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Return of the Elves #2
Sundered
A life in shambles
Lyr might be a powerful elven lord in charge of thousands, but his personal life is a disaster. Just the month before, a daughter he’d never known existed arrived from Earth, giving him news of his lost love’s death. Since then, he has been betrayed, captured, and almost murdered. And though his enemy was defeated, Lyr’s wounds never seem to heal. He certainly doesn’t need more conflict.
A perilous journey
Amid the glittering perfection of Alfheim, Meli is a dismal failure. Haunted by visions of people and places she’s never seen, she struggles to find her place. So when her king orders her to lead an expedition to another world, Meli is caught between shock and terror. How can she navigate the Veil between worlds with no magic of her own? But with Alfheim threatened by strange, dark energy, she has no choice.
A threat that spans worlds
The last thing Lyr expects is the arrival of the Ljósálfar, the reclusive Norse elves of Alfheim. More surprising? One among them, Meli, is a possible soulbounded, a link he’d believed lost with his previous love. But wounded and besieged with problems on every side, he can’t let himself be distracted. Poisoned energy is flooding into the closely connected realms of the fae, causing sickness, and Lyr must rush to find the source of the threat.
Only Moranaia remains untouched—leading Lyr to suspect one of his own people might be to blame.
Lyr might be a powerful elven lord in charge of thousands, but his personal life is a disaster. Just the month before, a daughter he’d never known existed arrived from Earth, giving him news of his lost love’s death. Since then, he has been betrayed, captured, and almost murdered. And though his enemy was defeated, Lyr’s wounds never seem to heal. He certainly doesn’t need more conflict.
A perilous journey
Amid the glittering perfection of Alfheim, Meli is a dismal failure. Haunted by visions of people and places she’s never seen, she struggles to find her place. So when her king orders her to lead an expedition to another world, Meli is caught between shock and terror. How can she navigate the Veil between worlds with no magic of her own? But with Alfheim threatened by strange, dark energy, she has no choice.
A threat that spans worlds
The last thing Lyr expects is the arrival of the Ljósálfar, the reclusive Norse elves of Alfheim. More surprising? One among them, Meli, is a possible soulbounded, a link he’d believed lost with his previous love. But wounded and besieged with problems on every side, he can’t let himself be distracted. Poisoned energy is flooding into the closely connected realms of the fae, causing sickness, and Lyr must rush to find the source of the threat.
Only Moranaia remains untouched—leading Lyr to suspect one of his own people might be to blame.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 25, 2016
635 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Adams
25 books719 followersEver since finding a copy of The Hero and the Crown in her elementary school library, Bethany has loved fantasy. After subjecting her friends to stories scrawled in notebooks during study breaks all through high school, she decided to pursue an English degree at Middle Tennessee State University. When not writing or wrangling her two small children, Bethany enjoys reading, photography, and video games.
CURRENTLY WRITING: Solace, book 8 of The Return of the Elves. Status: In editing
CURRENTLY WRITING: Solace, book 8 of The Return of the Elves. Status: In editing
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
July 7, 2017
I'm really starting to like this series. After reading the first book it was easier to follow the characters in this book. There's tons more drama. And great story flow.
December 29, 2021
It’s an average fantasy with decent world building but I think this is where the story ends for me. The next installments seem to be focused on other characters some known others new but all uninteresting to me. 🤷🏻♀️ fyi the Audible versions of this series are free to members at this time.
June 3, 2020
Book Two of this series causes even more mixed feelings than Book One. This is mainly Lyr’s story, and yet the POV jumps border on the excessive. (Yes, Arlyn’s POV is still among them, but just barely and only to affect her father’s story, not to have growth or feelings of her own, even though this story picks up right where the last one left off. Is her healing all done because she’s found love? Eww, and, if so, why even bother keeping her in at all? Kai, too, is allowed a little POV, but, again, mainly to further the plot.)
The characters still have a lot of heart, even the new ones, and the story was a little easier to follow than the first book. However, said story requires accepting a lot of developments that are hard to swallow.
For a series that seems to frequently draw comparisons between itself and others of its kind, the ways it tries to set itself apart do not always hold up. These books feel at war with themselves over having a compelling series-long plot arch vs. having individual stories full of more love and gentleness than others of the genre. Yet it can’t seem to devote the proper attention to either camp. These tender characters accept and move on from some pretty messed-up stuff pretty quickly, all to advance a storyline that I am as undecided on as ever.
The characters still have a lot of heart, even the new ones, and the story was a little easier to follow than the first book. However, said story requires accepting a lot of developments that are hard to swallow.
For a series that seems to frequently draw comparisons between itself and others of its kind, the ways it tries to set itself apart do not always hold up. These books feel at war with themselves over having a compelling series-long plot arch vs. having individual stories full of more love and gentleness than others of the genre. Yet it can’t seem to devote the proper attention to either camp. These tender characters accept and move on from some pretty messed-up stuff pretty quickly, all to advance a storyline that I am as undecided on as ever.
March 7, 2018
Another great read
I love everything about this story. All the story lines blend together so naturally. In some books I skip to just read a certain characters story, not with this one. It held my interest well. I enjoyed all the characters and found them well developed.....I am looking forward to the next book! I don't understand some of the negative reviews. True the book is PG in terms of romance and violence....not too much.....perhaps it's more of a young adult fantasy.
I love everything about this story. All the story lines blend together so naturally. In some books I skip to just read a certain characters story, not with this one. It held my interest well. I enjoyed all the characters and found them well developed.....I am looking forward to the next book! I don't understand some of the negative reviews. True the book is PG in terms of romance and violence....not too much.....perhaps it's more of a young adult fantasy.
July 23, 2022
{2.75⭐️} It’s good, I just don’t think this series is special. I’m not sure I’ll finish it.
February 29, 2024
Audiobook narrated by
Gabrielle de Cuir
⭐️⭐️
Stefan Rudnicki
⭐️⭐️
I couldn't remember the first book, and I didn't want to read it again.
It was probably a bad decision, because this was really boring.
Gabrielle de Cuir
⭐️⭐️
Stefan Rudnicki
⭐️⭐️
I couldn't remember the first book, and I didn't want to read it again.
It was probably a bad decision, because this was really boring.
July 8, 2017
***spoilers ahead and I hate that but I feel like I should explain why I didn't give the book 5 stars***
I'm going to be honest, I had a little more trouble with this book. I still really enjoyed it and the author definitely expands upon the world she built in Soulbound. I love the different cultures represented and the politics that show up in this elven world. Arlyn and Kai still hold a special place in my heart. Once again, I love that Arlyn knew there was something special with him even before she accepted his necklace. Anyway, I like Lyr's perspective from this book but I also really missed Arlyn's. Pol was one of my favorite characters and I enjoyed how he and the other characters were introduced. However, there are just a lot of things going on. From Alfaheim, the Sidhe (Moren and Naomh), Earth, Kian, and the other Elven houses....that is it hard to keep up with everything and how they're all connected. I wish (and hope) there had been more discussion of Selia and how her house is connected to Arlyn. I hope that is explored more. Then there's the whole Meli stuff. Reincarnation...I have mixed feelings of it. I like that it happened but I don't like how it was handled. The whole point of the soul bond was to say that these two people have SOULS that are connected and recognize one another. But, they made it seem as if Meli was a completely different person than Aimee. They have the SAME soul-- just different stories because of the life they each grew up in. I don't know. I'm just not sure I liked the way they made it seem as if Meli and Aimee weren't connected even though it's just a different body that the soul is in. It was hard for me...I wanted Lyr to discuss it more with Arlyn and let her know the soul her mom had would always be who he loved. It isn't like he had another soul bond...it's that soul that drew him to Meli. (Sorry for that tangent..it really threw the book off for me) I truly hope the next book expands on Kai's relationship with his father...& how/why he was involved with the poisoning of earth. I missed Kai and Arlyn in this book but I loved aero and her wisdom as a 7 year old. Her character will be interesting to see as she grows. I'm looking forward to the next book to see where this magical world goes and how the story unfolds. Everyone seems to be connected to it somehow.
I'm going to be honest, I had a little more trouble with this book. I still really enjoyed it and the author definitely expands upon the world she built in Soulbound. I love the different cultures represented and the politics that show up in this elven world. Arlyn and Kai still hold a special place in my heart. Once again, I love that Arlyn knew there was something special with him even before she accepted his necklace. Anyway, I like Lyr's perspective from this book but I also really missed Arlyn's. Pol was one of my favorite characters and I enjoyed how he and the other characters were introduced. However, there are just a lot of things going on. From Alfaheim, the Sidhe (Moren and Naomh), Earth, Kian, and the other Elven houses....that is it hard to keep up with everything and how they're all connected. I wish (and hope) there had been more discussion of Selia and how her house is connected to Arlyn. I hope that is explored more. Then there's the whole Meli stuff. Reincarnation...I have mixed feelings of it. I like that it happened but I don't like how it was handled. The whole point of the soul bond was to say that these two people have SOULS that are connected and recognize one another. But, they made it seem as if Meli was a completely different person than Aimee. They have the SAME soul-- just different stories because of the life they each grew up in. I don't know. I'm just not sure I liked the way they made it seem as if Meli and Aimee weren't connected even though it's just a different body that the soul is in. It was hard for me...I wanted Lyr to discuss it more with Arlyn and let her know the soul her mom had would always be who he loved. It isn't like he had another soul bond...it's that soul that drew him to Meli. (Sorry for that tangent..it really threw the book off for me) I truly hope the next book expands on Kai's relationship with his father...& how/why he was involved with the poisoning of earth. I missed Kai and Arlyn in this book but I loved aero and her wisdom as a 7 year old. Her character will be interesting to see as she grows. I'm looking forward to the next book to see where this magical world goes and how the story unfolds. Everyone seems to be connected to it somehow.
February 13, 2022
I love the continuation of the story; I love Meli and Lry... I just don't like it told from their perspective. Where Lry was a leader in Soulbound dealing with so many new unexpected things He was confident and strong and sought help and guidance and chided those around him for not doing the same...this Lry seemed to be a whole different character. Every thing he said or did was 2nd guessed emotional responses. It was almost like a PTSD trauma response before the trauma happened. The complete change in his personality came across to be more than just a reader perspective change. It made the story tough to get through in places and took longer to listen to.
That said, I really do enjoy the story and will not continue to listen to them on Audible as I want to see this world flourish and characters heal, but don't like the new couples finding themselves each book. I enjoy seeing Meli also grow as a character and finding faith and strength in herself same as Arelyn, but that isn't happening.
That said, I really do enjoy the story and will not continue to listen to them on Audible as I want to see this world flourish and characters heal, but don't like the new couples finding themselves each book. I enjoy seeing Meli also grow as a character and finding faith and strength in herself same as Arelyn, but that isn't happening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
Disappointing
This book did not live up to the first book. I felt it was rushed and the writer did not know where she was going with storyline.
It could have been so much better if the writer had developed the relationship between Kia and his father and Relan and his family.
The choices made by lyrs, which put his life and his families life endanger was illogical. On one hand he had bodyguards for his daughter and himself and then the writer would put them in dangerous situations without the assistance of bodyguards.
I skimmed parts of this book just to get to the end.
This book did not live up to the first book. I felt it was rushed and the writer did not know where she was going with storyline.
It could have been so much better if the writer had developed the relationship between Kia and his father and Relan and his family.
The choices made by lyrs, which put his life and his families life endanger was illogical. On one hand he had bodyguards for his daughter and himself and then the writer would put them in dangerous situations without the assistance of bodyguards.
I skimmed parts of this book just to get to the end.
December 30, 2017
Disappointing
I really liked the first book in this series but this one took a disappointing turn. The story overall was interesting with lots of potential but there was way too much focus on Lyr and Meli's relationship. Lyr was presented in the first book as a noble lord and in this book you mostly hear about his desire for Meli. I had hoped to continue the story of Aryln but she was almost a minor character in this book. The relationships (soulbonded) were too rushed and unbelievable. Also, I wish there had been a little more character building. Unfortunately, I did not like it enough to continue the series.
I really liked the first book in this series but this one took a disappointing turn. The story overall was interesting with lots of potential but there was way too much focus on Lyr and Meli's relationship. Lyr was presented in the first book as a noble lord and in this book you mostly hear about his desire for Meli. I had hoped to continue the story of Aryln but she was almost a minor character in this book. The relationships (soulbonded) were too rushed and unbelievable. Also, I wish there had been a little more character building. Unfortunately, I did not like it enough to continue the series.
March 3, 2021
After the first book, I was disappointed this book was about a new couple and didn't revisit the relationship of our original characters, building on that and adding in the complexity I'd missed the first time around.
...And after the fun of the first book has worn off, I'm in this one and I'm sort of getting bothered by the 500-700 year difference in age between these old geezers and their child brides. I suppose I've learned I have ageism when it comes to relationships and fantasy novels. 😂
So while this book continues world building and developing the overarching plot of the series, I found the romance itself to be wholly unsatisfying and thus distracting. 🤷♀️
...And after the fun of the first book has worn off, I'm in this one and I'm sort of getting bothered by the 500-700 year difference in age between these old geezers and their child brides. I suppose I've learned I have ageism when it comes to relationships and fantasy novels. 😂
So while this book continues world building and developing the overarching plot of the series, I found the romance itself to be wholly unsatisfying and thus distracting. 🤷♀️
July 4, 2024
When I came across these series I was actually excited and curious. However, it was not what I hoped for. I think the concept is good and there is a lot of potential, but the execution was not properly done.
The world was not well explained, the conflicts. I still am confused of what was going on. Besides, the characters are poorly developed, very simple and obvious. There is no charisma.
I am disappointed. I gave it a second try with the second book but I will not continue.
The world was not well explained, the conflicts. I still am confused of what was going on. Besides, the characters are poorly developed, very simple and obvious. There is no charisma.
I am disappointed. I gave it a second try with the second book but I will not continue.
October 28, 2016
Wonderful
Awesome world building, intricate plot and wonderful characters . Cannot wait for book three!!!!
I absolutely enjoy all the connections between the different fae, elves, Nordic and Celtic. The magic is easily understood, the editing is first rate. High fantasy at its best. Very enjoyable and refreshingly different than so many books in this genre.
Awesome world building, intricate plot and wonderful characters . Cannot wait for book three!!!!
I absolutely enjoy all the connections between the different fae, elves, Nordic and Celtic. The magic is easily understood, the editing is first rate. High fantasy at its best. Very enjoyable and refreshingly different than so many books in this genre.
February 2, 2019
Addicting series
Sundered is book 2 in The Return of the Elves series. At first it took me awhile to adjust to the new character POVs but in no time at all I've grown attached to all of them as this story unfolds and new details come to light. On to book 3!
Sundered is book 2 in The Return of the Elves series. At first it took me awhile to adjust to the new character POVs but in no time at all I've grown attached to all of them as this story unfolds and new details come to light. On to book 3!
November 3, 2022
2 chapters was enough. bored to death
August 4, 2017
**Some Spoilers**
The first book had me a little confused because of all the different characters you had to follow. But as I got into the second book it became clear as to why there were so many different characters and it was much easier to follow and understand. As I got deeper into this book the more interesting it got. The first book was more about Kai and Arlyn. This book went more into Lyr and him meeting his new soulbound.
The end of the first book Lyr was paranoid. I totally understand why he was. Going into the second book you learn he was also scared to go into the Library. Well don't really scared, more or less he wanted to avoid it at all cost because it always seems to bring up the memory of him almost losing his mother. Now we learn about the poison from the first book. Now it has seem to touch Alfheim. A realm all to itself. They pride themselves. They didn't want to ask for help but the older seer insisted on it. She also insisted on Meli, a women with no magical abilities to lead the people through the veil. This guy named Poi who was apart of the group showed Meli that should could and gave her these runes they only work for her. Through the course of her life she has had dreams of a man with green eyes. She didn't know who it was until she met Lyr. Now they both think they have seen each other before. Come to find out they have. And Lyr and Arlyn didn't want to believe it at first. Lyr doesn't really care that Amiee his old lover has been . Yes he misses her but he is in love with Meli.
The book was amazing and I am glad I read it. Kai and Arlyn are the best. Their relationship is amazing. Even though it was kinda forced. But Arlyn went through it. I think Lyr and Meli make a wonderful couple as well and I am glad she went through the bounding as well. I am excited to see what is in store for them next since Ralan said that they will be fighting Kein another day. Is anyone going to die? Will they actually stop him? So many questions left unanswered.
The first book had me a little confused because of all the different characters you had to follow. But as I got into the second book it became clear as to why there were so many different characters and it was much easier to follow and understand. As I got deeper into this book the more interesting it got. The first book was more about Kai and Arlyn. This book went more into Lyr and him meeting his new soulbound.
The end of the first book Lyr was paranoid. I totally understand why he was. Going into the second book you learn he was also scared to go into the Library. Well don't really scared, more or less he wanted to avoid it at all cost because it always seems to bring up the memory of him almost losing his mother. Now we learn about the poison from the first book. Now it has seem to touch Alfheim. A realm all to itself. They pride themselves. They didn't want to ask for help but the older seer insisted on it. She also insisted on Meli, a women with no magical abilities to lead the people through the veil. This guy named Poi who was apart of the group showed Meli that should could and gave her these runes they only work for her. Through the course of her life she has had dreams of a man with green eyes. She didn't know who it was until she met Lyr. Now they both think they have seen each other before. Come to find out they have. And Lyr and Arlyn didn't want to believe it at first. Lyr doesn't really care that Amiee his old lover has been . Yes he misses her but he is in love with Meli.
The book was amazing and I am glad I read it. Kai and Arlyn are the best. Their relationship is amazing. Even though it was kinda forced. But Arlyn went through it. I think Lyr and Meli make a wonderful couple as well and I am glad she went through the bounding as well. I am excited to see what is in store for them next since Ralan said that they will be fighting Kein another day. Is anyone going to die? Will they actually stop him? So many questions left unanswered.
July 16, 2024
In the second installment of the Return of Elves series, Sundered, author Jocelyn Koehler masterfully weaves a complex tapestry of intrigue, magic, and heart-wrenching drama. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance alike.
The story picks up where the first book left off, with Lyr, a powerful elven lord, reeling from the aftermath of his daughter's arrival and the news of his lost love's death. His personal life is in shambles, and things only get more complicated when he's betrayed, captured, and nearly murdered. As he struggles to come to terms with his past and present, a new threat emerges in the form of dark energy poisoning the fae realms.
Meanwhile, Meli, a young Ljósálfar elf, is tasked with leading an expedition to another world, despite having no magic of her own. Her journey is fraught with peril, and her visions of people and places she's never seen only add to her confusion and fear. As she navigates the Veil between worlds, she finds herself drawn to Lyr, who may be her soulbounded - a connection she never thought possible.
Koehler's world-building is exceptional, with vivid descriptions of the fae realms and the intricate politics between the different elven factions. The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with Lyr's brooding intensity and Meli's vulnerability making them both compelling protagonists.
The plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The stakes are high, and the tension builds as Lyr and Meli work together to uncover the source of the dark energy threatening their worlds. The romance is sweet and tender, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
One of the standout aspects of Sundered is its exploration of themes such as grief, trauma, and the complexities of relationships. Koehler handles these topics with sensitivity and nuance, making the characters' struggles feel authentic and relatable.
In conclusion, Sundered is a gripping and emotional ride that will appeal to fans of fantasy, romance, and adventure. With its rich world-building, complex characters, and pulse-pounding plot, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a compelling story. I highly recommend it and eagerly await the next installment in the Return of Elves series.
The story picks up where the first book left off, with Lyr, a powerful elven lord, reeling from the aftermath of his daughter's arrival and the news of his lost love's death. His personal life is in shambles, and things only get more complicated when he's betrayed, captured, and nearly murdered. As he struggles to come to terms with his past and present, a new threat emerges in the form of dark energy poisoning the fae realms.
Meanwhile, Meli, a young Ljósálfar elf, is tasked with leading an expedition to another world, despite having no magic of her own. Her journey is fraught with peril, and her visions of people and places she's never seen only add to her confusion and fear. As she navigates the Veil between worlds, she finds herself drawn to Lyr, who may be her soulbounded - a connection she never thought possible.
Koehler's world-building is exceptional, with vivid descriptions of the fae realms and the intricate politics between the different elven factions. The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with Lyr's brooding intensity and Meli's vulnerability making them both compelling protagonists.
The plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The stakes are high, and the tension builds as Lyr and Meli work together to uncover the source of the dark energy threatening their worlds. The romance is sweet and tender, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
One of the standout aspects of Sundered is its exploration of themes such as grief, trauma, and the complexities of relationships. Koehler handles these topics with sensitivity and nuance, making the characters' struggles feel authentic and relatable.
In conclusion, Sundered is a gripping and emotional ride that will appeal to fans of fantasy, romance, and adventure. With its rich world-building, complex characters, and pulse-pounding plot, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a compelling story. I highly recommend it and eagerly await the next installment in the Return of Elves series.
March 28, 2020
The 2nd book carries on right where the 1st book left off and we catch Arlyn still trying to learn about living in Moranaia but happy with her new family and her soulbonded however the threats to their lives are not over yet, far from it. Assassins still make attacks on their estate and on their lives and I don't know why Lyr, who is supposed to be a warrior and with so many years experience behind him, still ventures out into the forest on his own. The attackers are coming through the veil from earth, and they are being sent by an exiled elf, and though they managed to kill off Allafon, the plan to pollute earth and to destabilise the underworld is still going on. People arrive from Alfheim asking for aid and Lyr is also asked to send help to the Neorn people so he is bogged down by responsibility. Arlyn and Kai are sent back to earth to tackle the problem but they are once again captured. Ralan, the seer, says that the future has so many different paths one could take and every choice can change the outcome. Though Lyr is older in years than Meli, it is she who points out to him that the laws of life always circled around the greatest heights. That good and evil fought perpetually neither winning against the other for long. that all things ended to begin again and through it all, hope persisted, an unwavering light. At the moment Lyr and his estate were going through such a rough time as were so many others including those on earth, yet she filled his heart with hope and persuaded him that all they had to do was just hold on and with her by his side Lyr knew they could see this danger through for the benefit of all of them. This series is so captivating i just cannot stop reading and am very much hooked!
April 27, 2022
Treated as an abject failure by the standards of Alfheim, Meli is devastated when the ancient one selects her to guide their party of Norse elves through the Veil to seek aid against the poison invading their homeland. They petiton Moranaia where Lord Lyr is distracted by trauma and recent failures. Meanwhile Prince Ralan has decided to accept his impending role as king, but is struggling with his prophetic powers. Arlyn and Kai journey to earth to try and distrupt the spell corrupting the dimensions and are captured by a Sidhe royal.
The likes and dislikes continue with this series. The general ideas about shifting politics, magical powers, and family connections is good. The story is interesting. Yet, none of the moments or characters get any time to breathe with the shifting POV, frenetic pacing, and unwielding character list. Nothing is allowed to organically develop. You must believe that these people love one another, these ones forgive each other, and this one is bad... because the writer says so. We don't have time for romance or courtship. We don't have time to explain a nefarious party and their scheme, we just have someone tell people where to go and what to do to (maybe) stop them. It's not the satisfying route. Initially I didn't think that would be a problem, but we quickly cycled away from our protagonists from the first book so I doubt any lingering questions or desires will ever be addressed. Thoughts on the cycle of reincarnation in this world, the work it takes to deal with PTSD, and even genuine character development might not ever come. And that is a shame because they could bolster the exciting plot actions with real emotional connections. Definitely a time to want half star ratings.
The likes and dislikes continue with this series. The general ideas about shifting politics, magical powers, and family connections is good. The story is interesting. Yet, none of the moments or characters get any time to breathe with the shifting POV, frenetic pacing, and unwielding character list. Nothing is allowed to organically develop. You must believe that these people love one another, these ones forgive each other, and this one is bad... because the writer says so. We don't have time for romance or courtship. We don't have time to explain a nefarious party and their scheme, we just have someone tell people where to go and what to do to (maybe) stop them. It's not the satisfying route. Initially I didn't think that would be a problem, but we quickly cycled away from our protagonists from the first book so I doubt any lingering questions or desires will ever be addressed. Thoughts on the cycle of reincarnation in this world, the work it takes to deal with PTSD, and even genuine character development might not ever come. And that is a shame because they could bolster the exciting plot actions with real emotional connections. Definitely a time to want half star ratings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
Overall Rating : ⭐️⭐️.5/5
Plot: 90%
Romance: 10%
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Romance: ⭐️/5
I had high hopes for this series, but 😕😕 I can’t continue on.
The world building and political drama is the central theme of the story and while soulbonds are how our characters form romantic connections, you’d have thought it be 50% romance and 50% plot….
We get none of that.
The synopsis makes it seem like this is a fun romantasy series, but the actual writing of the books is far from it. The romance is light weight and gives more of an adventurous too-busy-trying-to-save-the-world-with-some-crumbs-of-romance-on-the-side.
I wanted to like this so badly, but I had some difficulty trying to keep track of who is who with the amount of new characters that are introduced. Along with the fact that some of the names are spelled similarly and I’d end up mistaking one person for another.
Additionally, the amount of times we’d swap to someone else’s POV gave me some serious whiplash. It got so bad that I ended up deciding to skip through some parts because I wanted to see Lyr and Meli’s relationship develop (it’s questionable tbh, i wish we’d gotten more into depth of the twist [ikyk], but alas…).
I think this author could use some balancing with world building and building up the romance between her characters. The ratio is so far off that sometimes the romance will seem forced or that it was moved too fast (despite some yearning between the couple).
And for the way that this world is setup, it had a lot of potential to be greater than it currently is. The execution was just too far from the mark unfortunately.
Plot: 90%
Romance: 10%
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Romance: ⭐️/5
I had high hopes for this series, but 😕😕 I can’t continue on.
The world building and political drama is the central theme of the story and while soulbonds are how our characters form romantic connections, you’d have thought it be 50% romance and 50% plot….
We get none of that.
The synopsis makes it seem like this is a fun romantasy series, but the actual writing of the books is far from it. The romance is light weight and gives more of an adventurous too-busy-trying-to-save-the-world-with-some-crumbs-of-romance-on-the-side.
I wanted to like this so badly, but I had some difficulty trying to keep track of who is who with the amount of new characters that are introduced. Along with the fact that some of the names are spelled similarly and I’d end up mistaking one person for another.
Additionally, the amount of times we’d swap to someone else’s POV gave me some serious whiplash. It got so bad that I ended up deciding to skip through some parts because I wanted to see Lyr and Meli’s relationship develop (it’s questionable tbh, i wish we’d gotten more into depth of the twist [ikyk], but alas…).
I think this author could use some balancing with world building and building up the romance between her characters. The ratio is so far off that sometimes the romance will seem forced or that it was moved too fast (despite some yearning between the couple).
And for the way that this world is setup, it had a lot of potential to be greater than it currently is. The execution was just too far from the mark unfortunately.
March 25, 2018
Literally 5/5 once again. The last book was so amazing that I legit had to pause in the middle of it to fangirl and send Bethany a message as well as buy the rest of the books that were out.
I wasn't disappointed.
This is probably my favorite book so far because it's Lyr's and I love Lyr (whats not to love?) and because i'm a littleokay, more like a lot biased when it comes to him. I personally think he's perfection and Meli is a cute little cinnamon roll. She wasn't as confident and outwardly strong as Arlyn was personality-wise just because of the way she was raised. She wasn't treated the greatest growing up and was 'othered' a lot since they thought she was useless but she's a key character here and actually helps a lot. I won't spoil but lets just say things would have been disastrous if she wasn't here.
The plot builds on the previous book while still retaining originality with the way Lyr and Meli's story is presented. I didn't feel as if I was just reading 1 book that was cut into different sections to make more money or anything like that. I also think that this book could even be charged a bit more just because how its written. Its hard to explain but something about the writing style, the plot, characters and even the atmosphere feels very sophisticated. The story is very intricate and each book draws you deeper into the political intrigue of the Elven worlds.
I wasn't disappointed.
This is probably my favorite book so far because it's Lyr's and I love Lyr (whats not to love?) and because i'm a little
The plot builds on the previous book while still retaining originality with the way Lyr and Meli's story is presented. I didn't feel as if I was just reading 1 book that was cut into different sections to make more money or anything like that. I also think that this book could even be charged a bit more just because how its written. Its hard to explain but something about the writing style, the plot, characters and even the atmosphere feels very sophisticated. The story is very intricate and each book draws you deeper into the political intrigue of the Elven worlds.
June 14, 2025
This should probably be three stars but I’m giving it four because this series has been what I needed this week. It’s got a bit of a can’t put it down, I want to get to something good (or whatever) coming next quality, but when I do put it down I can get back to work or go to bed and be okay until I’ve got time to pick it up again.
This was my first time through this book, having read the first book in the series twice. The first time I read the first book I got caught up in the romance, and wanted more of those two characters. This time, warned by memory and by reading several reviews of multiple books in this series I did better with being interested in the romance, but paying greater attention to all the characters and the overarching story. So, I didn’t have trouble switching over to Lyr and his concerns in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much of Arlyn and Kai I got.
The whole reincarnation-warp-speed-time-in-Alfheim thing and the whole letting Kien go at the end thing both struck me as clunky author maneuvers to serve the need? Desire? For a romance in the case of the first and the plot/need/desire for another book in the case of the second. Which is why this should be a star lower than what I gave it.
But it was cheap and as I said, just perfect for what I wanted to read this week. So, four stars it is.
This was my first time through this book, having read the first book in the series twice. The first time I read the first book I got caught up in the romance, and wanted more of those two characters. This time, warned by memory and by reading several reviews of multiple books in this series I did better with being interested in the romance, but paying greater attention to all the characters and the overarching story. So, I didn’t have trouble switching over to Lyr and his concerns in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much of Arlyn and Kai I got.
The whole reincarnation-warp-speed-time-in-Alfheim thing and the whole letting Kien go at the end thing both struck me as clunky author maneuvers to serve the need? Desire? For a romance in the case of the first and the plot/need/desire for another book in the case of the second. Which is why this should be a star lower than what I gave it.
But it was cheap and as I said, just perfect for what I wanted to read this week. So, four stars it is.
February 17, 2020
The second book in the series and probably the last one I’ll read. The story of the previous book was cliched. A human girl finds out her father is an elf and travels to his world to meet him. There is a conspiracy afoot, and the girl proves herself. The book was nothing special, but since it was the beginning of the series, there was room for improvement.
However, the author switches the main characters in this volume. I had assumed that this was a fantasy series, but it is a romance series instead. So while the books have an overarching storyline, finding the head of the conspiracy, each book is about bringing a different couple together. In this one, the girl’s father and an elf from Alfheim, who is the same age as the girl. With the daughter as a reference point, this is very disconcerting. It’s not pedophilia, but it leaves a bad aftertaste.
I found it disappointing that the author wrote a romance series, for the world had a lot of potential. Mixing Irish and Norse mythology is great fun. However, the plots are formulaic, as they only serve as a background to the romance. They lack depth. Other than that, the book is nice to read.
However, the author switches the main characters in this volume. I had assumed that this was a fantasy series, but it is a romance series instead. So while the books have an overarching storyline, finding the head of the conspiracy, each book is about bringing a different couple together. In this one, the girl’s father and an elf from Alfheim, who is the same age as the girl. With the daughter as a reference point, this is very disconcerting. It’s not pedophilia, but it leaves a bad aftertaste.
I found it disappointing that the author wrote a romance series, for the world had a lot of potential. Mixing Irish and Norse mythology is great fun. However, the plots are formulaic, as they only serve as a background to the romance. They lack depth. Other than that, the book is nice to read.
July 10, 2025
Showing love for Book 2 in A Return of the Elves! ❤️❤️❤️ I could feel the changes in this book as the authors writing improved. Lyr's connection with his daughter growing stronger was heartwarming. I enjoyed reading about his relationship with Meli as he believed he would never find another soulbond. Lyr has to deal with a lot of pain in this book that is portrayed so well I could feel it in my heart. My bf said i kept making faces like i was struggling with something 😂 As Lyr faces his pain,he begins to grow ever stronger for the people he loves and leads. As for Meli, I Ioved how much she began to open up as a person the longer she stays in Moranaia. She was such a quiet person who took a lot of berating and never standing up for herself. Seeing her grow stronger and more brazen was truly inspiring. Another notable moment I love in this book was Kai finding his real father 🥺 What a way to find him though! The ending leaves me hungry for more from the world of these characters. And with so much to be done to save the worlds, I can't wait to start book 3.
November 12, 2018
So, I bought the first ebook on sale for a dollar- I didn’t have high expectations to be honest. Most of the series I’ve read that have the first book for free or steeply discounted haven’t been worth even the mitigated cost. With this, I was pleasantly surprised. Despite some complaints with the writing in the first volume, it was fun enough and intriguing enough that I found myself looking forward to the second book.
This book is better than the first, it feels like the author is better at pacing and discovering how to develop her characters in a way that actually shows growth, which was something the first book lacked: though honestly that one was setting the stage more than anything else.
These are fun reads, easy. They’re not masterpieces and they aren’t meant to be anything other than entertainment, which I find is often undervalued. If you can fund a good deal on them, I recommend picking them up! I’m excited about the novella next. :)
This book is better than the first, it feels like the author is better at pacing and discovering how to develop her characters in a way that actually shows growth, which was something the first book lacked: though honestly that one was setting the stage more than anything else.
These are fun reads, easy. They’re not masterpieces and they aren’t meant to be anything other than entertainment, which I find is often undervalued. If you can fund a good deal on them, I recommend picking them up! I’m excited about the novella next. :)
June 6, 2021
Lyr is a powerful elven lord in Moranaia. Just a month has passed since he learned he had a daughter, while also learning that his soulbound was dead. As we learn of his challenges and perils as a ruler, we also learn about Meli, who while considered a failure amongst her people, proves her talents over and over again in the land of her heart. That is because as rare as finding one's souldbound is, finding it twice in a lifetime is unheard of. Yet, with Lyr in Moranaia, Meli feels at home and discovers that all the visions of green eyes and people she had never known are closer to who she is and where she belongs than she ever imagined possible. In a world of dark villains and struggles for power, Lyr and Meli discover a connection few share and even fewer protect. The second installment of the Return to the Elves series maintains its magic and mystery, weaving a new tale of love and family in a mystical world of elves, half-breeds, and forever loves.
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February 3, 2025Return of the Elves is a romantic fantasy series of 8 books creatively written by Bethany Adams.
I can only speak of the first four books: Soulbound, Sundered, Exiled, and Seared. I listened during my morning walks and became captivated.
From the beginning, I was thrust into the middle of a wonderous and mystifying story filled with action, love, betrayal, secrets, and mysteries. I grew to love a few characters while despising others. Elves, humans, half-bloods, seers, scouts, and exiles were brilliantly interwoven through multiple worlds separated only by the Veil.
If you love fantasies with soulmates, this series will easily become a favorite.
Personal Note: I felt the writer did a beautiful job with characters, worlds, and storyline. In book one, elves did not understand or use human expletives, but as the books progressed, they began, uncharacteristically using them, creating a crack in the storyline that I had a difficulty forgiving.
I can only speak of the first four books: Soulbound, Sundered, Exiled, and Seared. I listened during my morning walks and became captivated.
From the beginning, I was thrust into the middle of a wonderous and mystifying story filled with action, love, betrayal, secrets, and mysteries. I grew to love a few characters while despising others. Elves, humans, half-bloods, seers, scouts, and exiles were brilliantly interwoven through multiple worlds separated only by the Veil.
If you love fantasies with soulmates, this series will easily become a favorite.
Personal Note: I felt the writer did a beautiful job with characters, worlds, and storyline. In book one, elves did not understand or use human expletives, but as the books progressed, they began, uncharacteristically using them, creating a crack in the storyline that I had a difficulty forgiving.
July 21, 2017
Soulbound was amazing and Sundered is just as good as the first book had let me hope that it would be. Sundered is an amazing sequel, picking up the threads, spinning them further and the result is a wonderful, thrilling and captivating story that kept me glued to my reader. The moment I finished Soulbound, I started to read Sundered and I loved to see how things developed, how those characters who had taken my heart by storm in the first book, went on, became even more distinct, more alive and found love and laughter even though their world crumbles around them - until it doesn't crumble anymore. Perhaps. It might be a race against time because their foes aren't idle either...
A wonderful sequel to an amazing series!
A wonderful sequel to an amazing series!
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed this elven fantasy adventure romance, even though more characters show up in this second book of the series. That's more people to learn about and more names to remember.
Father-daughter bonds grow closer, people learn more about their magical abilities, gods interfere in mortal lives, people are killed and injured, and a secret is revealed.
It was addictive reading, although for me reading the villain's POV is not particularly enjoyable.
I read this as part of the books 1-4 collection.
Typos: probably stray question mark on page 345 (Neorans?), unless it's the speaker who's not sure of the name, a couple sentence fragments (A voice muttered, He called), lead used for led (lead her straight to Lyr).
Father-daughter bonds grow closer, people learn more about their magical abilities, gods interfere in mortal lives, people are killed and injured, and a secret is revealed.
It was addictive reading, although for me reading the villain's POV is not particularly enjoyable.
I read this as part of the books 1-4 collection.
Typos: probably stray question mark on page 345 (Neorans?), unless it's the speaker who's not sure of the name, a couple sentence fragments (A voice muttered, He called), lead used for led (lead her straight to Lyr).
January 11, 2022
Good!! Better than book 1. A better balance of character, world, and plot development.
On the audiobook: The female narrator lowers the level of whininess for both Arlyn and Meli, and I appreciated that. Her reading of Arlyn was pretty insufferable in Book 1. Also, there was either a better balance in speeds between the two narrators or I just didn’t care this time around if one was much quicker than the other. On the negative side, there are two characters, Caolte and Naomh, from Irish folklore of the Tuatha Dé Danann. (I’ve usually seen their names spelled Caoilte and Naimh or Naoimh, but no matter.) But these two Irish Sidhe are given Appalachian accents, no explanation for it given. And their names are mispronounced. Not that I speak Irish, but even I know that much.
On the audiobook: The female narrator lowers the level of whininess for both Arlyn and Meli, and I appreciated that. Her reading of Arlyn was pretty insufferable in Book 1. Also, there was either a better balance in speeds between the two narrators or I just didn’t care this time around if one was much quicker than the other. On the negative side, there are two characters, Caolte and Naomh, from Irish folklore of the Tuatha Dé Danann. (I’ve usually seen their names spelled Caoilte and Naimh or Naoimh, but no matter.) But these two Irish Sidhe are given Appalachian accents, no explanation for it given. And their names are mispronounced. Not that I speak Irish, but even I know that much.
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