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readingwithasha's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am not a huge fantasy person, so this book was certainly a departure from what I usually like to read. It took me awhile to get into it and to understand the world-building, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it!
I particularly enjoyed the middle of the book, which does a nice job of illustrating the intricacies of the landscape and the magic that happens there.
I am giving this book a 3.75 because I really disliked the ending!
It felt like the last 50 pages were forced and resolved all of the tension so quickly! I felt like the Adaira-is-actually-from-the-West plotline came out of nowhere, and it felt like the author wanted to TELL the reader rather than SHOW the reader. I also thought it was strange that Adaira leaves without Jack. I felt like we lost a lot of the beautiful, unspoken parts at the end.
I particularly enjoyed the middle of the book, which does a nice job of illustrating the intricacies of the landscape and the magic that happens there.
I am giving this book a 3.75 because I really disliked the ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, War, 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
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
elaineh7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
This is a very cozy atmospheric fantasy that is super whimsical. I loved the slow burn romance. I enjoyed following the multiple povs throughout the story. The world building was really great forming this magical island.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
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
chelbelle122's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Folklore was great...but felt very slow. Like at times I was the one trudging through a landscape that instead of being shortened by the folk was being stretched.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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
rsb12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility, Self harm, Sexual content, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
cozy_tea_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Would read this book again. I’m excited to read the sequel, I just couldn’t put the book down it was such a good read and very well written. The world building and characters were really interesting too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The book deals with these themes within a fantasy context and its not graphic but there.