06/03/2026
✨ ARC Review ✨ 4.5⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I'm an absolute sucker for stories that explore the "what if?" of the afterlife, so this book immediately caught my attention. Add in Norse-inspired mythology, a badass shieldmaiden, a seer, & a deadly quest, & I was all in.
After dying, Hilde & Alek find themselves in the Shadowlands with the chance to earn a second life. The problem? Only one of them can make it out.
One of my favorite things about this story was the contrast between the two main characters. Hilde is an absolute force of nature and spends most of the book kicking butt, while Alek, who was feeble and unable to fight in his first life, relies on his abilities as a seer rather than physical strength. Their dynamic made the dual POVs really enjoyable to read.
If you're looking for:
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Very Slow-Burn Romance (no spice)
🗡️ She Tries to Kill Him
☠️ Deadly Quests
🛡️ Shieldmaiden FMC
✨ Seer MMC
💫 Gods & Goddesses
..this book might be for you.
The world-building was one of the strongest parts of the book for me. The Norse-inspired setting & mythology gave the story a rich atmosphere that really fit the tone of the adventure.
My biggest hang-up was the main objective in the Shadowlands. The characters are told what they need to do to earn their second chance, but I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Because we never really learn how the people giving them this information know it's true themselves, I was convinced there was going to be some kind of twist. I expected there to be hidden conditions attached to being brought back to life, or that the "second chance" wasn't exactly a "second chance" The story had me side-eyeing the whole situation & waiting for a bigger reveal that never quite came.
Overall, this was an engaging read with great world-building, strong character growth, & a FMC who takes absolutely no prisoners. If you enjoy Norse-inspired fantasy, mythological themes, afterlife stories, & slow-burn romance, this is definitely one to check out.
I'm definitely excited for book 2!
