Fantasy is not my favourite genre or even one I pick up often, but I have enjoyed this author's work before and was very curious (read immediately sold) on the description of a sapphic romantasy based on Finnish mythology. I am a sucker for anything sapphic or nordic so sign me up.

I loved the incredible attention to detail the author gave to the mythology side of the story and I was surprised how quickly and happily I got pulled in to Siiri and Aina's characters and struggles. There was near constant action, lots of high stakes and a consistently easy to read writing style.

Like other reviewers, I do think this book shouldn't be advertised as a sapphic romantasy because while there are sapphic elements, it's not only that and some sapphic readers will be disappointed. I am assuming it gets a lot more err, sapphic in the second book. I certainly hope so!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Emily rath proves she can write anything with this fantasy novel. Full of Finnish folklore and mythology with sapphic romance mixed in this is perfect for romantasy lovers. The two FMCs are amazing and their development throughout is great to read. Can not wait for the next in the series

Firstly i want to thank Netgalley and Quercus for providing me with an E arc of this book. This is my honest opinion.
A slower read to begin with for me but overall i enjoyed the world building and the stories.
This book is dual POV, and inspired by Finnish folklore (which is new for me) and i enjoyed it very much. We follow 2 girls as they each brave the unknown after girls start disappearing. One sets off to try and find a shaman and a way to Tuonela, the Finnish underworld while the other is kidnapped and taken to Tuonela.
Personall i like Siiri more but i really like how Aina grew throughout the book.
I feel perhaps that a good part of this book is setup for book 2 but i still very much enjoyed it and i look forward to seeing what happens in book 2.

I really wanted to love this book and while I loved the premise of it I found it so hard to connect with the characters or the writing there certainly seems to be something lacking in this story.

I will say this is not a sapphic romance and has been marketed incorrectly.

I did love the world building and learning about all the different worlds and stories as I always find anything mythology so fascinating but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

I liked the Finnish folklore we get in this book, it is a concept I was not really familiar with and I found it to be quite interesting.

The rest of the story however felt a bit slow, with confusing interactions between characters, and I think the issue is how it's been marketed ( as a sapphic romance) - as you don't really get the sapphic romance at all - but maybe in book 2?

This is a book 1 of a duology so I hope some of the stories will develop more in the second book which I will be reading.

I did find this book quite easy to read and follow, but there was just something missing from it.

Beautifully crafted, utterly captivating, drenched in folklore, drowning in danger and dripping with emotion ‘North Is The Night’ is sure to be a hit with many a reader. If you’re a fan of wondrously enchanting tales that weave folklore, mythology and history together then this is absolutely the book for you. If ‘North Is The Night’ doesn’t end up appearing on many a 2025 favourite lists I’ll be surprised (and yes, that’s taking into account the fact that I was lucky enough to read a copy of it in 2024); simply put this is a must read.

Before anything else I feel that I should address the blurb’s comparison with the ‘Winternight’ trilogy as I truly do feel that this is the perfect book for fans of that series. Like the ‘Winternight’ books ‘North Is The Night’ features a fierce heroine who refuses to fit into the box that women of her time are meant to conform themselves to. It blends a wondrous wealth of mythology and folklore with a vividly depicted historic setting. And it shows the turmoil that arises when religious beliefs clash. This combination of features, along with its lyrical writing, is sure to delight fans of that trilogy. Yet it undeniably manages to stand on its own too, feeling utterly unique and casting a captivating spell from page one.

There are two major factors that help this book to differ so vividly from the ‘Winternight’ trilogy whilst capturing a similarly enchanting feel over all. Firstly the mythology and history that this book stems from. ‘North Is The Night’ is utterly drenched in Finnish mythology, folklore and culture. It introduced me to Gods and Goddesses that I hadn’t heard of before and left me longing to know more about the various tales it mentioned. Its an area of folklore I hadn’t truly thought about before but now I’m desperately longing for more; and doesn’t that say it all, really?

Secondly its split into two perspectives, the aforementioned fiery heroine Siiri’s journey to try and save her dearest friend Aina. As well as Aina’s own struggles within Tuonela, the Finnish underworld, which truly leaps off of the page with its devastation and despair. It’s a complex place, where all isn’t as it should be; and under the rule of Tuonetar its sure to send shivers down your spine. It’s the home of numerous death witches and, at the time of the tale, a place of horridly twisted ‘games’. Both storylines were utterly immersive and filled with a captivating mixture of danger, mythology and a variety of emotions. Both were truly impossible to put down.

Honestly there’s no end to what I could gush about with this novel. Everything felt perfectly portrayed upon the page from its world, plot, characters and more. There were characters to cherish and villains to despise; there was an abundance of intriguing magic and interesting animal companions; there was a student/mentor bond that warmed my heart and a romance that utterly captivated me. There was something for everyone, truly, and I can’t wait to see this book in other readers hands.

Ultimately it goes without saying that I recommend ‘North Is The Night’, particularly to anyone who loves books that blend folklore and mythology together into gorgeously enchanting tales. Its the sort of narrative that you can’t help but treasure with writing that’s sure to dazzle many a reader. In all truth it could well be my favourite read of 2024 and I can see many readers falling for it in the future. Needless to say I cannot wait for the chance to visit this world again.

Aina and Siiri are best friends, and they have to fight against various forces, when one of them is kidnapped.
With Finnish folklore and settings at the backdrop and on the forefront, we read a well-written story.
Do not let the scope scare you; if you prefer longer reads with ideal pacing, you will not be disappointed.
Prose 3.5
Characterisation 3 (the women rely a lot of male characters)
Plot 3
Mood 4
The use of Finnish folklore and setting 4.5

This book is packed full of Finnish mythology and treats us to an asventurous journey of two friends, with Finnish paganism throughout the pages, and we even see some religious turmoil where Christian invaders try to squash out the native religion. So, there is plenty of intrigue and some realism to the story with this plot line being in play. I definitely found this interesting.

This book was highly mismarketed though, this is not a sapphic book at all.

Fantasy is my favourite genre to read, and this sounded like it had so much promise. I enjoyed the world building, I love learning about new worlds and stories. But, while I did enjoy the book for the most part, and the concepts were good, something was quite obviously lacking.

4.5/5 Stars

I found Emily’s books through her Jacksonville Ray’s series. I devoured those books and this first book in the Tuonela Duet was no different.
The story follows two best friends, Siiri and Aina, as one of them is kidnapped and taken to Tuonela and the other is doing everything in her power to rescue her friend. It was an action-packed beautiful story about friendship and love that I just couldn’t put down. I adore the way Emily writes characters - you always get so much insight and understanding into them.
The world building was also amazing, I had never read a story inspired by Finnish folklore and I was not disappointed. I really appreciated the glossary/introduction to all the Finnish gods at the beginning of the story - this could have been even better with a pronunciation guide as I’m pretty sure I butchered some of those Finnish names in my head.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an original new fantasy story with strong female characters. Can’t wait to read book two!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

Beautifully written and very engaging.
I loved the style of writing and felt immersed in the storytelling.

This was an absorbing fantasy story with a complicated Finnish mythology that was fascinating to read about. I enjoyed the plot, or plots as it felt like two stories intertwined. I loved how the magic was described and how the characters used it, but I found it hard to keep up with who's side everyone was on. The main characters felt very young for their age and actions but it was interesting to see how their trust in each other was rewarded. I found the story original and would recommend it to fans of ACOTAR or similar fantasies.

North is the Night is packed full to the brim with Finnish folklore and mythology. The writing is atmospheric and, at times, eerie. The world building is complex and includes vivid descriptions of Finland and Tuonela. It was easy to immerse myself in this world and imagine all the fascinating characters and animals of the Kalevala but that does mean that it takes a little while for the story to really get going. Although I would have preferred a faster pace, I can absolutely understand why a book like this needs a slower pace to help you get to grips with the intricate web of gods, goddesses, witches and shamans.

I would say, as a fan of Emily Rath’s, this book is very different to the other books in the Emilyverse and Emily herself has been clear that this is a fantasy story, not a romantasy. So if you picked this up expecting the same level of spice included in the Jax Rays series, you’ll likely be disappointed. There is very little spice to speak of in this book and whilst it is sapphic, you don’t see much of that element in this book, so please bear that in mind.

However, if you picked this up because you’re a fan of Emily’s writing style or the way she is able to write the most amazing characters, then I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Aina and Siiri, are very different but as the story progresses both show a strength of character and a determination to protect the people they love. I have to admit I liked Siiri more than Aina. She was bold and headstrong, whereas Aina was calmer and more amenable. Having said that they both experience a great deal as they fight to be reunited but it’s arguably Aina that grows the most.

Overall, I was invested in seeing how this story played out and as always the characters and storytelling engaged me from the first page. Another fantastic read by Emily Rath!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers, Quercus Books and Arcadia Books, for my early copy.

North Is The Night is a captivating book set against the backdrop of the harsh Finnish wilderness, where the bond between best friends Aina and Siiri is tested in extraordinary circumstances. Aina is gentle and cautious, while Siiri is brave and headstrong, making their friendship dynamic and deeply touching. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Aina is kidnapped by a death goddess and taken to the mythical underworld of Tuonela.

Determined to rescue her friend, Siiri embarks on a perilous journey north to seek the help of Väinämöinen, the only mystical shaman known to have returned alive from Tuonela. As the dark winter envelops the land, Siiri must summon all her strength to navigate the dangers that lie ahead, including trappers, a pack of wolves, and a cunning snow witch with her ambitions. However, finding Väinämöinen is just the first hurdle; Siiri must persuade him to share his magic to infiltrate the underworld and save Aina.

Meanwhile, Aina faces her trials in Tuonela, forced to participate in the cruel games of Tuonetar, the ruthless queen of the underworld, alongside other captive maidens. Despite the grim circumstances, Aina’s kindness allows her to forge alliances in the unforgiving realm. She soon learns that Tuoni, the god of death and ruler of Tuonela, is also trapped by Tuonetar's spells and can only be freed through marriage. Aina, demonstrating her bravery and selflessness, offers herself as his bride in a bid to save him and the other girls.

As Aina spends more time in the underworld, she develops feelings for Tuoni, leading to a pivotal decision that could change her fate forever—all while Siiri races against time to execute her daring rescue plan.

The book beautifully weaves together elements of Finnish mythology, focusing on themes of friendship and the different facets of love. While it leans more towards fantasy than horror, unsettling elements within the underworld enhance the narrative's depth. The portrayal of Aina and Siiri’s separate yet equally epic quests for self-discovery is both compelling and poignant.

What stands out in North Is The Night is the rich folklore, the exploration of meaningful relationships, and the resilience of friendship in the face of adversity. This is a tale that will resonate with readers, offering both adventure and emotional richness.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgallery for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me gripped from the start. Within the first few pages it already becomes fast paced and pulls you in to the story straight away. I can’t remember the last book I read that did this, so I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with that.

This is my first experience of Finnish Mythology and I really liked it. I think this is a great book for someone who has no concept of Finnish lore because I found it easy to follow and learn more.

I was a fan of the dual POV and I felt both characters had important stories to tell. I liked the complexity of Siiri, and how there was this importance for her and Aina trying to find one another.

Overall, it was enjoyable, and a good fantasy read. I’ll definitely be looking out for the second part in the future.

I found the first half of this book really intriguing but quite slow. New to the world of Finnish mythology, it did take some time to understand but it was so worth it. The second half really picked up and I enjoyed Ainas story and growth more interesting than Siiris. The ending of the book I found really enjoyable and I am looking forward to the conclusion of the story. I am still a little confused if Siiri loved Ania as more than a friend to be honest. That part of the story felt really subtle and if anything I felt like it detracted from the story. I wish it could just be their platonic friendship. I actually really enjoyed Ainas relationship with Tuoni and I hope there is more to come.

Emily Rath got us used to amazing stories and this one is no exception. I absolutely loved every second of this book. Exceptional

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher.

This is an absolutely beautiful novel rooted in Finnish folklore which I found absolutely fascinating. This was such an enjoyable read!

We have a tale weaving in Finnish mythology that largely focuses on the land of the dead. We have two girls, best friends for life who would do anything for each other. They are torn apart when they are attacked by a death goddess and one is dragged down to the land of the dead. The other goes on a journey to bring her back by seeking the help of a shaman who has been lost for a long time. The two girls end up on separate but equally epic quests and journeys of self discovery.

This is more fantasy than horror but it does have some horror elements, particularly in the land of the dead which is sort of expected. However we also see them among the living, and the horrific treatment one of our heroines suffers by people she encounters on her mission.

We explore so many things in this novel but what stands out for me was the folklore, the power of friendship and the way there are different kinds of love and meaningful relationships.

Really loved this one!

North is the Night is the first book in the
Tuonela Duet.

I’m normally not the biggest fan of fantasy, but wanted to give it a go as Emily Rath is one of my favourite authors.

The book is well written. I really enjoy Emily Rath’s writing style. She writes beautifully, making it easy to imagine the places described in the book.

There’s a lot of twist and turns, keeping the story alive through the (a bit) long book.

I like the book, and I think fans of the fantasy genre and Emily Rath are going to love it.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Oh this was stunning! I’ve had a bit of a mythology burn-out, but this was so different, so incredibly well written, that it didn’t even matter. I’m not very well versed in Finnish mythology, but it made for a very vibrant world and a fast paced and multifaceted story.

North is the Night is a dual POV story about two very close (more than) friends, as one of them is kidnapped into the underworld, and the other sets off on a journey to save her.

The writing style was beautiful, very evocative and atmospheric; I am so ready for the winter months now! I look forward to the conclusion to this duology; to find out the conclusion of Siiri and Aina’s stories!

One of those books that on paper sounds right up my street but just couldn’t get into.
Beautiful writing and setting, so I really wanted to love it.
Struggling to pin point why, I just didn’t connect with the plot and characters on an emotional level.
I’m sure it’ll be a bit for lots of other people though!