16. CROWN OF ELLOVA: vol. 1

BY SIENNA HARLOW

Please forgive how late this review is. I’ve been way behind on a lot of content but it’s time to get caught up so let’s get after it. Here we go.

As part of the READNOW! Book Club, I was lucky enough to read CROWN OF ELLOVA by Sienna Harlow. At first, I resisted this one a bit. It wasn’t immediately grabbing me, and I was a bit repelled by how mainline the romance plot was. I prefer my romance as a side effect of the plot, rather than the driving force behind it.

However, I must admit that the sheer, unapologetic fantasy world-building eventually won me over. I have some fairly big nitpicks regarding exposition and pacing. And to be frank, I’m not the biggest fan of the main characters. But the world really did suck me in and pull me through to the end. I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. I might if I hear the characters are more layered, or the exposition more subtle. But I’m glad I read it. It was good prep for future Romantasy reads.

Though they’re not typically my cup-o-tea, after reading this one, and Emma Bennet’s HER PERFECT HERO, I think it might do my own romance writing some good to read some straight-up Romantasy books. Let me know in the comments which Romantasy book I should read first!

3 out of 5 Crowns Stuck On Your Head.