A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elise Kova Book Review

Ratings

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Content Warnings: Blood, Abuse, Trauma, Violence, Light Smut

Introduction

Elise Kova, once again, sweeps me off my feet into the whimsical and magical world of Midscape. I swooned and fawned over every page and every interaction between Katria and Davien. The romance is so gentle and tender that it makes my heart sing. 

If you’re looking for a book with sweet moments, lingering touches, and a romance that makes you giddy, this is the book for you! 

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

How Kova creates such flawless and elegant plots, I’ll never know. 

The story was strong and solid, with a cohesive timeline of events and a realistic passage of time. The entire story (minus the last chapter) takes roughly a month and a half, as far as I can tell. Which is a believable amount of time for a romance to bud, especially if every day is spent together, and events occur. 

Blood Forest Time Passage

Another thing that threw me off was the passage of time the group traveled through the Blood Forest at the beginning. I couldn’t tell how many days had passed and it almost seemed unbelievable how well Katria held out. 

Now, she did have the power of the kings and, as we find out later, is half-fae, her endurance makes sense. But how many days pass? And why don’t they stop to eat? Does fae not need to eat as often? Can they maintain little amounts of food/energy? 

These questions weren’t answered clearly unless one assumes.

However, if the point of the Blood Forest scene was to create a delirious state for the reader, too, similar to what Katria was experiencing, then it was perfect (minus the food thing). 

Roof Backstory

Initially, I made a note to talk about the disappointing roof story once we discover how Katria got her scars. However, that simple story blossomed into the most intense and traumatic backstory that we read. 

The way Kova built up to the reveal was big, and when it happened it felt wrong, off even. But she masterfully used the burying of traumatic events to cover it up until the end. 

The fact that Katria’s wings were ripped from her back and then cauterized was brutal and sickening; I felt sick reading it. But that just adds so much to who Katria is and her story. It wasn’t useless or unnecessary. 

Sex Scene

It was refreshing to have the male main character (MMC) also not have any sexual experience. I honestly don’t recall a book I’ve read recently where the MMC was also inexperienced. Usually, it’s only the female main character (FMC), and it’s a big point of the continent. But this time was different and I loved it. It really added to how soft Davien and Katria’s romance is. 

Anti-Climatic & the Villains

After looking back, I will say that the big build-up of releasing Davien and killing Boltov was slightly anti-climatic. The events just happened so fast and it seemed almost too easy. 

Boltov was killed with ease and Allor was quickly incapacitated. I would have liked to see a struggle with Allor, at least, and Boltov’s death was just a simple plot device to further the story. 

They were both built up to be these impossible villains, but they were taken out easily. Just wanted to see more conflict between these two and Katria or the group. 

Ending Plot Twist

The plot twist at the very end was buried, but you could pick up that Katria’s mother was fae throughout the book, or that she was more than just human. 

But the way all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly together– the book, the secrecy, the roof story– it was all masterfully done. 

It left me guessing all the way until the end what Katria’s true connection was to the book and the crown. 

Mirror Stories

I love how Davien and Katria’s stories are practically the same. Both were isolated from others and had to learn to manage on their own. They have both suffered parental losses that scar them. But the difference?

Katria was abused and neglected, while Davien had support and a community.

While their lives are similar, yet so different, we get to see how each handles situations and perceptions of love based on the environments they were raised in.

It’s a dramatic difference in thinking and analyzing the world between the two. 

Characters

She’s in no way fully healed at the end of the book, but she’s come a long way. Initially, she was extremely hesitant, doubtful and closed off. But as the story progresses, Katria turns into a confident, though still shy, joyful woman who recognizes her bleak history and takes her life by the horns. 

Her internal conflict and reflection back on her abuse from Helen and Joyce is portrayed extremely well. At every turn we see her fight with herself and with her trauma, and that adds so much to the story and her character. 

Its honestly quite powerful and inspiring to see Katria recognize her worth and fight for it, because we all need this insight and motivation sometimes. Hopefully, Katria’s development will help someone who needs the same push. 

He fumbles through romantic situations with Katria just as much as she does, which is honestly endearing. But Davien is more upfront about his emotions than Katria is, which adds another refreshing element to his character.

Davien isn’t afraid to or hasn’t yet learned to, mask his emotions. He has so many and we see the entire range by his eyes and tone. Such a subtle but powerful touch in cultivating his mannerisms and reactions. 

I also have a hunch that Davien is a hopeless romantic. He’s so tuned into his emotions and what he perceives as love. Did he dream about having a romantic partner during his time in the Natural World? Did he read stories about love or watch others wishing he had the same?

I like to imagine he did. 

Side Characters

I thoroughly enjoyed the side characters of this story. They felt fleshed out with backstories and lives outside of what we were being shown. They were a joy to have as part of the adventure and really fleshed out the world Kova created.  

The only disappointing bunch was Boltov and Allor. Allor basically screamed “I’m going to betray you” and Boltov just died too easily. Same with Allor being knocked out. These two were supposed to be powerful and a force to reckon with, but they didn’t put up much of a fight in the end. 

Writing

Kova’s writing is so simple and elegant. She’s excellent at portraying the environment and character’s emotions; along with inserting foreshadowing that guides the reader in the right direction, but doesn’t give away her twists.  

To say the least, I was lulled into this wonderful story by Kova’s lyrical writing. 

Also, she handles trauma and abuse with care. You can tell that she has done her research, or experienced these things firsthand because they are painfully true. The intrusive thoughts, overwhelming self-doubt, and anxiety are prevalent in these cases. 

But they aren’t brushed under the rug or used to push the story. They add depth and allow for growth. We get to explore Katria’s thoughts and actions as she navigates a world that isn’t as harsh as she thought. 

We see Davien’s support and care for Katria through these breakthroughs and hard moments with tender affection.

All of this creates the world around the characters, influences their actions, and provides characters with room to develop.

Final Thoughts

A Dance with the Fae Prince left me speechless and wanting more. The development we see in each character is subtle but brilliant, and the writing is lyrical. Being able to dive into the world of Midscape, but through a different lens, was a blast. 

The story was so tender and sweet but filled with passion and ambition that I couldn’t put it down. As Kova said at the beginning of this book, it is for those “who enjoy kisses

I can’t wait to read more about Midscape and the ever-expanding world. 

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What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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