Scan barcode
A review by mimimac
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A Fragile Enchantment is a low stakes regency fantasy romance, with a unique magic system and a hint of mystery!
What worked for me in this book was the world building & magic system. I liked the world Allison created, it’s obviously regency influenced and that fully come across in the setting. I really liked the magic systems, linked to the characters emotions (and heritage too) is always interesting to see, but I especially loved Niamh’s magic, maybe because it was more of a developed idea, but something about someone embroidering their emotions onto the fabric and that influencing the wearer or people around them is just so fascinating to me, such a wonderfully unique idea!
What didn’t work for me though was plot and characters. There wasn’t really a plot, which is fine if you like the characters, but I also didn’t really like the characters. I think this is somewhat quite a me problem, but I found them to be one dimensional and annoying. Usually I love a grumpy x sunshine/“enemies” to lovers trope, but here it just didn’t work for me, really it ended up being more of an “instalove” trope. The twist of the scandal sheet columnist was easy to guess and overall just a predictable story.
There was a lot going on at the beginning of the story and everything towards the end felt rushed and everything fell conveniently into place. I think this is marketed as a YA title too, but for me it read towards the younger end of YA, yet there was also a not fade-to-black scene which I found quite weird to be shoehorned in? It just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC
What worked for me in this book was the world building & magic system. I liked the world Allison created, it’s obviously regency influenced and that fully come across in the setting. I really liked the magic systems, linked to the characters emotions (and heritage too) is always interesting to see, but I especially loved Niamh’s magic, maybe because it was more of a developed idea, but something about someone embroidering their emotions onto the fabric and that influencing the wearer or people around them is just so fascinating to me, such a wonderfully unique idea!
What didn’t work for me though was plot and characters. There wasn’t really a plot, which is fine if you like the characters, but I also didn’t really like the characters. I think this is somewhat quite a me problem, but I found them to be one dimensional and annoying. Usually I love a grumpy x sunshine/“enemies” to lovers trope, but here it just didn’t work for me, really it ended up being more of an “instalove” trope. The twist of the scandal sheet columnist was easy to guess and overall just a predictable story.
There was a lot going on at the beginning of the story and everything towards the end felt rushed and everything fell conveniently into place. I think this is marketed as a YA title too, but for me it read towards the younger end of YA, yet there was also a not fade-to-black scene which I found quite weird to be shoehorned in? It just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Alcoholism