Scan barcode
A review by stephdaydreams
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
5.0
》ARC Review: A Fragile Enchantment《
4.5✨
It is such pleasure to read another gorgeous tale from the incredibly talented Allison Saft.
When you buckle in for a Saft book you know it will be a story that will carry its weight in brillaint gold. Strife, grief, consequence will weigh heavily, but it will be uplifted by love, hope, and resolve. I welcomed this story wholeheartedly and left it wishing for more, while looking forward to all the works Saft has in store for us.
》The Lead《
This story belongs to Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a most worthy protagonist.
I loved her optimism in while facing the uncertain future of her own mortality. She was sunshine even when it seemed the future was only rain. It simply did not matter, she’d face it regardless. Her strength in character was so admirable to read. I loved how she kept her head high even when others looked down upon her. She marched to her own beat and owned it, even when it silently hurt to feel she was never properly seen.
And while I also so admired how selflessly she cared for others, but sometimes she cared too much as she always placed others ahead of herself. To her own detriment at times. There was not a selfish bone in Niamh but that’s exactly what I rooted for throughout her journey. I wanted her to say, yes, I deserve this spotlight, I want love— I want to live. She deserved to be selfish for once, because she deserved all the world for how hard she tried to make it better for those around her.
》The Cast《
I adored Kit! Kit is Niamh’s love interest who begins on the wrong foot with her, but slowly but surely they find their way into a mutual understanding which forms the foundation to so much more. I loved how easily Kit read Niamh. He could see how much she cared for others but could also see how much damage that did to herself. How she would forsake her own well being for the sake of others. I loved how he challenged her, pushed her to place herself first. To live. To simply live all the time she has left, one I personally hope is many years ahead of her.
The rest of the cast is every eclectic, even with minor roles Saft does more than enough to ensure each individual character stands out as their own fleshed out being. None blur to the background but stand strong in their own unique colors. I enjoyed how well crafted the character list in this tale was.
》The Romance《
This is a slow burn romance, which is my absolute favorite! You know where the love story is going before the characters do and are just laughing maniacally as they butt heads without realizing they will soon have no choice but to fall in love. And fall in love is exactly what they do! I love the evolution of their romance, from head-butting strangers, to a tense camaraderie, to a burgeoning friendship, and finally romance.
That said, I did feel the steps that led into love confessions felt strangely rushed, as if the romancing was bypassed. It was clear the feelings were developing but I think I would have appreciated more overt showings of that developing romance prior to the acknowledgement of feelings. There was a slight disconnect that surprised me.
》Weaving Magic《
I really like how Saft incorporated fantasy. It’s lightly done, there’s no complex world-building. I would consider it quite contained in a way that makes it very palpable. Very intimate. Here we follow a lead who has the magic to weave emotions and enchantments into the clothes she crafts. I thought it was all done quite stunningly!
》A Missed Stitch《
Besides wishing the romance had developed just a tiny bit differently, I also must admit I wish the ending was extended, including a proper epilogue. I was satisfied but was left wanting more— specifically more closure.
》An Enchanting Tale《
When I read A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft last year I was transported and transformed. Saft’s writing truly is magic. She can weave a beautiful, delicate romance alongside a narrative heavy with politics, morality, and choice and consequence. It’s an amazing balance to witness and gold was struck yet again in A Fragile Enchantment.
I’m a fan for life of Allison Saft.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4.5✨
It is such pleasure to read another gorgeous tale from the incredibly talented Allison Saft.
When you buckle in for a Saft book you know it will be a story that will carry its weight in brillaint gold. Strife, grief, consequence will weigh heavily, but it will be uplifted by love, hope, and resolve. I welcomed this story wholeheartedly and left it wishing for more, while looking forward to all the works Saft has in store for us.
》The Lead《
This story belongs to Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a most worthy protagonist.
I loved her optimism in while facing the uncertain future of her own mortality. She was sunshine even when it seemed the future was only rain. It simply did not matter, she’d face it regardless. Her strength in character was so admirable to read. I loved how she kept her head high even when others looked down upon her. She marched to her own beat and owned it, even when it silently hurt to feel she was never properly seen.
And while I also so admired how selflessly she cared for others, but sometimes she cared too much as she always placed others ahead of herself. To her own detriment at times. There was not a selfish bone in Niamh but that’s exactly what I rooted for throughout her journey. I wanted her to say, yes, I deserve this spotlight, I want love— I want to live. She deserved to be selfish for once, because she deserved all the world for how hard she tried to make it better for those around her.
》The Cast《
I adored Kit! Kit is Niamh’s love interest who begins on the wrong foot with her, but slowly but surely they find their way into a mutual understanding which forms the foundation to so much more. I loved how easily Kit read Niamh. He could see how much she cared for others but could also see how much damage that did to herself. How she would forsake her own well being for the sake of others. I loved how he challenged her, pushed her to place herself first. To live. To simply live all the time she has left, one I personally hope is many years ahead of her.
The rest of the cast is every eclectic, even with minor roles Saft does more than enough to ensure each individual character stands out as their own fleshed out being. None blur to the background but stand strong in their own unique colors. I enjoyed how well crafted the character list in this tale was.
》The Romance《
This is a slow burn romance, which is my absolute favorite! You know where the love story is going before the characters do and are just laughing maniacally as they butt heads without realizing they will soon have no choice but to fall in love. And fall in love is exactly what they do! I love the evolution of their romance, from head-butting strangers, to a tense camaraderie, to a burgeoning friendship, and finally romance.
That said, I did feel the steps that led into love confessions felt strangely rushed, as if the romancing was bypassed. It was clear the feelings were developing but I think I would have appreciated more overt showings of that developing romance prior to the acknowledgement of feelings. There was a slight disconnect that surprised me.
》Weaving Magic《
I really like how Saft incorporated fantasy. It’s lightly done, there’s no complex world-building. I would consider it quite contained in a way that makes it very palpable. Very intimate. Here we follow a lead who has the magic to weave emotions and enchantments into the clothes she crafts. I thought it was all done quite stunningly!
》A Missed Stitch《
Besides wishing the romance had developed just a tiny bit differently, I also must admit I wish the ending was extended, including a proper epilogue. I was satisfied but was left wanting more— specifically more closure.
》An Enchanting Tale《
When I read A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft last year I was transported and transformed. Saft’s writing truly is magic. She can weave a beautiful, delicate romance alongside a narrative heavy with politics, morality, and choice and consequence. It’s an amazing balance to witness and gold was struck yet again in A Fragile Enchantment.
I’m a fan for life of Allison Saft.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.