Scan barcode
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Read this book (series) if you like:
- folklore about nature spirits
- Scottish highlands type setting (it’s a made up world tho)
- music, singing bards
- rival clans and political intrigue
- not one but TWO DELICIOUS ROMANCES
- the Taylor Swift song “the lakes”
2.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
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: Blood, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
jennagrant'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 of parent, Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, and Infertility
kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Miscarriage, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: War
martamae77's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
jenthefictioner's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
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: Blood, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
forthesanityof1's review against another edition
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
5.0
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: Self harm, Cursing, Grief, and Child death
jessgreads's review against another edition
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
4.25
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 and Kidnapping
Moderate: Chronic illness, War, Animal death, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content and Death
erinmjustice's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Chronic illness
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Child abuse