A review by lilcatlovingactress
River Secrets by Shannon Hale

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!!!!!