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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
The Night Guest is the first novel I have read that was originally written in Icelandic, which felt noteworthy to me given how few people speak the language worldwide. Unfortunately, this reading experience was hindered by graphic depictions of violence toward animals, specifically cats, which is a personal trigger for me. Had I known about this content beforehand, I likely would not have chosen to read the book. Readers who are less affected by this content may enjoy the title more than I did. Looking past that specific content, I was initially captivated by the story, but the conclusion was disappointing. The ending is extremely open-ended, leaving more questions than answers. However, I did enjoy reading the various reader theories on Reddit about what may have been happening with the protagonist. Ultimately, The Night Guest was not a success for me, but readers who appreciate ambiguity and the unreliable narrator trope may find it more satisfying.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received an audio recording of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Weak story. Starts out as an intriguing mystery about a woman who sleepwalks. Why is she sleepwalking? And what is she doing at night that leaves her exhausted and bruised when she wakes up in the morning?
The atmosphere is ominous. There is the creepiness of doing something that you are not conscious of - and there is also something about a dead sister.
But that’s basically it. A setup and a series of events.
When you get to the end, you are just left with a ‘what, why?’ There is no meaningful resolution or explanation, and events end up being random and without connection to the plot.
Especially the cat killings end up as gratuitous and as cheap ‘shock value’, because they have no real meaning in the story.
So yes, I am also one of those that did not like the kitty killings - but for a reason besides it just being uncool to kill kitties…
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
A horror novella that will keep you engaged until the end.
😴
Iðunn is in another doctor’s office. Again. Trying to find a cure for her insomnia and bone-tiredness she feels everyday. The doctors dismiss her concerns, even suggesting she get a step counting watch so she can exercise more during the day, ensuring she’ll sleep at night. But one morning she checks her watch only to discover she’s walked 40,000 steps in one night. Where did she go and what is she doing during that time? Iðunn starts waking up with injuries and blood on her hands. No one believes her so she decides to figure it out herself.
🥱
This was such an interesting book I was hooked from beginning until the last two chapters. It felt like you were really with Iðunn in Iceland. The ending, however, is one that is open to interpretation, which can go either way for readers. Lots of debate on Reddit about what happens at the end of this title. Fans of Nightb**** will enjoy this psychological horror novella. Thanks @libro.fm for the ALC.
CW: animal cruelty, animal death (cats), blood, gore, medical content, kidnapping, torture, emesis, death of a sibling, drowning, suicide, sexual assault, grief, mental illness stalking, self harm, infidelity
😴
Iðunn is in another doctor’s office. Again. Trying to find a cure for her insomnia and bone-tiredness she feels everyday. The doctors dismiss her concerns, even suggesting she get a step counting watch so she can exercise more during the day, ensuring she’ll sleep at night. But one morning she checks her watch only to discover she’s walked 40,000 steps in one night. Where did she go and what is she doing during that time? Iðunn starts waking up with injuries and blood on her hands. No one believes her so she decides to figure it out herself.
🥱
This was such an interesting book I was hooked from beginning until the last two chapters. It felt like you were really with Iðunn in Iceland. The ending, however, is one that is open to interpretation, which can go either way for readers. Lots of debate on Reddit about what happens at the end of this title. Fans of Nightb**** will enjoy this psychological horror novella. Thanks @libro.fm for the ALC.
CW: animal cruelty, animal death (cats), blood, gore, medical content, kidnapping, torture, emesis, death of a sibling, drowning, suicide, sexual assault, grief, mental illness stalking, self harm, infidelity
This was definitely outside of the normal genres of books that I read, but it was interesting. Trippy idea of realizing that you were doing things that you didn't realize while sleeping, and definitely kept me interested to find out what the deal was.