Reviews

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

libby1776's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Razo is a personally favorite character of mine, so much so I named a pet parakeet after him. And this book really develops his character and gives us more insight into my other favs Enna and Finn. All three of them went through so much trauma during the war and you see them struggling to find there place and how to use their talents for good. 

This book is one of the more romantic in the series and although Enna and Finn our my OTP do love love Dasha and Razos story too. Also this book is so funny! After a darkier book like Enna burning it’s a good way to add some light humor back to the series. This book really made me appreciate Hales world building even more Tira felt like such a unique yet real and lively place.  

I’m so glad I gave this book another read after 7 years! 

devlavaca's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring

4.25

elisasmith_23's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

sereia8's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this third book in the Bayern series very much. Razo is a great character.

samistoltenberg's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lilcatlovingactress's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I LOVED this book. It’s probably my second favorite in the series so far. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because there wasn’t enough romance for me. Hale tends to lean into slow burns and while I love that, her resolutions of the romantic plots are often rushed and underdeveloped. 

I

I dislike how late Dasha and River FINALLY got together but mainly that there wasn’t enough romantic content after they officially got together. It’s like the story ended *right* when they got together and not two moments after. The politics are fascinating and all, but as a romance girlie I desperately need more intimacy and relationship development between the couples. It doesn’t have to be explicit (the YA fantasy style isn’t well suited to that in this case) but please, more than a few kisses in tje last few pages. Pretty please.

Good news though; the bonus chapter and Hale’s reflections on writing River secrets helped satiate my need for more details in this story. 

I hope we get more of Razo and Dasha’s romance in the next book!!!!!

themoonphoenix's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kaikai1618's review against another edition

4.0

4.2stars

leniverse's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

thehatfam's review against another edition

5.0

I actually liked this one better than Enna Burning. I thought I wasn't going to like it as much at first, but it turned out to be one of my top favorites of hers. (of course they're all my favorites though)