his book was a fantastic surprise, and I devoured it in almost one sitting!

J.J.A. Harwood crafted a beautiful and daunting journey through the underworld, that becomes increasingly emotional the farther we go in.



“I started seeing her differently. I realized how kind she was. She can be so gentle, but there’s a core of granite to her. Everyone else just… faded away.”

I enjoyed this book, however I would not compare it to the cruel prince. As a “villain” Stefan doesn’t really measure up - he’s not morally grey, he’s cruel for about five minutes and then is a good guy. It was interesting to see a vampire written as a teenager who was actually a teenager and not a 500 year old immortal though.

This book gave me spirited away vibes with the whole world of the dead, I enjoyed the characters and the whimsy and it hit me hard at the end - be prepared to cry.

Overall a fun book, but I feel like it was oversold a little with the books it was compared to. The enemies to lovers plot was weak so if that’s your thing, take this with a pinch of salt.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance reader copy.

The concept of this book is very interesting but unfortunately felt like it didn’t fully hit the mark.
A few issues I had were the lack of chapters which made the story feel longer and like it was just running on.

The romance felt like it came out of nowhere and I feel like the last 25-30% of the book were what I wanted from the whole book.

3.5 ⭐️

I have mixed emotions about this book. Overall, it was a good read, but it's not a book i'll be rushing back to.

One of the main things that put me off, which probably didn't help, was the layout. It is split into 5 parts rather than split into chapters, so some parts felt like they dragged on as I struggled to find a decent place to stop and take a break. I felt it made the book longer than what it actually was.

I enjoyed the beginning when we were introduced to Irina and Stefan, lost interest a little as they made their way through the Underworld and then started flying through it at 60%. I really wanted more information on Stefan's back story, so I think that's why I lost interest in the middle as I felt I was skimming through parts, hoping we found out more about Stefan.
Some areas of the underworld felt like gap fillers and seemed a little unnecessary. I would have rather they stayed in another area longer and had some of their bonding moments happen then. Constantly moving between areas took me out of it a little.

Irina and Stefan's relationship was interesting, but it felt more like a reluctant allies to lovers rather than enemies to lovers. I found Irina to be a little frustrating sometimes, but considering what she was doing and what she was going through, I can understand why she made certain decisions. Overall, I thought she was very brave and determined. There's no way she would have been able to do what she had otherwise. I really wish we got more of a focus on Stefan. There was so much there, and what we got wasn't enough. He was a gentleman at heart and the way he cares for her? I liked his character development the best.

In the end, I did enjoy it. I just didn't meet my expectations.

This book is perfect for fans who enjoyed the eerie atmosphere of One Dark Window and loved The Songbird and the Heart of Stone.

The writing pulled at my imagination to create a vivid and hauntingly nightmarish world. I deeply enjoyed the development of Irina and Stefan's relationship, which happened gradually and quite organically. Loved their banter and how they both individually grew as characters.

It's hauntingly beautiful and steeped in delicious worldbuilding, with intricate and compelling characters.

And yes. I bawled my eyes out x

I read The Thorns Remain last year and instantly fell in love with this author's writing style. This one was exactly the same.

I wanted to read this because i saw the words vampire/human romance and became obsessed with wanting to read it. This is so much more than a romance book - yes it is a big part of the story but there is so much more to it. I loved the world and travelling through the underworld with our characters. The slow burn of Irina and Stefan's relationship kept me captivated from page one. For most of the book I wasn't sure if they would even get together as they seemed like they hated each other.

My favourite part about this book was Stefan and his character growth from the moment you meet him. He is constantly keeping you on your toes. You think you know him and then he does something that completely throws you. I love how much he deeply cares for Irina even though his life has been cruel and unforgivable. You really see him come to terms with the fact that not everyone is bad. Stefan deserves to be loved and accepted for all that he is and Irina did exactly that.

Overall this book was everything I hoped it would be. 5/5 stars again for J.J.A Harwood. I will buy anything she writes.


I would like to thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a wonderful read! I really enjoyed both the plot and the characters as I did with previous books by the author. However, I really struggle with the length of the chapters. They are way too long, and it's actually putting me off. Other than that, I feel like these books are more telling than showing as well, which is another thing I struggle with. That being said, I truly enjoyed this book, and it might have been an easy 5-star read if not for the things mentioned here.

I liked the idea of the story, but was not sure, if it‘s really a story for me. At the beginning I was still not of the opinion that I will like it as the main character Irina was not that likeable and the plot development was a bit slow. But the moment they entered the underworld I was hooked. I like the idea that the afterlife is a mix of different beliefs and there is something for everybody. The author managed to include the folklore of Romania, classical literature and Christian beliefs, what makes the story quite interesting. I liked also the character of Stefan, in a way even more than Irina.
I recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'A Steep and Savage Path' by JJA Harwood.

I'm afraid to say that I just didn't connect to this book. I don't know if it was because the mood was rather sad for most of it and I just felt I wasn't ready to read something like that. There is definitely an audience for this book but not me.

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto a device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

From the premise, I was completely hooked. Did this book deliver on the premise? Yep…ish.
As a lover of anything gothic, throw in your classic enemies-to-lovers, some slow burn, a morally grey (vampire) man and fantasy and I’m there for it with bells on. This book certainly had all of those elements, I’m just not sure that they worked all that well for the storyline. Sometimes, the developing relationship between Stefan and Irina was brilliant with the banter and endearing awkward interactions. Other times, it was just, well, awkward.
As we follow their journey in the afterlife, I found myself skipping over some paragraphs that were description heavy or where the action was repetitive. I won’t give spoilers as to which parts.
On saying that, I did enjoy the plot twist near the end of the book and did find myself crying a few tears at the choice faced by Irina.

Thank you to JJA Harwood, Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Beautiful and painful. When Irina agrees to marry a dead man to save a village from a monster, what they don't realise is that she has an agenda of her own.
She is planning on using the dead man to enter the land of the dead to bring back her sister's soul.
What follows is a detailed and engaging journey into the heart of the underworld combining myth, legend, fantastic story and world building and the most wonderful character growth.
I got a Netgalley copy but will be buying my own as soon as possible.
Grimm's fairy tales as written by Naomi Novak, this author just brings that childhood horror to life.
Will highly recommend.

A Steep and Savage Path was a book I almost inhaled. As soon as I picked it up I was swept into the fantasy world, dragged into the underworld and fully invested in Irina and Stefan. The story draws heavily on vampire lore, Greek mythology and what the afterlife has in store. I could really picture the scenes throughout in vivid colour.
I would say this is generally a cozy read but there are some chilling parts that created that classic vampire novel feel. Especially at the start. The romance is a central theme throughout and the banter really balances with more tender moments. I loved the couple and felt the marriage of convenience trope was done uniquely. The overall plot of a perilous journey to save a sister was lovely to read. I think if you are a fan of T. Kingfisher this is one to read as a comparison. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

I adored this book. Right from the beginning, Irina’s sass and irreverence made fall in love with her. I became attached to her and Stefan immediately and their banter was so fun to read that I wish I could have taken a day off from work to keep reading it all night.
However, this was not just a fun read, this was also very emotional in some parts. I almost cried a few times, some of the characters and situations were especially moving. Irina and Stefan’s journey through the land of the dead was easy to follow, eerie and haunting, but also familiar thanks to the references to mythology.
I don’t think there was a single thing that disappointed me in this book, beginning to end, and it was such a nice surprise. I can’t recommend it enough.

A bride marries the village vamp so she can gain access to the underworld to rescue her sister's soul.....

I absolutely loved the premise of this story and I absolutely adored how the underworld was described, monsters aside!

Irina was so determined and Stefan really tried to come off as a monster because he was a vamp.....but there's a story there too. The 2 of them together made my heart sing! (My little cauliflower!!!!)

It did fall a bit flat for me in places because their journey was just so long and repetitive but overall, I enjoyed it.

I'd say 3.5/5 but I have to decide whether to go high or low.

I was really unconvinced by some of the dialogue in many places. Things like, "Maybe it's only visible to the annoying..." which was just not a good line. And after the MMC goes on about being dead, he's suddenly questioning why the FMC can't see the doorway to the land of the dead. Then they just spend a quarter of the book bickering like children. Or MMC asking "What makes you think they will be so eager to intervene on your behalf?" immediately after a scene where some soldiers in the land of the dead literally just intervened on her behalf. And then the random appearance of "The bad place." and "sweetheart," which had me looking like I'd eaten an entire lemon.

I'm also not really a fan of these cagey little hints about an MCs age. And we pretty much only got that with Irina.

That said, I loved the folklore woven throughout. I am a massive sucker for old folklore, and there was just massive amounts of it. Irina's touch making the dead relive their deaths, being haunted by lingering questions, Navigating the land of the dead was great. I loved the different gates, landscapes, the conversation with death. There were also moments of pure, heart racing horror which were so good. I almost wish this was properly adult fiction instead of hovering in YA. But we're talking about this book, not the book I wish it could have been.

On the whole, I enjoyed it. I hope we get more folklore-rich, old world monster filled, works from Harwood. And if they are more solidly adult targeted, Maybe something in Catalina's later life because surely spending time in the land of the dead will leave its mark on her.

Sadly I did have to DNF this book. I was so excited for it but I just lost interest due to the long parts instead of chapters, I find it extremely difficult to keep focused on the story when it’s set out like this and it ruins the experience for me.

this was probably my favourite book I read last month. It's a slow burner that takes and blends Slavic folk belief and greek katabasis myths and puts a brilliant twist on another myth that would be a massive spoiler to mention.

I found myself gripped and ever more attached to Irina and Stefan. Irina agrees to marry a monster to get a guide to take her to the underworld and rescue her sister's soul to return it to her vegetative body.

They strike a deal, he will take her to the land of the dead and she will let him drink the blood he needs to survive from her. But the journey will have her questioning whether the Vampire she married is truly a monster as they navigate the neverending danger of the underworld that will present Irina with an impossible choice.

I loved the slow burn romance, I was devastated by the impossible situation Irina found herself in at the end and the lush world building of the land of the dead with it's world's within worlds and portals between realms and the rivers Styx, Lethe, Phlegethon, and Cocytus. @jjaharwood has written a beautiful lush story that I will definitely return to.

Massive thanks to @harpercollinsuk and @rachelquinmarketing for sending me an eARC via Netgalley - it has not affected my opinion

A truly wonderful story that I couldn't put down. From the very first sentence I was hooked and as we got to know Irina, her motivations, her character, I just became more and more absorbed. Stefan, flawed, dangerous, and hurting makes for a compelling character too. The way these two interact with each other, especially at the very beginning, when trust is nonexistent and they're testing each other, the push and pull was fantastic. JJA Harwood takes us along on a journey through the underworld, bringing in myth and magic, and plenty of danger along the way. It's a completely unique story, with magnificent world building, and I loved to see how Stefan and Irina's relationship changes over their time in the land of the dead, as they get to know each other and we get to know them.

There are a few twists and turns along the way, keeping us on our toes, as we explore alongside the characters, and watch them try to find Irina's missing sister in a place where nothing is quite as it seems. I found this story fascinating and adored Irina and Stefan. I'll be seeking out more of JJA Harwood's books immediately!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This book started with a bang.
We have a very reluctant bride forced to be in a marriage of convenience with a dead man (vampire).
Irina and Stefan disliked each other so much. Because of that their banter was hilarious.
I loved the sarcastic side of stefan. In fact I loved him period. He had a heartbreaking childhood and I was so glad to see Irina standing up for him and being protective of him. He was such a sweetheart to Irina.
Their love and relationship had a certain sweetness to it. Last part made me emotional and happy.

The story had that dark undertone going on. It dragged a bit in the middle especially as I wasn’t that invested in the underworld adventures but I loved the last part. But I wish the last part wasn’t hurried. I needed an epilogue for them.
Overall a good romantasy and recommended.
Safe.

-Marriage of convenience.
-Vampire x mortal.
-My Wife, forced proximity,
-Morally grey.