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A review by icapturethecastle
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
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
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc of “A Fragile Enchantment!” I’ve read “A Far Wilder Magic” by this same author and was very excited to read her latest, as I love fantasy court plots and enchanted dressmaking magic. Also, I absolutely adore the cover art!
The story follows Niamh, who posses the magical ability to imbue her clothing creations with her feelings and has been invited to be the dressmaker for an upcoming royal wedding. She soon develops feelings for the curmudgeonly prince whose wedding cloak she’s been hired to design and must also maneuver court drama and a labor class dispute.
As a humongous Project Runway fan, I loved the descriptions of fashion and Niamh’s magical dressmaking abilities. I would recommend to fans of Elizabeth Lim’s “The Blood of the Stars” series and to anyone looking for a light, sweet fantasy read that feels like spring. The world building is a fantasy version of England post Irish famine and deals with the labor class going on strike.
I liked this element, as it added some depth to the story.
All the characters were loveable and multi dimensional, even the antagonists. The side characters at times threatened to steal the show: Rosa the princess who wants to wear black to her wedding, Miriam the sunshiney lady’s maid, Sinclair the quippy and larger than life friend of the prince, and Sofia the mournful Princess Regent.
I am rating four out of five stars and would re-read this. I think this will appeal to a lot of readers looking for a low stakes plot, uncomplicated magic system, and a Bridgerton like setting.
The story follows Niamh, who posses the magical ability to imbue her clothing creations with her feelings and has been invited to be the dressmaker for an upcoming royal wedding. She soon develops feelings for the curmudgeonly prince whose wedding cloak she’s been hired to design and must also maneuver court drama and a labor class dispute.
As a humongous Project Runway fan, I loved the descriptions of fashion and Niamh’s magical dressmaking abilities. I would recommend to fans of Elizabeth Lim’s “The Blood of the Stars” series and to anyone looking for a light, sweet fantasy read that feels like spring. The world building is a fantasy version of England post Irish famine and deals with the labor class going on strike.
I liked this element, as it added some depth to the story.
All the characters were loveable and multi dimensional, even the antagonists. The side characters at times threatened to steal the show: Rosa the princess who wants to wear black to her wedding, Miriam the sunshiney lady’s maid, Sinclair the quippy and larger than life friend of the prince, and Sofia the mournful Princess Regent.
I am rating four out of five stars and would re-read this. I think this will appeal to a lot of readers looking for a low stakes plot, uncomplicated magic system, and a Bridgerton like setting.