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Crown of Ellova Duology #1

Crown of Ellova: Vol. 1

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Falling for a mortal is forged in heartbreak.

On each full moon, half-fae Izadella sneaks out of Ellova, the beautiful fae realm she calls home, and travels to the miserable mortal kingdom. There she sells her magically made jewelry to the wealthy courtiers who attend a bazaar in honor of the dying mortal king who wears the stolen fae crown—the crown Izadella’s ancestor forged, which holds unfathomable magic and can only be removed at death. During each visit to the mortal realm, she falls deeper for the man she can never be Leon, the king’s personal healer.

When Izadella is forced to wear the fae crown, awakening lost magic, she must bring Leon back to the realm of Ellova, a luxurious place where mortals are forbidden, and their feelings for each other continue to blossom.

Together with Izadella’s best friend, Nueena, the heir to Ellova’s throne, they must create a life-saving elixir to save those suffering in the mortal realm, where the stolen fae crown has slowly destroyed the kingdom.

No matter how much Izadella and Leon long to be together, time is running out. Leon cannot stay in the fae world; the magic will drive him to madness. Izadella cannot join him in the mortal realm as she will die without her magic. Will she love him only to lose him, or lose him before she has the chance to love him?

Crown of Ellova is an adult fantasy romance and the first book in an angsty, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers duology.

This novel features a forbidden fae romance, whimsical world-building, and powerful female friendships. It is a dramatic, character-driven romantasy with minimal action scenes and very little political intrigue.

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

26 people are currently reading
330 people want to read

About the author

Sienna Harlow

2 books31 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for GotSmut.
57 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2024
I was blessed with the opportunity to get to read an early copy and OMG am I obsessed!!! I was deeply immersed in the world of Ellova, and I cannot wait to go back! Leon is the epitome of a dream man. He’s is thoughtful, considerate, bold, and hot hot HOT. Della is a strong FMC and carries the narrative through the story. Her BFF Nuena and her mate, Tavien, are relationship goals. The flow of the story evolves eloquently with the right amount of world building throughout without too much info dumping. I gave it 2.5 smutties, but rounded to 3 because the spice was fire, and though hot it was minimal and I always stress during a slow burn. I will never look at strawberries the same 🍓🍰 but in the best way possible.
Profile Image for Sierra Cassidy.
Author 24 books114 followers
June 23, 2024
I got to read this book early and Y'ALL it is SO. FRICKING. CUTE.
Leon is soooooooo into Izadella and is the sweetest little spicy muffin. I am already waiting for the fanart and tiktoks about these two cuties. Also Tavien and Nuena?? PRECIOUS. I seriously can't wait for y'all to read this. If you loved the ACOTAR series this book will be right up your alley.
Add it to your TBR. I need more people to read and love.

Not spoilery things I loved with zero context:
-DEWDROP
-Every appearance of a strawberry
-Della's "children"
-THE MELTING SWORD IN THE SWORD FIGHT??? Della is so flipping BADASS
-Every time Della wears something cute and Leon does the O . O face
Profile Image for Delani Monroe.
Author 1 book25 followers
October 9, 2024
Read this book early and I’m obsessed with Leon & Della! They’re just so cute and I felt like I was physically in Ellova with them! Absolutely recommend for romantacy lovers !!
Profile Image for Sweet Suriel.
39 reviews
November 1, 2024
Soulmate? PSH, no- I’m looking for my Zemra now 💅

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Crown of Ellova is captivating and well-written, the characters jump off the page and you just can’t help but love them. This is probably my most wholesome read of 2024, from the far-from-toxic relationships/friendships, the characters’ goals of helping and saving others, and the way menstruation is normalized and those suffering are cared for deeply. The love and communication between the characters is clear. I particularly enjoyed the lack of political drama, the main focus being the characters relationships and their quests was refreshing. The addition of Farren (the pet fox) was the cherry on the top! Crown of Ellova’s ending had me SHOOK, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion of this story!

If you enjoy:
• Forbidden Love
• A sweet and obsessive love interest
• Strong female friendships
• Slow burn romance
• NO political drama
• Strong communication
• Found family
Then check this book out, it will not disappoint!
Profile Image for Erika | ErikasLiteraryLabryinth.
197 reviews28 followers
November 11, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a cozier type of fantasy but it still had stakes and some action. The romance was a big part of it and I absolutely loved their relationship. The men in this book clearly love their significant others and that is so refreshing to see in this day and age.

Della is half fae and half mortal and every full moon travels to the mortal city to sell her jewelry in the Kings bazaar to support her human cousins orphanage, stealing glances and small talk with the king’s human healer Leon. When the dying king lands outside her doorstep with the crown that was stolen from her people and has been absorbing power ever since, she must wear it and with her fae friends and Leon’s help figure out to disperse the power back to the land and take the crown off. Oh and not fall in love with human Leon, who can’t reside long in the land of the fae without going insane and has a shorter lifespan than hers, if she doesn’t die first from the crown.

In this book you will find: doomed love, fates mates, utopian fae society, betrayal, death, action, best friends, queer characters, really well written sex scenes (one being underwater!), and soooo much more!
Profile Image for Teija Hemphill.
78 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2024
This book is perfect for romance readers. The characters are so perfect for each other. And it honestly feels like your in Ellova with them.
Profile Image for Kei.
11 reviews
October 11, 2024
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Crown of Ellova by Sienna Harlow.
What a delight this was to read! Very whimsical and richly descriptive.
Without spoilers, this was a fun and easy read, a sweet friends to lovers romance. Some tense moments but overall I'd say it was quite a cosy read with a dash of spice. 🌶️🍓

Excited for the next book.
Profile Image for Nova Black.
76 reviews9 followers
November 19, 2024
Crown of Ellova by Sienna Harlow

I had the absolute PRIVILEGE of Beta reading this gem of a story for Sienna, and this is her first book. I will do my best to express the joy, giddiness, suspense, worry, concern, and love I felt while reading this book.

Crown of Ellova follows our half fae/half human FMC, Izadella, Della for short, through her life and crush on our salt and pepper daddy of an MMC, Leon. Della expresses her crush on Leon quite early on, and it really doesn’t take the reader long to understand why she has the crush. Leon is a true gentleman, with subtle flirting, that just leaves you wanting more and more and more. Their slow burn throughout this book is so delicious and Sienna does a great job of building that for them, and for us as the readers. She also has this burn so slowly you kinda want to scream 😂.

The dynamic between Della and Leon comes only second to that of Della and her best friend, Nueena. You can tell this book was written by a girl’s girl, for girl’s girls because they have a friendship so close it is more reminiscent of a sisterhood. The entire story starts with Della meticulously creating a beautiful crown in celebration and support of Nueena going through a coronation to be the new leader of Ellova. Not once was there jealousy or animosity coming from her, and not once did either fail to show support to the other throughout the events that took place in this story.

Aptly named for the true main topic of this book, the main crux of the story is the stolen fae crown; the crown kept in the human realm, worn by a human, but is meant to be in Ellova. Through a series of events, our sweet Della found herself putting this crown on to save the life around her, but the caveat is, the wearer cannot remove the crown unless dead. The power required to wear this crown is not a power Della possesses, which leads us to the journey of finding out how to safely remove the crown.

Crown of Ellova is filled with love, platonic and romantic, friendship, beauty, magic, and so much more. This is the first part of a duet, so it does leave you on a little bit of a cliffhanger, and I for one cannot wait for part 2!
Profile Image for Ash.
1 review5 followers
October 28, 2024
I got an early copy of this book and I loved it! I found the structure of the fae courts and the matriarchal power fascinating. I’m obsessed with the strong female friendships in this story. You don’t often get those well developed relationships outside the MMC in romantasy, and this was so refreshing.
ALSO, LEON!
Excuse me sir, who gave you the audacity to be so perfect 🫠
We love a mature badass hottie with strong forearms and an unending respect for women.
He really had me out here swooning and about to sprout my own strawberries 🥵
9 reviews
November 3, 2024
Welcome to the world of Ellova and Adreania, where we name our horses after their eye color, and no one questions an orphanage full of agricultural bounty in a land that is struggling to grow potatoes.

Our story opens with Izadella, a half-fae, half-woman jewelsmith who sneaks into the kingdom of Adreania once a month to visit her cousin’s orphanage and feed the orphans. The king of Adreania wears a magical crown that was stolen from the last fae queen. It is slowly sucking the life out of the land, but since the nobles still need to be blinged out, Izadella’s able to make money.

She is masquerading as a married mother named Arra, but her fake husband is not enough to dissuade the attention of Leon, the royal healer who seems to have a great deal of freedom for the attendant to a sickly king.

Izadella is returning to her cottage to eat the dried meat she hoards because everything tastes sweet in Ellova, when she encounters three men transporting the king in the back of a cart. Her instinct is to roll seduction and somehow scores a Nat 20. Once the guards are taken out, she is forced to wear the stolen crown to halt its destructive magic. She and Leon return Ellova to find a way to remove the crown, but it’s only a matter of time before she cannot control its magic and Leon goes mad from residing in the realm of fae.

There have been so many forbidden love stories that it is easy for me to become bored of them, but there are enough reasons why they should not be together that I feel the “will-they, won’t-they” tension that the author builds. Her lifespan is hundreds of years longer than his, if she lives in the mortal realm she loses her magic, and if he lives in her world, he goes mad. Being alive for hundreds of years, Izadella has built up a support system of friends in her court and others. Getting to meet all of these characters was enjoyable.

The setting is also as colorful as you would expect a fantasy romance featuring fae to be, with different courts and detailed imagery of the settings.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Sienna Harlow creates an interesting world, but it’s a shame that she doesn’t let us readers experience it naturally. It felt like every time I started to get immersed, the story would break for a history lesson or a greater context.

“We ride alongside a dreary, dry riverbed. Nuenna frowns down at the smooth rocks. Thousands of years ago it held the healing waters from Airvell River, the river of magic that…”

“….Where her poor excuse for a garden sits…long ago, Adreania flourished under the Fae Queen Inara’s rule…”

As I dove into this magical world and its history, I wanted to discover things as I read. Instead, I was told everything with an index at the beginning and facts woven into the prose.





I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fae romances. I always enjoy finding a male love interest who isn’t a brooding man with a four digit age and shadow-based powers.

Profile Image for Toby.
22 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2025
💎 Crown of Ellova by Sienna Harlowe — A Cosy Romantasy Worth Getting Lost In

If you’re in the mood for a gentle, magical escape full of soft romance, glittering fae magic, and moonlit longing, Crown of Ellova will wrap you up like a warm cloak.

We follow Izadella (Della), a half-fae jewellery artisan who secretly sneaks into the mortal world every full moon to sell her handcrafted charms. I adored her right from the start — she’s curious, kind, and just a little stubborn. She’s the kind of heroine who would rather fix something broken than throw it away, and that philosophy kind of runs through the whole story.

Of course, things get complicated when she crosses paths (again) with Leon, the mortal healer who makes your heart ache in the best way. He’s calm, compassionate, and says things like “You shine brighter than any jewel you could ever make, Della.” (Yes. I melted. On the spot.) Their chemistry is this perfect slow burn — all longing glances, whispered jokes, and those heart-thumping moments where you just know they’re doomed to fall for each other.

The twist that kicks the story into gear is the Crown of Ellova itself — a magical relic that should never have left the fae realm. When it ends up on Della’s head, it binds itself to her and awakens a dangerous power that threatens to unravel both worlds. Suddenly, Della’s peaceful moonlit adventures turn into a race to save not only herself but everything she loves.

The world-building is enchanting without being overwhelming. Ellova is described in lush, glimmering detail — silver rivers, singing trees, fae courts that glow like starlight — but it never feels heavy. It’s the kind of world you can feel humming just under the words. And there’s a lot of heart in the smaller details too, like Della’s friendship with Nueena, who always brings humour and warmth. Their banter makes Ellova feel like home.

A line that really stayed with me:

“Magic doesn’t always sparkle — sometimes it hums quietly in the things we make with love.”

That sums up the whole tone of the book for me — quiet, tender, and full of love that feels hand-crafted.

Now, a little spoiler. The last few chapters had me clutching the book muttering, “Oh no, don’t you dare end there!” But yes. It ends there. A cliffhanger worthy of its crown.

If you’re after a high-stakes war epic, this isn’t that. It’s softer, slower, and more character-driven — perfect for a rainy afternoon with a blanket and tea. But if you love slow-burn romances, beautiful magic systems, and stories that glow with heart, Crown of Ellova will absolutely charm you.

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chiara | wordsbychiara.
695 reviews351 followers
November 27, 2024
The Crown of Ellova is a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre, counting on elements that aren't as popular in the genre and bringing in new ones that I personally hadn't encountered before to spin an engaging tale of love, magic and sacrifice.

The story follows Izadella, a jewelsmith from the fae realm who travels every month to the mortal kingdom to sell her creations and see Leon, the king's personal healer with whom she's fallen in love. The mortal king, however, wears a fae-made "stolen" crown that can only be removed upon ones death, and whose magic has spread a sickness in the mortal realm. Now Leon and Izadella are racing against time to find a cure for the sickness as well as a way to remove the crown from Izadella before it drains her of her magic, and the answers are in the fae realm. The problem is, Leon cannot stay in the fae realm for long or he'll lose his mind, and Izadella cannot go to the mortal realm because she will die without her magic.

Crown of Ellova is a slower book that focuses more on characters than action (which wasn't an issue for this character-driven reader). Izadella is a wonderful main character, far from the usual snarky FMCs we encounter in this genre, and I appreciated the novelty of her jewelsmith abilities and the opportunity to really get to know her and her life before being thrust into the action. Among the things I loved, there's the beautiful female friendship and the worldbuilding. I cannot wait to learn more of the magic in the next book!

For the romance, I admit it took me a while to warm up to Leon and Izadella as a couple. I do love the friends to lovers trope, but having both of them already in the "love" territory at the start of the book removed some of the fun of the buildup. However, the author played their cards right. If the feelings developed quickly, having Izadella and Leon act on those feelings took time, and that united with the high stakes eventually had me falling under their spell without me even realizing!

Overall, this was a great start into this duology, and a wholly unique romantasy that I recommend to lovers of the genre!

Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Alexandria Williams.
524 reviews63 followers
November 8, 2024
“The crown needs to make up its fucking mind. Does it want to protect me or kill me?”

Crown of Ellova is here, and fantasy romance fans, this one’s for you! 💖

🌙 In this enchanting first book of a duology, Izadella—a half-fae artisan with a gift for jewelry—ventures into the mortal kingdom every full moon, all while harboring forbidden feelings for Leon, the king’s healer.

But with her people’s stolen fae crown sitting on the king’s head, it's not just her heart at risk. When Izadella is forced to wear the crown herself, it awakens powers she barely understands.

The price? Bringing Leon to Ellova, where mortals can’t survive for long.

With her best friend Nueena by her side, they race against time to save both worlds from the crown’s curse—fueled by angsty, sweet tension and the realization that love and duty may not go hand-in-hand.🫰✨

❤️ Why You’ll Fall for This Romantasy:
🍓Slow-burn romance with a swoonworthy healer? Yes, please! Leon is the sweetest cinnamon roll with protective vibes that will melt your heart.
✨Fae meets Mortal: The stakes are high, with Izadella and Leon caught between worlds, unable to stay together but unwilling to part.
🍓Strong female friendships: Izadella and Nueena’s sisterly bond adds so much depth, highlighting true support with zero jealousy.
✨Vivid world-building: The lush, colorful realm of Ellova contrasts beautifully with the mortal world, making every scene feel like a painting.

From spellbinding jewelry magic to life-saving quests and the aching pull of forbidden love, Crown of Ellova balances romance, intrigue, and a cliffhanger ending that’ll have you counting the days till the next book.

If you’re into books that focus on relationships and emotions over politics or battles, this whimsical romantasy is a must-grab. And trust us—just wait till you see Leon’s reaction when Izadella steps into something cute. 😉

🍓P.S. “Strawberries” is your new favorite trope. Grab it now and fall in love!
Profile Image for Booksnliftsdiary.
282 reviews8 followers
October 30, 2024
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)

“The crown needs to make up its fucking mind. Does it want to protect me or kill me?”

Izadella, a half-fae from the vibrant realm of Ellova, sneaks into the mortal kingdom each full moon to sell her enchanted jewelry at a secretive bazaar attended by wealthy courtiers, all paying homage to a dying king who wears the stolen fae crown. Though drawn to Leon, the king’s healer, Izadella knows their love is forbidden. When the crown’s magic awakens within her, she must bring Leon into Ellova, despite knowing the realm’s magic could drive him mad. With her friend Nueena, the heir to Ellova, they scramble to create a cure for the mortals cursed by the crown, but time is running out. Leon cannot survive in Ellova, and Izadella cannot live in the mortal world. Will she lose him forever, or find a way to defy fate?

CROWN OF ELLOVA is the mesmerizing first book in an adult fantasy romance duology, weaving angsty, slow-burn romance into a lush, forbidden fae love story. Set in a vivid, beautifully crafted world, this character-driven romantasy captures the magic of forbidden love, strong female bonds, and enchanting landscapes. With its perfect mix of heartfelt drama and emotional depth, Crown of Ellova is ideal for fans looking for whimsical friends-to-lovers tales without heavy politics or action scenes. As secrets unravel and the stakes rise, you’ll be left on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you’re drawn to soulful, heartfelt stories with an irresistible forbidden twist, Crown of Ellova is calling your name! Plus, the beautiful book cover perfectly encapsulates the enchanting world within. Just wait until you reach that cliffhanger ending—it’ll have you counting down the days for book two!

A big thanks to Sienna Harlow for sending me a digital ARC of this book!

Release date: 10/29/2024.
Profile Image for ShelfLoveWithBianca .
77 reviews5 followers
October 28, 2024
Crown of Ellova
By Sienna Harlow

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5

I recently finished Crown of Ellova by Sienna Harlow. I rate it 4/5 stars and 2/5 on the spicy level. There are explicit scenes but they aren’t many. Be aware that this book is book 1 in what is supposed to be a duology. Book 2 does not release until 2025. Lastly, note that this book ends on a major cliff hanger.

I enjoyed reading Crown of Ellova. This book is mainly focuses on the relationship between the FMC and MMC. There is not super deep world building. In this book, the FMC is fae/mortal while the MMC is human. I enjoyed that little twist. I also enjoyed that this book features a cinnamon roll MMC, which is a trope I’m really beginning to like.

The magic system is quite interesting! Our FMC has a rare ability with gems and jewels.

Sienna Harlow did a beautiful job writing the story. It flowed well and was beautiful to read. I appreciated that Sienna would reply to my messages on Instagram when I shared my feelings on different events in the book. She is super sweet and took the time to chat with me over DMs. Fun fact, Sienna is also an artist and illustrates her characters herself! Can we say multitalented??

I recommend this book if you’re looking for a sweet, Romantasy with a kind and direct MMC who gives “who hurt you” and overprotective vibes! I find it refreshing that the MMC is direct with his feelings and doesn’t try to bury them. He remains steadfast in his feelings for the FMC and doesn’t let her be confused about his love and intentions. Major green flag!!

Last I’ll leave you with one word - Strawberries!!! 🍓🍓🍓

You’ll know what I mean when you read the book! 😉
Profile Image for Tehya.
29 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2024
I have fallen in love with fantasy, all thanks to Crown of Ellova! For all the Swifties who love lyrics about pining and fated love, this romance is for you! The slow burn between a fae female character and a mortal male character is so sweet, and the dialogue between Izadella and Leon is swoonworthy.

One of my favorite things was the worldbuilding. It was intriguing and beautifully paced! When it comes to fantasy and sci-fi, there are usually moments of info-dump that distract readers from what's happening in the scene. But Crown of Ellova never had large excerpts of info! How did the author do this? The only answer... She must be magical! I am in awe of the author's vibrant descriptions of the setting and the way in which the author organically introduces the world to the reader.

Be prepared to spend a few sleepless nights just so you can be immersed in this story. The author ends each chapter on jaw-dropping sentences that make you want to keep reading! And then the cliffhanger at the end... oh my! So happy this is a duology because I can't wait to read more!

If you've read (and loved) The Prison Healer or This Vicious Grace, you'll love Crown of Ellova! I also just finished reading Assistant to the Villain! I LOVED it, and I think Crown of Ellova is similar... with a little extra spice!

I was so lucky to have read a digital arc of this book, and I just ordered a physical copy! Can't wait to receive it in the mail because the cover and world map are gorgeous!
Profile Image for Shenice Corbett.
15 reviews
October 27, 2024
Crown Of Ellova Review 💓🌸👑

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ( book 2 I can already tell will be a five )
Spice : 🌶️ 1/2
Genre : Adult Romantasy 🫶



Thank you sienna harlow for the amazing opportunity to read the ARC copy of Crown Of Ellova I have so loved the first book and I can’t wait for book 2 what a cliffhanger 😬😉 I loved all the characters and the world building of book one 💓 this is such a good book and I highly recommend everyone pre-orde!

I really enjoyed Crown Of Ellova. It follows Izadella who is a half human half fae that has a rare and amazing power that grants her access to the mortal realm and into their iron castle where she meet Leon a mortal healer whom is protective and will do anything to keep Izadella safe. Izadella finds herself in a very hard situation where the answers seem nowhere to be found , her ancestor is to blame for a creation that plagues the human lands and it’s all on her head to find a way to right the wrongs of the past, with Leon, her best friend Nuenna and Nuennas zemra Tavien they work together to find the answers. I loved Izadella and Leon so much and I can’t wait for volume 2 to continue this journey and see what becomes of Izadella , Leon , Nuenna and Tavien. Amazing story. 💓🌸👑⭐️💓🫶
Profile Image for Andrea Molinar.
Author 7 books2 followers
October 22, 2025
Crown of Ellova takes place in such a fascinating fae-human world with maps & other guides to make it easier to understand. A bit of a nitpick is that it feels like there’s some lore dumping towards the beginning, but the story picks up rather easily afterwards.

The main character, Della, is half-fae & over a hundred years old, making her a nice change from your typical heroine in fae novels. She also has the unique magical ability to bend metal & uses it as a jewelry/crown maker. Her ancestor is the creator of the Crown of Ellova, giving her an interesting connection there from the start.

Her love interest is a human healer named Leon, who’s very sweet with her & it feels understandable from the beginning why she’s been crushing on him for so long. Their relationship feels very real as their conversations while they’re getting to know each other throughout the story are so normal. However, they’re definitely not a slowburn as Leon in particular seems all in with Della from the moment he realizes that she’s available.

Overall, the story was a very quick read for me & I think that I can confidently say that most fae romantasy fans will enjoy Crown of Ellova.

Disclaimer: I was an ARC reader for Captive Queen.
Profile Image for Jesslyn Harper.
32 reviews
October 21, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Crown of Ellova, and I can happily say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a captivating blend of fae magic and human conflict. The story follows a half-fae jeweler and her human lover, a healer, as they flee from a ruthless human king and search for a cure to both a sickness that has overtaken the human realm of Adreania and a way to break a curse caused by a magical crown. The dynamic between the two main characters is compelling; their relationship is tender, yet complicated by their different lifespans. The pacing is solid, and the tension keeps building up to a fantastic cliffhanger at the end.
Their growing relationship is the heart of the story, but it’s occasionally bogged down by the FMC’s internal conflict over whether to pursue the MMC. I appreciated the emotional depth, but her indecision sometimes felt repetitive. Additionally, some of the language, especially during the more intimate scenes, felt too modern for the setting. It pulled me out of the moment at times, though it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kirsty Ney.
85 reviews1 follower
Read
October 31, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Crown of Ellova - and what a story it was!

The slowburn between Della and Leon was intoxicating- I wanted to scream at them to just give in and get together!! Also strawberries will never be the same to me now! Lol

But before all that, I have to say the main plot was fantastic. I loved the world building - simple and easy to follow and understand.

Throughout the book, you learn of the cruelty of the mortal kings, and how that affects the mortal subjects who live within the mortal realm.
The story of how this occurred is heartbreaking and now Della is doing her best to right a family wrong, even though it might end in death.

I loved the stong female characters, especially Nuenna. The close friendship between her and Della is so sweet. The fact that Della is seen as one of their own family members warms my heart.

Also loving the inclusion of LGBTQ representation - I am so glad I am seeing more and more of this in books - makes me a very happy lady.

The cliffhanger at the end??? I was just starting to enjoy the Spice and then that happens?? Fuming!! The sooner the next book is out the better, as I need to know what happens next!
I truly hope Della and Leon can have their happens ending, but in all honesty at present I don't see how that will happen. And it will break my heart!

A 5-star read for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jess Palacios.
193 reviews17 followers
November 7, 2024
⭐️:5 of 5 📚: 360 pages 🌶️: 4 of 5
💬: “That urge to forge my soul to his, it is its own kind of madness, one magic plays no part in.”

Read it if you like:
✔️ Romantasy
✔️ Forbidden love
✔️ Touch her and 💀
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Found family
✔️ Fated mates aka Zemra

Blurb: Crown of Ellova is an adult fantasy romance and the first book in an angsty, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers duology, it features a forbidden fae romance, whimsical world-building, and powerful female friendships. It is a dramatic, character-driven romantasy with minimal action scenes and very little political intrigue. This book was written for an adult audience and contains explicit sexual content.

My thoughts: I ATE this one up in one single reading lol I loved the author's writing style, the romantasy genre sometimes lack plot or romance or fantasy but this book balances out all the elements in a very nice pace. The world building isn't complicated or tiring, the plot thrives in itself (action packaged, drama, romance, family traditions and ties, spicy and political schemes) and the romance it's swoony, slow burn and feeds us the perfect amount of spicy! I loved Della (FMC) and Leon (MMC) individually and as a couple and that's so rare and unique! They're both strong minded and fierce and together they can take the world down! Such an amazing book and honestly? I need book two already lol
Profile Image for Alara.
69 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2025
Thank you for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to share an honest review.

This story isn't a typically read for me. I usually enjoy a story where the characters slowly develop feelings or explore an enemies to lovers trope. This is a much sweeter tale, with the characters having a tender and romantic vibe right from the start. I think this is a great read for people who love wholesome characters and sweet love.

The plot is unique enough, but lacked the frantic energy I find myself drawn to. Definitely a great read for those who enjoy a slightly slower paced story.

The writing style was by far my favourite part. The authors language was beautiful, and the way of describing the world drew me in and is probably what kept me reading. For that alone I give this a 3.5 stars.

Overall, this is a well written story with loveable characters, and perfect for those who love a fantasy filled slow and sweet love story.
Profile Image for Bianca Ames.
28 reviews
October 26, 2024
A half fae/half mortal female, a mortal man, a cursed crown, fae royalty bffs, life or death, love, & strawberries… YEAH YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE!

This book was everything I love about romantasy and more! Della, our brave badass fmc, & Leon, my newest book boyfriend/our mmc, have such great chemistry, I felt like I was giggling and kicking my feet every time they were near each other.

The details in this story were so good too, I felt like I was right there in Ellova, experiencing everything in person.

Also, really loved the author throwing in a pronunciation guide to help us with names/world building/important items!


It does end on a cliffhanger and honestly, IT’S SO GOOD IM ALREADY IN NEED OF BOOK 2.

Things I’ll be giggling & thinking about all day:
•strawberries🍓🍓
•nueena & tavien’s whole dynamic
•lochkiss scene, iykyk
Profile Image for Stephanie Sexton.
32 reviews6 followers
November 2, 2024
This was such a great read, I actually gave it 4.5 stars but here on Goodreads you can’t do 1/2 stars. I loved the world building and character building that happened throughout this book. I also really enjoyed that it had a pronouncing guide at the beginning for all the different names and how it gave a little insight on all the different courts. There was a slow burn romance happening and some spice towards the end and I’m here for it!! This book definitely had a cliffhanger to be continued ending and I cannot wait until the next book in the duology comes out so I can re-immerse myself into the land of Ellova! There is also a recipe at the end of the book that has some significance to the storyline I will definitely be trying it out. Thank you Sienna for allowing me to be an ARC reader
Profile Image for Teahlyn Seeger.
147 reviews5 followers
November 5, 2024
I received this book as an advance reader copy and this is an honest review.

I want to live in Ellova and be besties with Izadella and Nueena!!! They both are just the most caring and supportive friends! And the community of Ellova?? Sign me up!

I really enjoyed this book. The magic system is different and intriguing, I loved the different courts to harness and support the different types of magic. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll be as vague as possible! I’m so curious about the crown!! This book seemed to set the backstory and tone for the next book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, the world building, and the history. The Crown of Ellova also touched on some interesting themes including but not limited to capitalism, female empowerment, and inclusion. This book does end on an abrupt cliffhanger!! And I hope you like strawberries ;) I’m so excited for the next book!
Profile Image for Alexis Rex.
16 reviews2 followers
January 10, 2025
I had such a fun time reading Crown of Ellova! Our FMC Della is so lovable and I enjoyed her intelligence and sweet side. She has a kind heart for her found family. And the MMC Leon is THE perfect cinnamon roll!! His adoration of Della was exactly the kind I want in a romantasy. I ate it up! Speaking of eating, don't read this while hungry because Sienna's food descriptions had my stomach growling which I was just not prepared for. I'd recommend reading on a full stomach unless you're ready for a serious snack attack to pounce on you.

Overall, the push and pull between Della and Leon was so well done! When the lovers FINALLY connect, it doesn't feel forced or lackluster. The supporting characters had so much unexpected depth to them which I appreciated.

This was an incredibly satisfying read! I'm looking forward to more of the series and anything else Ms. Harlow writes!
Profile Image for TribesReadingObsession.
41 reviews5 followers
October 22, 2025
Omg I don’t know what to say but wow!!
I absolutely love the book so much, the story and the world the characters live in is amazing.
The mfc Izadella is top tier and the mmc Leon is the sweetest caring lovable male ever. We could all do with a Leon. There’s magic abilities, humans, fae, spice and so much more unique in its own way.
All the characters you meet grow into this huge family and you can’t wait to learn more and be apart of the story.
I honestly couldn’t put this down and well what can I say but strawberries 🍓 are never to be looked at the same but with a giggle and the need a Zemra is what everyone should strive for. Read a find out you won’t be disappointed.
The duology is complete so you won’t have a book hangover after the end of book 1
I’m off to read book 2 cause I need to asap!!!
Profile Image for kassidy.raelyn.
54 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2024
Wish Goodreads would let me do 4.5!! I had the wonderful opportunity to read an early copy. What a sweet book! This is romance heavy romantasy with some well placed spice! I will never look at strawberries again in the same way. I mean that positively 😉. Leon is a dream man. Sweet, strong and protective. Their romance is soft and comforting and I can’t wait to read more of their love story in the sequel. Ellova sounds like an amazing place to live and I am so so jealous of their political system. The word building flowed so well and never felt like there were huge info dumps. There were so many unique details in the magic system and the world that I absolutely ate up. The little recipe at the end was such a lovely touch as well! Looking forward to a little more action in book 2!!
Profile Image for Kayla Nowakowski.
104 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2024
“That urge to forge my soul to his, it is its own kind of madness, one magic plays no part in.”

Wow! Just, wow! Where can I find a Leon? It’s so nice to finally have a fantasy story where the love interest is a full true adult rather than someone who is barely legal in age/appearance. And that scene at the Airvell Spring? Swoon! This is a perfect book for those who like fantasy with a cozy vibe and all of the slow burn energy. Also, be prepared to absolutely love strawberries and never look at them the same way again (iykyk). Just a heads up though that the cliffhanger will absolutely get you and put you in a book hangover until the next book is released. I need to know what happens, like, right now! This was a great story and fully earned each of its 5 stars!
Profile Image for Harriet.
134 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2024
As a major fan of romantasy, I loved the world building in this and the unique magic system. A personal fave was the strong friendship between the FMC & her Queen bestie 👑!!!

If you are into listing book boyfriends like myself, you’ll be adding Leon to that list by the end of the book. It was a bitttt of a slow burn 🔥 but she did make some feelings pretty clear in a dream-like state (which I found v funny).

Overall, I really loved this book & I can’t wait for the second one now! Well done to Sienna for creating such a magical book ✨. I’m thrilled I got to read it early!

Tropes/ micro-tropes:

🧚🏼 fae x mortal
🧚🏼 one bed
🧚🏼 spice
🧚🏼 cinnamon roll
🧚🏼 slow burn
🧚🏼 strong female friendships
🧚🏼 secret identity
🧚🏼 forbidden romance
🧚🏼 friends to lovers
🧚🏼 time limit
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