Book Review: A Deal with the Elf King

Last week I read A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova, which is book 1 in the Married to Magic series. It is a standalone novel, but set in the same world as her other novels in the series from my understanding. I’d been looking forward to reading this one for a long time!

Luella lives in a small village and works as a healer. Three thousand years ago humans were being hunted by powerful races with wild magic. Then, a treaty was formed. Now, for hundreds of years a young woman is taken from Luella’s village who exhibits magic and serves as the Human Queen in Midscape – a land where magic runs free.

It comes as a shock when the Elf King, Eldas, comes for Luella when she had no idea she had magic. Unbeknownst to Luella, her magic had been dampened for years so she had no idea. Now, Luella finds herself in a new land, away from her family, and married to a stranger who just so happens to be the Elf King.

As Luella adjusts to her new life, she makes a few friends and actually becomes fond of Midscape. She begins studying the journals of the former Human Queens. Through the journals, she thinks she can find a way to end the cycle, allowing Midscape to thrive without the need for a Human Queen. But if she can solve the problem does that mean she can go home? And if she goes home can she now imagine life without Eldas?

I really enjoyed the novel, but it did take me a little while to get into it. It’s not that I didn’t like the beginning of the novel, but I honestly didn’t find anything special or addictive about it. It was fine. But then halfway through, it started to pick up and I got a lot more interested. I really liked Luella’s character and watching her evolve and grow. It was also nice to see her relationship with Eldas grow.

So I really liked the novel, but didn’t love it. I am planning to read the next novel in the Married to Magic series soon though!

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