Wild fae in Scotland with an enemies-to-lovers trope? Sign me up!! This book was gorgeously written, whisking you away to the hills and rivers of an untamed island crawling with mischief and danger. The story unfolds slowly but captivatingly, and the mystery reveal is so satisfying. I do wish more books were standalones rather than leading into an obvious sequel, so don't expect a perfect resolution! This book needs to be on everyone's radar for 2022.

This was quite the disappointment. I was really going to try to power my way through the rest of this but I just couldn’t do it. I was super excited for this because I have loved Ross’ previous books but this one just completely missed the mark for me. I didn’t enjoy the writing style, the plot was slow and the worldbuilding was weak. The main romance is sold as a love to hate but I didn’t see that at all; the previous setup of their relationship prior to Jack leaving the island seemed meaningless and I didn’t even get a sense of Jack hating Adaira much at all once he returned. Overall just really not jiving with this one.

A River Enchanted is the first book in a duology. It’s rooted in Scottish lore. I’ve read and loved all of Rebecca’s other books, and was super excited to get my hands on her first adult book.

This story is atmospheric and I loved the hints of magic rooted in Scottish superstition and lore. The prose is rich with narrative and worldbuilding, and told from multiple perspectives. I loved the slow burn enemies to lovers in the story. I’m excited to see how the story progresses in the second half of the duology.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for sending me a galley of A River Enchanted in exchange for an honest review!

I’m honestly impressed that I finished this one.

Jack didn’t expect to be summoned back to his island; he had plans to stay on the mainland and become a professor at the local university. But back home, young girls were going missing and Jack was the only bard who had the power to ask the spirits for help.

A River Enchanted was a lyrical fantasy about a magical island, missing girls, and a lasting feud. If you’re looking for a slow-paced fantasy with a focus on the everyday lives of people, A River Enchanted is right up your alley. However, other readers may struggle to give this book their full attention and that was the camp that I landed in. The writing never conveyed emotions. I didn’t feel urgency when girls went missing and I didn’t feel an inkling of chemistry when Jack and his childhood rival spent any time together. Ross excelled in unraveling the mystery, but the book could have been much shorter given the lack of action.

A River Enchanted is not for readers looking for a fast-paced mystery. Readers with an interest in Scottish traditions may have more luck.

I started this not knowing what to expect, I almost wanted to steer clear of this because of the book comparisons in the blurb, but after reading I realized they were far from accurate (as most of them are anyway which was why I decided to give this a shot). I was surprised at the lyrical prose, the (almost) even pace, the setting, and the atmosphere. The book didn’t waste time and started by introducing the island of Cadence and the magic. I thought it started well and introduced the characters in a way that you would remember throughout the story. POV characters are given enough depth to let the reader know their fears, their interests, etc. but despite that I found myself still somewhat indifferent for some reason. Take the romance for example, I didn’t hate it but was very indifferent. Aside from that, I didn’t like the dialogue, it could be unnecessarily long; sure the prose was good, but it did have the tendency to purple or exaggerate.

This book isn’t exactly what you’d call fun or action-packed, it’s more on the quiet, calm side but I was still very much engrossed with the mystery and the atmosphere. I’d call the pace even until it reached the last few chapters. After some revelations, it began to feel rushed; everything suddenly progressed quickly. I wasn’t really a fan of the ending, though it wasn’t bad, considering that this is just a first in a series.

I enjoyed the setting, writing, and atmosphere of this book and am still looking forward to the next. I have no idea the direction things are going and I’d really like to know!

This book was so fun and I eagerly await the sequel. I docked a star because this felt like a YA read when it is supposed to be adult; I feel this could have gone just a bit deeper with detail and plot. I still thoroughly enjoyed this and there is room for growth with the second installment.

A River Enchanted was an atmospheric and beautiful tale. It starts off relatively slow but peaks toward the end, making me long for book two. I felt fully immersed in this world and interested in all the characters. The language and setting are Scottish inspired, but I didn’t feel the need to read/hear it in that accent. It was very much it’s own thing. It was like a slow reveal while we learn about the characters, and I can’t wait to find out what happens.

I freaking clawed my way through this one, okay? I wanted to love it so badly that I broke all my usual rules for it: I didn’t cut it off at 20%, the way I should have done – I made it all the way to 66%. Two-thirds of the book.

But I can’t keep making excuses when, at 66%, I still don’t care about how the book is going to end. Not because I could predict the ending – I absolutely can’t, I have a few theories but this is not a case of a book telegraphing the ending so loudly and obviously that it’s just not fun anymore.

Nope.

I just. Didn’t. Care.

Ross has created a lovely little island here, with enchanted plaids and spirits in the water, earth, and air. The various magics manage to feel both magical and homey; not mundane, not boring, but sort of quietly normalised into the setting.

The prose jerks back and forth between poetic and blunt, in a way that just did not work for me: every time I started to be hypnotised by the rhythym of the writing, I was slapped out of it – usually by dialogue, where everyone is constantly using the name of the person they’re talking to, even though real people don’t talk like that. There is a surprising amount of clumsy into-dumping, Ross telling us things about the characters rather than showing them through the actions of said characters. And the characters in question didn’t impress me; Sidra, the healer with a non-traditional marriage, is definitely the most interesting, but her parts had a weird childish aspect to then that I didn’t understand at all. I didn’t buy into the romance plotline, nor the ancestral enemy who we never actually see do anything but make a bid for peace – another plotline I didn’t care about, since there was no tension or build-up, no reason for me to not like or distrust the Enemy. If you want me to hate them, and thus have some kind of feelings about an alliance, you kind of need to give me a reason. Just telling me they’re bad ain’t gonna cut it. Show me!

And the writing, even when it is pretty, is not pretty enough to distract from the fact that in the first two thirds of the book, almost nothing happens. There are brief spikes of action separated by long plateaus of rambling introspection. Which I can definitely enjoy when you’ve got really gorgeous, decadent prose for me, but without that?

Nope.

I suspect a lot of people are going to love this, but for me, it doesn’t quite achieve what it’s trying to, and the effect is reminiscent of the Uncanny Valley; the closer you get without managing it, the worse the sense of Nope!!!

*4.5 stars rounded up
I had heard a lot of positive things about this book, especially since it's a book box pick, and it truly delivered. I didn't even know much about the plot, so I was going in with more of a vibe and a hope that it would be that good.
This book is about Jack and Adaira, childhood enemies separated after Jack left their island, Cadence, to study to become a bard. Years later, he's called back to solve the disappearance of two young girls, presumably taken by spirits, but the truth is much more complex. In a way, I think this book was predictable, but in a good way. The Tamerlaines, the people who occupy the western side of Cadence, have abundant resources, but the magic they use drains them, while the Breccans, the western people, are the opposite. Like you'd expect, there's a lot of rivalry in the story itself because of this. The actual plot of the book is so intriguing because it follows a few of the Tamerlaines: Jack, Adaira, Sidra, Torin, and Frae. My favorites were Sidra and Torin, but I actually can't think of a single character I didn't like, which is great!
In terms of worldbuilding, this book was so inventive. There were so many legends and fairytales about Cadence, and the author's magic system was really intriguing. The price of the magic in A River Enchanted makes you reevaluate what's truly important in the novel and how much the characters care for each other to make the decisions they do. There are elemental spirits, stories passed down throughout generations, and magic that gives you chills.
Romance isn't a huge focus in this book, but it was such a good romance that I had to mention it. The main couples are Jack and Adaira and Sidra and Torin. As I mentioned earlier, jack and Sidra hate each other, but they have to make a number of decisions for their own safety and the safety of the girls taken that bring them together in a way that's literally forced, but feels natural. Meanwhile, Torin married Sidra mainly because he needed someone good to help with his daughter after his wife's death, but the two really balance each other out, and despite what it seems like at the beginning, their relationship is one of mutual respect, not just her being a housewife because he needed it. (Side note, I love that this book has a village setting and yet so few of the "men do the fighting >:(" moments.)
In conclusion, y'all should ABSOLUTELY read this book. It's great for people who want a mysterious, mystical fantasy novel with characters that are easy to love and a plot that reels you in from the first chapter. I can't wait to get my physical copy!

Ross sweeps readers away to the magical Scottish hillside where spirits roam free, music weaves enchantments, clans clash with feuding beliefs, and loyalties run deep.

Growing up on the isle, Jack has always been an outsider, never claimed or recognized. After a decade of making a life for himself on the mainland as a musician, he’s back on his home shores, where he finds not only his childhood rival grown up but that she needs his help in restoring their clan.

Ross once again immerses you so effortlessly in her enchanting tale and into the hearts and minds of these tender-hearted characters. She brings the lore and ballads of the isles to life in such a creative way through a story about secrets, loyalty, love, and hope.

I loved that this was a story of opposites with feuding clans and two ways of life, shown through the different colors of plaid they wear proudly. There were even polarizing personalities in our couples, a healer and a soldier, and a leader and an outsider. And through those contradictions, Ross made room for beautiful character development to grow, secrets to be laid bare, and the story itself to stay with readers.

If you are in the mood for a lush fantasy of a whimsical and romantic nature, be sure to add this magical tale to your list!

4.5/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

It's much easier to review a book I don't like. I'm simply stumped on how to express the beauty of this novel in coherent words.
The writing in, A River Enchanted, was absolutely breathtaking. I have a personal problem with other books forcing the magical effect of pretty writing. However, Rebecca Ross just glides you along this story with deep history and beauty that is enchanting.
A slower paced book is never something I find myself disliking when the story in itself is keeping me intrigued. I can understand how people could drift interest if they expect an intense high fantasy read. The only word that comes to mind after reading this is 'mature.' There is appreciation for nature entwined through this entire book that isn't something of a light read.
The only fault I can come to after finishing this is the fact it is a series. The story had me captured from the start to the finish, but after putting it down the plot and mystery was not enough to have me wanting to come back for more. The range of characters were great if this was a standalone, but to many people to follow for longer than a few hundred pages.
In conclusion A River Enchanted is a dive into the beauty and consequences of nature. I recommend everyone to check this out. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book I have read by this author, and that one was also a 5 star read for me. In fact I think I love this one even more, and will definitely be reading Rebeca Ross' other books. ASAP.

This story pulled me from the very first page when we meet Jack, he is reminicing about how he came to the mainland years ago. He had been sent there so he could go to school to become a bard. Now he is on his way back home, somewhere he thought he would never see again.

When Jack returns home its to find that girls have been going missing.. As there was no trace left behind the residents feel like the spirits must be behind it. Angry at them for something they have done. Jack is the only one who can help talk to them.. he must play the music that brings them forth.

He begins working with Adira, the lairds daughter and childhood nemisis. At first they are both hesitant around each other, both remembering what they were like to each other as children.. But the more time they spend together, they realize that they actually do like each other, and those feelings begin to grow into something beautiful. Not only are their feelings for each other growing but Jack begins to feel as if Cadence is once again his home.

We do follow muliple POVs and they each blend seemlessly. This book is full of twists and turns, and red herrings. When I thought it was going to go one way all of a sudden it would flip and something completely unexpected would be revealed. The characters and the relationships were all soo good. Torin and Sidra are such a great couple and I really found myself rooting for them as much as Jack and Adira.

At the end of the story our main mystery has been resolved, but we learn of something that happened in the past, that is going to definitely come into play into the next book. The ending left me both satisfied and heart broken, and I really want the next book to come out yesterday so I can see whats going to happen next!

I really like going into books lately having absolutely no idea what they're about other than vague references, having no expectations because of hype.. and just being pleasantly surprised.

A River Enchanted captivated me from the first chapter. The writing is beautiful and alluring.. it just draws you in with just the right amount of prose and description without being too heavy. It straddles the line between Adult and YA, much like Daughter of the Moon Goddess did for me. There are no explicit spice scenes, just some fade to blacks, but explorations into morals and faith. I'm loving this in between and there really just needs to be a whole new genre for it.

The character relationships are what really pulled me in. Torin and Sidra.. ugh. They have my heart in such a way. There are some parts that I felt were underdeveloped: Jack's decision to stay permanently on the island.. and as much as I enjoyed.. his relationship with Adaira. In both instances a few extra scenes to develop his relationships would've been perfect.. but its a small thing and honestly did not bother me much.

The overall mystery to the missing girls, the magic system and everything else is well done. The ending.. ugh prepare yourselves for the ending. I was saddened the book had ended. I almost wish I could read the second one now to ease the ache in my heart.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC. I had a wonderful time reading this book.

P.S.. I have not read The Witch's Heart, but the comparison to House of Earth and Blood has me scratching my head. I feel like the two books are completely different.

"Whatever comes in the days ahead, I am with you, he said. "If you want to go to the mainland, I will take you there. If you want to remain in the east, so will I. And if you want to venture into the west, let me be at your side."

"Welcome home, my old menace." Childhood enemies team up to solve the mystery of the missing lasses. Rebecca Ross is magical. She has a talent for telling vivid stories! Readers will be turning the pages, seeking answers! I adore grumpy Jack! He's so swoony! And bonus Jonas! There are TWO OTPs: Torin x Sidra and Jack x Adaira. I was tap, tap, tapping on my kindle to see if the two halves (clans) of the isle were going to be united. A LOT of intrigue throughout the novel! I may or may not have gotten a TEENY TINY bit weepy at the end (my heart!) and I am going to say, I NEED book two!

"If you seek a portal, a passage that will lead you into the spirits' realm, Graeme began, "you need one of two things: an invitation, or your eyes opened."

READ IF YOU LIKE:
-rich world building: the mortal world & the domain of spirits
-solving mysteries
-childhood friends
-enemies to lovers
-stoic hero
-enchanted items
-celtic lore
-TWO love stories
-#IsThisAKissingBook: 18+ but pg-13 content. "A taunting kiss." "She seemed to burn with endless energy, while he was utterly zapped and frozen, as if drunk from their kiss."

Thank you Harper Voyager for my advanced copy!

Song: Are You With Me by nilu

Perfect! Rebecca Ross is such a talented writer and her artistry envious.

The isle of Cadence is mysterious and eerie from the moment Jack falls into the water in we aren't sure if our main character will make it to shore because of what he sees... not that things get better once he does hit land.
And so, the perfect setting of political intrigue, enchanting tales and lush landscape is set.
I feared the last page (and rightly so considering that cliffhanger) and went back through some of my favourite parts before finally reaching the end. Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to the next installment!

Wow, what a beautiful mysterious world! I loved this book and didn't put it down from the moment I started, crossing the ocean at night with one of the main characters as he goes back home for the first time in a decade. In fact, the whole book felt like coming home-- each character both rediscovers and redefines family over the course of the book. I can't wait to see how the author continues to develop these characters and her magic system as the novels progress. A captivating first start!

Ooo boy, what a great way to start the year! This book blew me completely away. I hadn’t read any of this author’s previous books, so without any context I had no idea how skilled she is. This is such a folksy, twisty, complex, yet simple book that I felt was written just for me. The opposites attract, finding balance between enemies part as well as the Nancy Drew, international mystery to solve part.

I really thought the plot of this book was simple and clear to see. I really thought that this was the weakest aspect of this book… But that’s not at all true. The mystery is the driving force of the plot in my opinion, but it’s also a red herring in a way that is so freaking genius! The flip side is that this is a folktale/fairytale about two opposing forces finding balance with one another or suffering for not finding reconciliation. So yeah, the plot is flawless and intriguing and not at all a weak spot!

This is a world that I both want to climb right into and which has me completely terrified. I love the magic on Cadence, it’s so unique to anything I’d previously read. It works in a way that almost feels real to me somehow. There are consequences when it’s harnessed, but it also flows freely through this Scotland-inspired world. I also loved that we’re introduced to this place and cast of characters through the eyes of an outsider, it was such an effortless way to draw the reader in.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge the importance and beauty of the romance in this story. There are several romance plots that all enchanted me in their own unique ways. They were all important to the plot and character growth for all parties involved. I loved the tropes used: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, forbidden lovers, etc., and don’t feel that there were any personal squicks anywhere in sight.

The cast of characters within this story are very distinct from one another and so very engaging. I believe at least five perspectives were used, and while I did have my favorites (Sidra in particular), none of them confused or bored me. The author was very creative in revealing things to certain characters, but not to others in a way that really amped up the mystery plot in the best way!

So, yeah, that’s my highlight reel. I honestly can’t think of anything negative to say about this book, it just got better and better as I went along. I’m sad that it’s over and excited for the sequel; I hope that the wait isn’t too long! I also plan to try some of Ross’ other books because I was so completely blown away by how marvelous this book is. I whole-heartedly recommend it, and hope that other readers will love it as much as I do.

Bring on the Scottish fantasy folklore and cozy rainy day vibes. This book involves tension between two clans, a mystery of missing girls, a musician who can summon spirits, and everyone's favorite: an enemies-to-lovers trope. I will say as I was reading this, the first 60% of the book read more as a young adult book. However, the author had originally intended for the book to be a YA and as the relationships between the characters evolved, the book felt better suited under the adult category.

Speaking of characters, I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the relationships with one another throughout the book. I especially loved Sidra and Torin’s relationship as it was much more complex and I felt like I was rooting for them along the way.

The one other thing about this book is that I felt it was really really slow at the beginning. Once I got to the third part of the book, the pace was much better.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

Rating 4/5

Read if you like:
Scottish vibes
Dreamy folklore
Light mystery

thank you netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an e-arc of this novel :) this novel will be releasing on 15 Feb 2022 !

"Jack Tamerlaine hasn’t stepped foot on Cadence in ten long years, content to study music at the mainland university. But when young girls start disappearing from the isle, Jack is summoned home to help find them. Enchantments run deep on Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind, plaid shawls can be as strong as armor, and the smallest cut of a knife can instill fathomless fear. The capricious spirits that rule the isle by fire, water, earth, and wind find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home. Adaira, heiress of the east and Jack’s childhood enemy, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, and she hopes Jack can draw them forth by song, enticing them to return the missing girls." - Rebecca Ross

"A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence, #1)" - Rebecca Ross - 3/5 stars 🌟

this book is described as "House of Blood and Earth" meets "Heart of a Witch" - both of which are novels I really enjoyed - however, I didn't find this novel to be as similar as I expected. It feels like so much more happens in those other two novels listed & the characters in those other novels were much more morally grey.

"A River Enchanted" is a very atmospheric story, Ross seems to spend most of her time creating a feeling. The novel is set in Scotland and the setting is wholly inseparable from the plot + who the characters are - if you're an "Outlander" fan I think you'll love this novel strictly for the vibes. The magic is rooted in Scottish lore and is really different from what I've often seen in fantasy novels. Overall the feeling, relationships, and atmosphere make this novel.

In my opinion, this is a really cozy and low-stress novel. It feels like we are looking into the dynamics of a village and even further the dynamics of non-traditional families (this is an aspect I really appreciated). The main character Jack returns home after studying to become a bard on the mainland. He feels disconnected from his roots and resistant about returning home to his home island of magic and mystery. Jack's own mother weaves the secrets of the island into enchanted plaids. After girls from the island begin to disappear Jack grows committed to the search, delaying his return to the mainland. In this search, Jack discovers many reasons to stay home - family, community, love, and magic.

If you're looking for a slow-paced and comforting novel to read listening to the Outlander soundtrack, while burning a Highlands-inspired candle - I highly recommend "A River Enchanted" by Rebecca Ross.

thank you again to netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an e-arc of this novel :) "A River Enchanted" will be releasing on 15 Feb 2022 !

Before even getting to the content of my review, I want to stay starting out, this book is nothing like House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1), and if you go in expecting that, it might impact your enjoyment of the book. I assume that the idea of a central mystery is potentially what inspired this, but from a tonal, worldbuilding, and character perspective, it's completely off base. I know that publishers do this because comparing a book to a popular book can help, but *only if it's accurate* otherwise people feel deceived, and it can alter enjoyment of the book. This has *nothing* to do with the quality or content of this book, except that it's especially frustrating to me, and so I'm ranting.

Ok, back to the book. I went on a journey with this one. I had moments of confusion or concern for the ultimate plot, but in the end, everything really came together for me, and I ended up falling in love with this one, despite a bit of unevenness (which I'll get to).

This book is centered around a bard and the magic of music, and because of that, it needs to feel like it fits its time and place and tone well, and I'm happy to say that it does. I loved the way that music works in the book. I loved the shape-shifting isle, which did feel very Scottish, and the research the author put in on language and place (crofts and the enchanted plaids and clan colors). Everything felt very intentional and purposeful.

The main characters fit the magic of the isle, and the central conflict, if a bit easy to spot from the beginning, fits the book well. I also ended up loving two central plot lines involving romance, which is huge for me because recently I haven't loved as many fantasy romance plots because they feel shoehorned in or not believable.

Now to a few quibbles:
Because the magic and story of this book is so...enchanting (see what I did there), I would have loved for the writing to be a bit more lyrical, and I'd love to see some of the anachronisms taken out (at one point "electricity" is used in the context of feeling). I know that might seem nitpicky, but for me it takes me out of the story a bit. And to be honest, the writing feels a bit younger. I said this in For The Wolf, and it's true here too...if it's advertised as adult, I don't necessarily expect explicit scenes. I moreso want the writing to shift a little, and I think in this case, that could still use a little work. BUT the author is coming from YA, so I get that! Also at times, the plot feels a bit pulled in many directions, which I assume is due to a lot being set up by the end for the sequel.

However, overall, I really did enjoy the writing when I settled into the feel of it, and I feel that things are set up really well for the sequel. I actually feel like now that the book is focused on the central conflict rather than the "mystery" it has a lot more creative direction, and I'm excited!