A River Enchanted Series: Elements of Cadence #1 Published by HarperCollins Publishers on February 15, 2022
Source: Review copy
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
Pages: 480
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Format: Paperback
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"With lush world building and lyrical prose, A River Enchanted feels like the echo of a folktale from a world right next to our own." --Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
House of Earth and Blood meets The Witch's Heart in Rebecca Ross's brilliant first adult fantasy, set on the magical isle of Cadence where two childhood enemies must team up to discover why girls are going missing from their clan.
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.
As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.
With unforgettable characters, a fast-paced plot, and compelling world building, A River Enchanted is a stirring story of duty, love, and the power of true partnership, and marks Rebecca Ross's brilliant entry on the adult fantasy stage.
Review
A River Enchanted is just what I enjoy in a fantasy novel; whether classified as an adult, young adult, or child, it is the ease of the story, the ability to wrap you in the pages and take you away into the account. A river enchanted is about a young bard away at college, who is called back home only to discover his family has expanded, a war is brewing beyond what the island has experienced, and secrets are about to unravel and upend everything he knows about his life.
The unique landscape of the island on which the novel takes place is intriguing, the mystery of the girl’s absence is intense, and the love interest is swoon-worthy. Rebecca Ross is a talented author who I read in young adult format, and I am so excited to read more in this adult fantasy series. A delightful adventure with hints of fae-like creatures that can be playful but dangerous. A not to be missed tale.
About Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross grew up in Georgia, where she continues to reside with her husband, lively dog and endless piles of books. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from UGA and enjoys rainy days, endless cups of coffee and DIY projects. Rebecca writes fantasy for young adult readers.
