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jelkebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a great read. I was just immediately pulled into this fantasy world. It felt very fairytale like, and I really liked the magic system. I thought it was so interesting, especially how it is tied to a craft at times, like with our main character. I thought it was quite different from anything I've read before, and I just thought it was incredibly interesting. I also liked how this book didn't really overexplain it. The magic just existed in this world, and I quite liked how that was done.
I also thought the plot was really well crafted. It is a more generic YA fantasy plot but I do think it was executed really well. The main focus of the book is the romance, and not the political intrigue, but I do like how it was incorperated into the story, and it felt very natural and real.
Of course, my favourite thing about this book was the romance. It was incredibly well developed. I loved seeing them slowly opening up to each other. They had a lot of really fun, light moments, but they also had a lot of really emotional moments where they get to open up to each other. I also really love how both of them put in such an effort to make sure the other person betters their life, even if it doesn't include themselves. I know, that might not make a whole lot of sense but I'm trying to phrase things without spoilers.
With the romance developement came also a lot of character developement. That's another element of this book I really enjoyed. I do wish it wasn't as closely tied into the romance. I just preffer it when character's want to change because they aren't happy with their lives, not just because the love interest alone sees they are not happy with their lives. Again, I do not know if that makes sense, but I hope you understand my point. However, I do really like the character growth both our main character and her love interest go through throughout this book. I really thought the characters were incredibly interesting and I loved learning more of that throughout the book. So yeah, I wasn't absolutely in love with this book but I did really, really enjoy it, and I highly recommend it.
This was such a great read. I was just immediately pulled into this fantasy world. It felt very fairytale like, and I really liked the magic system. I thought it was so interesting, especially how it is tied to a craft at times, like with our main character. I thought it was quite different from anything I've read before, and I just thought it was incredibly interesting. I also liked how this book didn't really overexplain it. The magic just existed in this world, and I quite liked how that was done.
I also thought the plot was really well crafted. It is a more generic YA fantasy plot but I do think it was executed really well. The main focus of the book is the romance, and not the political intrigue, but I do like how it was incorperated into the story, and it felt very natural and real.
Of course, my favourite thing about this book was the romance. It was incredibly well developed. I loved seeing them slowly opening up to each other. They had a lot of really fun, light moments, but they also had a lot of really emotional moments where they get to open up to each other. I also really love how both of them put in such an effort to make sure the other person betters their life, even if it doesn't include themselves. I know, that might not make a whole lot of sense but I'm trying to phrase things without spoilers.
With the romance developement came also a lot of character developement. That's another element of this book I really enjoyed. I do wish it wasn't as closely tied into the romance. I just preffer it when character's want to change because they aren't happy with their lives, not just because the love interest alone sees they are not happy with their lives. Again, I do not know if that makes sense, but I hope you understand my point. However, I do really like the character growth both our main character and her love interest go through throughout this book. I really thought the characters were incredibly interesting and I loved learning more of that throughout the book. So yeah, I wasn't absolutely in love with this book but I did really, really enjoy it, and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
franny_mae's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
littleflowerly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcoholism
Minor: Violence and War
mbomersheim's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ARC Review: I don’t know why I had such high hopes going into this book, but I was thoroughly disappointed.
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft is a hate-to-love romance story following Niamh, a magical seamstress from a different country who can imbue her projects with emotions, who gets brought to the palace for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create the garments for the prince and his betrothed for their upcoming wedding. However, when she slowly falls for the prince her feelings become more complicated. Simply put, I had issues with this book. I think this book was trying to do a bit too much, and the anonymous gossip writer gave me too much Lady Whistledown vibes. It was attempting to comment on racism and homophobia with the underlying political plot in addition to providing the actual romance plot line and because of that, the love aspects fell a little bit flat. Much of the in-between times and mundane tasks that could’ve been elaborated on (like working on the clothing, growing flowers, etc.) were skipped over, which I think was a missed opportunity for character development. Also, there were a few times when the plot was a little bit messy to the point that I was confused about the ordering of events. Ultimately, the main thing for me is that I wanted more of the cozy romance with a hint of magic vibes and instead got politics.
Spoilers ahead, tread with caution:
This ARC was received courtesy of NetGalley and was published on January 2, 2024.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Addiction
ellejo3's review against another edition
This is a colonizer/colonized romance where the colonized FMC is working herself to death to support her struggling family. I couldn’t get past it and would’ve DNF’d it if it hadn’t been an arc. The fact that she’s working herself to death never changes either. For all we know, she could die the day after the book ends. It seems like Saft is trying to treat this like a terminal illness, but the fact that it’s only happening so she can support her family who’s struggling due to the effects of colonization left a sour taste in my mouth. There’s also a lot of homophobia, which is unnecessary and tiring in a fantasy world.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my thoughts.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Terminal illness
Moderate: Colonisation
skypotion's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book makes me feel exactly the same way that Pride & Prejudice (2005) makes me feel, and that is a profound compliment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Outing
Minor: Child abuse
bookboxbabe's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
*thank you netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review*
to start off, i was SO excited for this book. when i got the email for it, i squealed. alas, this book fell flat for me a bit.
to start off, the romance was very insta-lovey and i’m not the biggest fan of that. she didn’t really have a reason to like kit at the start except that he was pretty. he was super rude to her countless times and i just kept saying “why do you still like him?”
i also didn’t really understand the plot with the protesters? it felt like it was written to give some tension to the story but there’s never really any explanation as to what exactly they were upset about or why there was an old war in the first place.
now, onto what i did enjoy.
it was cute. this was such a sappy and sweet story that felt super cozy at times. most of the characters were also amazing.
sinclair, miriam, and rosa needed their own povs because i just loved them and their complexity.
overall, this is a very low stakes, low fantasy book that while it didn’t blow me away, does have good elements and it was an enjoyable read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Lesbophobia
krisalexcole's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Classism, Chronic illness, and Alcoholism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Colonisation, Grief, Homophobia, Blood, Cursing, Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Infidelity, and War
linguistique's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker is hired to design and create the wedding wardrobe for a prince in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. However, what was supposed to be a simple job is quickly complicated by scandal, political unrest, and Niamh’s attraction to the groom.
One thing Saft excels at is making each character feel like a fully developed individual, with their own personalities and mannerisms. All of the characters are motivated by their desire to protect and care for the ones they love, but each of them have unique ways of attempting to do so, which allows for their differences to shine. I loved the banter and playfulness in the dialogue with the side characters, especially Sinclair, Rosa, and Miriam. The dialogue itself is so realistic that it feels like you as the reader are right in the room with the characters, overhearing their conversation. There is also good LGBTQ, chronic pain, and (strongly implied) neurodivergent representation. I would add a content warning for homophobia for any future readers.
My main complaint is that I found it difficult to keep track of all of the different plot threads at times. The novel is extremely fast paced, and Saft drops you right into the action from the beginning. There is Niamh’s own work on weaving emotions into the garments, her desire to financially support her family, her attraction to and aggravation with Kit, her chronic illness, her investigation of the Crown Prince’s dealings, all over the backdrop of the protests of the Macklish workers and a politically-inflammatory gossip columnist. Overall, I enjoyed that Saft didn’t shy away from more complex topics or limit the plot to only the romance, but it was easy to lose the threads and get lost in the story, and I think the novel would have benefitted from having more focus.
While this isn’t my favorite book that Saft has written, I’m still a huge fan of her writing and am optimistic that I will like her upcoming novel, A Dark and Drowning Tide.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
One thing Saft excels at is making each character feel like a fully developed individual, with their own personalities and mannerisms. All of the characters are motivated by their desire to protect and care for the ones they love, but each of them have unique ways of attempting to do so, which allows for their differences to shine. I loved the banter and playfulness in the dialogue with the side characters, especially Sinclair, Rosa, and Miriam. The dialogue itself is so realistic that it feels like you as the reader are right in the room with the characters, overhearing their conversation. There is also good LGBTQ, chronic pain, and (strongly implied) neurodivergent representation. I would add a content warning for homophobia for any future readers.
My main complaint is that I found it difficult to keep track of all of the different plot threads at times. The novel is extremely fast paced, and Saft drops you right into the action from the beginning. There is Niamh’s own work on weaving emotions into the garments, her desire to financially support her family, her attraction to and aggravation with Kit, her chronic illness, her investigation of the Crown Prince’s dealings, all over the backdrop of the protests of the Macklish workers and a politically-inflammatory gossip columnist. Overall, I enjoyed that Saft didn’t shy away from more complex topics or limit the plot to only the romance, but it was easy to lose the threads and get lost in the story, and I think the novel would have benefitted from having more focus.
While this isn’t my favorite book that Saft has written, I’m still a huge fan of her writing and am optimistic that I will like her upcoming novel, A Dark and Drowning Tide.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse
immovabletype'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Classism, Homophobia, Colonisation, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Alcohol, Outing, Genocide, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cursing, Child abuse, Confinement, and War