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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
laura_hart15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
it took me a while to warm up to the story. Now that it is over, my heart aches for Jack and Adaira. Will read the 2nd book to see where the story leads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and War
dunecello's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Beautifully written, and lovely use of the Squishy Wizard trope, with an in-canon reason for it!
The Scottish fantasy setting is so cozy and the stories within the story felt like fairy tales.
It is rare that I enjoy romance in fiction, but the dynamics between the main couple in this book seemed appealing when I heard about it, and they did not let me down. Absolutely loved Jack and Adaira as a pair. On the other hand, I found the more traditional (in terms of romance literature) secondary couple uninteresting and my attention wavered during their scenes. It got to the point where I groaned whenever it was Sidra's POV. Really did not enjoy her characterization. Though I will say, the quote"I've built my life upon something that can be taken from me" hit hard. I needed to read that.
The reason for the girls' disappearances ended up being a little ridiculous. But as someone whoseancestors were involved in a blood feud that stupidly still exist today , it's not that farfetched.
The ending broke my heart as it was supposed to so I will be reading the next book at some point. Hope we get a lot more Jack ♥ Adaira in the next one.
The Scottish fantasy setting is so cozy and the stories within the story felt like fairy tales.
It is rare that I enjoy romance in fiction, but the dynamics between the main couple in this book seemed appealing when I heard about it, and they did not let me down. Absolutely loved Jack and Adaira as a pair. On the other hand, I found the more traditional (in terms of romance literature) secondary couple uninteresting and my attention wavered during their scenes. It got to the point where I groaned whenever it was Sidra's POV. Really did not enjoy her characterization. Though I will say, the quote
The reason for the girls' disappearances ended up being a little ridiculous. But as someone whose
The ending broke my heart as it was supposed to so I will be reading the next book at some point. Hope we get a lot more Jack ♥ Adaira in the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
brewdy_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Magical Realism • Cozy Fantasy • Belonging
Fantasy Romance • Duology • Folklore
Published • 15 February 2022
Divine Rivals may have been the book to catapult Rebecca Ross to instant bookstagram stardom, but I'm here to tell you that A River Enchanted (which was published first!) was my top read between the two. Some will say that it is unfair to compare them, but that's just what I'll be doing, as I assume most of you have already read Divine Rivals.
A note: Divine Rivals was one of my top YA Fantasy reads of 2023, along with Belladonna and Legendborn. I gave all of these books a 5 ⭐ rating in the YA category.
Having said that, A River Enchanted enchanted this reader! It is a bit slower paced to the higher action Divine Rivals, but has such a cozy, folklorish vibe set in the world of Cadence which feels very British isles. Unlike DR which centers largely around a romance between two newspaper rivals, in A River Enchanted we get many more in-depth side characters in addition to the prominent ones. DR is more angsty, as is typical in the YA genre, while A River Enchanted features more mature characters and targets an adult audience. Despite its coziness, its plot is highly engaging with high stakes, and although it is the first half of a duology, ends with a satisfying conclusion rather than a cliff.
What is similar: readers who love Ross' atmospheric poetic writing will find a consistency here between the two books, as well as a magical universe, themes of belonging, and warring gods.
Read this one if you loved the Emily Wilde series or cozy fantasy as a genre!
Fantasy Romance • Duology • Folklore
Published • 15 February 2022
Divine Rivals may have been the book to catapult Rebecca Ross to instant bookstagram stardom, but I'm here to tell you that A River Enchanted (which was published first!) was my top read between the two. Some will say that it is unfair to compare them, but that's just what I'll be doing, as I assume most of you have already read Divine Rivals.
A note: Divine Rivals was one of my top YA Fantasy reads of 2023, along with Belladonna and Legendborn. I gave all of these books a 5 ⭐ rating in the YA category.
Having said that, A River Enchanted enchanted this reader! It is a bit slower paced to the higher action Divine Rivals, but has such a cozy, folklorish vibe set in the world of Cadence which feels very British isles. Unlike DR which centers largely around a romance between two newspaper rivals, in A River Enchanted we get many more in-depth side characters in addition to the prominent ones. DR is more angsty, as is typical in the YA genre, while A River Enchanted features more mature characters and targets an adult audience. Despite its coziness, its plot is highly engaging with high stakes, and although it is the first half of a duology, ends with a satisfying conclusion rather than a cliff.
What is similar: readers who love Ross' atmospheric poetic writing will find a consistency here between the two books, as well as a magical universe, themes of belonging, and warring gods.
Read this one if you loved the Emily Wilde series or cozy fantasy as a genre!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Murder and War
styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
amdeigloria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The most beautifully written book I have read in a long time. A thoroughly enjoyable read. My heart was absolutely aching at the way Rebecca Ross wrote this. maybe my favorite this year
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death
ciwanski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Multiple times throughout this reading experience I had to stop and wonder if I liked what I was reading or not. In the end, I guess yes? I mean, the set up for the second book was well done enough that I’m immediately going to my library to pick it up, so yeah, I liked it I guess.
However, I thought the prose was a little wonky at times, and the dialogue seemed very stilted which took me out of the reading experience quite often.
I didn’t really believe in the relationship between the two leads — I felt like it came out of nowhere, though the devotion they showed each other was cute.
The conflicts in the story also seemed a bit contrived and/or extreme??? Idk but the stakes kept rapidly changing in my eyes. There was the seriousness of the kidnappings interwoven with an Instagram therapist-esque conflict of self love that almost held the same weight?? Things felt a bit off.
The book definitely got better the further into it you got, and I was completely taken by the magic system Ross has come up with. I’m also so enamored by the quote, “I am but a verse inspired by your chorus.” Fleeting moments of beautiful language and imagery interspersed in otherwise unremarkable (eek sorry!) writing.
Very obvious Scottish backdrop as well, but I’m not sure that’s unintentional, so can’t really fault it lol
However, I thought the prose was a little wonky at times, and the dialogue seemed very stilted which took me out of the reading experience quite often.
I didn’t really believe in the relationship between the two leads — I felt like it came out of nowhere, though the devotion they showed each other was cute.
The conflicts in the story also seemed a bit contrived and/or extreme??? Idk but the stakes kept rapidly changing in my eyes. There was the seriousness of the kidnappings interwoven with an Instagram therapist-esque conflict of self love that almost held the same weight?? Things felt a bit off.
The book definitely got better the further into it you got, and I was completely taken by the magic system Ross has come up with. I’m also so enamored by the quote, “I am but a verse inspired by your chorus.” Fleeting moments of beautiful language and imagery interspersed in otherwise unremarkable (eek sorry!) writing.
Very obvious Scottish backdrop as well, but I’m not sure that’s unintentional, so can’t really fault it lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage
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