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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
*Audiobook* Genuinely intriguing and enjoyable book! Hades/Persephone retelling, but with Nordic/Finnish mythology/folklore, very interesting! It was a just a tad bit hard for me to get into at first, but I think that was because there was just a lot of background missing and so much mystery surrounding what was going on. But the action is kinda what locks you in. It doesn't really let up. And then when Death makes his entrance, shit just gets fired up even more. Really enjoyed the way Hanna and Death come to their relationship, despite it being forced upon them, technically. Love the fact that Death is obsessed with her and Hanna can't resist him at all. The spice was excellent, really freaking hot between those two. Love the fact that she lets herself be totally undone by Death and that he revels in it. And the mouth on Death?!? GTFOH! Filthy, and I loved it! And since I was listening to the audiobook, I needed to go back and highlight, so I went and got the ebook too, bc some of those lines of his were just that good to me.
The overall plot seems to be two-fold, maybe even three-fold? It would seem the most obvious is But it seems the main plot line is It's all shaping up for an interesting series. The ending had me screaming, "WTF are you thinking?!?!" and I immediately went and started the audiobook for the second book!
Definitely recommend and the audiobook is also one I'd recommend. The narrator Jo Raylan did a great job with the different accents and voices of the characters. I love when women VAs can make the male characters sound sexy as hell and Jo did a great job of that. Book 2 is dual POV/narration so I'm eager to listen to how that goes! Enjoy!
The overall plot seems to be two-fold, maybe even three-fold? It would seem the most obvious is
Spoiler
to get Hanna's father back, however the further you get into it, the more you realize that's not really the main plot point, which is good, because I was wondering where the heck the story was gonna go when he gets let go kinda easily.Spoiler
about Death and this prophecy that is kind of guiding all of his actions at the present moment. But then we also get little hints of this other plot line regarding Hanna and her possibly not being fully mortal. And then that other plot line of Louhi and the uprising...Definitely recommend and the audiobook is also one I'd recommend. The narrator Jo Raylan did a great job with the different accents and voices of the characters. I love when women VAs can make the male characters sound sexy as hell and Jo did a great job of that. Book 2 is dual POV/narration so I'm eager to listen to how that goes! Enjoy!
3.5 ⭐️.
I think this book started so strong! The mythology that played a huge part in the beginning got me so excited because it felt like this was going to be pretty unique.
Sadly, I think this fell flat for me. And there are *issues*.
I’m glad I listened to it rather than read it because I’m not sure I would’ve finished it.
Saying that though, the story has me entertained enough that I will continue reading this series.
I think this book started so strong! The mythology that played a huge part in the beginning got me so excited because it felt like this was going to be pretty unique.
Sadly, I think this fell flat for me. And there are *issues*.
I’m glad I listened to it rather than read it because I’m not sure I would’ve finished it.
Saying that though, the story has me entertained enough that I will continue reading this series.
I went into this book blind and not really knowing anything other than it was going to be a steamy fantasy romance. And it delivered.
World building ✅ Intriguing plot ✅ Fast paced ✅
I don’t want to give a synopsis but I will say this is a book rooted in Finnish mythology featuring a death god (who has a man bun) and a human girl. The books follows a basic quest/journey plot line, which I love. My favorite part of this book was the world building. The vibes are EVERYTHING (see below)! I have also never read anything about Finnish mythology so I really enjoyed that aspect.
The only reason this is not a 5 star read is because the romance did not develop and it was lacking some character depth/development. However, this is a series so I am expecting to find this in the second book. (And yes it does end on a cliff hanger).
I would say this is kind of a dark romance and is definitely spicy
World building ✅ Intriguing plot ✅ Fast paced ✅
I don’t want to give a synopsis but I will say this is a book rooted in Finnish mythology featuring a death god (who has a man bun) and a human girl. The books follows a basic quest/journey plot line, which I love. My favorite part of this book was the world building. The vibes are EVERYTHING (see below)! I have also never read anything about Finnish mythology so I really enjoyed that aspect.
The only reason this is not a 5 star read is because the romance did not develop and it was lacking some character depth/development. However, this is a series so I am expecting to find this in the second book. (And yes it does end on a cliff hanger).
I would say this is kind of a dark romance and is definitely spicy
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spice was so bland it dropped the book down from 4 stars. I actually enjoyed the slow first half a lot 😩
I just binge-read River of Shadows by Karina Halle and I was blown away by the world building. River of Shadows is a dark fantasy romance that merges Finnish mythology with beauty and the beast. This was my first encounter with Finnish mythology and I’m shocked that I haven’t heard of any of these characters or premises before. It reminds me of a macabre version of Greek mythology. I will definitely be looking more into Finnish mythology now and I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel to this book. Without giving away too many spoilers, this book is perfect for anyone who loves mythology, enemies to lovers, dark daddy vibes, strong female characters, spicy scenes, gothic vibes and edge of your seat cliffhangers.
3.5/5 ⭐️s
I wish we’d gotten more time with Hanna and Tuoni in this one, but the world building and setting up of key characters was great! I read in one sitting and am eager for book two!
Spice: 3/5
I wish we’d gotten more time with Hanna and Tuoni in this one, but the world building and setting up of key characters was great! I read in one sitting and am eager for book two!
Spice: 3/5
5/5. Okay yes I loved this. If you like the plated prisoner series or FBAA you’ll like this. I loved how everything in this world was dark and low key grotesque and how it tied in Finnish folklore. More brothers Grimm than fairytale. While the plot waned a bit towards the end the possibilities of what could come kept me fully enthralled. Can’t wait to read the second.
Ps. I listened to this one and I’m glad that I did because the narrators voice is great but mostly because even with the pronunciation guides I would have messed up all those names.
Ps. I listened to this one and I’m glad that I did because the narrators voice is great but mostly because even with the pronunciation guides I would have messed up all those names.
This book was interesting and fast paced, hopping from plot point to plot point and feeding me Finnish mythology which I couldn’t help but dive into. Hanna has a lot of potential to be an interesting fmc as the series progresses, even if I did find her a little dumb (and a lot gullible) throughout the book; there’s enough there to keep me from writing her off. Death is a solid stereotypical mmc and I really hope that we see more facets of his personality in this next book, something to create some depth aside from minor sass and some possessive tendencies. Honestly, the most interesting parts of this book were the little details scattered throughout, like Death’s distant son, the sweet but brief interaction with the God of the Forest’s daughter, and the sleeping mushrooms. I need more of that and less of the world-shattering-but-not-story-progressing sex scenes.
DNF. I was bamboozeled by the cover.
The world building and mythos is very interesting but the dialogue…oofta.
The world building and mythos is very interesting but the dialogue…oofta.
