Reviews

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

lilcatlovingactress's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I LOVED this book. It’s probably my second favorite in the series so far. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because there wasn’t enough romance for me. Hale tends to lean into slow burns and while I love that, her resolutions of the romantic plots are often rushed and underdeveloped. 

I

I dislike how late Dasha and River FINALLY got together but mainly that there wasn’t enough romantic content after they officially got together. It’s like the story ended *right* when they got together and not two moments after. The politics are fascinating and all, but as a romance girlie I desperately need more intimacy and relationship development between the couples. It doesn’t have to be explicit (the YA fantasy style isn’t well suited to that in this case) but please, more than a few kisses in tje last few pages. Pretty please.

Good news though; the bonus chapter and Hale’s reflections on writing River secrets helped satiate my need for more details in this story. 

I hope we get more of Razo and Dasha’s romance in the next book!!!!!

themoonphoenix's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kaikai1618's review against another edition

4.0

4.2stars

leniverse's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.75

thehatfam's review against another edition

5.0

I actually liked this one better than Enna Burning. I thought I wasn't going to like it as much at first, but it turned out to be one of my top favorites of hers. (of course they're all my favorites though)

alidottie's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. I thought that I wouldn't enjoy Razo (the protagonist in this one), but I found my self drawn to his less-than-a-hero/victor persona. He was more real life than I'd've expected and it was refreshing.

roseleaf24's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book so much. Razo in the land of Tira is a delight, and with a mystery to solve in addition to the continuation of the powers of fire and wind, the story is engaging in all the right ways.

mrsbrharris's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this one better than Enna Burning, but not as much as Goose Girl.

jamiehandy's review against another edition

4.0

This series has definately grown on me. There are several things I like about it. First, each book stands entirely on its own. No cliff hangers, no unanswered mysteries. As I finished each book (The Goose Girl, Enna Burning) I honestly did not even suspect there would be another. And yet it is fun to continue on with the same characters. I am excited to read the next one as it just came out. Second, I like that the central characters are different in each book. I always believe that every person is living a story worth telling and it seems Shannon Hale certainly believes that of her imaginary characters. Third, all the books (although slow to build at the first) provide a definate suspense that makes you want to keep reading. You want to stay up a little too late to see how it all ends. And for me, what more can you ask for in a good read!

sallyavena's review against another edition

5.0

I think Hale is an amazing story teller. She takes a simple yet captivating plot and tells it with detail without getting cumbersome. I can't put her books down and I really love how she builds in character traits that one would want to emulate.