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A review by cristina_margarita
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was so dreamy & romantic! I loved all of the characters & the world was thoughtfully constructed. I very much enjoyed the backdrop of a royal wedding. It was such a comforting and light read, I truly did love it.
On to the criticisms.
The last 40% of the book felt incredibly rushed, I very much enjoyed the languid pace of the first 60%. It suited the tone of a Regency inspired fantasy novel. I understand that this was likely a decision on the publisher’s side but I wish Allison could have gotten a chance to finish the book with the same slightly meandering pace it started with.
Additionally, the timeline doesn’t make a ton of sense. Niamh says she will be there for 6 weeks but within the first few chapters (after she makes the first coat for Kit) she has already been there for 12 days. How does everything else happen in like a month????? It doesn’t make sense!
The characters were unequivocally too young. Kit has been gone for 4 years because he was banished for being an alcoholic & was for years but he’s also a year sober? At 19? No. This man is 22 at the youngest. Again, like you a decision made to keep the characters YA aged but it sat poorly with me.
I have to say, I was surprised at the sexual content in this book. While not graphic, it still felt rather explicit for a YA novel. I had expected this to be a much more closed door romance. But also not sure why I was surprised, Niamh was SO horny on main for the entire book.
The novel is structured just like an adult romance novel, so despite all of Allison’s previous work being YA, I think this would have been a better novel with that key structural change.
On to the criticisms.
The last 40% of the book felt incredibly rushed, I very much enjoyed the languid pace of the first 60%. It suited the tone of a Regency inspired fantasy novel. I understand that this was likely a decision on the publisher’s side but I wish Allison could have gotten a chance to finish the book with the same slightly meandering pace it started with.
Additionally, the timeline doesn’t make a ton of sense. Niamh says she will be there for 6 weeks but within the first few chapters (after she makes the first coat for Kit) she has already been there for 12 days. How does everything else happen in like a month????? It doesn’t make sense!
The characters were unequivocally too young. Kit has been gone for 4 years because he was banished for being an alcoholic & was for years but he’s also a year sober? At 19? No. This man is 22 at the youngest. Again, like you a decision made to keep the characters YA aged but it sat poorly with me.
I have to say, I was surprised at the sexual content in this book. While not graphic, it still felt rather explicit for a YA novel. I had expected this to be a much more closed door romance. But also not sure why I was surprised, Niamh was SO horny on main for the entire book.
The novel is structured just like an adult romance novel, so despite all of Allison’s previous work being YA, I think this would have been a better novel with that key structural change.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content