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Married to Magic #2
A Dance with the Fae Prince
She knew her hand in marriage would be sold. She had no idea a fae prince was the buyer.
Katria swore she'd never fall in love. She's seen what "love" means through the cruelty of her family. So when she's married off to the mysterious Lord Fenwood for a handsome price, all Katria wants is a better life than the one she's leaving. Feelings are off the table.
But her new husband makes not falling in love difficult.
As their attraction begins to grow, so too do the oddities within her new life: strange rules, screams in the night, and attacks by fae that Katria never thought were real. When she witnesses a ritual not meant for human eyes, Katria finds herself spirited away to the land of Midscape.
Surviving the fae wilds as a human is hard enough. Katria must survive as a human who accidently pilfered the magic of ancient kings - magic a bloodthirsty king is ready to kill her for in order to keep his stolen throne - and her new husband is the rightful heir in hiding.
The power to save the fae is in her hands. But who will save her from a love she vowed never to feel?
A Dance with the Fae Prince is a complete, stand-alone novel, inspired by the tales of Psyche and Eros, as well as Cinderella, with a "happily ever after" ending. It's perfect for fantasy romance fans looking for just the right amount of steam and their next slow-burn and swoon-worthy couple.
Katria swore she'd never fall in love. She's seen what "love" means through the cruelty of her family. So when she's married off to the mysterious Lord Fenwood for a handsome price, all Katria wants is a better life than the one she's leaving. Feelings are off the table.
But her new husband makes not falling in love difficult.
As their attraction begins to grow, so too do the oddities within her new life: strange rules, screams in the night, and attacks by fae that Katria never thought were real. When she witnesses a ritual not meant for human eyes, Katria finds herself spirited away to the land of Midscape.
Surviving the fae wilds as a human is hard enough. Katria must survive as a human who accidently pilfered the magic of ancient kings - magic a bloodthirsty king is ready to kill her for in order to keep his stolen throne - and her new husband is the rightful heir in hiding.
The power to save the fae is in her hands. But who will save her from a love she vowed never to feel?
A Dance with the Fae Prince is a complete, stand-alone novel, inspired by the tales of Psyche and Eros, as well as Cinderella, with a "happily ever after" ending. It's perfect for fantasy romance fans looking for just the right amount of steam and their next slow-burn and swoon-worthy couple.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2021
About the author
Elise Kova
53 books14.9k followersJoin Elise's mailing list to never miss a giveaway, release, sale, and more: https://elisekova.com/subscribe/
ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
Say Hello!
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
Say Hello!
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,881 reviews
May 6, 2022
This.was.boring.
Boring with a capital B. I said what I said.
You would think a Cinderella retelling with a Cupid-Psyche twist can do nothing wrong. Right? No. This book somehow used all of my favourite trope and made me hate every.single.one.of.them. It literally took me so so long to finish this book and I'm just so mad and I WANT MY EFFING WASTED TIME BACK!
So Katria, our protagonist is Cinderella. Her evil step mother and sister tortures her. Basically they made her their personal maid. We get it.
Her mother hates her.
Her sister hates her.
Yes. Pretty simple. We have read that before. No need to describe it for 60/70 pages god! Can we move on?
Anyways, so after what felt like forever she is finally married off to a man she has never met. Enter another 50 pages of inner monologue cause WHY NOT?
Her new husband gave her some rules. Don't go roaming around the woods at night. And some part of the house. Also, she can never see him. She agreed without asking any questions.
Enter another 100 pages.
Katria woke up. Katria took her breakfast. Katria went to the woods and played her lute. Katria wondered about her husband. Repeat.
Pretty exciting right?
At this point half of me wanted to dnf this thing cause as much as I hate myself sometimes I don't want to torture myself to death.
Okay, so about the main purpose of this book which is "romance". Katria never saw her husband. She doesn’t know his first name (she never asked, and I'm like " wtf?", but then I reminded myself it's none of my business), She had like two conversation with him yet everytime she realizes they both lives under the same sky her body betrays her. *shivers*
GIRL!!! YOU HAD LIKE TWO CONVERSATION WITH HIM! YOU DON’T KNOW HIS FIRST NAME YET!
Oh please. Have mercy on my braincells.
Minor spoilers ahead:
Now about the chemistry (which you can clearly see, they have enough chemistry to light a building on fire). Anyway,
Our Fae Prince (we know his first name now. But I'm not gonna tell you cause I'm evil) is so so ✨romantic✨ and ✨kind✨ and ✨empathic✨ that he made Katria walk for hours without any food or rest despite knowing she is a human and she might pass out or worse..she might DIE cause he was angry. well maybe Katria dying wouldn’t be the worst thing happening in this book. Some death will probably make it less boring. Ahem.
You’d think Katria would be mad at him after this. But guess what?? *surprise* *surprise* she is still the one who apologized cause she understood why he is mad.
Because, #TrueLove
HashtagDisneyDidItBetter.
And after all these, both of them suddenly realizes they were in 🖤🖤true love🖤🖤.
This book felt like 1000 pages long but at the same time when it came to the romantic build up it felt like 20 pages. Idk. Maybe I lost all of my braincells.
Anyways.
Here's my favourite quote from the book-
Same. But, ouch Giles! You can't spill the truth like this. Your Prince's delicate ego might get hurt!
Boring with a capital B. I said what I said.
You would think a Cinderella retelling with a Cupid-Psyche twist can do nothing wrong. Right? No. This book somehow used all of my favourite trope and made me hate every.single.one.of.them. It literally took me so so long to finish this book and I'm just so mad and I WANT MY EFFING WASTED TIME BACK!
So Katria, our protagonist is Cinderella. Her evil step mother and sister tortures her. Basically they made her their personal maid. We get it.
Her mother hates her.
Her sister hates her.
Yes. Pretty simple. We have read that before. No need to describe it for 60/70 pages god! Can we move on?
Anyways, so after what felt like forever she is finally married off to a man she has never met. Enter another 50 pages of inner monologue cause WHY NOT?
Her new husband gave her some rules. Don't go roaming around the woods at night. And some part of the house. Also, she can never see him. She agreed without asking any questions.
Enter another 100 pages.
Katria woke up. Katria took her breakfast. Katria went to the woods and played her lute. Katria wondered about her husband. Repeat.
Pretty exciting right?
At this point half of me wanted to dnf this thing cause as much as I hate myself sometimes I don't want to torture myself to death.
Okay, so about the main purpose of this book which is "romance". Katria never saw her husband. She doesn’t know his first name (she never asked, and I'm like " wtf?", but then I reminded myself it's none of my business), She had like two conversation with him yet everytime she realizes they both lives under the same sky her body betrays her. *shivers*
This man makes me want dangerous things. Things I’ve never thought I wanted before and certainly never needed.
GIRL!!! YOU HAD LIKE TWO CONVERSATION WITH HIM! YOU DON’T KNOW HIS FIRST NAME YET!
My thoughts, and dreams, all revolve around him and this strange new world…even if I don’t want them to.
Oh please. Have mercy on my braincells.
Minor spoilers ahead:
Now about the chemistry (which you can clearly see, they have enough chemistry to light a building on fire). Anyway,
Our Fae Prince (we know his first name now. But I'm not gonna tell you cause I'm evil) is so so ✨romantic✨ and ✨kind✨ and ✨empathic✨ that he made Katria walk for hours without any food or rest despite knowing she is a human and she might pass out or worse..she might DIE cause he was angry. well maybe Katria dying wouldn’t be the worst thing happening in this book. Some death will probably make it less boring. Ahem.
"Do you need to stop?” he asks me.
“I can keep going,” I force myself to say when all I want is to shout, Five minutes please!
“Good, we carry on then.”
“Davien—”
“Your true king has spoken.”
You’d think Katria would be mad at him after this. But guess what?? *surprise* *surprise* she is still the one who apologized cause she understood why he is mad.
Because, #TrueLove
And after all these, both of them suddenly realizes they were in 🖤🖤true love🖤🖤.
This book felt like 1000 pages long but at the same time when it came to the romantic build up it felt like 20 pages. Idk. Maybe I lost all of my braincells.
Anyways.
Here's my favourite quote from the book-
“This isn’t about me,” he says curtly.
“Rare of our lost prince to recognize that not everything is about him.” Giles grins.
Same. But, ouch Giles! You can't spill the truth like this. Your Prince's delicate ego might get hurt!
July 7, 2024
This book is free on Amazon (Canada) today (2024/07/07). 🙂
✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Cinderella retelling
✅ Slow burn / Angst
✅ Arranged marriage
✅ Faes and magic
✅(🆗) Plot
✅(🆗) Characters
✅🆗 Romance
🆗 Predictable twists and revelations
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: mention of psychological and physical abuse (nothing graphic)
3.5 stars
I was a little wary of this one because A Deal with the Elf King was a tad disappointing, but I liked A Dance with the Fae Prince more than the first book so I'm happy if only for that reason. I have to say though, that I think some aspects of the romance annoyed me more the second time around.
Katria grew up in an abusive household with her cruel stepmother Joyce and step-sister Helen. With her father having disappeared almost a year ago, the only silver lining to her situation is her beloved mare Misty, and her sweet half-sister Laura. When Katria's hand is sold to the highest bidder by Joyce, she somehow manages to remain optimistic and she is determined to make the best of that new situation. She wants to create a better life for herself, even though it's not a life that she's chosen. When she discovers that her husband, Lord Fenwood, is in fact a fae, Katria ends up involved in his scheme to regain his “rightful place” as King of the Faes.
The world-building, while being cliché for some fae aspects, was well-done and I love what Kova created here. It feels whimsical and enchanting. The magic system linked to runes and rituals is also different from what I'm used to with faes and I enjoyed it.
Katria's optimism is inspiring. She is strong and determined to take control of her life and to never let anyone make her feel small or unimportant ever again. She also grows a lot in the few months during which this story takes place, going from an emotionally scarred and scared young woman to a confident person taking what she is owed. I love that she is driven and learning to stand up for herself, but as was the case in A Deal with the Elf King, I also found her a little bland. I still liked her more than Luella though.
Davien is not a bad love interest, but he is not an exceptional character either. He is attractive, of course, and has a kind of brooding charm thing going on. His fierce protectiveness (which comes out more near the end of the book) is also attractive, but besides that, he does not stand out from the other love interests in fantasy books I've read. The whole "reclaiming my throne" quest is nothing new, but it was well done and well developed, it's his willingness to do anything to attain his goal that, while being quite realistic, was a little bit of a turn-off sometimes.
Katria might not have known what the future held for her when her hand was sold, but she knew that her plans never included falling in love with her mysterious husband, Lord Fenwood, far from it actually, since Katria swore to never love anyone after seeing her father's love for Joyce ruin him and his family.
The slow-burn romance was well developed. I liked the uncertainty that was there at first when Katria was not allowed to even look at her husband. It added a mystery to their interactions, and it allowed her to get to know Davien and to make her own idea of him without falling for his gorgeous looks. Still, as the book moved forward, I felt that their connection was not that deep or strong, it kinda fell short. I like them well enough together, and I liked the little angst that was there for the second part of the book, but at the same time, the whole “let’s scratch an itch and say that there is no feelings involved” is always the BIGGESt lie there is in slow-burn romances. If you need to verbally make a deal that states that there are no feelings involved, it obviously means that feelings are involved, but you’re scared of what it means. Honestly, I am not a fan of this. I love the angst that comes with two characters trying to hide their feelings, but as soon as they verbalize the lie, I find that it loses its appeal. Overall, while being cute, they end up being just another fantasy couple, with nothing very different about them.
The story as a whole has a nice pace. It is a quick and entertaining read, but I could see most twists and “shocking” revelations coming from miles away. The betrayal was not a surprise, the hints were too obvious for me to miss so it kind of took away the surprise of it. The secondary characters are not bad, some of them seemed to be a little shady at first and I was not sure if I could trust them or not, but they ended up being quite bland and unsurprising (and even kinda interchangeable)... Overall the politics and alliances could have been more complex for sure, but since it's a "standalone in a series" book, I understand why it was kept light and simple. The main focus is really the romance.
While it's not the best book I've read, it's light and entertaining enough, and the romance is cute even though it's not the best developed I read. I would recommend this book (and this series) if you're looking for easy and enjoyable books with a straightforward plot focused on romance but are not looking for something super original or amazingly well-written.
1. A Deal with the Elf King ⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Cinderella retelling
✅ Slow burn / Angst
✅ Arranged marriage
✅ Faes and magic
✅(🆗) Plot
✅(🆗) Characters
✅🆗 Romance
🆗 Predictable twists and revelations
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: mention of psychological and physical abuse (nothing graphic)
3.5 stars
I was a little wary of this one because A Deal with the Elf King was a tad disappointing, but I liked A Dance with the Fae Prince more than the first book so I'm happy if only for that reason. I have to say though, that I think some aspects of the romance annoyed me more the second time around.
Romance starts well and ends badly. That’s how it fools people into attempting the futile effort.
Katria grew up in an abusive household with her cruel stepmother Joyce and step-sister Helen. With her father having disappeared almost a year ago, the only silver lining to her situation is her beloved mare Misty, and her sweet half-sister Laura. When Katria's hand is sold to the highest bidder by Joyce, she somehow manages to remain optimistic and she is determined to make the best of that new situation. She wants to create a better life for herself, even though it's not a life that she's chosen. When she discovers that her husband, Lord Fenwood, is in fact a fae, Katria ends up involved in his scheme to regain his “rightful place” as King of the Faes.
The world-building, while being cliché for some fae aspects, was well-done and I love what Kova created here. It feels whimsical and enchanting. The magic system linked to runes and rituals is also different from what I'm used to with faes and I enjoyed it.
I vow then that I will never let this new husband or anyone else make me feel small. I will try with all my might to stand tall. I will never live cowering again.
Katria's optimism is inspiring. She is strong and determined to take control of her life and to never let anyone make her feel small or unimportant ever again. She also grows a lot in the few months during which this story takes place, going from an emotionally scarred and scared young woman to a confident person taking what she is owed. I love that she is driven and learning to stand up for herself, but as was the case in A Deal with the Elf King, I also found her a little bland. I still liked her more than Luella though.
“In time, I’m sure she will mean nothing to me and this will be little more than an infatuation. I will find a proper queen. And I will be free of this hold Katria has placed upon me.”
Davien is not a bad love interest, but he is not an exceptional character either. He is attractive, of course, and has a kind of brooding charm thing going on. His fierce protectiveness (which comes out more near the end of the book) is also attractive, but besides that, he does not stand out from the other love interests in fantasy books I've read. The whole "reclaiming my throne" quest is nothing new, but it was well done and well developed, it's his willingness to do anything to attain his goal that, while being quite realistic, was a little bit of a turn-off sometimes.
“Love isn’t like the storybooks. It’s a transaction at best.”
“No.” Davien takes a step forward, encroaching on my personal space. “Love is the closest thing we have to meaning in this world. The love of a mother for her children, the love between friends, the love of a husband and wife, love for who we are and all those who strove before us to hand us the world we have now—love is why we live, why we fight, why we carry on when things get tough…it is not always easy. But it is our reprieve from true hardship, not the hardship itself.”
Katria might not have known what the future held for her when her hand was sold, but she knew that her plans never included falling in love with her mysterious husband, Lord Fenwood, far from it actually, since Katria swore to never love anyone after seeing her father's love for Joyce ruin him and his family.
The slow-burn romance was well developed. I liked the uncertainty that was there at first when Katria was not allowed to even look at her husband. It added a mystery to their interactions, and it allowed her to get to know Davien and to make her own idea of him without falling for his gorgeous looks. Still, as the book moved forward, I felt that their connection was not that deep or strong, it kinda fell short. I like them well enough together, and I liked the little angst that was there for the second part of the book, but at the same time, the whole “let’s scratch an itch and say that there is no feelings involved” is always the BIGGESt lie there is in slow-burn romances. If you need to verbally make a deal that states that there are no feelings involved, it obviously means that feelings are involved, but you’re scared of what it means. Honestly, I am not a fan of this. I love the angst that comes with two characters trying to hide their feelings, but as soon as they verbalize the lie, I find that it loses its appeal. Overall, while being cute, they end up being just another fantasy couple, with nothing very different about them.
The story as a whole has a nice pace. It is a quick and entertaining read, but I could see most twists and “shocking” revelations coming from miles away. The betrayal was not a surprise, the hints were too obvious for me to miss so it kind of took away the surprise of it. The secondary characters are not bad, some of them seemed to be a little shady at first and I was not sure if I could trust them or not, but they ended up being quite bland and unsurprising (and even kinda interchangeable)... Overall the politics and alliances could have been more complex for sure, but since it's a "standalone in a series" book, I understand why it was kept light and simple. The main focus is really the romance.
“Why is it that it is so much easier for me to process being treated like a thing than a person? How is it that the latter hurts more?” I blurt.
Giles blinks several times over. His brows arch upward, knitting together in the middle. I can’t stand his pity already. “Because now you know this is how you should have been treated all along. Because you know that if one person sees you, respects you as they should, then there’s no excuse for anyone else not to. The fault does not lie—has never lain—with you, but rather the shortcomings of those you have been surrounded by. You were always worthy.”
While it's not the best book I've read, it's light and entertaining enough, and the romance is cute even though it's not the best developed I read. I would recommend this book (and this series) if you're looking for easy and enjoyable books with a straightforward plot focused on romance but are not looking for something super original or amazingly well-written.
1. A Deal with the Elf King ⭐⭐⭐
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June 20, 2023
"I would go to the ends of the earth for you."
"I would traverse worlds for you."
3.5 stars ✨
✔️ Cinderella retelling
✔️ Psyche and Eros retelling
✔️ Arranged marriage
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Angsty
Let me start by saying the main reason am reading this series is because of the cover of this book 👀🙈 I mean look at it, it's so beautiful 😍
Honestly this is a much better written book compared to A Deal with the Elf King. Although these can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in order as you get much depth to the world building.
I liked that the world building is more elaborate in this. I got a much better picture of the way the characters are set, especially the fae, elf and human realms. I liked how we got a teaser for the vampire realm, I have higher expectations for that one.
I loved the first half. It had everything I wanted- a steady and intriguing start, angsty romance paired with the Psyche and Eros retelling, and a plot that didn't feel tedious.
But sadly, the second half happened and that's where I had my problems with this book. I didn't like how predictable things got. I was able to tell exactly how things will unfold and there was such a lack of the shock factor- it bummed me out. I was disappointed with the way things turned out at the end. The pacing of the second half was also extremely slow and the story dragged.
Coming to the characters, Katria the FMC, is not the best written character. She lacks depth. She also is stubborn but not when it matters. She chooses to pick her battles poorly and I do not see her fit for the title she received at the end. Had the final battle given her more action, maybe I would have had a better opinion of her. Imo, she would have done far better as a simple love interest.
Davien the MMC, I liked how expressive he was. Even as Lord Fenwood I liked him, I appreciated he was trying to put in an effort but as Davien, I loved him. Davien was honest, upfront and not a pushover. He's the kind of guy, who's not afraid to communicate, and not afraid to call you out on your bs. The way he was so upfront about his feelings and what he wants, and expectations is such a bold move and I loved seeing that. Y'all am impressed, if you can't already tell 👀🤭
The romance was angsty, and swoon worthy. The chemistry between them is really nice. I liked the spice in this, much better than the previous book. And I loved Davien However I did not like how unreasonably stubborn Katria was.
The ending was okay-ish. I would've preferred if the outcome was different cause not a fan of Katria.
Overall it was a decent read and I did enjoy it fair bit. I like how the books are tying into each other. Cannot wait to start with A Duel with the Vampire Lord.
Did I mention how good Davien was?
"I would traverse worlds for you."
3.5 stars ✨
✔️ Cinderella retelling
✔️ Psyche and Eros retelling
✔️ Arranged marriage
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Angsty
Let me start by saying the main reason am reading this series is because of the cover of this book 👀🙈 I mean look at it, it's so beautiful 😍
Honestly this is a much better written book compared to A Deal with the Elf King. Although these can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in order as you get much depth to the world building.
I liked that the world building is more elaborate in this. I got a much better picture of the way the characters are set, especially the fae, elf and human realms. I liked how we got a teaser for the vampire realm, I have higher expectations for that one.
I loved the first half. It had everything I wanted- a steady and intriguing start, angsty romance paired with the Psyche and Eros retelling, and a plot that didn't feel tedious.
But sadly, the second half happened and that's where I had my problems with this book. I didn't like how predictable things got. I was able to tell exactly how things will unfold and there was such a lack of the shock factor- it bummed me out. I was disappointed with the way things turned out at the end. The pacing of the second half was also extremely slow and the story dragged.
Coming to the characters, Katria the FMC, is not the best written character. She lacks depth. She also is stubborn but not when it matters. She chooses to pick her battles poorly and I do not see her fit for the title she received at the end. Had the final battle given her more action, maybe I would have had a better opinion of her. Imo, she would have done far better as a simple love interest.
Davien the MMC, I liked how expressive he was. Even as Lord Fenwood I liked him, I appreciated he was trying to put in an effort but as Davien, I loved him. Davien was honest, upfront and not a pushover. He's the kind of guy, who's not afraid to communicate, and not afraid to call you out on your bs. The way he was so upfront about his feelings and what he wants, and expectations is such a bold move and I loved seeing that. Y'all am impressed, if you can't already tell 👀🤭
The romance was angsty, and swoon worthy. The chemistry between them is really nice. I liked the spice in this, much better than the previous book. And I loved Davien However I did not like how unreasonably stubborn Katria was.
The ending was okay-ish. I would've preferred if the outcome was different cause not a fan of Katria.
Overall it was a decent read and I did enjoy it fair bit. I like how the books are tying into each other. Cannot wait to start with A Duel with the Vampire Lord.
Did I mention how good Davien was?
January 8, 2023
(This review might contain minor spoiler)
First of all, I am glad that this one is so much better than I expected (and that it's also better than the first book). The cover is stunning too; I wouldn't have thought I'd enjoy a Cinderella retelling.
A Dance with the Fae Prince is a compelling story with decent foreshadowing that will have you glued to the page; it's lovely with just the right amount of whimsy and wonder. I am happy to be back at Midscape (and got so excited when they mentioned the Elf King ((and more excited when they hinted on the vampire that turns out to be the next book in the series)))
Despite growing up in an abusive household, which has impacted Katria's views on the world, she maintained an optimistic outlook and was determined to establish a better life for herself after being sold into marriage. However, the plan didn't include falling in love with her brooding yet charming husband, Gavien.
Katria's growth is aspiring and I love her determination in wanting to set her life right. However, Kova's hero is always so in between flat and sketchy. I find Gavien charming and attractive but I can't help to also find him boring as the story goes. The whole claiming throne kind of made me a bit put off with how vehement he was in doing so despite the foreknow twist of the event.
Unfortunately, there was a plot point I saw coming a mile off yet it takes too long for the truth to come out, consequently making this book unnecessary longer than it should be. The truth was shoved to us from the start but Katria is too slow to unravel the certitude behind her mother's book. The evident betrayal was also a major disappointment.
Nevertheless, another good thing about this book though is its well-through world-building. I enjoyed the fae world that Kova wrote even with the stereotypical attributes. I adored learning about the magic system and the rituals in this book and how the land of fae operated. I don't feel entangled or confused by the politics of this world. Most of the side characters are likeable too!
I enjoyed the slow burn in the romance, especially the whole ordeal where Katria has yet to know what her husband looks like even after living together. It makes me want to move further and see how it unfolds. Unfortunately, I feel like the building up to their romance fell short as I couldn't feel a strong connection between the two. Both of them are adorable but still not enough to make me love them as a whole (for some reason, this has been the same issue I had with A Deal with the Elf King probably because of the shortcomings in the male lead department).
Altogether, I like this book more and there were many interesting things ensued compared to the first one but it could also definitely be better!
[3.5/5]
First of all, I am glad that this one is so much better than I expected (and that it's also better than the first book). The cover is stunning too; I wouldn't have thought I'd enjoy a Cinderella retelling.
A Dance with the Fae Prince is a compelling story with decent foreshadowing that will have you glued to the page; it's lovely with just the right amount of whimsy and wonder. I am happy to be back at Midscape (and got so excited when they mentioned the Elf King ((and more excited when they hinted on the vampire that turns out to be the next book in the series)))
"I found a mind, thought for myself, and become my own ruler"
Despite growing up in an abusive household, which has impacted Katria's views on the world, she maintained an optimistic outlook and was determined to establish a better life for herself after being sold into marriage. However, the plan didn't include falling in love with her brooding yet charming husband, Gavien.
Katria's growth is aspiring and I love her determination in wanting to set her life right. However, Kova's hero is always so in between flat and sketchy. I find Gavien charming and attractive but I can't help to also find him boring as the story goes. The whole claiming throne kind of made me a bit put off with how vehement he was in doing so despite the foreknow twist of the event.
Unfortunately, there was a plot point I saw coming a mile off yet it takes too long for the truth to come out, consequently making this book unnecessary longer than it should be. The truth was shoved to us from the start but Katria is too slow to unravel the certitude behind her mother's book. The evident betrayal was also a major disappointment.
Nevertheless, another good thing about this book though is its well-through world-building. I enjoyed the fae world that Kova wrote even with the stereotypical attributes. I adored learning about the magic system and the rituals in this book and how the land of fae operated. I don't feel entangled or confused by the politics of this world. Most of the side characters are likeable too!
"We will be each other's teacher tonight, and eager student"
I enjoyed the slow burn in the romance, especially the whole ordeal where Katria has yet to know what her husband looks like even after living together. It makes me want to move further and see how it unfolds. Unfortunately, I feel like the building up to their romance fell short as I couldn't feel a strong connection between the two. Both of them are adorable but still not enough to make me love them as a whole (for some reason, this has been the same issue I had with A Deal with the Elf King probably because of the shortcomings in the male lead department).
Altogether, I like this book more and there were many interesting things ensued compared to the first one but it could also definitely be better!
[3.5/5]
August 14, 2023
“I want you to kiss me all over until there is not a part of my body that you don’t know. I want you to explore me with your tongue and fingers. I want you to make me yours as a man should make his wife. I want you to go slow until I am breathless and begging, and then I want you to go hard. I want to shatter together and fall like the silvery arcs of shooting stars as we descend from heaven of our making.”
Spice Meter: 🌶️
⚠️Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse⚠️
I had very low expectations going into this, given that the last one didn't quite deliver. It was the right choice, though, because I enjoyed this a little bit more knowing what I was getting into. This book is as mediocre and filled with cheesy dialogue as the first one. On top of that, while the plot is relatively interesting and easy to read through, it is ridiculously predictable. Literally none of the plot twists are shocking. I called them all from the start.
Regardless, it is a fun read. It is loosely based on Cinderella, as Katria is abused by her stepmother and stepsister before she's married off to a stranger. She has another stepsister who's nicer but pretty much a coward and completely usless. The story is also based on the Greek myth of Psyche and Eros, given that Katria isn't allowed to look at her husband in the beginning of the book. It's a pretty unnecessary addition, in my opinion, as he's pretty dramatically revealed to her (and us) but we already know what he looks like since he's on the cover.
The characters are really likable, as well. I was surprised to feel a connection to them right away, I wasn't too impressed with Luella and Eldas in the previous book. However, Katria's and Davien's backstories have a bit more substance and emotion so it was easier to feel for them. Besides, other characters like Raph, Katria's friend in the Fae world, is absolutely adorable and cheeky. He adds flavor to this fun but basic story. The romance is also cheesy and a little rushed, but Katria and Davien have a little more chemistry, there's a satisfying amount of sexual tension between them. Despite their cliché expression of love, I genuinely enjoyed reading about them falling for each other.
Davien's Bonus Scene:
"What will we do with these women that so consume us?
Create the most magnificent world for them to live in?
That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Spice Level: 🌶️
I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed this little bonus scene. I got a glimpse of Eldas, Luella, and their baby girl Aruna, who's half-elf, half-human. The Fae Kingdom and the Elf Kingdom are uniting at last, despite their differences and the hate between them, which is nice but also the obvious course of events. Also, Davien watching Katria playing with baby Aruna and fantasizing about what his children will be like is pretty cute. I as have said before, I am a sucker for things like that. The romance is unsurprisingly still cheesy but a little less cringy this time. Although, Davien bonding with Eldas over the hurricanes that are their wives is as sweet as it is cheesy.
There is some exposition on the vampires, which will be the focus of the next book in the series. It is a fairly good set-up for A Duel with the Vampire Lord, creating a little mystery and interest through this little scene, though I'm sure it'll be just as cheesy and predictable as the previous two. No hate, I'm actually having fun with them. There is also a pretty major plot twist, about Katria and her family, I did not find it entirely surprising, but still not completely predictable either. I sort of suspected it but wasn't sure.
January 11, 2022
didn't love this as much as i thought i would, the middle was extremely slow and there were some things that frustrated me, but it was still a fun book with an arranged marriage. and i love the magic in this world.
October 3, 2021
I'm always excited to read a new Elise Kova book - I'm a huge fan and always looking forward to her releases. But there's just something about this series that hasn't clicked with me yet
ME WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS COVER
UNFORTUNATELY, ALSO ME DURING SOME OF THE BOOK
🆗 BETTER THAN A Deal with the Elf King, but I still thought it was a little slow and I just wasn't addicted to finishing the book
❌ THE PLOT WAS very linear and there was a lot of foreshadowing, which made the twists and reveals unsurprising and probably contributed to not being very exciting for me
❌ IT REALLY BOTHERED me that she called Helen and Laura her sisters instead of her stepsisters idk haha 🙄
✅ SLOWBURN AND ENEMIES to lovers is something you can never go wrong with and this was not an exception!
✅ THIS WAS STEAMY for Elise Kova standards 💕 A mix between an open-door and closed-door romance because while nothing was explicitly described, it definitely happened on page
❌ THE SPEECH PATTERN and the general tone was very formal... which reminded me a lot of Historical Romance books but felt a little off for a fantasy-romance
✅ I'M STILL A HUGE FAN of this world and the concept behind this series. I love how each book explores a different part of the world and I just love fantasy romance! Plus the world-building is always great
Overall, I think this book delivers exactly what it's marketed as, a standalone enemies-to-lovers romance in a fun fantasy world. I wouldn't go into this expecting a super intense plot or mind-blowing twists due to the fact that it is a standalone where everything ties up nicely in the end. I would recommend reading it if you're looking for a quick and straightforward fantasy romance that still has a robust magic system and world
Steam Scale: 🔥🔥/5
Swoon Scale: ❤️❤️/5
ME WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS COVER
UNFORTUNATELY, ALSO ME DURING SOME OF THE BOOK
🆗 BETTER THAN A Deal with the Elf King, but I still thought it was a little slow and I just wasn't addicted to finishing the book
❌ THE PLOT WAS very linear and there was a lot of foreshadowing, which made the twists and reveals unsurprising and probably contributed to not being very exciting for me
❌ IT REALLY BOTHERED me that she called Helen and Laura her sisters instead of her stepsisters idk haha 🙄
✅ SLOWBURN AND ENEMIES to lovers is something you can never go wrong with and this was not an exception!
✅ THIS WAS STEAMY for Elise Kova standards 💕 A mix between an open-door and closed-door romance because while nothing was explicitly described, it definitely happened on page
❌ THE SPEECH PATTERN and the general tone was very formal... which reminded me a lot of Historical Romance books but felt a little off for a fantasy-romance
✅ I'M STILL A HUGE FAN of this world and the concept behind this series. I love how each book explores a different part of the world and I just love fantasy romance! Plus the world-building is always great
Overall, I think this book delivers exactly what it's marketed as, a standalone enemies-to-lovers romance in a fun fantasy world. I wouldn't go into this expecting a super intense plot or mind-blowing twists due to the fact that it is a standalone where everything ties up nicely in the end. I would recommend reading it if you're looking for a quick and straightforward fantasy romance that still has a robust magic system and world
Steam Scale: 🔥🔥/5
Swoon Scale: ❤️❤️/5
October 5, 2022
i want to like these books so bad but omg are they boring as hell!!! this book started very strong, i was loving the romance in the beginning, which was exciting considering this was supposed to be a cinderella mixed with cupid and psyche kind of retelling, which if you didn’t know is my favorite greek mythology. and making it fae? what could possibly go wrong! i even had so many lines highlighted but once i got to the plot of the book i was left extremely bored. i found the main character extremely annoying and honestly a mary sue of a character as her only traits are having a shitty family, being able to play the flute and being able to easily spot a lot. which honestly was a waste of a really unique trait for a character. i really want to read the next book but i’m not sure if i want to waste my time and be left with another boring plotline
October 29, 2022
2.75-3 stars
I think I am over arranged marriage books.
Katria was an interesting character and I really liked her obsession with her horse. She had a slightly mysterious backstory because of her mother as well as a built out past because of her new family.
Sadly the entire romance story of this book wasn't for me and by that I mean I felt no connection nor love.
Lord Fenwood and Katria were great at teasing each other and I really enjoyed those little bantering scenes but Katria went from 0-100 in 2 seconds.
I mean don't get me wrong go fall in love with him but why? He was a petty little child would would probably cry if he had one less chicken nugget than you.
I get that the Lord was mysterious in the beginning and why but some of the rules made no sense to me and created plot holes. Like why was she not allowed to do some of these things? We never find out but okay.
Then the ritual scene was obviously an important scene and I get why but then again, after that I disliked the Lord because he turned into a petty child.
I was way more interested in the side characters than the mc's because I thought people like Ralph as well as Vina and the other fae had way more personalities than the others.
I also am not very happy with the plot twists in the end. I feel like one of them was very obvious and would have been way more interesting if it had been somebody else and the second one, THAT I DID NOT GUESS, was good but made me a bit confused in the end because of this beautiful thing called FAMILY RELATIONS.
Overall this is okay to bad for me but if you like fae stories you might like this I think I just am not that much into faes.
I think I am over arranged marriage books.
Katria was an interesting character and I really liked her obsession with her horse. She had a slightly mysterious backstory because of her mother as well as a built out past because of her new family.
Sadly the entire romance story of this book wasn't for me and by that I mean I felt no connection nor love.
Lord Fenwood and Katria were great at teasing each other and I really enjoyed those little bantering scenes but Katria went from 0-100 in 2 seconds.
I mean don't get me wrong go fall in love with him but why? He was a petty little child would would probably cry if he had one less chicken nugget than you.
I get that the Lord was mysterious in the beginning and why but some of the rules made no sense to me and created plot holes. Like why was she not allowed to do some of these things? We never find out but okay.
Then the ritual scene was obviously an important scene and I get why but then again, after that I disliked the Lord because he turned into a petty child.
I was way more interested in the side characters than the mc's because I thought people like Ralph as well as Vina and the other fae had way more personalities than the others.
I also am not very happy with the plot twists in the end. I feel like one of them was very obvious and would have been way more interesting if it had been somebody else and the second one, THAT I DID NOT GUESS, was good but made me a bit confused in the end because of this beautiful thing called FAMILY RELATIONS.
Overall this is okay to bad for me but if you like fae stories you might like this I think I just am not that much into faes.
July 29, 2021
She knew her hand in marriage would be sold. She had no idea a fae prince was the buyer.
A Dance with the Fae Prince takes you on a journey to whimsical, marvelous lands full of magic and wonder, through the eyes of a female protagonist who is trying to find her place in the world and is yet to discover what true, pure love feels like.
I vow then that I will never let this new husband or anyone else make me feel small. I will try with all my might to stand tall. I will never live cowering again.
Katria is a young woman who swore to never fall in love—and with good reasons. But when her hand in marriage is sold to the mysterious Lord Fenwood, Katria finds that not falling in love with that man is not as easy as she thought. And when she witnesses a ritual she was never meant to see, between creatures that were meant to be only a story, she is whisked away to a land of magic and wonder. There, she will not only discover the secret her husband was hiding from her, but she will also have to learn to control a power that is now within her and that the future of the fae depends on. Will she survive the dangerous situation she finds herself in? And more importantly, will she survive the love that’s starting to brew inside her heart?
“Magic is one of the greatest things we will ever know and never be able to explain. To know magic is to touch the old gods that brought this earth from primordial chaos. It is to embrace the glimpse of greatness that we all possess within us—to boldly reach for what could be and not what is, both in ourselves and the world around us.”
I absolutely adored this book!! For a stand-alone, its world building is mesmerizing and amazing—Elise Kova knows how to create worlds full of magic and wonder, with complicated politics and characters, and still make them completely understandable to the reader from the very first moment. Although this book happens in Married to Magic shared universe (the same world in which A Deal with the Elf King takes place), you can still read A Dance with the Fae Prince first and completely understand everything! Plus, I don’t think it spoils anything about the other book, so you can read A Dance first and A Deal later without having it spoiled (which is pretty cool!). I loved we got to explore new parts about Midscape, its peoples and their own lore, and I can’t wait to see what the next books in this universe will bring!
I want to live—more than anything—and because I want that, I refuse to spend my hours as someone’s thing. I’m going to live my life, the way I want to live it, or die trying. So help me live or be ready to kill me.
Now, moving on to the story and its characters. The synopsis says this book is inspired by the tales of Psyche and Eros, and by Cinderella, and you can clearly see that from the beginning. Katria, the protagonist, comes from an abusive household (trigger warning!) because of her stepmother and sisters, and this is something that impacts how she acts, feels, and even the way she sees the world. I think it was really brave and inspiring that Elise chose to write a protagonist with such a past, because it helped shine a light on an issue or situation that many people may be going through or have gone through. I feel there may be many readers who could really find hope, inspiration, and strength in her story.
“This is a whole city of rogues. Vigilantes. Ne’er-do-wells. Treasonous scoundrels who don’t fit in anywhere else and would slit our current king’s neck if we had the chance.”
“Everyone has seemed lovely to me,” I counter, digging into the food.
The rest of the characters were also great. The secondary characters were fierce yet funny and lovely, and were a nice contrast to Katria’s personality and humanity. The antagonists were well written and helped move the plot along. And Davien (also called Lord Fenwood, Katria’s love interest) is the sexy, swoon-worthy male character you can expect from these kind of books. And speaking of these two…
“No love.” It sounds like a promise. “Though, if you let me, I will make you feel.”
“Feel what?” My voice quivers.
“Everything.”
“Davien…” I sigh his name like a soft prayer. I’ve never believed in the old gods the elderly in town pay homage to. But if I’d paid more attention to them I’d bet they’d have a name like him.
The chemistry between them was one of the best things about this book. Davien is the perfect example of a “man written by a woman” that we all wished existed in real life. He’s a fae who’s lived a hard life and has his own desires and things to achieve in life (like Katria once says, “A man with a noble mission is more attractive than I ever expected”), yet he finds himself falling for Katria and willing to do everything in his power just to be by her side and make her happy. The chemistry between them was slowly and beautifully built, and I liked a lot of romantic quotes from their interactions. If you like fantasy books with really romantic, swoon-worthy couples, then you’ll absolutely adore A Dance with the Fae Prince!
He’s like a poisonous draught that promises to be the most delicious thing in the world…you’d knowingly risk death just for a taste.
The only reason why I couldn’t give this book 5⭐ (I rate it 4.5⭐) is because I couldn’t really connect with the protagonist, and I felt that the love between her and Davien was more plot-driven than anything—which I didn’t feel was the case at all in comparison to the other book in this series, A Deal with the Elf King. Also, the big plot twist was fairly obvious from early on so it didn’t shock me as much as I would have liked it to. But I still deeply enjoyed reading it all, and this is something that happened to me but may not be the case with any other reader.
“Go and play, for me. Fill my world with your song.”
That being said, there were many other things in this book that I absolutely adored. For example, I really enjoyed Elise’s prose in this particular book: it felt more poetic and deeper than usual, and how she described not just the world but also the character’s feelings and thoughts was magic itself. The plot is a bit fast-paced at the beginning, which I appreciated, and then it keeps a good rhythm. I also relished how important the music was to Katria and to the story itself! I have never read a book where music was important, and I adored how it was treated here almost like another brand of magic—I’m sure many readers who are music lovers like Katria will love this!
I am whole and broken and mending. I am all of those things, and more.
To sum up, A Dance with the Fae Prince is amazing. Take a wonderful fairytale, but make it spicy and give it a breathtaking world-building and an intriguing political background, and you get a phenomenal fantasy book like only Elise Kova can write. This book touches on important themes such as recovering from abuse, healthy love and friendship, and recognizing one’s true worth, all mixed with elements every fantasy reader enjoys, like fae creatures, magical kingdoms with their peoples and lore, an evil king and the struggle against him, adventure, intrigue, and more. This book has it all—from breath-taking fight scenes to swoon-worthy spicy moments. If you love tropes like “touch her and I’ll kill you” male characters, arranged marriage, and slow-burn romance; if you enjoy YA fae books like An Enchantment of Ravens or The Cruel Prince; or if you’re in the mood to read a stand-alone that will sweep you to faraway lands full of magic and danger and romance and happy endings, then you will adore A Dance with the Fae Prince.
“Love isn’t like the storybooks. It’s a transaction at best.”
“No.” Davien takes a step forward, encroaching on my personal space. “Love is the closest thing we have to meaning in this world. The love of a mother for her children, the love between friends, the love of a husband and wife, love for who we are and all those who strove before us to hand us the world we have now—love is why we live, why we fight, why we carry on when things get tough…it is not always easy. But it is our reprieve from true hardship, not the hardship itself.”
Thank you so much to BOMM Tours and Elise Kova for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book. It’s an honor and privilege to be a part of your Tower Guard.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of emotional and physical abuse by family members, fantasy violence.
A Dance with the Fae Prince takes you on a journey to whimsical, marvelous lands full of magic and wonder, through the eyes of a female protagonist who is trying to find her place in the world and is yet to discover what true, pure love feels like.
I vow then that I will never let this new husband or anyone else make me feel small. I will try with all my might to stand tall. I will never live cowering again.
Katria is a young woman who swore to never fall in love—and with good reasons. But when her hand in marriage is sold to the mysterious Lord Fenwood, Katria finds that not falling in love with that man is not as easy as she thought. And when she witnesses a ritual she was never meant to see, between creatures that were meant to be only a story, she is whisked away to a land of magic and wonder. There, she will not only discover the secret her husband was hiding from her, but she will also have to learn to control a power that is now within her and that the future of the fae depends on. Will she survive the dangerous situation she finds herself in? And more importantly, will she survive the love that’s starting to brew inside her heart?
“Magic is one of the greatest things we will ever know and never be able to explain. To know magic is to touch the old gods that brought this earth from primordial chaos. It is to embrace the glimpse of greatness that we all possess within us—to boldly reach for what could be and not what is, both in ourselves and the world around us.”
I absolutely adored this book!! For a stand-alone, its world building is mesmerizing and amazing—Elise Kova knows how to create worlds full of magic and wonder, with complicated politics and characters, and still make them completely understandable to the reader from the very first moment. Although this book happens in Married to Magic shared universe (the same world in which A Deal with the Elf King takes place), you can still read A Dance with the Fae Prince first and completely understand everything! Plus, I don’t think it spoils anything about the other book, so you can read A Dance first and A Deal later without having it spoiled (which is pretty cool!). I loved we got to explore new parts about Midscape, its peoples and their own lore, and I can’t wait to see what the next books in this universe will bring!
I want to live—more than anything—and because I want that, I refuse to spend my hours as someone’s thing. I’m going to live my life, the way I want to live it, or die trying. So help me live or be ready to kill me.
Now, moving on to the story and its characters. The synopsis says this book is inspired by the tales of Psyche and Eros, and by Cinderella, and you can clearly see that from the beginning. Katria, the protagonist, comes from an abusive household (trigger warning!) because of her stepmother and sisters, and this is something that impacts how she acts, feels, and even the way she sees the world. I think it was really brave and inspiring that Elise chose to write a protagonist with such a past, because it helped shine a light on an issue or situation that many people may be going through or have gone through. I feel there may be many readers who could really find hope, inspiration, and strength in her story.
“This is a whole city of rogues. Vigilantes. Ne’er-do-wells. Treasonous scoundrels who don’t fit in anywhere else and would slit our current king’s neck if we had the chance.”
“Everyone has seemed lovely to me,” I counter, digging into the food.
The rest of the characters were also great. The secondary characters were fierce yet funny and lovely, and were a nice contrast to Katria’s personality and humanity. The antagonists were well written and helped move the plot along. And Davien (also called Lord Fenwood, Katria’s love interest) is the sexy, swoon-worthy male character you can expect from these kind of books. And speaking of these two…
“No love.” It sounds like a promise. “Though, if you let me, I will make you feel.”
“Feel what?” My voice quivers.
“Everything.”
“Davien…” I sigh his name like a soft prayer. I’ve never believed in the old gods the elderly in town pay homage to. But if I’d paid more attention to them I’d bet they’d have a name like him.
The chemistry between them was one of the best things about this book. Davien is the perfect example of a “man written by a woman” that we all wished existed in real life. He’s a fae who’s lived a hard life and has his own desires and things to achieve in life (like Katria once says, “A man with a noble mission is more attractive than I ever expected”), yet he finds himself falling for Katria and willing to do everything in his power just to be by her side and make her happy. The chemistry between them was slowly and beautifully built, and I liked a lot of romantic quotes from their interactions. If you like fantasy books with really romantic, swoon-worthy couples, then you’ll absolutely adore A Dance with the Fae Prince!
He’s like a poisonous draught that promises to be the most delicious thing in the world…you’d knowingly risk death just for a taste.
The only reason why I couldn’t give this book 5⭐ (I rate it 4.5⭐) is because I couldn’t really connect with the protagonist, and I felt that the love between her and Davien was more plot-driven than anything—which I didn’t feel was the case at all in comparison to the other book in this series, A Deal with the Elf King. Also, the big plot twist was fairly obvious from early on so it didn’t shock me as much as I would have liked it to. But I still deeply enjoyed reading it all, and this is something that happened to me but may not be the case with any other reader.
“Go and play, for me. Fill my world with your song.”
That being said, there were many other things in this book that I absolutely adored. For example, I really enjoyed Elise’s prose in this particular book: it felt more poetic and deeper than usual, and how she described not just the world but also the character’s feelings and thoughts was magic itself. The plot is a bit fast-paced at the beginning, which I appreciated, and then it keeps a good rhythm. I also relished how important the music was to Katria and to the story itself! I have never read a book where music was important, and I adored how it was treated here almost like another brand of magic—I’m sure many readers who are music lovers like Katria will love this!
I am whole and broken and mending. I am all of those things, and more.
To sum up, A Dance with the Fae Prince is amazing. Take a wonderful fairytale, but make it spicy and give it a breathtaking world-building and an intriguing political background, and you get a phenomenal fantasy book like only Elise Kova can write. This book touches on important themes such as recovering from abuse, healthy love and friendship, and recognizing one’s true worth, all mixed with elements every fantasy reader enjoys, like fae creatures, magical kingdoms with their peoples and lore, an evil king and the struggle against him, adventure, intrigue, and more. This book has it all—from breath-taking fight scenes to swoon-worthy spicy moments. If you love tropes like “touch her and I’ll kill you” male characters, arranged marriage, and slow-burn romance; if you enjoy YA fae books like An Enchantment of Ravens or The Cruel Prince; or if you’re in the mood to read a stand-alone that will sweep you to faraway lands full of magic and danger and romance and happy endings, then you will adore A Dance with the Fae Prince.
“Love isn’t like the storybooks. It’s a transaction at best.”
“No.” Davien takes a step forward, encroaching on my personal space. “Love is the closest thing we have to meaning in this world. The love of a mother for her children, the love between friends, the love of a husband and wife, love for who we are and all those who strove before us to hand us the world we have now—love is why we live, why we fight, why we carry on when things get tough…it is not always easy. But it is our reprieve from true hardship, not the hardship itself.”
Thank you so much to BOMM Tours and Elise Kova for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book. It’s an honor and privilege to be a part of your Tower Guard.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of emotional and physical abuse by family members, fantasy violence.
Want to read
July 28, 2021SJDFLKJSDLFKJSDLKFJLK THAT COVER PLS IT'S MAJESTIC
January 27, 2022
hmm... I don't know what to think about this one, it was good , but on the other hand a little too boring for my taste and solid. Ultimately, A Dance With the Fae Prince is a decent beach read. I enjoyed it, even though I didn’t love it. And I definitely wouldn’t call it a slow-burn romance; it’s a far, far cry from that.
━━━✿━━━━━━✿━━━
Time and again, Katria is taught to believe that love is a betrayal; it is pain, disappointment, and abandonment. this is exactly what love and affection begins to feel like. Kova captured the psychological and emotional damage done by repeated abuse, and how it twists our view of the world around us as a dangerous place.
credit
All this said, there were definitely aspects of A Dance With the Fae Prince that I didn’t care for. Sadly, the romance was the #1 frustration. katria, i understood. her feelings were introduced slowly, and made sense. however, with davien, it felt very sudden. he didn’t like her, then at one point he did.
Everyone heralded this book as the ultimate slow burn that was bursting with sizzling attraction between Katria and Davien. It was also repeatedly compared to The Cruel Prince to an unholy degree, which only further intrigued me and heightened my expectations.
But as I journeyed through A Dance With the Fae Prince, disappointment nipped at my heels. For one, I didn’t sense any chemistry between Davien and Katria. It’s obvious that Katria likes him, as evidenced by having a crush only two minutes after meeting him (but not seeing his face). But there’s nothing substantial to support this is a two-way budding romance.
If anything, Davien’s questionable attitude and actions towards Katria during their marriage and as they travel through Midscape, suggested the opposite. It’s kind of hard to feel that hot, sweet love when the guy is repeatedly stating how naive, stupid, and lacking Katria is. Davien places all of the blame of their situation on her, accusing her of deliberately stealing his magic.
Throw in the entire journey through Midscape to Dreamscape—her feet were bleeding, her clothes were soaking wet, and she was a starving, exhausted mess, but he didn’t care—and it’s not hard to be confused at the sudden 180 that takes place around the halfway mark of the book.
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Then there’s the issue of Davien Aviness himself, who wasn’t all that impressive. He embodied the same brooding a**hole trope for half the book, often saying one thing and then acting out the opposite. He makes it a point to put Katria down, time and again, while also trying to convince her she’s worthy of his love.
And tries to convince her that love isn’t pain, even though his own “love” actually reinforces her belief that it is pain. I’m not sure if this was the intention of the author or if the inconsistencies were an accident, but I didn’t buy his feelings for Katria.
Don’t get me wrong! I love a brooding cinntrovert, but only when they have layers to their personalities. Only when their motives make sense. Having a male character sex up the protagonist and say “I love you” doesn’t actually conjure up chemistry or make up for a lack of genuine feelings on display. Nor does it reveal holes and cracks in his facade.
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I can't resist not putting this gorgeous fan-arts here, this one is very very fresh by credit
The plot was not thrilling as it was weak. I did not expect a complex plot but I do feel like I enjoyed the first book more than this one. The main ‘twist’ of the book was (to me at least) easily guessable. There are a lot of clues and hints dropped throughout the book and when it all came to light I was not in the slightest bit surprised.
Some readers absolutely LOVE predictable plots, and it’s something even *I* can be in the mood for at times, but honestly, I think the plot here was a little too juvenile for me. There wasn’t a moment I was surprised, caught off guard, or excited for the action unraveling. Even when Katria warned Davien of a possible betrayal, it wasn’t news to me when it turned out to be true. It was obvious.
But it’s entertaining as hell with its comedic dialogue folded between mounting tensions. It’s comforting, fun, and easy to breeze through in a day. Hol, Sheya, and Giles are the best traveling buddies ever, making each turn of the page full of laughter and snark, not to mention true friendship.
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Time and again, Katria is taught to believe that love is a betrayal; it is pain, disappointment, and abandonment. this is exactly what love and affection begins to feel like. Kova captured the psychological and emotional damage done by repeated abuse, and how it twists our view of the world around us as a dangerous place.
credit
All this said, there were definitely aspects of A Dance With the Fae Prince that I didn’t care for. Sadly, the romance was the #1 frustration. katria, i understood. her feelings were introduced slowly, and made sense. however, with davien, it felt very sudden. he didn’t like her, then at one point he did.
Everyone heralded this book as the ultimate slow burn that was bursting with sizzling attraction between Katria and Davien. It was also repeatedly compared to The Cruel Prince to an unholy degree, which only further intrigued me and heightened my expectations.
But as I journeyed through A Dance With the Fae Prince, disappointment nipped at my heels. For one, I didn’t sense any chemistry between Davien and Katria. It’s obvious that Katria likes him, as evidenced by having a crush only two minutes after meeting him (but not seeing his face). But there’s nothing substantial to support this is a two-way budding romance.
If anything, Davien’s questionable attitude and actions towards Katria during their marriage and as they travel through Midscape, suggested the opposite. It’s kind of hard to feel that hot, sweet love when the guy is repeatedly stating how naive, stupid, and lacking Katria is. Davien places all of the blame of their situation on her, accusing her of deliberately stealing his magic.
Throw in the entire journey through Midscape to Dreamscape—her feet were bleeding, her clothes were soaking wet, and she was a starving, exhausted mess, but he didn’t care—and it’s not hard to be confused at the sudden 180 that takes place around the halfway mark of the book.
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Then there’s the issue of Davien Aviness himself, who wasn’t all that impressive. He embodied the same brooding a**hole trope for half the book, often saying one thing and then acting out the opposite. He makes it a point to put Katria down, time and again, while also trying to convince her she’s worthy of his love.
And tries to convince her that love isn’t pain, even though his own “love” actually reinforces her belief that it is pain. I’m not sure if this was the intention of the author or if the inconsistencies were an accident, but I didn’t buy his feelings for Katria.
Don’t get me wrong! I love a brooding cinntrovert, but only when they have layers to their personalities. Only when their motives make sense. Having a male character sex up the protagonist and say “I love you” doesn’t actually conjure up chemistry or make up for a lack of genuine feelings on display. Nor does it reveal holes and cracks in his facade.
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I can't resist not putting this gorgeous fan-arts here, this one is very very fresh by credit
The plot was not thrilling as it was weak. I did not expect a complex plot but I do feel like I enjoyed the first book more than this one. The main ‘twist’ of the book was (to me at least) easily guessable. There are a lot of clues and hints dropped throughout the book and when it all came to light I was not in the slightest bit surprised.
Some readers absolutely LOVE predictable plots, and it’s something even *I* can be in the mood for at times, but honestly, I think the plot here was a little too juvenile for me. There wasn’t a moment I was surprised, caught off guard, or excited for the action unraveling. Even when Katria warned Davien of a possible betrayal, it wasn’t news to me when it turned out to be true. It was obvious.
But it’s entertaining as hell with its comedic dialogue folded between mounting tensions. It’s comforting, fun, and easy to breeze through in a day. Hol, Sheya, and Giles are the best traveling buddies ever, making each turn of the page full of laughter and snark, not to mention true friendship.
August 21, 2021
2.5 - this was dreadfully boring :/
August 24, 2021
This one had marriage of convenience and strong tangled vibes. Can’t wait until the next one. full RTC
March 3, 2023
Bueno, el libro fue principalmente una decepción 😒
"Un baile con el principe de los fae" es el segundo libro que leo de la autora, siendo el primero "un trato con el rey de los elfos", el primero de esta colección.
Debo decir que esperaba bastante más, me enganchó menos que el anterior y los personajes me dieron todos bastante igual.
La historia nos presenta a Katria, una joven cuya madrastra decide venderla en matrimonio para pagar las deudas familiares. Pero el misterioso marido de Katria no es quien parece ser, tiene actitudes extrañas y todo lo que quiere es un libro que lleva mucho tiempo en la familia de ella.
Lo único que le puedo llegar a rescatar al libro es la ambientación. Me encantan los libros de fantasía situados en mundos medievales, lleno de tabernas, ferias, castillos, con mucha magia alrededor. Las descripciones son muy bonitas y las disfruté un montón.
La trama me resultó súper predecible, desde un comienzo adiviné todo lo que iba a pasar, de principio a fin. Además de la gran parte del libro eran escenas con bastante relleno que me llegaron a aburrir.
Los personajes terminaron siendo súper planos todos, los buenos demasiado buenos y los malos demasiado malos. Una banda entera de personajes secundarios donde ninguno me llegó a importar demasiado. Me daba gracia el hecho de que varios de los secundarios tenían más historia y más carácter que el interés romántico de la protagonista. Hasta incluso aparecían más tiempo en escena! Jaja
Y el romance parece chiste, leí el libro entero y sigo sin saber en qué momento se llegaron a enamorar. Sentí que nunca se conocieron entre si, y el lector tampoco llegó a conocer su relación, fue muy instantánea y una de las cosas más decepcionantes del libro.
No lo recomiendo, a menos que no hayan leído mucha fantasía y quieran adentrarse en el género.
Yo leyendo un baile con el principe de los fae: 😬🥴😒🤨🥱
"Un baile con el principe de los fae" es el segundo libro que leo de la autora, siendo el primero "un trato con el rey de los elfos", el primero de esta colección.
Debo decir que esperaba bastante más, me enganchó menos que el anterior y los personajes me dieron todos bastante igual.
La historia nos presenta a Katria, una joven cuya madrastra decide venderla en matrimonio para pagar las deudas familiares. Pero el misterioso marido de Katria no es quien parece ser, tiene actitudes extrañas y todo lo que quiere es un libro que lleva mucho tiempo en la familia de ella.
Lo único que le puedo llegar a rescatar al libro es la ambientación. Me encantan los libros de fantasía situados en mundos medievales, lleno de tabernas, ferias, castillos, con mucha magia alrededor. Las descripciones son muy bonitas y las disfruté un montón.
La trama me resultó súper predecible, desde un comienzo adiviné todo lo que iba a pasar, de principio a fin. Además de la gran parte del libro eran escenas con bastante relleno que me llegaron a aburrir.
Los personajes terminaron siendo súper planos todos, los buenos demasiado buenos y los malos demasiado malos. Una banda entera de personajes secundarios donde ninguno me llegó a importar demasiado. Me daba gracia el hecho de que varios de los secundarios tenían más historia y más carácter que el interés romántico de la protagonista. Hasta incluso aparecían más tiempo en escena! Jaja
Y el romance parece chiste, leí el libro entero y sigo sin saber en qué momento se llegaron a enamorar. Sentí que nunca se conocieron entre si, y el lector tampoco llegó a conocer su relación, fue muy instantánea y una de las cosas más decepcionantes del libro.
No lo recomiendo, a menos que no hayan leído mucha fantasía y quieran adentrarse en el género.
Yo leyendo un baile con el principe de los fae: 😬🥴😒🤨🥱
January 19, 2022
3 Stars
Best thing about this book is the cover, hands down, because the actual story was boring and it felt like it took an eternity to read. I did like the Cinderella aspect, the writing prose, and the bonus scene, but other than those, I couldn't wait for the story to end. The heroine was a bit annoying with how much she constantly brought up her past, and how wishy washy she was. She was constantly like "I hate love, I'll never fall in love" but falls in love the next page, or "you're not my king" but then calls him "my king" the next day (that part was super cringe tbh), and her actual identity was drawn out for an overly long time for how how much we already expected it.
The hero I didn't care for either. He was bland, weak, and immature. I don't understand why they even love each other when they have so few interactions. He listens to her play the lute for a bit, she asks him a few questions, then BAM! They're in love and she can't stop thinking of him, even though he so easily said he can forget about her when she goes back to her own world. I wish he had to suffer just a bit too🤷
The tension was off, obvious plot twists, unbelievable romance, and a dragging plot. SO MUCH potential, and so disappointing. I will be reading the next book just because ~vampires🔥~ but my expectations are low 😅
Safety: safe
No ow/om drama
Both virgins
No cheating/sharing
Best thing about this book is the cover, hands down, because the actual story was boring and it felt like it took an eternity to read. I did like the Cinderella aspect, the writing prose, and the bonus scene, but other than those, I couldn't wait for the story to end. The heroine was a bit annoying with how much she constantly brought up her past, and how wishy washy she was. She was constantly like "I hate love, I'll never fall in love" but falls in love the next page, or "you're not my king" but then calls him "my king" the next day (that part was super cringe tbh), and her actual identity was drawn out for an overly long time for how how much we already expected it.
The hero I didn't care for either. He was bland, weak, and immature. I don't understand why they even love each other when they have so few interactions. He listens to her play the lute for a bit, she asks him a few questions, then BAM! They're in love and she can't stop thinking of him, even though he so easily said he can forget about her when she goes back to her own world. I wish he had to suffer just a bit too🤷
The tension was off, obvious plot twists, unbelievable romance, and a dragging plot. SO MUCH potential, and so disappointing. I will be reading the next book just because ~vampires🔥~ but my expectations are low 😅
Safety: safe
No ow/om drama
Both virgins
No cheating/sharing
August 8, 2021
This is hands down fantasy romance at its finest I am obsessed with it! This is a whimsical story which is inspired by Cinderella & the story of Eros & Psyche that I was addicted to. The romance is truly everything there is so much tension between the two main characters that had me shipping them together from the get go. I definitely saw the ending coming which I was happy about as I loved being proved right & I can’t wait for more books based within the married to magic universe.
Thank you so much Elise for sending me a proof copy of your book!
Thank you so much Elise for sending me a proof copy of your book!
February 12, 2023
Katria ha tenido que vivir siempre bajo los maltratos de su familia, así que no fue una sorpresa que vendieran su mano en matrimonio al misterioso Lord Fenwood, del que tampoco esperaba ningún tipo de amor, pues ya sabe lo poco que puede otorgarle ese sentimiento. Sin embargo, a pesar de las extrañas reglas, de la prohibición de mirarle, y de ataques de fae que Katria nunca pensó que fueran reales, es incapaz de resistirse a ese hombre tan misterioso y que le despierta tantos sentimientos.
Ahora bien, cuando es testigo de un ritual que los humanos tienen prohibido presenciar, la arrastran a la tierra de Midscape, la tierra de la magia, donde sobrevivir es prácticamente imposible para los humanos, aunque Katria se ha apropiado involuntariamente de la magia de los reyes ancestrales, por la que el actual rey quiere matarla con tal de mantener su trono usurpado, trono que le corresponde a su actual marido...
BUA. Vale que el libro anterior me gustó, pero ya he mencionado antes que también me pareció que podía haber sido mucho mejor... Bueno, pues en este no puedo quejarme: ha sido una absoluta pasada desde el minuto uno: con toques de la historia de Cenicienta, nos sumergimos en una trama llena de acción, secretos y sorpresas, acompañando a Katria que es una protagonista fantástica, que logra avanzar y progresar a lo largo de la novela, creciendo y dejando atrás el daño que su familia le había hecho a base de años de crueldades.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
Ahora bien, cuando es testigo de un ritual que los humanos tienen prohibido presenciar, la arrastran a la tierra de Midscape, la tierra de la magia, donde sobrevivir es prácticamente imposible para los humanos, aunque Katria se ha apropiado involuntariamente de la magia de los reyes ancestrales, por la que el actual rey quiere matarla con tal de mantener su trono usurpado, trono que le corresponde a su actual marido...
BUA. Vale que el libro anterior me gustó, pero ya he mencionado antes que también me pareció que podía haber sido mucho mejor... Bueno, pues en este no puedo quejarme: ha sido una absoluta pasada desde el minuto uno: con toques de la historia de Cenicienta, nos sumergimos en una trama llena de acción, secretos y sorpresas, acompañando a Katria que es una protagonista fantástica, que logra avanzar y progresar a lo largo de la novela, creciendo y dejando atrás el daño que su familia le había hecho a base de años de crueldades.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
January 22, 2023
Me ha encantado🥹
He vivido las últimas escenas con una tensión increíble. Los personajes y sus personalidades, los reinos, descripciones y la historia encajan a la perfección.
Solo el protagonista ha tenido una actitud que no me ha convencido del todo. También diría que es un poco largo, pero merece la pena. En general es un libro estupendo.
¿Me ha gustado más que el primero (un trato con el rey de los elfos)?
Al principio no.
Pero finalmente si. Es una historia mucho más compleia y enrevesada.
Sin duda recomendadisimo.
He vivido las últimas escenas con una tensión increíble. Los personajes y sus personalidades, los reinos, descripciones y la historia encajan a la perfección.
Solo el protagonista ha tenido una actitud que no me ha convencido del todo. También diría que es un poco largo, pero merece la pena. En general es un libro estupendo.
¿Me ha gustado más que el primero (un trato con el rey de los elfos)?
Al principio no.
Pero finalmente si. Es una historia mucho más compleia y enrevesada.
Sin duda recomendadisimo.
November 24, 2022
2.5
“Piensa en tu magia como un baile. Eres la persona que guía por propia voluntad”.
Segunda parte de la serie de Elise Kova “Married to magic”. Le tenía muchas ganas que lo tradujeran porque el primer libro me gustó lo suficiente para seguir y quería saber como se desarrollaba el resto de las historias. No voy a negar que esta segunda parte me ha gustado más que la primera entrega, pero, al final me ha dejado con mal sabor de boca. Creo que me esperaba otra cosa.
“Ve y toca, para mí. Llena mi mundo de tu canción”.
Esta novela está mejor estructurada que la anterior y la historia tiene un poco más de profundidad. Sin embargo, tanto el argumento como el worldbuilding se me han quedado pobres. Además, que dejaron muchos elementos colgados sin respuesta y eso es algo que me molesta y mucho.
“El mundo tiene un sonido, una canción propia, si eres capaz de escucharla”.
Igualmente, los personajes no voy a negar que me gustaron, pero quedan lejos de ser reales y su desarrollo como pareja deja mucho que desear. He visto mejores desarrollos en pocas páginas.
A pesar de todo, el libro me ha gustado de nuevo lo suficiente para seguir y quiero leer el tercero. No sé si han visto la portada, pero solo por eso quiero leerlo. No es ni de lejos tan bonita como esta, pero siento que me voy a reír, aunque por lo que me comentan está mejor que los dos primeros así que ya lo averiguaré en un futuro no tan lejano.
“¿Cuál es la canción que canta mi magia?”
“Piensa en tu magia como un baile. Eres la persona que guía por propia voluntad”.
Segunda parte de la serie de Elise Kova “Married to magic”. Le tenía muchas ganas que lo tradujeran porque el primer libro me gustó lo suficiente para seguir y quería saber como se desarrollaba el resto de las historias. No voy a negar que esta segunda parte me ha gustado más que la primera entrega, pero, al final me ha dejado con mal sabor de boca. Creo que me esperaba otra cosa.
“Ve y toca, para mí. Llena mi mundo de tu canción”.
Esta novela está mejor estructurada que la anterior y la historia tiene un poco más de profundidad. Sin embargo, tanto el argumento como el worldbuilding se me han quedado pobres. Además, que dejaron muchos elementos colgados sin respuesta y eso es algo que me molesta y mucho.
“El mundo tiene un sonido, una canción propia, si eres capaz de escucharla”.
Igualmente, los personajes no voy a negar que me gustaron, pero quedan lejos de ser reales y su desarrollo como pareja deja mucho que desear. He visto mejores desarrollos en pocas páginas.
A pesar de todo, el libro me ha gustado de nuevo lo suficiente para seguir y quiero leer el tercero. No sé si han visto la portada, pero solo por eso quiero leerlo. No es ni de lejos tan bonita como esta, pero siento que me voy a reír, aunque por lo que me comentan está mejor que los dos primeros así que ya lo averiguaré en un futuro no tan lejano.
“¿Cuál es la canción que canta mi magia?”
November 5, 2021
𝟯 ✧
𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗖 ♫
— Federkleid
I'm gonna be honest… I picked up A Dance with the Fae Prince solely because of that beautiful cover. No bullshit. That's the sole reason.
Sue me, I have a thing for pretty covers 🤷♀️
♥ 𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗡𝗝𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘… concept of A DANCE OF THE FAE PRINCE. The ingredients were all there.
Additionally, the world building was pretty fun!! While it wasn't the greatest I've ever seen, it was solid. I especially loved the gloomy and vaguely dark vibes we got from the beginning half of the book. Really, it was all there. The makings of a great story.
ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴇᴛ… ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ… 😮💨
✘ 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟, 𝗔𝗡𝗗… I'm only slightly exaggerating. They were… fine. Or more like - they were just kinda there. Which - that's never a sentence you want to utter about your main characters.
So, when I really think about it my main… disappointment with Katria and Davien is their missed potential. They both had the potential to be really great characters. I mean - they both have tragic as hell backstories. Like, you'd think they'd have some semblance of a character arc. Or at least, vaguely interesting personalities…
Yeah, that's a negative. They do not. So, yeah… both these characters were… there. They were there. I mean you know it's bad when something like this happens —
Suffice it to say, it's never a good sign when you're not even remotely interested in the hero and are actively on the lookout for his replacement.
ꜱᴏ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏꜱ ᴄᴀɴ ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇ… 🙈
🅾🅺🅰🆈 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘… 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗛… 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗘… Which again, not exactly a ringing endorsement. Like - okay. The romance was nice. I actually think it had a lot and I mean a lot of potential. There was a real Beauty and the Beast vibe to the romance, in the beginning at least. And, believe it or not, I was actually really digging that. It kept me on my toes and along with getting me excited for the romance, it also added a dash of mystery.
It's after the "big reveal" that the romance becomes a bit predictable and boring. Also, is it just me or was this insta-love as fuck? Cause, I've gotta ask, why did Davien and Katria fall in love? They barely interacted. And when they did interact there was a lot of interrupted conversations and staring.
Ultimately, the romance both tanked and saved this book for me. It was the romance that kept me reading. But, it was also the romance that reminded me of all the lost potential. So. Much. Lost. Potential.
ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ʙʀɪɴɢꜱ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀ… ɢᴜɪʟᴛʏ ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ɪ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ… 😅
✘ 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜… 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗜 - kinda sorta skim read the last half of this book. Which, I know, I know, is pretty bad.
But here me out, I - well… iwantedtoknowwhathappenedattheend,sofreakingsueme.
Look, usually I would've just marked this one as a DNF, but idk… there was something keeping me from doing that. So, like - if you think about it… it's kinda a big ole' compliment. If you squint real hard you can find the compliment.
ꜱᴏ, ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜᴅᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴀᴅ ᴇxᴄᴜꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ… 😭
🅾🅺🅰🆈 𝗔 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗦… aggressively fine with a dash of unfulfilled potential thrown in there for funsies. And yet… I can't in good conscience firmly put this book in the two star category. There might have been something missing, but I can't ignore how into this book I was for the first forty percent or so.
Throughout that first fortyish percent there were sprinklings of greatness.
I think the book lost me when Katria and the gang went into the fae realm. There was something so… boring about the fae realm. Which - lmao, I can't believe I'm saying that, but it's true. Personally, I would've been happier if the romance had been a bit more Beauty and the Beast versus A Court of Thin and Craggy Twigs.
Ultimately though, I actually will recommend this book. I think, if you go in with more reserved expectations you'll have a good time. ADWTFP doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means, but it is a solidish lite fantasy offering.
Plus, this was totally me when I saw that book three in this series was about a vampire prince —
Does that make me a hypocrite? lmaoo, you guys already know 😂
┍━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┑
𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ: ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟꜰ ᴋɪɴɢ ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ: ᴀ ᴅᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀᴇ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ~ 𝟯 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ: ᴀ ᴅᴜᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ ʟᴏʀᴅ ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
┕━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┙
❝Sire, true king, permission to speak freely?❞ …
❝Granted,❞ he growls.
❝You’re being an ass.❞ Shaye smirks. ❝That is all.❞
𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗖 ♫
— Federkleid
I'm gonna be honest… I picked up A Dance with the Fae Prince solely because of that beautiful cover. No bullshit. That's the sole reason.
Sue me, I have a thing for pretty covers 🤷♀️
♥ 𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗡𝗝𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘… concept of A DANCE OF THE FAE PRINCE. The ingredients were all there.
✿ an arranged marriage — ✔
✿ vague Brothers Grimm vibes — ✔
✿ the makings of a solid as hell story-arc for our heroine — ✔
✿ a brooding and mysterious hero — ✔
✿ wings and shit — ✔
✿ fun adventure quest shenanigans — ✔
✿ solid side characters // comic relief — ✔
✿ an endearing old man butler — ✔
Additionally, the world building was pretty fun!! While it wasn't the greatest I've ever seen, it was solid. I especially loved the gloomy and vaguely dark vibes we got from the beginning half of the book. Really, it was all there. The makings of a great story.
ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴇᴛ… ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ… 😮💨
✘ 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟, 𝗔𝗡𝗗… I'm only slightly exaggerating. They were… fine. Or more like - they were just kinda there. Which - that's never a sentence you want to utter about your main characters.
❝We are going to spend our lives together,❞ I say. ❝I’d like to make that as pleasant as possible.❞
❝There is nothing pleasant here.❞ My husband is very cheerful, it seems.
So, when I really think about it my main… disappointment with Katria and Davien is their missed potential. They both had the potential to be really great characters. I mean - they both have tragic as hell backstories. Like, you'd think they'd have some semblance of a character arc. Or at least, vaguely interesting personalities…
Yeah, that's a negative. They do not. So, yeah… both these characters were… there. They were there. I mean you know it's bad when something like this happens —
ᴍᴇ: ʜᴍᴍᴍ. ꜰᴀᴇ ᴅᴜᴅᴇ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ɴɪᴄᴇ. ʜᴇ ɢᴏᴛ ᴡɪɴɢꜱ. *ᴊᴀᴢᴢ ʜᴀɴᴅꜱ*
ᴛʜɪʀᴛʏ ᴘᴇʀᴄᴇɴᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ…
ʙᴏᴏᴋ: *ᴏʙᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ʙᴀᴅ ɢᴜʏ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀꜱ*
ᴍᴇ: *ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅꜱ ᴜᴘ* ᴏ-ᴍ-ꜰ-ɢ, ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇꜱᴛ!!
ʙᴏᴏᴋ: *ᴏʙɢ ɪꜱ ɪᴍᴍᴇᴅɪᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴋɪʟʟᴇᴅ*
ᴍᴇ: *ꜱɪᴛꜱ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴅᴏᴡɴ* ᴏʜ… ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍɪɴᴅ 😪
Suffice it to say, it's never a good sign when you're not even remotely interested in the hero and are actively on the lookout for his replacement.
ꜱᴏ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏꜱ ᴄᴀɴ ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇ… 🙈
🅾🅺🅰🆈 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘… 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗛… 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗘… Which again, not exactly a ringing endorsement. Like - okay. The romance was nice. I actually think it had a lot and I mean a lot of potential. There was a real Beauty and the Beast vibe to the romance, in the beginning at least. And, believe it or not, I was actually really digging that. It kept me on my toes and along with getting me excited for the romance, it also added a dash of mystery.
❝Maybe,❞ he whispers, ❝I’m trying to protect you because I’m stunning. Because if you were to look at me with those eyes that Oren tells me are like a tempest sea, I could never let you go.❞
It's after the "big reveal" that the romance becomes a bit predictable and boring. Also, is it just me or was this insta-love as fuck? Cause, I've gotta ask, why did Davien and Katria fall in love? They barely interacted. And when they did interact there was a lot of interrupted conversations and staring.
Ultimately, the romance both tanked and saved this book for me. It was the romance that kept me reading. But, it was also the romance that reminded me of all the lost potential. So. Much. Lost. Potential.
ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ʙʀɪɴɢꜱ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀ… ɢᴜɪʟᴛʏ ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ɪ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ… 😅
✘ 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜… 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗜 - kinda sorta skim read the last half of this book. Which, I know, I know, is pretty bad.
But here me out, I - well… iwantedtoknowwhathappenedattheend,sofreakingsueme.
Look, usually I would've just marked this one as a DNF, but idk… there was something keeping me from doing that. So, like - if you think about it… it's kinda a big ole' compliment. If you squint real hard you can find the compliment.
ꜱᴏ, ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜᴅᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴀᴅ ᴇxᴄᴜꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ… 😭
🅾🅺🅰🆈 𝗔 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗦… aggressively fine with a dash of unfulfilled potential thrown in there for funsies. And yet… I can't in good conscience firmly put this book in the two star category. There might have been something missing, but I can't ignore how into this book I was for the first forty percent or so.
Throughout that first fortyish percent there were sprinklings of greatness.
❝I want to live—more than anything—and because I want that, I refuse to spend my hours as someone’s thing. I’m going to live my life, the way I want to live it, or die trying. So help me live or be ready to kill me,❞ I finish, voice quivering.
I think the book lost me when Katria and the gang went into the fae realm. There was something so… boring about the fae realm. Which - lmao, I can't believe I'm saying that, but it's true. Personally, I would've been happier if the romance had been a bit more Beauty and the Beast versus A Court of Thin and Craggy Twigs.
Ultimately though, I actually will recommend this book. I think, if you go in with more reserved expectations you'll have a good time. ADWTFP doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means, but it is a solidish lite fantasy offering.
Plus, this was totally me when I saw that book three in this series was about a vampire prince —
Does that make me a hypocrite? lmaoo, you guys already know 😂
┍━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┑
𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ: ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟꜰ ᴋɪɴɢ ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ: ᴀ ᴅᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀᴇ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ~ 𝟯 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ: ᴀ ᴅᴜᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ ʟᴏʀᴅ ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
┕━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┙
November 10, 2021
"true love is the only thing more powerful than magic itself"
I loved the writing and the characters plus the whole new perspective of the world this series is set in. I will be back to more exploring, either with new books or rereads! The plot was interesting, too and the book was not easy to put down but one thing bothered me: It was so painfully obvious how this would end. I called almost everything very early into the story. The execution was really nice, though.
The ending plus the bonus scene were enough to get me to the edge of my seat: Give me the Vampir Lord now! 😍
August 20, 2021
This book was fantastic and kept me enchanted through every page!
First of all, I really love the way Elise Kova took themes from Cinderella, as well as the story of Psyche and Eros (similarly, East of the Sun and West of the Moon), and wove them into this vibrant fantasy world she has created. As much as I enjoyed A Deal with the Elf King, this book really has my heart.
You can expect a wicked stepmother, a hand sold in marriage, a manor house on the edge of the forbidden wood, a mysterious new husband, and the wild fae your parents always warned you about.
I am being purposefully vague because I think this deserves to be enjoyed with minimal spoilers, but I will say that it begs the question of what makes a leader worthy, as well as what love really looks like. I was completely swept off my feet by the fae lands of Midscape and the characters within it.
Fans of romance (like me!), will rejoice too! A Dance with the Fae Prince has a swoony, slow burn romance that totally pays off with some steamy scenes that I think will delight fans of upper YA and adult romance alike.
What I really love about the Married to Magic world, is that Elise Kova has taken the contemporary romance model of standalone novels with a HEA, and has given that model a fantasy makeover. Like we see in many contemporary romance series, the world may be the same, the characters may crossover, but each novel itself is its own standalone story, and that’s what we have here. It’s *so* refreshing to see in a genre that sees most fantasy romances have stories spanning trilogies or longer. I really hope Elise is at the forefront of a new trend here!
I think that even if you found yourself wanting after finishing A Deal with the Elf King, you should dip your toes into this one and give it a go.
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
First of all, I really love the way Elise Kova took themes from Cinderella, as well as the story of Psyche and Eros (similarly, East of the Sun and West of the Moon), and wove them into this vibrant fantasy world she has created. As much as I enjoyed A Deal with the Elf King, this book really has my heart.
You can expect a wicked stepmother, a hand sold in marriage, a manor house on the edge of the forbidden wood, a mysterious new husband, and the wild fae your parents always warned you about.
I am being purposefully vague because I think this deserves to be enjoyed with minimal spoilers, but I will say that it begs the question of what makes a leader worthy, as well as what love really looks like. I was completely swept off my feet by the fae lands of Midscape and the characters within it.
Fans of romance (like me!), will rejoice too! A Dance with the Fae Prince has a swoony, slow burn romance that totally pays off with some steamy scenes that I think will delight fans of upper YA and adult romance alike.
What I really love about the Married to Magic world, is that Elise Kova has taken the contemporary romance model of standalone novels with a HEA, and has given that model a fantasy makeover. Like we see in many contemporary romance series, the world may be the same, the characters may crossover, but each novel itself is its own standalone story, and that’s what we have here. It’s *so* refreshing to see in a genre that sees most fantasy romances have stories spanning trilogies or longer. I really hope Elise is at the forefront of a new trend here!
I think that even if you found yourself wanting after finishing A Deal with the Elf King, you should dip your toes into this one and give it a go.
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
September 26, 2021
The problem with this book is it’s trying to pack a lot of stuff into a small amount of pages. Because of that, everything feels rushed and superficial. There were also a handful of loose end that were never tied up. Annoying.
3 stars because it started out pretty good. Sadly, I couldn’t stand the main character by the end. Her endless repetitive narration was unbearable. I had to start skipping paragraphs of narration just to stay awake. Otherwise, my eyes would glaze and napping would ensue.
3 stars because it started out pretty good. Sadly, I couldn’t stand the main character by the end. Her endless repetitive narration was unbearable. I had to start skipping paragraphs of narration just to stay awake. Otherwise, my eyes would glaze and napping would ensue.
Read
January 8, 2023DNF page 155 - 36%
Pour A Deal with the Elf King et A Dance with the Fae Prince:
Ces couvertures sont magnifiques mais les romances vont trop vite (les personnages principaux masculins sont INSUPPORTABLES 😡) et le monde de fantasy n’est pas assez bien expliqué 😔
Pour A Deal with the Elf King et A Dance with the Fae Prince:
Ces couvertures sont magnifiques mais les romances vont trop vite (les personnages principaux masculins sont INSUPPORTABLES 😡) et le monde de fantasy n’est pas assez bien expliqué 😔
February 16, 2024
I was gonna put a quote at the top of my review but I already sent it back to KU and I don't feel like downloading it again just for that so pretend something romantic is here ahem ahem.
A Dance with the Fae Prince was better than A Deal with the Elf King. I'm pleasantly surprised. I hope each book in the series will get better and better. I even think the narrators made more of an effort than in the first one? I'm not sure if they're the same, or different but better chosen, or if it's due to the book, but they were really good.
Katria and Davien had a lot more chemistry than Luella and Eldas, and I liked both of them. There were some similar elements like with Luella wanting to go home in the first book, but I think it was less annoying/painful here which is a plus.
The plot was interesting, although the pace could be slow at times. I didn't mind that because I liked the characters, the side ones too. And yeah it was predictable, but in a cute way.
Overall a 3.75ish but rounded up to 4.
A Dance with the Fae Prince was better than A Deal with the Elf King. I'm pleasantly surprised. I hope each book in the series will get better and better. I even think the narrators made more of an effort than in the first one? I'm not sure if they're the same, or different but better chosen, or if it's due to the book, but they were really good.
Katria and Davien had a lot more chemistry than Luella and Eldas, and I liked both of them. There were some similar elements like with Luella wanting to go home in the first book, but I think it was less annoying/painful here which is a plus.
The plot was interesting, although the pace could be slow at times. I didn't mind that because I liked the characters, the side ones too. And yeah it was predictable, but in a cute way.
Overall a 3.75ish but rounded up to 4.
August 29, 2021
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This man began to spark feelings in me I never wanted and I have to stop them now, otherwise I might follow him to my demise in this world that threatens to kill me at every turn. I must, at all costs, ignore the emotions brewing in the depths of my heart.
It was lovely to revisit Midscape in A Dance with the Fae Prince but I honestly expected more from the book.
I did enjoy some parts of it and I liked the heroine, Katrina. However I could not connect to the love interest. I felt like the romance did not have a proper build-up.
The plot was not thrilling as it was weak. I did not expect a complex plot but I do feel like I enjoyed the first book more than this one.
Elise did do a good job with the world-building and fleshed out the Fae side of midscape since we were introduced to that realm through the Elf King.
I do look forward to A Duel with the Vampire Lord.
This man began to spark feelings in me I never wanted and I have to stop them now, otherwise I might follow him to my demise in this world that threatens to kill me at every turn. I must, at all costs, ignore the emotions brewing in the depths of my heart.
It was lovely to revisit Midscape in A Dance with the Fae Prince but I honestly expected more from the book.
I did enjoy some parts of it and I liked the heroine, Katrina. However I could not connect to the love interest. I felt like the romance did not have a proper build-up.
The plot was not thrilling as it was weak. I did not expect a complex plot but I do feel like I enjoyed the first book more than this one.
Elise did do a good job with the world-building and fleshed out the Fae side of midscape since we were introduced to that realm through the Elf King.
I do look forward to A Duel with the Vampire Lord.
November 16, 2022
Me ha gustado taaaanto. Elise Kova podría escribir más de 4 libros en este mundo.
January 3, 2024
*3.75/5 stars*
A Dance with a Fae King is a stendalone fantasy-romance book in the Married to Magic series.
With this second book we once again visit the magical world of Midscape, but this time a different part of it - the warring fae realm full of wild ritual magic, wings and a throne occupied by a bloodthirsty false king.
As in each book, we follow a human main character married off to a magical being and going on an adventure of her own full of magic and romamce. This time, it is Katria, who comes from an abusive household - strong parallels to Cinderella - and is then married off for money to a mysterious man who lives near the forbidden dark woods - a fae.
When it comes to the characters (and the whole story), they were once again enjoyable, but I definitely slightly preferred the pair (and thus the romance as well) of the first book.
I hoped that this book could delve deeper into Katria's character, her fears and flaws and experiences than it did. Sometimes, her character seemed a tad inconsistent and her development a bit too hastened towards the end. Which was a waste imo. As for Davien, the love interest, I liked him as well, though I preferred the romance in book one more.
As for the plot - this book seemed to focus a bit more on the plot than the romance sometimes, which would have been fine, but the storyline became slightly dull and 100% predictable in the second half of the book.
There was the big bad villain of the book who was basically a cardboard-cut-out without any depth, motives or history - we knew nothing about him. The big plot twist saved for the end was entirely too predictable pretty much from the start, all of which made the plot on its own not that interesting as a result.
As for the fae lore/part of the world - I'm a big fae fan and this book could not live up to the high standards The Iron Fey nor The Folk of the Air set for me in that department. The fantasy world building was just as good as in book one (admittedly, this is a Fantasy Romance, not High Fantasy, and therefore focuses the most on other aspects), but for a fae lover specifically, those two previously mentioned series are much better in that department.
Overall, a great, addictive Fantasy Romance read with fast-moving plot and loads of magic and romance. This book (as all the books in the series) can be read on its own without having read the previous standalones, but I would definitely recommend to read book one before A Dance with the Fae King.
The next one is focusing on long-lost vampires, which I'm absolutely excited about!
A Dance with a Fae King is a stendalone fantasy-romance book in the Married to Magic series.
With this second book we once again visit the magical world of Midscape, but this time a different part of it - the warring fae realm full of wild ritual magic, wings and a throne occupied by a bloodthirsty false king.
As in each book, we follow a human main character married off to a magical being and going on an adventure of her own full of magic and romamce. This time, it is Katria, who comes from an abusive household - strong parallels to Cinderella - and is then married off for money to a mysterious man who lives near the forbidden dark woods - a fae.
When it comes to the characters (and the whole story), they were once again enjoyable, but I definitely slightly preferred the pair (and thus the romance as well) of the first book.
I hoped that this book could delve deeper into Katria's character, her fears and flaws and experiences than it did. Sometimes, her character seemed a tad inconsistent and her development a bit too hastened towards the end. Which was a waste imo. As for Davien, the love interest, I liked him as well, though I preferred the romance in book one more.
As for the plot - this book seemed to focus a bit more on the plot than the romance sometimes, which would have been fine, but the storyline became slightly dull and 100% predictable in the second half of the book.
There was the big bad villain of the book who was basically a cardboard-cut-out without any depth, motives or history - we knew nothing about him. The big plot twist saved for the end was entirely too predictable pretty much from the start, all of which made the plot on its own not that interesting as a result.
As for the fae lore/part of the world - I'm a big fae fan and this book could not live up to the high standards The Iron Fey nor The Folk of the Air set for me in that department. The fantasy world building was just as good as in book one (admittedly, this is a Fantasy Romance, not High Fantasy, and therefore focuses the most on other aspects), but for a fae lover specifically, those two previously mentioned series are much better in that department.
Overall, a great, addictive Fantasy Romance read with fast-moving plot and loads of magic and romance. This book (as all the books in the series) can be read on its own without having read the previous standalones, but I would definitely recommend to read book one before A Dance with the Fae King.
The next one is focusing on long-lost vampires, which I'm absolutely excited about!
Want to read
November 20, 2021LOOK AT THAT COVER, I -
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