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).

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!

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!

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.

All in all, an imaginative and ambitious effort that didn’t quite stick the landing — but there’s definite magic in there. Just needs a little polish and a bit less repetition. And possibly less kissing. Or more kissing. Hard to say.

3.5 stars and a very polite round of applause.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This was so good. This was the first story I have read with elves and it was so fun. Aelrie our main MFC decides to follow the assassin that killed her high priestess to his world. Where she hopes to discover who hired him for the job. Then have him help her to get back to her world. This is an enemies to lovers and the slow burn is so good. I can’t wait for the second book!

First off I want to thank NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read this ARC.

When I read a book I look for 5 different things.

1. Explanation of different fractions. for instance in this book the author explains the difference type of elves. Light Elves, Dark Elves, Wood Elves. She also explains the different status of each elf which I loved.

2. A really good opening to the book. This means the first few paragraphs have to be able to pull me in and want to keep reading which for me it did. The Author did a wonderful job because I was so invested at that point.

3. There has to be banter!! Which there is a really big portion of it. Those parts had me laughing and wanting more.

4. World building/character building. I am the type of person who loves world building and I love when the author does a lot of it even if it repetitive sometimes. Kari did an amazing job at this. I loved how she described every place that the FMC and the MMC went. To the Evergloom and how pretty the phosphorus mushrooms gave off Light in hues of purple, blue, orange. To the Forest being bright filled with beautiful colors. The way that the author built the FMC from beginning to end had me loving every part. She starts off as this guard to the high priestess who obeys every order and does not falter to learning that things are not always as it is meant to be and that you have to not be so nieve about things.

5. SPICY Romance. For me there has to at least be some spicy romance cause who does not love a little spice here or there. The Author did a good job with the spicy parts it was not too much and it was not too prude.


This book has checked off everything I love in a book.

This book, The Hopes of a Crystalline Heart by Kari Jeong, sets out with the makings of a truly epic fantasy — a vibrant world populated by Light Elves, Dark Elves, and Wood Elves, all caught in a complex web of alliances and enmities. The Light and Dark Elves remain bitter enemies, yet the FMC (light) and MMC (dark) are strangely attracted to each other. It’s a setup that promises tension, political intrigue, and high-stakes adventure.
And to its credit, the opening chapters deliver. The initial action is gripping and promises a fast-paced, high-fantasy tale. But that momentum doesn’t last.
The author’s greatest strength — world-building — quickly becomes the story’s biggest obstacle. The setting is beautifully crafted, every forest glade, underground cave system and elven stronghold described in exquisite detail. Unfortunately, the descriptions are so frequent and so lengthy that they bog down the narrative. Just when the plot should be moving forward, it often pauses to admire the scenery. While the immersive detail is impressive, it comes at the cost of pacing — making it difficult to stay engaged as the story unfolds.
Transitions between chapters also feel abrupt and occasionally jarring, as though key moments or developments were skipped or edited out. This disjointed flow made it difficult to stay grounded in the story, and more than once I had to flip back just to check if I missed something.
A particularly odd disconnect lies in the characterization of the main female protagonist. She’s introduced as a trained guard — someone who’s presumably lived through the roughness of a soldier’s life. Yet her behavior often contradicts that background. She’s frequently naive and easily flustered by the kinds of conversations or realities that would be standard in any military setting. This inconsistency makes her difficult to relate to and undermines her credibility as a capable fighter.
There’s a lot of promise in this book — a unique world, fascinating lore, and the skeleton of a strong narrative. But it’s weighed down by overwriting and uneven character development. With tighter pacing and a clearer focus on the characters over the landscape, this could be something truly special. It does end on a cliffhanger and does have some spice 🌶️🌶️.
Rating: 3/ 5 stars
Recommended for patient readers who love richly described fantasy settings and can overlook a meandering plot in favor of imaginative detail.
Thanks to #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars.

This one wasn’t quite for me but I had to give it 3.5 stars for the incredibly cool concept and the plot itself is there, with a little bit of an extra edit this could still have been a really great read with intrigue, betrayals and a lot of what I love in a book.

What I liked:
- Aelrie was a really likeable character, I was rooting for her.
- the world building is well done. The warring factions are well described and compelling.

Where it lost me:
- the language was really repetitive with the same phrasing being used in successive sentences and some subsequent sentences seemed to say almost the same thing as the one before.
- There were inconsistencies at times that took me out of the story. For example in the aftermath of Lindana’s murder the acolyte asks Aelrie if she committed the murder despite already knowing that guards are chasing someone which I found a bit confusing.

I would still absolutely check out another book by Kari Jeong.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really wanted to love this book. The concept is excellent and gave me LOTR vibes with the elves and orcs. However, the writing comes off as YA/middle school age and has a lot of repetitive words and explainations. Many parts felt a bit choppy or disjointed and detracted from the overall reading experience. I think if the romance was removed, or toned down, this could be a great read for a 8-14 year old or if it was re-drafted to address the issues with the flow of writing, for older audiences with the romance intact. Overall, I think the concept is there, but it needs fine tuning to reach it's full potential.

A big thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Hopes of a Crystalline Heart!

This one was just okay for me. I really loved the concept—the different elf factions and the enemies-to-lovers slow burn had a lot of potential. But unfortunately, a strong idea doesn’t always translate into a strong execution, and that was the case here.

The story felt a bit too simplistic, almost like a YA novel with some romance added in. While the premise was promising, the worldbuilding and character development fell flat. I found myself wishing the author had pushed the boundaries of her imagination to create a more immersive and unforgettable world. It had all the ingredients, but the final product didn’t quite come together.

DNF.

I tried to finish this, but... I just couldn't.

The concept is awesome, and is definitely a DnD inspired world crossed with Norse Mythology. An awesome combination!

But the execution feels... a bit like a first draft. It has SO MUCH potential to be an elegant romantic high fantasy story. But it's very choppy in execution and does a lot of telling rather than showing.