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Heartseeker #2
Riverbound
Only Fallow can see lies--a cunning so powerful that the King insists on keeping her in the palace, tasked with helping him flush out traitors.
When the King's counselor, Lamia, tells Only of her plan to oust the King and put his daughter on the throne, Only is eager to help. Though Only's cunning would be useful to any ruler, the Princess had promised to send Only home when she becomes Queen. But Only soon learns the truth is a complicated matter--especially when the fate of a country hangs in the balance. Now wound tight in a twisted plot, Only must set the record straight to stop the destruction of everything--and everyone--she holds dear.
When the King's counselor, Lamia, tells Only of her plan to oust the King and put his daughter on the throne, Only is eager to help. Though Only's cunning would be useful to any ruler, the Princess had promised to send Only home when she becomes Queen. But Only soon learns the truth is a complicated matter--especially when the fate of a country hangs in the balance. Now wound tight in a twisted plot, Only must set the record straight to stop the destruction of everything--and everyone--she holds dear.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 21, 2019
3 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 27, 2021
Wow! This was just as amazing as the 1st book, if not more! What a story! Only, Lark, & Gareth have my heart. I fell in love w/them, & w/their friendship. I’m really going to miss them. I know I can visit them again many times in the future though. Can’t say much, don’t want to spoil anything. But we find out who the villain is, & wow. The whole backstory of all that, & everything that was happening that no one knew about in this evil plot-loved it! When it all came together I had to keep closing my mouth-cause it was hanging open! Lol such creativity. I LOVED the ending. The ending when the villain is found out & what that brings, & also the very ending itself. The author made me grow to love these characters SO much, that the ending made me emotional-in all the best ways. Book-hug worthy, for sure. These are full of adventure, family, friendship, loyalty, treachery, danger, suspense, & lots of heart. I need more from this author, so I hope she writes more again soon. I would snap it right up. Highly recommend. Of course, another stunning cover by Vivienne To. Beautiful!💜
November 17, 2018
Melinda Beatty has done it again! Only Fallow’s adventures continue in RIVERBOUND, the conclusion to the duology that began with HEARTSEEKER. In the second book, Only is determined to use her cunning to ally with the people who would bring peace to the kingdom and to free her best friend, Lark, and her community from servitude and exile. But knowing who to trust isn’t easy, even when you can see lies...I laughed, I teared up, and I gasped aloud in parts. Five stars!
July 3, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to Only Fallow's story! This story was well crafted, fun and true to the goodness of the first book which I loved so much. I had been looking forward to this for a while sitting there in my preorders and it did not disappoint!
December 19, 2019
I reviewed the first book last Christmas, and thought now would be a great time to run the review of the sequel.
If you remember, Only Farrow is abducted in the first book and brought to King Renart to be one of his servants. She can "see" lies, as a sort-of corona of light around the person, as s/he speaks. Different colors indicate various levels of honesty. An invaluable talent for a King to command, right?
Until someone uses Only's "invulnerable" ability to lie to her...without Only, or anyone else, for that matter, knowing. I won't spoil how the villain does it (or who the villain is, because that would spoil the read, right?), but know, any "ability" can be turned into a "liability" and it was interesting to read how this happens to Only.
Because Only can't see the liar, her brother's wife's people, the Ordish, get the blame for all the horrible fires and near-riots plaguing the kingdom, when it's all a set-up to pave the way for the villain's attempted take-over!
We enjoyed this wrap-up of an interesting character's journey and exploration of the concept of "seeing" lies.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
If you remember, Only Farrow is abducted in the first book and brought to King Renart to be one of his servants. She can "see" lies, as a sort-of corona of light around the person, as s/he speaks. Different colors indicate various levels of honesty. An invaluable talent for a King to command, right?
Until someone uses Only's "invulnerable" ability to lie to her...without Only, or anyone else, for that matter, knowing. I won't spoil how the villain does it (or who the villain is, because that would spoil the read, right?), but know, any "ability" can be turned into a "liability" and it was interesting to read how this happens to Only.
Because Only can't see the liar, her brother's wife's people, the Ordish, get the blame for all the horrible fires and near-riots plaguing the kingdom, when it's all a set-up to pave the way for the villain's attempted take-over!
We enjoyed this wrap-up of an interesting character's journey and exploration of the concept of "seeing" lies.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
July 7, 2019
I am most certainly not an unbiased reviewer as I've known the author since we were in college together in the mid 1990s and I consider her a very good friend. But I have thoroughly enjoyed reading her debut Heartseeker duology. YA fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but I very much loved reading Only Fallow's story from her upbringing in the Orchard to her time in the palace and back. Beatty writes with a unique voice that comes through very clearly. This is a book that is (probably) targeted towards younger teens but is eminently readable and enjoyable by readers of all ages. I was just sad to realize that Heartseeker was a duology and not a trilogy, as I expected! Mel, you have at least one person who will buy and devour anything you write from now on. Don't let us wait too long for whatever comes next!
June 13, 2019
I remember trying to take my time with Heartseeker, so it wouldn’t be over so quickly; however, this time with Riverbound, I wanted to devour it. My family schedule compelled me to take smaller bites. I easily could have read in this one sitting if left to my own devices though. Ms. Beatty’s characters and dialect are lovely. I also gasped audibly while reading. I can’t wait to read both volumes with my kids, and I look forward to the discussions that ensue. Both books would be great kids book club choices.
September 16, 2019
This is the second and final book in the Heartseeker series. Only's adventures continue and now she must choose carefully who she trusts. Though she can detect lies, Only is finding out that people are very good at keeping important secrets. Older readers probably guessed in the last book who was the "villain", but this book is still worth a read to see the story to its conclusion. I am still not a fan of the language style, as it puts off many readers and they will not finish the book.
November 22, 2019
This was a little slow to start, but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. Only was a great character, I was rooting for her the whole time. Such a fun cast of characters.
April 4, 2020
Excellent continuation to Heartseeker! It is actually the second half of that story, so don't read this first. Highly recommended for fantasy lovers, grades 4 & up.
October 13, 2020
Fun! I think I liked the first one a bit more, but this was still enjoyable. I just wish there had been more Gareth.
October 29, 2020
Little be the writing style
August 18, 2023
Absolutely beautiful. I loved this heartwarming story, I loved the characters, and I loved the writing. I look forward to handing it to my children when they’re older.
January 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book.
November 10, 2024
Note: it's been a hot second since I read it, so much of this review is off memory.
I never read books out of order, but with Riverbound, it was completely by accident. Even still, once I got past the beginning and all the side characters (but let's face it, I'm used to dense adult epic fantasies, so honestly, it just reminded me of their huge casts, and I had zero problems with it, hahaha), I didn't feel like I missed anything. (Though I do plan on reading Heartseeker!)
The events of book 1 were well-introduced from the beginning, and Only's life was established clearly, so in my "I thought this was book 1" lens, I felt like Heartseeker's events were an interesting background to the plot and Only's motivations.
While this is a Middle Grade fantasy, it is very enjoyable for adults to read as well! The writing and story was well-crafted, the characters were fascinating, and there was great political intrigue seen through the eyes of Only. I liked the steward and the princess quite a bit, and I also liked the relationship she had with her father the king. I kind of liked the king, actually. I felt bad for him.
The villain was pretty clear from the beginning, and that was probably the intent--the biggest mystery was moreso, "Is she actually telling the truth, or did she find a way to evade Only's skill?" At times it killed me to read Only trusting her, but it made sense. She relied so much on her skills to discern lies that she wasn't listening to her heart and the people around her.
The climax!! The resolution was so satisfying, and funny too! Behold, the quote that has stuck with me since I finished reading it last year:
"Not only that, Highness," Lark explained to Hauk, "but she planned to weasel her way onto the throne of Thorvald by wedding her daughter to your brother!"
One of Orrad's eyebrows shot up so far, it nearly launched itself off his forehead. He gave Adalise a lewd smile, earning a slap to the back of the head from his infuriated father. (pg. 248)
There was great LIFE throughout this--a bustling setting filled with celebrations and worldbuilding and different lands and cultures and characters. I adored the side characters as much as the main characters. I loved the humor and lightheartedness but also the seriousness and the strong convictions and goals Only had.
If you want an entertaining, rich MG fantasy, pick this (duology) up! If you want a lighter, heartwarming read with intrigue and depth similar to fantasy geared toward an older audience, pick this (duology) up! You're perfectly free to start on this book, but you should probably read them both...in order. ;)
I never read books out of order, but with Riverbound, it was completely by accident. Even still, once I got past the beginning and all the side characters (but let's face it, I'm used to dense adult epic fantasies, so honestly, it just reminded me of their huge casts, and I had zero problems with it, hahaha), I didn't feel like I missed anything. (Though I do plan on reading Heartseeker!)
The events of book 1 were well-introduced from the beginning, and Only's life was established clearly, so in my "I thought this was book 1" lens, I felt like Heartseeker's events were an interesting background to the plot and Only's motivations.
While this is a Middle Grade fantasy, it is very enjoyable for adults to read as well! The writing and story was well-crafted, the characters were fascinating, and there was great political intrigue seen through the eyes of Only. I liked the steward and the princess quite a bit, and I also liked the relationship she had with her father the king. I kind of liked the king, actually. I felt bad for him.
The villain was pretty clear from the beginning, and that was probably the intent--the biggest mystery was moreso, "Is she actually telling the truth, or did she find a way to evade Only's skill?" At times it killed me to read Only trusting her, but it made sense. She relied so much on her skills to discern lies that she wasn't listening to her heart and the people around her.
The climax!! The resolution was so satisfying, and funny too! Behold, the quote that has stuck with me since I finished reading it last year:
"Not only that, Highness," Lark explained to Hauk, "but she planned to weasel her way onto the throne of Thorvald by wedding her daughter to your brother!"
One of Orrad's eyebrows shot up so far, it nearly launched itself off his forehead. He gave Adalise a lewd smile, earning a slap to the back of the head from his infuriated father. (pg. 248)
There was great LIFE throughout this--a bustling setting filled with celebrations and worldbuilding and different lands and cultures and characters. I adored the side characters as much as the main characters. I loved the humor and lightheartedness but also the seriousness and the strong convictions and goals Only had.
If you want an entertaining, rich MG fantasy, pick this (duology) up! If you want a lighter, heartwarming read with intrigue and depth similar to fantasy geared toward an older audience, pick this (duology) up! You're perfectly free to start on this book, but you should probably read them both...in order. ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2024
A good ending and continuation of Heartseeker!
Riverbound felt like it had a bit more energy than the first book, and of course we learned all the hidden secrets and mysteries left open-ended from Heartseeker, so overall felt more fulfilling and exciting. I think the only flaw I had with this book is that the special lie-seeing power felt underutilized, especially with all the beautiful descriptions of what lies look like from the first book. And with the final confrontation between Only and Lady Folque, I thought there would be a battle of 'cunning' or at least an attempt from the villain. She was exiled from the Kingdom, but having her still able to speak seems like it could set up a reappearance later (if this series is continued!).
Even though it's over, there is a lot of mythology and other items that could be delved deeper into, so hopefully this is not the last we seen of Orstral!
Riverbound felt like it had a bit more energy than the first book, and of course we learned all the hidden secrets and mysteries left open-ended from Heartseeker, so overall felt more fulfilling and exciting. I think the only flaw I had with this book is that the special lie-seeing power felt underutilized, especially with all the beautiful descriptions of what lies look like from the first book. And with the final confrontation between Only and Lady Folque, I thought there would be a battle of 'cunning' or at least an attempt from the villain. She was exiled from the Kingdom, but having her still able to speak seems like it could set up a reappearance later (if this series is continued!).
Even though it's over, there is a lot of mythology and other items that could be delved deeper into, so hopefully this is not the last we seen of Orstral!
November 17, 2022
This book was amazing in it's writing and style. I really loved a lot of the characters, and the portrayal of court at the palace was so accurate, cutthroat and deadly. Princess/Queen Sapphire was a really cool way to help get into court and for a person who hasn't experienced court like the rest of them, (Fallow) it really shows how easy it is to get blinded by the luxury and beauty and forget your original mission.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2023
Strongly voiced. A good conclusion, just a bit rushed.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews