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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I have thought about this book so often since I read it!
4.5 ✨ this is GOOOD. I wish there was a biiit more folklore but I’m loving this series and cannot wait to see where it goes
I think this was a really promising start to a series. As someone who doesn’t read a lot of Fantasy it was a little heavy on the mythology in the beginning but I did find it really interesting.
I had virtually no clue what this book was about going in and I wasn’t sure when the love interest would pop up and when he did I was sooo excited
I had virtually no clue what this book was about going in and I wasn’t sure when the love interest would pop up and when he did I was sooo excited
This… was not it for me.
The plot? Nowhere to be found. The main character? Nothing about this book would change if she were a cardboard cutout of a person. The romance? This doesn’t even qualify as a romance in my eyes.
And the character of Death has been written before in recent years (Belladonna, Masters of Death) and this one was… easily the worst and the most boring.
I had a terrible time reading this, but at least it was short.
The plot? Nowhere to be found. The main character? Nothing about this book would change if she were a cardboard cutout of a person. The romance? This doesn’t even qualify as a romance in my eyes.
And the character of Death has been written before in recent years (Belladonna, Masters of Death) and this one was… easily the worst and the most boring.
I had a terrible time reading this, but at least it was short.
I should've given this a one-star honestly. There were multiple times in the first 200 pages that I almost put it down, before remembering that if I just powered through it, I could get another book closer to my yearly goal. The only reason I'm bumping it up to two stars is that I like some of the tropes, some of the characters grew on me, and it was interesting to learn about pieces of mythology. But the abrupt ending was stupid, the beginning was stupid...Listen, I love A Touch of Darkness. It's a bit corny and silly, sure. It's not the height of literature or anything. But River of Shadows feels like a pale imitation of that, like a version you'd find on Wish. If you like the tropes in this book and mythology, read that instead. It's WAY better.
As someone who enjoys these types of books- really all they do is fuck and hate each other. And sometimes, that is not enough.
No.
Just, no.
This had SO much potential at the beginning. Everything was gorgeous and new and fantastically fascinating as this novel blended two cultures together in a way I was enamored to see first hand. The setting was mysterious, the plot was thus far compelling, the descriptions and the world building comparative to The Golden Compass or Narnia! This was going SO. WELL.
And then we set off on our journey into the land of the dead and my love and affection quickly wanes and dies.
There is not one part in this book the FL makes a single gosh darned decision for herself.
Father needs rescuing from the underworld? Suspiciously friendly red headed apprentice literally takes her there before she can decide it for herself.
Winning her father back from the underworld? Nope, she was “sold” bc apparently that was the plan all along but the FL is just so chill with it bc *shrugs* the “goals aligned” or something.
Just, no.
This had SO much potential at the beginning. Everything was gorgeous and new and fantastically fascinating as this novel blended two cultures together in a way I was enamored to see first hand. The setting was mysterious, the plot was thus far compelling, the descriptions and the world building comparative to The Golden Compass or Narnia! This was going SO. WELL.
And then we set off on our journey into the land of the dead and my love and affection quickly wanes and dies.
There is not one part in this book the FL makes a single gosh darned decision for herself.
Father needs rescuing from the underworld? Suspiciously friendly red headed apprentice literally takes her there before she can decide it for herself.
Winning her father back from the underworld? Nope, she was “sold” bc apparently that was the plan all along but the FL is just so chill with it bc *shrugs* the “goals aligned” or something.
Full disclosure: Karina Halle is my #rideordie author. I will literally read/buy anything she puts out.
As expected, I absolutely loved her first dip into #darkfantasy #romance. RIVER OF SHADOWS has some great world building (which honestly, can make or break fantasy) and it was so interesting to read about Finnish mythology.
Hanna is a totally #kickassheroine who seems to be more than meets the eye...making even the God of Death intrigued by her. Plus, this one is
As expected, I absolutely loved her first dip into #darkfantasy #romance. RIVER OF SHADOWS has some great world building (which honestly, can make or break fantasy) and it was so interesting to read about Finnish mythology.
Hanna is a totally #kickassheroine who seems to be more than meets the eye...making even the God of Death intrigued by her. Plus, this one is
"You can call me Death. And I will call you mine."
RIVER OF SHADOWS is a brilliant and lush dark fantasy romance that draws inspiration from Finnish mythology and the story of Death and the Maiden. I'm a huge lover of mythology—especially stories about the God of Death—and I really adored the version of the underworld of Tuonela Halle has created. It is populated with terrifying and beautiful creatures, filled with majestic architecture and foreboding skylines. The weather is controlled by Death's moods? It makes for days of swirling mist, harsh snow, and rare, precious sunlight. This book was my first foray into Finnish mythology and I loved it!
Hanna is a really intriguing protagonist. Despite her insistence on being a "basic bitch" in her Upper World, she is complex and full of true, raw emotion. Death, Tuoni, is a force to be reckoned with, bedecked in intricate dark clothing and terrifying skulls. The supporting cast is lively and oftentimes very funny! Halle has a way of weaving humor, heat, and emotion in her novels that I find so satisfying. I can't wait for book 2!
Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an ARC.
RIVER OF SHADOWS is a brilliant and lush dark fantasy romance that draws inspiration from Finnish mythology and the story of Death and the Maiden. I'm a huge lover of mythology—especially stories about the God of Death—and I really adored the version of the underworld of Tuonela Halle has created. It is populated with terrifying and beautiful creatures, filled with majestic architecture and foreboding skylines. The weather is controlled by Death's moods? It makes for days of swirling mist, harsh snow, and rare, precious sunlight. This book was my first foray into Finnish mythology and I loved it!
Hanna is a really intriguing protagonist. Despite her insistence on being a "basic bitch" in her Upper World, she is complex and full of true, raw emotion. Death, Tuoni, is a force to be reckoned with, bedecked in intricate dark clothing and terrifying skulls. The supporting cast is lively and oftentimes very funny! Halle has a way of weaving humor, heat, and emotion in her novels that I find so satisfying. I can't wait for book 2!
Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an ARC.
