Finish Folk-Lore with strong female characters? Yes, please!
Just: WOW!
The underworld, worl-building, the characters, their dynamics! Everything felt so well written and I can't wait for the second book.

Set during the Middle Ages in Finland during an occupation by Sweden and incorporating folklore, this dark tale of two friends and their strength incorporates fascinating world building and strong storytelling.

Loved this tale based on Finnish mythology- so many twists and turns with a satisfying ending! The book included a glossary of important mythology, but it was fun to learn it through the story as well. The story is told from both Siri and Aina’s viewpoints and the author did a good job of developing each characters voice. Great for fans of mythology based fiction that are ready to step into something a bit darker and mature than Percy Jackson. Highly recommended!

I don't think there are many books like NORTH IS THE NIGHT. Much of it takes place in Finland and utilizes some of their mythology. The settings are so vivid. I love when an author is able to capture the strength and beauty of a snowy landscape. The characters were more of a mixed bag. I liked Siiri and Väinämöinen, but had felt Aina was a bit wishy-washy. The "bad guys" could have used a little more depth as well, but they actually aren't the crux of the book.
Lots of action and suspense, but those looking for sapphic love will have to look elsewhere. Though it is fairly romantic.
I will definitely give book #2 a shot!

I can’t tell you how excited I was for this book – Finnish mythology! When do we EVER see Finnish mythology?! But Rath’s blunt, dry, telling-telling-telling prose was a slap to the face. This is written in first-person present-tense, which almost never works for me, and absolutely doesn’t in this case. Instead of letting us get a feel for the characters and their situation, Rath just informs us of how much Siiri and Aina love each other before they’re immediately separated – no effort is made to make us feel it, to show us and convince us of how strong their relationship is. Aina’s kidnapping comes in the very first chapter, before we have any chance to get invested in these characters; on top of that, Rath does The Thing of using zero sensory description in describing her monsters…which leeches the horror from them. Hi, when you describe your monsters very matter of factly? They aren’t scary. It’s a whole thing. I need authors to stop doing it.

There’s no pronounciation guide in the arc, which is a terrible decision on someone’s part, because Finnish does not use the same phonetic alphabet as Finnish and a lot of Finnish words look really strange to an English speaker. (I say that as someone who lived in Finland for years.) Nor is there a dictionary-type thing for the Finnish in this book, so tough luck if you don’t know what a kalman väki is.

Hopefully the final copy will have guides for both, the pronounciation and the Finnish.

Also, it’s petty but I’ll say it: I don’t think it’s smart to name your character Siiri when your book is going out to a US audience. Is anyone not going to keep thinking of Apple’s Siri? Because I did, and it was hugely annoying.

One of my most-anticipated books of the year, and a massive disappointment.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

A rich imagining of love in its many forms, politics and violence among the gods and goddesses of Finnish mythology. Emily Rath weaves a tale of stolen girls, the deep love between two girls and the adventure they will both undertake to be reunited. One will find love and compassion in an unexpected place while the other will brave every obstacle in her path to the underworld to retrieve her friend. Both discover strengths and powers they didn't know they possessed. The excellent storytelling and imagery of THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE with all the action and high adventure of Scandinavian Viking tales. I hope there are many more of these adventures to come! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy

Excellent world building, beautiful Finnish story with excellent writing and characters I found not only relatable, but who I was rooting for. Loved the pagan representation. While not truly a sapphic story, I did love the characters.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

This was a fantastic read, and the second sapphic mythological historical fiction I've read this month, a trend I am glad to see! This story is a tale of love, survival, and power set in a time where Christianity was encroaching through violent means. In many ways, it reminds me of the story of Persephone (which would also link it to the other book I read, These Fatal Flowers, which is also excellent) or Orpheus and Eurydice; a woman is taken to the afterlife, and the person who loves her sets on on a quest to bring her home. It's a heroes journey tale as well, but for both women, not just one, and it is tempered with the knowledge of what it can cost when you are attempting to survive facing powers far greater than yourself. This book had an extremely satisfying resolution, so when I saw there is a second book planned, it felt exciting, not exasperating. All in all, an excellent book and a fantastic story!

Disclaimer: I am not familiar with Finnish mythology, and can not speak to the quality of its depiction in this text.

For sensitive readers, this book contains depictions of violence, torture, death, trauma, captivity, sexual assault, betrayal, religious persecution, misogyny, body horror, pregnancy, and loss of loved ones.

This one is beautifully written and immediately engaging, but I'm afraid it fell victim to a massive marketing error - when I requested and downloaded it, it was being marketed as sapphic. It's not, at least not to the point where it should be part of the marketing. Maybe it will appear in future books? But I was disappointed when the only romantic relationship depicted in this novel was straight.

For those who come into this hoping for something tonally similar to Katherine Arden's "Bear and the Nightingale", there are definitely parallels. I did enjoy this one, even if I felt somewhat misled by the copy that brought me here.

It was so refreshing to read a fantasy book that wasn’t full of spicy bedroom antics. The longing, passion, romance, lust and true love was still dripping from each page though. Aina and Siiri are two friends from a small fishing community whose lives are upended by Kalma the goddess of death and decay who kidnaps Aina and takes her to the Finnish realm of death Tuonela. This book follows Siiri who journey’s take her far North through many perils to find Aina and bring her home. It also follows Aina’s captivity where her kindness is tested against a daily battle to stay alive. Both of them start to understand they have a destiny that will take them far away from the young women they were. Their strength and bond what will bring them back together and help them battle what is to come.
Can’t wait for book two,
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

Having read other titles of Emily Rath's, I knew to expect excellent writing and compelling characters, but I was truly blown away by this book. From the detailed and expertly highlighted Finnish religion to the parallel adventures of Siiri and Aina, this book delivers such a beautiful epic fantasy that had me sprinting through the final chapters to see how it ended. Siiri and Aina's connection across the realms of gods and men made for the most achingly beautiful love story I've read in a long time. Rath has a great talent for knowing exactly how to transition between narrators and when to hold narrative tension or let events run apace, and that skill was fully on display here. This will be an amazing addition to the shelves of fantasy readers everywhere.

4.5 ⭐
First I wanna say I love Emily Rath and her attention and love for her characters.....I have loved her hockey series so far and was so excited to receive a copy of this book.
I love mythology and retellings of any kind, however I did not know much about Finnish folklore going into this and after reading it I want to know more.....I love the journey these characters go through and how much they grow through out the story. I definitely connected with Sirri a little more than Aina but I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
I am very excited to read book 2 just sad about how long I have to wait for it.

This is Dr. Emily Rath fanatasyromance debut, and let me just say..... Lord Have Mercy... I do not want to give much of it away. The main plot is solid, I wasn't left with any questions or trying to figure out who?what?when?where? I am not of many words, but I can say it is preety high up there for readers who enjoy ACOTAR and TOG.

A beautiful story of friendship, love, family, and what we'll do to protect them. Rooted in Finnish folklore, this was a fascinating read. Parallels can be drawn between northern mythology to those around the world, including the fear of the "one god" who pushes his way into the north. I did find this to be a bit slow paced in the beginning, it wasn't until halfway through that it really grab hold and I needed to find how all the pieces came together. Knowing there is going to be a second book, I was shocked that this didn't end on a cliff-hanger, it could easily be a standalone with all the loose ends tied up nicely. With that said, I will absolutely be reading the second book if/when it gets published.

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.

In this sweeping fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik, and H.M. Long, hope and love can conquer even death itself.

I had such a great time learning about the Finnish mythology and getting to live vicariously through Siiri and her hardships. This book is so different than the Hockey Romance books I have read from Emily Rath but it still has the lightness and ease she carries through her writing. I think this book will be a staple for readers in the cold long winter nights.

A Captivating Finnish Tale of Love, Sacrifice, and Bravery

Emily Rath's "North is the Night" is a departure from her previous works, yet her signature passion for storytelling shines through. It's like sitting around a campfire, the warmth of the flames on your face, listening to captivating tales that send shivers down your spine.

The Finnish mythology woven throughout the narrative is both captivating and educational. Rath's love for her heritage is evident as she skillfully introduces readers to the rich tapestry of gods and traditions.

Our brave protagonists, Siiri and Aina, embark on a journey filled with sacrifice, love, and unwavering loyalty. Their separation tugs at your heartstrings, leaving you torn between wanting them reunited and cheering for their individual growth. The sacrifices made by both main and side characters are truly moving, showcasing the depths of love and devotion.

Rath's storytelling prowess shines through, pulling you into a world of magic, adventure, and epic battles. The Finnish lore adds a unique and enchanting layer to the narrative, creating a truly immersive experience.

"North is the Night" is a testament to Rath's talent. It's a story that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with its characters. If you're looking for a captivating tale of love, courage, and the enduring power of the human spirit, this book is a must-read. I can't wait to see where Rath takes us next in "South is the Sea"!
I read this ARC on my #kindle thanks to Netgalley

I am a huge fan of Emily Rath's Pucking Around series. I knew that North Is The Night would be very different from Pucking Around, but I truly did not know what to expect from it. I have tried reading folklore and mythology books before, but they have never really worked for me. I am so happy to say that I really enjoyed this one!

There was a bit of a learning curve for me in following along with the different Gods and tales of Finnish folklore, but once I settled into the story I had so much fun. The bond between Aina and Siiri was so special, but what I enjoyed most was seeing them figure out who they are when they're forced apart, especially Aina. I'm excited for the next book to see how their story continues.

I LOVED the folklore and mythology of this world, and I adore Siiri and Aina. Both POVs are fantastic - the characters are so different but are both using their own unique skills and talents to overcome their situation. It is so refreshing to have not only one, but two female POVs where neither is secretly executing a million plans behind the scenes that just happen to work out OR just along for the ride knowing nothing. I can't wait to tell all my fantasy fan friends to read this.

First off let me start by saying I LOVE Emily Rath! Also, I’m not a fantasy reader. The story is great. The character development is great. It just wasn’t for me. I hate that too because like I said I love her. I tried really hard to like it.