katanai's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
listen... i enjoyed it all. i found myself turning page after page & not wanting to put it down. i loved it i'm so srs. i loved that our mc wasn't some damsel in distress that's a pushover. mc was determined & i love that for her. i loved the pace too! not too fast, but not slow... just perfect. the sorta enemies to lovers... <33 loved it. i think it was everything i needed from a romance book & i'm glad it's the first romance book i've read after a break. loved the world building - like it wasn't too much or overwhelming & it's just wonderful. i loved it. ya.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
ka_ke's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I want to say I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. If you’re in the mood for a simple, predictable story, then A Deal with the Elf King is perfect for you. If you want something deeper, more mythical and more complex than you should skip this series. I don’t know if I’ll continue with Married to Magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Addiction
mindsorceress's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Drug abuse
sam019's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good book! More YA than I usually like but other than that I was a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Drug abuse
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, Murder, Blood, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Violence
christy_0909's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I devoured this book. I was sucked into the world and I couldn't put it down. Loved it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, and Grief
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you're looking for a Hades/Persephone and Beauty/the Beast like retelling with a strong female lead and an enemies to lovers trope, this might be an option. There are elements of both retellings here, but it doesn't completely have elements of one over the other. Eldas, the elf king, is quite the jerk when he is first introduced. However, he eventually grows and responds to the feedback given to him pretty well, particularly Luella's. I don't mind having a male lead that's a jerk as long as he shows character growth, and Eldas definitely does. Luella is strong willed, stubborn, and intelligent which easily drives Eldas mad. Through her relationship with him she must also faced her prejudices and grow as a character as well. Both of them have a shared sense of isolation which brings them together as friends, and eventually husband and wife (not just in name). The sex scenes are graphic enough to be considered adult, but not the most explicit I've read. There is a soft magic system in place that is more nature based for Luella and focused on death/darkness for Eldas. The story is more character based, but there is enough story to keep the plot engaging. There is also an animal companion in the story that I really liked too. I thought I would mention that in case anyone is interested. Overall, really enjoyed this retelling more than I thought and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Elise Kova.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
distilledreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The world-building and magic system in A Deal with the Elf King is really quite impressive for such a short, standalone fantasy novel. That said, this book isn’t one that had me hooked from the first page. I found the opening chapters to fall a bit flat, and the characters to be predictable, bordering on annoying. However, once Kova had set the proverbial stage and was able to delve into the world’s magic system and its consequences, I became much more invested in our royal couple.
It’s described as inspired by the stories of Hades and Persephone, and Beauty and the Beast; the former definitely shines through most prominently, especially with how our main female protagonist Luella’s magic functions and her role with the kingdom. I personally enjoyed that it wasn’t a retelling of either story, as the loose inspiration gave way for some unique world-building. The romance was an entertaining enemies-to-lovers mixed with a touch of insta-love, which isn’t my favourite trope, but I think Kova pulled it off successfully here.
Given that it’s a standalone, I wasn’t surprised that there were a few questions left unanswered by the end, especially since Kova intends to write more standalone novels in this world. Despite those loose threads, I still really enjoyed the ending overall and found it to be a satisfying conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence
angelsfw's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
““Some people can never be hidden; they are meant to be seen.” - A Deal With The Elf King.
I picked up this book partially out of curiosity and because I needed something that I knew would pull me out of a reading slump. Honestly, I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The characters were so lovable and the banter between them was amazing at times.
That being said, I wished there were more scenes that focused on Harrow and Luella because their banter was the best. I wish Harrow was more developed too because, at times, it felt like he was a 2D character with a mysterious, sad background.
However, there are more positives to this book. I loved how Luella was her own person and made her own choices. She’s determined and headstrong; a perfect main character in this novel. I found it easy to relate to her and her aspirations and goals. The character development that both her and Eldas go through is wonderful. I felt like it was the perfect amount for this novel and it didn’t ever feel forced. The worldbuilding is also extremely easy to grasp and picture in your head. I do wish that the fact that some of them are elves was touched on more though.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a way out of a reading slump. I think it’s also great for anyone wanting to get into fantasy for the first time; there’s not an overwhelming amount of information to absorb as the story goes on.
Happy reading !
I picked up this book partially out of curiosity and because I needed something that I knew would pull me out of a reading slump. Honestly, I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The characters were so lovable and the banter between them was amazing at times.
That being said, I wished there were more scenes that focused on Harrow and Luella because their banter was the best. I wish Harrow was more developed too because, at times, it felt like he was a 2D character with a mysterious, sad background.
However, there are more positives to this book. I loved how Luella was her own person and made her own choices. She’s determined and headstrong; a perfect main character in this novel. I found it easy to relate to her and her aspirations and goals. The character development that both her and Eldas go through is wonderful. I felt like it was the perfect amount for this novel and it didn’t ever feel forced. The worldbuilding is also extremely easy to grasp and picture in your head. I do wish that the fact that some of them are elves was touched on more though.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a way out of a reading slump. I think it’s also great for anyone wanting to get into fantasy for the first time; there’s not an overwhelming amount of information to absorb as the story goes on.
Happy reading !
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, and Medical trauma
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