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griffinthief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Child death
lighterthaneyre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a very fun read. It's not a regency romance, but it knows all the tropes and best parts to spread out as scene dressing and plot conflicts
This is a head on interrogation of gender roles and gender equality, and while it's direct, there's depth there that resonates.
There's lots of good discussions on how women are undervalued, how systematically it's enforced, how women have to give up ambition or romance/family. And there's real cost assigned to both wants, and and real grief felt for giving up either option.
My biggest issue was at the end when all the parents got on board. Mrs Lavan I do believe, but absolutely Fuck Beatrice's dad. Toss that man into the drink.
This is a head on interrogation of gender roles and gender equality, and while it's direct, there's depth there that resonates.
There's lots of good discussions on how women are undervalued, how systematically it's enforced, how women have to give up ambition or romance/family. And there's real cost assigned to both wants, and and real grief felt for giving up either option.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
fungivibes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.75
Didn't love this one. I found the characters a bit shallow and the climax happened way to quickly and everything was wrapped up a too little neatly and didn't really make sense for the characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death
markedwithanm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
bretagnereads's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Pregnancy
Minor: Violence
steelfern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I flipped back and forth for so much of this book on whether I really enjoyed it or not. There were a lot of pieces of Beatrice that spoke to me, and I think some of the struggles were Too Real bc I definitely found myself furious and way too invested.
the fact that she forgives her father lmaooo i will be maladaptive daydreaming his repeated murder y'all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
hilarylouise's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence and Miscarriage
ehmannky's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Violence and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Murder, and Miscarriage
podanotherjessi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
This is one of those books where I was barely interested in the first half, and then the second half absolutely ruined me. If you love Jane Austen but wish her protagonist pushed just a little further past the boundaries of propriety, this is the book for you. It's beautifully written - although sometimes it goes beyond just flowery - and has a wonderful albeit heavy handed message about the choices women have had to make for years and never should have to. I'd recommend this if you want a book that's lighthearted but still full of emotion.
Characters: 10
Plot: 8
Setting: 8
General appeal: 9
Writing style: 7
Originality: 7
Ending: 8
Characters: 10
Plot: 8
Setting: 8
General appeal: 9
Writing style: 7
Originality: 7
Ending: 8
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Miscarriage
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence and Toxic relationship