Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Un patto con il Re degli Elfi by Elise Kova

11 reviews

midnightmoon_dreamer's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship

pitoufas_bookish_corner's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring 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? No

5.0

I've heard friends share praise about this book since I first joined bookstagram, and for so long, I've been waiting to read it. Luckily, I found out the library had the whole series in audiobook format, made by GraphicAudio and let me tell you...it truly felt like watching a movie eyes closed 😍❤ needless to say I enjoyed it all from start to finish ❤❤❤ Elise Kova is another new author to me, but I was sure I'd end up loving the book based on all the good feedback I came across, and marriage of convenience being the LEADING trope on my favorite tropes' list! 

The author's writing style really had me immersed in from the very beginning. I loved Luella's will and determination to repay the town's people for all the help they were able to provide her. Her character was extremely caring and empathetic, and she used her knowledge in herbology to help treat her the ill. But Luella was not only kind, she was also brave and unafraid to dirty her hands for the sake of her loved ones if deemed necessary. 

I loved the way the relationship blossomed between her and Eldas, the Elf king feared by all and believed to be the embodiment of cruelty and omen of dark hours. Of course, he was more than what meets the eye, but it took several heated arguments and quarrels to have a glimpse past his icy exterior. The man was not the greatest at expressing his feelings and emotions, but just like Luella, he cared — deeply — about the faith of the world as they knew it. 

It was absolutely fascinating to learn about all of the intricacies, the beautifully detailed history, all the different characters, creatures and locations which gave shape to an elaborate universe ❤ I do not read fantasy books as often as I'd wish for, but I become beyond enthralled whenever I pick up a similar story that consumes me until the very last page.  
 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty

Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Addiction and Drug use

druzyquartz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping

nat20charisma's review against another edition

4.75

✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ One Bed
✅ Touch my wife and you die
✅ Grumpy x Sunshine

Spice wise it was PG-13. Some sex scenes, but it doesn’t go into detail. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Blood

kiwifay's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

I liked this book a lot more then I thought I would. It’s been sitting on my shelf for a long time and finally decided to pick it up. The ending had no right to make me cry like that. I loved the premise and the elves and magic system. Overall a good read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, and Blood

Moderate: Medical content, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Body horror and Bullying

bookhoarderbea's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Blood

Moderate: Sexual content and Kidnapping

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity and Grief

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

ceruleanshelves's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

3.75

Ok standalone YA (maybe NA) fantasy. Wraps up with a HEA. Not one of my favs but a generally fun and imaginative fantasy romance read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Animal death, Body horror, and Blood

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.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood