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The Snowmelt River (Three Powers #1)

by Frank P. Ryan (Goodreads Author)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 32 ratings · 11 reviews

Chance has brought together four young people in the small, historic Irish town of Clonmel. Alan is Irish-American, Kate Irish, and the adoptive brother and sister Mark and Mo are Londoners although Mo originally hails from Australia and has an exotic spiritual quality that suggests something strange, almost magical, about her. They discover that they share a terrible secr...more

Paperback, 705 pages

Published August 1st 2012 by Jo Fletcher (first published January 1st 2010)

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Jul 24, 2012 Annabelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received a copy of this from Jo Fletcher books after I requested it. The Snowmelt River is an interesting book that questions the reality of fate and destiny. It stretches the beliefs of the characters, showing them a whole new world, in which they have to question themselves and each other. I loved how the characters grew in this book, it wasn't a tiny invisible change, it was a huge change. It was brilliantly done, the young characters are forced to grow and take on responsibility like never...more I received a copy of this from Jo Fletcher books after I requested it. The Snowmelt River is an interesting book that questions the reality of fate and destiny. It stretches the beliefs of the characters, showing them a whole new world, in which they have to question themselves and each other. I loved how the characters grew in this book, it wasn't a tiny invisible change, it was a huge change. It was brilliantly done, the young characters are forced to grow and take on responsibility like never before. They are the chosen and people expect them to act like it. This was a long book, my copy clocking in at just over 700 pages nevertheless the author kept my attention the whole time. I wanted to continue the journey with these characters, I wanted to see them grow and change. I watched them learn and grow into their roles, it was fantastic.

The Snowmelt River begins in a small village where four orphans are drawn together. Alan and Kate were already friends but Alan's uncle, introduces them to Mark and Mo. His uncle sees the potential in Mo and with his own dark secret he knows the four of them are important. Bonding over the summer, a trip up the mountains changes them all. The great mountain Slievenamon calls them, the call thrills them, its a feeling like no other. Soon they realise something or someone needs their help. With answers from Alan's uncle, the group find themselves going through a portal to the world of Tir. Here war is raging and the four of them are destined to help. They have so many questions but no answers. They are chucked into this new world left to look after themselves. All the while time is ticking, will the gang be able to destroy the enemy and help the good people of Tir before it's too late?

Alan was the eldest of the group and he was the one whose shoulders all the responsibility fell on. He was graced with the first power which had both advantages and disadvantages. He became the leader and the more he travelled into Tir, more people looked up to him for leadership. We see him go through so much change, from a young teen boy to the mature wise mind of an adult. Kate was Alan's love interest and they were best friends. Kate was also graced with a power but it was never truly revealed what it was. Still people regarded her as powerful and she was there for her friends. Now Mark he was an interesting character, he was the one in the beginning who didn't truly believe that they were in a different world. He didn't believe what his eyes were telling him. He was also the bad boy of the group, the one who would push the boundaries and take risks and that effected both him and the others. What he does in the end of this book, made me so emotional. For once he thought about the others before himself no matter what the consequences and it was incredible. Mark was my favourite character and I can't wait to see what happens to him next. Mo was interesting, she was younger then them all but she was by far the wisest. She was wise beyond her years and she was more connected to the new world and her spirit then any of the others. Together they made an interesting group and I can't wait to see what happens next.

The world building in this novel is brilliant! The world was so vividly described. Ryan really does have a way with words, his description flows perfectly. It's some of the best writing I've ever read. I love the world building but even more so was the different races/creatures in the world of Tir. My personal favourite were the Shee, female warriors who had cat spirits, of which they could turn into when they enter the blood rage. They were great companions to the gang and they had a very interesting history. I can't wait to see more of the world in the next book and see what the gang encounter.

The Snowmelt River is a great addition to the Fantasy genre. One that teens can enjoy as well as adults. The world is believable and very interesting. The reader is sucked in from page one. I loved the whole idea of crystals giving the group powers, it was unique. I loved this book, the ending was by far the strongest and I have so many emotions towards the end, I don't now where to begin. We see the group making hard choices to save each other. We see them question fate and destiny. We see their different view points on the matter and how it changes each one of them. I love the whole idea and theme of fate and it was used greatly in this novel. The greatest thing in this book is the choices the group make and the consequences to these actions. It's just like real life, and there are many things the reader can learn from this book. I really enjoyed it and I can't make to get my hands on book two, The Tower Of Bones.

*This isn't the edition I have. I have the new edition published by Jo Fletcher Books, which isn't on goodreads yet.*
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Nov 14, 2012 Thomas Cotterill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, reviewed

The Snowmelt River spans the Earth we know and a strange magical world called Tir. The tale opens in the picturesque Irish countryside (beautifully depicted by the author) where four young people meet and discover they are all orphans. Right away, we feel that, while quite ordinary in outward appearance, these youngsters are somehow special. Fate or some uncanny power has marked them out for a purpose as yet unknown. They have been drawn together to fulfill a great destiny. Soon they are mysteri...more The Snowmelt River spans the Earth we know and a strange magical world called Tir. The tale opens in the picturesque Irish countryside (beautifully depicted by the author) where four young people meet and discover they are all orphans. Right away, we feel that, while quite ordinary in outward appearance, these youngsters are somehow special. Fate or some uncanny power has marked them out for a purpose as yet unknown. They have been drawn together to fulfill a great destiny. Soon they are mysteriously “called” by the nearby mountain, Slievenamon, with its ancient stone cairn and legendary portal to another world.

Ireland blooms as never before. Timeless tombs reveal long kept secrets. Surging magical forces swirl through leafy woods and green fields. The secrets of the portal have a guardian who is none other than the wise old grandfather of one of the youngsters. Armed with his advice and an eldritch sword, the four young adventurers battle evil beings and face death as they traverse the portal to the world of Tir. The story that unfolds in that wild, primitive, and rugged land is crammed with magic, excitement, and danger.

The four companions have taken their mobile phones with them and these, unexpectedly, are far from useless in the new world. A strange grimy being, known only as Granny Dew, magically transforms them into objects of immense power. Each young person has a special gift. But to what purpose? None of them knows why they have been summoned to Tir. None knows the true nature of their powers.

Yet they are immediately swept up in the vicious war that will decide who rules this enchanted land. Vulnerable furry fisherfolk and tall Amazon warriors alike look upon them as “chosen” bearers of ancient symbols and powers. Called upon to fulfill their unknown destinies, the four companions must set aside their childish ways and step forward as young adults. Doing so proves easier for some than for others. Their perilous rite of passage is a baptism of fire.

The people of Tir are not human in appearance, but all too human in every other way. We are shown the best and the worst of human character. Bold courage and willing sacrifice mingle with rank cowardice and blatant lust for power. Loyalty and sweet love vie with foul treachery and hate. The four young companions - still tender and untested - are embroiled in life as it is lived by those who stand to lose everything.

Magical objects and enchanted places abound in The Snowmelt River. A mysterious ship that is alive, giant stone heads that house the souls of long-dead warriors, crystals inscribed with glowing runes, abandoned overgrown fortresses so old their gloomy inner chambers are ankle deep with dust. Each unique thing and every lovingly depicted place add their morsel of delight to this thoroughly entertaining novel. The author has imagined a brooding sorcerous world filled with dark romantic landscapes and shivering cold, and haunted by dense blue-black shadows.

Like all rousing adventure yarns, The Snowmelt River builds to a frantic and desperate conclusion. The final battle goes on for chapters as the good people of Tir make a despairing stand against the overwhelming forces of the monstrous tyrant who has afflicted their lands. In the midst of fire and death, the four young companions live out their various unforeseen destinies.
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Jun 04, 2013 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, signed, own

This is the story of Kate, Mark, Alan and Mo, four orphans who become friends and are called to the world of Tír, which is linked to Earth through a portal.

The character development at the start of this book is superb and I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of Tír and finding out some of its secrets (there are more to come I'm sure). However, the end of the book meshed into one big battle - I think there were actually about three - and I felt these dragged on a little too long.

I should also poi...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I would like to start of by saying I was lucky enough to win an autographed copy of The Snowmelt River from Goodreads. The story starts off slow with four ophrans who range in age living in Ireland and it as follows them into a strange magical world called Tir. The four ophrans battle evil beings and face death as they traverse the portal to the world of Tir. When inside Tir Granny Dew changes each of their cells phones into an object with immense power and they must learn how to use their speci...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Jennifer marked it as to-read

I just received my autographed copy in the mail today. I won it on a give away! Yeah me. Can't wait to start reading it!

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Oct 04, 2012 Patricia Yost rated it 5 of 5 stars

looks and sounds awesome cant wait to read it...

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Oct 04, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

looks and sounds awesome cant wait to read it...

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Nov 16, 2012 Morisca Cristian rated it 5 of 5 stars

A good book to get lost in.
I got this book through Goodreads First Reads.

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May 11, 2013 Hailey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

While the storyline was good, I was honestly kind of confused at quite a few points while reading. Once past those points I did like the book though.

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May 13, 2012 Moonsigh rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, young-adult, fantasy

Con decir que ha sido una pérdida de tiempo leerlo, digo suficiente. Maldita sea. 600 hojazas para nada. estoy indignada y enfadada.

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Nov 23, 2012 Kevinrose rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Snowmelt River is really good. I'm looking forward to The Tower of Bones.

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About Frank P. Ryan

Hi there! Welcome to my creative world!

I write epic fantasy novels, which form part of a series, "The Three Powers". The world rights have recently been taken over by Jo Fletcher at Quercus Books, UK publisher of the year last year. Fortunately the two published books in this series, The Snowmelt River and The Tower of Bones, have gathered glowing reviews from the British Fantasy Society and Starb...more
Hi there! Welcome to my creative world!

I write epic fantasy novels, which form part of a series, "The Three Powers". The world rights have recently been taken over by Jo Fletcher at Quercus Books, UK publisher of the year last year. Fortunately the two published books in this series, The Snowmelt River and The Tower of Bones, have gathered glowing reviews from the British Fantasy Society and Starburst Magazine, which helped to push my fantasy into the top ten bestseller list of epic fantasy novels on amazon.co.uk. I also think that an ad and giveaway campaign here at Goodreads played a key role. American readers can buy my books as kindles at www.amazon.co.uk

It's a great feeling to connect with so many readers. I've written bestsellers before but never in fantasy.

For those who are unfamiliar with my fantasy writing, I understand how frustrating it can be waiting for one book after another in a series to appear, so I have written each book so it features an adventure in itself - but I would strongly suggest that the books are better read in the right order, starting with The Snowmelt River. The characters are introduced as teenagers in The Snowmelt River and they mature to adult in The Tower of Bones. And while each is an adventure in itself, there are core narrative threads running through the series that would be better followed in the right order. I can promise huge adventure and exciting highly original themes. I'm also delighted to hear that the series will be published in the US, starting with The Snowmelt River in November 2013.

I wrote an apocalyptic science fiction novel, The Doomsday Genie, and have also written a thriller trilogy (Goodbye Baby Blue, Sweet Summer and Tiger Tiger) that found a quarter of a million devoted readers in the UK.

I've been lucky enough to have had some great reviews and reader reactions throughout my writing career. My books have taken the covers of The New York Times and The Washington Post Book Reviews, and the lead reviews in the Daily Telegraph and feature coverage in The Sunday Times in the UK. It was a particular honour to have one of my books chosen as a New York Times book of the year.

As an editor and publisher, I've helped other young writers to develop their talents, and written reviews of other authors' books, including several reviews for the New York Times. I've also helped to run national and international fastasy competitions and have a written a free booklet to tell folks how to write their first fantasy short story, which was beautifully illustrated by artist Mark Salwowski. This is downloadable at a click at my website www.frankpryan.com.

In the social sense, I'm a family man, with two children and two grandchildren. I like sport and support my local football team. I used to play the guitar but these days do more listening than playing. I ran an art gallery for nine years and like the company of artists.

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“I think that if Mozart were alive today and decided to become a novelist, he would write humorous fantasy.” — 1 person liked it

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The Snowmelt River (Three Powers #1)

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