A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
Published 6th August 2019 by Harper Teen
Star Rating - ****
Goodreads Challenge - 42/50
I was gifted a copy of the book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
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?
My Thoughts
I was beginning to feel a little bit burnt out with all of the fantasy I've been reading lately and to try and avoid ending up in a reading slump I decided to pick this one up as something a bit different and it was exactly what I needed!
This book has been pitched on Goodreads by several other reviewers as Project Runway meets The Selection and I haven't actually watched or read either of these but I really enjoyed this book none the less. It was a fun contemporary read with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue without that becoming the main focus of the book. There were a few red herrings scattered throughout the book and I enjoyed trying to work out who the good guys and the bad guys were. The writing was fast-paced and easy to read which made for a quick and immersive reading experience. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the fashion too.
I liked the main character Emmy. She came from a small village who keep to themselves, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. She's from quite a poor background but she doesn't let that get in the way of her dreams. She's strong and determined and doesn't let any of the obstacles that she encounters when she gets to the city get in her way. She perseveres in pursuing her dream and I really enjoyed reading about her. I wasn't a fan of the romance though. It was okay and sweet but I don't think it was really necessary. It didn't really add anything to the story and the history between the love interest and another character seemed a bit strange, it definitely could of been explored more.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was a breath of fresh air compared to what I have been reading recently and it was just what I needed to stop myself from getting into a reading slump.
This book has been pitched on Goodreads by several other reviewers as Project Runway meets The Selection and I haven't actually watched or read either of these but I really enjoyed this book none the less. It was a fun contemporary read with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue without that becoming the main focus of the book. There were a few red herrings scattered throughout the book and I enjoyed trying to work out who the good guys and the bad guys were. The writing was fast-paced and easy to read which made for a quick and immersive reading experience. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the fashion too.
I liked the main character Emmy. She came from a small village who keep to themselves, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. She's from quite a poor background but she doesn't let that get in the way of her dreams. She's strong and determined and doesn't let any of the obstacles that she encounters when she gets to the city get in her way. She perseveres in pursuing her dream and I really enjoyed reading about her. I wasn't a fan of the romance though. It was okay and sweet but I don't think it was really necessary. It didn't really add anything to the story and the history between the love interest and another character seemed a bit strange, it definitely could of been explored more.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was a breath of fresh air compared to what I have been reading recently and it was just what I needed to stop myself from getting into a reading slump.
Overall Rating
Great review. Glad you enjoyed it so much. Reading slumps are hard to overcome.
ReplyDeleteYay - it's not a slump if you find your joy
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this book!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Gemma, I'm really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
ReplyDelete