Review: Marian and the Elf

Marian and the Elf is the second book in the Elves & Legends series by Anabelle Raven. The books in this series are loose fairy tale retellings set in a high fantasy world of humans and elves with magical powers. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Ella and the Elf, so I decided to give this one a try. Although I don't usually enjoy Robin Hood-inspired stories as much as princess ones, this book had both! This version of Marian is a rebel princess who becomes a pirate in an attempt to escape her cruel father. Generational trauma is something that this book shares with its prequel and will likely be an ongoing theme throughout this series. Another continuing theme is prejudice. Both books tell love stories between a human and an elf in a world where the two races are at odds with each other. This one is more action-packed than the gentle Ella's story, so it appeals to a more adventuresome audience.

Although Marian and the Elf is inspired by the Robin Hood legends, there are no references to the elf named Robin being a vigilante hero who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Instead, he is a mercenary who is cursed to get a bad taste in his mouth when someone lies, including himself. Marian is not a generous and sheltered maiden but instead a troubled princess with an abusive father who forces her to commit crimes for him including murder. Despite its lack of ties to Robin Hood, this book is a swashbuckling original adventure with a steamy no-spice romance. When Marian's ship is attacked by a storm, she is rescued by a band of elves who intend to kidnap her. Fearing for her life, she withholds her identity as a princess and pretends to be a pirate named Mary. Robin quickly develops feelings toward her that he didn't realize he was capable of having with a human.

Some elements of this book are difficult to take in, so I would not recommend it for a younger audience despite having a clean love story. Marian suffers from years of abuse from her father and struggles with night terrors that she has trouble waking from. Robin suffers from a difficult childhood, and his binding elven magic forces him to keep his promise to capture and surrender Marian to the bad guy despite his feelings for her. This creates a huge obstacle in their relationship that is difficult to overcome. I can't say it's the most romantic book I've ever read, but it is one of the most sincere. Both Marian and Robin fully understand the consequences of their actions and must find a way to redeem themselves so they can be together. It is not a light-hearted romance, but it is a powerful one.

One of my favorite things about fairy tale adaptation series is how all the books in a series tie into each other. Altair and Ella, the main couple from the previous book, Ella and the Elf, make more than just a cameo appearance at the end of this story. They play a vital role in the book's climax forcing Robin and Marian to earn their trust for the sake of their kingdoms. Since both couples consist of a male elf and a human woman who both had to overcome prejudice within their races, it was interesting to see them interact with each other. They don't trust each other immediately despite their similar circumstances, but after the ordeal they face together, they become good friends. Anabelle Raven has created a rich fantasy world to retell these classic stories. It is a unique setting filled with magic and many obstacles for interracial couples to overcome together.

Marian and the Elf is a swashbuckling retelling of the Robin Hood legend, set in a rich high fantasy world of humans and elves with magical powers. With its themes of generational trauma, prejudice, and forbidden love, this book takes a darker and more action-packed approach than its predecessor, Ella and the Elf. Despite its connections to Robin Hood, this book carves its own path, introducing a rebel princess turned pirate and a cursed elf mercenary whose love story is fraught with obstacles. While dealing with heavy themes, the book remains a sincere and powerful romance, and its ties to the previous book in the series add a delightful layer of depth. I highly recommend this series to fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings, but note that this book may be more suited to adult readers due to its mature themes. Overall, Anabelle Raven has crafted a compelling and immersive world, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how the series continues to unfold.