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The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart had a beautifully imaginative premise with moments of real emotional depth, but overall, it didn’t fully land for me. The worldbuilding was intriguing, and I appreciated the underlying themes of resilience, hope, and transformation. There’s definitely a poetic quality to the writing, and the author clearly poured heart into the story.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I struggled to stay connected to the characters. Some of the emotional beats didn't hit as hard as I expected, and I found myself wishing for more character development and dialogue to ground me in their journey.

While this book didn’t become a favorite, I think readers who enjoy lyrical prose and quiet, introspective fantasy might still find something special here.

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This was a DNF at 20%

This was a book I was looking forward to reading - but right from the start, I just could not connect.

The writing is very wordy and disjointed. And felt somewhat immature - as if it was meant be a YA fantasy novel.

To end on a positive note, I did appreciate the beginning notes and pronunciation guide.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

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Please check your tw before reading this book. The world building was beautiful in this book seemed like the author loves that part of the book.

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3.5 🌟

Right, so let’s start with the good stuff. The concept? Absolutely banging. Elves, orcs, warring factions and a bit of enemies-to-lovers slow burn action what more could a fantasy lover ask for? I was ready to be swept off my feet and deposited gently into a world of intrigue, betrayal and pointy eared politics.

Aelrie, bless her, was a gem. I was rooting for her like she was on Bake Off and her soufflé was sinking. And the worldbuilding? Surprisingly solid. The author clearly had a vision, and I respect the commitment to creating a fractured world full of conflict and possibility.

Now, was the writing perfect? No. At times it felt a bit like reading your little cousin’s whatpad draft, full of heart, but possibly in need of a cuppa and a red pen. There was a touch too much repetition, some awkward pacing and the romance had the subtlety of a sledgehammer in a teacup. And yet, somehow, I kept reading.

Would I recommend it? Sure, if you’re after a light fantasy with a solid plot hiding beneath a slightly chaotic narrative. It’s like ordering a beautifully described dessert and receiving something that’s technically cake, but a bit lopsided. You’ll eat it, you might even enjoy it, but you’ll also spend the whole time thinking with just a bit more effort, this could’ve been a showstopper..

3.5 stars and a very polite round of applause.

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Thank you to Kari Jeong and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my opinion.

I really enjoyed the world building in this book - the explanation of and the relationship between the different types of elves. I also found the characters to have great character development without the book (especially the FMC!).

If you like the following, you’ll enjoy this book:
-rich world building
-character driven plot
-forbidden love
-slow burn

Looking forward to book 2!

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The world building and character development in this book was spot on. It was definitely elaborate and there was a lot of history and backstory for the author to elaborate on. I got the feeling that the book was more of a high fantasy than just plain romantasy, but there was still a lot of romance for all of us smut lovers. It just isn't the main focus and doesn't drive the plot. The plot is insane and there are a lot of twists and turns that keep changing what you think is going to be the main idea but goodness when you finally get the end and the crazy cliff hanger whew hold on to your hat. The last part of the book was so well written and insanely good. I can't wait for book 2!!!

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3.5
Please check tws. This book had a really strong fantasy vibe, and the worldbuilding was one of the best parts for me. It felt rich and detailed, the magic and races were interesting too, even if sometimes I wished the explanations were more mixed into the story instead of all at once in the beginning. The journey of Aelrie and Fyn was emotional and had some very intense moments. Their development, especially Aelrie’s powers, was slow but believable. I appreciated how her growth didn’t feel rushed and followed the events around her. But the romance didn't fully convince me. The start of the book was a bit slow and it took me some chapters to get into the flow. But once the journey started, the pacing improved a lot and I got more engaged. The ending was emotional and a bit heartbreaking, it definitely made me curious for the next book. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

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3 stars

I really wanted to love this one but the writing didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Firstly, the premise of The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart had so much potential and the reason I was drawn to reading this book in the first place. Aelrie, a Light Elf guard to the High Priestess, finds herself stranded in enemy territory, and her only hope of returning to her homeland is the Dark Elf assassin who murdered said priestess. As expected, the forced proximity for the two enemy elves stirs up some not-so-subtle tension, and there is plenty of back and forth banter between the two as they journey together.

The world building in this novel is clearly a labour of love for the author and comes across as complex. Maybe a little too complex. She seems to get very caught up in the details of the setting and over-explains a lot of well-known concepts. As a reader, I want to be taken on a journey and learn things along the way instead of being delivered a slab of information without any narrative context.

Unfortunately, this book reads a lot like a first draft and not a published novel. I really think it would have benefited from further revisions and perhaps working with a talented editor to really bring out its best. The writing (especially early in the book) felt very mediocre, with pacing issues, run on sentences, and even some misused words and phrases. I was so close to DNF-ing the book around the 15% mark, but persevered to see where the story was going and thankfully saw some improvements.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy.

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4.5⭐️
Do check tws for this book, If you loved Acowar and Acosf or From Blood and Ash, then this book is for you. I will say this felt at times more fantasy then romantasy only because this book had more world building/ character driven than romance. There was romance, but wasn’t really the main plot, at least to me. Which is ironic because it also felt kinda insta-lovey (because their journey at the beginning wasn’t long chapter 19) but like I said before it didn’t feel like the main plot to me, because the spicy scenes didn’t happen constantly like how my usual romantasies are. Also would rate the spicy scenes 🌶️🌶️🌶️. For the fmc I know she is depicted as native, but there were times she was bit too native. Overall definitely recommend this book for those love a good enemies to lovers (knife to throat), with detailed world building, chapters where you want to one more chapter, and an ending where you need book 2 immediately (like me).

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Thank you to NetGallery and the Author for this eArc

This story finds us in a world where Light Elves and Dark Elves are sworn enemies and Dark Elves are forced into the underworld after an ancient war. These two groups refuse to engage with one another, and if found on enemy land, they are either killed, imprisoned, or turned into a slave.

Aelrie, a Light Elf guard, has chosen to dedicate her life to protecting a High Priestess. Her life is upended when her charge is murdered by a Dark Elf Assassin and finds herself stuck in the underworld of the Evergloom. She must rely on the charming and handsome Dark Elf Assassin to get out of the perilous Evergloom alive to hunt down the person who wanted her charge dead. The Evergloom is a dark and treacherous place where the culture is vastly different from what Aelrie has ever known.

Kari Jeong provided all you could want in a fantasy romance. A unique plot of enemies to lovers with dark themes and flirty banter. Aelrie and her Dark Elf have an instant connection and he does not hold back his attraction to her. I loved the obstacles Aelrie faced in the underworld and the realistic consequences to her actions. And who wouldn’t want a flirty and handsome assassin as a love interest that protects you at all costs?!

Add this book to your TBR!

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The greatest strength of this story is definitely the world building. The imagery is so vivid, especially the descriptions of the outside world. And while I did enjoy the ride we are taken on with the main characters, there are many moments that left me like ??? The first thing in particular is when the FMC has the chance to take out the alleged assassin, and chooses not to because he was passed out? Seems like something a novice would do, not a professional. There are many moments like that that just don't make sense to me. Sometimes this story felt very dense, and that made the pacing a struggle. Overall, this was pretty enjoyable! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

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I really wanted to like this one more. It started out pretty good with lots of world building and character development but then it seemed like it got choppy and disconnected. I ended up more annoyed with the fmc and her continuous making poor choices. The spice was pretty good but sometimes seemed forced. I think it could just be edited and smoothed out. The plot is decent.

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First of all, thanks for the ARC, but unfortunately, The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart ended up being a DNF for me around the 15% mark. The premise really hooked me—I’m always down for enemies-to-lovers, especially with elves, forced proximity, and dark fantasy vibes. The concept had great potential and reminded me of the kind of story I’d normally love, especially with nods to ACOTAR, LOTR, and DND-style dynamics.

That said, the execution just didn’t work for me. The writing felt very amateurish and unpolished, with a tendency to over explaine things instead of allowing the world and story to unfold gradually. Important information was dumped all at once, leaving little room for discovery or natural pacing. It made it hard to stay immersed, and I struggled to connect with the characters or their motivations.

It’s always tough when a great idea doesn’t quite land in the delivery. I do think there’s something here, and with more development and refinement, this story could shine. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.

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Thank you to NetGalley for letting me get my hands on this amazing novel. I loved this one. The world building was done beautifully, and I was left wanting more in the series.

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This was a really good book! I have had some bad luck with ARCs lately and this one was a breath of fresh air. It is not without its issues, but overall I enjoyed it. The romance was sweet. The story was well thought out. It was a bit longer than it needed to be. A bit wordy. There were some pacing issues. But it was very enjoyable and that is worth four stars in my opinion. Thanks so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC. My full review is on my website.

Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Spice

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The cover and plot description really had promise but I was unfortunately unable to finish this book. The book felt unpolished and I really felt like I couldn't commit early on to the story. I really appreciate the opportunity to try it out.

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First, I would like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Kari Jeong, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart begins with a premise that immediately caught my attention: a Light Elf guard, Aelrie, thrust into enemy territory and forced into uneasy proximity with the very assassin she believes responsible for her High Priestess’s murder. There’s instant tension, danger, and the beginnings of a reluctant alliance—everything I look for in romantic fantasy. At its best, the book delivers high-stakes intrigue, a richly imagined world, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance that doesn’t shy away from emotional complexity.

Kari Jeong’s world-building is clearly one of her greatest strengths. The lands of the Light, Dark, and Wood Elves are steeped in history and shaped by divine influence, and the visual descriptions—especially of the Evergloom—are often stunning. Whether it’s glowing fungi in a subterranean cave or the shifting loyalties of elven courts, the setting feels textured and alive. The romance, too, is handled with care. There’s just enough spice to raise the emotional stakes, but it never overtakes the story. Instead, it deepens the connection between the leads and gives weight to their choices.

That said, the novel struggles with pacing. For every tense, plot-driven moment, there’s a lengthy detour into exposition or description that slows the narrative to a crawl. At times, I felt like I was constantly being pulled out of the story to admire the scenery. While the lush detail is impressive, it often comes at the expense of forward momentum. Transitions between scenes can also feel abrupt or disjointed, as if something essential was trimmed or skipped entirely. I found myself flipping back more than once, wondering if I’d missed a line or a key moment.

Aelrie’s characterization is another area where the story didn’t quite hold together. Introduced as a seasoned and disciplined guard, her reactions sometimes feel more in line with a novice. Her naivety in certain situations—especially those involving combat or manipulation—clashed with the image the story tries to project. I wanted her internal development to match the experience her role implied, but instead, it created a disconnect that made it harder to fully believe in her arc.

I also want to comment briefly on the cover. It is beautiful—there’s a quiet elegance in the design and the mood it evokes fits the story well. But the palette leans heavily into dark, cool tones that tend to blur together, making the title difficult to read and the overall image a bit easy to overlook. It’s a strong aesthetic choice, but one that could benefit from more contrast or a pop of color to help it stand out, especially when browsing digitally or on a shelf.

Despite its flaws, there’s still a lot to appreciate here. The foundation of the story is strong, and the lore is compelling enough that I’d consider reading the sequel in hopes of a tighter, more confident execution. For readers who enjoy lush settings, slow-burn romance, and don’t mind a story that takes its time—even if it occasionally loses its footing—this could still be a worthwhile read. The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart shines brightest in its ideas and atmosphere, even if the storytelling itself isn’t always as sharply cut.

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this opportunity to read this book.

I DNF this book at 26%. I tried really hard to push through it because I was excited about the concept. I’ve never read a fantasy/romance with elves before. However, the writing style was just not for me.

The story felt too descriptive and rushed while simultaneously being too slow for my liking. There was too much and not enough going on at the same time. I do think the concept could be really great and the writing style may be a better fit for someone else.

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Firstly, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 15%. I really tried to push further with it, because I felt like the concept had so much potential, but I just couldn’t get on board with the writing style at all.

It was overly descriptive whilst still somehow being too simplistic and unrefined. It kind of felt like everything was being described to me as if it was my first day on earth.

This has all the makings of a great romantic fantasy, but it definitely could’ve done with a few more rounds of editing first.

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When a Light Elf sworn to vengeance is trapped underground with the assassin she hates, enemies-to-lovers tension sparks in the shadows of a broken world.

The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart kicks off with a thrilling premise: Aelrie, a loyal Light Elf guard, watches her charge murdered by a Dark Elf assassin—then ends up stranded with him in the deadly Evergloom. Forced to survive side by side, the two must navigate a world of danger, distrust, and slow-burning desire.

The world-building is rich and vividly imagined, with lush descriptions of elven lands and underground realms. However, the heavy focus on setting often slows the pace and stalls the plot. At times, transitions between scenes feel abrupt, making it hard to stay grounded in the story.

Aelrie’s character also feels inconsistent—introduced as a hardened guard, her frequent naivety doesn’t always align with her background. Still, the enemies-to-lovers tension is well-done, the lore is intriguing, and the cliffhanger sets up promising stakes for book two.

A solid start to a new fantasy series with strong atmosphere, romantic tension, and plenty of potential.

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