A review by mmarlborough
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I’m not a huge fantasy reader but this one sounded interesting. While lyrical, I wanted more from this book.

Jack Tamerlaine is back on the magical island of Cadence after a decade away, trying desperately to figure out where local missing girls are going. The elements channel through this residents, manifesting in different forms. Adaira used to be Jack’s enemy, but the two have to use their powers together to solve the mystery of the missing girls, bonding in the midst. 

I listened to this on audio and Ruth Urquhart’s narration was wonderful, filled with accents and mystique. I just never quite latched onto this story. It felt slow and I wasn’t compelled to find out what happened, let alone continue the series. Maybe this is a me thing, as fantasy world building is hard for me? I’m unsure. 

✨Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Death, Death of a Parent, Miscarriage, Physical Abuse, Self Harm, Medical Trauma, Racism, Infertility, Sexism