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River Running
Firemage Jackson Coal returns to his indigo plantation after the war, haunted by visions of battles and bloodshed. The country of Arcana, as well as his own family, lies in tattered ruins, and Jackson cannot eradicate his painful memories. But Grey Lake, Jackson's troublesome new halfmage ward, requires a governess, and Jackson must find an appropriate candidate. Manda Rivers's mysterious background shadows Jackson's choice, but the beautiful young woman is the only one who will take on the task of educating an illegal child in the household of a reviled rebel.
Manda's secrets will endanger both Jackson and Grey if it becomes known that she is an illegal halfblood watermage like her ward. Despite this, she forges a new life for herself. In a society where Manda and her kind are persecuted, she faces increasing hostility from the fullblood fanatics who won the war.
Arcana's political tensions reignite, and a powerful secret society launches an attack on Coalhaven, Manda, Jackson, and Grey. Amidst danger and elemental magic, forbidden love ignites, but in a world torn by prejudice and oppression, can love truly conquer all?
Manda's secrets will endanger both Jackson and Grey if it becomes known that she is an illegal halfblood watermage like her ward. Despite this, she forges a new life for herself. In a society where Manda and her kind are persecuted, she faces increasing hostility from the fullblood fanatics who won the war.
Arcana's political tensions reignite, and a powerful secret society launches an attack on Coalhaven, Manda, Jackson, and Grey. Amidst danger and elemental magic, forbidden love ignites, but in a world torn by prejudice and oppression, can love truly conquer all?
376 pages, ebook
Published March 6, 2018
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
T.D. Shoemaker
2 books5 followersT.D. Shoemaker is the author of the Indigo Elements series, which includes River Running, Wind Winging, Ember Emerging, and Sand Singing. She has also written the Solmari Suite Series, featuring The Eighth Octave and following novels. She writes primarily romantic fantasies set in times that evoke earlier eras, and in which she includes–as often as possible–her favorite color (indigo) and her favorite treat (chocolate eclairs).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 8, 2018
Beautiful language and masterful imagery bring this fantasy romance to life. A blend of the mid-19th century American South with a unique magic system shifts this story into an alternate reality, but it still retains familiar elements of Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind...and Harry Potter and The Last Airbender. A fun read for fans of clean romance - though there's a non-sex scene that doesn't quite feel that way, so be prepared for some magical sizzle!
January 19, 2018
RIVER RUNNING throws a PTSD-victim war veteran together with a beautiful and mysterious governess, and sets the story on a deep-south plantation in post-war Arcana. Toss in a magic system based on the elements (the air/fire/earth/water variety), and you have a historical romantic fantasy with all the sweeping drama of GONE WITH THE WIND, all the fiery tortured romance of JANE EYRE, and all the magical brilliance of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER.
In a parallel world that divides mundanes (people with no magic) from fullmages (people who can wield magic through the Indigo Wells--the source of all magic), we see parallels to our socials schisms playing out today. Reign does a great job of leveling her sites and firing at the foibles that push people groups to the outer fringes, of highlighting hypocrisy and social slander, of needling the deplorable human condition that builds hate for those who are different.
She centers the story on halfmages: those people who are a result of a union between a fullmage and a mundane, and who hold unlimited elemental power via a direct connection with nature. Because of their power, fullmages and mundanes alike fear them. They hold no rights, and so the war that was fought for those rights is where page one opens: the last battle.
The central themes throughout the book are so applicable to modern society, and the setting and romantic threads are seamlessly interwoven through the story, creating an ending that deeply connects with the reader. Highly recommend. 5 Stars.
In a parallel world that divides mundanes (people with no magic) from fullmages (people who can wield magic through the Indigo Wells--the source of all magic), we see parallels to our socials schisms playing out today. Reign does a great job of leveling her sites and firing at the foibles that push people groups to the outer fringes, of highlighting hypocrisy and social slander, of needling the deplorable human condition that builds hate for those who are different.
She centers the story on halfmages: those people who are a result of a union between a fullmage and a mundane, and who hold unlimited elemental power via a direct connection with nature. Because of their power, fullmages and mundanes alike fear them. They hold no rights, and so the war that was fought for those rights is where page one opens: the last battle.
The central themes throughout the book are so applicable to modern society, and the setting and romantic threads are seamlessly interwoven through the story, creating an ending that deeply connects with the reader. Highly recommend. 5 Stars.
March 6, 2018
In the interests of transparency, I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is fair to say that this type of book would not normally appeal to me. However, the book is so incredibly well written that I couldn't help but fall in love with it.
I won't go over the premise (as that's what the blurb is there for, right?), but I'll tell you how it made me feel as a reader.
The world that Reign has created is rich in detail and heightened in emotional resonance. The locations are lavish (they reminded me of old-school Hollywood epics). The characters are compelling and you'll find yourself willing them on. There are sparks in the dialogue and real chemistry between the main characters. There are magical elements to the book, but rather than detract they add value to the story--yet this world felt very real--like it was a different, magic version of our past. I loved the immersive historical feel throughout the book. I also enjoyed the building of the relationship, which was sensual and romantic (which I preferred) rather than anything graphic. Wonderful debut novel. Can't wait for more.
It is fair to say that this type of book would not normally appeal to me. However, the book is so incredibly well written that I couldn't help but fall in love with it.
I won't go over the premise (as that's what the blurb is there for, right?), but I'll tell you how it made me feel as a reader.
The world that Reign has created is rich in detail and heightened in emotional resonance. The locations are lavish (they reminded me of old-school Hollywood epics). The characters are compelling and you'll find yourself willing them on. There are sparks in the dialogue and real chemistry between the main characters. There are magical elements to the book, but rather than detract they add value to the story--yet this world felt very real--like it was a different, magic version of our past. I loved the immersive historical feel throughout the book. I also enjoyed the building of the relationship, which was sensual and romantic (which I preferred) rather than anything graphic. Wonderful debut novel. Can't wait for more.
September 26, 2018
It took me a while to get into it. I really enjoyed Manda and her halfmage plight. I also enjoyed the diverse characters. I don't usually read romance or fantasy but it definitely held my interest!
May 5, 2018
A fantastic fantasy version of the Civil War gone wrong, “River Running” takes a familiar setting, gives everything fantasy names, flips the American Civil War result and throws in magic and romance.
Read full review in the 2018 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2018 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 1, 2018
Ok. Let’s talk about River Running.
Jackson Coal is a civil war veteran who suffers from PTSD and is owner of one of the largest magical grade indigo plantations in Arcana. On top of that already full plate, his body bears a secret that he must hide and could kill him, an illegal ward and his feisty governess live under his roof, and romance floats through the air like magnolia petals on still water.
Manda Rivers is living the only life she can: a hidden one. If society found out who she really was, she would be in danger. And while she doesn’t particularly like the life she’s living, at least she is alive. Her small world is turned upside down when she unexpectedly becomes a governess to child who is much like herself and she immediately sees the need to protect him. To protect him, though, she must guard her past and secrets with everything in her.
It’s like a civil war drama meets Harry Potter meets The Last Airbender meets Jane Eyre meets….awesome! If I hadn’t read the book, I wouldn’t know how all those types of stories could be in the same book, but here it is. It has familiar aspects as well as some fun, new takes on magic and how it works through different people.
Eden Reign writes amazing characters that you care about deeply and hideous characters that you can’t wait to see demolished. The language is beautiful and every person you meet is well developed. I can’t say that they are developed all the way, since this is a series, but I’m hoping that small tidbits of revealed backstories come back to play in the next books. (I’m talking about Mr. Stone, Eden! I’m going to need you to write that man his own book!)
All in all, it was a spectacular read and I can’t wait for more.
Jackson Coal is a civil war veteran who suffers from PTSD and is owner of one of the largest magical grade indigo plantations in Arcana. On top of that already full plate, his body bears a secret that he must hide and could kill him, an illegal ward and his feisty governess live under his roof, and romance floats through the air like magnolia petals on still water.
Manda Rivers is living the only life she can: a hidden one. If society found out who she really was, she would be in danger. And while she doesn’t particularly like the life she’s living, at least she is alive. Her small world is turned upside down when she unexpectedly becomes a governess to child who is much like herself and she immediately sees the need to protect him. To protect him, though, she must guard her past and secrets with everything in her.
It’s like a civil war drama meets Harry Potter meets The Last Airbender meets Jane Eyre meets….awesome! If I hadn’t read the book, I wouldn’t know how all those types of stories could be in the same book, but here it is. It has familiar aspects as well as some fun, new takes on magic and how it works through different people.
Eden Reign writes amazing characters that you care about deeply and hideous characters that you can’t wait to see demolished. The language is beautiful and every person you meet is well developed. I can’t say that they are developed all the way, since this is a series, but I’m hoping that small tidbits of revealed backstories come back to play in the next books. (I’m talking about Mr. Stone, Eden! I’m going to need you to write that man his own book!)
All in all, it was a spectacular read and I can’t wait for more.
January 21, 2018
Civil war veteran Jackson is living a lie to protect his best friend’s son, an illegal halfmage child. Unbeknownst to Jackson, the woman he has hired as governess, Manda Rivers, has her own dangerous secrets, and soon Jackson finds himself embroiled in a battle to defend the rights of persecuted halfblood mages that will force him to examine his dark past so that he can find new love.
River Running tackles the governess trope with a sweet, magical romance that is ultimately about healing from the past—on a personal level as well as a societal one. Several loose ends and an ongoing cultural conflict suggest this is the first book in a series.
River Running would provide entertaining fodder for fans of romantic fantasy stories. Fantasy lovers will enjoy the unique elemental magic system based on indigo crops and the action-packed climax in the unusual setting of a southern plantation. Fans of sweet (rather than spicy) romance will enjoy the tortured hero reminiscent of Rochester and his healing through love.
Looking forward to Book Two!
River Running tackles the governess trope with a sweet, magical romance that is ultimately about healing from the past—on a personal level as well as a societal one. Several loose ends and an ongoing cultural conflict suggest this is the first book in a series.
River Running would provide entertaining fodder for fans of romantic fantasy stories. Fantasy lovers will enjoy the unique elemental magic system based on indigo crops and the action-packed climax in the unusual setting of a southern plantation. Fans of sweet (rather than spicy) romance will enjoy the tortured hero reminiscent of Rochester and his healing through love.
Looking forward to Book Two!
May 30, 2018
War, prejudice, and impossible love! A secretive governess embroils a war vet in a battle for justice in a Reconstruction-Era world of elemental magic.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews