warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
A River Enchanted was absolutely stunning, a perfect mix of coziness, mystery, and folklore. Rebecca Ross’ writing is so beautiful, I found myself so captivated by the magic, the island and the characters. I felt like I was reading an old fairytale, the magic and the lore was so rich and intriguing. I loved the presence of music and poetry in the world as well.
All of the characters in this story were so compelling as well. I adored Sidra and I thought Torin was such an interesting character. Sidra’s struggles with her faith and the journey she went on to heal her grief was so well done and impactful. I also really enjoyed watching grizzly Torin grow and change for the better.
I did love Jack and Adaira but I felt like Sidra and Torin’s relationship had more depth. I did like the juxtaposition of the two relationships, how Sidra and Torin grew to love each other so deeply despite their faults and initial arrangement. Whereas Adaira and Jack were always destined to be together in whatever capacity. I really hope to see Jack and Adaira’s relationship grow more in the next book, despite the challenges that lay before them.
All of the characters in this story were so compelling as well. I adored Sidra and I thought Torin was such an interesting character. Sidra’s struggles with her faith and the journey she went on to heal her grief was so well done and impactful. I also really enjoyed watching grizzly Torin grow and change for the better.
I did love Jack and Adaira but I felt like Sidra and Torin’s relationship had more depth. I did like the juxtaposition of the two relationships, how Sidra and Torin grew to love each other so deeply despite their faults and initial arrangement. Whereas Adaira and Jack were always destined to be together in whatever capacity. I really hope to see Jack and Adaira’s relationship grow more in the next book, despite the challenges that lay before them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Blood, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Death
cakrolik's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Grief, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Torture, Violence, Sexual content, Child death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
kjf524's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Murder, Confinement, Violence, War, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
boba_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This has to be the most beautiful novel I’ve ever read. Ross’ lyrical prose is unlike any other author, and I absolutely devoured it.
Though the fantasy element is there, Ross slowly builds the world in a way that feels inviting and never leaves you feeling confused. The relationships between Adaira and Jack and Torin and Sidra were so beautifully reminiscent of each other, and they interweaved flawlessly.
This is a novel about belonging and home. Is it your blood that defines you? Or the people you choose?
Though the fantasy element is there, Ross slowly builds the world in a way that feels inviting and never leaves you feeling confused. The relationships between Adaira and Jack and Torin and Sidra were so beautifully reminiscent of each other, and they interweaved flawlessly.
This is a novel about belonging and home. Is it your blood that defines you? Or the people you choose?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Death
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
macaronoui's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This book came highly recommended from people who like similar books.
I unfortunately didn’t share their passion for this book.
The book drags a lot and the pacing is so slow. The worldbuilding is very clear, but too detailed. It also has a fair amount of repetition.
Most of the characters are sympathetic, except for Torren.
I alternated listening to this book and reading the ebook.
I thought it was a missed chance to have a book about a bard, and including zero songs. The audiobook could’ve included harp music to elevate it.
And a personal pet peeve, that in this fantastical stories with spirits and magic, there is still loads of sexism, misogyny etc.
All in all, parts were beautiful, parts dragged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
entanglednovels's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
blueberry_waffle29's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is written for adults, but you can tell the author is used to writing for a more youthful audience. It’s fairly airtight, but some things seem to be brushed over, like Jack’s quick turn from the mainland life he lead (the passages about his struggle between Cadence and the mainland aren’t so convincing). The supposed hatred between him and Adaira is laughably weak. But the tangible growth Torin experiences with Sidra, continuing into the sequel, is incredibly done. His thread is by far my favorite. This book is incredibly encompassing, excellent and lush world-building. It’s rare for me to give 5 stars so 4 is no detriment to the author! Highly recommend if you like palace intrigue, magic, and exploration of masculinity like Torin’s.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, Self harm, and Violence
crownlullaby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
bryonyindecisivereader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I am but a verse inspired by your chorus, and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than a remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.”
A River Enchanted was multiple love stories tied into something that had the feel of a classic British folktale or legend. I quickly slipped into the story and I loved every second I spent there.
I listened to the audiobook of A River Enchanted just after returning from the Isle of Man, and it felt very familiar when reading this. It was a world with legends at its heart, where rumours could be carried on the wind and the weather was at the whim of the fair folk. I loved reading about the characters in this that honoured their legends and how they were able to invite magic into the everyday.
I liked that it wasn’t just one person’s story, that it was a book that spanned many houses. However, the romances it did focus on were lovely and a bit slow burn.
I enjoyed the plot and how they resolved it. There were some twists I thought the book would take, and then it went in a different direction. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the story will go in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Kidnapping
melbell999's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail