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jeanmarier's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
gwyyy's review against another edition
4.0
This one's darker than the previous installments. This is a vampire story with clever nods to Snow White.
It's a little bit slow paced. There are parts which the story lagged. Still, there were so many marvelous layers to this story, I couldn't put it down! Ancient magic, complex histories, blood lore, monsters, secrets, awakened powers, angst and epic romance. I loved the tension, the reality of Floriane and Ruvan having everything they believed challenged, learning to trust each other while overcoming their prejudices.
It's a little bit slow paced. There are parts which the story lagged. Still, there were so many marvelous layers to this story, I couldn't put it down! Ancient magic, complex histories, blood lore, monsters, secrets, awakened powers, angst and epic romance. I loved the tension, the reality of Floriane and Ruvan having everything they believed challenged, learning to trust each other while overcoming their prejudices.
booksaremythirdplace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
mind_stuck_in_velaris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Elise Kova really knows how to write a flowing story. I was so hesitant to read the third book in this universe and I couldn’t put it down!! Ruvan and Floriane’s story was so good. The pacing was consistent and the plot wasn’t completely predictable, at least not to me. I’m sad that they’re all stand alones because I would love to see all of the characters throughout the books interacting more! Such a good read.
briohnee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
FAVOURITE OF THIS SERIES SO FAR. HANDS DOWN. FISTY CUFFS AT DAWN IF YOU DISAGREE.
katelynbursack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
katyakat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I give A Duel with the Vampire Lord by Elise Kova 3 stars. The overall story isn't bad, but the pacing is off. It's a fast-paced book, which makes many details feel rushed and the timeline seem strange. This is a shame because the core story is enjoyable and has a lot of potential.
One major issue is the repetition. The book falls into repetitive cycles with the same arguments between the main characters. This made parts of the story feel stagnant and frustrating. Despite this, there are moments that genuinely engage and invest the reader, making the experience a mix of boredom and interest.
The relationship dynamics between Floriane and Ruvan are intriguing but could have been developed more deeply. Their interactions often felt rushed, missing the slow-burn tension that can make an enemies-to-lovers romance truly compelling.
Additionally, the world-building, while fascinating, sometimes felt underexplored due to the book's brisk pace.
Additionally, the world-building, while fascinating, sometimes felt underexplored due to the book's brisk pace.
The narrative would have benefited from either a longer format to flesh out details and smooth the pacing or a more streamlined storyline to maintain coherence.
In conclusion, A Duel with the Vampire Lord is an interesting read with a lot of potential, but it falls short in execution. It's a decent choice for fans of romantic fantasy looking for a quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, Classism, and Sexual content
hannahislost's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
feefs_'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
retrogirlreads's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. Gosh. “A Duel with the Vampire Lord” by Elise Kova is everything I could’ve wanted and more in a fantasy romance!!! Ruvan and Floriane’s love story was both utterly unconventional and completely brilliant. These two are a pair that I never would’ve expected - a vampyr lord and a human forge maiden - but not only do they work as a couple, it’s as though they were made for each other. They started off as enemies, but the more time they spent together, and the more they learned about each other’s worlds, I think they started to understand and then admire each other. I loved Floriane’s fire, her passion and her willingness to do whatever it takes. And Ruvan, oh my!!! I loved his devotion to his people and his cause, the way he didn’t treat his friends as though they were lesser just because he’s their leader, his sharp wit and cunning intellect. I highly recommend!!!