A review by ashleysills
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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


This was such a magical, cozy love story. Imagine the angst, strong characters, and Regency social structure from Pride and Prejudice mixed with ancient magic, royalty, political intrigue, and found family. While it didn’t quite hit five stars for me, it was an enchanting read from start to finish.

THE REPRESENTATION
All main and primary supporting characters are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Niamh, the FMC, has a chronic illness and a few characters have mental health struggles.

THE CHARACTERS
Overall I loved the characters! Both their strengths and weaknesses felt real and relatable, and I loved the way their experiences + flaws shaped the way they interacted with each other.

THE PARTS I LOVED AND DIDN’T LOVE
I loved Saft’s prose and her ability to paint a picture without overusing words. I loved the magic system, but be aware that it was touched on very little. I loved the romance between Niamh and Kit. The banter, the tension, the way they helped each other be better versions of themselves! *chef’s kiss*

Parts I didn’t love include the spice level (described below) and some confusing characters decisions/logic near the end. This didn’t ruin the story for me though!

THE THEMES
The main themes included social injustice/oppression (less seamless, but still well-done) and ones tied to the main characters’ personal belief systems and flaws. If you like a good character arc, you’ll probably enjoy this book.
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