North Is the Night

The Tuonela Duet, Book 1

By: Emily Rath

Narrated by: Khaya Fraites, Emily Lawrence

YOU’RE MINE IN LIFE AND DEATH—BODY AND SOUL.

In the depths of the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark woods.

When a death goddess attacks their village, best friends Siiri and Aina prove helpless to stop her from dragging Aina into Tuonela, the mythical underworld.

Determined to save her beloved Aina, Siiri braves a dangerous journey north, seeking help from the greatest shaman of legend—the only person ever to venture into Tuonela and return alive. There’s only one problem … the stories say he’s dead.

In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina’s every waking moment into a living nightmare. But Aina soon learns that the God of Death himself has plans for her.

To escape, she strikes a costly bargain with him, not knowing that Siiri plots a daring rescue.

In this sweeping fantasy adventure—perfect for fans of Adrienne Young and Genevieve Gornichec—hope and love must conquer even death itself.

“Rich, vivid, and brimming with emotion, North is the Night pays touching homage to Finnish culture and mythology while forging a unique path all its own. … You will weep and cheer for Siiri and Aina as they find their strength and claim their power.”—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi

©2025 Emily Rath (P)2024 Recorded Books

Lack of a Sapphic Love Story

While the writing is beautiful, I just feel like the love story between the two main characters is very minuscule. Then at the very end it’s weirdly pushed together.

Finnish Mythology Never Looked This Fierce

My Review:
4.5 ⭐️ .5 🌶️

North is the Night by Emily Rath is a dark fantasy masterpiece steeped in Finnish mythology. When Aina gets kidnapped by a death goddess, her bestie Siiri grabs her metaphorical sword and says, “Not on my watch,” kicking off a rescue mission through icy forests, legendary shamans, and scheming gods to save her.

The story alternates between Siiri’s badass quest and Aina’s clever survival in the underworld, with sapphic vibes simmering just beneath the surface. Rath’s lush prose brings snow-laden landscapes and eerie mythological realms vividly to life, while her characters leap off the page. Siiri’s fiery determination and Aina’s quiet strength are equally captivating, and their allies—like a goddess of disease and a mystical bear—add depth to the tale.

Packed with twists, mythical chaos, and a mystical bear you’ll want as a pet, this book grabs you by the parka and doesn’t let go. Richly atmospheric and packed with heart-pounding twists, this book is perfect for fans of folklore-driven fantasies. It’s gripping, immersive, and engaging. I can’t wait for the sequel—this duology is destined to be a classic.

Familiar

It was great to learn of the Finnish folklore, mythology, and earliest tales through Siiri and Aina. The plot was predictable but the journey toward its conclusion was as adventurous as it was satisfying. I look forward to the next book.

Good story - not amazing, but good

This story was good but it didn’t grip me or have me hanging on the edge of my seat. Good intro to Finnish mythology though.

Great story

I loved the world building, character development and story telling. This was a great and unique story.