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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
A very engaging read about a murder mystery in a desolate region. The mystery is more than just a murder and the community on the cusp of change and a country at war weave into a more interesting tale than I expected.
Ekback's spare and slightly disjointed prose is somewhat difficult to follow; her characters are powerfully sketched but missing the depth of detail that make them easily understood. Still, the story is an intriguing one set against an unfamiliar and unsettling landscape. I would pick up another book by Ekback, given the chance.
What a great read! This is a combination historical novel, murder mystery with lots of magical realism. Set in Swedish Lapland in 1717, A family moves to Blackasen mountain where settlers live hard lives. The author does an excellent job of building foreboding and the dark, cold winter adds a dimension that is hard for me (an Australian) to imagine. The story builds slowly and takes time to develop the various characters making it an immersive experience. The conclusion is shocking and rounds up all the loose ends in a satisfying way.
There’s many themes here, contrast between the religion of priests and the older shamanic or pagan religion of the Lapps(as they are referred to in the book); the lack of rights for women, and also how the bigger picture (eg the country at war) affects even small faraway places.
There’s many themes here, contrast between the religion of priests and the older shamanic or pagan religion of the Lapps(as they are referred to in the book); the lack of rights for women, and also how the bigger picture (eg the country at war) affects even small faraway places.
On buying this book I took a look at the cover, the price, and the rating on Goodreads and bought it without really knowing what I was getting but hoping that the story would be dark and atmospheric. And it didn't disappoint. A historical fiction about a family moving up to a desolate, remote mountain with a dark story surrounding it, a man found dead, fear stirring and a Wolf Winter approaching, it makes for a very immersive, suspenseful experience that I was here for. Definitely will be getting the second in the series.
A historical mystery set in the wilds of Lappland in the 1700s--very much a closed circle setup, even though anything isn't physically restricting the characters from leaving. I loved the historical aspects and the setting, which is one I've never encountered before. Ekback did manage to wrap everything up, even though it seemed like she was going to leave us hanging with a "We may never know" ending at once. But something about the writing just didn't click with me. It was very, very stark, sometimes to the point of being grating. I don't think it was poor writing, I just think it's a style that's not really in my wheelhouse.
I re-read this book during the 2022 Queensland floods - so instead of snow and ice I was dry and safe in my home but surrounded by rain, rain and more rain!!! I still enjoyed this book, but on re-reading would give it a 4 rating instead of a 5. It wasn't perfect this time around but I still enjoyed the beautiful descriptive writing and the atmosphere. I've DNFed a few books lately so it was great to re-visit a book I knew I would enjoy.
2015 review below:
My perfect book - historical setting (1717), atmospheric (I could feel the cold coming off the pages) and mysterious. It starts with the body of a dead man discovered by two girls and then delves into the superstitions, fears and secrets of the villagers as the their mother tries to undercover who murdered him. One of my favourite book club picks.
2015 review below:
My perfect book - historical setting (1717), atmospheric (I could feel the cold coming off the pages) and mysterious. It starts with the body of a dead man discovered by two girls and then delves into the superstitions, fears and secrets of the villagers as the their mother tries to undercover who murdered him. One of my favourite book club picks.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Sometimes that is how the most important insights came, in drips and drops, You took a step back and there is was: a waterway.”
Yes, Wolf Winter is a little of a slow burner but it’s worth it. At first I was very unimpressed with the characters and setting but steadily, steadily, as ice forms and a lake freezes over, the characters grew on me. The slow pace is in fact central to the story and is a reflection of the isolation of the characters' lives as they are stranded by weather conditions in Swedish Lapland.
We have several mysteries hidden within the novel. The central and obvious mystery being the opening murder and who amongst such a small number of people can possibly be responsible. But there is also the mystery of every characters past life and let's just say a lot more happening then was immediately obvious to me as I read the story. Without giving anything away I will conclude that the closing chapters include a lot of revelations.
This is definitely one for a reread for me and recommended to anyone who likes a mix of Nordic,historic, crime fiction with a slight supernatural twist.
Yes, Wolf Winter is a little of a slow burner but it’s worth it. At first I was very unimpressed with the characters and setting but steadily, steadily, as ice forms and a lake freezes over, the characters grew on me. The slow pace is in fact central to the story and is a reflection of the isolation of the characters' lives as they are stranded by weather conditions in Swedish Lapland.
We have several mysteries hidden within the novel. The central and obvious mystery being the opening murder and who amongst such a small number of people can possibly be responsible. But there is also the mystery of every characters past life and let's just say a lot more happening then was immediately obvious to me as I read the story. Without giving anything away I will conclude that the closing chapters include a lot of revelations.
This is definitely one for a reread for me and recommended to anyone who likes a mix of Nordic,historic, crime fiction with a slight supernatural twist.
A being was either strong enough to hold their ground or they became small and bottomless and started feeding on themselves.
This has been on my to-read list for years, and I'm very glad I finally got round to it. I think what I loved most about this book is the author's descriptions of nature and weather . Her anthropomorphism's of these elements helps to create a dark, eerie and suspenseful setting. The characters were all complex and memorable. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, and could never figure out who killed Eriksson. The magical realism was well done and formed a natural part of the story. What will stay with me for a long time is the difficulty of just surviving in this incredibly harsh environment. I will be looking out for her second book being released this year.
The Story: It’s 1717 in Swedish Lapland, winter is approaching and a new family of settlers has arrived on the bleak and beautiful Blackåsen mountain, hoping to hardscrabble a living from the unforgiving land. When 14-year-old newcomer Frederika stumbles on the mutilated body of a man in the forest, the locals are keen to blame wolves, but Frederika and her mother, the tough, resourceful Maija, are determined to get to the truth
I wanted so badly to like this book. Firstly it's a Canadian author doing historical fiction, with the backdrop of Sweden as the locale. Secondly, it's a debut novel. Thirdly, it's an indigo spotlight pick. But at 106 pages in, I'm calling it quits.
The premise of the book seems very exciting. A historical thriller where dark things lurk in the mountains. It's the stuff that nightmares are made of, and it was really what drew me to read it. But honestly, I just found a lot of disappointment. The dust jacket reads like the book will focus on two characters and their struggle through the oncoming winter. We meet a collection of characters, who (I would assume) help to build the story further.
The writing is elegant and the element of fear is underlying through what I read, but I just cannot connect to the characters.
The premise of the book seems very exciting. A historical thriller where dark things lurk in the mountains. It's the stuff that nightmares are made of, and it was really what drew me to read it. But honestly, I just found a lot of disappointment. The dust jacket reads like the book will focus on two characters and their struggle through the oncoming winter. We meet a collection of characters, who (I would assume) help to build the story further.
The writing is elegant and the element of fear is underlying through what I read, but I just cannot connect to the characters.