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madam_tatas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I need to start off this review by saying that my daughter and I actually picked this book together. We were looking at my stack of unread Book of the Month books, and I was trying to find something to read after the mystery and thrill of The Rule of Three by Sam Ripley. (If you haven’t read that one, I highly recommend it too. Even if you don’t normally like mystery/thriller books like myself.) She was looking at the books and making faces at the stack of romance novels in my pile. She then looked at A River Enchanted and said “I think you should read this one. Something about the cover…” I looked up at her and said, “That’s actually why I ordered it when I saw it on Book of the Month.” Anyway, now that we’re done discussing the background of how I ended up reading this book, let’s move on to the review.
Words are not enough to describe how I feel after finishing this book. I want more. I want the sequel. I almost cried at the ending. I haven’t cried over a book in so long, and this one nearly made me do it. The relationships between the characters could be felt in every word. There were some areas where one of the marriages reminded me of my own. I could feel the strain, the frustration, the longing to build something beyond what they currently had. I was so happy they were successful in the end. Watching the characters grow through the course of the book was amazing. Although the entire thing took place in only a few weeks, like one of the characters even commented, it felt like years had passed.
I feel changed after reading this book. I feel like I found a piece of myself that I didn’t even realize was missing. I feel like I’ve found new friends and family members that I didn’t know existed. Every pain they felt, I felt. Every joy they celebrated, I celebrated with them. I am now eagerly downloading the sequel onto my Kindle using my Kindle Unlimited subscription, but I will be purchasing a physical copy as soon as I possibly can.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, and War
The sex scenes are done so tastefully. This is great for people who like a little sprinkle of spice without graphic content souring their mood.capriqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
A wonderfully crafted story. The interspliced POV’s were really well done, and both romances tugged at the heartstrings. The world was vibrant and the mysteries intriguing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
grace_b_3'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book had lush prose and compelling characters. The Celtic-inspired setting and interesting magic system are definitely draws. It lost me a bit with the ending, but I enjoyed the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder and War
Minor: Sexual content
bookjudy42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Exceptionally written, deep and satisfying lore, characters that make your heart ache. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Self harm, Torture, and Medical content
kwthor's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
minnow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This novel has many of the tropes I love: enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, lots of longing, gorgeous descriptions of food and clothing; additionally, the setting is lush and beautiful, with a rich lore. The plot is interesting and hints at mystery, and there are several love-based subplots. I should have loved this book. But I didn't.
It's entertaining and is, in parts, beautifully written. However, it's at best a snack, and not a very filling one. It takes some of the tropes I love and over-uses them until it made my eyes roll every time they popped up in the text--how many times can Jack rake back his hair with one hand? There are so many aching chests that this story needed a cardiologist more than it needed a bard. Every emotion is set at ten, every moment is The Most Dramatic Moment, which reduces every truly heightened emotion and moment to zero. If everything is in stereo, nothing is in stereo.
Yet the world-building is lovely and well-done. I wish it had been focused on more and there had been less romantic navel-gazing and reminiscing performed by secondary characters. The development of the main characters feels abrupt; it's handled better with the supporting characters Torin and Sidra. There is one mildly spicy scene that is well done but feels poorly placed in the narrative.
A beautiful premise that feels shallow. I won't read further into the series as it didn't enchant me.
It's entertaining and is, in parts, beautifully written. However, it's at best a snack, and not a very filling one. It takes some of the tropes I love and over-uses them until it made my eyes roll every time they popped up in the text--how many times can Jack rake back his hair with one hand? There are so many aching chests that this story needed a cardiologist more than it needed a bard. Every emotion is set at ten, every moment is The Most Dramatic Moment, which reduces every truly heightened emotion and moment to zero. If everything is in stereo, nothing is in stereo.
Yet the world-building is lovely and well-done. I wish it had been focused on more and there had been less romantic navel-gazing and reminiscing performed by secondary characters. The development of the main characters feels abrupt; it's handled better with the supporting characters Torin and Sidra. There is one mildly spicy scene that is well done but feels poorly placed in the narrative.
A beautiful premise that feels shallow. I won't read further into the series as it didn't enchant me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
razalicious's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
kendal_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexual content
cassie7e's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A beautifully woven Scottish fantasy that is handled with gravitas and care. The relationships are loving and strained by real heavy secrets, not shallow insecurities and miscommunications. The love isn't cheesy nor solely about lust, nor does it feel separate from the storyline. The magic is integral and practical as well, instead of a weapon or a way to get out of difficult situations. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to read the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
sami_not_sammi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage