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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: War
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an emotional yet captivating read that was expertly crafted. I enjoyed every word of it and am looking forward to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was sold on this book through online recommendations that included the words "bard" and "magic" and "Scottish-inspired." I didn't need anything more to be convinced to pick this up as soon as possible. It did not disappoint!
I loved the concept and the pacing, this felt slow in the best way without hurrying to reveal its plot and its intent. I loved the nature elements and the time the author took to set the atmosphere of the book. I'm a sucker for good atmosphere and making the most of a setting, and I really think Ross is an exceptional hand at doing just that. I really enjoyed the multiple narrators and the different ways they were utilized. Torin and Sidra were gorgeous narrators, especially Sidra and her role in the plot. Her chapters during the peak conflict with the missing children has stuck with me as I sit on this book and all it brings. I was surprised with how much I liked the romance component with Jack, as I usually don't care for childhood friends/enemies/anything of the sort. However, the humanity of the narrative and the almost vicious understanding of the two characters compelled me. I was left intrigued with the end of the first book and I can't wait for the second in the duology! Also, Ross's lyricism in her prose is one of the other strong points of this book, as I genuinely kept pausing to read over lines again and again. I highly recommend!
I loved the concept and the pacing, this felt slow in the best way without hurrying to reveal its plot and its intent. I loved the nature elements and the time the author took to set the atmosphere of the book. I'm a sucker for good atmosphere and making the most of a setting, and I really think Ross is an exceptional hand at doing just that. I really enjoyed the multiple narrators and the different ways they were utilized. Torin and Sidra were gorgeous narrators, especially Sidra and her role in the plot. Her chapters during the peak conflict with the missing children has stuck with me as I sit on this book and all it brings. I was surprised with how much I liked the romance component with Jack, as I usually don't care for childhood friends/enemies/anything of the sort. However, the humanity of the narrative and the almost vicious understanding of the two characters compelled me. I was left intrigued with the end of the first book and I can't wait for the second in the duology! Also, Ross's lyricism in her prose is one of the other strong points of this book, as I genuinely kept pausing to read over lines again and again. I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Self harm, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜
Title: A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence #1)
Author: Rebecca Ross
Genre: Fantasy
Setting: The Isle of Cadence
Month Read: February, 2022
Book Type: Hardcover
Publication: 2022
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 467
TRIGGER WARNING-
Death / Kidnapping / Murder
"We are the earth, the land. The tongue that speaks and trips on the names of the dead as it dares to tell these stories of a woman’s line. Her people and her dirt, her trees,"
No Spoiler Summary:
A River Enchanted is a fantasy novel that takes place on the Isle of Cadence after Jack is called back by the King after leaving the Isle almost a decade before to go to school to be a Bard. He's brought back to help his childhood foe, the Heiress, find village girls who have been going missing without a trace.
Jack and Adaira must appease the spirits (Water, Wind, Fire, and Earth) with his music to try to find out where, and how, the girls went missing. As their partnership continues, they grow closer and start putting their old feelings in the past. Jack is also on a search to figure out who his unknown Father is as secrets and plans begin to unravel the farther, and harder, they search.
Review:
I'm very glad I listened to my gut, and the great reviews, and got this book in my last Book of the Month box! I am not used to reading Adult Fantasy novels, but this book gripped me from the very beginning, and the British Isle location/lore drew me right in!
The stakes are high, you get just enough questions answered to both hold your interest and keep you wanting more, and there is *just* enough romance to not make it seemed super forced. As a musician, I am drawn to Jack and the incredible magic he possesses through his music. Adaira is a fair and just ruler, an Heiress of the People who is kind, but tough, and supposedly beautiful to boot. The side characters (Sidra, Torin, etc) keep the book going with mixed POV's.
If you believe what you read on the internet, we might be getting a sequel this year as well, and let me tell you that this cliffhanger leaves you BEGGING for more. A perfect crescendo of drama, revelations, and high stakes climb until the last sentence of the book. I'm so happy Book of the Month chose such a perfect fantasy novel, because they don't normally offer this genre, and it's definitely one I enjoy quite a bit.
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
"These are the incongruities of memory. It is hard to hold on to the entirety of something, but pieces may be held up to light."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Sexual content
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Miscarriage
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Blood
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The short and sweet: I absolutely loved A River Enchanted!
This was such a pretty book. That’s the best word I can think of. The descriptions were so lyrical and beautiful. The words “lyrical prose” are thrown around a lot in reviews, but that really fits this book well.
I loved the parallel storylines of Jack/Adaira and Torin/Sidra. Both stories explored underlying themes of two very different people discovering if and when and how to come together. I also appreciated the strength of the women throughout the book. At times it felt a little at odds with the time period I imagine this taking place (it’s never clear just what time period it is, I just had a preconceived notion of it being sort of akin to medieval life, maybe 1500-1600s-ish). But women’s power and strength comes across as perfectly normal, even expected, and it works very well for this book.
The air of mystery and tension is perfectly paced. Secrets are revealed at just the right moments. Surprisingly, I did not find myself working to discern what the reveal would be before it was revealed. I think I was just enjoying the story and the language so much that I didn’t even worry about it; let Rebecca Ross tell me what I need to know when the time is right.
Just an all-around beautiful, enjoyable, and readable fantasy. I can’t wait for the second book to come out.
Reread: Ditto 👆🏻 and now I’ll finally pick up the second book
This was such a pretty book. That’s the best word I can think of. The descriptions were so lyrical and beautiful. The words “lyrical prose” are thrown around a lot in reviews, but that really fits this book well.
I loved the parallel storylines of Jack/Adaira and Torin/Sidra. Both stories explored underlying themes of two very different people discovering if and when and how to come together. I also appreciated the strength of the women throughout the book. At times it felt a little at odds with the time period I imagine this taking place (it’s never clear just what time period it is, I just had a preconceived notion of it being sort of akin to medieval life, maybe 1500-1600s-ish). But women’s power and strength comes across as perfectly normal, even expected, and it works very well for this book.
The air of mystery and tension is perfectly paced. Secrets are revealed at just the right moments. Surprisingly, I did not find myself working to discern what the reveal would be before it was revealed. I think I was just enjoying the story and the language so much that I didn’t even worry about it; let Rebecca Ross tell me what I need to know when the time is right.
Just an all-around beautiful, enjoyable, and readable fantasy. I can’t wait for the second book to come out.
Reread: Ditto 👆🏻 and now I’ll finally pick up the second book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent
Quite a few instances of self-inflicted cutting for purposes other than self-harm
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A River Enchanted
True to its namesake, enchanting, to say the least.
In A River Enchanted, Rebecca Ross weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and loyalty. Her story is rich in the element of folklore and lends a sense of nostalgia that, try as you might, you cannot place.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I admired nearly every character. There are so many different perspectives in this book and I found myself eager to hear all of them. Each individual brings their own uniqueness and they feel so very REAL. Ross has a way of making you feel connected to every character. She brings them to life. She gives them a soul.
The story of Jack Tamerlane is one that is ruled by secrets. When we first come upon Jack we don’t know too much about him, save that he has been summoned by his laird to assist his estranged clan with a dire matter…girls are disappearing from the Isle of Cadence.
When Jack returns he inevitably runs into his old nemesis, and Heiress of the East, Adaira Tamerlane. I know what you’re thinking, but no, they’re not cousins.
Old alliances are questioned, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are uncovered. Magic spins its way through the tail like a gentle breeze, giving and taking. Jack’s music becomes hope for his entire clan. Spirits whisper blessings, curses, and all manner of secrets on the wind.
Favorite characters:
Torin and Sidra - their complicated love made my heart feel so tender. They are two of the most beloved characters to me for all time now. They support and show fealty to one another with such earnestness. Their misgivings make them seem vulnerable in the most relatable way. And their growth as individuals and as partners is truly inspiring.
Frae and Maisie - god love them. Especially Frae, who we see the most of. She must be protected at all costs; bless her soft, innocent soul.
Jack - SO GRUMPY. But melts like butter on pancakes when the right person touches his heart. I was really interested to learn that Jack and I are the same enneagram type (4). He is so reserved and creative. Longing to be accepted, to fit in , to be good enough. He is stubborn and strong. Knows when to take the lead and when to fall in line. He is a wonderful compliment to Adaira and I love that he never questions her rank over him. He never behaves in any boorish way when Adaira takes the reigns. A good boy till the last of it.
Adaira - I enjoyed the strength of Adaira’s character. She has a clear love for her people and she doesn’t allow others to make her feel inferior. Stubborn to a fault, but also ready to lay her life on the line for any one of their people. She is kind-hearted, free-spirited and willful.
Other random things I liked:
~ The little nods to Outlander (in my opinion) such as the Blood of my Blood oath (yes I know this is a common Celtic thing) and the fixing of Torin’s dislocated shoulder by Sidra.
~ Jack depending on/leaning on Adaira as much as she depends and leans on her. They feel equally yoked.
~ The fact that a woman proposes to a man!
~ Marriage of convenience trope
~ Adaira’s acknowledgment that she doesn’t *need* Jack as her husband but rather chooses him to be at her side for a stronger alliance
~ The flow of the story - smooth and easy to follow
~ The magic system! I think this is one of the better elements of the story. I love all the little facts we learn about how magic works in the east and the west. That magic takes its toll/comes at a cost. That spirits are both benevolent and malicious.
To conclude: this book made my heart ache in the best of ways. It is filled with the the deepest kind of hope and happiness but isn’t afraid to touch on worry, dread, fear, and every hopeless emotion in between. This book let me feel the truth that lies in the idea that the strength that comes from within oneself is beautifully complimented next to the strength that comes from those we love.
True to its namesake, enchanting, to say the least.
In A River Enchanted, Rebecca Ross weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and loyalty. Her story is rich in the element of folklore and lends a sense of nostalgia that, try as you might, you cannot place.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I admired nearly every character. There are so many different perspectives in this book and I found myself eager to hear all of them. Each individual brings their own uniqueness and they feel so very REAL. Ross has a way of making you feel connected to every character. She brings them to life. She gives them a soul.
The story of Jack Tamerlane is one that is ruled by secrets. When we first come upon Jack we don’t know too much about him, save that he has been summoned by his laird to assist his estranged clan with a dire matter…girls are disappearing from the Isle of Cadence.
When Jack returns he inevitably runs into his old nemesis, and Heiress of the East, Adaira Tamerlane. I know what you’re thinking, but no, they’re not cousins.
Old alliances are questioned, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are uncovered. Magic spins its way through the tail like a gentle breeze, giving and taking. Jack’s music becomes hope for his entire clan. Spirits whisper blessings, curses, and all manner of secrets on the wind.
Favorite characters:
Torin and Sidra - their complicated love made my heart feel so tender. They are two of the most beloved characters to me for all time now. They support and show fealty to one another with such earnestness. Their misgivings make them seem vulnerable in the most relatable way. And their growth as individuals and as partners is truly inspiring.
Frae and Maisie - god love them. Especially Frae, who we see the most of. She must be protected at all costs; bless her soft, innocent soul.
Jack - SO GRUMPY. But melts like butter on pancakes when the right person touches his heart. I was really interested to learn that Jack and I are the same enneagram type (4). He is so reserved and creative. Longing to be accepted, to fit in , to be good enough. He is stubborn and strong. Knows when to take the lead and when to fall in line. He is a wonderful compliment to Adaira and I love that he never questions her rank over him. He never behaves in any boorish way when Adaira takes the reigns. A good boy till the last of it.
Adaira - I enjoyed the strength of Adaira’s character. She has a clear love for her people and she doesn’t allow others to make her feel inferior. Stubborn to a fault, but also ready to lay her life on the line for any one of their people. She is kind-hearted, free-spirited and willful.
Other random things I liked:
~ The little nods to Outlander (in my opinion) such as the Blood of my Blood oath (yes I know this is a common Celtic thing) and the fixing of Torin’s dislocated shoulder by Sidra.
~ Jack depending on/leaning on Adaira as much as she depends and leans on her. They feel equally yoked.
~ The fact that a woman proposes to a man!
~ Marriage of convenience trope
~ Adaira’s acknowledgment that she doesn’t *need* Jack as her husband but rather chooses him to be at her side for a stronger alliance
~ The flow of the story - smooth and easy to follow
~ The magic system! I think this is one of the better elements of the story. I love all the little facts we learn about how magic works in the east and the west. That magic takes its toll/comes at a cost. That spirits are both benevolent and malicious.
To conclude: this book made my heart ache in the best of ways. It is filled with the the deepest kind of hope and happiness but isn’t afraid to touch on worry, dread, fear, and every hopeless emotion in between. This book let me feel the truth that lies in the idea that the strength that comes from within oneself is beautifully complimented next to the strength that comes from those we love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content