Crown of Crimson, an all-new dark fantasy romance with high heat in the Underworld Gods Series from New York Times Bestselling author Karina Halle, is out now!
All Hanna Heikkinen wants is to be reunited with her father again. After all, that's why she ventured into the dark and dangerous fantasy world of Tuonela, the Land of the Dead, in order to save his life. But this time her devotion to her father comes at a cost---her growing relationship with Tuoni, the God of Death himself, who held Hanna captive in exchange for her father's life. The last thing she expects is to feel remorse at leaving Death at his castle of Shadow's End without even saying goodbye, and yet he's all she can think about.
Death has always prided himself on never trusting the living, but Hanna's apparent betrayal has left a scar fathom's deep. Vowing revenge on his future bride, and making sure she upholds her end of the bargain, Death sets out across his realm to steal Hanna back, which only fans the flames between them. But Death and Hanna aren't just fighting each other---malevolent Old Gods are rising to power within the realm, magic is being poisoned, and buried secrets are brought to light, secrets that may cause Hanna to lose everyone she loves dear once again.
***5 Stars***
Am I surprised that there is another cliffy??
No, but OMG…now to practice patience…lots of patience.
But, on to the review.
As with the first book in the trilogy, River of Shadows, this review will be vague as I am still getting to know the characters, but I will say that my level of adoration for Hanna and Tuoni got kicked up a few more notches. Hanna became stronger in who she was and held her own with the various curve balls thrown at her in the book. As for Tuoni, it’s just hard not to love Daddy Death (yeah, I have a thing for anti-heros). He had his own issues to tackle and I loved being in his head as he did. As for their relationship. Things definitely heat up between them…like HELLOOOO HAWTNESS, but they also come to terms with how they actually feel about each other. That the “deal” that was made may truly not be needed and that they may just be exactly what the other never knew they needed.
This was a great book, but I will admit that it took me a bit to get into because we get hit with quite a few new characters ~ most of whom are quite interesting ~ and it took a minute or so to get everyone straight. But outside of that, this gave me all the feels and I cannot wait to get my hands on the last book to see how everything plays out!
~ Copy provided by SBPR & voluntarily reviewed ~
Check out an excerpt below!
He shakes his head ever so subtly, his fingers bruising my skin. “After all you’ve seen, all you’ve done, all you’ve felt, and you’re still blind to the world around you. This is your world, Hanna. You know it is. You know you belong here more than you’ve ever belonged in your other life, and more than that, you belong here with me.”
My jaw tightens as I try to ignore the way my heart is skipping in my chest. “You’re sounding sentimental.”
“You’re mistaking sentiment with facts,” he says, lowering his masked face toward mine. “A mistake I’m sure you won’t make again. You belong with me, because that is the bargain we made. There is no escape for you. Not now, not ever. You made a promise to me, and your promise will be held to the very end.”
There’s a finality in his words that makes my blood run cold. For a moment he loosens his grip and sighs deeply. “I know you don’t like being told what to do, but you could have had it all,” he says, almost wistfully. “You could have had my trust. Now you will become my wife and there won’t be an ounce of trust or love between us.”
My heart skips again. “Who said anything about love?”
“Hmmph.” He tilts his head, examining me. “I could have loved you, you know.”
Oh. That I didn’t know. And for reasons I can’t explain, it feels like he’s pulled a pin out from my heart and I’m slowly deflating.
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3NN08A1
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3rCxHvg
Meet Karina
Connect with Karina
Comments
Post a Comment