A Fire Endless: A Novel
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

In the sequel and conclusion to the epic-fantasy story begun in A River Enchanted (2022), Bane, otherwise known as the Northern Wind and king of the spirits, is furious. Jack's music and power are challenging his rule, and Bane is determined to get revenge on humanity through a blight that seems relentless. To counter the will of the Wind, Jack will have to reunite with his beloved, Adaira, who has been learning the violence-tinged ways of the West from her biological parents, the Laird Innes and her husband. Meanwhile, new laird of the East, Torin, and his beloved, the healer Sidra, are locked in a battle to find an antidote to the magical disease plaguing their land before it's too late for all of them. This novel is richer and better than the first in the series, building on and adding to the deep elemental world that Ross has constructed and supported with well-forged, believable relationships and friendships. The twists are compelling, the narrative developments are well paced, and the way everything comes together is satisfyingly neat while still feeling unexpected. Ross has skillfully brought her duology to an exciting and emotional end.

Ross closes the Elements of Cadence duology, which began with A River Enchanted, with a lyrical, Scottish-inspired fantasy exploring the vulnerability and danger of a natural world thrown out of balance. Bane, king of spirits, blights the island of Cadence with a sickness that spreads from trees to people. As Torin, Cadence's newly made Laird of the East, ventures into the spirit realm to find a cure, his wife, Sidra, frays under the strain of aiding the sick and leading the clan in Torin's absence, all while pregnant and ill herself. Meanwhile, Adaira, now living with her blood family in the hard-bitten West, struggles to reconcile her gentle upbringing with what is expected of her in the treacherous Breccan court. Her love, the bard Jack, languishes in the East until an encounter with an ailing spirit shows him a dangerous path back to her. Ross confidently develops her innovative elemental magic system and brings together disparate worldbuilding elements for a satisfying and cohesive climax. Fans of both fantasy romance and folklore retold are sure to enjoy. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Dec.)

In the second book of the "Elements of Cadence" duology, Ross takes readers on another adventure to the Isle of Cadence, a fantasy island off the coast of Scotland. The Tamerlaines of the east and Breccans of the west have been at odds with each other for centuries. Adaira was the leader of the Tamerlaines but found out that she was born to the Breccans and is now living in the west, trying to make peace between the two clans. While she is away, the orchards of the east are cursed by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, and all who touch the apples fall ill. Jack, Adaira's husband, can use his music to call on the spirits for answers, but when he does, Bane strikes one dead. As the curse spreads, Adaira and Jack, along with the Tamerlaine laird, need to work together to break it and dethrone Bane before the Isle becomes engulfed in the curse. VERDICT Ross (A River Enchanted) creates a magical story with lyrical prose that draws the reader into the tale and its setting. Recommend this series to fans of Jeffe Kennedy, Susanna Clarke, and Terry Brooks.--Leigh Verburg

*Starred Review* In the sequel and conclusion to the epic-fantasy story begun in A River Enchanted (2022), Bane, otherwise known as the Northern Wind and king of the spirits, is furious. Jack's music and power are challenging his rule, and Bane is determined to get revenge on humanity through a blight that seems relentless. To counter the will of the Wind, Jack will have to reunite with his beloved, Adaira, who has been learning the violence-tinged ways of the West from her biological parents, the Laird Innes and her husband. Meanwhile, new laird of the East, Torin, and his beloved, the healer Sidra, are locked in a battle to find an antidote to the magical disease plaguing their land before it's too late for all of them. This novel is richer and better than the first in the series, building on and adding to the deep elemental world that Ross has constructed and supported with well-forged, believable relationships and friendships. The twists are compelling, the narrative developments are well paced, and the way everything comes together is satisfyingly neat while still feeling unexpected. Ross has skillfully brought her duology to an exciting and emotional end. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

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In the second book of the "Elements of Cadence" duology, Ross takes readers on another adventure to the Isle of Cadence, a fantasy island off the coast of Scotland. The Tamerlaines of the east and Breccans of the west have been at odds with each other for centuries. Adaira was the leader of the Tamerlaines but found out that she was born to the Breccans and is now living in the west, trying to make peace between the two clans. While she is away, the orchards of the east are cursed by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, and all who touch the apples fall ill. Jack, Adaira's husband, can use his music to call on the spirits for answers, but when he does, Bane strikes one dead. As the curse spreads, Adaira and Jack, along with the Tamerlaine laird, need to work together to break it and dethrone Bane before the Isle becomes engulfed in the curse. VERDICT Ross (A River Enchanted) creates a magical story with lyrical prose that draws the reader into the tale and its setting. Recommend this series to fans of Jeffe Kennedy, Susanna Clarke, and Terry Brooks.—Leigh Verburg

Ross closes the Elements of Cadence duology, which began with A River Enchanted, with a lyrical, Scottish-inspired fantasy exploring the vulnerability and danger of a natural world thrown out of balance. Bane, king of spirits, blights the island of Cadence with a sickness that spreads from trees to people. As Torin, Cadence's newly made Laird of the East, ventures into the spirit realm to find a cure, his wife, Sidra, frays under the strain of aiding the sick and leading the clan in Torin's absence, all while pregnant and ill herself. Meanwhile, Adaira, now living with her blood family in the hard-bitten West, struggles to reconcile her gentle upbringing with what is expected of her in the treacherous Breccan court. Her love, the bard Jack, languishes in the East until an encounter with an ailing spirit shows him a dangerous path back to her. Ross confidently develops her innovative elemental magic system and brings together disparate worldbuilding elements for a satisfying and cohesive climax. Fans of both fantasy romance and folklore retold are sure to enjoy. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Dec.)