A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence #1) by Rebecca Ross

 

Summary (from the publisher): Jack Tamerlaine hasn’t set 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: Ten years ago, Jack Tamerlaine left his island home of Cadence for the mainland to study must at the university. Now, he has been summoned home to help find young girls who have started disappearing. Jack soon runs into Torin, captain of the guard on the island, who is married to the healer Sidra, and who is worried about the safety of his own young daughter. And soon he also runs into his childhood enemy Adaira, who is heiress of the east. But Adaira knows that the spirits of the island on answer to a bard's music, and she hopes Jack will agree to serve in that role so that the spirits can be compelled to return the missing girls. 

This was such a lovely novel! Inspired by Scottish folk tales, the imaginary island of Cadence is rich with enchantments and spirits. On Cadence, gossip can be carried on the wind and plaid shawls can be embroidered with enchantments to protect the wearer. I would describe this novel as light fantasy. All the characters are firmly mortal and human, but they interact with spiritual forces and enchantments in the land in which they live. I really loved the isle of Cadence itself. Beyond all the mystery and worry about missing girls, the island felt cozy and inviting, with a rich history of two opposing clans who occupy opposite sides of the island. 

This book was unique in that it focused on not one, but two couples. Jack and Adaira's story was compelling because of their childhood animosity, his desire to get back to the university, and her status as the heiress of the clan. But in some ways, I found Torin and Sidra's story even more interesting! Torin was a young widower with a baby who married Sidra to have a new mother for his child. While their partnership works, it comes to a crisis point in this story and the two must confront their true feelings for each other beyond their shared interest in their daughter. 

I enjoyed this story and the characters. There were some big plot twists as this book reached its conclusion so I am anxious to read the second part of this duology soon. 

Stars: 4

Related Titles: 

• Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1) by Rebecca Ross
• Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment #2) by Rebecca Ross