You guys know me by now, I think. You know that I like fairytales, multi-faceted characters, elements of mystery, and -yes, I must confess- a drop of romance.
Several months ago, one of my students paid me a great compliment: she recommended a book to me. Yes, I know, anyone can recommend a book BUT, she recommended a book to me because she knows what I like and made her suggestion based on that. What better compliment than to show that you know a person well enough than to offer them an adventure that is likely to please?
This student suggested that I read A River Enchanted, by Rebecca Ross. At the time, I was not aware that this was the first in a duology. It appears that both books were published in 2022, so I imagine they could be read like one great big mega book. I listened to A River Enchanted on the Libby app and, upon discovering that it was the first of two, I immediately reserved the sequel, A Fire Endless. So, some time lapsed between the two, but not enough for me to forget important plot elements.
Set on the fictitious island of Cadence, one can easily imagine this place as a far northern, remote location of Scotland. In fact, the reader is Scottish (or at least reads with a Scottish accent, even during the book's credits), "the mainland" is often referenced, and the characters' plaids and kilts are frequently described. "The Folk" (fairies/spirits) play huge roles throughout both of these novels, so they are -at the very least- inspired by Celtic legends and folktales. And I love that.
We begin the story with Jack, a fatherless child of Cadence, whose mother had sent him to the mainland ten years prior to go to school and learn to become a bard. In this time and place, a bard is a very prestigious position, reserved only for those who are very gifted in the art of song and storytelling. Jack is summoned back home to Cadence -much to his chagrin- when he is around 20 years old. Upon his return, we meet his family and the three other characters who will serve as the main ensemble for the rest of the duology: Adaira (heiress to the Tamarlaine clan lairdship), Torin (head guardsman, cousin of Adaira), and Sidra (talented healer, wife of Torin). These four characters -Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra- will continue to drive the plot for both books. (Of no particular note: Sidra is my personal favorite.)
We also learn that the Isle of Cadence is split between two warring clans: the Tamarlaines in the East (clan to which our four protagonists belong) and the Breccans in the West. The East has been blessed with bounty, light, and music, but they are often invaded by the West for their crops, livestock, and goods. The West is a cold, desolate place where the people are hardened and desperate enough to invade the enemy territory in the East. Still, the West has been gifted access to certain types of magic with little cost, rendering them all the more lethal to the East.
When Jack is summoned back to the East from the mainland, he soon learns the reason why. Young Tamarlaine girls have begun disappearing and the heiress Adaira believes the spirits of the isle are behind it. If nothing else, they might know why and where the girls are being taken. But, in order to summon the spirits, a bard is required. As the Tamarlaine clan has not had a bard since the death of Adaira's mother, the heiress is compelled to ask Jack to come back and sing for the spirits so that she can ask them for wisdom regarding the disappearance of the girls. Reluctantly, Jack agrees to help.
Mysteries are solved. Dark secrets are revealed. Adventures are had. It's a great fantasy read that incorporates so many of the things that I love about a good book and, as such, I would highly recommend the
Elements of Cadence duology to anyone who is looking for a good escape.
