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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This is a good quick horror read by an Icelandic author for Women in Translation Month. The first 95% of the book, I think anyone would love. The ending is going to be divisive, because you will be hoping that all will be explained and what you will be getting is an ending that doesn't explain at all. You have to infer. Is the ending real? Is the narrator reliable? Is it all in her head? What happened to her sister? If you can't live with the ambiguity, don't read this. Also, if animal death is a no-go for you, don't read this. If ambiguity and cat murder aren't deal-breakers for you, then this is a good, creepy read.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was a really interesting read. It was also very quick, and I couldn't stop listening. I appreciated the themes about being a woman with a chronic medical issue (fatigue, in this case) and being unable to get a diagnosis—who knew Iceland had this problem, too?
I enjoyed the creeping dread the book gave me as I continued reading. I was a bit surprised by how little action the main character took and how long it took her to do certain things, like wear her watch at night, see where she had been walking, etc. I was surprised by the animal cruelty in the story, and I wish I had had a notion that it was going to be a part of the book before I read it. I am not sure how I felt about the ending and its ambiguity. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about her sister and what happened to her.
Overall, this book was a gripping, quick read with a very interesting premise and a great atmosphere of suspense and dread.
I enjoyed the creeping dread the book gave me as I continued reading.
Overall, this book was a gripping, quick read with a very interesting premise and a great atmosphere of suspense and dread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
fast-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
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
I loved the writing and the narration, but I'm not a huge fan of the ending. That's my own personal taste, however. I read this book because it's on the World Fantasy Awards Shortlist 2025, Special Award, Professional.