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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you are person who complains about lack of character development in novels, this book is for you. I know most of these characters than I know myself.
Now I know why the series is called Dark Iceland. The ending was bleak and unjust, but still somehow satisfying. Coming from the stereotypical mysteries where everyone gets what’s coming to them, it’s kind of refreshing to have an ending where the somewhat bad guy or gal wins and the individual who was in the wrong place gets arrested. That’s one dark ending, for sure.
But all the characters are painted in such detailed strokes and the core mysteries were handled so eloquently and logically, it makes me love the book even more. After all, once the perpetrator is revealed and the motive explained, does it really matter what the end result is? That’s a philosophical question about the nature of a mystery—is the point solving the puzzle or punishing the wicked?
That’s why I’m intrigued if this debate will continue in future installments. Ari Thor is a great main character and possesses such a steadfast approach to the world that I honestly don’t know if he’s cut out for a profession and a setting where evil gets a pass more often than not.
“Forget it, Ari. This is Siglufjördur...”
But all the characters are painted in such detailed strokes and the core mysteries were handled so eloquently and logically, it makes me love the book even more. After all, once the perpetrator is revealed and the motive explained, does it really matter what the end result is? That’s a philosophical question about the nature of a mystery—is the point solving the puzzle or punishing the wicked?
That’s why I’m intrigued if this debate will continue in future installments. Ari Thor is a great main character and possesses such a steadfast approach to the world that I honestly don’t know if he’s cut out for a profession and a setting where evil gets a pass more often than not.
“Forget it, Ari. This is Siglufjördur...”
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mystery set in Iceland - started out really good, but ended kind of meh. The mystery was good, characters could have been fleshed out a little more for my liking. Also did not like the lack of resolution/justice for Karl. I was annoyed by Ari Thor's lack of backbone when it came to the relationship between Kristin and Ugla.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This series came highly recommended, but I don't think I'll continue with it. The main character was profoundly unlikeable, even for a Troubled Detective type. I'd say it's a staple of the genre to have the main character be flawed in some way or the other, but it was still hard to spend half the book listening to this boring dude whine about how his committed partner wasn't supportive enough of him abruptly moving across the country without discussing it with her first. The story also felt like it was beating around the bush rather than building suspense.
Starts slowly then settles into a satisfying small town mystery. But how can this tiny place sustain a whole series?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No