[Skye’s Review]: A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence #1) by Rebecca Ross

A River Enchanted
by Rebecca Ross
Series: Elements of Cadence #1
Pages: 480
Published by Harper Voyager
Release Date: February 15th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Source: Publisher
Format Read: ARC
Goodreads

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.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book is a slow burn. As you read about the isle of Cadence, the isle casts a spell upon you. Before you know it, you’re enchanted. You no longer have the ability to put the book down. All you can do is become more and more swept away by this hauntingly beautiful story. 

Rebecca Ross’ writing is top-notch in this book. You never have to wonder what the isle looks or feels like. Her descriptions are incredibly vivid and lush. But the true magic lies in her characters. The characters in this book will steal your heart before you can blink. I instantly fell for Sidra and Torin and their heart-achingly raw love story, just as I fell for Jack and his uncertainty and passion for music. Adaira’s determination to be the best Laird for her people earned my admiration and respect. These characters didn’t feel like characters; they felt real. 

A River Enchanted is a story about finding yourself, your place in the world, and a path forward in a world dominated by strife. We watch these characters make mistakes and doubt themselves, but we also see them continue to get up after life knocks them down. 

If you’re looking for a deeply atmospheric fantasy book full of magic, mystery, and romance, then look no further.