I shouldn't have been surprised that I loved this book - I've loved all of Shannon Hale's books, and the Bayern series (Goose Girl/Enna Burning/River Secrets) certainly doesn't disappoint. If I were to rate the Bayern books in order of my favorites, I'd go with #1: Goose Girl, #2: River Secrets, and #3: Enna Burning. I wasn't sure what I would think of River Secrets, as it's from the perspective of a male character. Shannon Hale definitely impressed me, greatly, with her capture of a female voice. I wasn't sure how it would translate into a male voice. But as far as I'm concerned, it was completely believable and masterfully done. His entire attitude seemed like a boy's... but the reader still gets to enjoy that wonderful inclusion of lyrical/prose-type language constantly throughout the book! Here's a bit of a random sampling: "She was wearing tiny silver bells in her hair. They tinkled when she turned her head, as though laughing at the water sounds rushing beside their feet." "A doubt tickled him, a flea bite in his mind." "He stuck his head under his pillow but could not stifle the jangle of music as it staggered on with punchy energy. His cot began to feel like an enemy holding him captive but refusing him sleep." "Dasha was chatty at first, and Razo tried to follow her conversation, but his thoughts were looping, his muscles twitching for action. By the time they had skirted the chaotic stirrings in the heart, he realized she had been silent for some time."In River Secrets, Razo, who was a minor character in Goose Girl and Enna Burning, takes the stage. He's been included in Bayern's Own, the most prestigious soldier company, guard to the King himself. But he feels like he didn't earn that spot with skills, and is only there because of his close friendship with royalty. When a party of Bayern's Own is to accompany an ambassador to a hostile country, Razo is surprised when he is included. After all, he's widely known as the worst swordsman in the company... what could he possibly have to offer? He and the reader both discover his hidden talents through the course of the story. And, true to Shannon Hale form, there is the minor inclusion of a budding romance... and, of course, a happy ending. I really enjoyed how well Shannon Hale included elements of slinging in this story. Based on acknowledgments in the back of the book, Shannon Hale even consulted a slinging community to make sure her passages read correctly and were without mistakes. Razo is quite good with a sling and stone, and the descriptions are detailed enough even for a sling novice that you feel like you're right there throwing stones along with Razo, feeling the weight and balance of the sling and stone in your own hand. Most of the story is a bit of a mystery, as Razo tries to uncover who is threatening the peace between the two nations. Delicate political situations drive the direction of the plot, without becoming a burden to read, or too heavy. And of course, there's a fair amount of swordplay, fistfights, and action.I don't doubt that any readers of previous Bayern books would love this installment. But for anyone thinking of reading River Secrets without reading Goose Girl and Enna Burning, I'd strongly recommend starting in order. River Secrets builds on major plot happenings that occurred in the first two books. And besides that, each of the three books are such quick and absolutely delightful reads that you won't want to skip them!
Thus far in my Bayern reread, this is definitely the strongest book by far. It benefits both from Hale being a more experienced writer and from building on the groundwork established in the previous two books in the series: the premise is a great deal more politically complicated than either The Goose Girl or Enna Burning, and it benefits the story greatly.The characters also have a lot more nuance, I suspect in part because this is the first book Hale wrote with the idea of nature-speech overwhelming people firmly developed. This is by far one of my favorite concepts in the Books of Bayern, because it makes such a strong counterpoint to characters' powerful abilities and it changes their motivations so thoroughly. Magic in this world is a weight to carry as well as a source of power, and using it has significant costs and consequences, and I love that. I also love the differences between the elements and how they affect people - fire is too eager, air too busy, water so relaxed and malleable that it draws those who speak its language to join it. They're all distinct threats, and all dangerous in different ways.As far as characters in this book go - I'm still apathetic towards Finn; I love Dasha completely; Enna is amazing, wavering between fear of doing the wrong thing and wanting to defend those she cares for. Razo's arc I found very compelling, though some of it did feel more told than shown - in particular, he's picked out for his ability to notice details; as the book is written in third person focused on his POV, seeing those small nuances from his view would have made sense and cemented that bit of characterization. (view spoiler)[(I was also slightly annoyed that he underwent a convenient growth spurt to match his interior growth - it just felt a bit too neat.) (hide spoiler)]
What do You think about River Secrets (2006)?
Great, great book!! I really liked it. I was so glad to see that the next book in the series was about Razo. He's always so funny and a trustworthy friend.Quick overview: Razo is chosen to join an elite mission to escort the ambassador to Tira. Razo can't think of any other reason that he would be chosen except out of pity, which is what most of his fellow soldiers think. In hopes of making peace with Tira they enter into the capital only to find that some Tiran are not so easy to forget their defeat in the war. Burned bodies are showing up. To make sure the Bayern soldiers return home and possibly avoid another war, Razo is going to have to use his talents to figure out who is trying to frame Bayern for the burnings before the assembly votes on whether to start the war again. But time is running out. I know my overview's a little scratchy, but if you've read the other two books it doesn't really matter. You already know how great these books are. I admit that I liked this one better than Enna Burning, but I like all the books. Though Goose Girl is my absolute favorite. The book is a little slow at the beginning, but then begins to pick up pace. It kept me guessing all the way until the end. I loved that Razo finds that although he doesn't have special magic it's his own talents that save the day. A great book!!
—Ash
The story picks up after the war with Tira, as Enna and friends journey to Tira as ambassadors of peace between the countries. This tale centers around Razo, the oft-ignored runt of the King's Own, who cannot fathom why he was invited to take part in the entourage. Upon entering the kingdom, the party begins to find burned bodies, specifically placed within their proximity to rouse rebellion in the beaten country and throw suspicions on Enna, the fire-witch. Razo must use all of his latent, undiscovered talents and growing friendships among the town's citizens to discover the truth behind the burned bodies, the growing interest of the ambassador's daughter, and the clumsy attempts on the Bayern ambassador's life.It was fun to read about Razo's development and growing attraction for another gifted girl, but I had a hard time understanding the motivations of the other familiar characters. Read the full review: http://www.amandasamusements.com/2011...
—Amanda Caswell
In this third book of Bayern, Razo, one of our earlier characters, comes into center stage as he stars in his own book. This book is placed in between the other 3 girl-starred books but I think boys will enjoy it all the same. I really enjoyed Razo’s intriguing point of view and this story shows that even if you don’t have special powers like Princess Anidora-Kiladra-Tilianna-Isilee(Ani or Isi and was the star of the first book), Enna(who was the star of the second book), or Dasha(Razo’s girl and is a new character introduced in River Secrets) you can do great things. This spell-binding tale also confirms one of the forgotten languages. You probably can guess what it is by reading the title but still, if I were you, I would read this spectacular book for the sensation of Shannon Hale’s words intoxicating your mind with images of Dasha’s hair, as orange as an open flames ends or the power of fighting fire with fire. The one reason I enjoy Hale’s books is because her words float into my mind and take their places, all the while creating a beautiful and perfect illustration that are so great that I see them instead of the black words on the plain, white page. I am almost positive that her words will intertwine into your imagination and create the same experience for you!
—Olivia
