You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Child abuse
keeganrb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this, now I want the sequel! There were more POV characters than I expected, but I ended up loving them. This was really family-oriented, but I did love the romance plotlines too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Grief, and Death of parent
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
A River Enchanted is the kind of novel to read snuggled up in bed when the rain is pouring and the wind is blowing a gale outside. A steaming cup of your preferred beverage on your bedside table. Disclaimer - you don't have to read it this way, I certainly didn't - but if you're looking for a cozy read, this one will be right up your alley. Lovers of Scottish folklore and Scottish culture will also no doubt find much to enjoy here, as will fans of the Outlander books and tv series.
With her first foray into adult fiction, Rebecca Ross has created a rich, atmospheric world, full of magic, mystery, and a whiff of political intrigue.
The plot hinges on the return of Jack Tamerlaine, a gifted musician from the Isle of Cadence, who is coming home after being away on the mainland for ten years, immersed in his studies at the university. Upon his arrival, he discovers that young girls are being kidnapped - and the spirits of the Isle are being blamed. At the same time, an old, ancient grudge continues to burn between the Tamerlaines of the Isle's East and the Breccans of the West. Jack must work with his childhood enemy, Adaira, heiress to the Laird of the East, to discover the truth of the kidnappings. But those they love carry deep, long-held secrets, and none will be left unchanged by the events to come.
A River Enchanted is beautifully and lyrically written. Although the main plot hinges on a traumatic event - the kidnapping of young children - Ross treats the subject with great delicacy. Care is taken to describe the effects the kidnappings have, not only on the children taken but on their loved ones left behind. There are scenes of violence, as well as scenes of a more sexual nature, but these too are tastefully handled and are not graphic in detail. The tension between the Tamerlaines and the Breccans was also well done - I love political intrigue in fantasy worlds, and this delivered.
Although, for the most part, I enjoyed A River Enchanted, I did have the occasional issue. Sometimes I felt that I wasn't as invested in theromance between Jack and Adaira as I should have been, and cared more about the political intrigue and the other supporting characters in the novel, such as Torin, Sidra, Frae, and Mirin. I don't know if this was the fault of the writing, or if that was just me. The novel is told from the point of view of five characters, and though for the most part I could tell who was narrating, there were occasional times when I became confused. But those were minor issues.
Overall, I really loved the richness of this novel, and look forward to seeing what happens in the sequel and final book in this duology, A Fire Endless.
With her first foray into adult fiction, Rebecca Ross has created a rich, atmospheric world, full of magic, mystery, and a whiff of political intrigue.
The plot hinges on the return of Jack Tamerlaine, a gifted musician from the Isle of Cadence, who is coming home after being away on the mainland for ten years, immersed in his studies at the university. Upon his arrival, he discovers that young girls are being kidnapped - and the spirits of the Isle are being blamed. At the same time, an old, ancient grudge continues to burn between the Tamerlaines of the Isle's East and the Breccans of the West. Jack must work with his childhood enemy, Adaira, heiress to the Laird of the East, to discover the truth of the kidnappings. But those they love carry deep, long-held secrets, and none will be left unchanged by the events to come.
A River Enchanted is beautifully and lyrically written. Although the main plot hinges on a traumatic event - the kidnapping of young children - Ross treats the subject with great delicacy. Care is taken to describe the effects the kidnappings have, not only on the children taken but on their loved ones left behind. There are scenes of violence, as well as scenes of a more sexual nature, but these too are tastefully handled and are not graphic in detail. The tension between the Tamerlaines and the Breccans was also well done - I love political intrigue in fantasy worlds, and this delivered.
Although, for the most part, I enjoyed A River Enchanted, I did have the occasional issue. Sometimes I felt that I wasn't as invested in the
Overall, I really loved the richness of this novel, and look forward to seeing what happens in the sequel and final book in this duology, A Fire Endless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy
Brief description of a traumatic birth where the child is stillborn. The plot hinges on the kidnapping of young girls, althoughjennagrant's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A River Enchanted is a hauntingly beautiful book filled with love, secrets, magic, and community. Within its pages I found comfort, and I felt its sorrow.
The characters, the story, the world, and the writing of A River Enchanted are stunning. I adore the different types of love expressed between the characters, and their growth and desires and secrets were so well interwoven. Everything felt purposeful and connected, and that fit well in the context of the magic of Cadence.
I love nature magic, I love music, I love love, and I love this book. Five stars.
The characters, the story, the world, and the writing of A River Enchanted are stunning. I adore the different types of love expressed between the characters, and their growth and desires and secrets were so well interwoven. Everything felt purposeful and connected, and that fit well in the context of the magic of Cadence.
I love nature magic, I love music, I love love, and I love this book. Five stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
jessiereads98's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
A River Enchanted follows bard Jack Tamerlaine’s return to the divided Isle of Cadence, where he has been summoned by Adaira Tamerlaine, heiress of the East, to help her solve the mystery of girls going missing. Rebecca Ross weaves together fantasy, romance, and mystery in this atmospheric novel with lyrical prose.
The setting of the Isle of Cadence and the magic in this book clearly take their inspiration from Scotland. I really enjoyed the world building here. The magic system is well crafted, and I appreciated the way Ross handled the cost of wielding magic. I also really enjoyed the concept of the folk here. It was well done, and the folk felt both mystical and like just another part of nature, as they should. Ross definitely got it right in creating folk who were benevolent, those who were tricksters, and those who were ambivalent. The descriptions of the setting in this book also feel magical. The surroundings are described with reverence, without it feeling overwrought.
Ross also created compelling relationships between her characters.Jack and Adaira’s progression from childhood nemeses to lovers is incredibly sweet. Neither character’s development is sacrificed for the sake of their relationship. We get to see them grow together in such a tender and heartwarming way. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Sidra and Torin. Following a more mature relationship as it changes and grows isn’t something you see often in fantasy romance, and Ross executed it very well. They face real problems, and have real mature conversations about them. Things aren’t perfect, but they’re working on them. This is handled without it ever feeling clunky or like the author is trying to spoon feed a point to the readers without taking previous characterization into account. The characters, and their relationships, felt very real and grounded here.
The mystery of the missing girls is sensical, without being too easy solve. As a reader, I was able to add things up and notice the important details as things progressed, so when we reached the solution it didn’t seem to come out of nowhere. The final twist to the mystery managed to be both predictable in one way, and surprising in another. I was satisfied by the conclusion, and didn’t feel that I had been tricked for the sake of the shock value of a twist. It set up nicely to leave me looking forward to the second book in the duology, without being devastated by the cliffhanger.
A River Enchanted reads like folklore with its lyrical prose and lush setting inhabited by the folk. I can’t wait to return to the Isle of Cadence and its inhabitants in the conclusion to the duology.
The setting of the Isle of Cadence and the magic in this book clearly take their inspiration from Scotland. I really enjoyed the world building here. The magic system is well crafted, and I appreciated the way Ross handled the cost of wielding magic. I also really enjoyed the concept of the folk here. It was well done, and the folk felt both mystical and like just another part of nature, as they should. Ross definitely got it right in creating folk who were benevolent, those who were tricksters, and those who were ambivalent. The descriptions of the setting in this book also feel magical. The surroundings are described with reverence, without it feeling overwrought.
Ross also created compelling relationships between her characters.
The mystery of the missing girls is sensical, without being too easy solve. As a reader, I was able to add things up and notice the important details as things progressed, so when we reached the solution it didn’t seem to come out of nowhere. The final twist to the mystery managed to be both predictable in one way, and surprising in another. I was satisfied by the conclusion, and didn’t feel that I had been tricked for the sake of the shock value of a twist. It set up nicely to leave me looking forward to the second book in the duology, without being devastated by the cliffhanger.
A River Enchanted reads like folklore with its lyrical prose and lush setting inhabited by the folk. I can’t wait to return to the Isle of Cadence and its inhabitants in the conclusion to the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
silversparkles50's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
lifeonasofa's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.25
“The spirits felt his attention shift from them to her. The woman with hair like moonlight, the woman made of sharp beauty” 🌑 Rebecca Ross
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.25 Stars
First of all, the Scottish imagery was so perfect! It gave such depth to the atmosphere and the charming clan. I love how the magic was woven into music, weapons and plaid. I loved the story surrounding the missing girls and family history. 🪄
Personally, I struggle with slower books and this was no exception, with most of the action happening in the last 30% of the book. However, it is well steered by the end and made me immediately start thinking of potential twists in the second book of the duology. 🌪
Whilst I liked the growth of Sidra and Torin as a couple, I just wanted more. I know this book isn’t just about romance but I just didn’t ship anyone, least of all Jack and Adaira. Just felt like a wasted opportunity due to there being some strong characters and magic. 💔
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
litalia's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent