Book Review: The Midnight Bargain

By Marcia Divack

The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk is a magical novel. The story follows the travails of Beatrice Clayborn, a budding sorceress, who at the beginning of the Bargaining Season, which is a time when magical families gather together seeking advantageous marriages for their children, faces losing her magical powers.

Beatrice knows that if her family can arrange a marriage for her, it may well mean setting aside sorcery to raise children. In an attempt to avoid this outcome, Beatrice acquires a specific grimoire (spell book). However, another sorceress, Ysbeta, steals the grimoire from Beatrice for the very same reason.

To get the spell book back, Beatrice must summon Nadi, a spirit. Nadi will help retrieve the book if Beatrice will allow the spirit to possess her and live vicariously through her, so that she might temporarily experience a real life full of excitement and love and most importantly, cake.

With Nadi’s help, Beatrice regains the grimoire and develops a deep friendship with Ysbeta. She also falls in love with Ysbeta’s brother, Ianthe. To navigate all the changes she is facing, Beatrice summons Nadi more and more often, putting everything she has worked for at risk.

Polk’s storytelling is sumptuous and deeply steeped in magic and romance, sweeping readers up into the rich fantasy world she has created. Yet, the story also serves as a discussion of the contemporary issues of parental leave, family planning, and women’s equality.