Book Review: River Secrets by Shannon Hale

Series: The Books of Bayern #3

Format: AudioBook

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Library (I own a paperback)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Full Cast Audio/Bloomsbury

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Bayern has triumphed in its war with Tira. But though the war is over, simmering anger remains among the Tirans and new hostilities could erupt at any moment. In a desperate attempt to maintain the peace, King Geric sends an ambassador to the Tiran capitol. Of course, an ambassador needs a military guard. Razo—short, impish, and not at all skilled at combat—longs to be among those selected to go, but thinks he has no chance. So he is astounded when Captain Talone taps him to join the group. He's even more astounded when he discovers the secret reason for Talone's decision. All too soon Razo is up to his eyeballs in a simmering mix of danger and intrigue—not to mention an unexpected romance. But as the gruesome deaths mount, everyone is a suspect...even the girl who has stolen Razo's heart.

Review

I'm obsessed with the full-cast audiobooks for this series. I didn't remember a lot of the content from this story, but I remembered not liking it as much as the first two. 

Now, I freaking love it. 

Razo is so adorable and I love him. He is incredibly sweet and a great protagonist. I don't know if I've read another lead-especially male-like this. He's awkward, but not too awkward to be hard to read or unrealistic. I suffer from sympathetic anxiety when characters are too awkward and it can be real distracting. Razo also had a growth and compelling journal to read.

There was a mystery element that kept me on the edge of my seat. I really just wanted to lay on my bed and listen to the audiobook. The narrator and other voice actors did a great job bringing these characters to life.

Ms. Hale creates a magical world and it comes across effortless. With each book she adds more to the world and characters to make them feel even more real. She is spectacular author and I'm just in awe.

I'm excited to read/listen to the last book. I remember it being my least favorite, but who knows with the audiobooks.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Book Review: Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

Series: Books of Bayern Book #2

Format: Audiobook

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (I own a physical copy)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Full Cast Audio

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

It's been two years since Enna was swept up in a heart-pounding court adventure. Now, having returned to her old life in the forests of Bayern, she is growing restless. When a strange force takes possession of her brother, Liefer, she returns to the capital to seek the help of her friend Isi, Bayern's princess. But Bayern is tottering on the verge of war with neighboring Tira.

When endowed with the terrifying gift that destroyed Liefer, Enna takes herself to war-only to embark on an epic journey of discovery and betrayal that will force her to come of age. Shannon Hale's fiery companion to her acclaimed retelling of The Goose Girl is dark, intricate, deeply passionate, and ultimately triumphant. Listeners, whether returning to Bayern or making their first visit, will find themselves enthralled.

Review

Apparently, I remembered nothing from this book. So, it was kind of like reading it for the first time again. So, it was definitely a stressful/tense read (or listen).

The friendship between Enna and Isi is maybe one of the best friendships in all of fiction. It's so real, honest, and beautiful. I want to be their friend.

This book is darker than the first one. There is a war and Enna has to deal with some serious and dark situations and choices. I would let my 10 year old cousin read this, but as a 30 year old I see the extra layers of darkness. Obviously, there is magic which plays a role in here. But part of Enna's story is like a study in Stockholm Syndrome. I don't know if that was Ms. Hale's intention, but that was my interpretation. It broke my heart and made me think about things in the real world.

I enjoyed the production of the first audiobook more, but this was still very good. A full cast reading makes it feel even more cinematic. They do a great job bringing life to Ms. Hale's beautiful writing. And I'm excited to read Razo's story again. He's really crawled into my heart in these first two books.

Thanks for reading!

Holly