A Dress for the Wicked

There are so many books that you just want to escape into: the setting is richly evoked that you can picture it perfectly in your head, and there are characters that you'd want to chat with over a cup of tea (or perhaps have design you a gorgeous gown). A DRESS FOR THE WICKED is that kind of debut, one to savor and escape into on a cold wintry day, or to pack along for a vacation and read on the beach. It feels classic in a way, its protagonist Emmy a mere country mouse, almost Dickensian, and yet there are themes that feel so modern and true. For example, I love the line drawn from Emmy to her mother, two hard-working woman who've accomplished so much from so little. I love Emmy's gumption, her desire for more, and the people she draws to her along the way who help make that possible. And Francesco, who reminds me so much of Tim Gunn if his fashion sense was a little more Johnny Weir. This is one of those YA books that can be read and enjoyed by a wide spectrum of ages, from 6th graders to adults -- especially recommended for young fashionistas and fans of Project Runway.

Project Runway meets Beauty and the Beast. Emmy wants to be seen. Though she stuck out like a sore thumb in her provincial town. She wants to be seen through her art, that of fashion designer. When an opportunity to compete for an apprenticeship she bulldozed her way in. Once in, she saw the Beast that drove the Fashion House designs and designers. The world designs shifted between Victorian England and Hunger Games. It was hard to grasp her surroundings. The ending felt incomplete. The question of paternity, love triangles and success never felt fully wrapped up. So the debut is over, now what? An epilogue with what life looked like three years later would have been appreciated. It is an enjoyable read, just the ending sort of tapered off with out hemming closed.

“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈’𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.” —Aᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ Kʀᴀᴜsᴇ, 𝘈 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥A Dress for the Wicked gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for me.Short Review: A tale full of wicked fashion, sabotage, and forging ones own fate despite where they come from.Long Review: Autumn Krause’s attention to detail blew my mind from page 3. The fashion and settings described were the perfect mix of wicked and whimsy that obviously appealed to me greatly. Her writing style was something I enjoyed immensely and can’t wait to read more of!Much of the fashion was inspired by Alexander McQueen—whom I LOVE.The Fashion House competition was reminiscent of District One meets Project Runway and Devil Wears Prada. Although I was enjoying the competition, I was glad Krause added another element to the story (not going to spoil it) to give it more depth and excitement. The sabotage takes a twisting turn and it’s oh, so good.I’m not a fan of heavy romance, but I do love love. Krause has a sweet unfolding love story that takes a (refreshing) backseat round Emmy’s life. Personally, I was relieved to see a young woman not boy-obsessed and able to burn her mark on the world without making decisions based on a man.The other characters in the story were intriguing without being overly focused on. I would have loved to know more about Emmy’s mother and actually guessed she would play a bigger role in the finale, but it was still well done and all the ends were tied up in a black chiffon bow at the end.Emmy’s reconciliation between where she’d come from and where she was headed—realizing she could confidently be who she always had been and still become a better version of it—spoke deeply to me after my personal journey over the last couple of years.Overall, 5 stars from me and a HIGHLY recommend.

I have to tell you, I love a good YA fiction and have read many! What was so refreshing about “A Dress for the Wicked” is that unlike so many YA fiction novels, it wasn’t predictable! Yet, it wasn’t hard to follow either. I loved the idea of fashion (not necessarily vain beauty) being what runs the economy in the lovely world of Avon-upon-Kent and within the story that was spun, it made sense! There was just enough character development that you started to envision yourself in their lives but then, after turning the final page, I frowned, thinking “I want to know what happens next!” When will the next book be coming out??? Fantastic job Autumn :)When’s the next book coming out??

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!!

I went into this book with fairly high expectations, and I'll be honest: it didn't disappoint. The Project Runway-esque competition was such a fun plot, and I appreciate the fact that it wasn't exactly like the show. I found it fit well with the story, and making it just like the show would just not have worked.In terms of the characters, I loved Emmy, Tristan, Kitty and Sophie, and the friendships and relationships formed felt natural and unforced.I absolutely adored this book, and I neeeeeeeeeeed a sequel!

Purchased as a Christmas present for my daughter. Hope she enjoys reading it.