A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross – a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross is the 1^st book in her new Elements of Cadence series.  I have become a fan of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful fantasy novels. A River Enchanted has a Scottish feel filled with magic, in the isle of Cadence, with two warring clans (East & West).  The focus of the novel, is centered on two childhood enemies that team up to find out why young girls are being mysterious taken.

Jack Tamerlaine (he is a Bard) returns to Cadence after a 10-year absence, studying music and getting a job at the mainland university, as he has been summoned home. Jack learns quickly that the person who really summoned him home, was his childhood enemy, Adaira, as she is now the heiress of East. Adaira explains why she needs Jack’s help, as the missing girls have not been found; she needs him to use his Bard music to bring out the spirits (fire, water, earth & wind). At the same time, Adaira makes an offer to the West to bring about peace, but can they be trusted?

Jack hasn’t seen his mom (Mirin) in all those years, and is surprised to discover he has a sister, Frae.  Torin is the captain of the guard, and is also one of the POV’s; his wife Sidra, is a healer, who also takes care of Maisie (Torin’s daughter from his deceased wife). Jack and Adaira agree to work together, and in a short time, their feelings begin to change, as they continually become closer.

What follows was an amazing, fantastic adventure in a world filled with magic, spirits, enemies, betrayals and a slow burn romance.  There are some surprising twists that will eventually change the game, with the East and West still very much divided. I loved Adaira, who was a fantastic heroine, as she was strong independent, determined, savvy and fierce. Jack was a very good hero, as I liked him too, but not as much as Adaira.  Ross has created a wonderful group of secondary characters, such as Torin, Sidra, Frae, Mirin, just to name a few.

A River Enchanted was a captivating, unique story filled with spirits, magic and folklore.   To say too much more would ruin it for you, as you really do need to read this fantastic book.  Rebecca Ross once again gives us a wonderful fantasy, with great characters and keeping me enthralled from start to finish. I wholly suggest you read A River Enchanted and anything written by Rebecca Ross, as I cannot wait for her next book, especially with the surprise ending.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher