Article contributed by Katherine Hilker
Step into the Regency-inspired world of A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft, where The Wedding Planner meets Jane Austen with a magical twist.
Niamh Ó Conchobhair is a gifted dressmaker whose unique magical talent allows her to sew emotions and memories into clothes. But all magic comes with a price—this extraordinary power exacts a heavy toll on her health, slowly but surely draining her life away.
Despite knowing that her magic will eventually kill her, Niamh is determined to secure a brighter future for her beloved mother and grandmother. So when she receives the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as the royal tailor for a wedding in the neighbouring kingdom of Avaland, Niamh sees it as her family’s chance for a better life.
However, life in Avaland is far from the perfect fairytale she envisioned. Behind the veneer of grandeur and glamor, political unrest festers among the working class. Immigrants from Niamh’s home country are bitter over the injustices they endured at the hands of Avaland’s king and demand reparations.
And the groom, Prince Kit Carmine, is far from thrilled about his impending arranged marriage to a princess he has never met. As Niamh and Kit work together to create his wardrobe for the wedding, what starts as a begrudging friendship morphs into a forbidden romance that could set the kingdom’s political landscape ablaze.
Although laced with political intrigue and courtly gossip, the true beating heart of A Fragile Enchantment is the characters. Allison Saft has a remarkable talent for crafting emotionally complex characters and Niamh and Kit are no exception. They do more than tug at your heartstrings; they yank on them with all their might. Niamh, a relatable protagonist grappling with the pressures of toxic perfectionism and a debilitating chronic illness, immediately captures your empathy. Kit is a recovering alcoholic and a victim of childhood abuse who may appear prickly on the surface, but beneath that hard exterior lies a heart of pure gold. Together, these endearing characters form the magnetic core of the story, effortlessly sucking readers into their world of sorcery, scandals, and secrets.
Chloe Gong, the brilliant author behind These Violent Delights, perfectly describes A Fragile Enchantment as “brimming with longing.” And she couldn’t be more on point. The romance between Niamh and Kit crackles with an electrifying chemistry that will leave you swooning for days. Saft expertly executes the Grumpy/Sunshine trope, crafting a dynamic that’s equal parts tender and tantalising. The sweet yearning and fiery desire that cut through all of Niamh and Kit’s interactions toe the line of what might be considered YA, resulting in some spicy scenes that will appeal to fans of the ever-popular Serpent & Dove series.
But while the romance shines in A Fragile Enchantment, the fantasy flounders. The plot takes convoluted turns that seem more orchestrated than organic. The worldbuilding, particularly the intricacies of the magic system, remains superficial, leaving readers with a thirst for deeper lore. Niamh’s life-threatening magical illness is constantly referenced, but the particulars are glossed over.
Additionally, characters from Niamh’s past, including her mother and grandmother, play pivotal roles in shaping her character but never appear on page. This makes them feel like underdeveloped plot points included simply to round out Niamh’s backstory. That being said, A Fragile Enchantment is first and foremost a romance novel, so the lacklustre fantasy elements can be easily forgiven.
Despite these minor hiccups, A Fragile Enchantment is a spellbinding romantasy that begs to be devoured in a single sitting. With Niamh and Kit’s heart-pounding love story as its centrepiece, Saft showcases her unparalleled talent for crafting complex characters and swoon-worthy romances. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton and Margaret Rogerson, you won’t want to miss this delectably spicy and enchanting tale.
A Fragile Enchantment is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 2nd 2024.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.
Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland.
But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible.
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.
