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emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have now read all of C.L. Polk's books to date. The Midnight Bargain was a bit too slow for my own taste, but I'm sure that won't be a problem for others.
This is a blistering feminist tale, dark and dangerous when you stop to think about the society this is occurring in. The magic is really cool too, although much of its discussion and use is clandestine so you really feel the craft being held away from women by men.
Not my favorite Polk novel while still being better than most books. I jumped into the audiobook 2/3 of the way and that was well done.
This is a blistering feminist tale, dark and dangerous when you stop to think about the society this is occurring in. The magic is really cool too, although much of its discussion and use is clandestine so you really feel the craft being held away from women by men.
Not my favorite Polk novel while still being better than most books. I jumped into the audiobook 2/3 of the way and that was well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Classism
adventurous
emotional
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, Classism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship
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:
Complicated
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: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia