I listened to the audiobook version of this story. This was an ok book in my opinion. Definitely not what I expected. I was expecting a really cool epic fantasy with queer characters who fall in love. That's definitely not what this book is. It is definitely beautifully written. Emily has a way with words that makes you almost feel like you are part of the story. I just didn't connect with the characters. The narration by Emily Lawrence and Khaya Fraites was very well done. They brought the characters to life really well.

The narrators did a fabulous job bringing the story to life. This book is awesome! It's definitely one of my best reads of the year. It scratched an itch that I didn't even know that I had. The world building is fantastic and the characters are amazing. I'm so glad this is part of a duet because I'm not ready to let this world go quite yet. The plot is wonderful and made the story very enjoyable. This is a great fantasy book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia foe allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and alc — i will share a note that the formatting of the arc was not great and took away from my reading experience.

this was not the best but also not the worst book i’ve read in 2024. i did read that it was mistakenly marketed as sapphic when it truly was not, and that did disappoint me as reading siiri’s pov you can tell that aina is more than a friend to her.

i did enjoy the different insight to finnish folklore and mythology, and the dual narration though!

✨✨✨ NetGalley ALC Review✨✨✨

Tropes:
Romantasy
Based on Finnish folklore

This book wasn’t for me. I love the author and I looked forward to this book but it just drug for me. I had to take breaks in between and read different books because I was almost bored to tears.

3⭐️
1🌶️

🎧 Narrators:
Khaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence

North is the Night
by Emily Rath
Narrated by Khaya Fraites, Emily Lawrence
Book 1 of Tuonela Duet

Absolutely Recommend!

If you're a fan of dark, atmospheric tales steeped in folklore, North is the Night by Emily Rath is a must-listen. Drawing inspiration from Finnish mythology, the story masterfully weaves a narrative of mortals clashing with gods in a tumultuous world. Siri and Aina’s bond, tested by an evil god, is at the heart of this haunting tale, and Siri’s quest to save her friend unfolds against a backdrop of mythical creatures, breathtaking vistas, and sinister characters. I will let you discover the true beauty of this book--but expect a well-written fantasy that is easy to devour.

The audiobook narration is stellar, bringing the story to life with captivating depth. The richly descriptive prose, reminiscent of Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, is a highlight, and fans of deeply immersive, folklore-driven storytelling will feel right at home. While the narration overall was excellent, one character—the almighty witch—felt slightly off. Her voice came across as petulant, which didn’t quite match the gravitas I expected for such a powerful figure. However, this minor issue didn’t detract from the overall experience; it was just a matter of personal preference.

Listening to this book in the winter months felt like the perfect choice. Its dark and cozy atmosphere, combined with its richly layered worldbuilding, created a story ideal for curling up with on a chilly night. The combination of lyrical prose, mythological depth, and compelling characters makes North is the Night a standout audiobook. Highly recommended for those who love darkly magical tales and long to be transported to a world of gods and mortals in unrest.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and RB Media|Recorded Books

#NorthistheNight #NetGalley

I was so eager for this book since I first heard of it coming out. This was a lengthy audiobook told in dual POV. The two narrators did a great job! It was a bit slow in the beginning until the story got going, but once it was going it never stopped. I was surprised how quickly the 18 hours went by. I was emotionally invested in more than just our two main characters. I even found myself crying! There is so much left for our characters to do and I will be anxiously waiting for the next chapter.

I feel like this book took a piece of my soul with it when I closed the back cover. The folklore in this book is so beautiful. I know absolutely nothing about Finnish Folklore, and now I need to do my own research and learn more about it. I am so interested in learning more about it because this book was so gripping. The ending had me sobbing. It was so heartbreaking and selfless and so wholly beautiful. Siiri and Aina's unbending, unwavering love for one another was such a beautiful sight to see. It is such a beautiful and haunting love story. But this book is SO MUCH MORE than a romance.

I loved the narrators and the Finnish mythology/folklore elements of this book. However, the rest of this story did not work for me. The death God was a huge red flag, but the author wants you to believe he is the good side of death compared to the death witches. They were all horrible. The rest of the story moved slow and dragged in places. I think it could have been a more powerful story if it were shorter.

This Finnish Mythology/Fantasy Duology is about two women, determined to return to each other - defying gods and mortals (living and dead) and encountering magical creatures along the way.

As someone who is proud of her Finnish heritage, I simply had to give this book a chance. Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media, I was able to listen to the audiobook. I immensely enjoyed all the Nordic references - the Northern Wintry scene, the Finnish foods, the names, and even the MISPRONOUNCED "Sauna" (say it with me - SOWNA... now SAWNA).

Overall, I enjoyed the journey this story took me on. At times, I wasn't certain where the story would go and there were many characters (some with multiple names/references) so I almost wanted a chart. I think a re-read/listen would be great now that I made it once through to catch more of the folklore and character depth.

If you liked North Queen by Nicola Tyche or A Fate Inked in Blood, I think you'll like this one too.

Rounding up to 4/5

Thank you Netgalley and rb media for the alc.
My opinions are being left voluntarily. This was a good fantasy book, first by the author. I think there could have a bit more world building. I liked that it was easy to follow and the narrators did a phenomenal job.

I will check out book 2 in the duology when released.

Suggest giving it a try

4.5/5☆

This is a DNF for me for now at 52%. It's adult fantasy, inspired by Finnish folklore. However, the first person POV reads like YA for both Siiri and Aina's perspectives and it feels like a coming-of-age story rather than an adult fantasy epic. This isn't a bad thing, it just isn't the thing I'm interested in spending 18 hours listening to. If you like lucky girls against the patriarchy and taking on gods, this will really appeal to you. It might appeal to me again in the future, but for now feels too long and not what I need.

This was unlike the other Emily Rath I've read and i loved it in comparison. Very engaging magical story. Great narrators on the audiobook. Such vivid story telling and a great balance of action and drama with a sprinkle of romance. Thank you!

Aina and Siiri are two young women facing the norms of growing up and approaching adulthood. What life path will they take? Aina is ready to find a husband and to be a wife and mother, while Siiri wants to be a hunter. As the Swedes begin to invade Finland, these two women are forced to either submit to the new Christian faith that the Swedes bring or stay true to the gods of their people. While attempting to escape the Swedes, the girls are split up and thrust into the worlds of their gods, but vow to never stop trying to find and save the other.

I very much enjoyed what I am hoping are traditional folklore from Finland. The characters were interesting and their development was pretty well done. The story twisted and turned, and while it wove the bigger picture I was able to sit back and enjoy.

The two narrators did a great job and it was so helpful
To have two different voices to separate the two FMC’s stories. Their tone and pacing was spot on.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ARC!

4.25/5

This book was a slow journey at times, but the ending was so good! I'm not sure where the sequel will take the story, things were wrapped well in this first installment. I was hesitant about this book, I was unfamiliar with the author and the book is quite long. In the first couple of parts, Siiri's point of view chapters had more action while Aina's was slower, I think it provided a good amount of balance, especially when it swapped and Aina's chapters got more interesting. It all culminated in the final part, which I found very strong.

Khaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence did a fantastic job narrating this book.

This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the setting and the Finnish mythology. The pacing of the first half of the book was very slow. The second half definitely picked up more and was more entertaining. I also had a difficult time with the relationships. I was looking forward to a sapphic love story but it fell very flat in that department. The second book might explore that more but it really was not what I was hoping for.

I enjoyed the narration by Chaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Rath weaves a magical tale with this one. The story kept me intrigued in a way that I just couldn't stop listening. Aina and Siiri are both strong female characters, and I love the dedication they have to one another. The dual narration was absolutely mandatory with this one as way to distinguish between the two POVs. The narrator's inflections for the different characters (especially the witches) helped me to better visualize which character was speaking. I gave the story 4-stars only because the last quarter of the book felt very redundant, and the characters got a little whiny for me. Overall though, amazing story and I'll definitely be buying the next installment

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!

This was a good one! I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time putting this one down. I really enjoyed the writing style and the characters chemistry was great. This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last!

North is the Night

Loved the folklore inspiration and found myself pausing and reading some original Finnish stories for context. Siiri and Aina are friends who find themselves in a dangerous situation in the dark forest. Siiri can’t save her friend from the witch queen and Aina wakes up alone in a room in Tuonela, the underworld.

Siiri is looked at as she’s crazed for her story of events and finds herself needing to seek for answers on her own to save Aina and to do so, she must uncover secrets of the ancient Gods who many believe exist no more. Aina is trying to stay alive without selling her soul to the king of the underworld while Siiri tries to make her way to her.


The fantasy and world building here was fun for me. I enjoyed the religious component and the Christian invaders of their native religion and belief in Gods / Goddesses and getting to know more about Finnish mythology / folklore. Also loved the role animals played and their interactions with humans with the raven and the bear.

Also Hades / Persephone is my favorite “love” story and I felt a lot of connects there and to the Norse mythology with Loki. Overall, such a fun time for me !


Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC in exchange for an honest review! Out 12/17!

This was an interesting book that drew me in right away. You follow two main female characters and a Finnish lore that involves a bear, evil witches, and ancient gods. It’s hard to explain the true plot, but there is lots of action.

I should not that there are triggers in here I wish were warned about. Please see below:

- physical Abuse from a parent
- Chapters 14 and 16- attempted r@pe
- Toxic religion
- Dark themes

All the traditional Finish names became confusing. While I listened to the audiobook so I knew what they sounded like, they all sounded the same and I found myself confusing the characters. I think having the actual book would be better. You may have to make up the pronunciation, but at least you can keep them straight.

I honestly really enjoyed the story. I was pulled in and wanted to know more. Just be prepared for many characters and two different main plots. Still, this was all so different than anything I’ve read, I loved it.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. I need the next novel now.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Ooops she did it again. As if the Pucking series wasn't enough. Emily Rath ventured out into the world of fantasy. And as usual she does not disappoint. This page turner encompassed true friendship, forbidden love and of course magic