Having recently read and enjoyed Allison Saft’s A Far Wilder Magic, I was excited to pick up another book from the author. In my opinion, A Fragile Enchantment is not as strong of a work, but it was a very easy and comforting read (which provided a nice reprieve between some of the more challenging titles on my TBR). The characters stray just enough from popular cliches so as to not feel contrived and, though the story is fairly predictable, the writing keeps it entertaining.

The two leads - Niamh and Kit - are both well developed and characterized. Thankfully, the author has given them unique characteristics that make them feel like believable people, as opposed to walking-talking romance fantasy tropes. The development of their relationship over the course of the book is heartwarming, despite it never really straying from a tried and true formula. Conversely, I did think much of the supporting cast felt rather flat by comparison, and I would have liked if the book explored more of their struggles. Though this may be a matter of personal preference, as I am not usually a romance reader and tend to prefer romance as a subplot-line rather than the central focus of a narrative.

As for the plot, this is a novel of manners very much in the vein of Pride and Prejudice, so much of it is advanced through conversation. The author weaves through these interactions gracefully, and the language used is appropriately formal without being completely alienating to its modern audience. I thought the regency era inspired setting felt fresh compared to many books within the YA fantasy genre. That being said, the world building was rather sparse, as it is fairly obvious that the two nations are essentially England and Ireland with the added veneer of magic. This is not exactly a criticism of the narrative, but there really is very little to distinguish these places from their real life counterparts, which was slightly distracting for me as a reader. Additionally, I thought that much of the political turmoil central to the narrative was too easily resolved - and during a few moments, it just felt like set dressing to advance the romance.

Though I had some criticisms, overall I did enjoy my time with this book. I think it’s great for a reader looking for something comfortable and entertaining with a heartwarming romance at its center, but still want the escapism of the fantasy genre. I will continue to look out for Allison Saft’s new releases in the future.

This was delightful. The perfect mix of light romance, fantasy, magic, and intrigue. Great banter, easy to understand but still cool world, and characters you quickly get attached to. It’s the perfect formula for a fun read that you won’t want to put down.

I truly loved this book. A Fragile Enchantment is a cozy fantasy with magic, romance, an arranged marriage, and found family. I loved the character development in this book and felt really attached to all of them and was so happy with way things ended in this book. I will definitely be re-reading this any time I want a feel good fantasy romance.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

This. Book.

I could not put this book down. It was absolute magic (literally and figuratively). I actually contemplated bringing my Kindle to a college hockey game because I just wanted to finish it but then my husband gave me the stink eye 😜 (you guys understood, right?)

Allison Saft, who I had never heard of until I received this ARC, has built a beautiful world in this novel. The premise is that Niamh, a seamstress with a magical gift, is sought from Machland to Avaland to make the wardrobe for the royal wedding. She becomes close with Kit, despite his grumpiness.

The love story is at the heart of this book but there is also politics with the threat of political rebellion and uprising, as well as an undercover journalist who sheds light on gossip and politics.

Read this if you enjoy romantic fantasy, grumpy meets sunshine, and historical romance (despite it being a fantasy, it has a Regency romance feel to it).

I already have Saft’s other two books on hold at my local library.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft is an enchanting magical regency romance! Saft has once again created a charming story that will sweep you off your feet.

"A magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when an anonymous gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the room.
Transporting readers to a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance threaded with intrigue, unforgettable characters, and a love story for the ages."

Saft has created a fun, engaging story and a cast of characters that you quickly grow to love. Set in a fantasy world like ours, it is easy to slip into the story and enjoy the lush Regency-era setting full of magic, court intrigue, political marriages, romance, and rebellion. A Fragile Enchantment is the perfect book for fans of Bridgerton or anyone looking for a cozy, magical romance to snuggle up with.

4.5/5

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft will be available on January 2, 2024. Signed/personalized copies can be pre-ordered through Kepler's Books.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

This one was enjoyable yet I could not connect with the characters. It was a fun story and the characters were well developed but nothing grabbed me and held me.

Omg I loved Alison saft's far wilder magic so much! And this book didn't disappoint. I love her writing style and the romances. Alison saft is slowly becoming one of my favourite authors. I cant wait to get a physical copy of this book when it's released.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.94/5
🌶️ the perfect level of spice
Young Adult, Romantasy, Genre
Multi POV
➳ 🕯️regency era
➳ 🤺 enemies to lovers
➳ ❤️‍🔥 slow burn
➳ 🌞 sunshine x grumpy 🌧️
➳ 🪄 magic
➳ 👑 court intrigue
➳ 📰 anonymously penned scandal sheets
➳ 💘 forbidden love

✨“Our fates are not sealed. It is never too late to live the way you wish, and you are not doomed to anything. I understand what it’s like to not want to disappoint people. But you deserve to be happy, too. Life is too short, and it is yours.”✨
Say hello to your new favourite romantasy author, Allison Saft. This regency romantasy is filled with scandal, court intrigue, social unrest, forbidden love, and whimsical magic. This is a must-read young adult romantic fantasy, releasing 02 January 2024, that deserves to be on everyone’s TBR.

📚📚📚

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧

I found this book to be a perfect balance of romance and fantasy. The worldbuilding flowed naturally, and beautifully captured the regency era vibes. Avaland is based on England, and Machland is seemingly Ireland. There’s plenty of lore included by Saft in this story, and I am actually very intrigued by some of the myths that were mentioned. I would love to read more about the Gods that sailed to Machland, and I think the different Avlish and Macklish myths would make great standalone books.

"A Fragile Enchantment" showcases a meticulous exploration of a fantasy world woven into a historical setting, infusing elements of enchantment and magic within a regency-era narrative.

I truly loved the intricate use of magical tailoring, portraying emotions, and memories within the garments created by the FMC. The incorporation of social issues and complexities, such as LGBTQ+ representation, classism, and chronic illness, added depth to the storyline and made it feel more inclusive. It offered a fresh take on the regency period, integrating LGBTQ+ relationships, intricate character dynamics, and a vibrant&magical element that enriches the romantic storyline. It's a fusion of historical charm and fantastical elements that create a unique reading experience in the genre.

The romance was god-tier, without writing explicit scenes, Allison Saft manages to imbue her story with so much longing and tension. I found myself on the edge of my seat, cheering the characters on and gasping at these scenes. I found Niamh to be incredibly relatable, and i found her character arc so satisfying. She had a way of getting people to open up and it was easy to love the other characters seeing them through her perspective.

The characters' personal growth in "A Fragile Enchantment" felt really authentic and satisfying. Niamh's journey from self-doubt to embracing her self-worth was relatable, and Kit's transformation from guarded and closed-off to revealing his softer side added depth to the story. It all felt genuine and made the book quite fulfilling.

The central theme of "A Fragile Enchantment" revolves around self-discovery, sacrifice, and the pursuit of love against societal norms. It's effectively portrayed through the characters' personal struggles, their desires clashing with the constraints of their society, and the journey towards self-acceptance and genuine connections/authenticity.

While most storylines are neatly wrapped up, a few minor threads could possibly be explored further, but they don't hinder the overall satisfaction of the ending.

Allison Saft’s writing style in "A Fragile Enchantment" is whimsical and elegant, characterized by lyrical prose that beautifully captures emotions and scenery. Allison Saft's writing weaves a dreamy atmosphere, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and emotionally resonant language.

My primary emotion upon finishing "A Fragile Enchantment" was a blend of contentment and bittersweet longing. The book's ending left me feeling fulfilled yet yearning for more, a testament to the emotional impact and connection I felt with the characters and their journey.

l would wholeheartedly recommend "A Fragile Enchantment" to others, especially to those who appreciate beautifully crafted historical fantasy romance. The book features vivid characters, a captivating blend of magic and historical setting, and a deeply immersive storyline that leaves a lasting impact. Allison Saft's enchanting prose and the well-developed, emotionally resonant characters make this a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

💖
LIKES:
⋆ **Enchanting Prose:** The author's writing style is poetic and beautifully descriptive.
⋆ **Rich Characterization:** Characters are vivid, complex, and relatable, with compelling backstories.
⋆ **Magical Elements:** The incorporation of magic, especially Niamh's ability to infuse emotions into clothing, is unique and captivating.
⋆ **Romantic Tension:** The gradual development of the romance, particularly the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, was engaging and heartfelt
⋆ **World-building:** The Regency-era setting with touches of Irish folklore provides an immersive and engaging backdrop.

**Fantasy Scoring**
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4.75/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 5/5

Thank you to the Allison Saft, St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

OH MY GOD. I loved A Far Wilder Magic and this book was fantastic too. The story is so deeply sad, but the ending was worth it. The characters were my FAVORITE part!!! Their personalities were so funny and I loved seeing them spend time with each other. Allison Safts writing was so beautiful and I sat there the whole time like 😧💔😢 Anyways… such a good commentary on the world and everything and love and I will definitely read again!

This is a book about how Bridgerton had a magical baby with fantasy.

This is a book that if you enjoyed the Bridgerton series, whether in Netflix or book format, and want fantasy elements mixed in it.

This is an enchanting Historical Fiction Fantasy Romance read. I have been currently reading the Bridgerton series and it was really great to get a magical version of the story. This is considered a standalone and has a really cute happy ending.

I really love the characters in this. Niamh, even though considered low in social standing, certainly made a name for herself not only in her work but also in kindness.

Kit was certainly a butthole in the beginning. His attitude was frustrating from the beginning but as the story progresses, you get to know him and why he acts the way he does. Loved the development of his character. Sort of gave me some Mr. Darcy vibes there.

The slow-burn romance in this was really painful. In a good way! The chemistry between the characters was amazing and I couldn’t get enough of it. So that is why I was super glad for the super sappy happy ending at the end there.

As always, I am a sucker for royal politics in a plot. I really enjoyed this one because of the fact this story was based on a royal marriage engagement that was forced on Kit for political reasons. It kept getting more interesting as the story developed and it was fun to read.

The only thing that I didn’t like too much is that I wish there was a little more magic in the story. That is more of a personal preference since I am a fantasy junkie. Also, it did get a little slow in some sections of the book. Wasn’t terrible but it did drag a little bit.

I was mesmerised by the sheer emotion driving this story forward, and quite literally hooked on every single delicious morsel of angst in it. Saft’ writing has had my heart aching from the very first page. Loved this.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft was an enchanting, Regency-inspired, cozy fantasy read. It was whimsical and endearing with just enough conflict to raise the stakes and the excitement without losing its comforting ambience.

The author did a fantastic job of delving deep into our characters’ flaws and providing a plot that leads them to personal growth. I also loved how our main character had so much optimism and courage even when dealt the severe blows of her life.

Overall, I gave this book a four-star rating because it was a sweet and healing read, the characters all had their own, flushed out storylines and motivations, and the writing was well done. I would recommend this book to anyone who just needs those feel-good vibes in their next read.

This is a really sweet fantasy romance filled with longing, love, found family and self discovery. I thought the writing was good and the fantasy world building perfect for the length of this story. The characters were what made the story really lovely, though. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a delightful read. It was Bridgerton meets fantasy. It was everything I had hoped for. Niamh and Kit were perfect.

This story explores what it means to not be living your life for yourself, and what comes with that.

"Because it's not meaningful to kill yourself little by little to make people happy!"

Absolutely killed me. I will be reading more of Saft's work in the future.

This book had an intriguing premise but ultimately gave disappointment in the execution. The beginning gives an engaging portrayal of Niamh's introduction to the court and her relationship with Kit. I loved how grouchy Kit was through most of the book which I appreciated. The forbidden romance and the magical elements, specifically Niamh's ability to weave magic into clothing, are all definitely positives to the story.

However, my interest waned around the halfway point due to the introduction of multiple complex elements in the plot. These elements include political intrigue, civil unrest, arranged marriage, coming out, alcoholism, forbidden romance, gossip columns, and magic which actually I thought were all great until it wasn't. The abundance of these plot threads challenging to keep up and made the story less enjoyable for me I think just how the author tried to work them all through the story.

There were many times I felt like the story was dragging almost going nowhere and many things pointless. I did however really enjoy several of the side characters! There were times the language was too modern like the curse words that just were thrown in there randomly and it didn't fit the setting.

In the end, the book is just "okay," with a few enjoyable moments that make it worth the read, despite the issues highlighted above.

Sexual Content: moderate
Language: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
Violence: moderate
LGBTQ: yes

My god, Allison Saft can do no wrong. This was so beautiful! The vibes and the writing reminded me a little bit of This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi - perhaps because the main character is a seamstress.

The magic system was nice, but kind of secondary to the romances (classic Saft) - I loved how the plot played out, the secondary characters, and the SETTING!!!

Niamh is a talented seamstress and her enchantments have made her garments most sought after by anyone with money. When she is hired to create the wedding attire for the Prince of Avaland, she knows that her work could set her family up for life. What she doesn't expect is for Prince Kit to be so surly, rude, or combative. Niamh and Kit's repeated encounters eventually turn more positive, making her task that much more difficult.

This was an absolutely adorable fantasy romance with all the expected royal family vibes. More light fantasy and heavy romance, with only one scene that seemed a little too descriptive. Probably not a Gateway contender, but a romance that I certainly enjoyed.

A Fragile Enchantment is a sparky novel featuring a hate-to-love romance filled with lively conflict that will definitely keep teens engaged. Unfortunately, it also - and very notably - cribs some obvious plot points from the Bridgerton universe, including a gossip columnist with a pseudonym.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair’s greatest gift is her greatest curse. She is a skilled seamstress whose stitches are imbued with the power of her emotions. But that very skill threatens to leave her with non stop pain and will eventually take her life. To pad her family’s coffers before she dies, Naimh takes an assignment to create a wedding outfit for Kit Carmine, Prince of Avaland, at the behest of his brother, the regent. Niamh and Kit instantly clash, but soon that conflict gives way to love.

Kit is not a happy groom: his marriage was arranged to quell a brewing war between Avaland and its neighboring kingdom. In spite of their cross-class situation, he and Namh get closer and closer, and romance sets in. But Niamh is soon confronted by a local tabloid, who demands she spill to them about any dirt she has about the goings on at the royal palace – or watch as they publish damaging information about her relationship with Kit, which might ruin things forever.

I had some mixed feelings about A Fragile Enchantment, though they were mainly on the positive side. I loved Niamh, but Kit blows so hot and cold when they’re on the outs to the point it gets frustrating. The romance hums along nicely and then suddenly, it’s smushed flat by your enemy and mine, the Big Mis. But even though this drags the book down from the upper B strata for me, the yearning here is enjoyable and palpable.

The supporting characters are generally a highlight - Rosa and Miriam and Sofie are all intriguing people, who add some extra interest to the story. The worldbuilding and magical systems are also well-implemented and described.

But I also have to be honest and say that this feels like a fantasy YA take on the Bridgerton world, right down to a Lady Whistledown clone, and the gossip column plot is not well-used, and the scandal here is, well, not very scandalous at all. It’s a pity because the rest of the worldbuilding here is quite strong.

However, it’s likely teenagers reading A Fragile Enchantment may not notice this similarity. For them, the book will make a decent winter vacation read.

I love the world that Allison creates and how well she pulls the reader into the story!
This book wasn’t my favorite that Allison has written but I deeply enjoyed it! She will always been an auto buy author for me!!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Niamh is selected to be the royal dressmaker for Kit, the prince being forced to marry as a way for his brother to gain an alliance with the bride’s father. This book had so much potential but I felt like there were too many underdeveloped parts of the storyline which limited my overall enjoyment. For example, the reader gets the sense that Niamh’s magic use is tied to her health and that she is afraid of developing attachments because of this yet this all seems to be minimized and glossed over later in the story. There is a whole political backstory as well which seems to be somewhat resolved in the last couple of chapters yet feels very unfinished. I approached the ending feeling as though I missed that this was the first in a duology. Niamh was a more likable character than Kit but neither one stood out to me. Kit had very few redeeming qualities and I couldn’t really understand why Niamh would fall for him in the beginning and his personality did not improve over the course of the story.
Overall, I feel like this will appeal to many readers, but it was not a standout for me.