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A review by caidyn
The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
CW: sexism
I enjoyed the book, but it didn't blow me away. I found the magic system fascinating but, at times, it felt like infodumping although I did find it very interesting. Then, the characters were great and I loved the struggle that mirrored what people (especially women) go through -- family or career? And people make it seem like they can't do both. Except in this, it was magic and children. All set in an extremely patriarchal society where women are very controlled by men and have to wear a collar to ward off spirits that might attack their children.
Still, there was something that held me at a distance with this book. It just held me back and I can't quite explain it. I was interested in the book, but never felt like it absolutely absorbed my attention. I like that it was closed off and wrapped up but I could definitely see there being more to the story and the world being revisited again.
CW: sexism
I enjoyed the book, but it didn't blow me away. I found the magic system fascinating but, at times, it felt like infodumping although I did find it very interesting. Then, the characters were great and I loved the struggle that mirrored what people (especially women) go through -- family or career? And people make it seem like they can't do both. Except in this, it was magic and children. All set in an extremely patriarchal society where women are very controlled by men and have to wear a collar to ward off spirits that might attack their children.
Still, there was something that held me at a distance with this book. It just held me back and I can't quite explain it. I was interested in the book, but never felt like it absolutely absorbed my attention. I like that it was closed off and wrapped up but I could definitely see there being more to the story and the world being revisited again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism