Book Review| River of Shadows by Karina Halle
Rating 4.5 out of 5
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I never read a story dealing with Finnish mythology and was a little intimidated by the different names. But once I was invested in the action, it wasn’t hard to sort everything out. This was such a fun read and I have already started the second book in the series.
- Book Review| River of Shadows by Karina Halle
What’s It About?
After the death of her estranged father, Hanna Heikkinen is left with regret and consuming grief. She flies to the icy, snow strewn lands of Northern Finland to attend his funeral. The only problem? His body is missing! Looking for answers, she meets Rasmus. A mysterious man who tells Hanna that her father is really a gifted Shaman. Who is currently being held captive after he went to the Realm of the Dead, Tuonela.
Rasmus tells Hanna that she must go to this mystic land to free her father. Only she can bring him back to the world of the living. Together they traverse the underworld realm battle monsters and the living dead all to rescue her father. But it seems like their efforts are in vain when Hanna is captured by Death himself! In an act of desperation, she promises to do anything, even become a bride, in exchange for her father’s freedom. Intrigued by her bravery and surprised by her offer, Death…agrees.
Hanna has no idea what the extent of her offer will mean for her. But she will soon find out!
My Thoughts
I enjoyed the way Halle built the world in this book. You really feel transported to another realm through the descriptions and atmosphere. The pacing of the action was just right. Most of all I loved the characters. Their development is intriguing and keeps you wondering where they will eventually end up. Death’s character reminded of Hades from the comics made by @goofygodscomics. Which made this story even more fun for me.
“Oh, fuck. I’m dead aren’t I? I’m getting yeeted by his hand.”
-River of Shadows
The humor in this book was such a delight and the spiciness level in the romance was top tier. The dynamic between the couple was both fun and light hearted but also passionate and intense. I couldn’t wait to read more. My only draw back for the book would be some grammatical errors in dialogue that affected comprehension. But they were few and far between.
Overall Impression
I am so excited to delve into the rest of the series after reading this first book. If you love a romance with elements of magic, myth, and a sense of humor, then you will love River of Shadows!
Book Specs
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- Publisher : Metal Blond Books
- Publication Date : January 26, 2022
- Page Length : 430
- Series: Underworld Gods 1/4
Fiction | Romance | Finnish Mythology | Fantasy | Enemies to Lovers
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