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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? No
4.0
A Fire Endless is a fitting end to the Elements of Cadence duology and an equally fitting sequel to A River Enchanted.
Rebecca Ross has crafted these twin books with great care, and it shows in the writing. Whilst reading Fire, I could feel her expert hand guiding the plot and characters, rather like (at least as it seemed to me) a chess master moving all their pieces into place to reach - in this case - a winning conclusion.
There were times when it seemed that Ross's writing held me under some magic spell, that to stop reading would be to break it. I realise that may sound odd and faintly ridiculous, but it is a testament to the immersiveness of the world and characters Ross has created that I felt this way.
I don't mean to say that this book was without flaws. Sometimes in between reading sessions I would lose the thread of certain plot elements, and had to accept that they had already been explained so I did not have to go back and reread. And that phrase I referred to earlier, about the chess master? Well, there were times when the chain of events seemed a little too convenient, too planned, too predictable.
But these quibbles didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the novel, and I am greatly looking forward to reading more from the extremely talented Rebecca Ross.
Rebecca Ross has crafted these twin books with great care, and it shows in the writing. Whilst reading Fire, I could feel her expert hand guiding the plot and characters, rather like (at least as it seemed to me) a chess master moving all their pieces into place to reach - in this case - a winning conclusion.
There were times when it seemed that Ross's writing held me under some magic spell, that to stop reading would be to break it. I realise that may sound odd and faintly ridiculous, but it is a testament to the immersiveness of the world and characters Ross has created that I felt this way.
I don't mean to say that this book was without flaws. Sometimes in between reading sessions I would lose the thread of certain plot elements, and had to accept that they had already been explained so I did not have to go back and reread. And that phrase I referred to earlier, about the chess master? Well, there were times when the chain of events seemed a little too convenient, too planned, too predictable.
But these quibbles didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the novel, and I am greatly looking forward to reading more from the extremely talented Rebecca Ross.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
A major plot point in the novel revolves around the Breccan Laird and her family takingkirstym25's review against another edition
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A great conclusion to the duology; I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The pacing is slow but it built so much tension that way and left me eager to find out how it all concludes. I think Rebecca Ross did a fantastic job formulating this novel and making all the separate arcs/characters come together. I especially enjoyed the journey that Torin had to take and the way him and Sidra had to step into the other's role. And while I didn't care for the romance between Jack and Adaira, I loved seeing them reunite again. I'm glad to have gotten to read these two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment
xta_07's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
More like tears endless… I have felt all of the feelings… And I mean that as a huge compliment. Ross’ writing style simply swept me away, it was a lovely story that was beautifully written. Adaria/Jack’s relationship is simply the sweetest, and reading Adaria’s journey of finding her voice and strength was such a pleasure to read. I also really enjoyed Torin/Sid’s story as well; as they struggle to find balance between what’s best for the Isle, and what is best for their partner.
This was a story of couples learning to trust in the strengths of their partners, when to lean on them, and when to take their burdens. ❤️
This was a story of couples learning to trust in the strengths of their partners, when to lean on them, and when to take their burdens. ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Grief and Abandonment
sosewalt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Blood and Grief
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
I was excited to see the sequel to A River Enchanted was listed as an add-on for the December Book of the Month picks!
Blurb:
In this conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology, a blight is infecting the East and West of the isle of Cadence, and the spirits are restless under the despotic rule of Bane, King of the Northern Wind. Jack remains in the East while his wife, Adaira, lives with her parents from the enemy Breccan Clan. Tensions and stress run high as the Tamerlaine and Breccan Clans struggle to trust one another amidst a war in the spirit realm.
Review:
Rebecca Ross’s writing has a magic of its own. Every time I opened A Fire Endless, I forgot that I was reading and became completely immersed in the world and story she created. Her writing allowed me to grasp the storyline, feel the emotions the characters were feeling, and understand the world’s magic with little to no effort, which is not an easy feat in the fantasy genre. I also appreciate her ability to build stakes without making her story too dark.
As I read, there were very few moments that pulled me out of the story. One thing that struck me was how Rebecca Ross eschews cheap plot devices or lazy story conventions to further the story. The main characters, although not perfect, act intelligently and respond appropriately to their situations. Ross lets her story unfold naturally and at its own pace. The result is a magnificent story that is enjoyable to read and provides a satisfying conclusion to the duology.
The only thing that is keeping me from rating A Fire Endless as a 4.75 or 5 is that Ross did not take any risks with the ending of the story. That does not mean that the ending is bad—far from it. I am glad that she chose the safe route if she did not feel that she could handle a bolder ending. That being said, I think if she had been able to successfully shake things up more at the end, A Fire Endless might have been a masterpiece.
The Run-Down:
You will almost certainly like A Fire Endless if you liked the first book in the duology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this book and series. I am so in love with it I think it might be my new life goal to get everyone in my book club to read it.
3🌶️
3🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Grief
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
While this book had some pacing issues for me in the beginning, the second half of this book truly stunned me. I love these characters so deeply, and this story of redemption and love and justice just makes my heart elated. I don't re-read books often, but I can TOTALLY see myself re-reading this duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail