Emily Rath
Erewhon Books
16 January 2025
592
eBook - PDF
Historical Fantasy
ARC via NetGalley
In the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark forests. For Siiri and Aina, summer’s fading light is a harbinger of unwelcome change. Land-hungry Swedes venture north, threatening the peace; a zealous Christian priest denounces the old ways; and young women have begun to disappear.
Siiri vows to protect Aina from danger. But even Siiri cannot stop a death goddess from dragging her friend to Tuonela, the mythical underworld. Determined to save Aina, Siiri braves a dangerous journey north to seek the greatest shaman of legend, the only person to venture to the realm of death and return alive.
In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina’s every waking moment into a living nightmare. But armed with compassion and cleverness, Aina learns the truth of her capture: the king of the underworld himself has plans for her. To return home, Aina must bargain her heart—as Siiri plots a daring rescue of the woman she loves the most.
In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina's every waking moment into a living nightmare. But armed with compassion and cleverness, Aina learns the truth of her the king of the underworld himself has plans for her. To return home, Aina must make a costly bargain—even as Siiri plots a daring rescue.
What I enjoyed most about North is the Night was the author's clever use of the characters and stories from the Kalevala, which she wove into an intriguing new fantasy tale. Both the dual POV and the pacing worked well throughout and the story held my interest from start to finish. The antagonists felt a little caricature-like at times, but for the most part I was happy to believe in the stakes and get behind the two heroines. The sapphic elements to this tale are more low-key, so don't expect too much on the LGBT romance front. However, I enjoyed the interplay between the girls' relationship and that of the key male figures they encounter throughout the tale. Overall, it was an entertaining read and I would certainly be happy to read the next volume to see how the story concludes. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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