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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Like a silent fall of snow; suddenly the reader is enveloped ... visually acute, skilfully written; it won't easily erase its tracks in the reader's mind" Hilary Mantel
A quietly building story of Maija and her family when they move to Swedish Lapland in 1717. Her daughters find a dead man in a clearing, traumatic enough but what really disturbs is the settlers reaction to it. Spanning a harsh Lapland winter, this story reveals people's secrets, their prejudices and ultimately their humanity.
In truth this story could have been set in any time in history (indeed the author explains in the back of the book that she originally set it during 2005, then 1930, then 1865 before it found it's home in 1717). This story is about people, relationships and wanting to belong, I don't think that changes much over time.
Maija is trying to deal with an unstable husband who fails to provide for his family, the new start promised when they move from Finland to Sweden doesn't live up to expectations and Maija is left to settle in and battle the elements by herself. This allows her to find out what happened to the murdered man (something her husband wanted her to leave alone), why do the other settlers nearby seem happy to put it down to a wolf attack? We later find out that everyone is running or hiding from someone or something, including Maija.
The ending surprised me but it was the only ending possible which made total sense, finishing this book made me feel content, content that I had read a really good story which transported me to another world. That only happens when the writing is excellent. Highly recommend this novel, a great start to my Autumnal reads.
A quietly building story of Maija and her family when they move to Swedish Lapland in 1717. Her daughters find a dead man in a clearing, traumatic enough but what really disturbs is the settlers reaction to it. Spanning a harsh Lapland winter, this story reveals people's secrets, their prejudices and ultimately their humanity.
In truth this story could have been set in any time in history (indeed the author explains in the back of the book that she originally set it during 2005, then 1930, then 1865 before it found it's home in 1717). This story is about people, relationships and wanting to belong, I don't think that changes much over time.
Maija is trying to deal with an unstable husband who fails to provide for his family, the new start promised when they move from Finland to Sweden doesn't live up to expectations and Maija is left to settle in and battle the elements by herself. This allows her to find out what happened to the murdered man (something her husband wanted her to leave alone), why do the other settlers nearby seem happy to put it down to a wolf attack? We later find out that everyone is running or hiding from someone or something, including Maija.
The ending surprised me but it was the only ending possible which made total sense, finishing this book made me feel content, content that I had read a really good story which transported me to another world. That only happens when the writing is excellent. Highly recommend this novel, a great start to my Autumnal reads.
This is being compared a lot to Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, and though I see the atmospheric similarities, I think that's where the likeness ends. Though the story moved a bit slower, I was enjoying it until the very end. The conclusion was a mash of revelations and reveals, and some of them were great, some made me horribly uneasy and some felt like they came out of no where. Overall, well-written and very interesting, but the end made it just not for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A historical murder mystery with paganism, the church, feminism and family ties all woven in. I enjoyed this book, the latter half in particular had a few plot reveals that I wasn't expecting. I'd say its more of a YA in language and structure than adult fiction. I would've loved more detail in the chapters which were very short. I loved the historical elements to the story, I think the author missed a trick not putting in more about how the Swedish King's war mongering was effecting people. Overall, an enjoyable bit of escapism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
"Wolf winter,'" she said, her voice small. "I wanted to ask about it. You know, what it is."
He was silent for a long time. "It's the kind of winter that will remind us we are mortal," he said. "Mortal and alone."
Wolf Winter is that type of book that you won’t forget about the moment you finish reading it. The amazing atmosphere and characters made me want to continue reading this book just to find out what would happened next.
It is a slow book and very descriptive. You will require patience and time to read it, specially during the first part of the book. It is the type of book that allows you to imagine every little aspect of the place and understand each character as you try to figure out every one of their secrets. It is not just a book for entertainment as it will make you think about what humans are really capable of when overflowed with emotions.
The story takes place during 1717 in Blackasen, Sweden, were superstitions, witchcraft and Christianity were discussed thoroughly and the authority of certain characters were questioned as a war keeps happening around our main characters, who in this story, are too focused on surviving the worst and darkest winter in the history of this tiny community in the mountains to really notice it. This is a world where everyone does what they need to survive, not spending any time to shed tears, a world where the ghosts of the past manifest themselves in order to help those who are gifted and willing to hear them.
I started reading this story thinking that it was going to be just a murder mystery book and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even though a murder does start all the problems for our main characters, Cecilia Ekbäck made sure to include more things into this story, as she shows us that everyone has secrets and evil can be hiding anywhere, even where you least expect it.
He was silent for a long time. "It's the kind of winter that will remind us we are mortal," he said. "Mortal and alone."
Wolf Winter is that type of book that you won’t forget about the moment you finish reading it. The amazing atmosphere and characters made me want to continue reading this book just to find out what would happened next.
It is a slow book and very descriptive. You will require patience and time to read it, specially during the first part of the book. It is the type of book that allows you to imagine every little aspect of the place and understand each character as you try to figure out every one of their secrets. It is not just a book for entertainment as it will make you think about what humans are really capable of when overflowed with emotions.
The story takes place during 1717 in Blackasen, Sweden, were superstitions, witchcraft and Christianity were discussed thoroughly and the authority of certain characters were questioned as a war keeps happening around our main characters, who in this story, are too focused on surviving the worst and darkest winter in the history of this tiny community in the mountains to really notice it. This is a world where everyone does what they need to survive, not spending any time to shed tears, a world where the ghosts of the past manifest themselves in order to help those who are gifted and willing to hear them.
I started reading this story thinking that it was going to be just a murder mystery book and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even though a murder does start all the problems for our main characters, Cecilia Ekbäck made sure to include more things into this story, as she shows us that everyone has secrets and evil can be hiding anywhere, even where you least expect it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment
“Wolf winter,” she said, her voice small. “I wanted to ask you about it. You know, what it is.”
He was silent for a long time. “It’s the kind of winter that will remind us we are mortal,” he said. “Mortal and alone.”
What a great read for chilly weather! This may be the strongest debut novel I’ve laid my hands on.
Blackåsen is a small, remote village hiding some big, filthy skeletons that you’re most definitely going to want to dig up.
Maija is a phenomenal female lead. While the men around her wage war, she’s fighting in her own; one between faith and morality. What remains unwavering throughout is her fierce love for her family— specifically for her two daughters, Frederika and Dorotea.
This is a 1700s feminist detective story blended with a magical coming-of-age saga. I found myself gasping out loud when the truth began to unravel itself. There’s a remarkable balance between the mystical elements and the harsh existence in which these settlers survive. Ekbäck makes both feel magnificently real!
A Canadian read worth putting on your bookshelves!
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set in a Scandinavian winter in 1717, when the sun sets and won't rise again until spring, this book makes you feel the cold. If you read it in a darkish room, the white of the page will turn into the snow under your feet with night surrounding you. A murder mystery that drags you out onto the mountain: you need to take care not to get frostbite.
Historical murder mysteries with unusual protagonists in the role of detective? Ordinary, bring it on. The pacing was a bit off in places and the varying points of view were intriguing but the mystery could have been more tightly plotted. I wouldn't pass it up though: it's an intense historical and well worth a read.