

While it fits in the sub-genre "dark fantasy" it is NOT dark enough to be considered a "dark romance." That said, it does contain dub con, captive situations, graphic sex scenes, filthy language, and scary situations, so sensitive readers (especially those sensitive to dubious consent) please take heed of this warning. NOTE: River of Shadows is the first book of the Underworld Gods series and is not related to any other previous books. If she marries him, and spends an eternity in the Realm of the Dead as his wife, he'll set her father free.īut even the most noble sacrifices come with hidden costs, and Hanna's might involve the most unexpected of all things: her heart. Turns out Death is intrigued by Hanna's beauty and fierceness and makes a bargain with her. Only for her to be captured and held prisoner by the God of Death himself. Willing to do anything to have a second-chance with her father, Hanna accompanies Rasmus into the dark and bloody realm, traveling via the River of Shadows, stalked by dangerous creatures, monsters, and the living dead, until they finally come into the haunted kingdom ruled by Death and his family. The only way her father can be freed is if she travels with Rasmus into the mythical underworld to rescue him. A mysterious man, Rasmus, tells Hanna the truth: her father was a powerful shaman who went into Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, in order to barter for more life, and has been held captive by Tuoni, the God of Death. Being in the enchanting land of ice and snow feels miles away from Hanna's busy life back in Los Angeles, especially under the complicated circumstances.īut when Hanna discovers that her father's body is missing, that's when things really get weird. When 24-year old Hanna Heikkinen's estranged father dies, she reluctantly makes the trip to Northern Finland for his funeral.

Take Hades & Persephone, transport them into twisted Nordic mythology, add in Beauty & the Beast and some Alice in Wonderland, and you get the high steam dark fantasy, River of Shadows.
