bramble – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Publisher: Bramble
Release Date: December 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The legends of the past are never truly dead and buried . . .

Liv Olson has been drawn to Norse Mythology her entire life. After earning her degree and working as a curator at one of New York’s most prestigious museums, she gets an unexpected offer for her dream job in Norway – the same place her brother disappeared months ago – after a cryptic message about finding their long-lost father.

She finds herself surrounded by superstitious townspeople who refuse to even look at the water. Liv soon realizes that the small town of Vonn is nothing like it seems. Shops close before dark, and things she’s only read about seem to suddenly exist. To top it off , her new boss, Tristan, is insultingly mean and engagingly beautiful – and, as part of the job, she must live with him in his mansion.

As her life quickly unravels into chaos, she’s left wondering who’s pulling the strings in this mysterious place where nothing makes sense, yet everything feels familiar.

Her studies have always told her the gods are who you trust. But what happens when the man who’s destined to kill you – is your savior?

Rachel Van Dyken’s Fallen Gods duology is a steamy, dramatic myth retelling.

Thank you Red Tower Books for the gifted ARC and LibroFM for the audiobook.

YEAH I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.

While initially not on my radar, I’m pleasantly surprised and will be happy to get my hands on the sequel. I haven’t read a book with Greek mythology recently. There were some unique dynamics to the basis of the story I liked and the school setting worked well.

I loved the audiobook and would easily recommend that format too.

The characters and found family worked well. I do think the dialogue and stylistic choices came across more young adult than adult (but maybe this is more new adult? still though). Which bugged me constantly. I couldn’t quite find the vibe.

And calling this enemies feels really loose with the term too. A longer slow burn would have really sold them. I did think there were some good moments between them and I appreciate that it’s not spice focused.

The ending was wild and a big cliffhanger, my favorite.

Overall audience notes: