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chloemakesbooks'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? It's complicated
2.75
This was fine. I'm not burning to read the next installment, although the book did end on a cliffhanger of sorts. Probably a good thing because it'll probably be 5 years til the next one publishes.
When I read the description to my husband, he said he tuned out after a single sentence, which cracked me up. A lot of mysterious hinting throughout (sigh), partnerships where one partner can't just say what they want/are thinking (HEAVY sigh), and some basic fantasy conventions. Worldbuilding was minimal and based on Celtic lore. Characterization was a bit ham fisted, but I liked them anyway because that's my thing. Writing was forgettable except for the few places I snorted at cliches. (Do authors know you don't HAVE to write sex scenes?) Just not sure I'll remember this one.
When I read the description to my husband, he said he tuned out after a single sentence, which cracked me up. A lot of mysterious hinting throughout (sigh), partnerships where one partner can't just say what they want/are thinking (HEAVY sigh), and some basic fantasy conventions. Worldbuilding was minimal and based on Celtic lore. Characterization was a bit ham fisted, but I liked them anyway because that's my thing. Writing was forgettable except for the few places I snorted at cliches. (Do authors know you don't HAVE to write sex scenes?) Just not sure I'll remember this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
hannahbailey's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a sweeping yet cosy tale that feels like reading by firelight under a warm blanket on a rainy day. Well-written with atmospheric scenes and a beautiful landscape, this book had a lot of promise. I was drawn in by the fact that it's inspired by Scottish folklore/mythology, however it didn't feel like I was reading something Scottish (although I'm not an expert so take that with a pinch of salt). I did enjoy the writing style and the descriptions of the magical isle so it's not all bad!
Sadly what lacked for me were the one-dimensional characters. Each chapter was very long, and reading the third-person narration of characters trying too hard to be good/perfect with no inner conflict was a slog. As it shifted between the perspectives of four main characters, I think it would have benefitted from first-person narration so we could get a deeper look into the characters' psyches. That said, my favourite character (and probably the most developed) was Sidra, who did have inner turmoil as well as difficult decisions to make. Petition for the sequel to be about her please (it won't be)!
Sadly what lacked for me were the one-dimensional characters. Each chapter was very long, and reading the third-person narration of characters trying too hard to be good/perfect with no inner conflict was a slog. As it shifted between the perspectives of four main characters, I think it would have benefitted from first-person narration so we could get a deeper look into the characters' psyches. That said, my favourite character (and probably the most developed) was Sidra, who did have inner turmoil as well as difficult decisions to make. Petition for the sequel to be about her please (it won't be)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Miscarriage
lyss_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Child death
Minor: Death of parent, Body horror, and Abandonment
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
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Murder
Minor: Torture
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
A River Enchanted completely took me by surprise. Maybe it's because I was severely let down by the last fantasy I read, or because I had no idea what to expect going into this one, but I really enjoyed it!
I think that my favorite thing about this book is the poetically languid writing. This book is slow, but I would say this is more of a virtue than a fault. Ross crafts a vivid picture of Cadence and makes it incredibly easy to visualize, and even feel, each and every scene.
All of the characters are quite enjoyable as well. I like all of them individually, but I think that the romance may be a little lacking, mostly in the chemistry department (though, it's in a place where it could easily blossom to meet all of my expectations in the sequel). I didn't mind this too much, though, because of how beautifully the characters unfold on their own.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how this lyrical world further develops.
I think that my favorite thing about this book is the poetically languid writing. This book is slow, but I would say this is more of a virtue than a fault. Ross crafts a vivid picture of Cadence and makes it incredibly easy to visualize, and even feel, each and every scene.
All of the characters are quite enjoyable as well. I like all of them individually, but I think that the romance may be a little lacking, mostly in the chemistry department (though, it's in a place where it could easily blossom to meet all of my expectations in the sequel). I didn't mind this too much, though, because of how beautifully the characters unfold on their own.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how this lyrical world further develops.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Blood, and Death
Moderate: War and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
jzthecatlady's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I was an easy to digest fantasy, as the world was easy to understand and get accustomed to. I did wish the beginning had not gone quite as slowly, but once the book hit it's stride, I read most of it pretty quickly. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series, as I've grown attached to all of these very distinct and well-constructed characters. My two biggest issues were 1. we got multiple perspectives, which fundamentally is fine, but some perspectives we got throughout the entire books, some only once or twice, and sometimes the shift in perspectives was a little clunky. But that's always a pet peeve of mine with multiple perspectives, so it probably won't bother most people. Also, I feel like this book is terribly mismarketed. The blurb makes it seem like Jack and Adaira's story, and while it is, it's also equally Torin and Sidra's story. We got their perspectives just as much if not more than the supposed main characters. And while it worked for the book, it was surprising as it wasn't what I was expecting. We barely saw Adaira for the first 100 pages. All that to say, I loved the characters and the story, despite it not being exactly what I was expecting, and I'm excited to see what happens in the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and War
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This Scottish-inspired epic fantasy is somehow cozy and inviting while still ushering in that prickling sense of being watched, of spirits that work in unfathomable patterns. The isle of Cadence is a wild place caught between two lairds with a magical barrier and a long history of enmity between them. Our story begins when Jack and his harp are called home to the isle after a decade away. His clan needs a bard in a time of crisis. Young girls are disappearing without a trace. There's a slow build of tension and mystery for the first part of the book, no less compelling for the steady pace that layers in intrigue and the weariness of an impossible task. Secrets lose their power in the final, wild unfurling of the plot, giving the buildup a worthy conclusion and a taste of the drama that's yet to come.
The story packs in not one but TWO romance plots with all POVs accounted for. On the one hand, we have childhood rivals who have become unwilling allies in adulthood. There's not exactly a wedding of convenience, but it's in the vicinity. There's also a marriage tested by the kidnapping of their daughter. What was once started as a practical match now runs much deeper if the two can share some honesty. This second romance plot convinced me that all men should experience a silencing enchantment so they might suffer time with their inner thoughts, revelations about their feelings, etc. without the sound of their own voice. It seems a good use of their time.
The book has world-building that is enticing, steeped in legend, and detailed without feeling heavy. There's also a clear sense that we have much more to learn about the enemy clan to the west and about the machinations of the spirits. From the brief interactions summoned by Jack's harp, I found all the spirits arresting, but the aesthetic of the air folk has me especially hoping we'll see more detail about the four winds in future books. I'm always chasing that magical ambience.
This fantasy kicks off a new series with lingering atmosphere, introducing a cast of characters I'm excited to see more of. I particularly demand more Sidra content in future outings. Thanks to Harper Voyager for my copy to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Murder
veronicats's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm not a fantasy person, so I had a hard time with this. Mostly found it uninteresting though I will say the writing and imagination of it is very good. Just not my thing I guess. I would've liked it more if I liked the characters better I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, and War
Minor: Infertility
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