Scan barcode
A review by paupereads
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If we met a little dark while reading A Far Wilder Magic, this time through A Fragile Enchantment, a classic and elegant atmosphere gives a small Bridgeton over here. I think, Allison Saft is specialist about fantasy mixed up well with romance.
Niamh is a magical dressmaker. She commisioned to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding. The wedding is in a neighboring kingdom called Avaland, which is full of political unrest. She met Kit, a prince that she should create clothes for. She develops the relationship with him. A gossip columnist starts spreading rumors about them, and Niamh must decide if she’ll risk her future for love.
Disclaimer, this might be a messy review. But, I will try hard. So, what should I start?
While reading this and found out a word of season, my mind quickly remembered about Bridgeton vibes. So, that's how people call this. I haven't been looking for it before, so I am a bit surprised. The plot began slowly, with Niamh's background, her struggle, her situation, and her feelings. I can say, I emphasize to her. If I can explain it this year, she can be called as sandwich generation. She describes herself as a hopeless romantic person who is seeking for a happiness, but she can't because she needs to think about her family. When the first time she met Kit, the atmosphere was not that good. Kit describes as cold guy, he arguing a lot with Niamh. But, there's a lot of things that happened and forced them in the same situation.
Mostly, I don't like the slow-burn relationship. But, this one is different. I was enjoying myself following the relationship both of them, I love how the author can involve the character each other without pushing them too much in every kind situation. They didn't have to be always said cute words or act like interest since the first time they met. But, when they realized each other about their feeling through every moment they shared together, it completely became a high point.
But, there's a lot of things annoying me.
Niamh is a magical dressmaker. She commisioned to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding. The wedding is in a neighboring kingdom called Avaland, which is full of political unrest. She met Kit, a prince that she should create clothes for. She develops the relationship with him. A gossip columnist starts spreading rumors about them, and Niamh must decide if she’ll risk her future for love.
Disclaimer, this might be a messy review. But, I will try hard. So, what should I start?
While reading this and found out a word of season, my mind quickly remembered about Bridgeton vibes. So, that's how people call this. I haven't been looking for it before, so I am a bit surprised. The plot began slowly, with Niamh's background, her struggle, her situation, and her feelings. I can say, I emphasize to her. If I can explain it this year, she can be called as sandwich generation. She describes herself as a hopeless romantic person who is seeking for a happiness, but she can't because she needs to think about her family. When the first time she met Kit, the atmosphere was not that good. Kit describes as cold guy, he arguing a lot with Niamh. But, there's a lot of things that happened and forced them in the same situation.
Mostly, I don't like the slow-burn relationship. But, this one is different. I was enjoying myself following the relationship both of them, I love how the author can involve the character each other without pushing them too much in every kind situation. They didn't have to be always said cute words or act like interest since the first time they met. But, when they realized each other about their feeling through every moment they shared together, it completely became a high point.
But, there's a lot of things annoying me.
- Kit will have a marriage to a girl named Rosa from other kingdoms. Even though this is a business purpose, it is still official. I do not like the concept of forbidden relationships between Kit and Nimh because Kit has another commitment, and it feels like a situation similar to cheating. Rosa knows about this, she didn't like Kit either, but she's acts professionally because she thinks about her responsibility. So, what can it be called?
- A lack of world building, there's a lot of the aspects can be explained more on this book. But, we only have it a little, and it is described mostly in Nimh's POV, which is we can not see more the world of they are living widely. I think it's maybe the author wants to focus on the romance, so she didn’t add more information.
- The characterts character itself, the man is described as someone who has power, and the woman is typically weak. But, whatever, I still can accept this kind of concept.
- Plot mess. A lot of plot hole. For example, Niamh tells if she might die, but why it didn't it explain too much? (Or I missed it), then the ending of the story, including the kingdom's financial situation after the wedding was failed, etc.
Then, why are you still giving a high score when you know the story is not perfect?
Well, it's the magic of being a reader. We can hate a lot of the things from the book we read, but we can still give a high score because many reasons. for this, I just enjoy it. This novel is not perfect, but I love how the story can give me a mixed feeling when read it.