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Elements of Cadence #1
A River Enchanted
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Fantasy (2022)Jack Tamerlaine hasn’t set foot on Cadence in ten long years, content to study music at the mainland university. But when young girls start disappearing from the isle, Jack is summoned home to help find them. Enchantments run deep on Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind; plaid shawls can be as strong as armor, and the smallest cut of a knife can instil fathomless fear. The capricious spirits that rule the isle by fire, water, earth, and wind find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home. Adaira, heiress of the east and Jack’s childhood enemy, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, and she hopes Jack can draw them forth by song, enticing them to return the missing girls.
As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.
As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2022
About the author
Rebecca Ross
13 books20.3k followersRebecca Ross is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults.
She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.
When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.
Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.
She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.
When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.
Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 10,733 reviews
September 12, 2022
what a pretty story! definitely one of those cosy, comfort reads thats perfect for a rainy day spent under a warm duvet.
the strength of this story is how atmospheric it is. its very fairytale-esque with the lure of scottish charm. the mysterious island of cadence, the age-old feud between clans, and the magic of impish spirits create a very tangible world. and the characters are just as complex, just as intriguing.
i will say that the overall vibe of the story feels YA, even though the characters are older. i do wish the story had felt more mature, but i know this is RRs first venture into adult fiction, so i have no doubt it will improve with the next book in the series. which is an installment i eagerly look forward to!
thank you, harper voyager, for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
the strength of this story is how atmospheric it is. its very fairytale-esque with the lure of scottish charm. the mysterious island of cadence, the age-old feud between clans, and the magic of impish spirits create a very tangible world. and the characters are just as complex, just as intriguing.
i will say that the overall vibe of the story feels YA, even though the characters are older. i do wish the story had felt more mature, but i know this is RRs first venture into adult fiction, so i have no doubt it will improve with the next book in the series. which is an installment i eagerly look forward to!
thank you, harper voyager, for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
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December 15, 2021Hi friends!
As Advance Reader Copies of A River Enchanted are beginning to make their way into the world, I thought I should drop a note here about why this novel is adult, and where you can find the content warnings. Some of you might know me from my young adult (YA) novels and may be curious as to why I’m now releasing a fantasy novel for adults. You’ll find a (fairly) succinct answer below, along with a link for the content guide.
When I first began drafting A River Enchanted, I had every intention of it being YA. But the deeper I delved into this world, the more I realized that I was writing a story that centered on characters in their 20’s. I was weaving together themes such as career, marriage, raising children, and loss of faith (just to highlight the overarching ones). While Jack and Adaira’s character arcs originally felt YA, Sidra and Torin’s most certainly fell beneath the adult category. I had a book that was “50/50” on my hands, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it after the first draft. But as I began to revise with my CP’s and agent’s feedback, I swiftly realized that this story was supposed to sit on the adult shelf, and I needed to give it the room to breathe and expand and transform into what it wanted to be.
And now that it’s actually a real thing…I’m excited to at last share it with you all!
Within these pages, you’ll encounter a grumpy musician who has been summoned home, an heiress who is striving to solve a sinister mystery, a captain who would do anything to protect his clan, and a devout healer who must mend that which seems deeply broken.
As with every book I release into the wild, I know it won’t be for everyone. But if you feel like this story was written just for you…I can assure you, it was indeed. And I’m so happy the stars aligned and that this book found you.
Here is a broad list of content warnings:
Violence: physical assault, kidnapping, raids, armed conflicts
Loss of a parent
Mention of stillbirths, loss of children
Cutting: there are two scenes that feature cutting
Profanity: Mild
Medium Heat Romance (not explicit)
If you’d like to take a look at a more in-depth content guide (which does include slight spoilers as well as page numbers for some of the content), please visit my website by following the link. And if you have read the story and feel like there are more content warnings to be added, please put them in the comments below.
In-depth Content Guide: https://rebeccarossauthor.com/content...
xR
As Advance Reader Copies of A River Enchanted are beginning to make their way into the world, I thought I should drop a note here about why this novel is adult, and where you can find the content warnings. Some of you might know me from my young adult (YA) novels and may be curious as to why I’m now releasing a fantasy novel for adults. You’ll find a (fairly) succinct answer below, along with a link for the content guide.
When I first began drafting A River Enchanted, I had every intention of it being YA. But the deeper I delved into this world, the more I realized that I was writing a story that centered on characters in their 20’s. I was weaving together themes such as career, marriage, raising children, and loss of faith (just to highlight the overarching ones). While Jack and Adaira’s character arcs originally felt YA, Sidra and Torin’s most certainly fell beneath the adult category. I had a book that was “50/50” on my hands, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it after the first draft. But as I began to revise with my CP’s and agent’s feedback, I swiftly realized that this story was supposed to sit on the adult shelf, and I needed to give it the room to breathe and expand and transform into what it wanted to be.
And now that it’s actually a real thing…I’m excited to at last share it with you all!
Within these pages, you’ll encounter a grumpy musician who has been summoned home, an heiress who is striving to solve a sinister mystery, a captain who would do anything to protect his clan, and a devout healer who must mend that which seems deeply broken.
As with every book I release into the wild, I know it won’t be for everyone. But if you feel like this story was written just for you…I can assure you, it was indeed. And I’m so happy the stars aligned and that this book found you.
Here is a broad list of content warnings:
Violence: physical assault, kidnapping, raids, armed conflicts
Loss of a parent
Mention of stillbirths, loss of children
Cutting: there are two scenes that feature cutting
Profanity: Mild
Medium Heat Romance (not explicit)
If you’d like to take a look at a more in-depth content guide (which does include slight spoilers as well as page numbers for some of the content), please visit my website by following the link. And if you have read the story and feel like there are more content warnings to be added, please put them in the comments below.
In-depth Content Guide: https://rebeccarossauthor.com/content...
xR
January 28, 2024
I know this is not going to be a book for everyone, but it was the book for me! Albeit a little slow going, the book manages to be incredibly engaging. It's filled with fantastic characters that start to feel like real people with how the author shapes out their backstories. I couldn't help but get incredibly attached to each and every one of them. The writing style is DELICIOUS. It's incredibly atmospheric and fitting to the story.
While I'm not sure if this is a story that needs to be a duology (will let you know after I read book two), I'm still eager to get to the next book after that ENDING!!! :(
While I'm not sure if this is a story that needs to be a duology (will let you know after I read book two), I'm still eager to get to the next book after that ENDING!!! :(
August 28, 2023
“From your life came mine. I would not exist if you had been born in the east. I am but a verse inspired by your chorus, and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than a remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.”🥹🤌🏻
You know the feeling when u read something so beautiful that you can’t stop thinking about it. Well yes this book made me feel like this, i went out with my friends today and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. the only thing that was in my mind was that i need to go home to start book 2. my brain refused to think about anything other than this painful ending!! 💔🥲
Rebecca Ross 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
I was hooked, obsessed, addicted to this book. It was so beautifully, wonderfully, magically written. The book is everything sweet and magical and mysterious. Rebecca Ross writing style has the ability to make me see through the papers. to make me feel like I'm one of the main characters that i was present with them. It’s one of these books that will make you escape and forget reality. I loved it so much 🫶🏻 i want this book to turn into a movie and timothee chalamet to be jack please 😋✋🏻its more fantasy than it is romance so yeah keep that in mind when u read it 🫶🏻
“He is afraid of losing you, first in heart, then in body. And if you follow me to the grave, he will not be far behind you. His soul has found its counterpart in yours, and he belongs with you, even after Death’s sting.”
characters
“I tried to turn myself into stone. To not feel anything. But now I realize that it is better to live, to feel and have a clean break than be half-dead and cold, cracked from resentment.”
jack he’s very brave and thoughtful, considerate and sweet, loyal to his clan even tho they didn’t show him any kindness when he was young, they made him feel so unwanted and unworthy. he plays the harp. His music is his language. I loved his character development and how he finally felt his worth and that he was important 🥹
“She had hated him as a lass. But she was coming to learn that it was hard to hate what made her feel the most alive.”
adaira she's the leader of the east clan. She's very strong and loyal to her people and to her family. Her character was so we'll written and she was so relatable at times. I loved how she could still see and hope for peace in the darkest times. for some people she might sound so naive but for me she was a dreamer 🫶🏻
“It feels strange,” she whispered. “To not know which side I belong to.”
“You belong to both,” he replied. “You are the east as you are the west. You are mine as I am yours.”
their relationship i’m not gonna lie. Their banter sounded so bland at first and their romance took a-lot of time to start romancing but i was so found of them at the end 🫶🏻 i loved the way she always called him old menace 🤭 loved that he was the shy one and she was the bold one in the relationship 🫶🏻 it was cute
“I want to change. But my bones are old, my heart is selfish, my spirit is weary. I look at me and I look at you, and I see two different dreams. I am death. And you, Sidra …” He reached out to touch her face, softly, as if she might vanish beneath his fingers. “You are life.”
Torin ugh this man 🧎🏻♀️he deserves so much better. He was very kind, sweet and adorable. Very strong and protective of the people of his clan and his family. I loved his character development the most it was so beautifully done 🫶🏻 he’s struggles as a guard of the clan gate was so sad and real. Violence and anger was his language he was raised to be like this to defend his people. But just because you were raised to do and believe in something it doesn’t mean that you have to like it. he was full of guilt and sadness no one saw that in him except sidra 🫶🏻 🫂
“There is no failure in love,” she said “And I have loved without measure.”
sidra she’s my favorite character in the book. She’s very kindhearted and cute, she’s so selfless.always looking after everyone🫶🏻 she’s so wise and smart. She’s always see the good in people even if they’re really bad. She’s fearless and honest and loves deeply and she’s not ashamed of that 🫶🏻
“Does that mean we cannot exist as one?”god i need to be loved like this 😭🫠
“No,” Torin said. “It means that without you, I am nothing.”
their relationship it was my favorite 🥹 they melted and warmed my heart 🥹 no one could understand and see through him like she does and versa vice. She helped him to see things differently. She taught him that violence is not the only way. She was the only one who could claim down the storm and the anger inside him💕 they’re so precious i love then sm 🫶🏻 their sadness and grief made their hearts grow closer to each other 🫶🏻 their povs were my everything🫶🏻
Quotes
“He couldn’t describe what he felt for her, but it possessed the power to sunder his bones. To lay him open and vulnerable. There were still corners of himself that Torin was ashamed of. He was afraid to fully let her in, to let her see him at his worst, to let her touch the bloodstained palms in his dreams. But then he opened his eyes and beheld her, joined to him. To his present. To his pain and his past. Weaving her fate with his, willingly.”
“I’ve made many mistakes in my life,” he began. “But I refuse to let this one get the best of me. I’ve never said this to you, and I didn’t realize how much I desired to speak such truth to you, every sunrise and every sunset, until my voice was taken.” He paused. “I love you, Sidra. My love for you knows no bounds.”
“Her hands took the pain for Torin; her voice rose for his lost one.And if she thought that she could measure the depth of her love for him before, she was mistaken.It ran far deeper than she knew.”
“I once thought home was simply a place. Four walls to hold you at night while you slept. But I was wrong. It’s people. It’s being with the ones that you love, and maybe even the ones that you hate.” He couldn’t help but smile, watching how his words raced across her skin, making her flush.
February 10, 2022
3.2 Stars
*Minority opinion*
One Liner: Great premise; needed stronger world-building.
The Isle of Cadence and enchantments go hand in hand. The ‘folk’ are the spirits belonging to the sea, earth, and wind. They can help, save, or kill you, and you never know what they’ll do. The Isle is divided into the East and West, where enmity runs deeper than the river that flows between them.
Adaira is the Heiress of the East and the last of the Tamerlaine clan. Her people are suffering, and little girls started to go missing. Not knowing what to do, she sends for Jack, her childhood nemesis, to bring his harp and play for the ‘folk’.
Jack, the bard, has left Cadence and moved to the mainland ten years ago. He doesn’t want to go back to where he was hated and doubted for being illegitimate with no father’s name to back him. He visits Cadence with a firm intention to get back to his life as soon as possible. But when he and Adaira begin to work together, Jack realizes Cadence is more than his birthplace.
Torin is the guard of the east coast bound to the land by blood. He does his duty without remorse or doubt. But when a tragedy befalls, Torin has to choose between his past actions and his future. Sidra, his wife, is a warm, generous, skilled, and wonderful healer. But their relationship has its issues. Can the couple build a bond that keeps them together?
How do the four of them solve the mystery of the missing girls? What happens to the feud between the West and the East? What’s the price to pay for a better future?
What I Like:
• The element of magic is beautiful and interwoven into the storyline. The enchanted plaids, weapons, etc., are interesting.
• Torin and Sidra’s relationship arc is handled very well. It added a lot of emotional value to the book. Adaira and Jack’s arc doesn’t feel as good but is believable. For me, Torin and Sidra are the main characters of the book.
• The characters are pretty decent. None of them were boring, though there’s scope to add to the depth.
• The book says adult fantasy, but it can be read by (older) teens. They might enjoy it more than I did.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The writing is slow. I was prepared for it when I saw a couple of reviewers mentioning it. Imagine reaching 50% of the book, and nothing major happens. It’s just a combination of smaller incidents.
• There could’ve been more tension between Adaira and Jack. While romance is not the main focus of the story, their relationship plays a vital role.
• The world-building could be better. We know it’s an enchanted land, but it doesn’t feel alive or compelling except when the ‘folk’ appear. The setting should be prominent in fantasy.
• The concept feels like historical fantasy. However, the writing is almost modern. It didn’t affect me much, but it might put off some readers.
• This is a big book (480 pages), and the writing meanders quite a bit. I didn’t know it was the first book in the series until a couple of days before I started reading (that part was updated later on GR).
• The ending, ugh, reminded me of Indian daily soaps. Not the kind I like at all!
To sum up, A River Enchanted has a beautiful premise but needed a more compelling setting and a crisper narration.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperVoyager, and Harper CollinsUK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
*****
P.S: I love the cover (the UK version, I think) I marked as my copy on GR. The other one is meh.
*Minority opinion*
One Liner: Great premise; needed stronger world-building.
The Isle of Cadence and enchantments go hand in hand. The ‘folk’ are the spirits belonging to the sea, earth, and wind. They can help, save, or kill you, and you never know what they’ll do. The Isle is divided into the East and West, where enmity runs deeper than the river that flows between them.
Adaira is the Heiress of the East and the last of the Tamerlaine clan. Her people are suffering, and little girls started to go missing. Not knowing what to do, she sends for Jack, her childhood nemesis, to bring his harp and play for the ‘folk’.
Jack, the bard, has left Cadence and moved to the mainland ten years ago. He doesn’t want to go back to where he was hated and doubted for being illegitimate with no father’s name to back him. He visits Cadence with a firm intention to get back to his life as soon as possible. But when he and Adaira begin to work together, Jack realizes Cadence is more than his birthplace.
Torin is the guard of the east coast bound to the land by blood. He does his duty without remorse or doubt. But when a tragedy befalls, Torin has to choose between his past actions and his future. Sidra, his wife, is a warm, generous, skilled, and wonderful healer. But their relationship has its issues. Can the couple build a bond that keeps them together?
How do the four of them solve the mystery of the missing girls? What happens to the feud between the West and the East? What’s the price to pay for a better future?
What I Like:
• The element of magic is beautiful and interwoven into the storyline. The enchanted plaids, weapons, etc., are interesting.
• Torin and Sidra’s relationship arc is handled very well. It added a lot of emotional value to the book. Adaira and Jack’s arc doesn’t feel as good but is believable. For me, Torin and Sidra are the main characters of the book.
• The characters are pretty decent. None of them were boring, though there’s scope to add to the depth.
• The book says adult fantasy, but it can be read by (older) teens. They might enjoy it more than I did.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The writing is slow. I was prepared for it when I saw a couple of reviewers mentioning it. Imagine reaching 50% of the book, and nothing major happens. It’s just a combination of smaller incidents.
• There could’ve been more tension between Adaira and Jack. While romance is not the main focus of the story, their relationship plays a vital role.
• The world-building could be better. We know it’s an enchanted land, but it doesn’t feel alive or compelling except when the ‘folk’ appear. The setting should be prominent in fantasy.
• The concept feels like historical fantasy. However, the writing is almost modern. It didn’t affect me much, but it might put off some readers.
• This is a big book (480 pages), and the writing meanders quite a bit. I didn’t know it was the first book in the series until a couple of days before I started reading (that part was updated later on GR).
• The ending, ugh, reminded me of Indian daily soaps. Not the kind I like at all!
To sum up, A River Enchanted has a beautiful premise but needed a more compelling setting and a crisper narration.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperVoyager, and Harper CollinsUK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
*****
P.S: I love the cover (the UK version, I think) I marked as my copy on GR. The other one is meh.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this Scottish folk tale inspired fantasy set on a fictional island of Cadence.
A large part of it felt like a fantasy thriller, a subgenre I knew thought I was going to come across.
One of our protagonists Jack Tamerlaine is summoned back home to his native island of Cadence by his laird. John has been studying music for 12 years and has even become a teaching assistant at university (ok, nothing magical so far, folks). The island itself is divided between two warring clans- Braccans and Tamerlaines. It turns out he has been summoned to assist his laird (or rather an acting laird since the real one is terminally ill) to solve a mystery- three little girls have been kidnapped and the clan folk are worried these disappearances may continue (again nothing magical, even though some Tamerlaines believe the lasses were taken by the spirits). The world Rebecca Ross built (and it's a well-built world, with lots of details) is very much a mortal world with mortal problems and solutions. Rest assured, it is still a fantasy land with elemental magic and at some point spirits of water, land and air do make their appearance.
The main characters are well-developed -I'd say 4 of them, each one with their unique personality and unique voice. There's our bard Jack (John) Tamerlaine and his childhood nemesis Aidara- theirs is a story of building trust and figuring our where they belong to, each one separately and together. Then there's another fascinating couple that in many ways outshines Jack and Adi- Torin and his wife Sidra, who is also a wonderful stepmother to Torin's daughter Maisie. Brought together by necessity and love for Maisie, they are the proverbial opposites whose love is wrought with tension and self-discovery. He is a soldier, the Captain of the clan Guard, his job is to protect by all means, while she is a healer, who'd give her life to help anyone in need whatever their origin and life story is. There's also Jack's family- talking about them would necessarily mean going into the island's particular magic system and its history and I don't want to give the story away.
The pace is what my blogger friend Yesha calls 'steady'- things develop gradually, we get to know the characters as they deal with/investigate the girls' disappearances. The pace picks up in the final part where secrets are revealed and loose ends are tied. At the end of the book I felt thoroughly prepared for the second book (I guess it is going to be a duology) - I have certain expectations and ideas, and yet, the future is wide open, anything can happen in the new, mysterious setting I can't wait to explore.
Even though this isn't a short book, I couldn't put it down and genuinely didn't want it to end. If the second part was already published, I'd go for it straightaway.
Recommended- absolutely! I read and listened to the audio version at the same time and I must say Ruth Urquhart did a wonderful job as a narrator.
A large part of it felt like a fantasy thriller, a subgenre I knew thought I was going to come across.
One of our protagonists Jack Tamerlaine is summoned back home to his native island of Cadence by his laird. John has been studying music for 12 years and has even become a teaching assistant at university (ok, nothing magical so far, folks). The island itself is divided between two warring clans- Braccans and Tamerlaines. It turns out he has been summoned to assist his laird (or rather an acting laird since the real one is terminally ill) to solve a mystery- three little girls have been kidnapped and the clan folk are worried these disappearances may continue (again nothing magical, even though some Tamerlaines believe the lasses were taken by the spirits). The world Rebecca Ross built (and it's a well-built world, with lots of details) is very much a mortal world with mortal problems and solutions. Rest assured, it is still a fantasy land with elemental magic and at some point spirits of water, land and air do make their appearance.
The main characters are well-developed -I'd say 4 of them, each one with their unique personality and unique voice. There's our bard Jack (John) Tamerlaine and his childhood nemesis Aidara- theirs is a story of building trust and figuring our where they belong to, each one separately and together. Then there's another fascinating couple that in many ways outshines Jack and Adi- Torin and his wife Sidra, who is also a wonderful stepmother to Torin's daughter Maisie. Brought together by necessity and love for Maisie, they are the proverbial opposites whose love is wrought with tension and self-discovery. He is a soldier, the Captain of the clan Guard, his job is to protect by all means, while she is a healer, who'd give her life to help anyone in need whatever their origin and life story is. There's also Jack's family- talking about them would necessarily mean going into the island's particular magic system and its history and I don't want to give the story away.
The pace is what my blogger friend Yesha calls 'steady'- things develop gradually, we get to know the characters as they deal with/investigate the girls' disappearances. The pace picks up in the final part where secrets are revealed and loose ends are tied. At the end of the book I felt thoroughly prepared for the second book (I guess it is going to be a duology) - I have certain expectations and ideas, and yet, the future is wide open, anything can happen in the new, mysterious setting I can't wait to explore.
Even though this isn't a short book, I couldn't put it down and genuinely didn't want it to end. If the second part was already published, I'd go for it straightaway.
Recommended- absolutely! I read and listened to the audio version at the same time and I must say Ruth Urquhart did a wonderful job as a narrator.
October 12, 2023
“I am but a verse inspired by your chorus and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.”
This book was so good! This was an enchanting and unique Scottish fantasy about duty, love, family and the power of partnership. A River Enchanted follows Jack, a bard who arrives home to Cadence after living in the mainland for many years because several girls are missing from the island and Adaira, the heir of the clan is positive that Jack will find them. Jack and Adaira must work together to bring the girls back by singing to the elemental spirits and asking for their help. At the same time, the Breccan clan, their enemies want to make a deal with Adaira. Jack and Adaira soon learn a dark secret that will change their lives forever.
I was completely swept up in this Scottish fairytale inspired fantasy from the first page. The pacing was great in the beginning, but it was a little slow in the middle. The world building was excellent, I loved how unique the magic is and the elemental spirits (water, earth and wind) are very unique. I loved how the author weaved the magic into the story and made the two compliment each other. The description of the setting and the lush vibes brought the Scottish setting to life. The writing made me feel like I was living in a fairytale, it was beautiful and enchanting. The ending was so exciting and heartbreaking. I can't wait to read the next book!
The characters were complex and relatable. I loved Jack, he is intelligent, brave, creative, kind, and relatable. Jack's character development was excellent, in the beginning he is lonely and doesn't belong compared till the end where he learns that he belongs with his family. I love how Jack treats Adaira, he listens to her and lets her be herself. Jack and his relationship with his sister, Frae is so beautiful and I love how gentle he is with her. The scenes with Jack and Frae warmed my heart so much. I also love Adaira, she is fierce, brave, kind, independent, and strong. I really like Torin, he is tenacious, caring, loyal, compassionate and protective of everyone he loves. Torin is a relatable character since he is struggling with the mistakes he's made and his past. I liked how soft and sweet Torin is to Sidra, his wife and Maisie his daughter. Sidra is also a great character, she is sweet, loving, helpful, patient, and loyal. I love Adaira and Jack's relationship, they understand each other and can be themselves around each other. The chemistry between them is great and I love how their relationship develops throughout the book. There were several scenes between Jack and Adaira that made me smile and blush so much.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, Scottish folklore, great characters, and excellent world building.
This book was so good! This was an enchanting and unique Scottish fantasy about duty, love, family and the power of partnership. A River Enchanted follows Jack, a bard who arrives home to Cadence after living in the mainland for many years because several girls are missing from the island and Adaira, the heir of the clan is positive that Jack will find them. Jack and Adaira must work together to bring the girls back by singing to the elemental spirits and asking for their help. At the same time, the Breccan clan, their enemies want to make a deal with Adaira. Jack and Adaira soon learn a dark secret that will change their lives forever.
I was completely swept up in this Scottish fairytale inspired fantasy from the first page. The pacing was great in the beginning, but it was a little slow in the middle. The world building was excellent, I loved how unique the magic is and the elemental spirits (water, earth and wind) are very unique. I loved how the author weaved the magic into the story and made the two compliment each other. The description of the setting and the lush vibes brought the Scottish setting to life. The writing made me feel like I was living in a fairytale, it was beautiful and enchanting. The ending was so exciting and heartbreaking. I can't wait to read the next book!
The characters were complex and relatable. I loved Jack, he is intelligent, brave, creative, kind, and relatable. Jack's character development was excellent, in the beginning he is lonely and doesn't belong compared till the end where he learns that he belongs with his family. I love how Jack treats Adaira, he listens to her and lets her be herself. Jack and his relationship with his sister, Frae is so beautiful and I love how gentle he is with her. The scenes with Jack and Frae warmed my heart so much. I also love Adaira, she is fierce, brave, kind, independent, and strong. I really like Torin, he is tenacious, caring, loyal, compassionate and protective of everyone he loves. Torin is a relatable character since he is struggling with the mistakes he's made and his past. I liked how soft and sweet Torin is to Sidra, his wife and Maisie his daughter. Sidra is also a great character, she is sweet, loving, helpful, patient, and loyal. I love Adaira and Jack's relationship, they understand each other and can be themselves around each other. The chemistry between them is great and I love how their relationship develops throughout the book. There were several scenes between Jack and Adaira that made me smile and blush so much.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, Scottish folklore, great characters, and excellent world building.
June 26, 2022
DNF @ 50%
I am so fucking bored man
I am so fucking bored man
August 21, 2024
This was a beautiful book that just slightly missed the mark for me.
A River Enchanted immerses readers in a fantastical realm reminiscent of Scotland, and this atmospheric backdrop is a highlight of the novel, evoking a sense of cozy romance and rugged beauty that is particularly appealing to those with a fondness for Scottish settings (of which I am one).
Ross's writing is engaging and descriptive, but while there are beautiful turns of phrase and evocative descriptions galore, the prose was not quite as lush as I had hoped for. When I picked this up, I was under the impression that this was Ross' first adult fantasy novel, but it seemed quite clear that Ross was restraining herself and her writing style to accommodate younger readers, which is unfortunate. I hope to read a true adult fantasy from Ross in the future to appreciate her unrestrained use of lyrical and intricate language!
The protagonist, Jack, initially seems a bit bland, but he grows more appealing as the story unfolds. His dynamic with his newly discovered sister adds depth to his character. However, it's Sidra who truly shines, her fierce love, compassion, determination, and strong will making her the most compelling character. Her interactions, particularly with her daughter and husband, are not just beautifully portrayed, but deeply emotionally resonant.
Ross excels in creating vivid and memorable secondary characters. Even those with brief appearances, like Alistair, left a lasting impression. This strong characterization faltered only with our central romantic pairing, which was glaringly evident in comparison to the peripheral characters. I found myself constantly wishing the book would leave Jack behind and focus solely on Sidra, and I found myself continually frustrated as a result.
The magic system, rooted in elemental spirits and creative expressions like music and weaving, is both imaginative and well-integrated into the story. I enjoyed the tension that came from the unpredictability of the spirits, their morally grey nature and opaque motivations, leaving the people on the island at risk and unsteady. The world-building draws on fairy tale and folklore elements, creating a rich tapestry of lore that enhances the narrative.
While the plot is engaging, it tends to be predictable. Many reveals are foreshadowed well in advance, but the story maintains a steady pace, with moments of tension and emotional intensity that kept me invested. The slow-burn romance is sweet, though it may not be central enough to the plot to classify this as Romantasy (rather than Fantasy with romance).
Despite my slight disappointment about the missed potential here, I will likely read on in the series as I found myself engaged and enjoying the reading experience from the first chapter to the last.
Read for my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA
“Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save. Which will you choose for your hands Torin?”
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of children/infants, loss of parents, kidnapping, blood, grief, murder
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
A River Enchanted immerses readers in a fantastical realm reminiscent of Scotland, and this atmospheric backdrop is a highlight of the novel, evoking a sense of cozy romance and rugged beauty that is particularly appealing to those with a fondness for Scottish settings (of which I am one).
Ross's writing is engaging and descriptive, but while there are beautiful turns of phrase and evocative descriptions galore, the prose was not quite as lush as I had hoped for. When I picked this up, I was under the impression that this was Ross' first adult fantasy novel, but it seemed quite clear that Ross was restraining herself and her writing style to accommodate younger readers, which is unfortunate. I hope to read a true adult fantasy from Ross in the future to appreciate her unrestrained use of lyrical and intricate language!
The protagonist, Jack, initially seems a bit bland, but he grows more appealing as the story unfolds. His dynamic with his newly discovered sister adds depth to his character. However, it's Sidra who truly shines, her fierce love, compassion, determination, and strong will making her the most compelling character. Her interactions, particularly with her daughter and husband, are not just beautifully portrayed, but deeply emotionally resonant.
Ross excels in creating vivid and memorable secondary characters. Even those with brief appearances, like Alistair, left a lasting impression. This strong characterization faltered only with our central romantic pairing, which was glaringly evident in comparison to the peripheral characters. I found myself constantly wishing the book would leave Jack behind and focus solely on Sidra, and I found myself continually frustrated as a result.
The magic system, rooted in elemental spirits and creative expressions like music and weaving, is both imaginative and well-integrated into the story. I enjoyed the tension that came from the unpredictability of the spirits, their morally grey nature and opaque motivations, leaving the people on the island at risk and unsteady. The world-building draws on fairy tale and folklore elements, creating a rich tapestry of lore that enhances the narrative.
While the plot is engaging, it tends to be predictable. Many reveals are foreshadowed well in advance, but the story maintains a steady pace, with moments of tension and emotional intensity that kept me invested. The slow-burn romance is sweet, though it may not be central enough to the plot to classify this as Romantasy (rather than Fantasy with romance).
Despite my slight disappointment about the missed potential here, I will likely read on in the series as I found myself engaged and enjoying the reading experience from the first chapter to the last.
Read for my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA
“Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save. Which will you choose for your hands Torin?”
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of children/infants, loss of parents, kidnapping, blood, grief, murder
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
January 11, 2024
“ℑ 𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔟𝔢 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔦𝔪𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔞𝔩, 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔡 𝔫𝔬 𝔣𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔡𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥. 𝔗𝔬 𝔡𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔟𝔲𝔯𝔫 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔞𝔫 𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔢𝔯𝔞. 𝔄𝔫𝔡 ℑ 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔨 𝔥𝔬𝔴 𝔡𝔲𝔩𝔩 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔞𝔫 𝔢𝔵𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔟𝔢. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔡𝔬 𝔞𝔫𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔭 𝔢𝔡𝔤𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔩𝔦𝔣𝔢 𝔞𝔤𝔞𝔦𝔫.”
🌟3.5🌟
A River Enchanted is a cozy fantasy that was a perfect read for this January. I swear this book feels like a cold, rainy day. The writing is enchanting and descriptive. I found myself completely immersed into the author’s words and felt like I was physically there in the book.
🌀Atmospheric, cozy fantasy with a hint of romance(it’s more prevalent in the second half of the book)
🌀mystery
🌀Multi POV
🌀Scottish folklore
🌀marriage of convenience(saw in some reviews this was enemies to lovers but I don’t personally see it)
“ ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔞 𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢 𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔶 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔯𝔲𝔰, 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℑ 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔣𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔫𝔡, 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔪𝔶 𝔟𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔫𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔞 𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔫 𝔞 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔫𝔢, 𝔫𝔢𝔵𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰.”
Things I Didn’t Like
🌀 The writing or something had me falling asleep at parts 😫 I know I said I like the writing I really do I promise..
🌀slow beginning..I wasn’t in the can’t put down phase until the 55 percent mark
Overall thoughts: I really enjoyed despite the slow beginning. Trust. The. Process. It’s slow but it’s building the story. There were things I was NOT expecting and I was reading with my jaw to the floor. I changed how I felt about characters multiple times.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book however I wouldn’t start this book thinking it’s romance like I did. There is romance but it’s more subplot. Fingers crossed the next book of the series is even better🤞🏼💖
🌟3.5🌟
A River Enchanted is a cozy fantasy that was a perfect read for this January. I swear this book feels like a cold, rainy day. The writing is enchanting and descriptive. I found myself completely immersed into the author’s words and felt like I was physically there in the book.
🌀Atmospheric, cozy fantasy with a hint of romance(it’s more prevalent in the second half of the book)
🌀mystery
🌀Multi POV
🌀Scottish folklore
🌀marriage of convenience(saw in some reviews this was enemies to lovers but I don’t personally see it)
“ ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔞 𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢 𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔶 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔯𝔲𝔰, 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℑ 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔣𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔫𝔡, 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔪𝔶 𝔟𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔫𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔞 𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔫 𝔞 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔫𝔢, 𝔫𝔢𝔵𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰.”
Things I Didn’t Like
🌀 The writing or something had me falling asleep at parts 😫 I know I said I like the writing I really do I promise..
🌀slow beginning..I wasn’t in the can’t put down phase until the 55 percent mark
Overall thoughts: I really enjoyed despite the slow beginning. Trust. The. Process. It’s slow but it’s building the story. There were things I was NOT expecting and I was reading with my jaw to the floor. I changed how I felt about characters multiple times.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book however I wouldn’t start this book thinking it’s romance like I did. There is romance but it’s more subplot. Fingers crossed the next book of the series is even better🤞🏼💖
July 2, 2022
4.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
August 21, 2023
🎵4.5 Musical Stars!
"It felt like I waited an eternity for you."
Jack Tamerlaine must return to his home island of Cadence, after a 10 year absence while he was training to become a bard, something he thought he would never do but summoned by his laird he makes the journey only to find that his childhood nemesis, Adaira, the Lairds daughter, was actually the one to call him home because she believes Jack is the only one who can help her. Young girls are going missing and the elemental spirits that dwell on the island and shape the clans' fortunes are believed to be responsible and only a Bard may be able to summon them to return the girls. They must all work together to uncover the mystery while they and the island harbor dark secrets that may threaten to alter the future.
"The cottage was quiet, dusted with dawn, and the wind was just beginning to howl its morning gossip."
Rebecca Ross just doesn't disappoint. This book was so atmospheric and immersive. This was such a cozy read. I was hooked from chapter one; she immediately submerges you into this trance of lyrical descriptors and wonderful lore. She can definitely set the mood! There was so much to love in this book, but I have to say my favorite thing about it were the relationships. Jack and his sister melted my heart, Sidra and her father-in-law were so dear, and Torin and Adaira felt more like siblings, and I loved them so much. It was a little slow at times, specifically, I felt like Jack and Adaira's' relationship lacked some development, I would have enjoyed a little more definition in their relationship, but I still loved them and enjoyed their story arc. Sidra and Torin carried this book for me! I would step out in front of traffic for them. I was invested in their story from the first moment. They are such amazing characters and the way their story played out was emotional and perfect.
THAT ENDING! I did not see any of that happening! I was shocked and delighted bc I am so excited to see where this is going to go in book 2!
"You are mine as I am yours."
Jack and Adaira- Jack is grumpy and blunt and I really loved him. He was funny with all his grumbling, and I really appreciated how he is the gentler one in his relationship with Adaira and isn't threatened by her being a strong leader, capable rider, or better fighter. He's proud of her and impressed and appreciates her talents. Likewise, Adaira admires and respects Jack and his abilities and I really loved that about them. Jack immediately loving his sister and wanting to take care of her melted my heart. The way they fell into this loving sibling dynamic almost as soon as meeting each other was so precious and won me over. I would have like to see a little more passion between Jack and Adaira, but I am hoping that book 2 gives us more of them.
"Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save."
Torin and Sidra- THE STARS OF THE BOOK! I love them so much I could cry. They seriously make me emotional. Torin is such a great character, a good man struggling bc of what he has been taught to be his whole life and the loss he has experienced has molded him into to someone he can't really reconcile with the new realities that are happening all around him. He loves so much and so big but has a hard time expressing it. And SIDRA!! She is just an ANGEL that deserves every good thing! The way she loves and is a mother to Maisie. The way she loves and tries to help Torin and takes care of everyone in the East. She is a pillar of strength for everyone and asks for nothing, but she is steadfast in her beliefs and her convictions at the same time. More of their story is what I am most looking forward to in the next book.
MORE QUOTES I LOVED
"He was remembering the taste of isle bred fear, how it felt to be lost when the land shifted. How storms could break at a moment's notice. How the folk could be benevolent one day, and malevolent the next. How capricious natures flowed like a river."
"What happened? Who did this to you?" (never gets old 🤭)
"Impossible. You're the sister I always wanted."
"No. I don't want half of anything. Only all of it."
"Please, this man belongs to me. You cannot claim him."
"I have been with you all this time. The good as well as the bad. Once, we were acquaintances sharing a vow. But you have become more to me than mere spoken words on a midsummer night. And I have never been one to love conditionally."
"There is no failure in love, and I have loved without measure."
I am loving all the mystery and intrigue and that ending left me with so many questions!! Will be starting ASAP! 💙
"It felt like I waited an eternity for you."
Jack Tamerlaine must return to his home island of Cadence, after a 10 year absence while he was training to become a bard, something he thought he would never do but summoned by his laird he makes the journey only to find that his childhood nemesis, Adaira, the Lairds daughter, was actually the one to call him home because she believes Jack is the only one who can help her. Young girls are going missing and the elemental spirits that dwell on the island and shape the clans' fortunes are believed to be responsible and only a Bard may be able to summon them to return the girls. They must all work together to uncover the mystery while they and the island harbor dark secrets that may threaten to alter the future.
"The cottage was quiet, dusted with dawn, and the wind was just beginning to howl its morning gossip."
Rebecca Ross just doesn't disappoint. This book was so atmospheric and immersive. This was such a cozy read. I was hooked from chapter one; she immediately submerges you into this trance of lyrical descriptors and wonderful lore. She can definitely set the mood! There was so much to love in this book, but I have to say my favorite thing about it were the relationships. Jack and his sister melted my heart, Sidra and her father-in-law were so dear, and Torin and Adaira felt more like siblings, and I loved them so much. It was a little slow at times, specifically, I felt like Jack and Adaira's' relationship lacked some development, I would have enjoyed a little more definition in their relationship, but I still loved them and enjoyed their story arc. Sidra and Torin carried this book for me! I would step out in front of traffic for them. I was invested in their story from the first moment. They are such amazing characters and the way their story played out was emotional and perfect.
THAT ENDING! I did not see any of that happening! I was shocked and delighted bc I am so excited to see where this is going to go in book 2!
"You are mine as I am yours."
Jack and Adaira- Jack is grumpy and blunt and I really loved him. He was funny with all his grumbling, and I really appreciated how he is the gentler one in his relationship with Adaira and isn't threatened by her being a strong leader, capable rider, or better fighter. He's proud of her and impressed and appreciates her talents. Likewise, Adaira admires and respects Jack and his abilities and I really loved that about them. Jack immediately loving his sister and wanting to take care of her melted my heart. The way they fell into this loving sibling dynamic almost as soon as meeting each other was so precious and won me over. I would have like to see a little more passion between Jack and Adaira, but I am hoping that book 2 gives us more of them.
"Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save."
Torin and Sidra- THE STARS OF THE BOOK! I love them so much I could cry. They seriously make me emotional. Torin is such a great character, a good man struggling bc of what he has been taught to be his whole life and the loss he has experienced has molded him into to someone he can't really reconcile with the new realities that are happening all around him. He loves so much and so big but has a hard time expressing it. And SIDRA!! She is just an ANGEL that deserves every good thing! The way she loves and is a mother to Maisie. The way she loves and tries to help Torin and takes care of everyone in the East. She is a pillar of strength for everyone and asks for nothing, but she is steadfast in her beliefs and her convictions at the same time. More of their story is what I am most looking forward to in the next book.
MORE QUOTES I LOVED
"He was remembering the taste of isle bred fear, how it felt to be lost when the land shifted. How storms could break at a moment's notice. How the folk could be benevolent one day, and malevolent the next. How capricious natures flowed like a river."
"What happened? Who did this to you?" (never gets old 🤭)
"Impossible. You're the sister I always wanted."
"No. I don't want half of anything. Only all of it."
"Please, this man belongs to me. You cannot claim him."
"I have been with you all this time. The good as well as the bad. Once, we were acquaintances sharing a vow. But you have become more to me than mere spoken words on a midsummer night. And I have never been one to love conditionally."
"There is no failure in love, and I have loved without measure."
I am loving all the mystery and intrigue and that ending left me with so many questions!! Will be starting ASAP! 💙
May 18, 2024
4.5⭐️ :) suchhhh a good fantasy read! I saw a lot of people describe this as romantasy, but I’d say it’s a very romantically written book, but leans more towards fantasy with a subplot of romance if we’re actually talking about the relationships between characters. REGARDLESS, such a well written book! it’s a bit slow at times, but I truly didn’t mind that!! the familial relationships, the romantic ones, all of it was chefs kiss. The plot was really unique and intriguing I actually wasn’t bored at any point. Sometimes worldbuilding can be a drag in high fantasy books but MISS REBECCA DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It was so well done :)
July 25, 2024
"From your life came mine. I am but a verse inspired by your chorus, and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than a remembrance on a headstone, next to yours."
Miss ma'am Rebecca Ross mothered so hard with this one. 🥲 (Yes, I loved it more than Divine Rivals!)
Series review after I read the sequel ~
February 16, 2023
the writing is GORGEOUS. if you love madeleine millers' writing, you'll definitely fall in love with this book. i went in expecting more action and for it to have faster pacing but it was more on the slower side, and then i found out it was a cozy fantasy halfway through lol. which is not something i have found myself reaching for (as a fantasy reader who generally likes more violent books like the poppy war) but i’m so glad to have experienced this side of fantasy! it was so atmospheric and i fell in love with the characters almost immediately.
i love how the characters were written, they had so much depth and were their own individual (which i don't find a lot of in books, to this extent). they were more than just pieces to move for the plot, each character had something to overcome. the only other time i found characters this well-written was in the green bone saga by fonda lee !! you can just feel the love and care they have for their island, their people, families, loved ones.
one thing i have to say is that besides the slow pacing, it felt very much YA. which is not bad by any means, but i've only seen this marketed as adult (but i see YA tagged here now so what is going on). definitely felt like a YA/adult crossover at best. there were some adult scenes that were written very poetically/vague or fade to black. i’ve read some YA with much more ???
thank you harpercollins for sending me a copy! this review was entirely my honest opinion ♡
i love how the characters were written, they had so much depth and were their own individual (which i don't find a lot of in books, to this extent). they were more than just pieces to move for the plot, each character had something to overcome. the only other time i found characters this well-written was in the green bone saga by fonda lee !! you can just feel the love and care they have for their island, their people, families, loved ones.
one thing i have to say is that besides the slow pacing, it felt very much YA. which is not bad by any means, but i've only seen this marketed as adult (but i see YA tagged here now so what is going on). definitely felt like a YA/adult crossover at best. there were some adult scenes that were written very poetically/vague or fade to black. i’ve read some YA with much more ???
thank you harpercollins for sending me a copy! this review was entirely my honest opinion ♡
Want to read
February 27, 2022According to the author, you can expect:
-Characters in their 20s
-An enchanted isle that can change its landscape
-Hate to love
-Scottish influences
-A mystery
-A grumpy yet endearing musician
AHHH YES YES YESSSS!!! 2022 IS TOO FAR AWAY!!!
-Characters in their 20s
-An enchanted isle that can change its landscape
-Hate to love
-Scottish influences
-A mystery
-A grumpy yet endearing musician
AHHH YES YES YESSSS!!! 2022 IS TOO FAR AWAY!!!
June 21, 2024
↳ If we must drown, let us do so entwined.
How do I begin to describe this book? It's ethereal and magical, comforting yet heartbreaking, with characters that feel like old friends.
The island of Cadence is a magical, mystical world, but a long ago conflict between clans split the island, leaving the east ruled by the Tamerlaines and the west by the Breccans. But the true rulers of this place are the Spirits of Earth, Water, Fire and Earth, who love nothing more than to test the humans who live on the island. When girls start disappearing and no one knows where to find them, Adaira, the Heiress of the East, knows that the spirits are the only ones who can provide the answers they need.
「 “I imagine what it would be like to be immortal, to hold no fear of death. To dance and burn for an endless era. And I think how dull such an existence would be. That one would do anything to feel the sharp edge of life again.” 」
The world that Ross created is nothing short of breathtaking. The world-building is at once simple and intricate, and as the story progresses, the world expands. Rebecca's writing is incredibly mesmerising and I was quickly transported into this world. It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, with the wind blowing through my hair and the spray of salt water hitting my face, feeling the whispers of magic in the air.
But the characters are undoubtedly the stars of this story. Adaira, Jack, Sidra and Torin captured my heart and I love them unconditionally.
ˏˋ꒰ Adaira ꒱ˎˊ
Adaira is the Heiress of the East and a great responsibility rests on her shoulders. She's very strong and loyal to her clan and family, always making sure they're protected and no harm comes to them. She's a dreamer and believes that one day peace will be restored to her island, so she'll do anything to make that happen. I felt like there was this sadness and loneliness that lingered over her, like a part of her was missing. I just hope she's able to find herself in the next book.
「 She didn’t tell him that she was lonely, that she was overwhelmed some days with all the responsibilities that were set before her. That she sometimes wanted to be held and listened to and touched, that she wanted to be with someone who challenged her, sharpened her, made her laugh. Someone she could trust. 」
ˏˋ꒰ Jack ꒱ˎˊ
Jack is so sweet and brave. For most of his life he felt unwanted by his clan, and that made him think he wasn't good enough. But he remained loyal and when it came time to help his people, he did not second guess his decision to do everything in his power to help them. I loved his growth throughout the story and how he was able to find his purpose.
「 But he had always desired to prove himself worthy of the Tamerlaines. To be wanted, to feel as if he belonged. Music had once given that to him. A home, a purpose. 」
જ⁀➴ Adaira and Jack form a beautiful couple. At first, I didn't really feel the romance, but as their love slowly blossomed, it became clear how well they complement each other. Some of their scenes warmed my heart.
「 "I am but a verse inspired by your chorus, and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than a remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.” 」
ˏˋ꒰ Sidra ꒱ˎˊ
Sidra is my favourite character. She's kind, compassionate, selfless and so brave. I really connected with her. I love how she's not afraid of her feelings, she's not ashamed to admit that she loves fiercely and unreservedly, and that only makes her stronger and more fearless. I admire her so much.
「 “There is no failure in love,” she said and covered the furrows. The soil was rich; it swallowed a portion of her grief. “And I have loved without measure.” In this, I am complete. 」
ˏˋ꒰ Torin ꒱ˎˊ
Torin is everything. He's a protector, he takes his responsibilities very seriously. And despite his cold demeanour, he's actually incredibly loving and kind. I think his character development was the best. Torin carries a lot of guilt and shame for things he's done to protect his family and his clan, violence was the language he was taught and he didn't know how to see a world beyond that. But just because you are taught something it doesn't mean you have to live your whole life by those rules and Torin was able to realise that opening his heart didn't make him weak.
「 He couldn’t describe what he felt for her, but it possessed the power to sunder his bones. To lay him open and vulnerable. There were still corners of himself that Torin was ashamed of. He was afraid to fully let her in, to let her see him at his worst, to let her touch the bloodstained palms in his dreams. But then he opened his eyes and beheld her, joined to him. To his present. To his pain and his past. Weaving her fate with his, willingly. 」
જ⁀➴ Sidra and Torin have my whole heart, they're amazing together. Their relationship at the beginning is on shaky ground, there is a wall between them, something keeping them apart and it made me so sad because I could see how much it broke them to feel that separation between them. It took something terrible to happen to bring them closer, to make them open up to each other, and when their feelings came pouring down it was as if their love was finally free to spread its wings and fly. It was so beautiful to watch. Torin and Sidra warmed my heart and I can't wait for more scenes with them in the next book.
「 “I have been with you all this time,” she said, a soft answer that eased his rigid posture. “The good as well as the bad. Once, we were acquaintances sharing a vow. But you have become more to me than mere words spoken on a midsummer night. And I have never been one to love conditionally.” 」
This is a slow paced story and it took me a bit to get into it, which is why I'm not giving it a higher rating, but overall I really loved it. It's such an atmospheric and immersive read and I recommend it if you're looking for a cosy fantasy with a beautiful world to get lost in.
February 3, 2022
A Scottish-influenced folktale fantasy.
October 30, 2023
༊*·˚. ”You are mine as I am yours.”
3.75 stars
okay, can we please not make it seem like 3 stars is a bad rating? 😔😔😔 like i genuinely enjoyed this book. it felt so whimsical and magical, but did i love it? no. does that mean i would tell people not to read it? also no!
this book was definitely a lot harder to get into just because it is very heavily fantasy-based. it is based on scottish folklore, and set in the magical isle of cadence where magic flows through everything. the isle is split into two sides, the east, and the west, due to centuries-long feuds between the clans.
jack was living on the mainland when he was summoned by his old nemesis 🤭 adaira who is the heiress of the eastern clan. on the eastern land, young girls have gone missing and she brought him back to the isle to come to help summon spirits of the land to help obtain answers to find out who is taking the girls and where they are being kept.
the second couple we get are torin & sidra. the head of the guard and a healer. i didn’t realize how much they loved eachother until the end 🥹 they were so adorable and i can’t wait to get more from them bc i see how much more we can get out of their relationship!
all in all, the plot was pretty interesting. i know from what hoda 💝 has said that the romance is more prevalent in the second book so i will be picking it up soon. i thought for what we were given it was pretty cute. i enjoyed jack and adaira’s relationship at some points, i did find myself drifting off to sleep, but at other points, i was so intrigued and wanted to keep reading! i could see why this book was very hit-or-miss for many people.
i was somewhat able to guess the plot so i was not as surprised at the ending but damn does rebecca ross know how to write in complete endings 😞
there is not much i can say besides i just liked it! yeah, sure, it was not the best thing i have ever read, and i didn’t love it. but it was good! plain and simple.
quotes
I once thought home was simply a place. Four walls to hold you at night while you slept. But I was wrong. It’s people. It’s being with the ones that you love, and maybe even the ones that you hate.
“Let them be appalled, let them talk. Let them say whatever they want, it will soon fade, I promise you. And when it fades…it will be you and me and the truth. And that is all that matters in the end.”
I am but a verse inspired by your chorus, and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than a remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.
I tried to turn myself into stone. To not feel anything. But now I realize it is better to live, to feel and have a clean break than be half-dead and cold, cracked from resentment.
“He is afraid of losing you, first in heart, then in body. And if you follow me to the grave, he will not be far behind you. His soul has found its counterpart in yours, and he belongs with you, even after Death’s sting.”
torin and sidra were soso cute
February 9, 2022
3,5 stars, probably?
I liked many things about A River Enchanted, the world especially. Unfortunately the main romance failed to make me feel something (but I liked both Jack and Adaira as characters), and so the ending didn't quite hit as much as it could have. I felt like there was some tension I was missing because of it, sadly. Also, this is in no shape or form an enemies to lovers romance.
I found Torin and Sidra's relationship more compelling, in regards to their growth especially (Torin did frustrate me a lot for the longest time though 😂)
I liked many things about A River Enchanted, the world especially. Unfortunately the main romance failed to make me feel something (but I liked both Jack and Adaira as characters), and so the ending didn't quite hit as much as it could have. I felt like there was some tension I was missing because of it, sadly. Also, this is in no shape or form an enemies to lovers romance.
I found Torin and Sidra's relationship more compelling, in regards to their growth especially (Torin did frustrate me a lot for the longest time though 😂)
September 11, 2023
A beautiful and magical story that I just fell into.
The East and West sides of the Isle of Cadence have always been at odds. They don’t converse and each side is highly protective of their land.
But when the East notice that young girls are going missing, they immediately assume it is the West who are responsible.
Full of political intrigue, magical spirits and enchanting powers I was swept away in this world.
I loved all the characters, especially our main two Jack and Adaira. The twists and turns of the plot were wonderful and I cannot wait to pick up book 2!
The East and West sides of the Isle of Cadence have always been at odds. They don’t converse and each side is highly protective of their land.
But when the East notice that young girls are going missing, they immediately assume it is the West who are responsible.
Full of political intrigue, magical spirits and enchanting powers I was swept away in this world.
I loved all the characters, especially our main two Jack and Adaira. The twists and turns of the plot were wonderful and I cannot wait to pick up book 2!
January 26, 2022
A River Enchanted had some elements I really liked, and some that didn’t work for me at all, leaving me distinctly whelmed.
Firstly, I’m not sure the comp titles are the right ones, personally. This book lacks the romantic passion of a Sarah J. Maas book (and I say that as someone who aggressively DNF’d her books), and it’s much more whimsical and soft than either Uprooted or the The Witch’s Heart. I’d suggest it’s much closer to something like an adult version of the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, though that’s not a perfect comparison either.
On the positive side, the setting is excellent, and Ross writes really nicely. Her prose is relatively straightforward but there’s a really strong sense of place, inspired by Scotland, with plenty of quaint cottages and a wild, rugged coastline. I also really liked the spirit-based magic system and the way that enchanted songs, clothing and weapons were incorporated into the storyline; magic, in Cadence, has a very clear price that must be weighed up. Some of the most compelling scenes involve Jack making choices about using his bardic talents to control the spirits, even as it begins to physically weaken him.
Additionally, the mystery of the missing children is well done. Some elements are rather predictable, but Ross slowly unravels the true extent of Jack and Adaira’s (the laird’s daughter) complicated family histories throughout the novel, and there is one twist I didn’t see coming that changes the whole dynamic in terms of the characters’ relationships. I’m on the fence about whether I’ll read the sequel, but the ending of this book does set up some rather interesting possibilities for what choices Jack and Adaira might make next in light of their newfound knowledge.
Where this book really fell down for me, however, is the key relationships and the pacing. Somehow, A River Enchanted managed to be both too short and too long. The first chapter tells us that Jack has a complicated relationship with the island of Cadence and with his mother, having been away at university on the mainland for ten years until he is summoned back. Within a chapter or two more, he’s already reconciled his feelings about all of these issues… and we still have 400 pages to go. Similarly, this book has been pitched as an ‘enemies to lovers romance’, but… it’s not that. Based on how their relationship is laid out in the book, Jack and Adaira used to lightly tease each other as kids before being separated for ten years; any bickering now they have reunited could be described as friendly banter at best, which very quickly gives way to romance.
There is another romance between the older adults, Sidra (the local healer) and Torin (the chief warrior of the East), but it’s all very one-note. Sidra is the dutiful mother and healer, and Torin is a stock-standard emotionally stunted hero, and while they make efforts to overcome these tropes during the book, it wasn’t very compelling to me. The most interesting element that has the potential to change their relationship (a particular secret Sidra is hiding) isn’t even brought into play in the first half of this duology.
All of this combined means we spend most of the book rehashing the same few scenes over and over, and drawing out other elements of the story unnecessarily. A River Enchanted is a story that ultimately could have been told in about 300-350 pages without losing a thing. It is Ross’ adult debut after several YA novels, so I’m hoping she felt the need to overcompensate a little on length and will find a more natural balance in later works.
There’s plenty to like here, and those who like vibes over plot may well find some of the book’s weaknesses to be strengths instead. Unfortunately this one just didn’t quite live up to my hopes.
Firstly, I’m not sure the comp titles are the right ones, personally. This book lacks the romantic passion of a Sarah J. Maas book (and I say that as someone who aggressively DNF’d her books), and it’s much more whimsical and soft than either Uprooted or the The Witch’s Heart. I’d suggest it’s much closer to something like an adult version of the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, though that’s not a perfect comparison either.
On the positive side, the setting is excellent, and Ross writes really nicely. Her prose is relatively straightforward but there’s a really strong sense of place, inspired by Scotland, with plenty of quaint cottages and a wild, rugged coastline. I also really liked the spirit-based magic system and the way that enchanted songs, clothing and weapons were incorporated into the storyline; magic, in Cadence, has a very clear price that must be weighed up. Some of the most compelling scenes involve Jack making choices about using his bardic talents to control the spirits, even as it begins to physically weaken him.
Additionally, the mystery of the missing children is well done. Some elements are rather predictable, but Ross slowly unravels the true extent of Jack and Adaira’s (the laird’s daughter) complicated family histories throughout the novel, and there is one twist I didn’t see coming that changes the whole dynamic in terms of the characters’ relationships. I’m on the fence about whether I’ll read the sequel, but the ending of this book does set up some rather interesting possibilities for what choices Jack and Adaira might make next in light of their newfound knowledge.
Where this book really fell down for me, however, is the key relationships and the pacing. Somehow, A River Enchanted managed to be both too short and too long. The first chapter tells us that Jack has a complicated relationship with the island of Cadence and with his mother, having been away at university on the mainland for ten years until he is summoned back. Within a chapter or two more, he’s already reconciled his feelings about all of these issues… and we still have 400 pages to go. Similarly, this book has been pitched as an ‘enemies to lovers romance’, but… it’s not that. Based on how their relationship is laid out in the book, Jack and Adaira used to lightly tease each other as kids before being separated for ten years; any bickering now they have reunited could be described as friendly banter at best, which very quickly gives way to romance.
There is another romance between the older adults, Sidra (the local healer) and Torin (the chief warrior of the East), but it’s all very one-note. Sidra is the dutiful mother and healer, and Torin is a stock-standard emotionally stunted hero, and while they make efforts to overcome these tropes during the book, it wasn’t very compelling to me. The most interesting element that has the potential to change their relationship (a particular secret Sidra is hiding) isn’t even brought into play in the first half of this duology.
All of this combined means we spend most of the book rehashing the same few scenes over and over, and drawing out other elements of the story unnecessarily. A River Enchanted is a story that ultimately could have been told in about 300-350 pages without losing a thing. It is Ross’ adult debut after several YA novels, so I’m hoping she felt the need to overcompensate a little on length and will find a more natural balance in later works.
There’s plenty to like here, and those who like vibes over plot may well find some of the book’s weaknesses to be strengths instead. Unfortunately this one just didn’t quite live up to my hopes.
January 28, 2023
“I tried to turn myself into stone. To not feel anything. But now I realize it is better to live, to feel and have a clean break than be half-dead and cold, cracked from resentment”.
En este libro nos encontramos con la historia de Jack Tamerlaine, un chico que se fue de una isla a estudiar música al continente cuando era muy joven. Sin embargo, ahora han pasado ya muchísimos años, creo que más de una década, y de repente el jefe de su isla lo llama de vuelta porque parece que necesitan su ayuda. Así, Jack vuelve y se da cuenta de que necesitan que los ayude con la investigación del misterio de unas chicas jóvenes que han estado desapareciendo a lo largo y ancho de esta isla. Al principio piensan que se las pueden estar llevando los hombres de los clanes enemigos, pues siempre han estado enfrentados con ellos, pero parece que los espíritus están más involucrados de lo que se pensaba en un primer momento. Y solo la música de Jack tiene el gran poder que necesitan para comunicarse con esas deidades.
A decir verdad, estaba bastante emocionada cuando empecé a leerlo porque todo el universo está clarísimamente inspirado en Escocia, en los clanes, en los tartanes, en las guerras que ha habido a lo largo de toda la historia de ese país, un poco en el folklore, incluso de las Highlands en los guerreros. Pero a medida que avanzaba el libro, yo me empecé a aburrir mucho porque la narración se me hizo tremendamente lenta. Sentí que realmente no sucedió mucho del inicio al final, que todo se llenaba con relleno de personajes equis, descripciones e idas y venidas que no aportaban nada.
Eventualmente también se empieza desarrollar una especie de romance entre dos personas que se odiaban en la infancia, pero que ahora que son más adultos no se odian. Y se ven forzados a pasar mucho tiempo juntos y demás, pero realmente esa parte del libro tampoco me convenció mucho porque en ese reencuentro no sentí ninguna chispa, ninguna conexión, nada de lo que supuestamente la autora nos estaba vendiendo.
Por otro lado, también siento que se desperdicia muchísimo todo lo del folklore, lo de la magia de los espíritus y las habilidades que tienen las personas de la isla y los clanes. Me parece que eso quedó bastante opacado a pesar de que se nombró bastante en el libro. Es una sensación extraña, pues lo nombraban mucho, pero no sucedía nada espectacular que me hiciera ver ese sistema de magia como algo relevante.
Y el desenlace del libro se me hizo bastante anticlimático. Es decir, nos prometieron una gran revelación que involucraba a los espíritus, la magia, las habilidades únicas de Jack… y luego dieron una solución que me dejó muy decepcionada. Este libro tiene continuación, pero me aburrí tanto que ni me quedan ganas de leer el siguiente.
En este libro nos encontramos con la historia de Jack Tamerlaine, un chico que se fue de una isla a estudiar música al continente cuando era muy joven. Sin embargo, ahora han pasado ya muchísimos años, creo que más de una década, y de repente el jefe de su isla lo llama de vuelta porque parece que necesitan su ayuda. Así, Jack vuelve y se da cuenta de que necesitan que los ayude con la investigación del misterio de unas chicas jóvenes que han estado desapareciendo a lo largo y ancho de esta isla. Al principio piensan que se las pueden estar llevando los hombres de los clanes enemigos, pues siempre han estado enfrentados con ellos, pero parece que los espíritus están más involucrados de lo que se pensaba en un primer momento. Y solo la música de Jack tiene el gran poder que necesitan para comunicarse con esas deidades.
A decir verdad, estaba bastante emocionada cuando empecé a leerlo porque todo el universo está clarísimamente inspirado en Escocia, en los clanes, en los tartanes, en las guerras que ha habido a lo largo de toda la historia de ese país, un poco en el folklore, incluso de las Highlands en los guerreros. Pero a medida que avanzaba el libro, yo me empecé a aburrir mucho porque la narración se me hizo tremendamente lenta. Sentí que realmente no sucedió mucho del inicio al final, que todo se llenaba con relleno de personajes equis, descripciones e idas y venidas que no aportaban nada.
Eventualmente también se empieza desarrollar una especie de romance entre dos personas que se odiaban en la infancia, pero que ahora que son más adultos no se odian. Y se ven forzados a pasar mucho tiempo juntos y demás, pero realmente esa parte del libro tampoco me convenció mucho porque en ese reencuentro no sentí ninguna chispa, ninguna conexión, nada de lo que supuestamente la autora nos estaba vendiendo.
Por otro lado, también siento que se desperdicia muchísimo todo lo del folklore, lo de la magia de los espíritus y las habilidades que tienen las personas de la isla y los clanes. Me parece que eso quedó bastante opacado a pesar de que se nombró bastante en el libro. Es una sensación extraña, pues lo nombraban mucho, pero no sucedía nada espectacular que me hiciera ver ese sistema de magia como algo relevante.
Y el desenlace del libro se me hizo bastante anticlimático. Es decir, nos prometieron una gran revelación que involucraba a los espíritus, la magia, las habilidades únicas de Jack… y luego dieron una solución que me dejó muy decepcionada. Este libro tiene continuación, pero me aburrí tanto que ni me quedan ganas de leer el siguiente.
May 16, 2022
I have a hard time understanding how someone who based their book on the folk tales of the country that produced Ewan McGregor, David Tennant, and Gerard Butler, managed to make it this effin’ boring.
The plot is set on the fictional island of Cadence, on which there live two clans. The people of the East and the people of the West. Their animosities run deep so that the island is split in two. Crossing the border is illegal. Since moving to the mainland, Jack Tamerlaine wants nothing to do with his former island life, and yet, he heeds the request of a mysterious caller who wants him to return to Cadence. Reluctantly, Jack returns to his island home and does not only hear that young girls have been going missing from his clan, but he also reunites with his childhood nemesis, Adaira, who is now heiress of the east. His original plan only saw him stay for a few weeks, but as he is drawn deeper into the mystery of the missing girls, Cadence’s spirit folk, and to Adaira herself, he begins to question his fate and that of his people and family, too.
A River Enchanted is described as the author’s “brilliant entry on the adult fantasy stage”, yet the book felt very YA to me. In her review, the author acknowledges the struggle she and her team had with deciding how to categorise this. Still, I thought the two main protagonists being in their 20s and the addition of two POVs by adults in their 30s didn’t manage to firmly situate this novel on the adult shelf.
Part of why I felt that way is because Jack and Adaira and the plot and setting lacked depth. Checking my goodreads statuses, I can see that at the book’s 27% mark, I clocked, “there’s no reason for this book to be so long”, and it’s true. It felt like the first 2/3 were painfully devoid of meaningful conversation. The island’s history was discussed, though not explored as deeply as I would have liked.
The same goes for Jack and Adaira’s backstory. The book was marketed as an “enemies-to-lovers” story, and listen, I’m no expert in that trope, but the only thing that made them “enemies” was a shared childhood in which they would play mean pranks on each other. When Jack comes back to the island, there’s no trace of them being enemies. More like old, though distant acquaintances. I could have done very well without the whole “xy-to-lovers” trope, but if you advertise a book saying it’s “eNEmiES-tO-lOvERs”, you should, you know, make the characters genuinely hate and want to kill each other. Otherwise, it’s just bullies-to-lovers or whatever you want to call it. But hey, I can understand why marketing slapped “enemies-to-lovers” on this. We all know it’s what they think makes a book sell better.
Even though Jack and Adaira are the novel’s main characters, I found much more enjoyment in reading about Torin and Sidra. Torin is the captain of the guard of the West, and Sidra, his wife, is a skilled healer. Their story is strongly interwoven with the rest of the plot, and we get to know them at a point where they have both lost faith in their marriage and essentially believe that the other doesn’t love them anymore (this trope will always have my heart, oh, my God). They are very unsure of each other, and it’s only when tragedy strikes that they start confiding in each other again. I don’t know what it is about me and preferring fictional middle-aged couples over teenagers in love, but Torin and Sidra really pulled at my heartstrings. They are why I wanted to continue reading to see how they would resolve their issues. Even though they are married, there was a decent amount of slow-burn, and I’m always here for THAT.
Unfortunately, the semi-interesting mystery of the missing girls and Torin and Sidra’s relationship couldn’t save what was otherwise a disappointing read with a considerable pacing issue. I’m someone who usually never has a problem with a slow plot. I like them. But I don’t like it when I have to read pages upon pages of unnecessary filler words that neither contribute to the plot nor to the atmosphere or setting.
The plot is set on the fictional island of Cadence, on which there live two clans. The people of the East and the people of the West. Their animosities run deep so that the island is split in two. Crossing the border is illegal. Since moving to the mainland, Jack Tamerlaine wants nothing to do with his former island life, and yet, he heeds the request of a mysterious caller who wants him to return to Cadence. Reluctantly, Jack returns to his island home and does not only hear that young girls have been going missing from his clan, but he also reunites with his childhood nemesis, Adaira, who is now heiress of the east. His original plan only saw him stay for a few weeks, but as he is drawn deeper into the mystery of the missing girls, Cadence’s spirit folk, and to Adaira herself, he begins to question his fate and that of his people and family, too.
A River Enchanted is described as the author’s “brilliant entry on the adult fantasy stage”, yet the book felt very YA to me. In her review, the author acknowledges the struggle she and her team had with deciding how to categorise this. Still, I thought the two main protagonists being in their 20s and the addition of two POVs by adults in their 30s didn’t manage to firmly situate this novel on the adult shelf.
Part of why I felt that way is because Jack and Adaira and the plot and setting lacked depth. Checking my goodreads statuses, I can see that at the book’s 27% mark, I clocked, “there’s no reason for this book to be so long”, and it’s true. It felt like the first 2/3 were painfully devoid of meaningful conversation. The island’s history was discussed, though not explored as deeply as I would have liked.
The same goes for Jack and Adaira’s backstory. The book was marketed as an “enemies-to-lovers” story, and listen, I’m no expert in that trope, but the only thing that made them “enemies” was a shared childhood in which they would play mean pranks on each other. When Jack comes back to the island, there’s no trace of them being enemies. More like old, though distant acquaintances. I could have done very well without the whole “xy-to-lovers” trope, but if you advertise a book saying it’s “eNEmiES-tO-lOvERs”, you should, you know, make the characters genuinely hate and want to kill each other. Otherwise, it’s just bullies-to-lovers or whatever you want to call it. But hey, I can understand why marketing slapped “enemies-to-lovers” on this. We all know it’s what they think makes a book sell better.
Even though Jack and Adaira are the novel’s main characters, I found much more enjoyment in reading about Torin and Sidra. Torin is the captain of the guard of the West, and Sidra, his wife, is a skilled healer. Their story is strongly interwoven with the rest of the plot, and we get to know them at a point where they have both lost faith in their marriage and essentially believe that the other doesn’t love them anymore (this trope will always have my heart, oh, my God). They are very unsure of each other, and it’s only when tragedy strikes that they start confiding in each other again. I don’t know what it is about me and preferring fictional middle-aged couples over teenagers in love, but Torin and Sidra really pulled at my heartstrings. They are why I wanted to continue reading to see how they would resolve their issues. Even though they are married, there was a decent amount of slow-burn, and I’m always here for THAT.
Unfortunately, the semi-interesting mystery of the missing girls and Torin and Sidra’s relationship couldn’t save what was otherwise a disappointing read with a considerable pacing issue. I’m someone who usually never has a problem with a slow plot. I like them. But I don’t like it when I have to read pages upon pages of unnecessary filler words that neither contribute to the plot nor to the atmosphere or setting.
August 31, 2023
This book is just a bunch of hozier songs glued together
July 7, 2023
3.5 stars
October 5, 2023
3,5
Ciężko mi coś napisać o tej książce. Z jednej strony jest ciekawa przez swoją inność, ale nie zachwyciła mnie jakoś szczególnie.
Ciężko mi było ją na początku zrozumieć ale tak po 100 stronie ogarnęłam kto jest kim.
Zobaczymy co przyniesie 2 tom
Ciężko mi coś napisać o tej książce. Z jednej strony jest ciekawa przez swoją inność, ale nie zachwyciła mnie jakoś szczególnie.
Ciężko mi było ją na początku zrozumieć ale tak po 100 stronie ogarnęłam kto jest kim.
Zobaczymy co przyniesie 2 tom
May 4, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up
A River Enchanted is very much a vibes book. What it has going for it is this cozy, Scottish, magical atmosphere. The sort of book you might curl up with on a rainy day. Unfortunately you might need several rainy days to actually get through it...
I thought this book was way too long. About halfway through the charm started wearing off for me and I started wondering how long it was going to take for anything to actually happen. Or for characters to figure out the twists you could see coming a mile away. And the ending is kind of a cliffhanger so it's not even a fully satisfying plot arc. Though we do (finally!) solve the mystery of the girls who have been going missing. I was really into it for awhile, but then it just kept going with so much description, a glacially slow plot, and mediocre character development. This is the kind of thing where I either needed a much faster paced plot (and be about 100 pages shorter) OR amazing characters that I was fully invested in. As it is, I feel very middle of the road about it and I don't think I'm invested enough to continue with the series.
A River Enchanted is very much a vibes book. What it has going for it is this cozy, Scottish, magical atmosphere. The sort of book you might curl up with on a rainy day. Unfortunately you might need several rainy days to actually get through it...
I thought this book was way too long. About halfway through the charm started wearing off for me and I started wondering how long it was going to take for anything to actually happen. Or for characters to figure out the twists you could see coming a mile away. And the ending is kind of a cliffhanger so it's not even a fully satisfying plot arc. Though we do (finally!) solve the mystery of the girls who have been going missing. I was really into it for awhile, but then it just kept going with so much description, a glacially slow plot, and mediocre character development. This is the kind of thing where I either needed a much faster paced plot (and be about 100 pages shorter) OR amazing characters that I was fully invested in. As it is, I feel very middle of the road about it and I don't think I'm invested enough to continue with the series.
November 15, 2022
4.5⭐ Wholesome and sweet, yet with an atmospheric edge that gives the story some bite.
Our protagonist returns to the Scottish Isle he was born on after being summoned by his Laird. The Laird's daughter, his old childhood frenemy, asks for his help solving the mystery of the stolen girls.
The magic system is gorgeously delicate and immensely steeped in Scottish lore.
I loved it.
Our protagonist returns to the Scottish Isle he was born on after being summoned by his Laird. The Laird's daughter, his old childhood frenemy, asks for his help solving the mystery of the stolen girls.
The magic system is gorgeously delicate and immensely steeped in Scottish lore.
I loved it.
Read
July 30, 2023Rebecca Ross, the genius you are
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