Book: Whisper of Nightmares by Jessaca Willis
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 5/5
Euphemia is tormented by nightmares, where a black horse with violet flames and a shadow man is stalking her. To protect her family she decides to leave them and take the offer from a woman to marry her son, lord Varinsson. But Dagfinn is under a curse and Euphemia doesn't seem to have escaped her own nightmares either. What is really going on at Thorfell Manor?
"Whisper of Nightmares" is a standalone fantasy. It's a gothic romantasy inspired by Norse mythology with an arranged marriage, a haunted castle and a slow-burn romance - mostly taking place in a dreamscape. The story handles some heavy topics, such as grief and guilt, so it can be wise to read the author's content warnings in the beginning of the book.
"The horse of violet flames has found her again."
Once again a first sentence that sparks my interest! It still takes a while for me to get a grip on Euphemia. She's not treated well by her mother and sisters, but she always puts her family first. She feels guilty over her father’s death, and she grieves and misses him. It's still easy to understand why she choses to follow Kelda and marry a man she's never met. The mystery surrounding Dagfinn takes some time to unravel, but it keeps my interest alive, and it doesn't take long before I sympathise with him.
"I have forgotten nearly everything - my name, my home, my life." His voice thickens with emotion. "Everything. But I somehow remember you."
Grief is binding the two of them together. Even if it's not the same grief, it's similar, and make them understand each other. I love the chemistry between Euphemia and Dagfinn and how it slowly builds!
"It is like you are my True North. Every time I am lost, you appear like a bright star in the darkness. Whenever you are around, I feel like I might find my way home."