Review: A Fire Endless (Elements of Cadence #2)
Available at Bookshop.org
4/5
For fans of: Outlander, Scottish-inspired, folklore, rivals-to-lovers, tribal politics, mystery, elemental gods/spirits, ancient rivalries
The Big Questions:
What genre is this in? Fantasy, romance fantasy, mystery
Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Jack is a young university teacher who singing and musicianship entices gods and is beyond loyal to the ones he loves. Adaira is a young leader who is feisty, knows what she wants, and fights for her people.
Is it spicy? Yes, but not graphic
Is it violent or gory? No
Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? If you loved A River Enchanted, buy it!
“I am yours, and I want you to lay your burdens down on me.”
Synopsis: East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.
In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.
In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits—a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.
With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.
In the stunning conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology, A Fire Endless finds the delicate balance between the human and faerie realm threatened by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, whose defeat can only come through fire, song, and heart-rending sacrifice.
“If I am weak for wanting you, then let me embrace that weakness and make it my strength,” he said, his gaze fixed on the west. “And if you must haunt me, then let me haunt you in return.”
Review: This book and this duology are a wonderful example of emotionally mature, always have your back, will do whatever it takes to stay together couples and it is honestly just so refreshing. Sidra and Torin fighting for their people’s survival all while feeling unworthy of their roles and both feeling alone just broke my heart. Jack and Adaira’s forced separation was KILLING ME and, like always, I hate how long it takes for separated couples to be brought back together. Honestly, this book did not pick up until those two were reunited. I almost gave up reading I was so frustrated, but it was definitely worth the wait.
So, on to the plot. Once things started moving, everything moved QUICKLY. We’ve got a race against time with a deadly disease spreading on both sides of the island and no cure by both mundane and magical means, a massive and destructive storm sent by Bane threatening to destroy the East, and assassination attempts left and right trying to keep Adaira and Jack from taking their respective places of power. It all weaves into a crazy climax and resolution that was incredibly satisfying. But the selling point, to me, were the two relationships at the center of this story and this island. I love this cast of characters, their beautiful love stories, and the magic of this enchanting island.