unsatisfied by the way loose ends were tied up.

The events that happened at the end of the book felt like they were happening because the plot said they had to, plot developments to tie everything up felt extremely forced and I was disappointed by the very sudden changes in personality of certain characters at the end.

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maryellen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? No

5.0

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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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robin_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

A regency era fantasy novel about two women out in society, who are supposed to find husbands but don’t want that and try to find ways around it.

I like the main idea of the story but it felt like the characters were dense and dramatic for the drama of it all and I don’t like that very much. Same with the withholding of information and miscommunication that could’ve been solved so very easily.
The author has a good way of telling the story and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I was invested into the outcome, even when I got annoyed with the characters. It was partly predictable and the epilogue is very all-around happiness and Happy End, which I don’t always care for.
All in all, it was a solid read about women’s rights to their own bodies and magic and overcoming societal expectations.

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blewballoon's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious 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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed this. I liked the main characters and the writing. I liked the magic. I do think the fantasy sexism was a little over the top, that's my biggest complaint. I did find a lot of things predictable, but I don't necessarily mind that. I prefer it over the narrative not being cohesive. I listened on audiobook and Moira Quirk is a delight. I really liked her spirit voice.

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graff_fuller's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

Downton Abbey mashed with Indian Bollywood mashed with Djinns.

This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.

As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.

As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).

Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.

The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.

One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.

And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.

So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.

In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.

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lovealwaysadi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

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