Beyond Life & Death: A Web Of Wyrd

by Renate Rowland

Genres: Paranormal

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

Reviews

[Fae]

mythology, mystery, romance, spice, betrayal & a vibrating shadow daddy … its all here!

i will start out saying there’s a few questions left unanswered (but duh this will be a trilogy) & i have questions but also speculations☝️

ok so … the prologue starts us off 16yrs ago with Hod being sent for a couple to “get things moving” in the 9 realms … idk if this will be important information later on but the couple was never mentioned again or *what* exactly their dėaths started but i am curious & wondering if this will come bite “us” in the äss in later books 🧐

ngl i was getting ready to fight Aleena at the beginning all because she was making a sandwich & she was adding tomatoes to it & she said it’s a fruit … like no girl absolutely not! right to jail 🤺 if you’re adding tomatoes to anything other than a fruit bowl it’s a vegetable idc if it IS classified as a vegetable

i did envy Aleena’s nose for colognes! her way to pinpoint the exact cologne someone was wearing was borderline supernatural (👀) meanwhile the most i can ever get to is “yeah that smells familiar” 🤣

there were 2 main occasions where i definitely expected Hod to come to Aleena’s rescue by “knowing” she needed him or by her calling him & while he DID rescue her once in a “smaller” occasion … i’m honestly glad she was able to handle shıt by herself & *this* is what makes a strong independent FMC that doesn’t need no man 💪🙂‍↕️

so while i almost fought Aleena but then decided to let the tomato misunderstanding go … i definitely wanted to slap Hod a good handful of times 💆‍♀️ he was such a tease at times (though once he let go it was 🤌) but 2 occasions i wanted to more than slap him was when he left Aleena *right after* she found out who he was! he just poofs out of existence & goes to have a meeting with his brother? 🫠 and THEN Hod pulls some höė äss shıt by taking Aleena to his brother & once they are done he takes her back to her condo & just once again poofs out of existence & stays out of her sight for days? 🤨 sir … idc if you’re a God i will punch you! go back & take care of her! she’s definitely a strong independent woman but she needs immediate caring too!

speaking of Hod’s brother (Baldr) … while i questioned him on a couple occasions, mainly that scene with both Hod & Aleena, he also had his moments he made me laugh - in an annoying “younger” sibling kind of way (Hod is older by a few hours) he changed Hod’s shirt colors & didn’t tell him? & then scared him by telling him he was wearing a YELLOW shirt?! the HORROR!!! & then at the end we find out about Dimma the cat & a tid bit about her name & i was just lmao! PEAK dıabolical sibling behavior 💀

Baldr *did* make me question him when he says he had spoke to Bragi about Hod & he knew Aleena was “dangerous” to Hod … but like, did he know this & *still* went ahead with the “meet” with both Hod & Aleena or did it *finally* make sense once he saw Hod’s eyes turning all white 🤔 became he sure didn’t mind “sacrificing” himself to be with Aleena to heal her

now idk about y’all but Hod’s full body infrasound hums (vibrations) MUST be studied! for science!!!

questions & speculations i have for the coming books:
•i was heartbroken when Hod took that *innocent life* but he says with the help of the Aldfaðir everything will be “fixed” but idk man … i feel like once Aleena finds out she’s gonna be pıssed!
•shadow wing tattoo 😯 first off, this sounds awesome! but also … does this have to do with a certain statue that winked at Aleena? 👀
•THE LIGHT IS IN THE VIAL!!!! while this makes me so happy! i just know Aleena is gonna be mad but who knows she might actually understand as she has understood everything about Hod & his life
•WHO is the hostile prisoner in Helmeimr??? & will Hod regret offering that one favor to Hel?

end of the day … i LOVED being thrown back into vampire Nordic origins world! it wasn’t as as heavy but something tells me we better buckle up when the book comes out because shıt just might hit the fan! i LOVE it & CANNOT wait!

[Nova McCormack]

Who’s ready for some, spicy spice!? This book absolutely sizzled, and I held on tight through it all. This was a connection that had my heart skipping and a story that has me fully invested. I never wanted it to end, and I can tell you right now that I’m fully sat for whatever Renate has in store next!

Now I know what you’re thinking… isn’t this considered Book 4 in the Web of Wyrd series? Technically, yes, but I had absolutely no problem reading it as the first book in a new series. There are definitely aspects that refer back to the original series, but I never felt like that took away from this story. In fact, if the rest of the series is anything like this book, then I need to read the original series. Like, right now! This story follows Hod’s journey as he searches for the Anchor, a being capable of tethering the souls of gods lost during Ragnarok back to Asgard, including the All-Father, Odin. But when Hod’s search takes him to Midgard, he never expects to find her.

Aleena is just getting by. She works at the Valkyrie, a strip club, and is basically working just to pay the rent, thanks in part to an abusive ex who hasn’t quite gotten the hint. She’s smart. She’s a fighter. And she has this light that somehow seeps through the pages.

Then there’s Hod. Wow. I mean… just wow. So let me break him down real quick. He’s the God of Darkness, which feels pretty appropriate considering he’s lost his sight. He uses pulses, infrasound waves, and his shadows to see. Yes, I said shadows, and they can be extremely helpful when needed. wink wink And did I mention he vibrates… every. last. inch. of him! But yes, let’s get back on track. He is known as the Executioner. He is Hel’s consort. He is feared by all, but underneath all of that, he feels so much. He is constantly punishing himself, so full of guilt, self-loathing, self-sacrifice, and loneliness. My heart hurt for him, and before I knew it, I was completely head over heels.

But it was Aleena and Hod together that was the real magic. She doesn’t fear him. She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t pull away. She leans into his darkness and revels in every part of him. It was so endearing watching him come to terms with being wanted, being chosen, being loved. Together, they burned with an unquenchable hunger. Passionate. Reverent. Both of them filled with such awe at every touch, while knowing that it was temporary. Knowing it couldn’t last made it feel almost desperate.

This read had me completely enveloped from beginning to end. The world that Renate has created is bountiful, dynamic, and filled with so much depth, I already need more! If this is only the beginning, I can’t even imagine what’s coming next.

[Robin.Bookish.Escape]

This is the beginning, I believe. Change is coming. It has to… For everyone’s sake.

Book four in the Web of Wyrd series which follows a different set of characters than the first three books. This one can be read without reading the first three installments, but trust me when I say, you WANT to read the previous books! Full of Norse Mythology, set not only in Las Vegas but in some ancient locations of Ásgarðr, Heilheimr and Niðavellir, with a shadow daddy MC who VIBRATES (you heard what I said), hidden identities and a prophecy that may threaten everything, slow burn romance that ignites to scorch and some serious “who hurt you” vibes!!

Well-paced and easy to ready. Renate is a true master at her craft! I just love the way she writes and I cannot get enough. She is one of the few authors that I would read out my normal genre for. The spice is chefs kiss (as per her usual) and is so well done that it only serves to enhance the story instead of running it over. I loved how although this story line focuses on new characters and arcs but still gives us a glimpse of the previous storylines like a warm hug from the past. I seriously am obsessed and cannot get enough!

My blood flushes with liquid fire in my veins. It robs the air from my lungs. I forget how to move. Forget my own name. With the vibration of the music rippling across her skin, I see her. See every detail of her.

[Robyn]

Technically this is bk 4 but it’s different characters than the 1st 3 so you can start with this one but you should read the 1st 3 for a more enhanced reading experience.

This was easily a 5⭐️ read for me! Vampire origin/Norse mythology sucked me right in!
Renate Rowland has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The way she writes seems to really bring everything to life and make you question reality. If you haven’t read any of her books I highly recommend them!

✨Aleena works at a strip club. I love that she seems like a smart and independent fmc.
✨“Blake” is an unfamiliar patron. He’s very attractive and very intriguing.
✨Both of them have secrets.
✨He’s the God of Darkness. She’s mortal and she’s not afraid of him.
✨I loved Aleena and Hod’s story. They both have been through so much so they are guarded but man oh man does it get HOT up in here! While it has some very spicy scenes, I just have to include that the story holds its own and is so much more. We learn just enough of their backstories to really want more, and that ending??? I need the next book, like NOW. I can’t wait to see what happens!!

❤️‍🔥”Oh God…oh God…oh…HOD!”
❤️‍🔥It burst from her with the force of a mountain spring, and I drew it down my parched throat, unable to satisfy my thirst.

🥀Shadow Daddy〰️He VIBRATES!
🥀Slow Burn
🥀Hidden Identity (him)
🥀Threatening Prophecy
🥀Disability that makes him stronger
🥀Delicious Spice
🥀Norse Mythology
🥀Vampire Origin
🥀Hot, Hot, HOT!

[enchantedmelreads]

What to expect
🖤Norse mythology
✨shadow daddy (who vibrates)
🖤hidden identity
✨disability rep
🖤a threatening prophecy


Ahhhhhhhh! Renate did it AGAIN!

I seriously didn’t think I could love another MMC as much as I loved Kjan from the Bound by a Web of Wryd trilogy, but omg HOD!!! YES! He lived up to ALL my hopes of having a new shadow daddy and I am absolutely obsessed with him!

I absolutely loved getting more Norse mythology in this story and the traveling between worlds was SO GOOD! I loved how it expanded the world and gave us even more of this amazing universe.

And Aleena!!! She was such a standout for me. I loved her from the moment she entered the story. She is fearless, unapologetically herself, and owns who she is so well.

Then we have ALL THE TWISTS! My brain was working overtime trying to figure everything out. I seriously couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next.

I seriously couldn’t have asked for a better spin-off series. It has everything I loved about the original trilogy while giving us new characters, more Norse mythology, new worlds, twists I never saw coming, and of course… a new shadow daddy!

And THAT ENDING?! I am DYING to see what happens next!

[MybookworldbyJoyce]

⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5 stars, 7/10
✍🏻 Author: Renate Rowland
🧬 Genre: Paranormal Romance
🗓️ Release date: September 1st

I’ve read book 1, Blood Bound, but I haven’t read books 2 and 3 yet. Technically, this is book 4 in the series, but in this book we follow a different couple. So, you could start with this book, but for the full experience, it’s best to read the other three books first.

♿ Disability
✨ Norse mythology
🪽 Valkyrja
🎭 Hidden identity
🖤 Shadow daddy
♥️ Mortal x Immortal

I found it a little difficult to get into at first, but from chapter 7 onwards, I was completely drawn into the story.

I did miss the vampire aspect a little in this book, but maybe my expectations were a bit off because it was much more prominent in book 1. This book is really more focused on gods and Norse mythology.

There’s a good amount of spice in this book, and the MMC’s unique gifts add an interesting twist to the intimate scenes.

If you like Norse mythology with a strong FMC I would definitely recommend this book.

A big thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. I truly appreciate it!

[Katie Mawby]

This is book 4 of the A Web Of Wyrd series and, though it follows new characters to the first trilogy and could technically be read without reading the first three, you definitely should read them to get the most out of the story and see all of the links between them. Hod and Aleena are such a great couple. Aleena is a strong, confident woman who isn't afraid to tell Hod what she wants, whether that is to leave her to deal with her own problems or that she doesn't want him to leave her alone. We met Hod briefly in the previous books, and it was good to see more of him and his history and the relationship between him and Baldr. This book focuses more on the Norse gods and it was really interesting to read more about them and the family ties between all the characters. I love that we got to see Kjartan again and read about his happiness with his family and how he came to forgive his father. I just love this series and these characters so much.

[Angie Burnes]

This is my first book by Renate and I’m hooked. Even though this is listed as book 4 in the series, it follows different characters than the first 3 books, so they add to the storyline but are not required for understanding in this one nor do you feel like you’ve jumped into the middle of something and missing connections. The book is well written and the story fully flushed out with plenty of spice for those who enjoy it (but it’s not excessive, scenes fit well in the progress of where the characters go). The only downside FOR ME is that I’m not overly familiar with Norse mythology, so I have no idea how to pronounce many of the names, which lead to guesses that I’m sure would make most people who know laugh. And, this definitely doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. I can’t wait to read more by this author and in this series!!!

[Jackie Carroll]

Beyond Life and Death was my first book by this author, and even though I haven’t read the trilogy set in this same world, I had no trouble jumping into Aleena and Hod’s story.

I really liked Aleena, especially after everything she had been put through, and Hod… what can I even say? Shadow daddy to the MAX, and this one literally vibrates. 🖤🔥

And holy hell, this book was spicy. But underneath all that spice was an emotional connection that really got me. There were moments between Aleena and Hod that absolutely broke my heart, especially when you could feel everything they weren’t saying to each other.

✨ “For no reason at all, I feel compelled to close my eyes. And that’s when I see it. No. When I see her.” ✨

And this one… 🖤🔥

✨ “She’s an inferno, lighting me on fire from the inside out… and I’m happy to burn in her flame.” ✨

And that ending?! There are some HUGE secrets still hanging between them, a promise that still needs to be kept, and I have no idea what is going to happen when the truth finally comes out.

I definitely need the next book.

Thank you to Renate Rowland for the opportunity to read and review Beyond Life and Death. 🖤

[Ambreezy83]

Hod, the god of darkness and the redeemed is looking for the anchor and all father after Ragnarok. He is blinded due to his prior failings but uses his shadows and sound to guide him. No one consorts with him other than in Hel. He is darkness and broody. His touch is to end suffering but it only deepens his. He follows a fellow god to Las Vegas where he finds a light shining in the darkness. An unfortunate side effect of being darkness is he starts to take away her life. In an attempt to save her from a dark fate, he alters her memories and takes his leave, only after talking care of one thing. Once back with the Gods he is called upon to pick a side, and this decision will have dire consequences. Mm shadow daddy and angst - what’s not to love?

[Carol 27]

• Norse mythology. Takes place post-Ragnarök, in New Ásgarðr and on Earth
• Hod: God of Winter, Darkness, and Death. His dark gift (tendrils of shadows that seep from his body) – used to inflict pain/pleasure and to gain information (emotions and intentions)
• Aleena: bartender at the Valkyrie in Las Vegas. Can sense when Hod is nearby when he’s in his shadow form. Is she more than human?
• Several Norse gods, goddesses. Action, brutality, violence.
• Slow burn. Intense attraction. Explicit sex: MF/MFM
• ‘Bound by a Web of Wyrd Trilogy’ character cameos
• Story has a HFN ending, but there are loose ends remaining

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author, and this is my voluntary review.

[thedirtychapters]

If you’re looking for a slow burn that ends up combusting on the page, this is the book for you. Hod is the god of darkness, hot as sin, blind, and with a body that vibrates ALL. OVER. 🥵 Aleena is spicy, smart, works at a Vegas club, and is finally getting out of a bad marriage.
Their chemistry🔥, my fav included a party at 3 that I may or may not dream about making a party a 4.
Although this book 4 in the Web of Wyrd series and there is some overlap, it’s interconnected. I didn't read the first three, and followed the story just fine.
But now that I’ve finished this one? I’m definitely going back for the first three.
If you like slow burn, spicy chemistry, gods, intriguing world-building, and a whole lot of heat, add this one to your TBR.

[Alicia]

Thank you to the author for an early copy.

Hod, the god that you are!!! Shadow daddy that also vibrates?! Phew, turn up the heat. Add to that a troubled past and poor relationship with his son. Our FMC is so independent and honestly fun. I love Aleena and think she really owns the whole human x immortal God relationship. They struggle and perhaps the door is open for more but also wraps up nicely. We get to see some friends from the trilogy (not required as it's a standalone but will will enhance the read). I absolutely love this world, the layered Norse mythology though I know I butcher the names in my head. I want to go reread the trilogy now!

[blossomingwood]

Every way I thought it would go it curve-balled.
Beautifully dark. Beautifully spicy. Beautifully dangerous.

The unpredictable nature of this book was a toll on my adhd brain. The romance, the spice, the story, the characters, all of it had me thinking ‘oh this will happen’ but it didn’t.
Being caught wrong so many times made for a marvelous read and saying no to the book multiple times. Also, yes.

I love Hod and Aleena. They are some spicy characters, and my goodness is Hod a shadow daddy…

[Zsuzsanna Csonka-Bonevacz]

What the hell!? I don’t know what Renate Rowland puts in her books, but they are completely addictive. I binged this one faster than anything else I've read lately. There is a new shadow daddy on the scene—and a vibrating one at that!

​I’m not ready to leave these characters behind; I need more of their story and some serious answers after that epilogue! Forgive the rambling, but I need to find my brain cells first.

[Rebekah Godfrey]

The yearning that this book had 😭 gah!!
I really loved the characters! Hod and Aleena flirting with each other at the beginning on this book was too cute! Hod and his brother were just too funny together!

Reading all of the trauma and abuse that they both went through, but especially what Aleena went through was heartbreaking. Definitely check out the trigger warnings before reading! But i highly recommend!
I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Hope Mosley]

Renate has done it again! She always blows my mind with how amazing her books are. The characters, the journey from start to finish. another 5 star!

[Samreadsbooks28]

I absolutely devoured this book! Everything about it was so good and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Well done!

[Dark_booksfan]

Been reading this series since the beginning and it has me hooked always wanting and needing more love the nordic gods angle the seers has take its a must you wont be disappointed