Take an epic fantasy like Beowulf and then ruthlessly pound that square shaped peg into a round YA-fantasy hole, and you get this book. On the one hand, I enjoyed the tour of the pantheon from Finland's epic poem The Kalevala. On the other hand, it was painfully a YA book where there is FAR too much tell over show. I'm not sure I wanted to follow any of the characters and never warmed up to the "Hades and Persephone plot. The audiobook narration was also very problematic.

Story: Aina and Siiri are young girls who are very close in their medieval Finnish village. There is a story that girls are disappearing along the countryside but they aren't worried - until the Goddess of Death appears and kidnaps Aina. Thus begins a quest by Siiri to find a way to the underworld and save Aina - while her friend deals with insane goddesses and underworld politics.

We get two POVs - Siiri in her quest to find the shaman Väinämöinen and Aina as she attempts to find the missing God of the underworld, Tuoni. Siiri will have to fight off brutish trappers, a mad Sámi witch, and then convince the hero of the Kalevala, Väinämöinen, to help her reach the underworld, Tuonela. Aina, meanwhile, is one of a small group of young women who are playthings to the goddesses of death, decay, pain, plague, etc. Those witches rule the underworld in a cruel manner while their father, the King, is missing. So Aina has to survive all kinds of cruelty, finding allies where she can.

I ran into two problems with the story. For one, I just could not get into either character, Siiri or Aina. Both were highly inconsistent and a lot more tell than show. Aina's arc was especially problematic. E.g., Siiri goes on and on throughout the book about Ain's fierce loyalty, yet when Aina makes a deal with Tuoni as the only means to save her friends, she's already reneging a few pages later because she has to kiss him (she'll marry him and says she accepts all that that means but then already begins lying and backing out). As well, both characters are extremely rude to their contacts: Siiri is always threatening or jabbing at Väinämöinen while Aina is a perpetually angry and contentious wife to Tuonela. I kind of wanted both to be thrown into the lake and for the men to be done with them.

Another issue is the plot. The Kalevala is a collection of epic poems of the oral tradition sourced in the late 1800s. It was too weird to have both girls become intimately involved with the big heroes of the Kalevala. In many ways, this treatment felt very non-Finnish, with too many anachronisms and non-Finnish ways of communication. E.g., Finns don't use people's names in sentences, so every time a sentence like, "You're so annoying, Siiri" was used, I cringed. It felt very weird and lacking the directness of the Finnish culture that confounds so many other cultures. Don't even get me started about the anti-Christian subplot or the especially problematic depiction of the Sámi (they deserve better, as do so many indigenous peoples).

I listened to the audio version and that was the final nail in the coffin for me. One of the narrators was ok on the pronunciations but the other's was painful. I can't help but wish this had been narrated by native Finns for both POVs (especially since Finland is a country that so roundly speaks English fluently).

So, yes, it was fun seeing something done with the characters from Finnish epic poems from the Kalevala. It just didn't feel like they were Finns (more like something from a Percy Jackson book), and the characters just weren't very likable. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I really enjoyed this Finnish romantasy based on their version of the Hades/Persephone myth. Full of female friendship, romance, shape shifting animal familiars, missing girls, a rescue mission, death armies, witches, prophecies and so much more. It was a perfect winter read that was great on audio narrated by Khaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence and I can't wait to get my hands on what is sure to be a GORGEOUS limited hardcover edition!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy by a new to me author in exchange for my honest review! This is perfect for fans of authors like Genevieve Gornichon or Ava Reid.

This book started off so strong. I was really starting to like the characters and the plot line. However the end felt super rushed. For a book that is meant to be a duology, there was no reason for it to feel so cramped at the end. When it comes to reading the next book, I’m going to wait and read some reviews first then decide if I want to read the second one. I’ve loved Emily’s other books so this was a letdown for me.

This story fell a bit flat for me. There was a decent amount of action/adventure and the plot was good, but the characters didn’t hit the way I hoped. The best parts of this story for me happened between Aina and the side characters after she was taken, and didn’t have anything to do with Siiri. The whole aspect of Tuonela was well done, and had the story ended there, I would have appreciated the plot a bit more. The FMCs didn’t have enough on-page time together to really connect in anyway. I didn’t feel the bond that was so important in the story. I did finish the book, though, but don’t think I’ll be returning for the second book in the duet.

The audio aspect was very good. Both Emily Lawrence and Khaya Fraites brought life to the characters and every emotion was portrayed beautifully. They both kept me engaged in the story when I may otherwise have stopped listening.

This was a great read, and felt like you were immersed in the world she has created. Most books with this many gods and witches etc would feel overcomplicated or like you're getting an info dump, but it didn't feel like this with this book. I was hooked straight away and loved the plot and characters. Wish we saw more of the FF romance but otherwise this book was amazing 😍

This was my fault. I was lured by a pretty cover and the promise of folklore
I should've at the very least looked at the author and the page count. Couldn't get into it, and don't parts were mildly insulting

This book had me at Finnish folklore. And with its rough and wintery setting, I was completely hooked from the start. Let's add Finnish underworld and a quest to become more - and hell yeah, the vibes are vibing.

If you came for 'sapphic romantasy' though, this book might not be for you. Yes there's a bit of sapphic and a bit of romantasy, but not in the way you might expect.

Still, let yourself get immersed in this world and go root for the protagonists (dual POV oh yeah) and it's a perfect read for chilly temperatures outside and a hot tea in your hand.

I loved it a lot and I'm looking forward to book 2.

The audiobook is great as well. Both POVs were narrated in a way that brought the characters and the vast world to life. I can highly recommend listening to this if you're into audiobooks.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and RB Media for the eARC!

#NorthIsTheNight #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review

I thought that I was going to like it a lot more than I did. I did love the story but there were a few issues that I had with it. I felt like too much was going on
- Siiri is traveling to the north to get assistance of a shaman to save Aina from Tuonela and the Death God encountering issues of her own.
- While that is going on Aina is dealing with the Tuonela witches and gods and figuring out the mystery of the disappearing women.
- While that’s going on, the Swedes are invading with their new Christian god and the home village of Aina and Siiri is in danger.

With so much going on, this also created pacing issues where some stuff were dragged out where other things were quickly went over. I felt like this could have been 2 books and that would have allowed for the time for each plot point to have its times to shine.

I was excited for this epic fantasy set in an epic frozen backdrop. Unfortunately, the world is poorly built, there is barely any imagery, so I can't even tell you what the characters or settings look like and the fact that this was marketed as Sapphic/feminists and it's clearly not pisses me off. A bunch of girlpower one-liners does not make something feminist. Both the female leads NEED the help of a man to further their plot and help them along, either from marriage or training/assistance. Also making all the female goddesses villains, and having the indigenous Sami come off as antagonists. Wtf? Did they not someone go through and think about the implications of that?

I'd seen the book mentioned as bi or sapphic and was excited, especially since it was written by someone who is well known for writing extremely spicy books. But this book was sanitized of any real romance between them, there was longing on one side and dedication clearly but that's about it. I love books that highlight the power and importance of female friendship, that could have been enough, but if you are hinting at a lesbian romance either you go for it or remove implications completely

Wow, Emily Wrath is such an amazing author. The way she tells a story is so breathtaking. The Audio was beautiful. It flowed amazing and you really get like you were going in an adventure with the characters. The pacing was great and I really felt like the voices match the characters really well. I tend to only listen to fantasy books as opposed to read them, and this audiobook really kept my attention and made me feel like I was watching the story happen in front of me.

An enchanting story with fairytale elements, perfect for the wintery days.
There's adventure, friendship strong women and an epic quest.

The way the Gods are definded and historical aspects are incorporated makes a great worldbuilding in a well written story.

All in all, a beautiful YA fantasy.

This story was like an onion. On the surface, it is about two friends who are taking separate adventures to find each other. However, it is more than that. It is about self-discovery, hope, and love (in various forms). I enjoyed the narration. Khaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence brought the story to life. I would love to hear this story as a full cast.

This book was incredibly atmospheric, it was dark and twisted and I couldn't put it down.

The narrators were amazing, the writing was beautiful, the characters were incredible. I felt really strongly about them, I LOVED the main characters, was creeped out by the witches but especially by the king, ... It was so well written I could picture everything very vividly in my mind, I feel like I've just watched a movie instead of reading a book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!!

If you’re a fan of Finnish folklore and mythology, North of the Night offers an immersive journey into a world where gods, mortals, and death collide. The audiobook, brought to life through dual narration, skillfully enhances the mythical atmosphere, drawing listeners into the lush and dangerous Finnish wilderness.

At the heart of the story is Siiri, a courageous and determined main character whose loyalty and strength shine. I admired her bravery as she faced gods and death itself to rescue her beloved Aina. The vivid descriptions of Tuonela and the interplay of Finnish folklore added a unique layer to the story, giving it a fresh perspective compared to other fantasy tales.

However, while the premise and setting were compelling, the execution fell short for me. The pacing felt uneven, with moments that dragged and a narrative that was overloaded with too many storylines. The various threads didn’t connect as seamlessly as I hoped, leaving the plot feeling disjointed at times. Additionally, I struggled to feel invested in the romance, which lacked the emotional depth to fully captivate me.

Despite its flaws, North of the Night has its strengths - particularly Siiri’s character and the audiobook’s engaging narration. If you enjoy folklore-inspired fantasy and are looking for a dark and atmospheric listen, this one might be worth exploring.

Thanks Netgalley for this Audiobook arc.

I personally did not enjoy this book at all. The only reason I finished was because it was an audiobook and it just kept going and going and I could get through while doing some choirs.

I was SO BORED, no really, I was just bored out of my mind, nothing was interesting in this book and also, I feel like I have been lied to about the sapphic nature of this book, because... where? Also both women were just soo uninteresting and men dependant.

I wanted to dnf at 60% and I wish I did.

2 stars for still the effort of whiting a story based on Finnish folklore, which was interesting at times.

I did go into this book because it was labelled as sapphic when it really wasn't. however the story more then made up for it. I loved every second of it and the narrators did a phenomenal job on bringing it to life.

The first is an epic Finnish legend based fantasy duology, I am so glad I received an ALC so that I could hear the pronunciations of all the names. The dual narration was fitting for this story as it made it clear which characters POV we were on.

As for the plot, it begins with the kidnapping of Aina and the quest Siiri takes to rescue her from the Finnish Underworld. I liked hearing about the Finnish gods and goddesses but the story was overly long with another book to come. The relationships they built while apart were touching and the main reason I will probably read the sequel when it comes out. I’m hoping Tuoni, the god of death, gets his happy ending.

Thank you RBmedia for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

I’m not one for hockey romances hence my hesitation of reading an Emily Rath book BUT OH MY GOODNESS I am so happy I did.

Two girls who share a bond that is stronger than friendship. A great adventure. An arranged marriage. A beautiful reunion. I truly loved this book. To all of the people claiming that this book isn’t sapphic, I don’t know what you call the relationship between Aina and Siiri then. They are two halves of one soul. Maybe I don’t understand the word but these two characters are together. Yes, Aina loves Tuoni but her whole being calls of Siiri. Being bisexual does not negate the sapphicness of the book.

This was a fantastic read and I’m frothing at the mouth for the next books.

My four star is hinging on the second book being one million times more sapphic.

We follow two women who go on separate journeys where we get to learn a lot of folklore(arguably too much). One is in the underworld where she must learn how to survive (and just go along with it, at least more than I would have). And the other must go on her own journey of self discovery in order to get her back. I significantly enjoyed and was more invested in Siiri's storyline. I think this book could set up a great duology or set up nothing. I enjoyed so much about this and I'm looking forward to checking out South is the Sea.

3.5⭐ (Book)
4.5⭐ (Audiobook)

I’m not sure where to start with this one, but the main thing is: it’s just not marketed right. It’s being sold as a romantasy, but honestly, it’s not. The romance is barely there and super confusing. I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be a sapphic romance between two best friends or an enemies-to-lovers romance between a god and a mortal girl. Either way, it didn’t land for me.

That said, the story itself was interesting, and the lore kept me hooked. If you’re into high fantasy with little to no romance, this could be your thing. But for fans of this author’s usual romance-heavy books, this one might feel a bit off.

The plot follows two best friends on separate quests: one searching for a shaman to help rescue her kidnapped friend, and the other trying to survive a Nordic-inspired underworld. Both storylines had me turning the pages, but I still felt like something was missing.

What I did love was the sneaky theological discussions. The way Christianity was portrayed (especially highlighting its unchanging misogyny) was such a cool touch and gave me a lot to think about.

All in all, it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t blow me away. I don’t think I’ll be picking up the second book in the duet.