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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great books for an immersive retelling of Finnish mythology. It's comfortable because there are similar ties to well known Greek gods but exciting because there are new twists and unique qualities to this lore.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series is so incredibly unique. I've read several books at this point about variations of gods of death/traveling to the Underworld and this one stands out so far toward the top!
You will encounter a gorgeously rich history of tales and gods that you've likely never heard of, I know I hadn't before this book and it will make you that much more enraptured by the storyline.
Hanna is written as a brilliantly brave and strong character who has no qualms about facing off against the God of Death if it means getting her father back. She will fight to the ends of the Earth for him in the most literal sense and ends up making a deal with death that is much more than meets the eye which you'll want to read to find more about.
The entire realm of Tuonela is written out with top-tier world-building and you can picture it and the creatures that reside there as if you are right alongside Hanna and Tuoni (the God of Death).
I highly recommend it across the board.
You will encounter a gorgeously rich history of tales and gods that you've likely never heard of, I know I hadn't before this book and it will make you that much more enraptured by the storyline.
Hanna is written as a brilliantly brave and strong character who has no qualms about facing off against the God of Death if it means getting her father back. She will fight to the ends of the Earth for him in the most literal sense and ends up making a deal with death that is much more than meets the eye which you'll want to read to find more about.
The entire realm of Tuonela is written out with top-tier world-building and you can picture it and the creatures that reside there as if you are right alongside Hanna and Tuoni (the God of Death).
I highly recommend it across the board.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
0 stars - dnf ~60% because everything about this book is annoying
River of Shadows feels like a discount version of [b:Land of the Beautiful Dead|27228341|Land of the Beautiful Dead|R. Lee Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1446254788l/27228341._SY75_.jpg|47272939]. Despite both being 'dark' fantasy romance novels, this one just didn't quite hit the mark. It was riddled with unforgivable plot holes and bizarre character interactions, making it not only wildly unbelievable but dare I say boring and poorly executed. I appreciate the author's attempt at tackling different/new subject matter and bringing mythology into the literature that we're not necessarily used to. However, the issues I had with the book far outweighed my excitement for learning new lore.
A few issues I had: (spoilers hidden)
1. None of the characters were THAT likeable. The only interesting ones were random side characters that came in for about 1-2 pages and then dipped again. Because of this, I just didn't really care what happened to any of the characters or storyline in general, making it a slog to get through.
2. The blurb tries to rationalise why the h would want to sacrifice everything for her father, but the dynamics between them just don't really feel that close and so it's hard for the reader to just willingly accept that she'd do whatever was required to save him.
3. Hanna's priorities were wack.
4. Hanna not believing anything even when it's right in front of her is just annoying and boring.
5. The 'twists' were easily predictable. You could easily work out who was going to betray who because the 'hints' were as subtle as a slap in the face.
6.
7. The characters love to talk. A LOT.
8. I got secondhand embarrassment from this book.
I hate that I paid actual money for this book.
River of Shadows feels like a discount version of [b:Land of the Beautiful Dead|27228341|Land of the Beautiful Dead|R. Lee Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1446254788l/27228341._SY75_.jpg|47272939]. Despite both being 'dark' fantasy romance novels, this one just didn't quite hit the mark. It was riddled with unforgivable plot holes and bizarre character interactions, making it not only wildly unbelievable but dare I say boring and poorly executed. I appreciate the author's attempt at tackling different/new subject matter and bringing mythology into the literature that we're not necessarily used to. However, the issues I had with the book far outweighed my excitement for learning new lore.
A few issues I had: (spoilers hidden)
1. None of the characters were THAT likeable. The only interesting ones were random side characters that came in for about 1-2 pages and then dipped again.
Spoiler
The h was hard to relate to and H was just plain weird. The fact that Death's first line included a sexual innuendo was just ridiculous. It doesn't really fit with big bad scary picture the author was trying to otherwise paint. Even the h's dad wasn't that good - the author tries to make it seem like the h should have put more effort in to see him, but the dad was a deadbeat and never tried to go see his daughter either?? Way to shift blame my man.2. The blurb tries to rationalise why the h would want to sacrifice everything for her father, but the dynamics between them just don't really feel that close and so it's hard for the reader to just willingly accept that she'd do whatever was required to save him.
Spoiler
I'm all for second-chances, but trading yourself for your father's place in the Realm of the Dead doesn't really give you that? The h didn't even plan an escape or anything, she just wanted to swap and see how she went lol. I feel like the author should have gone a different angle with it and just gone along the lines of 'the h life was dull and she wanted a change'. That'd be more believable. Also: I know I just said that she never planned an escape (she didn't), but before her father was even freed she was already rebelling and trying to get Death angry - TO WHAT END???? The only thing that this would have achieved is him punishing her +/- not letting herself or her father leave, so then what would you have done? STUPID.3. Hanna's priorities were wack.
Spoiler
She nearly gets killed by two shaman and yet when she wakes up that's her fifth question??? AND IT DOESN'T EVEN GET ADEQUATELY ANSWERED. Instead, she just wants to know where her father is (maybe make sure you're safe first girl). I wanted to know more about why they lured her to Finland, why they tried to kill her (and why they didn't succeed if they were so powerful lol) and why they were trying to 'sacrifice her too'. Sorry but just saying she was a sacrifice and not saying what the point of it was is just not enough.4. Hanna not believing anything even when it's right in front of her is just annoying and boring.
Spoiler
Yes, this is the stuff of nightmares and totally scary and unbelievable. HOWEVER, when you're literally in a mist world at the end of the universe you'd think things would start to feel a bit more real.5. The 'twists' were easily predictable. You could easily work out who was going to betray who because the 'hints' were as subtle as a slap in the face.
6.
Spoiler
I refuse to believe that the first time a girl rocks up in the Realm of the Dead that Death gets wet thinking it's some prophecy come to fruition. He doesn't even think to consider other possibilities explaining her presence exist. It just seemed like a convenient plot device by the author to not have to explain his weird reaction to seeing her.7. The characters love to talk. A LOT.
Spoiler
When you think of the Realm of the Dead, you picture mysterious, deadly, sneaky and dominating characters that you have to be careful around. There's an element of fear that it evokes and you don't want to piss anyone off because you don't want to end up dead there. In River of Shadows Death & his daughter over-share every little detail of the world, the prophecies, their thoughts...it's really weird. They're sporadic and definitely don't make me fear them or their 'powers' in the slightest. Honestly, they give off a YA/teen talk vibe.8. I got secondhand embarrassment from this book.
Spoiler
A side character getting a blowjob from a mermaid right next to the h because "THEY LOVE DOING IT SO MUCH" is fucking weird. What did this add to the story @author???? I feel like we're reading the author's weird fantasies at this point.I hate that I paid actual money for this book.
Loved it!
This is based off Finnish mythology which is so interesting! There is something for everyone in this book…suspense, spice, enemies to lovers and adventure. I’m looking forward to the next book!
This is based off Finnish mythology which is so interesting! There is something for everyone in this book…suspense, spice, enemies to lovers and adventure. I’m looking forward to the next book!
4.5 stars - in my romantasy girl eraaa
this was SO good, i literally devoured it in a few hours. it's a beauty and the beast type retelling with nordic mythology. hanna finds out her father is being held by the god of death so she rescues him and trades his life for hers with death ultimately deciding he wants her as his queen.
the mythology was a little hard to get into at first but like with most fantasy, my brain just lalalas through the world building parts and the rest was pretty accessible and easy to understand.
death has no right to be so hot. think jason mamoa if his hands were deadly and he touched anyone who threatened you. yeaaaaa. also his mood controls the weather and it makes for SUCH a good addition to the story.
this was SO good, i literally devoured it in a few hours. it's a beauty and the beast type retelling with nordic mythology. hanna finds out her father is being held by the god of death so she rescues him and trades his life for hers with death ultimately deciding he wants her as his queen.
the mythology was a little hard to get into at first but like with most fantasy, my brain just lalalas through the world building parts and the rest was pretty accessible and easy to understand.
death has no right to be so hot. think jason mamoa if his hands were deadly and he touched anyone who threatened you. yeaaaaa. also his mood controls the weather and it makes for SUCH a good addition to the story.