A River Enchanted: A Novel (Elements of Cadence, Book 1)

Name: A River Enchanted: A Novel (Elements of Cadence, Book 1)
SKU: 86967
Availability: InStock

4.3 | 5,263 ratings

Price: 25.19

Last update: 06-29-2024

Top reviews from the United States

D. Evans

An enchanting series

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024

Both books were fantastic absorbing reads. Beautifully crafted writing and an imaginative storyline. I loved every word and all the characters. So well written that the story played out in technicolor in my mind. Not a minute of your life will be wasted reading these stories - only enriched.

OlafvonSnowman

Well written prose

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024

I love Rebecca Ross. In a world filled with so many who can write and be read she stands out with her way of weaving prose into a beautiful story.

If you've read Night Circus and loved it, Rebecca is for you. Truly any of her books.

I did enjoy Divine Rivals more than A River Enchanted, so if you're trying to decide, I do suggest starting there. However, A River Enchanted is still a beautiful story of love and relationships.

Rebecca builds wonderful character development and beautiful descriptions. She writes solid dialogue. And it combines together into a story you can get lost in. She doesn't make any of overly flowery or overly descriptive either which is the downfall of so many. That way you can read her stories and process them without spending months doing so until you forget where it all started. (Dont worry I like those books too, they all have their place). Rebecca is a strong writer, she finishes her plots and leaves little to nothing as a "loose end" meaning she leaves enough up to you to interpret but doesn't start a storyline she doesn't intend to finish. Which, to me, is important in the world of storytelling.

The one downfall is that Ross's stories can be slow to build and the romance (just the romance, there is literally no spice) can be flat or awkward? (I can't decide on the adjective) Its not a bad thing necessarily but both duologies of hers I've read had a similar issue with the romance dept. I don't mind no spice, it's more just the way the falling in love is written. Also both of her stories carry the same trope and story line, again, not a critical hit, but something to be aware of.

While it didn't become my new favorite book and I didn't leave about it to my book friends, if you're considering it, it's a beautiful story and I'd say dive right in.

Kindle Customer

Engrossing.

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024

Such a rich blend of mythology and mortal lives. I'm no true expert on Celtic lore, which is what I believe to be the base of the mythology and way of life of the characters in this story. Perhaps the author only used Celtic myth as a starting point and created her own myths for this book. All I know is that I was truly impressed by the way this story was written. The characters were vivid. The Spirits of Earth, Water,Air and Fire were brought to life. I've read the second book and felt it was actually better than the first. Rebecca Ross should be proud of what she has created.

William J. Feuer

Not loving it

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2022

If you're into fantasy, this story's OK. But about 1/4th the way through the book, I'm not loving it. I intend to finish it and my opinion may change but I have a few complaints.
- The biggest by far is that Jack, the main character, is a musician, a University trained bard (do University's train bards?). He's a tutor, he's got students. Yet he spends precious little time, in. the first 124 pages of this book, doing music. He doesn't seem to practice much, he doesn't seem to think about music much. He's reluctant to play for his mother and sister. This does not comport well with any of the professional musicians I know (not one myself, but I've known quite a few). Everyone can get performance anxiety now and again, but especially with younger musicians, they'll play at the drop of a hat - they're driven. Our hero here, not so much. And his beloved harp is made of, wait got it, willow. Willow seems a poor choice for a stringed instrument. Anyone ever heard of a willow guitar or a willow violin. Maybe in this fantasy land it’s ok but it lacks a certain verisimilitude.
- Jack's friend Torin is an influential member of this society's security force and the nephew of the ruler (if I've got this right) - with no particular animus between them that I am aware of. His wife dies in childbirth and he's left broken-hearted with a balling baby girl and no support system. He has to go to his aging father to find out that you warm the goats milk and test it on your wrist to make sure it's not too hot? What kind of society is this? They can't get him their equivalent of a part time home health nurse for at least a couple of weeks? Raising a baby is a full-time job, sometimes for two people! Didn't folks notice he wasn't turning up for work?
- Jack's foolishness regarding adult Adiara, apparently because they had a fraught and somewhat sensual wrestling match when they were pre-teens and she teased him about it, is particularly annoying. Presented with a grown up intelligent, beautiful woman, next in line to run the society, who shows a lot of interest in him. His reaction does not sound like any legitimate adult male I've known or can imagine.
- The author loves the word gossamer.

Glenda

Very good

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024

This book is well written and engaging. Interesting land and cultures and characters. Tightly edited and easy to enjoy. I look forward to the sequel.

Kindle Customer

Wonderful fantasy

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024

A wonderful fantasy well developed, written and believable characters. I could feel the land and sea come alive.
Wish there was more.

Pamela E. Shutes-Meixner

Couldn't Put it Down

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024

I enjoyed this story immensely. Lot's of good characters
with back stories that add to weave a rich story of spirits and magic. I can't wait to read the second book.

Mikayla Smith

I loved this story and how many turns it took.

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024

4.5 stars! What a powerful story. So many twists and turns. The legends and lore was so fun to learn. The writing was lyrical. It started slow but the book was amazing by the end. I could not put it down!

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