„I am but a verse inspired by your chorus and I will follow you until the end, when the isle takes my bones and my name is nothing more than remembrance on a headstone, next to yours.“ „It felt like I waited an eternity for you.“ „You are mine as I am yours.“ „Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save.“ „No. I don’t want half of anything. Only all of it.“ „There is no failure in love, and I have loved without measure.“ „I tried to turn myself into stone. To not feel anything. But now I realize it is better to live, to feel and have a clean break than be half-dead and cold, cracked from resentment.“ „Welcome home, my old menace.“

I really liked some parts of this but sadly it didn't completely work for me. What I really liked is what Rebecca Ross is best at: the prose and the vibes she gives you with her worldbuilding. This felt rainy, grey, misty and whimsical and I absolutely loved it. Sadly this book dragged on for way too long. Like a good 25% of the book in the middle nothing really happens in my opinion. The Main couple also didn't really work for me. I just didn't get much chemistry between them except for a few scenes and I sadly just wasn't as invested as I was in the couple in Divine Rivals for example. I will still read on and believe that the second book could definetly improve on this one but yeah sadly not as great as I had hoped

I read this as a buddy read with my friend Kris. I really loved the magic and the world, the scottish-inspired culture, and I loved the chapters about Sidra and Torin. However, I had a really hard time connecting with the "main" couple Jack and Adeira. They felt like children pretending to be grown-ups and I couldn't relate to them at all. Without going into spoilers, I was loving this book until the last few chapters, it was going to be a 4 star rating but the final chapters and especially the ending left a really sour taste in my mouth so I'm dropping it down to 3 stars. I also don't see much of a point in a second book. This book could've easily been a standalone. I will probably still read it because I enjoyed the world and I loved Sidra and Torin.

4.5 ⭐️ When I picked up this book, I didn‘t expect to be blown away by it but my god did Rebecca Ross blow me away more than the Northern Winds ever could. The writing style is STUNNING and something I envy the author for, because how do you come up with phrases and sentences so beautiful that my heart physical hurt from the beauty of it all? This story hooked me within the first few pages and by the end of it, I loved every single character in it and rooted for their happiness.

My second buddy read with my friend Mari. I fear with this one Mari definitely liked it more than I did, which is obviously fine. I just wish I could have loved it the same. From the beginning I had a really hard time connecting with the characters. First I had the fear it was cause I loved the other book we finished so much, but the more the book kept going, the more I was just annoyed by Jack and Adi. If I had read it on my own, I think I might have dnf’d it. Maybe not forever but definitely for the moment. They just felt so childish and stupid at times. I did enjoy the lore and the stories of the folk woven in between. But honestly, my favorites were Sidra and Torin. I would take a book about them any day. They were just … so good and way more interesting. The main plot line also didn’t give me enough. Yes, there was something surprising in there towards the ending, but it didn’t really get me, cause I just did not care enough about the character it was about. Will I read the second book? Honestly, I do not know. Cause in the end nothing much happens that even makes a whole second book necessary. I feel like the story could have been wrapped up as one book and be done with. I am not sure what there will be to fill a whole other book.

Having finished reading Rebecca's book Divine Rivals, I discovered another gem waiting for me on my TBR list: A River Enchanted. This captivating tale, filled with gentle melodies, truly captured my heart. What stood out to me the most were the two remarkable protagonists, Jack and Adaira, who were introduced in such a way that I immediately felt connected to them. Throughout the story, I enjoyed witnessing their growth and development. The supporting characters were equally well-crafted, and I found myself falling in love with them just as quickly. Sidra and Torin, in particular, had a storyline that intrigued me more than that of the main characters. Have you ever read a story where nothing seemed to happen, yet everything changed? That's exactly how I felt here. The Scottish-inspired fairytale fantasy setting was absolutely enchanting and atmospheric. From the very first page, I was captivated and couldn't get enough. The author's writing style was exceptional, and I eagerly anticipated each new perspective offered by the complex and compelling characters. A captivating narrative that has me constantly intrigued and eagerly anticipating what comes next. This enchanting tale is one that I highly endorse and encourage everyone to experience.

2.5 stars. I can definitely see why people love this book but I think it's marketed wrong. This isn't an epic fantasy series with politics or even an interesting plot. It definitely suffers from a lack of world-building and a disappointing and predictable "conflict". It might pick up in future books but it could just as easily be a stand-alone scottish fantasy thriller cause that's what it felt like. I did like the two main protagonists but wish we got to see more of them as kids or that the romance was better developed cause I didn't ship them at all and for a romantasy that's kind of the prerequisite. That said, I think I'm in definitely the minority as someone who didn't really enjoy the book. Most readers seemed to really love it. What did you all think?

Ich hab mich sowas von verliebt in das Buch! Unglaublich emotional, berührend und wunderschön geschrieben! Über die Magie / Macht der Musik, der Natur, der Elemente und der Liebe! Und über die Wichtigkeit des Gefühls sich zugehörig zu fühlen- sich zuhause zu fühlen. Über Familie und das Überwinden von „Gräben“.

This book ticked all the boxes for me: - captivating magical world that feels real - a plot that‘s straightforward while still allowing for interesting subplots - lyrical writing style that‘s not too over the top or distracting - lovable characters with depth - a romantic story that doesn‘t rely on spice

Wow. I can't believe how much Rebecca Ross just manages to draw you into a story, so that all you wanna do is get lost in it. While not much is happening in terms of action (I mean, of course stuff is happening but still...) the characters, the narration, the landscape.... It's just perfect. At this point I'll probably read a retelling of the telephone book by Rebecca Ross and would love it. The audiobook makes it even better, with all the accents. Just love it. Rebecca Ross = auto-read now

" I tell myself I should remain guarded against you, even as we are fastened together. And yet another side of me believes that you and I could make something of this arrangement. That you and I are complements, that we are made to clash and sharpen each other like iron. That you and I will stay bound together by that which is nameless and runs deeper than vows until the very end, when the isle takes my bones into the ground and my name is nothing but memory carved into a headstone." This little tale is more of a mistery story in a soft fantasy setting. Basically we follow Jack who is able to play the harp and summon the spirits of nature and Adaira, the heiress of the clan in a quest to find out why girls go missing and where they are. It's definitely a slow burn and it's very character driven. I liked especially the pov of Adaira and Jack - especially Jack is just the cutest bean!! Also this book felt so extremely cozy! I think it's a perfect book to read in a cottage with some cookies and tea. And I'll definitely pick up the second book when it's out.

꧁A River Enchanted꧂ r e v i e w - t i m e . • Scottish folklore inspired • rival clans • enchanted blades • music summoning magic . Ich war von Anfang an ganz verliebt in das schottisch inspirierte Setting und wie schottische Mythen und - das klingt komisch, ist von der Übersetzung aber, glaube ich, richtig - Volkskunde in die Geschichte eingebaut wurde. Von verwunschenen Schwertern, Heiler und Krieger, und Musik, mithilfe derer man Geister beschwören kann. All das machte diese Welt besonders - und ließ mich wünschen, mehr dazu erfahren zu wollen. Der Grund, warum ich das Buch so unbedingt lesen wollte, war die Storyline zu den rivalisierenden Clans... (Ein kleiner Fakt zu mir: Ich liebe den "Rival Clans" Trope - das ist für mich immer ein guter Grund, ein Buch/eine Buchreihe zu lesen