A River Enchanted: A Novel (Elements of Cadence, 1)
“Exquisitely written with compelling characters and romance . . . I was swept away by the enchanting and magical world Rebecca Ross crafted, and loved every moment of it.” — Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Enter the isle of Cadence in this novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals—a Scottish-inspired fantasy brimming with enemies-to-lovers romance, magic and spirits, and a captivating mystery
It starts with a letter and an ominous journey across dark waters. Ten years after being sent away to the mainland to become a bard, Jack Tamerlaine is summoned home to Cadence. Girls are going missing from the island, and Adaira, his childhood nemesis and the future leader of the clan, believes Jack is the only one who can find them.
The elemental spirits that dwell in every breath of air, splash of water, blade of grass, and flicker of fire find mirth in the lives of the humans, and a bard’s music is the only way to summon them and ask that the girls be returned. Yet as Jack and Adaira get closer to solving the mystery, it becomes apparent that an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, and no harp song may be strong enough to stop it.
With unforgettable characters, a thrilling plot, and a lush folklore-infused world, A River Enchanted is a stirring story of duty, love, and creating harmony between opposing forces. This first book in the Elements of Cadence duology marks Rebecca Ross’s brilliant entry on the adult fantasy stage.
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Community Reviews
An enchanting and atmospheric read, A River Enchanted is a magical enemies-to-lovers romance that brings fae magic to life.
Storytelling
A River Enchanted begins with Jack, tasked with returning home to the magical island of Cadence. Considered a bastard, his father unknown, Jake had never considered the island his home. And yet, as a bard, he has a unique sense of magic that allows him to call forth the fae tied to the elements.
But for Jake’s clan, magic comes with a price.
On the other side of the clan line, their enemies lie, able to do magic without a physical cost but unable to grow crops, forcing them to raid Jake’s compatriots.
Adaira believes the fae have taken the missing children, which is why she has called her “old menace” back to the island. Together they go from enemies to friends to lovers as they struggle to solve the island’s mystery.
The story moves at an elegant pace. Ross builds up the atmosphere of the land to build the story up. But what was also magical was how Jack must call forth the fae.
Jack has to play a piece from his harp to call forth the fae and enchant them as they would enchant humans for Adaira to talk to them. I loved how the fae were directly connected to the elements, first water, then earth, before calling forth the most powerful and deadly air. Each elemental brings its riddles and mysteries related to the children’s disappearance.
And when the children return, more questions are raised.
Ross builds up the tension within the story without jeopardizing the novel’s pace. There are times with it quickens, but overall, it flows with the music Jack is playing, and the reader gets lost with Jack in the music and magic he is weaving.
Characterization
Ross also focuses on building up those character dynamics. A River Enchanted is a magical fantasy. However, the story remembers to build up those character dynamics. A River Enchanted is, after all, an enemies-to-lovers tale. Adaira and Jack have something between them; a grudge built up from when they were children remains mysterious to the reader. But by getting to know the characters and their struggles growing up, Ross gives depth to the dynamics between them.
Jack and Adaira are no longer those children fighting in the mud. They are adults trying to find their place in the world. And while they do that, they ally, allowing something warm in the other. The slow build of their friendship is mature and realistic amidst the fantasy that governs the island. The fondness between them, those reluctant feelings they have that blossom, makes the reader invested in them as a couple.
Final Thoughts
Overall, A River Enchanted is a wonderfully beautiful novel. The atmosphere and the magic are reflected in the pacing, enchanting the reader as the music enchants the reader.
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The book was beautifully written but it just took me a long time to get into it. I appreciated the beautiful imagery, but it was hard for me to root for anyone (except for Sidra! Loved her from the very beginning) at first. About 2/5ths of the way in I finally became interested in the storyline. I appreciated the character growth and also I’m a fan of the slow burn romance, but, me personally, definitely needed just a bit more
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