Elven Heartbound

by Elizabeth Ash

Born of elven magic. Bound to an elven prince. All her life, Arisanna has been destined to wed the son of the elf king, and now the elves have come to collect. Nothing, however, goes as expected when the elves arrive to claim her. Despite their misunderstandings, Arisanna agrees to wed the aloof elf prince with whom she's been heartbound since before her birth. Is the prince as hard as he seems? Or is there more to him than meets the eye?

(Incomplete as of Apr 13, 2023 so no page count or pub date added yet)

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy

Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Mari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I didn’t technically finish this, but I’m not willing to pay for more and more tokens for a book that may or may not end. This is my first experience with Kindle Vella—where chapters are released weekly and you pay for tokens to unlock more chapters—and I can’t say that I’m a fan.

I would rather pay a standard fee and read the whole book at once. The cost seems higher than your standard kindle read, so maybe it’s more ideal for authors (which Amazon usually doesn’t make easier). However, I can’t help but feel like it encourages unnecessary cliff hangers and dragging things out. You end a chapter that I then need to pay more money to find out what happens. There’s building suspense, and there’s building and destroying suspense because you need to make the book as long as possible AND OMG JUST LOCK THE DOOR AND KISS ALREADY.

Interesting world premise and characters, although again, I think paying for chapters like this forces the author to restrict themselves. Why focus on the world when you only have a chapter? Or maybe it’s just this book? I think of the chapters more individually rather than an entire book, so if there isn’t SOME action, I feel like I spent money on nothing. That’s not saying I don’t want descriptions—I just want to read a book that feels complete.

I got to chapter 81 and there are over 100 as of now.

[The Tales of a Bookish Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first 40 episodes before I ran out of “tokens” if this was a regulär ebook I would likely keep reading. it not bad. It’s not fast paced by any means and the plot is i don’t know but I like the characters. BUT buying the episodes costs way more than just buying an ebook and I have to read it on my phone which hurts my eyes because the vella isn’t available on a kindle. I want to support the author but at the same time I have books I already own I can read readily on my kindle and not spend as much or hurt my eyes. The characters make the “book” i don’t know what the plot even actually is at this point but the characters were unique and cute.

[Carina Shephard]

I binge-read through ep. 63 during the free episodes event on Kindle Vella a few weeks ago. Some of the core tropes are very similar to Tara Grayce’s Elven Alliance series, which I happen to really like.

However, the reason this is marked as a DNF for me and not a “currently reading” is because quite a bit of the story is based on sexual tension. While there hasn’t been any explicit scenes, there have been some warnings on a few of the episodes, and I don’t know the author well enough to know if that’s going to be something in the future. As a single Christian I personally felt convicted reading this and so I decided to stop.

So, if you’re the kind of reader who doesn’t mind some steaminess, then by all means, read this book. Elizabeth Ash is an excellent writer, the characters are great, and it’s highly addictive. However, if you’re in the same boat as me, then I’d suggest maybe sticking to Elven Alliance.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh, I didn't actually finish it because it's on Kindle Vella where you purchase individual installments instead of a whole finished book. The story was well written and a fun premise, but after spending $15 on installments, I was still in the early part of the story and it didn't seem like things were progressing very quickly. The story was fairly good, I just really did not like the format. At the time of writing, the installments are still continuing but I won't be finishing it, unless the author provides a final, one installment version of the whole story.

[Le Durecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Kindle vella venture. It hooked me, and I started reading. It's a very slow burn, and I'm out of tokens (I even bought some tokens to see if it picked up). It's sweet and cute, and if you're in the mood for that, go for it. I just don't want to spend all the money on tokens to buy chapters like this. It's going to end up being waayy waaayyy more than I would pay for a book. It's sad bc if this was a book, I'd actually probably buy it and read it.

[Mimisays411 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a wonderful palate cleanser! You’ve been reading some dark stuff lately? This will help reset your mind. It is not spicy, but it is such a wonderful, sweet story that I highly do recommend it. It is about two royal couples. Two humans, a prince and a princess and two Elvin, also a prince and a princess. Both sets are siblings, and they are betrothed to each other. The human princess is bold and brave, strong and smart, and she is betrothed to the tall, dark haired, brooding Elvin prince. He is moody and grumpy brooding and extremely introverted. Of course he endends up being the biggest sweetheart once you break through that shell exterior. The human prince is kind and gentle, loving, extremely intelligent, and a beautiful musician. He is betrothed to the Elvin princess, who is exciting and adventurous, brave and just wants to have a lot of fun! It’s fun to watch these two couples relationships grow with each other. It is an ongoing Kindle Novella right now, but I hope one day the author does publish this in paperback/hardcover. Again like I said, it is a wonderful palate cleanser that I do recommend when you need to set your mind right before your next crazy adventure.

4/5🌟 0/5🌶️ a sweet, romantic palate cleanser!

Enjoy my bookish friends and remember, if you love/like a book, talk about it!

[KLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed what I read, but didn't realize this wasn't a full book. So, just in case you're as naive as I am ... After four chapters you have to pay 500 coins (free right now, but I think a couple dollars after initial) this gets you about 20 more chapters. I thought this is where the book would end, but for all I can tell the story keeps going with no end in sight. To continue you have to pay 500 more coins.
Call me cheap, but there is no way on this planet I would continue paying. Moving on to free Kindle unlimited books:). Sorry not sorry.

[MiMi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a book. It's a very expensive short stories. And I mean VERY short. The first 3 episodes as they call them come free. Then I got 200 tokens free which bought me 13 more episodes. As of right now there are 182 episodes and it's 9.99$ to buy 1100 tokens which will roughly buy 44 episodes (based on Amazon). That's close to 40$ for short stories that you know know when and how they'll end. This kindle Vella is highway robbery. I am so mad.

[Audra Whitehurse · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 83%. I tried. I really, really tried with this one but I just couldn't force myself through it. The author has a talent for writing and getting you invested in characters, but this was like something I would read at 12, not 28. I love YA but this book made it clear that clean romances are NOT for me.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing. All the feels (not spicy at all, so if that’s what you’re looking for…this isn’t for you). The character development is amazing and you quickly fall in love with all of them. 10/10

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t realize it was going to be an ongoing thing and the story didn’t really go very far in the first 21 chapters/episodes. Probably won’t pay to continue, but the story has promise!

[Rachel Santillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Update - I couldn't resist, I read to chapter 306 (current) this story moves too slow for me, it's one of those, I like it but don't like it** Read at your own time/risk - I don't think I will read another Vella unless the story is complete, the weekly drops isn't for me.

I've reached episode/chapter 255 out of 306, but I’m putting it down for now. The story has slowed down for me, and I need a break. It’s a sweet tale, and I appreciate how it explores complex emotions across all genders—and...species, but it’s time to move things along. Each "season" seems to stay in one place, and I’ve been waiting for some action-packed drama. Instead, the focus is mainly on how the characters navigate their intricate feelings.

The story includes a diverse array of characters: dragons, unicorns, elves, humans, and more, along with themes of prejudice against mixed relationships, which is leading to a war we have yet to see unfold. There’s a political arrangement between the elf and human kingdoms—an arranged marriage where a brother and sister from each kingdom are "heartbound." If one of their hearts stops, so does their partner's. They do fall in love, easily, so that is a plus.

With plenty of magic and fantastical journeys, there’s certainly a lot to enjoy, but it still feels like it’s dragging. I’m glad I could binge it; waiting week by week for new chapters would’ve been too much. It’s a solid Kindle Vella, but I’m taking a break and picking up a book. With all the dragon action, I might start Fourth Wing next!

[Kathryn Sanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the 1st Vella I read and it hooked me for many short episodes. The story moves slowly, one of the negatives of Vella, after the couples settle into their married life and hints of actual plot take forever to be followed up on. Still kept reading because I mistakenly bought more tokens and the characters are kind of cute. Episode 200 really jumped the shark for me and I can no longer overlook characters acting illogically just to string out the story. I do think the author can write but the best stories have a beginning, middle, and end and Vella seems to discourage it.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first 2 seasons of this serial and dropped it partway through season 3. For the most part this was an enjoyable story. I have read some god awful Kindle Vella serials this one was pretty decent. While I probably won't continue with this particular serial because I got a bit bored I have enjoyed several other stories by this author. Honestly the only platforms where I have found serial stories I truly enjoyed have been Kindle Vella and Wattpad. They can be pricey especially if they are longer but overall it's been worth it for me.

[Kathryn Hibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this all the way through and discovered that Kindle is shutting down Vella. The author is moving to other (more affordable) platforms. All her work will be available.

This story is amazing. The characters are well written, have real deep conversations and distinct personalities. You have different cultures, beliefs, kingdoms, humans, dragons, elves, fairies and some magic. Add politics, navigating love, and did someone say rebellion?
This is a book (yes, book its being published) I will read over and over again.

[Olivia ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is okay. Not bad and not great. I saw an ad for this and started reading it on kindle Vella. I don’t think it’s worth it to purchase tokens/coins for chapters just to end up spending $40-$60 on technically one book. However, with that being said, I did enjoy reading about the different types of magic and “heartlanding.”

[Kelly Rutledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t finished this yet. The blurb caught my attention and the characters are cute.
I HATE Vella and paying for chapters and getting strung along rather than wrapping up a story, ugh! Like move it along already.

[Tonia Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet romantasy with the best family ever. this world is my favorite place to spend my time outside of the regular world. the characters are beautiful and deep even while dealing with both everyday and fantastical challenges.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the first six episodes. I'm not buying tokens to read but it was good of what I did read

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive and never ending. It is an ongoing “series/chapter” book. has potential but too childish and needs to go lead somewhere - and end.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

vella ended before i got to finish, but it's gone now.

[Jessica Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the world. love that wasn't overly complicated. great characters

[Kimmy Stagg · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d this one. The blurb was intriguing and the first few episodes, while there were some writing errors, gave a gripping enough introduction that I was really excited to continue reading the story and curious about the main characters (the twist was definitely attention-grabbing!) But then the quality abruptly took a steep nosedive. Not only were the writing errors much more prolific and at times confusing in succeeding episodes (narrative pov would switch between characters without a clear transition so you didn’t know at times who’s view you were getting), but the story itself suddenly lost all spark of interest that were present in those opening episodes, devolving into a lot of boring filler words. Seriously, a large chunk of an episode was spent on the elven family marveling at the wonderful magic of the shower in the human castle - an utter waste of time. Began to feel like a wattpad story. Definitely not worth paying per episode indefinitely to continue reading. When I read on the author’s website that she had no plans to turn it into a book at present because essentially there is no plot, it’s just an ongoing exploration of whatever feels fun to write about with the characters at any given moment, I realized there would be no redeeming point to the story later and it would be better to quit now rather than waste money. Disappointing, because that beginning really had a lot of potential.

[- The Polybrary -]

Moved this to Want-to-Read because with the way the episodes on Vella work, there's no real way to measure the progress through the story/book. I might wait until or if it comes out in book form...the lack of knowing how much further I have to go kind of drives me nuts, even if 16 episodes in I was really intrigued and wanted to know more about the story!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorably sweet romance following two main relationships. There are two side romances as well. Very mild bedroom scenes. This is a Kindle Vella story. I was able to get a good chunk of them during the free episodes unlocking event. The normal free tokens given for trials doesn't really get you far enough to see a reason as to why you should buy tokens, but I do feel it's worth it. If you're looking for steamy romances, you'll need to lower your expectations or find a different story.

[Kiyomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have spent more $$ on reading this then I do most physical books. While I really enjoy the story, the pace moves slow enough that I will likely not finish it. Hopefully she decides to make this an ebook that I can binge the remainder of.
So, story is pretty good. Format, not a fan. Though if Amazon changes their digital credits and allows vella tokens to be bought with them, that would be nice

[Sphoots · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually liked it. Reading the series on Vella was cool but the author puts in a new chapter at strange intervals and the cost of coins is higher than other authors. I really had high hopes but I just could not depend on when I could get the next chapter so I got bored. BTW Vella costs more than a regular book. I will finish my coins and then give up on Vella

[TinySalutations · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story so much. I just can’t believe that even books have become micro-transactions. Does everything has to be micro-transaction? I don’t think any consumers want this format, so why? So frustrating!
Anyway, this story is all the things I love. It has elves and magic and acceptance and sweet, gentle, yet fierce, love.

[Christina Boronkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, the joining of the two kingdoms and families is great to watch. I'm enjoying reading about the two couples go through learning about each other and learning new things. I can't wait for the next episode to see what happens next.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! This is a sweet short written in little episodes that keeps you wanting more. Part of the kindle Vellas but with enough episodes to keep you coming back. Well worth the $10 I spent to finish!