noranaziz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-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
4.5
final rating: 4.5/5 🫶🏼
this book single-handedly took me out of my reading slump. i should’ve known; enemies to lovers will always have a grip on me. the romance was simply magical—delicious and leaving me wanting more. a fragile enchantment this book was, on my mind and my soul. i definitely will not be forgetting about it for a very long time <3
this book single-handedly took me out of my reading slump. i should’ve known; enemies to lovers will always have a grip on me. the romance was simply magical—delicious and leaving me wanting more. a fragile enchantment this book was, on my mind and my soul. i definitely will not be forgetting about it for a very long time <3
albatr0ss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Niamh is a lovable and kind female main character who reminds you of what it was to be young and naive of the world around you. Her sunny disposition balances the moody and glum Prince Kit very well.
The story gives off a vibe of Carnival Row meets Bridgerton. It has slight spice to it which is just enough to make you want more. The depth of the characters and the rich history of the world Saft has created made this a fun weekend read!
The story gives off a vibe of Carnival Row meets Bridgerton. It has slight spice to it which is just enough to make you want more. The depth of the characters and the rich history of the world Saft has created made this a fun weekend read!
teachinatardis's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Niamh isn't royal, but she does have a little magic in her blood which allows her to sew emotions and memories into the beautiful clothes she creates, and is also making her life shorter with each stitch. Her talent gets her invited into the world of royalty as the official wardrobe designer for the kingdom of Avaland. Sure, these are the people who colonized her lands and are oppressing her people, but this is an opportunity she can't say no to. This one job will ensure she can take care of her mother and grandmother for the rest of her short life and beyond.
Niamh isn't prepared for the handsome, prickly prince whose wedding she is dressing. She isn't prepared for the flamboyant and kind best friend of said prince. She isn't at all prepared for the vibrant, tough future bride. Her experience will test who she is and who she wants to be and build relationships she never intended. Set against political unrest and a gossip columnist who seems to know everything happening in Avaland, romance seems unlikely, but might bloom despite it all.
Part a fantastical romance and part a magical (literally and figuratively) journey into friendship and love, A Fragile Enchantment is the perfect read for lovers of fantasy romance and a little mystery. The only think stopping me from giving this book 5 stars is the feeling that it forgot it's plot a few times. The title of the story is tied to the fact that Niamh is dying due to her magic and won't live long, but this isn't really the major plot point you think it's going to be. In fact, it gets kind of lost entirely. Secondly, queerness is centered in this book through a few characters, which I love, but Niamh herself mentions being interested in girls back home, but then becomes interested in Kit. No shade to a bi/pan queen, but it just kind of took me by surprise that the author went out of her way to let us know that Niamh is into girls, never mentions an interest in boys, then falls for Kit. Then, once she realizes she's into Kit, her attraction to girls is never mentioned again. If there's going to be a bi/pan queen, serve that bisexuality up proudly!
Overall a sweet, fun read, but just a few things that made the story feel a little too loose for my tastes.
Niamh isn't prepared for the handsome, prickly prince whose wedding she is dressing. She isn't prepared for the flamboyant and kind best friend of said prince. She isn't at all prepared for the vibrant, tough future bride. Her experience will test who she is and who she wants to be and build relationships she never intended. Set against political unrest and a gossip columnist who seems to know everything happening in Avaland, romance seems unlikely, but might bloom despite it all.
Part a fantastical romance and part a magical (literally and figuratively) journey into friendship and love, A Fragile Enchantment is the perfect read for lovers of fantasy romance and a little mystery. The only think stopping me from giving this book 5 stars is the feeling that it forgot it's plot a few times. The title of the story is tied to the fact that Niamh is dying due to her magic and won't live long, but this isn't really the major plot point you think it's going to be. In fact, it gets kind of lost entirely. Secondly, queerness is centered in this book through a few characters, which I love, but Niamh herself mentions being interested in girls back home, but then becomes interested in Kit. No shade to a bi/pan queen, but it just kind of took me by surprise that the author went out of her way to let us know that Niamh is into girls, never mentions an interest in boys, then falls for Kit. Then, once she realizes she's into Kit, her attraction to girls is never mentioned again. If there's going to be a bi/pan queen, serve that bisexuality up proudly!
Overall a sweet, fun read, but just a few things that made the story feel a little too loose for my tastes.
saintlychelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
lastblossom's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A charming fantasy romance with slow burn and a dash of magic.
Thoughts
This book is like a fairy tale. Usually when I say that, I mean it in the "dark, tragic, unsettling" sort of way, but this time I mean it in the "dreamy, beautiful, hopeful ending" sort of way. You've got your self-sacrificing heroine with a heart a gold and magic in her fingertips, a cranky prince surrounded by a wall of thorns (sometimes literally), and a kingdom in peril. The magic system doesn't get much detail, leaving the reader to have to accept that magic is magic, but the rest of the world building is solid - weighted heavily on real world history, including a frank look at colonization, classism, the fact that LGBT people have existed at every point in history. And yet even with all the weight, it remains a dreamy, sometimes cozy read about a gently blossoming romance between two lonely people.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A charming fantasy romance with slow burn and a dash of magic.
Thoughts
This book is like a fairy tale. Usually when I say that, I mean it in the "dark, tragic, unsettling" sort of way, but this time I mean it in the "dreamy, beautiful, hopeful ending" sort of way. You've got your self-sacrificing heroine with a heart a gold and magic in her fingertips, a cranky prince surrounded by a wall of thorns (sometimes literally), and a kingdom in peril. The magic system doesn't get much detail, leaving the reader to have to accept that magic is magic, but the rest of the world building is solid - weighted heavily on real world history, including a frank look at colonization, classism, the fact that LGBT people have existed at every point in history. And yet even with all the weight, it remains a dreamy, sometimes cozy read about a gently blossoming romance between two lonely people.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Classism
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and War
dbtabm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mglarson29's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this, but it ultimately just fell a little flat for me. I love the characters but I thought the worldbuilding and plotting were not as good as they could have been. I wanted to see more of Rosa and Miriam. There were moments, especially towards the end, where characters made choices that didn't make sense and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. There were certain plot points that almost felt tacked on and deserved more screentime than they got.
This wasn't the best read for me, but I think it will appeal to a lot of other readers!
I really wanted to love this, but it ultimately just fell a little flat for me. I love the characters but I thought the worldbuilding and plotting were not as good as they could have been. I wanted to see more of Rosa and Miriam. There were moments, especially towards the end, where characters made choices that didn't make sense and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. There were certain plot points that almost felt tacked on and deserved more screentime than they got.
This wasn't the best read for me, but I think it will appeal to a lot of other readers!
rafaestla's review against another edition
my netgalley arc expired and i read digital books too slow, i was really enjoying though and hope to finish it eventually!
readwithria's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
A Fragile Enchantment was a sweet, lovely book about love, duty, and putting oneself first. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Niamh and Kit are so adorable, and I love their friends as well. They all complement each other so wonderfully, and I loved seeing not only the romantic dynamic between our two leads but also their blossoming friendships as well.
I think that the balance of romance and political intrigue was done quite well! That can be a struggle for me with historical romance, but Saft did a great job. She also balanced the obvious inspirations of Ireland, England, and Spain with the fantastical worldbuilding of Machland, Avaland, and Castilia. I could easily tell where she found her inspiration, but I could also tell that she took that history and made it her own. I wish there had been a bit more separation of the real-world history and the fantasy world of the book, but that is my personal preference.
Read this book if you love
🪡 Regency romance
🪡 Grumpy/sunshine
🪡 Queer found family
🪡 Political intrigue
🪡 Royalcore
🪡 Cottagecore
🪡 Gardening
🪡 Sewing
I will say that some of the plot points felt either not quite resolved or resolved too quickly, but otherwise, this was so lovely and I can’t wait to read more from Allison Saft. 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.
Niamh and Kit are so adorable, and I love their friends as well. They all complement each other so wonderfully, and I loved seeing not only the romantic dynamic between our two leads but also their blossoming friendships as well.
I think that the balance of romance and political intrigue was done quite well! That can be a struggle for me with historical romance, but Saft did a great job. She also balanced the obvious inspirations of Ireland, England, and Spain with the fantastical worldbuilding of Machland, Avaland, and Castilia. I could easily tell where she found her inspiration, but I could also tell that she took that history and made it her own. I wish there had been a bit more separation of the real-world history and the fantasy world of the book, but that is my personal preference.
Read this book if you love
🪡 Regency romance
🪡 Grumpy/sunshine
🪡 Queer found family
🪡 Political intrigue
🪡 Royalcore
🪡 Cottagecore
🪡 Gardening
🪡 Sewing
I will say that some of the plot points felt either not quite resolved or resolved too quickly, but otherwise, this was so lovely and I can’t wait to read more from Allison Saft. 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence