• Genre: Fantasy
• Age group: Adult
• Pub. date: October 13th 2020
• Format: Print
• Pages: 384
• Goodreads link

Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.

In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss . . . with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.

The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken?

I read this shortly after Soulstar and I think I just may be in love with Polk’s writing for life? The way they write and create tension is so strong. This book was strange because it was infuriating and comforting at the same time. The way this society treats women filled me with anger but the main characters were lovely, sweet, comforting and also dealing with that anger.

It’s set in an alternate world, but with sort of Regency England vibes, and the main character is participating in her first season, with her family is depending on her to get a husband. She’s not at all keen on the idea because that means giving up her ability to practice magic. I found her so satisfying as a heroine in this system because of her uncompromising stance. Of course, things do not always go her way and there’s a lot of stress and tension.

The other two main characters are great, they’re from a less infuriating country so interactions with them are always in a nice sort of contrast with everyone else. I love them both, probably more than the MC because they’re more … worldy? Bea has a pretty limited life experience, she’s been pretty isolated so she’s sort of naive. I’ve seen other people call her selfish, and I do and don’t agree, yes she knows what she wants and she’s very driven. She takes calculated risks, she’s just bad at math, she thinks in the end the harm won’t be big. Which is miles better than how some of her family members act. I can’t hold it against her that she fights for herself. Needless to say, I was not a big fan of the family.

Another criticism I’ve seen was that it’s heavy-handed with the feminism. I can see where they’re coming from but I didn’t get that. People being reduced to specific roles in society is something I feel very much anger towards. And I honestly think in Beatrice’s place I would’ve been just as single-minded in my goals, unless I’d have just ran off to live as goat. One point that I thought the book showed very well was how there are always people resisting, just because they’re not visible does not mean everyone agrees with the status quo.

Overall I really loved it, read it all in one day, and can totally see why it’s gotten so much praise. I would love to see a sequel (though it’s currently a standalone). I can also see why it might not work for everyone, but I didn’t have any of those issues.

r/fantasy Bingo squares: Genre mash-up (historical, romance, fantasy), Any r/Fantasy Book Club / Read Along Book,