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A Dress for the Wicked
Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Shy in Avon-upon-Kynt. And for eighteen years, Emmaline Watkins has feared that her future held just that: nothing.
But when the head of the most admired fashion house in the country opens her prestigious design competition to girls from outside the stylish capital city, Emmy’s dreams seem closer than they ever have before.
As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost?
But when the head of the most admired fashion house in the country opens her prestigious design competition to girls from outside the stylish capital city, Emmy’s dreams seem closer than they ever have before.
As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2019
100 people are currently reading
12827 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Krause
5 books467 followersAutumn Krause is a writer in Orange County, California, where she can most often be found wearing a black lace dress and boots.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 561 reviews
November 17, 2021
This is a debut novel of Autumn Krause and for a first work it is a nice try with a refreshing idea, but with some elements that did not fit properly.
The biggest attraction of the book was its Project Runway's structure with Emmaline Watkins from the country wanting to take part in the single fashion house that exists in a city Victorian setting. The circumstances are dire for her as she is underestimated at every turn and the person she admired the most did not want to acknowledge her talent or give her any chances. Unfortunately, there is not much detail in the competition itself such as Tim Gunn reminiscent mentoring or much of the work itself, especially since Emmy was barely allowed to do anything. It was interesting, though, to see her give her best efforts and do something new.
However, that is the start of the cracks in the story. The cast of the book has variety but the focus is only on very few specific individuals and even the other competitors are barely existing, except Kitty that had some really nice subtle side story. Everyone else is kind of... rigid. Emmy is your average main protagonist and I have nothing truly negative to say about her other than very dull reactions, but the people around her and how they interact is just not so realistic. Her romantic interest is so out of the blue who is basically there to fill in the blanks whenever Emmy needs helps and so, the romance falls flat with that kind of speed. Her roommate, Sophie, who has a bigger role is also a very weird character and it kind of surprises me how no one bats an eye that her supposed caretaker is abusing her sexually, not even Emmy. Madame Jolene wants to protect her own ways, but her actions kind of clash with each other. Now that would be nice usually, showing inner turmoil and development, but it is more like she is standing in the same place and just going left and right like a pendulum.
Then, there is saboteur against Emmy and the book REALLY makes it obvious who it is, because the cast is not that big and there is no real detail on many people, but somehow Emmy never realises it until it is too late.
All in all, a very interesting idea that I had fun reading it, but very awkward characters and relationships. I wish there was some more detail on the clothes at least since that was the main point, but maybe it was just me not appreciating every comment about them. (Though I doubt it)
The biggest attraction of the book was its Project Runway's structure with Emmaline Watkins from the country wanting to take part in the single fashion house that exists in a city Victorian setting. The circumstances are dire for her as she is underestimated at every turn and the person she admired the most did not want to acknowledge her talent or give her any chances. Unfortunately, there is not much detail in the competition itself such as Tim Gunn reminiscent mentoring or much of the work itself, especially since Emmy was barely allowed to do anything. It was interesting, though, to see her give her best efforts and do something new.
However, that is the start of the cracks in the story. The cast of the book has variety but the focus is only on very few specific individuals and even the other competitors are barely existing, except Kitty that had some really nice subtle side story. Everyone else is kind of... rigid. Emmy is your average main protagonist and I have nothing truly negative to say about her other than very dull reactions, but the people around her and how they interact is just not so realistic. Her romantic interest is so out of the blue who is basically there to fill in the blanks whenever Emmy needs helps and so, the romance falls flat with that kind of speed. Her roommate, Sophie, who has a bigger role is also a very weird character and it kind of surprises me how no one bats an eye that her supposed caretaker is abusing her sexually, not even Emmy. Madame Jolene wants to protect her own ways, but her actions kind of clash with each other. Now that would be nice usually, showing inner turmoil and development, but it is more like she is standing in the same place and just going left and right like a pendulum.
Then, there is saboteur against Emmy and the book REALLY makes it obvious who it is, because the cast is not that big and there is no real detail on many people, but somehow Emmy never realises it until it is too late.
All in all, a very interesting idea that I had fun reading it, but very awkward characters and relationships. I wish there was some more detail on the clothes at least since that was the main point, but maybe it was just me not appreciating every comment about them. (Though I doubt it)
October 20, 2021
I have to say, I really liked this book. I kinda expected it to be A Project Runway set in an imagined Victorian era, and it was totally exactly what I imagined. The only thing missing was Heidi & Tim, but oh wait, did we kinda have that?
I actually breezed through this book. I love watching Project Runway, so now reading about it set in a Victorian-era was really exciting. The storyline alone was very gripping, and it just kept me captive the whole time.
The only reasons why this book didn't receive a 5-star review is worldbuilding and romance. I feel like Krause created a really cool imaginary 19th-century world, but we almost don't know anything about it. The only things we know is that Britannia Secunda is in Europe and has received independence from England and Fashion is their main industry. It would have been really interesting knowing more deeply about it.
I wasn't a big fan of the romance either. Emmy and Tristan make for a nice couple, but with the whole Sophie situation, I would like to have known more about their history. I also sometimes wished that parts of their time together would have gone differently.
The thing I loved about this book is its characters and character development. We can see progress in almost each and every person, except for Kitty (why? I loved her - question for the author). Emmy started from a scared country girl, and in the end, she was the real boss-girl.
I wish there was the 2nd book because I would really like to know more about this world and to read about how Emmy manages after everything. I loved the historical setting and the world so it's hard to say goodbye after just one book.
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I actually breezed through this book. I love watching Project Runway, so now reading about it set in a Victorian-era was really exciting. The storyline alone was very gripping, and it just kept me captive the whole time.
The only reasons why this book didn't receive a 5-star review is worldbuilding and romance. I feel like Krause created a really cool imaginary 19th-century world, but we almost don't know anything about it. The only things we know is that Britannia Secunda is in Europe and has received independence from England and Fashion is their main industry. It would have been really interesting knowing more deeply about it.
I wasn't a big fan of the romance either. Emmy and Tristan make for a nice couple, but with the whole Sophie situation, I would like to have known more about their history. I also sometimes wished that parts of their time together would have gone differently.
The thing I loved about this book is its characters and character development. We can see progress in almost each and every person, except for Kitty (why? I loved her - question for the author). Emmy started from a scared country girl, and in the end, she was the real boss-girl.
I wish there was the 2nd book because I would really like to know more about this world and to read about how Emmy manages after everything. I loved the historical setting and the world so it's hard to say goodbye after just one book.
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July 3, 2020
This is outside my comfort reading and I went into this not knowing what to expect because fashion and me don't weave as one that much.
For me, I'd wear jeans every day.
But the read was breezy and kept me turning page after page until I was finished.
The storyline was nicely outlined and although the plot was directed into a half expected ending, I was surprised by bits and pieces on the way, especially with the variety of characters that I thought one thing about but was subsequently proven wrong (in a good way for the story to evolve forward).
I can appreciate the greater detail of the descriptions of clothing and any fashion lover would be enchanted by what Krause imagined in her head and transformed into words.
Fashion lovers, go forth and submerge into a world of silk, lace and everything breath taking in terms of fashion detail intricacies.
Ps. The cover is absolutely gorgeous!!
For me, I'd wear jeans every day.
But the read was breezy and kept me turning page after page until I was finished.
The storyline was nicely outlined and although the plot was directed into a half expected ending, I was surprised by bits and pieces on the way, especially with the variety of characters that I thought one thing about but was subsequently proven wrong (in a good way for the story to evolve forward).
I can appreciate the greater detail of the descriptions of clothing and any fashion lover would be enchanted by what Krause imagined in her head and transformed into words.
Fashion lovers, go forth and submerge into a world of silk, lace and everything breath taking in terms of fashion detail intricacies.
Ps. The cover is absolutely gorgeous!!
March 10, 2021
Tengo que decir que este libro ha superado mis expectativas. Tenía muchas ganas de leerlo y no me ha defraudado, me ha gustado mucho y ojalá hubiera tenido una segunda parte.
Nos encontramos con la protagonista Emmaline Watkins, una chica de pueblo que por primera vez puede asistir a el concurso que ofrece La Casa de la Moda en la ciudad, ya que hasta ahora sólo podían participar las chicas de ciudad. Desde pequeña sueña con diseñar sus propios vestidos, ahora hará lo que pueda para convertir su sueño en realidad. Pero no se lo pondrán tan fácil, tendrá muchos obstáculos que superar si quiere convertirse en la mejor diseñadora y dejar de ser la chica del campo.
Al principio la historia me parecía un poco predecible, pero después da un giro que no esperaba y tengo que decir que me ha sorprendido. Se lee muy rápido engancha desde las primeras páginas y os lo recomiendo si os gustan este tipo de novelas sobre moda, tradición y sueños.
Nos encontramos con la protagonista Emmaline Watkins, una chica de pueblo que por primera vez puede asistir a el concurso que ofrece La Casa de la Moda en la ciudad, ya que hasta ahora sólo podían participar las chicas de ciudad. Desde pequeña sueña con diseñar sus propios vestidos, ahora hará lo que pueda para convertir su sueño en realidad. Pero no se lo pondrán tan fácil, tendrá muchos obstáculos que superar si quiere convertirse en la mejor diseñadora y dejar de ser la chica del campo.
Al principio la historia me parecía un poco predecible, pero después da un giro que no esperaba y tengo que decir que me ha sorprendido. Se lee muy rápido engancha desde las primeras páginas y os lo recomiendo si os gustan este tipo de novelas sobre moda, tradición y sueños.
April 27, 2021
This was completely different from what I expected but I also really enjoyed the direction that it went in? This got incredibly interesting and engaging after the main character discovered where she wanted, but I also feel like this book also just... has SO MUCH ROOM to be better.
1. This felt extremely incomplete.
HELLO?? HELLO??? This either needed to be like, 100 pages longer or have a sequel. That's it. This does not feel like a standalone and I need the sequel just so I know what happens, ok.
I want to see Emmy and Sophie after the events of this novel, damnit!! I would like to see them
Also, I feel like the characters could have been fleshed out so much more, and it actually makes me kind of sad that we didn't get that.
There could have been some added dimension to the contestants: namely Ky and Alice. Both of them are haughty and look down upon Emmy, but then in the end had a tiny moment that was kind of supporting but not really supporting Emmy? There was no moment where we got to see them as more than socialites who snubbed Emmy. The lack of that moment specifically annoyed me for Ky because Ky was East Asian (Japanese) and I am TIRED of East Asian characters being rude and looking down upon others?? Idk man... it's just annoying. And she was the only poc so... lmao
I'm not going to hold that against anyone who enjoyed the book or anything, but just a warning to fellow poc readers (especially East Asian readers).
2. The romance was there just for the sake of it.
I mean... I kind of shipped the romance because I mildly liked Tristan. But also, Tristan is such a terrible name and I kept on imagining him as Tristan from Gilmore Girls.
But this could have still stood on its own without the romance with Tristan, and it seemed... lowkey forced, honestly. And let me tell you the goddamn truth: this book would have been a million times better if the romantic pairing was Emmy/Sophie.
In fact, their relationship kind of reminded me of the relationship in Girls of Paper and Fire because just like Wren, Sophie was this person who seemed unattainable but was more softhearted underneath.
There were literally so many different paragraphs focused on Sophie and her beauty while it really truly seemed like the narrative did not care that much for Tristan except for his BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES.
Idk about you guys, I think it just makes more SENSE if this was the pairing instead of Emmy with some random reporter guy.
Also, apparently Sophie and Tristan had a history of dating each other ???? And apparently Sophie still had feelings for Tristan while Emmy and Tristan were dating ????? And then there was this scene where Emmy and Sophie were kind of competing for Tristan's attention and it was just so, so unnecessary. And in the end, we never even got relief for that tension because did they ever have a conversation about it in the end where they both were able to get closure? NO. It just felt so dumb, and just adds to my point that I felt like this needed more.
See, if we got a sequel there is still a chance to turn this all around and make Emmy dump Tristan and be with Sophie instead... I'm holding out hope. SJM literally flip-flopped romances like five times in her books, this series can do it too.
3. that's it I don't have anything else to say about this book
1. This felt extremely incomplete.
HELLO?? HELLO??? This either needed to be like, 100 pages longer or have a sequel. That's it. This does not feel like a standalone and I need the sequel just so I know what happens, ok.
I want to see Emmy and Sophie after the events of this novel, damnit!! I would like to see them
Also, I feel like the characters could have been fleshed out so much more, and it actually makes me kind of sad that we didn't get that.
There could have been some added dimension to the contestants: namely Ky and Alice. Both of them are haughty and look down upon Emmy, but then in the end had a tiny moment that was kind of supporting but not really supporting Emmy? There was no moment where we got to see them as more than socialites who snubbed Emmy. The lack of that moment specifically annoyed me for Ky because Ky was East Asian (Japanese) and I am TIRED of East Asian characters being rude and looking down upon others?? Idk man... it's just annoying. And she was the only poc so... lmao
I'm not going to hold that against anyone who enjoyed the book or anything, but just a warning to fellow poc readers (especially East Asian readers).
2. The romance was there just for the sake of it.
I mean... I kind of shipped the romance because I mildly liked Tristan. But also, Tristan is such a terrible name and I kept on imagining him as Tristan from Gilmore Girls.
But this could have still stood on its own without the romance with Tristan, and it seemed... lowkey forced, honestly. And let me tell you the goddamn truth: this book would have been a million times better if the romantic pairing was Emmy/Sophie.
In fact, their relationship kind of reminded me of the relationship in Girls of Paper and Fire because just like Wren, Sophie was this person who seemed unattainable but was more softhearted underneath.
There were literally so many different paragraphs focused on Sophie and her beauty while it really truly seemed like the narrative did not care that much for Tristan except for his BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES.
The scent of her perfume, which always engulfed anything and anyone around her, filled my head with its heavy scent, and I could see every one of her black lashes, and the almost translucent nature of her fair skin. Though many things are distasteful up close, Sophie was stunning. She didn't seem unnerved by my proximity. Her unfathomable black eyes remained evenly on mine, and she regarded me calmly.
Idk about you guys, I think it just makes more SENSE if this was the pairing instead of Emmy with some random reporter guy.
Also, apparently Sophie and Tristan had a history of dating each other ???? And apparently Sophie still had feelings for Tristan while Emmy and Tristan were dating ????? And then there was this scene where Emmy and Sophie were kind of competing for Tristan's attention and it was just so, so unnecessary. And in the end, we never even got relief for that tension because did they ever have a conversation about it in the end where they both were able to get closure? NO. It just felt so dumb, and just adds to my point that I felt like this needed more.
See, if we got a sequel there is still a chance to turn this all around and make Emmy dump Tristan and be with Sophie instead... I'm holding out hope. SJM literally flip-flopped romances like five times in her books, this series can do it too.
3. that's it I don't have anything else to say about this book
July 21, 2019
I went into this thinking, “okay, this might not be that good” despite the intriguing premise and gorgeous cover. The thing is, you have to go in not expecting much. This is a really good book but don’t expect an intense thrill ride of emotions, or a philosophical dive into dragons and dinosaurs and Doritos (I like alliteration okay). But it is a love letter to all sorts of fashion. As someone who literally wears nothing but jeans, sweaters, hoodies, and t-shirts, it was really fascinating to read about all the different pieces and concepts of couture.
Emmy was a likeable girl. She was passionate, motivated, hardworking*, and best of all, had character development. She had dreams and ideas. Another person I ended up really liking was Sophie. At first, it seemed like she’d just be the classic “mean girl” put there to make the main character have obstacles. But she ended up being a lot more than I originally thought!
Oh! And the whole “Fashion House” idea reminded me of the houses in The Belles. Except significantly less painful lol. The plot wasn’t anything too deep or even incredibly original but it was so incredibly entertaining. And I loved witnessing the creative process a lot of the characters went through! And the competition. I just really, really, really love competitions. Bonus points for magic! Bonus points for fashion! Bonus points for puzzles! I love basically all competitions in books okay. And this one had interesting characters, fashion, and an interesting interal struggle that I’m not going into because I’d rather you experienced it for yourself. Also the ending has enough closure to leave you feeling perfectly satisfied but also leaves room for a sequel.
Um…the romance. I didn’t hate it, it just felt too unnecessary for my tastes. There weren’t any sparks, any development, I felt nothing for the entire relationship. But what can you do, it’s YA. And I personally really enjoyed the plot, and wouldn’t change much about it but some people are going to think it’s too predictable, and not super deep. You definitely need to alter your expectations if that’s the case!
Thank you to HarperTeen for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 30, 2019
Full Review on The Candid Cover
2.5 Stars
A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause is a book that I had been highly anticipating for its blend of fashion and competition. The premise is intriguing, however this one let me down. The main character is plain, and the plot and world-building feel flat. To me, this book felt very tired, and I was expecting more of a wow factor than was presented.
This book tells the story of a lower-class girl who gets chosen to participate in an elite fashion competition. I have seen this recommended for fans of The Selection and Project Runway, and seeing as I adore both of these works, I figured this would be the perfect read for me. The competition aspects in the book are well done, and there is some sabotage which added a layer of mystery. As well, the descriptions of the competitors’ designs are stunning. Those with an interest in fashion might find this one interesting.
❀ MAIN CHARACTER ISN’T MEMORABLE
Emmaline is a good enough character, but I didn’t find her that memorable. She is seen as an underdog and an outcast by the other girls being from a different social class and works twice as hard to prove herself in the competition. Of course, I admired this trait, but that is really all there is to her in my opinion. Her character didn’t annoy me at all, but I wished there was more complexity to her besides being from the country and wanting to win.
❀ FLAT AND UNDER DEVELOPED
My issue with the book is the fact that everything about it is flat and under developed. It is The Selection meets Project Runway, and that’s all there is to it. Lower class girl is selected for a fashion competition amidst a revolution. I feel like I’ve read this story before, maybe without the fashion, and nothing really comes as a surprise. Seeing as there is also a political revolution occurring at the same time as the competition, the book feels very 2014. Speaking of this revolution, I found that the entire world of Britannia Secunda is not clear. All we know is that it is somewhere in Europe and that the politics revolve around fashion. For some reason, the government is in full control of the fashion industry, which is seemingly its only industry, and we don’t really know why. I had a hard time buying this.
❀ INTERESTING PREMISE
A Dress for the Wicked has an interesting premise, but the execution is subpar. I loved the competition aspects, but everything else including the main character and the overall plot are not memorable or all that original. I’m not sure if I would recommend this one as I wasn’t wowed by much.
2.5 Stars
A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause is a book that I had been highly anticipating for its blend of fashion and competition. The premise is intriguing, however this one let me down. The main character is plain, and the plot and world-building feel flat. To me, this book felt very tired, and I was expecting more of a wow factor than was presented.
This book tells the story of a lower-class girl who gets chosen to participate in an elite fashion competition. I have seen this recommended for fans of The Selection and Project Runway, and seeing as I adore both of these works, I figured this would be the perfect read for me. The competition aspects in the book are well done, and there is some sabotage which added a layer of mystery. As well, the descriptions of the competitors’ designs are stunning. Those with an interest in fashion might find this one interesting.
❀ MAIN CHARACTER ISN’T MEMORABLE
Emmaline is a good enough character, but I didn’t find her that memorable. She is seen as an underdog and an outcast by the other girls being from a different social class and works twice as hard to prove herself in the competition. Of course, I admired this trait, but that is really all there is to her in my opinion. Her character didn’t annoy me at all, but I wished there was more complexity to her besides being from the country and wanting to win.
❀ FLAT AND UNDER DEVELOPED
My issue with the book is the fact that everything about it is flat and under developed. It is The Selection meets Project Runway, and that’s all there is to it. Lower class girl is selected for a fashion competition amidst a revolution. I feel like I’ve read this story before, maybe without the fashion, and nothing really comes as a surprise. Seeing as there is also a political revolution occurring at the same time as the competition, the book feels very 2014. Speaking of this revolution, I found that the entire world of Britannia Secunda is not clear. All we know is that it is somewhere in Europe and that the politics revolve around fashion. For some reason, the government is in full control of the fashion industry, which is seemingly its only industry, and we don’t really know why. I had a hard time buying this.
❀ INTERESTING PREMISE
A Dress for the Wicked has an interesting premise, but the execution is subpar. I loved the competition aspects, but everything else including the main character and the overall plot are not memorable or all that original. I’m not sure if I would recommend this one as I wasn’t wowed by much.
February 22, 2021
I like it
February 9, 2023
*Lets out gut wrenching sobs*
THIS CANNOT BE THE END OF MY CHILDREN’S STORY. I WANT MORE. I NEEEEEED MORE.
THIS CANNOT BE THE END OF MY CHILDREN’S STORY. I WANT MORE. I NEEEEEED MORE.
August 24, 2021
3,5
Reseña completa http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
Es un libro juvenil que nos muestra un Londres alternativo donde la moda es lo que mueve todo, la política, la corona y el dinero dependen de la moda, la verdad es que me ha encantado que fuera un elemento tan importante y la autora lo manejará tan bien, introduciéndolo en la novela del tal manera que podamos ver los diseños, las presentaciones de las colecciones y el vestuario de los personajes. Como hay una competición en marcha las confrontaciones, traiciones, manipulaciones y cotilleos están muy presentes, al igual que la amistad, la esperanza, la imaginación y los amores. Está bastante bien desarrollada la trama, pero me ha faltado profundidad en algunos personajes, algo más de acción y sorpresas y sobre todo un final más cerrado e impactante, creo que la novela podría haber estado mucho mejor, pero se ha quedado en una historia sencilla, imaginativa, con una base atrayente, un desarrollo un poco pobre y algunos giros argumentales impactantes. No me quejo porque esperaba menos y además es lo que necesitaba en este momento, una lectura ligera que no me hiciera pensar mucho y me transportara a otro mundo durante unas horas, pero no esperéis la historia del siglo.
Reseña completa http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
Es un libro juvenil que nos muestra un Londres alternativo donde la moda es lo que mueve todo, la política, la corona y el dinero dependen de la moda, la verdad es que me ha encantado que fuera un elemento tan importante y la autora lo manejará tan bien, introduciéndolo en la novela del tal manera que podamos ver los diseños, las presentaciones de las colecciones y el vestuario de los personajes. Como hay una competición en marcha las confrontaciones, traiciones, manipulaciones y cotilleos están muy presentes, al igual que la amistad, la esperanza, la imaginación y los amores. Está bastante bien desarrollada la trama, pero me ha faltado profundidad en algunos personajes, algo más de acción y sorpresas y sobre todo un final más cerrado e impactante, creo que la novela podría haber estado mucho mejor, pero se ha quedado en una historia sencilla, imaginativa, con una base atrayente, un desarrollo un poco pobre y algunos giros argumentales impactantes. No me quejo porque esperaba menos y además es lo que necesitaba en este momento, una lectura ligera que no me hiciera pensar mucho y me transportara a otro mundo durante unas horas, pero no esperéis la historia del siglo.
December 4, 2021
3.5 I love fashion so this was an obvious win for me. Most of the book was angering and frustrating to read though, as we discover the levels of beautiful deceit and unfairness that the Fashion House operates on. I love how the dresses came forth in swirls of colour and shape, the sisterhood amid betrayal and uncertainty as well as the story overall. What I didn’t like was the dull and unnecessary love interest who was just there. There was simply nothing interesting about him or his relationship with the heroine. The ending was unfortunately rushed and there was no epilogue so I’m left craving more.
February 4, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I actually read this book back in January but I somehow forgot to review it, so here it goes.
This was a very decent debut by the author. Of course it wasn’t remarkable but it captures you from the early chapters. I throughly enjoyed it.
The cover: they say we shouldn’t judge a book by their covers, but I totally did in this case. I mean LOOK AT IT. IT’S THE MOST GORGEOUS COVER EVER!!! The cover itself deserves 5 stars.
Not gonna lie, after seeing this cover and being obsessed with fashion and designing in my younger years this totally inspired me to sketch designs again, and I haven’t done that for at least 7 years.
Characters: I liked the main characters, but didn’t love her. Sure, she was determined, a hard working girl but she was also bland. I was waiting for a character development but didn’t get it.
Romance: it didn’t make me giddy. Honestly it was the weakest part of the book. The whole romance was kind of insta-love-y, which is one of my least favorite tropes to come across to.
Setting: this book takes place in kind of an alternate 19th century England, but the description of it was done poorly. I wanted to know more about the royalty and the history behind it, but I got close to nothing.
About the ending: it wasn’t really a cliffhanger and sure it’s kind of satisfying in a way, however I kept looking for more answers, it ended abruptly. I do hope the author writes a sequel of this with more explanations, details and character developments.
If you like alternative historical setting, competition, fashion with a dash of drama then this book is for you.
I actually read this book back in January but I somehow forgot to review it, so here it goes.
This was a very decent debut by the author. Of course it wasn’t remarkable but it captures you from the early chapters. I throughly enjoyed it.
The cover: they say we shouldn’t judge a book by their covers, but I totally did in this case. I mean LOOK AT IT. IT’S THE MOST GORGEOUS COVER EVER!!! The cover itself deserves 5 stars.
Not gonna lie, after seeing this cover and being obsessed with fashion and designing in my younger years this totally inspired me to sketch designs again, and I haven’t done that for at least 7 years.
Characters: I liked the main characters, but didn’t love her. Sure, she was determined, a hard working girl but she was also bland. I was waiting for a character development but didn’t get it.
Romance: it didn’t make me giddy. Honestly it was the weakest part of the book. The whole romance was kind of insta-love-y, which is one of my least favorite tropes to come across to.
Setting: this book takes place in kind of an alternate 19th century England, but the description of it was done poorly. I wanted to know more about the royalty and the history behind it, but I got close to nothing.
About the ending: it wasn’t really a cliffhanger and sure it’s kind of satisfying in a way, however I kept looking for more answers, it ended abruptly. I do hope the author writes a sequel of this with more explanations, details and character developments.
If you like alternative historical setting, competition, fashion with a dash of drama then this book is for you.
October 3, 2019
2.5 stars.
The storyline/villain was too obvious (in my opinion), and I had trouble connecting/caring about any of the characters (with the exception of Emmy's mother).
The storyline/villain was too obvious (in my opinion), and I had trouble connecting/caring about any of the characters (with the exception of Emmy's mother).
Read
August 5, 2020Very cute.
February 10, 2020
A Dress For The Wicked
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well, first off I liked that this book was in the Victorian time period. I truly love reading about fashion and designing as well, dreaming of becoming something big.
However, som events that took place did not please me. For example, the way she fussed about, in her mind as well as with her opinions. It got rather irritating, though I understand that it is a part of the characteristics of Emmaline Watkins.
Now the biggest problem for me personally was her relationship with her mother. The missing support and maybe not love or care, but compassion for her daughter.
The book did not interest me as much as I hoped it would, therefore I think the story was rather slow, and at some times boring even.
I’m not overly disappointed, there are books out there I still have to discover. Stories that I will like and not like. This one was not the one for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well, first off I liked that this book was in the Victorian time period. I truly love reading about fashion and designing as well, dreaming of becoming something big.
However, som events that took place did not please me. For example, the way she fussed about, in her mind as well as with her opinions. It got rather irritating, though I understand that it is a part of the characteristics of Emmaline Watkins.
Now the biggest problem for me personally was her relationship with her mother. The missing support and maybe not love or care, but compassion for her daughter.
The book did not interest me as much as I hoped it would, therefore I think the story was rather slow, and at some times boring even.
I’m not overly disappointed, there are books out there I still have to discover. Stories that I will like and not like. This one was not the one for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
Me resultó muy entretenido. Por algún curioso motivo me sentí como cuando leo fantasía y luego me pongo a pensar y no tiene ninguna.
February 24, 2021
Patri: 2.5🌟
Un vestido para los malditos ha sido una historia rápida de leer, y no ha estado mal del todo, pero creo que le falta bastante. Para empezar, no entiendo mucho el título, que fue lo que me llamó la atención. Creo que te hace tener unas expectativas de la trama, y creer una cosa que luego no es.
La premisa es buena, y todo el tema de la moda me ha gustado mucho, pero me ha faltado profundidad y elaboración en varios aspectos, hubiera desarrollado mejor temas como la formación y creación de los personajes y la política, la ambientación, el boicot y el romance previsible.
Un vestido para los malditos ha sido una historia rápida de leer, y no ha estado mal del todo, pero creo que le falta bastante. Para empezar, no entiendo mucho el título, que fue lo que me llamó la atención. Creo que te hace tener unas expectativas de la trama, y creer una cosa que luego no es.
La premisa es buena, y todo el tema de la moda me ha gustado mucho, pero me ha faltado profundidad y elaboración en varios aspectos, hubiera desarrollado mejor temas como la formación y creación de los personajes y la política, la ambientación, el boicot y el romance previsible.
October 29, 2019
I had a love-hate relationship with this book, but overall: It tied most of it together in the end.
What I loved and liked:
✔️ I loved Emmaline or Emmy's fighting spirit and turn dreams into reality attitude.
✔️ I liked how the flow of the story is easy to follow along to.
What I disliked and found lacking:
✖️ I really disliked how almost all of the characters in the book were bland, unlikable, and were not given any background story to understand them and their motives.
✖️ Most of the events that happened in the book were predictable and lacking in explanation.
✖️ Their was little to no female empowerment, the book was populated with catty women, there is a toxic masculine antagonist character- his motives still unknown... And the inclusion of the messy world of politics in both fashion and government industries.
✖️ I personally think that the inclusion of politics in relation to both the government and fashion industry is one of low point of this book. That area was not explored at all; as 90% of the book was used for Emmy's journey on trying to fit in the fashion house and to the describe the hundreds of dresses and designs mentioned in the story.
✖️ I hated how fashion was used to pit women against women and shame men and women alike, instead of lifting each other up.
✖️ I disliked how Madame Jolene was easily given redemption for everything. Frankly, I would appreciate a background story regarding her (and mostly everyone else) to understand what made her that way.
✖️ I disliked the insta-love of Tristan and Emmy. They're suddenly a couple even without knowing anything about each other.
✖️ I disliked how even Sophie the second important character in the book is still a mystery to both Emmy and the readers. What is up with her and that 'curse'?
Overall, I find that while this book concluded and answered some things in its own manner, almost all the important questions that were present in the beginning still had no answer.
What I loved and liked:
✔️ I loved Emmaline or Emmy's fighting spirit and turn dreams into reality attitude.
✔️ I liked how the flow of the story is easy to follow along to.
What I disliked and found lacking:
✖️ I really disliked how almost all of the characters in the book were bland, unlikable, and were not given any background story to understand them and their motives.
✖️ Most of the events that happened in the book were predictable and lacking in explanation.
✖️ Their was little to no female empowerment, the book was populated with catty women, there is a toxic masculine antagonist character- his motives still unknown... And the inclusion of the messy world of politics in both fashion and government industries.
✖️ I personally think that the inclusion of politics in relation to both the government and fashion industry is one of low point of this book. That area was not explored at all; as 90% of the book was used for Emmy's journey on trying to fit in the fashion house and to the describe the hundreds of dresses and designs mentioned in the story.
✖️ I hated how fashion was used to pit women against women and shame men and women alike, instead of lifting each other up.
✖️ I disliked how Madame Jolene was easily given redemption for everything. Frankly, I would appreciate a background story regarding her (and mostly everyone else) to understand what made her that way.
✖️ I disliked the insta-love of Tristan and Emmy. They're suddenly a couple even without knowing anything about each other.
✖️ I disliked how even Sophie the second important character in the book is still a mystery to both Emmy and the readers. What is up with her and that 'curse'?
Overall, I find that while this book concluded and answered some things in its own manner, almost all the important questions that were present in the beginning still had no answer.
March 25, 2021
Un libro basado en la moda. Es entretenido adictivo y se lee en un suspiro. Aunque me hubiera gustado que profundizase más en algunos temas. Lo he terminado y me ha dejado igual, no me parece que haya pasado nada reseñable ni que el final nos dé a entender que va a pasar con los protagonistas. En definitiva para pasar un buen rato esta bien
September 19, 2019
Clever premise, but this kind of felt like a first draft, not a finished novel.
The character development had potential but seemed to only get halfway to where it needed to go, and the fashion-meets-politics angle really, really didn’t work. The writing also isn’t great, which didn’t help.
The pacing is fine and the idea of the plot, if not the finished plot itself, was good.
I haven’t seen Project Runway, so I can’t comment on whether this is similar, as many other reviewers have. To me, it had a dash of Devil Wears Prada and was very reminiscent of the Jenny and Agnes fashion line/guerrilla fashion show plot line on Gossip Girl.
The character development had potential but seemed to only get halfway to where it needed to go, and the fashion-meets-politics angle really, really didn’t work. The writing also isn’t great, which didn’t help.
The pacing is fine and the idea of the plot, if not the finished plot itself, was good.
I haven’t seen Project Runway, so I can’t comment on whether this is similar, as many other reviewers have. To me, it had a dash of Devil Wears Prada and was very reminiscent of the Jenny and Agnes fashion line/guerrilla fashion show plot line on Gossip Girl.
September 4, 2019
"Growing up, the rector of our parish told me, don’t judge people by the way they dress. There can be angels in rags and demons in silk.”
RTC
RTC
January 30, 2024
This was so fun and engaging! The type of YA book that keeps me interested to this day
December 30, 2022
This book was pure fun! I will definitely read it again the next time I want a fun breather to mix it up! As a seamstress by trade, I loved all of the attention to detail and the descriptions of both the fashion and the story were so fun to imagine!
This story is perfect for fantasy fans who love The Devil Wears Prada, Project Runaway, and a whimsical twist on Victorian fashion and society!
This story is perfect for fantasy fans who love The Devil Wears Prada, Project Runaway, and a whimsical twist on Victorian fashion and society!
February 20, 2021
Puntuación: 3,5
He disfrutado mucho del libro, ha sido muy adictivo y me ha encantando poder sumergirme en un mundo donde la moda es lo más importante, lo que mueve el dinero, el mundo y la política, además de que está cargado de intrigas y maquinaciones, ha sido un libro diferente y me he deleitado cómo ha hilado (nunca mejor dicho) todo la autora, pero me han faltado más revelaciones finales, no dejar tanto frente abierto y alguna que otra sorpresa final.
He disfrutado mucho del libro, ha sido muy adictivo y me ha encantando poder sumergirme en un mundo donde la moda es lo más importante, lo que mueve el dinero, el mundo y la política, además de que está cargado de intrigas y maquinaciones, ha sido un libro diferente y me he deleitado cómo ha hilado (nunca mejor dicho) todo la autora, pero me han faltado más revelaciones finales, no dejar tanto frente abierto y alguna que otra sorpresa final.
January 11, 2019
Thanks Edelweiss+ for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I started A dress for the wicked as a lighter read with not much expectation about it. But I ended up liking it very much. Shocking!
It’s a story that combines Victorian era, Parisian fashion couture and dystopian setting. Quiet unique and interesting. It reminded me a bit of The Selection but with an engaging story about self fulfilment and making dreams come true through hard work.
Emmeline (but you should call her Emmy) comes from the countryside, she’s an aspiring fashion designers but in this world and in this land called Britannia Secunda you can be a designer only if you work in the city at the Fashion House, directed by Madame Jolene. But in the background the Reformist party is gaining power and wants to fight it. We don’t understand if it’s for the good or they have malevolent intentions.
Emmy is selected as one of the apprentice at the fashion house quiet surprisingly, a dream coming true, but she’ll see that all that glitters is not gold at all very soon...
It was an entertaining read, I was ready for some project-runway like story and that’s all but the message behind Emmy’s work was striking, she’s determined and really loves what she’s doing. She’s ready to take risks and to work tirelessly to fulfill her dreams. I respect that so much.
The writing is quiet inconstant, sometimes it’s extremely engaging and fun and flawless, while (especially when she gets back to Shy and other scenes) seems totally unedited and it flows less and less.
That said, the story is engaging and it’s the best part, at least for entertainment.
Emmy’s quiet a good character, but inconstant. We get to know very little about all the other characters.
The romantic aspect of the book is tragic, but not in a good way at all. We could have survived without it because it’s the part that really takes Emmy out of character and makes her sound dumb, not just because of the way she acts but because she’s a total jerk towards her friend.
So, most positive aspects is the entertainment and the light reading experience, the fashion part is quiet technical and not just bitchy so I ended up liking it a lot! Some twists were more successful than others but some of them were so naive....
The worst to me is the inconsistency of many portions of the book, the love story and it was way to easy to understand at first sight who was working against Emmy (obviously, we all knew that except Emmy)
Now we are left with a couple of open points that I really have no idea why they were included in the book if there was no intention to explain them (who’s Emmy’s father, the relationship with the Reformist Party, etc..) but we’ll see.
Still a fun and light read I really liked.
I started A dress for the wicked as a lighter read with not much expectation about it. But I ended up liking it very much. Shocking!
It’s a story that combines Victorian era, Parisian fashion couture and dystopian setting. Quiet unique and interesting. It reminded me a bit of The Selection but with an engaging story about self fulfilment and making dreams come true through hard work.
Emmeline (but you should call her Emmy) comes from the countryside, she’s an aspiring fashion designers but in this world and in this land called Britannia Secunda you can be a designer only if you work in the city at the Fashion House, directed by Madame Jolene. But in the background the Reformist party is gaining power and wants to fight it. We don’t understand if it’s for the good or they have malevolent intentions.
Emmy is selected as one of the apprentice at the fashion house quiet surprisingly, a dream coming true, but she’ll see that all that glitters is not gold at all very soon...
It was an entertaining read, I was ready for some project-runway like story and that’s all but the message behind Emmy’s work was striking, she’s determined and really loves what she’s doing. She’s ready to take risks and to work tirelessly to fulfill her dreams. I respect that so much.
The writing is quiet inconstant, sometimes it’s extremely engaging and fun and flawless, while (especially when she gets back to Shy and other scenes) seems totally unedited and it flows less and less.
That said, the story is engaging and it’s the best part, at least for entertainment.
Emmy’s quiet a good character, but inconstant. We get to know very little about all the other characters.
The romantic aspect of the book is tragic, but not in a good way at all. We could have survived without it because it’s the part that really takes Emmy out of character and makes her sound dumb, not just because of the way she acts but because she’s a total jerk towards her friend.
So, most positive aspects is the entertainment and the light reading experience, the fashion part is quiet technical and not just bitchy so I ended up liking it a lot! Some twists were more successful than others but some of them were so naive....
The worst to me is the inconsistency of many portions of the book, the love story and it was way to easy to understand at first sight who was working against Emmy (obviously, we all knew that except Emmy)
Now we are left with a couple of open points that I really have no idea why they were included in the book if there was no intention to explain them (who’s Emmy’s father, the relationship with the Reformist Party, etc..) but we’ll see.
Still a fun and light read I really liked.
March 29, 2021
*2.5*
Nunca en mi vida me he aburrido con un reality show, especialmente los que son de competencia. I mean, un episodio de project runway es toda una travesía, pero Un Vestido Para Los Malditos me dejó con un ojo cerrado por el aburrimiento y con otro tratando de leer lo más rápido posible para poder terminarlo.
Cuando escuche que trataba de una competencia de moda supe que le tenía que dar la oportunidad, ya que me encantan este tipo de libros. Pero al leerlo simplemente... quedé. Quedé porque no fue lo que esperaba y porque no importa cuantas veces le diera el beneficio de la duda, nunca llego a satisfacerme.
Les he dicho varias veces que para que me importe un personaje me tiene que parecer interesante para lograr encariñarme con él o MÍNIMO tengo que pensar que estas guapo. Emmy no logró ninguna de las dos. Todo el libro, y repito, TODO EL LIBRO parecía que se estaba organizando una pity party para ella solita. No vi un gran desarrollo en ella; todo eran quejas y "poor me" durante el transcurso de la novela. Al ser la protagonista esperaba poder tener una conexión con ella, pero leerla era tan entretenido como ver la pintura secarse.
Tristan no se queda atrás. ¿Se supone que me tenía que enamorar de él por ser el interés amoroso?
Es un insta love pésimo, no hay desarrollo alguno para el romance y, para terminarla de fregar, al final las cosas quedan un tanto inconclusas. Tanto para la pareja como la trama principal. Me hace creer que había planes para un segundo libro pero las cosas no fueron tan bien, lo cuál no se si me entristece o me deja tranquilo el saber que no tengo que leer otro libro más dentro de esta historia.
La única razón por la que le doy esta calificación es porque hubieron partes que me mantuvieron pegado a la trama y porque fue un libro facil de leer.
Bah.
Nunca en mi vida me he aburrido con un reality show, especialmente los que son de competencia. I mean, un episodio de project runway es toda una travesía, pero Un Vestido Para Los Malditos me dejó con un ojo cerrado por el aburrimiento y con otro tratando de leer lo más rápido posible para poder terminarlo.
Cuando escuche que trataba de una competencia de moda supe que le tenía que dar la oportunidad, ya que me encantan este tipo de libros. Pero al leerlo simplemente... quedé. Quedé porque no fue lo que esperaba y porque no importa cuantas veces le diera el beneficio de la duda, nunca llego a satisfacerme.
Les he dicho varias veces que para que me importe un personaje me tiene que parecer interesante para lograr encariñarme con él o MÍNIMO tengo que pensar que estas guapo. Emmy no logró ninguna de las dos. Todo el libro, y repito, TODO EL LIBRO parecía que se estaba organizando una pity party para ella solita. No vi un gran desarrollo en ella; todo eran quejas y "poor me" durante el transcurso de la novela. Al ser la protagonista esperaba poder tener una conexión con ella, pero leerla era tan entretenido como ver la pintura secarse.
Tristan no se queda atrás. ¿Se supone que me tenía que enamorar de él por ser el interés amoroso?
Es un insta love pésimo, no hay desarrollo alguno para el romance y, para terminarla de fregar, al final las cosas quedan un tanto inconclusas. Tanto para la pareja como la trama principal. Me hace creer que había planes para un segundo libro pero las cosas no fueron tan bien, lo cuál no se si me entristece o me deja tranquilo el saber que no tengo que leer otro libro más dentro de esta historia.
La única razón por la que le doy esta calificación es porque hubieron partes que me mantuvieron pegado a la trama y porque fue un libro facil de leer.
Bah.
February 24, 2021
2/5
“Estaré destinada a fracasar, y no soy como las otras chicas. No vengo de familia adinerada. Pero no cambiaría quien soy ni de donde vengo por todo el dinero y el estatus social del mundo.”
Un vestido para los malditos no ha sido un libro para mi. Si os gusta la saga de La selección puede que os guste, pero a mi me ha dejado bastante indiferente.
-Reseña completa: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
“Estaré destinada a fracasar, y no soy como las otras chicas. No vengo de familia adinerada. Pero no cambiaría quien soy ni de donde vengo por todo el dinero y el estatus social del mundo.”
Un vestido para los malditos no ha sido un libro para mi. Si os gusta la saga de La selección puede que os guste, pero a mi me ha dejado bastante indiferente.
-Reseña completa: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
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November 13, 2018
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
This one was hard to rate because it consisted of three main threads, and those got very different reactions from me. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Romance: 2/5. It was weak, not very well explained, and bordered on insta-love.
Drama/pace: 4/5. This bit was awesome, and the plot was exciting.
Characterisation: 4/5. Strong.
So, all things considered, I’ve given this an aggregate rating of 3.5 stars.
In the world of Britannia Secunda, an ex-British colony, fashion is the national industry. Illegitimate peasant girl Emmy Watkins is obsessed with it. Normally, her mother – single parent and scrabbling pub owner – tells her not to waste her time. But now for Emmy, and countless other girls, it’s suddenly become a way of social mobility: if they can get become an entrant on the prestigious Fashion House Competition, they’ll come away with money, clothes, and contacts. And for the first time the competition has been opened up to the general public.
A quick note here on the geography and history of Britannia Secunda. It was actually very poorly explained. Okay, so it’s a colony somewhere in Europe that’s gained independence from the British Empire. How? When? Plus, there are constant references to a royal family. Are these the original British royals? Or has Britannia Secunda given itself a new royal family? Why and how did fashion become the main concern of the entire nation? The background of the setting needed to be explained a lot more than it was.
Also, something which really bugged me: fall. This is a faux-British country, set in Europe. We don’t say fall! We say autumn! Which happens to be the author’s name! A minor grievance, but come on.
So anyway, Emmy manages to beg her way into the competition. The esteemed owner of the Fashion House, Madame Jolène, isn’t happy, but there’s nothing she can do – for political reasons she has to look like she’s opening her company up to the lower classes. Madame Jolène was a great villain. She’s not quite sympathetic, because she’s a total bitch, but she isn’t totally vilified; you can kind of see why she resents having her arm twisted, even if her reasons are wrong and deeply elitist. Emmy at any rate is torn between idolising her as a fashion icon and being hurt by her obvious hatred of Emmy herself, a curious but relatable conflict of emotion.
The other girls in the Fashion House Competition are treated with similar care by Krause. They start out a little bit as caricatures; they’re mean, posh, and Emmy’s rivals. But over the course of the book most of them develop into their own people.There are Emmy’s roommate Sophie, with a tragic family past; Cordelia, who’s into menswear; Kitty, whose parents are desperate for her to advance their social status; half-Japanese Ky; and socialite Alice. As we go through the rounds of the Fashion Competition, with the girls having to design and create masterpieces to be judged, we see how each of them has a background that influences their style. These rounds were well paced, plot-wise, and suitably dramatic.
Speaking of style, the book’s attitude to dress-making is surprisingly limited. We don’t get many details beyond ‘bodice’ and ‘hooped skirt’, which I find incredible given it’s about an entire luxury fashion company. The colours of materials were however lovingly described.
You know what lets this whole book down? The romance. Tristan is a down-on-his-luck journalist Emmy meets as soon as she arrives in the capital to begin the competition. First, we get insta-love: they’re drawn to each other almost immediately. Yet they don’t see each other for long stretches of time, rendering the insta-love even weaker and sillier than it already is. Plus, Tristan has a weird relationship with Sophie which is never fully explained, and this lack of clarity made me unable to truly believe in his relationship with Emmy.
It doesn’t help that the book ends very abruptly and appears to be a standalone. I’m not particularly interested in what happens next to our characters, but their stories aren’t satisfactorily explained in this single book either, so we’re left with a weird little conundrum. I don’t necessarily regret reading it but it certainly hasn’t made much of an impact on me, notwithstanding a brilliant, thinly-veiled insertion of the tragic story of Princess Diana. (Charles and Camilla come off badly here, which I can totally get behind. Dicks).
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
This one was hard to rate because it consisted of three main threads, and those got very different reactions from me. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Romance: 2/5. It was weak, not very well explained, and bordered on insta-love.
Drama/pace: 4/5. This bit was awesome, and the plot was exciting.
Characterisation: 4/5. Strong.
So, all things considered, I’ve given this an aggregate rating of 3.5 stars.
In the world of Britannia Secunda, an ex-British colony, fashion is the national industry. Illegitimate peasant girl Emmy Watkins is obsessed with it. Normally, her mother – single parent and scrabbling pub owner – tells her not to waste her time. But now for Emmy, and countless other girls, it’s suddenly become a way of social mobility: if they can get become an entrant on the prestigious Fashion House Competition, they’ll come away with money, clothes, and contacts. And for the first time the competition has been opened up to the general public.
A quick note here on the geography and history of Britannia Secunda. It was actually very poorly explained. Okay, so it’s a colony somewhere in Europe that’s gained independence from the British Empire. How? When? Plus, there are constant references to a royal family. Are these the original British royals? Or has Britannia Secunda given itself a new royal family? Why and how did fashion become the main concern of the entire nation? The background of the setting needed to be explained a lot more than it was.
Also, something which really bugged me: fall. This is a faux-British country, set in Europe. We don’t say fall! We say autumn! Which happens to be the author’s name! A minor grievance, but come on.
So anyway, Emmy manages to beg her way into the competition. The esteemed owner of the Fashion House, Madame Jolène, isn’t happy, but there’s nothing she can do – for political reasons she has to look like she’s opening her company up to the lower classes. Madame Jolène was a great villain. She’s not quite sympathetic, because she’s a total bitch, but she isn’t totally vilified; you can kind of see why she resents having her arm twisted, even if her reasons are wrong and deeply elitist. Emmy at any rate is torn between idolising her as a fashion icon and being hurt by her obvious hatred of Emmy herself, a curious but relatable conflict of emotion.
The other girls in the Fashion House Competition are treated with similar care by Krause. They start out a little bit as caricatures; they’re mean, posh, and Emmy’s rivals. But over the course of the book most of them develop into their own people.There are Emmy’s roommate Sophie, with a tragic family past; Cordelia, who’s into menswear; Kitty, whose parents are desperate for her to advance their social status; half-Japanese Ky; and socialite Alice. As we go through the rounds of the Fashion Competition, with the girls having to design and create masterpieces to be judged, we see how each of them has a background that influences their style. These rounds were well paced, plot-wise, and suitably dramatic.
Speaking of style, the book’s attitude to dress-making is surprisingly limited. We don’t get many details beyond ‘bodice’ and ‘hooped skirt’, which I find incredible given it’s about an entire luxury fashion company. The colours of materials were however lovingly described.
You know what lets this whole book down? The romance. Tristan is a down-on-his-luck journalist Emmy meets as soon as she arrives in the capital to begin the competition. First, we get insta-love: they’re drawn to each other almost immediately. Yet they don’t see each other for long stretches of time, rendering the insta-love even weaker and sillier than it already is. Plus, Tristan has a weird relationship with Sophie which is never fully explained, and this lack of clarity made me unable to truly believe in his relationship with Emmy.
It doesn’t help that the book ends very abruptly and appears to be a standalone. I’m not particularly interested in what happens next to our characters, but their stories aren’t satisfactorily explained in this single book either, so we’re left with a weird little conundrum. I don’t necessarily regret reading it but it certainly hasn’t made much of an impact on me, notwithstanding a brilliant, thinly-veiled insertion of the tragic story of Princess Diana. (Charles and Camilla come off badly here, which I can totally get behind. Dicks).
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
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November 13, 2020
*3.75
dramatic fantasy fashion? uh, yes?
but what was that ending??? it should be illegal to end a book like that i swear.
…i mean, what? just vibin’ and then bam! it was over. i’m lowkey shook! it really just… ended?
dramatic fantasy fashion? uh, yes?
but what was that ending??? it should be illegal to end a book like that i swear.
…i mean, what? just vibin’ and then bam! it was over. i’m lowkey shook! it really just… ended?
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July 27, 2019
Emmy Watson is determined to be a fashion designer. She's not cut out for a small town life—either as a pub owner like her mother or a wife to a local townsman. She has fashion in her veins. And being accepted as a candidate for the prestigious Fashion House is just the way to go. After arguing her way into a spot, however, Emmy is disappointed to find that the Fashion House is not what she expected—as the sole country-side candidate, she's nothing more than a political appointment, expected to attend press junket after press junket without any actual training. But Emmy has dreams and ambition, and she's doing to be a designer.
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I feel like this is another one of those It's Not You It's Me books.
It felt a lot like The Selection meets Project Runway meets The Devil Wears Prada meets The Belles, with a group of female contestants vying for a few spots as designers in an elite fashion house, but with a lot of uneven worldbuilding, less charm and a protagonist that had a lot in common with America Singer.
It started out pretty great, with a historical fantasy-esque setting sometime in the late 1800s in a tiny country called Brittania Secunda whose economy was based solely on textiles and fashion, and whose couture designs drove the European fashion industry. There was discussion about how fashion drove politics, how it shaped the economy and culture, and how it divided the classes between the rich nobility and the poor (I really wanted to learn more of the factories and class division). It was very, very interesting and I wished that the world had been explored and developed a lot more—kind of like Torn or Spin the Dawn.
However, while I loved the fashion aspects (the book really shines when Emmy designs something or creates), I was less than enthused by the main character, the shoehorned love interest, the underdeveloped secondary characters and the haphazard worldbuilding (seriously, the worldbuilding deserved to be fleshed out so much more).
I think that much of my issues for the book was that it tried to go in a lot of different directions without ever really exploring one thoroughly. Much of the book is spent with Emmy complaining about how unfair her life as a candidate is (I felt that this could have been handled better, honestly, as less "I'm not like the other country girls"/"why is she so mean to me??" and more let's get this shit done), disrespecting Madam Jolène (wtf was up with Emmy's lip? Seriously, the entitlement of this country bumpkin—there's standing up for yourself and then there's downright stupidity), and haring off and about on grand schemes...and also falling in sudden and incomprehensible love with a reporter after three conversations.
There's some talk about buying appointments to the Fashion House, how deserves to wear couture, the unfairness of a governmentally backed monopoly, fashion cycles, guardianship, women's rights, politics and reformation, etc., etc.—but a lot of these really intriguing bits get dropped faster than Kitty when Emmy decides to go her own route and also pursue her love interest. Seriously, all these really, really, really fascinating things were shoved to the side for a romance plot that was staler than a five-month-old baguette.
Finally, I was super curious about why there were no male (or trans or nonbinary characters—although there is one girl who wears menswear, which was unexplored) candidates in the group, particularly since one of the prominent designers in the Fashion House was Francesco. Where did he come from? What happened to the other interns who were selected to the Fashion House each year? What did those people do with their time? Who trained any of the current candidates (many of whom were nobility) in customer service, much less couture and sewing/clothing techniques?
So many questions.
And instead of answers, we got Tristan.
I received this ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I feel like this is another one of those It's Not You It's Me books.
It felt a lot like The Selection meets Project Runway meets The Devil Wears Prada meets The Belles, with a group of female contestants vying for a few spots as designers in an elite fashion house, but with a lot of uneven worldbuilding, less charm and a protagonist that had a lot in common with America Singer.
It started out pretty great, with a historical fantasy-esque setting sometime in the late 1800s in a tiny country called Brittania Secunda whose economy was based solely on textiles and fashion, and whose couture designs drove the European fashion industry. There was discussion about how fashion drove politics, how it shaped the economy and culture, and how it divided the classes between the rich nobility and the poor (I really wanted to learn more of the factories and class division). It was very, very interesting and I wished that the world had been explored and developed a lot more—kind of like Torn or Spin the Dawn.
However, while I loved the fashion aspects (the book really shines when Emmy designs something or creates), I was less than enthused by the main character, the shoehorned love interest, the underdeveloped secondary characters and the haphazard worldbuilding (seriously, the worldbuilding deserved to be fleshed out so much more).
I think that much of my issues for the book was that it tried to go in a lot of different directions without ever really exploring one thoroughly. Much of the book is spent with Emmy complaining about how unfair her life as a candidate is (I felt that this could have been handled better, honestly, as less "I'm not like the other country girls"/"why is she so mean to me??" and more let's get this shit done), disrespecting Madam Jolène (wtf was up with Emmy's lip? Seriously, the entitlement of this country bumpkin—there's standing up for yourself and then there's downright stupidity), and haring off and about on grand schemes...and also falling in sudden and incomprehensible love with a reporter after three conversations.
There's some talk about buying appointments to the Fashion House, how deserves to wear couture, the unfairness of a governmentally backed monopoly, fashion cycles, guardianship, women's rights, politics and reformation, etc., etc.—but a lot of these really intriguing bits get dropped faster than Kitty when Emmy decides to go her own route and also pursue her love interest. Seriously, all these really, really, really fascinating things were shoved to the side for a romance plot that was staler than a five-month-old baguette.
Finally, I was super curious about why there were no male (or trans or nonbinary characters—although there is one girl who wears menswear, which was unexplored) candidates in the group, particularly since one of the prominent designers in the Fashion House was Francesco. Where did he come from? What happened to the other interns who were selected to the Fashion House each year? What did those people do with their time? Who trained any of the current candidates (many of whom were nobility) in customer service, much less couture and sewing/clothing techniques?
So many questions.
And instead of answers, we got Tristan.
I received this ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
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