This is a stunning, lyrically written adult debut by one of my favourite YA authors. Set in an enchanted island ruled by faerie spirits, every inch of this story took my away.

To get started, I have to talk about one of my favourite aspects of this novel: the worldbuilding. Cadence was beautifully crafted, and Ross’s atmospheric writing style had me feeling like I was on the island. The details of the world were slowly and carefully doled out in this story, and each piece added something unique to the story. I loved the way the spirits ruled on the island, and how they were incorporated in each part of the people’s lifestyle, from the way the wind carried gossip to how the spirits affected the magic system.

The characters, too, were such a joy to read about, and I felt compelled about each of their stories. There was never a dull moment in their stories, and I liked to see all their different strengths, from Adaira as a ruler, Torin as a dedicated guard, Jack as a grumpy yet heartful hard, and Sidra as a talented healer. The plot of this novel was slow, but that was one of its strengths, and it gave you time to feel and care for the world and characters.

All in all, A River Enchanted was a stunning debut, and I very much look forward to the sequel.

Firstly thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for sending me an eARC of this fantastic book.
I really loved this story it is very obviously inspired by celtic folklore and traditions which I enjoyed. The folklore element really added to the atmospheric nature of the story and the writing is so beautiful it pulls you in and makes you feel the pull of Cadence. The world is intriguing and magical and discovering the folk of the island was intriguing.
I loved the characters and the various female characters that were all strong but in different ways and the men who are strong but can be vulnerable as well.
My only complaints are occasionally the use of random scots phrases without the rest of the dialect pulled me out of the story but this is extremely minor.
The story definitely feels more young adult than adult but it is so well done and I can't wait to read the next books in this series.

🌟🌟🌟 ½

Thank you to Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Rebecca Ross for providing me with a free copy of this book

10 years after leaving his homeland - Cadence - to study music on the mainland, Jack is summoned by his childhood enemy and the hair to the lairdship of Cadence - Adaira. Girls are disappearing from Candence and Adaira suspects it's the fault of the spirits and that Jack through his music might be able to communicate with them and bring back the missing girls home.

I was enchanted by the world created in the novel. Ross's beautiful and lyrical writing paints a colorful and magical world. It's magical and whimsical yet earthy and grounded. I don't know if that description makes a lot of sense but my point is the worldbuilding, the atmosphere, the tone and the writing in this book are exceptional. I couldn't get enough.

The characters are also very well constructed. While I wasn't that intrigued by each and every one of them, Jack and Adaira definitely kept me interested. Their relationship is complicated, dynamic, and mature.

The plot is where this book suffered for me. I just couldn't get invested in the actual plot and politics of this book. I was interested in the romantic elements and enjoyed the atmosphere and ambiance of it all but I just didn't find the plot intriguing. I don't know why, really, it was just boring to me.

The audiobook for this was wonderful. I recommend it!

Inspired by Scottish folklore and myths, A River Enchanted was truly a mesmerizing story. With a riveting writing style, Rebecca Ross delivers another magical, beautiful book that will captivate you from the first page. Be ready to dive into Cadence and meet our characters, who will start a journey to discover themselves and the secrets this enchanted land holds.

Jack Tamerlaine is summoned home to help find some of his homeland's missing inhabitants. magic is rife on the island, gossip is carried by the wind and clothing can be as strong as armour. Adaira, heiress of the east and Jack’s childhood enemy, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, and she hopes Jack can draw them forth by song, enticing them to return the missing girls. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected.

Firstly, I was only saying the other day that I wanted to read a fantasy with a male lead for a change so I was so excited to get stuck into this book. A Scottish Highlands fantasy, what more could you want?

The writing was beautifully done and I really felt like you watched the characters grow throughout the book. I did find that I was more interested in the Torin/Sidra relationship and character arcs than the Jack/Adaira ones. They were also slightly more realistic in terms of how relationships actually are, not everything is perfect all the time. My only problem was the use of the term 'old menace' because a) it wasn't really explained in depth as to why he would be known as that except for one event and b) it's kind of a clumsy name for someone to call someone else, sure say it in conversation to describe someone and it works but not as a proper noun (at least to me).

It is definitely one of the slower paced books which I didn't mind too much as it was sucking me into the world and I could almost see everything happening around me. I also think that perhaps the action will pick up more in book 2 but I did enjoy the mystery theme throughout trying to establish what had happened to the missing girls. As well as learning the rules of the magic in this world and enjoyed learning what having magic meant.

Overall I enjoyed the book and my time spent with it, I just wish I already had the second book so that it didn't end where it did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross is a wonderfully enchanting tale set on a Scotland-inspired island, the isle of Cadence. Split in East and West, with bad relations between the areas, inhabitants live in a medieval-ish society, though one where magic is real. Jack returns to the island after years of studying music on the mainland, hoping that his skills as a bard will help the heiress Adaira track down a series of missing children. It is a fairly slow-paced story, but one that nevertheless weaves its song around you and enchants the reader. I loved the characters, the honesty between them, and the lack of inhibition to confront hard topics. That really made this stand out for me. The story does go in a lot of unexpected directions towards the last third, and now I'm really keen to get my hands on the next book in the series. If you like mythical, atmospheric tales this one may be a good choice to pick up.

First of all, this book is being pitched as House of Earth and Blood meets The Witch's Heart and no. Just no. That comparison just doesn’t fit at all.

What I really liked about A River Enchanted was the writing. The whole story felt very whimsical and fairytale-esque. It was overall a very atmospheric read.

The mysterious setting, the island of Cadence, was lovely to read about, especially because it had Scottish influences.

I personally feel like Jack and Adaira’s romance could've been developed better and that it can’t really be called an enemies to lovers romance.
The relationship between Sidra and Torin on the other hand was interesting to read about.


Overall I enjoyed this story and will definitely keep an eye out for the sequel.

Thanks a million for granting my wish for this!!

Full review to be posted soonish. I'll also update review with links to socials.
I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

So much to love about this book!! It’s got mystery, multiple points of view, magic and adventure.
I loved the world and the magic especially and I became more enchanted as I read the book through out.
A great book by a new-to-me author!

First book in a new fantasy series, full of mystery, adventure and enchantments.

The story begins when Jack Tamerlaine is summoned back to the island of Cadence, his family home, after his laird sent him to the mainland for a decade. He's a talented musician now and as he returns to his clan, he's not sure where he belongs anymore. Then there's Adaira, the Tamerline heiress, who fought with Jack when they were kids, but now the peace of her people has been shuttered, their girls are going missing and Jack may be the key to restoring harmony on the island.

We follow multiple points of view through the novel, watching the islanders as they continue searching for their missing lasses. I was intrigued by the mystery and the final reveal was quite unexpected. Throughout the novel, the island with its magic becomes increasingly intriguing and the story itself grows progressively more hopeless, emotional and tense. With that being said, the pace felt quite slow at times, because we spend a lot of time with the characters' feelings. Also, the romance(s) in this book were very much a slow-burn and the new relationship doesn't develop properly until the last chapters of the story. For that reason I wouldn't pick this novel up just for the romance. But if you're a fan of mystical, enchanted and mysterious tales full of spirits, rivalry and secrets, I highly recommend.

This is a new author for me. I decided to read A River Enchanted at random when NetGalley sent out a promotional email. I got hooked on the book within a few pages. I loved the world-building and the way Cadence is brought to life. I liked all of the characters. I loved the fact Jack is a bard and can use music to communicate with the spirits but this can drain his energy so it’s not something to be done lightly. I really liked the way the book combines fantasy and thriller elements as Jack and Adaira try to find what’s happened to missing girls. This is the first in a series and I can’t wait to read the next one.

A promising start to a new series, the characters were engaging, the storyline well paced, plot twists at the end with a hook to leave you wanting the next installment as soon as possible.
We follow the story of Jack and Adaira who meet again after many years apart on the mystical island of Cadence. Growing up together they were more frenemies than friends but even their shared life experiences did not result in understanding of each other.
Cadence is an island off the Mainland where the spirit world has a strong influence and where two peoples once lived in harmony but now engaged in guerilla raids on each other continuing a centuries old feud. The Tamerlaine clan rule in the East and Adaira is the clan heiress, whilst in the West the Breccan clan hold sway and are viewed by the East as bloodthirsty warriors.
Jack always felt he was an outsider as his mother never divulged who his father was and growing up this led to a subtle shunning by the clan. He is sent to the Mainland where he follows his love of music and learns to be a Bard, demanding of his students and a tad grumpy he is on the cusp of obtaining a coveted position of professor at the university when he is recalled to his childhood home.
Resentful of his recall he reconnect with family and clan to use his bardic training to help find several missing girls. To do this he must work with his nemesis Adaira who as it turns out may not be quite who or what she seems. Together they summon the spirits of Water, Earth and Air in search of the children taken by an unknown foe and their investigation becomes all the more urgent when loss strikes closer to home.
Twists and turns abound leading to an ending I would not have expected but fits the story thus far and provides promise for the story to come.
My thanks to the publisher who granted my wish and to Netgalley for access to the ARC. All views are my own.

I liked many things about A River Enchanted, the world especially. Unfortunately, the main romance failed to make me feel something (but I liked both Jack and Adaira as characters), and so the ending didn't quite hit as much as it could have. I felt like there was some tension I was missing because of it, sadly. Also, this is in no shape or form an enemies-to-lovers romance.

It's a fascinating read and I found it riveting and gripping. It wasn't love at first page, it took a me bit to get hooked, but once it happened i couldn't put it down.
Fascinating world building inspired by Scottish lore, good character development and storytelling.
I can't wait to read the next novel.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book was just so bland I started to wonder why I wanted to read it in the first place. I reread the description which sounds amazing yet none of it is really delivered in the actual book. The writing failed to capture any atmosphere whatsoever. The characters felt flat and their chemistry was nonexistent. Sadly, I didn't enjoy this book at all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I found the world Ross created compelling, although having visited Scotland recently it's very much a romanticised vision of island life. I like the idea of spirits being connected to magic, and I assume we will learn much more about the West in the next installment. I found the character of Jack slightly underdeveloped - he seemed to change his mind about staying on the island very quickly without a lot of justification in the text. I did like that Ross didn't drag out the 'enemies to lovers' trope too far. It's also nice to see a fantasy series based on a Celtic background, though I'd perhaps better enjoy one actually written by someone from that background.

There's a particular challenge awaiting many YA authors, it seems, and that's to make the perilous transition between that category and 'adult' SFF works - A River Enchanted is the book with which another YA author (though, to be honest, I've not read any of her YA works so don't know how they fit within that group of books) attempts to do just that.

The basic premise of A River Enchanted is that it's the story of a boy (Jack) who grew up on an island that's split between two groups of people, with various elemental spirits playing a strong role in keeping said island very much Other to the nearby mainland. At an early age, Jack found himself the subject of bullying because of his parentage, since his mother won't say who his father is, and ends up leaving for the mainland to go to university. There he's made a life for himself but receives a message summoning him back, ostensibly from the laird of his part of the island but, as he discovers on his eventual return, actually from the laird's daughter and heir.

To absolutely no-one's surprise, these two have a significant romantic plot-line within the book (complete with dumbass nicknames between themselves), alongside the initally more interesting main plot of children disappearing. The roam All of this is, unfortunately, just a bit blander than it really ought to be. I was also significantly underwhelmed by the faux-Scottishness of it all - there's thistles, plaid and porridge (sorry, pawritch I think is the bizarre spelling used) aplenty. There's just not really anything particularly original going on here and while I'm absolutely certain it'll have readers who adore it, I am decidedly not one of them.

3.2 Stars

*Minority opinion*

One Liner: Great premise; needed stronger world-building.

The Isle of Cadence and enchantments go hand in hand. The ‘folk’ are the spirits belonging to the sea, earth, and wind. They can help, save, or kill you, and you never know what they’ll do. The Isle is divided into the East and West, where enmity runs deeper than the river that flows between them.
Adaira is the Heiress of the East and the last of the Tamerlaine clan. Her people are suffering, and little girls started to go missing. Not knowing what to do, she sends for Jack, her childhood nemesis, to bring his harp and play for the ‘folk’.
Jack, the bard, has left Cadence and moved to the mainland ten years ago. He doesn’t want to go back to where he was hated and doubted for being illegitimate with no father’s name to back him. He visits Cadence with a firm intention to get back to his life as soon as possible. But when he and Adaira begin to work together, Jack realizes Cadence is more than his birthplace.
Torin is the guard of the east coast bound to the land by blood. He does his duty without remorse or doubt. But when a tragedy befalls, Torin has to choose between his past actions and his future. Sidra, his wife, is a warm, generous, skilled, and wonderful healer. But their relationship has its issues. Can the couple build a bond that keeps them together?
How do the four of them solve the mystery of the missing girls? What happens to the feud between the West and the East? What’s the price to pay for a better future?

What I Like:
• The element of magic is beautiful and interwoven into the storyline. The enchanted plaids, weapons, etc., are interesting.
• Torin and Sidra’s relationship arc is handled very well. It added a lot of emotional value to the book. Adaira and Jack’s arc doesn’t feel as good but is believable. For me, Torin and Sidra are the main characters of the book.
• The characters are pretty decent. None of them were boring, though there’s scope to add to the depth.
• The book says adult fantasy, but it can be read by (older) teens. They might enjoy it more than I did.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The writing is slow. I was prepared for it when I saw a couple of reviewers mentioning it. Imagine reaching 50% of the book, and nothing major happens. It’s just a combination of smaller incidents.
• There could’ve been more tension between Adaira and Jack. While romance is not the main focus of the story, their relationship plays a vital role.
• The world-building could be better. We know it’s an enchanted land, but it doesn’t feel alive or compelling except when the ‘folk’ appear. The setting should be prominent in fantasy.
• The concept feels like historical fantasy. However, the writing is almost modern. It didn’t affect me much, but it might put off some readers.
• This is a big book (480 pages), and the writing meanders quite a bit. I didn’t know it was the first book in the series until a couple of days before I started reading (that part was updated later on GR).
• The ending, ugh, reminded me of Indian daily soaps. <spoiler>The lead pair separates just before the leap (or the ending of book one), and then we have to wait and see how they’ll get back.</spoiler> Not the kind I like at all!

To sum up, A River Enchanted has a beautiful premise but needed a more compelling setting and a crisper narration.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperVoyager, and Harper CollinsUK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"He didn't like the way the isle made him feel alive and whole, as if he were a part of it."

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review!

Bard-in-training Jack Tamerlaine returns to the mystical isle of Cadence after he receives a summons from his laird, but it's been ten long years and he isn't prepared for what he finds when he gets home.

What a wonderfully magical book. I was truly enchanted by the world Rebecca Ross created on these pages; I felt as if I was walking the hills of Cadence alongside a cast of interesting and engaging characters - Torin, the widowed captain of the guard; Sidra, his new wife and gifted healer; Adaira, the hair to the laird who holds her own secrets; and Jack, who tried to make a home for himself on the mainland and forget the magical island community he grew up in.

The story is slow at first, unfolding gradually like a rich tapestry of deep valleys and rivers and high mountains and dangerous ocean and moving hills, where the spirits of earth, wind, fire and water roam freely and where two clans have been at odds for centuries. But as the narrative progresses and secrets start to unravel like the plaid they're woven into, you feel yourself pulled along with it.

I loved the way the spirits were described, and how they held such sway over the lives of the humans on the isle. I loved how magic was incorporated into the story too, how it seamlessly blended with the rest of island life.

I did not like that cliffhanger ending! I need closure, please give me book two ASAP!

Firstly an eye catching cover and the story… well I was blown away.

The mystery of the missing girls provides the driving force to the plot, creating a sense of tension and unease, as well as allowing the characters to develop.

The narrative grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let you breathe until the end… I read this book in one sitting. I stayed up until midnight devouring the action in this unique story.