Fashion, Fury, and Fatal Ambition: A Review of "The Protégée" by Erica Ridley
- Kim Bartosch
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
What’s a little arsenic between coworkers? That wickedly perfect line captures the spirit of The Protégée, a historical thriller novel by New York Times bestselling author Erica Ridley. Published by Delacorte Press, this thrilling tale set in 19th-century Paris is as lush and dangerous as the gowns its heroine dreams of creating. Learn more and scroll down to read my full review.
Thank you to the author, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for the book and my honest review.
Title: The Protégée
Author: Erica Ridley
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub. Date: June 10, 2025
Genre: YA Historical Mystery/Thriller
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Synopsis:
A working-class young woman would kill to become assistant to Paris's top modiste, but she must first seek vengeance against those responsible for the death of her family, in this thrilling historical horror from New York Times bestselling author Erica Ridley!
Eighteen-year-old Angélique dreams of designing opulent gowns for society’s elite, but her reality is a life spent dyeing silk in a sweatshop. That is, until tragedy strikes, leaving her orphaned and responsible for her younger sister.
Determined to elevate their station, Angélique secures a position as a junior dressmaker for Paris’s top modiste. Though she’s tormented by other seamstresses for being poor, and her meager salary barely pays rent, she refuses to give in.
When a high-stakes contest for a coveted protégée role is announced, Angélique will do whatever is necessary to win—even if it means resorting to deadly measures. What’s a little arsenic between coworkers?
As Angélique outshines—and outlives—the competition, her newfound privilege and power are weaponized against those who destroyed her family. Will she conquer the world of high fashion to claim her rightful place as Paris’s best designer, or will the cost of ambition be too high?
My Review of "The Protégée" by Erica Ridley
Set against the glittering backdrop of Belle Époque Paris, The Protégée is a revenge-fueled historical horror that threads murder into high fashion with razor-sharp elegance. Erica Ridley brings a compelling blend of grit, glamour, and gothic tension in a novel that’s part Project Runway, part Sweeney Todd, and wholly irresistible. I received an early review copy via NetGalley—and it’s easily one of my top reads of the year.
🧵 Plot That Hooks Like a Needle
At just eighteen, Angélique is no stranger to hardship. Orphaned and thrust into the role of caretaker for her younger sister, she claws her way into a junior dressmaker position at Paris’s top fashion house. But there’s more than ambition behind her needlework—there’s blood.
A competition to become the shop’s elite protégée opens the doors to success… and vengeance. As Angélique maneuvers her way to the top, she’s not afraid to remove obstacles by any means necessary—including poison. The stakes are high, the twists keep coming, and I was completely hooked.
🎭 Characters That Stitch Themselves Into Your Heart
Angélique is a fantastic heroine: determined, clever, and emotionally grounded. Her strength isn’t just in her sewing—it’s in her loyalty, her resilience, and her refusal to let trauma define her. The villains? Utterly satisfying. Ridley crafts antagonists you love to hate, and watching them get their comeuppance is delicious.
Domingo, the romantic interest, adds just the right softness to balance Angélique’s razor-edge intensity. Their sweet, slow-burning romance doesn’t overshadow the story—it complements it like the perfect lining to a dramatic gown.
🏛️ A Setting as Rich as Velvet
The historical Paris setting feels both authentic and alive. From the gritty workhouses to the opulent salons of the wealthy elite, Ridley immerses you in a world of beauty and brutality. Fashion isn’t just background—it’s weapon, armor, and battlefield.
The details of the modiste world—fabrics, designs, the intense classism between seamstresses—were not only fascinating, but also felt meticulously researched. It made me want to learn more about this era, especially how women used fashion to navigate power structures.
💘 What I Loved
The revenge plot: Dark, calculated, and oh-so-satisfying
The Parisian setting: Rich with texture, history, and contrast
The twists: Unexpected but never out of left field
The romance: Subtle, sweet, and emotionally resonant
The themes: Class, ambition, sacrifice, and female agency
🙅♀️ What Could’ve Been Better?
Honestly? Very little. If you're not a fan of morally gray protagonists or darker plots, this may be a tough ride—but for me, that was part of the allure. There’s a delicate balance between horror and drama here, and Ridley keeps the tone tight and compelling throughout.
💬 Final Thoughts
The Protégée is a twisted fairytale stitched with blood-red ambition and soft-pink longing. Erica Ridley pulls off a stunning feat: a murderously elegant story that is as emotionally satisfying as it is thrilling. If you love your historical fiction with a touch of horror, a dash of romance, and a whole lot of heart—this one’s for you.
Meet the Author:
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of witty, feel-good historical romance novels, including the upcoming THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest. Learn more about the author at EricaRidley.com.
Comentarios