mschaeff 's review for:

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

2.0

---

I had really mixed feelings about this book, and I will be honest: it is getting a three star rating on the basis of its incredibly unique premise, wonderful worldbuilding, and the fact that it is a fairly interesting treatise on feminism, the sort that you rarely see in fantasy literature. It's an incredibly crafted book. ...and I really couldn't stand any of the characters. Beatrice? I spent half the book really wishing she'd just shut up and marry Ianthe. Ianthe? Character depth of a cardboard cutout. Ysbeta? I mean, I felt for her, but she was generally so reckless that I found her to border on selfish. The romance between Beatrice and Ianthe was basically instantaneous. Literally they have one conversation and are suddenly madly in love. Really, the only functional character in this entire book was Nadi, a spirit, whom I adored. She was great. But overall, it's worth reading sheerly for the awesome worldbuilding, but don't expect to be crazy about anyone involved. Aside from Nadi. Nadi is awesome.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC; I received it in exchange for my honest opinion.