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jg34's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I have no complaints!! Loved both couples featured, the lore, the writing, the plot, everything! The audio is especially good if you like Scottish accents (I do).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
sara_reads_and_wines's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
I really enjoyed this book & had a fun time buddy reading it with a friend! I was not sure what to expect going in, but I was quickly was sucked into the story.
In A River Enchanted, one of the main characters, Jack has been summoned home to Cadence from the main land to help solve a mystery of why the young girls on the island keep disappearing. He quickly teams up with his old rival Adaira to use his gift of singing and harp playing to try and convince the islands spirits to help the solve the mystery.
On Cadence, however, nothing is as it seems. Feuds between clans escalate, a desire of peace lies in a delicate balance, and the spirits may grant magic and give answers, but at what cost?
This was book 1 in a duology and I am so excited to start book 2 to see what happens next in both Jack and Adaira's stories.
I really enjoyed the authors writing style and the world she has created. I also enjoyed the multiple POV's of the characters so you got to learn more about everyone on the island and how everyone has a different idea about the past & future of Cadence. I will say the book starts off to a bit of a slow start but quickly picks up the pace.
In A River Enchanted, one of the main characters, Jack has been summoned home to Cadence from the main land to help solve a mystery of why the young girls on the island keep disappearing. He quickly teams up with his old rival Adaira to use his gift of singing and harp playing to try and convince the islands spirits to help the solve the mystery.
On Cadence, however, nothing is as it seems. Feuds between clans escalate, a desire of peace lies in a delicate balance, and the spirits may grant magic and give answers, but at what cost?
This was book 1 in a duology and I am so excited to start book 2 to see what happens next in both Jack and Adaira's stories.
I really enjoyed the authors writing style and the world she has created. I also enjoyed the multiple POV's of the characters so you got to learn more about everyone on the island and how everyone has a different idea about the past & future of Cadence. I will say the book starts off to a bit of a slow start but quickly picks up the pace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
secondhandbookshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Heartbreaking and beautiful with wonderfully characters and enchanting writing.
Ends surprisingly and I highlighted so many bits.
Immediately buying book two.
Ends surprisingly and I highlighted so many bits.
Immediately buying book two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War
whatthekatdraggedin's review
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child death and Violence
Minor: Blood
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
A River Enchanted was absolutely stunning, a perfect mix of coziness, mystery, and folklore. Rebecca Ross’ writing is so beautiful, I found myself so captivated by the magic, the island and the characters. I felt like I was reading an old fairytale, the magic and the lore was so rich and intriguing. I loved the presence of music and poetry in the world as well.
All of the characters in this story were so compelling as well. I adored Sidra and I thought Torin was such an interesting character. Sidra’s struggles with her faith and the journey she went on to heal her grief was so well done and impactful. I also really enjoyed watching grizzly Torin grow and change for the better.
I did love Jack and Adaira but I felt like Sidra and Torin’s relationship had more depth. I did like the juxtaposition of the two relationships, how Sidra and Torin grew to love each other so deeply despite their faults and initial arrangement. Whereas Adaira and Jack were always destined to be together in whatever capacity. I really hope to see Jack and Adaira’s relationship grow more in the next book, despite the challenges that lay before them.
All of the characters in this story were so compelling as well. I adored Sidra and I thought Torin was such an interesting character. Sidra’s struggles with her faith and the journey she went on to heal her grief was so well done and impactful. I also really enjoyed watching grizzly Torin grow and change for the better.
I did love Jack and Adaira but I felt like Sidra and Torin’s relationship had more depth. I did like the juxtaposition of the two relationships, how Sidra and Torin grew to love each other so deeply despite their faults and initial arrangement. Whereas Adaira and Jack were always destined to be together in whatever capacity. I really hope to see Jack and Adaira’s relationship grow more in the next book, despite the challenges that lay before them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
cakrolik's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
kjf524'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Death, Infertility, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This has to be the most beautiful novel I’ve ever read. Ross’ lyrical prose is unlike any other author, and I absolutely devoured it.
Though the fantasy element is there, Ross slowly builds the world in a way that feels inviting and never leaves you feeling confused. The relationships between Adaira and Jack and Torin and Sidra were so beautifully reminiscent of each other, and they interweaved flawlessly.
This is a novel about belonging and home. Is it your blood that defines you? Or the people you choose?
Though the fantasy element is there, Ross slowly builds the world in a way that feels inviting and never leaves you feeling confused. The relationships between Adaira and Jack and Torin and Sidra were so beautifully reminiscent of each other, and they interweaved flawlessly.
This is a novel about belonging and home. Is it your blood that defines you? Or the people you choose?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
macaronoui's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This book came highly recommended from people who like similar books.
I unfortunately didn’t share their passion for this book.
The book drags a lot and the pacing is so slow. The worldbuilding is very clear, but too detailed. It also has a fair amount of repetition.
Most of the characters are sympathetic, except for Torren.
I alternated listening to this book and reading the ebook.
I thought it was a missed chance to have a book about a bard, and including zero songs. The audiobook could’ve included harp music to elevate it.
And a personal pet peeve, that in this fantastical stories with spirits and magic, there is still loads of sexism, misogyny etc.
All in all, parts were beautiful, parts dragged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
entanglednovels'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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail