A review by teachinatardis
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
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.