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.
Sensuality: Kisses
Publication Date: 01/2024
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