The Nora Theory

North is the Night by Emily Rath is the first book in a fantasy duet inspired by Finnish myth and folklore. This book is a significant departure from Rath’s previous work with ultra-spicy contemporary romances, so readers might be surprised by what they find in this beautiful fairytale.

Siiri and Aina have been best friends their entire lives, inseparable from each other in their village. Things have been getting more difficult for them though, with the encroaching Christians threatening their way of life and rumors of mysterious disappearances putting everyone on edge.

One day, the rumors become all too real when Aina is taken, and dragged to Tuonela, the land of the dead. While Aina fights to survive under the thumb of the cruel Witch Queen, Siiri would do anything to save the girl she loves most. Aina discovers that the king of the dead has plans for her, and Siiri heads north, facing untold dangers to find a way into Tuonela.

The mythological aspects of this book are its high point. The world-building and magical system is impeccable, and the various gods and goddesses are plentiful but well-described so it’s easy for readers to keep them straight. The visceral, grounded writing juxtaposes beautifully with the high fantasy elements.

My grandmother spent her career as a college professor in humanities, and taught many classes, to her actual students and to me, on Greek myth. She would teach me the pagan roots of our Christian traditions. We would leave baskets of flowers out for the faeries on May Day. Is it a mystery to anyone how I would end up building a life on stories? No, it isn’t. But I digress. The point is, any story based on myth, when well done, will always be an instant favorite of mine, and North is the Night is an incredibly well-done interpretation of Finnish myth and folklore.

At the beginning of the story, it seems like this book is going to focus on Siiri and her quest, with Aina as a supporting character, but after the first few chapters Aina takes on a shape of her own. Her journey through the politics and treacheries of Tuonela is so engaging to read, and she is a character you can’t help but root for. Siiri is impulsive and wild, but she’s also strong in spirit and fiercely loyal.

Siiri and Aina’s story is a love story, but it looks and feels different than a typical romance. They spend the vast majority of the book apart, and there is more than a little tragedy involved. There are parts of the story that feel completely heartbreaking, and the end only resolves some of these struggles.

There is a touch of spice in this book, but nowhere near what Emily Rath usually writes. The spice is absolutely not the point here, and there is only the barest sprinkling, which might be a surprise to some readers who have read the Jacksonville Rays series.

The only reason North is the Night wasn’t on The Nora Theory’s best books of 2024 list is because I didn’t finish it in time. This book is a beautifully well-written story with incredible characters and a phenomenal world. It just might make you cry, but this book is worth the tears.

Writing: 5 

Spice: 1.5

Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited

Hardback: $20.98

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