This sounded really intriguing but unfortunately I ended up not enjoying this book as much as I thought I would. I got bored and had to force myself to continue reading.

Thanks for my earc of this book. I loved the premise but the pacing was a little too slow to engage me. I unfortunately didn’t finish but think this was more that it wasn’t my style of book.

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross - 5/5 stars! Another late one sadly, and I really wish I'd not put this off - I think I avoided it due to the hype at the time, but it feels well deserved now I've read it.

This complex tale is woven around Celtic tales of the folk, around magic and bonds of blood & land. There was some nice diversity in some side characters, and the romance felt rich and real (with lots of yearning!). I loved Jack and Adaira, seeing them develop as characters and slowly learning their stories. The plot is gripping and twisty, and I stayed glued to the pages wanting to know how it would end!

I believe there will be a second one, based on the ending (though it may have been officially announced by now!), and I'll definitely be picking that up, if there is.

There is a lot to like here, but it wasn’t the book for me. There is a lot of detail and emotion, but the pace was too slow for me (though did improve a little towards the end). It ended on a cliffhanger, but I can’t imagine I will pick the next one up - I just wasn’t the right reader for this book.

such an interesting and great book to read! I can't believe its taken so long to read it. its been on my TBR forever and I'd highly recommend. I am not normally a fantasy lover but this was perfect. Thank you to Rebecca and Netgalley for allowing me a copy.

A river enchanted by Rebecca ross

I had my wish granted for an advance review copy for free ipon its release, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to netgalley, harper Collins uk and Rebecca Ross for the opportunity to read this book.

Let me start by saying this author is an autobuy author for me, I own all their books including a special edition of this one. I'm a huge fan of the queen rising duology and so I was very excited to get my wish granted to read this upon its release, it did not disappoint.

The world building is really well done, informative but not boring and well placed between plot and action. Both main characters are fleshed out and I felt I had an understanding of each of them. The pacing is even with a mix of romance, mystery and action. That being said it is actually sidra that became my favourite character. She felt like the heart of the story for me.

I cannot think of a single thing that I'd changed and so this is an easy 5 stars for me. I look forward to reading the sequel upon its release.

Ross has cemented herself as a fantasy force to be reckoned with. Despite a slow narrative start, this latest is a rich and beguiling story full of threads of magic, folklore, and compelling human notes that bring the book to life.

Unfortunately I had to dnf this book about halfway through, as I got very bored. It was very atmospheric, but the plot was way too slow for my liking.

4.75 - but would rather give it 5 stats over 4.5

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for accepting my wish for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I'm going to preface this by saying that the ONLY thing I didn't like in this entire book, was that Whisky was spelt wrong. Yup. That's it. That's what made me mark this as a 4.75 because it bugged me that much. I know that the Isle is fictional, but the Scottish elements weren't and Whisky is different from Whiskey - so its a thing.

Other than that, I loved the musical elements to this book, I loved the elemental magic and the Scottish lore. I loved the inclusions of thistles (note that the Illumicrate version is stunning!). My Scottish, elemental magic loving heart was just super happy reading this cosy, home grown mystery adventure. I also loved that she took the time to write out why it was classified as Adult, the themes and triggers on her website and on goodreads. That was handled in such a way that it was tastefully done.

Honestly, I just need book #2 (A Fire Endless) right now. If anyone can get me an ARC, this Scot would be so happy!!!

This novel surprised me, I must admit I hadn’t seen very favourable reviews for A River Enchanted so after initially being excited I lowered my expectations but now I’m surprised and excited for the sequel. There was definitely a pacing issue with this story which is why it isn’t five stars, it just felt a little sluggish at times, but all in all I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I can’t wait to read more!

A River enchanted is a fantasy novel that tells the story of two childhood enemies who must team up in order to find out why girls are going missing from their clan.

This was a gorgeously written fantasy which felt like a comfort read. Not much else to say other than I loved it


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an eARC to review.

First of all I love Rebecca Ross's books. I think she writes beautifully and I very easily become settled into her worlds. I also really appreciate that on Goodreads she left a review with any triggers in the book as well as a general overview.

This is her first adult fantasy book and I think it went well. I liked how she incorporated clans and spirits as well as rivalries. All of this world building however did take up a lot of the book and was slightly confusing but I think that is more my fault as I read this book over the span of a few months.

I enjoyed the use of Jack being a bard and it reminded me very much of playing dnd with friends, but I liked how he could play for the spirits and tried to work out who was stealing the girls that way.

I would say the pacing was slightly strange as the vast majority of the book was world building but with some problem solving and also action sprinkled in. I think as this is the first book in the series though this is to be expected and I feel like there will be a lot more action in the second book.

To finish I would say I did enjoy this book and I will be reading the sequel. I think that Ross did well with her debut into adult fantasy and I look forward to how the character's journeys will develop in the future.

I loved reading this book. It took me onto a journey to the island called Cadence where things are slightly different and nature has powers of its own.

We first get to see the island through one of its former inhabitants, Jack Tamerlaine, who has been called back to assist his chieftain in a matter of urgency. His mastery of music, specially playing the harp and composing music, he has in the last ten years attained by studying at the university on the mainland will be very much needed.

Returning to the island opens up to the islanders understanding of their being within this island that is defined and driven by the spirited natural forces of earth, air, water and fire and also by a schism that runs right through the island in form of two clans that have drawn the line and are wary and suspicious of each other.

Jack returning finds things changed, and the chieftain who called him back is his former childhood nemesis Adaira who has taken over the leading of her clan from her father.

Together they have to find a way to get the children that mysteriously disappear back.

[Their story is accompanied by another's couple story who have weathered some storms in their relationship, but are fixated in who they are to each other. Recent events break up these old habits and make them query for change and a new understanding of who they are to each other. (hide spoiler)]

I found this book to be an engrossing, immersing read that let me live in Cadence with all its natural magic and the magic humans hold in form of words and song and music and community as they live through challenging times and maybe, just maybe find new answers in relation who they are to each other and their neighbours.

I look forward to see how this story concludes in the sequel that comes out later this year.

When I read the description I knew that I would love this book and I was correct. I adored this world and magic system. I loved the interactions between Adaira and Jack Tamerlaine. I was hooked from the very first page and I will definitely be rereading in the future.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this bloody beautiful book!

What a dream this was to read.

What I loved:
- The way this felt like a dreamy magical historical folk tale; the tone felt as if a bard was telling it. Ugh, so lyrical, gorgeous and comforting.
- Jack and Adaira, Torin and Sidra - both pairings are wonderfully different and beautiful; it was nice to see relationships in different stages/dynamics. The enemies to lovers in this was subtle but effortlessly done! The romance felt realistic.
- The exploration of family dynamics, particularly between Jack and his mother; the unease felt about returning after a long time away and how to pick up - if you can - from where you left off.
- The reveals just creep up and really took me by surprise!
- The world building; the spirits, the folklore, the rich history interwoven into the narrative.
- The ending!!!!!!!! Give me book 2!

What I disliked
The ending! Give me book 2 NOW!

Read if you love
- Enemies to Lovers
- Marriage of convenience x 2!
- Healthy step-parent relationship rep!!!
- Folklore / mythological roots.

Beautiful, lyrical with lush imagery and a creative plot line. This book is not the fast paced adventure I was hoping for and I did struggle initially to get into this story. Overall I can objectively appreciate the writing and storyline but I lacked the emotional connection to characters.

I’m not sure if I will continue reading this story but I appreciate the access to e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Some books really force you to decide what you like more: a fast-paced plot or a slowly-evolving character arc. A River Enchanted gives you enough reasons to go with the latter. Fantasy books, especially when not in the the young adult demographic, are often expected to let a complex plot, an extensively built world, and societal themes to take the centre (and I truly love those) but every once in a while some fantasy books like The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho truly rely on its characters and they definitely deliver. Rebecca Ross’ adult debut is one such character-driven tale.

The people of a Scottish-inspired island, Cadence, have lived under a curse —to be divided, their land literally torn in two— for centuries. The western clan, Breccans, can wield magic but their land isn’t fertile. The eastern clan, Tamerlaine, has a bountiful realm and abundant food but a limited ability to use magic. In this world, elemental spirits exist —who are hostile to the Breccans and (if not kind) at least not often cruel to the Tamerlaines. Having been at odds for hundreds of years, a boundary line exists as an attempt at peace but the hunger in the western land urges Breccans to raid the other side to steal food; and the Tamerlaines fight to hold them off.

After a decade with hardly any contact with his clan while he studied music in the mainland, Jack Tamerlaine is summoned home. He wonders the purpose behind this mysterious call and is surprised to discover the island in a crisis: young girls are going missing and people wonder if the spirits might be taking them away. Adaira Tamerlaine, the young Heir of the East, was the one who secretly summoned Jack, her former childhood rival. She’s devoted to her land and its people, willing to risk everything to find peace, and truly believes that Jack’s musical skills might be the clan’s last hope.

“She was adored, and he was reviled. She was the clan’s joy, while he was the nuisance.” Jack’s own words perfectly describe the connection that these two protagonists hold. With a particular sass, especially from Adaira’s side, and a classic banter that often led to those exciting moments of realising one’s growing feelings toward the other, the changing dynamics from their childhood feels natural at times. Certain phrases like Jack saying “Take delight in my surrender” or Adaira calling him “my old menace” will wonderfully give into the trope —not an enemies-to-lovers, though.

Still, who impresses the most is the quieter, more nuanced, and highly emotional couple: Torin and Sidra. A warrior, now named the Captain of the East Guard, who lost his wife had decided to marry a local skilled and generous healer for his daughter who needed a mother. This is the start to Torin and Sidra’s relationship, and is also the complex base that allows their individual personalities to shine through with intrigue. Torin is bound to the land by blood but a tragedy tests his duty. Sidra is a dutiful and loving mother but the fear of losing someone demands her deepest secrets.

While all four characters play important roles to propel the plot, the women easily win in terms of their arc and presence. Whether it’s Adaira’s unapologetic determination to set things right, lead the possibility of peace, or command those around her —even Jack as a bard who can draw forth the spirits by a song— or Sidra’s benevolent personality as she helps everyone around her while loving Maisie, Torin’s daughter from his first wife, like her own. She has an uncanny ability to mix herbs that reminds of Circe from Madeline Miller’s historical fiction and her unconditional love for Maisie upends the saddening classic trope of an evil stepmother —apologies for interrupting but this recommendation is a must here: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim— evident from this quote: “Even though the lass was not made from her own flesh and blood, Sidra imagined Maisie had been spun from her spirit.”

Despite not being too fond of secondary worlds set in and around waters, A River Enchanted pulled me in through the mist, the dark waters, the damp smell, and the unmissable coldness. With a soft magic system evolving mostly around the spirits, the island is allowed to unravel its political, historical, and mystical destinies in all its glory. It’s a little saddening to see this majorly be Jack’s story because of the least interest that he piqued, but the mystery and magic mixes well in this tale. Overall, the themes of family, home, and love were explored well through the music, the spirits, and the myths.

I really liked the folk tale inspired island and lyrical prose of this novel. The atmosphere was very magical and haunting. The plot could be described as slow, and while Jack and Adaira were the main characters ,I probably had more interest in the side relationship of Torin and Sidra and the exploration of love and loss, and the growth they went through. There was a lot I liked overall but I wish we got a bit more explanation of the spirits and magic and hopefully this will be expanded on in the sequel. Would recommend - Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for sending me a digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favourite Rebecca Ross book yet. I mean it is in the title but there is something so enchanting about her writing style and this book is no exception. I loved the world and the characters. Jack and Adaira, once childhood rivals now bard and heiress, come together to face the spirits of the isle as Jack lures them to him to find out why girls are going missing and how to get them back but each song takes a toll and more girls go missing, to save them they must make choices no bard or heiress before them had been brave enough to. I think I’m right in saying this is Rebecca Ross' first adult book and the transition is seamless. It’s one of those stories that you imagine grew that way with no alternatives. It just feels so whole and truthful. I really loved it.

3.5/5 stars.

It was enchanting, comforting and Rebecca Ross's writing was beautiful as usual, but sadly this story wasn't my favorite from that author. I love that author and mostly her other books because her stories are always so atmospheric, immersive and beautiful with a comforting plot. I found that aspect present in A River Enchanted, but I wasn't as gripped by the plot and intrigue as I was hoping to be.

I loved the family aspect and the world-building in this book, the magic system was interesting, the writing was beautiful and the island's history was captivating. The romance was not my favorite though but it was cute. I think this book was wrongly advertised though, because it wasn't enemies to lovers at all. Maybe rivals to lovers and even that would not be entirely true. But in any case, there wasn't a lot of tension between the two main characters and it developed a bit too quickly for my taste. I also found that there wasn't enough character development or growth for the two main characters compared to Sidra and Torin's story. I enjoyed all the POVs, but Sidra and Torin's were my favorites.

Overall, it was a very enchanting and enjoyable read and I would totally recommend it. This is not Ross's best work in my opinion, but this is still a great book and worth a read. I will probably read everything this author releases because even though this one wasn't as strong as her other books, there's something in her writing that I will always love and cherish.