A Fragile Enchantment

by Allison Saft

An unforgettable YA regency-inspired romantic fantasy about a seamstress who is sent to dress the prince for his royal wedding - and the scandal she weaves in her wake.

All Niamh has longed for is to be remembered: to create something that will last far longer than she will. For her, that means becoming a renowned dressmaker, using the magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric - the same magic that will eventually kill her.

When Niamh is commissioned to design the prince's wardrobe for a royal wedding in Avaland, she knows she finally has her chance to leave her legacy. But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While nobles and the elite attend extravagant balls and candlelit garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class.

Niamh finds herself drawn to Kit, the prince whom she must dress for his wedding, despite his cold, prickly demeanour. And soon, a gossip column reports on their undeniable chemistry between them, threatening scandal. Niamh must decide if reputation should come above all else, whether her magic curse will allow her to experience love, and what cost she is willing to pay for a future she never thought possible...

Threaded with intrigue and unforgettable characters, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance for the ages.

• ISBN10: 1510112111
• ISBN13: 9781510112117
• Publish Date: 4 January 2024 (first published 2 January 2024)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
• Imprint: Orion Children's Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: https://hachette.co.uk/titles/allison-saft/a-fragile-enchantment/9781510112117/

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

Niamh is a talented seamstress – made all the more notable thanks to her magic. Her magic enables her to infuse emotions into her creations. Needless to say, the kingdom is all aflutter about it. This is good because Niamh has to ensure her family is cared for.

You see, Avaland may be a place of magic (for some), but it is far from a perfect land. Classism and prejudice are tearing the people apart. Niamh's people are often considered at the bottom of this system. So when given the chance to create beautiful clothing for the royal family themselves...well it may just be the chance she (and her people) needs.

Review:

Oh wow. Allison Saft has done it again. She's created another enchanting fantasy (sorry, couldn't resist). Moreover, A Fragile Enchantment has strong political elements, a grumpy/sunshine romance, and much more. It's pretty perfect.

I saw that A Fragile Enchantment was being marketed as a blend between A Sorcery of Thorns and Bridgerton. I haven't watched the latter (forgive me!), but I did adore A Sorcery of Thorns. The overall aesthetic is pretty accurate, so if you're looking for something to help fill that book-shaped void, this is the book for you.

Basically, A Fragile Enchantment is a cozy fantasy. That said, I was fascinated by the magical system at play. I would love to see more books set in this world, if only so I could see different magic users and their abilities. The romance is sweet (if a bit predictable), the situation is complex (royalty always is), and the characters are brilliant.

Highlights:
Historical Fantasy
Romance
Politics
Grumpy/Sunshine Romance

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