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berglindsh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Torture, Death, Gore, Body horror, Classism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
danimacuk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Police brutality, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Deportation, and Confinement
amess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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
4.0
Shadows of the Short Days is an urban fantasy novel taking place in Reykjavik in a world in which magic exists. However, magic has led to innovations and technology that a tyrannical government and their militarized police force wield in order to oppress minorities. The novel centers around ex-lovers Garún and Sæmundur who take different paths in the revolution: Garún through direct action and Sæmunder through obtaining magical power.
This book had cool concepts and seems very timely in today's world with militarized police brutality and discussions on how minorities can achieve equal footing in society: through slow changes to the system or its violent upheaval. Unfortunately, the book did have some pacing issues, issues with creating likeable characters, and problems with depicting the systemic oppression.
Neither Garún or Sæmundur were very likeable. Garún was stubborn and uncooperative amongst her comrades with her mind only set upon punitive justice against the system that wronged her. However, the audience doesn't really get to experience the injustices faced besides a few comments and singular incidences. The narrative tells the audience about the tyranny of the government but rarely shows it in everyday life.
Sæmundur's arc was slightly more interesting because it delved into the magic systems of the world, but he was power hungry and seemed to have very one dimensional motivations.
Overall, this was a fun and interestimg read, but its could have gone through some more editing to fix the pacing problems, vague worldbuilding, and one dimensional characters.
This book had cool concepts and seems very timely in today's world with militarized police brutality and discussions on how minorities can achieve equal footing in society: through slow changes to the system or its violent upheaval. Unfortunately, the book did have some pacing issues, issues with creating likeable characters, and problems with depicting the systemic oppression.
Neither Garún or Sæmundur were very likeable. Garún was stubborn and uncooperative amongst her comrades with her mind only set upon punitive justice against the system that wronged her. However, the audience doesn't really get to experience the injustices faced besides a few comments and singular incidences. The narrative tells the audience about the tyranny of the government but rarely shows it in everyday life.
Sæmundur's arc was slightly more interesting because it delved into the magic systems of the world, but he was power hungry and seemed to have very one dimensional motivations.
Overall, this was a fun and interestimg read, but its could have gone through some more editing to fix the pacing problems, vague worldbuilding, and one dimensional characters.
liisp_cvr2cvr's review against another edition
3.0
I am quite positive that I have never read anything quite like Shadows of the Short Days. The book has a mystical and rustic and oppressive feel to it. Like the tones of doom metal on a dark-dark winter’s eve- slow tempo, despair and darkness, impending doom.
See the closing of the blurb:
This is a tale of revolution set in a twisted version of Reykjavik fuelled by industrialised magic and populated by humans, interdimensional exiles, otherworldly creatures, psychoactive graffiti and demonic familiars.
This is exactly what Shadows of the Short Days is- one of the best summaries of a book that captures all of its themes. It’s a mix of real, contemporary world with blurring lines into magic used mostly to summon demons for selfish agendas, and stepping through to another dimension. A dimension that sounds like the underbelly of reality.
The contemporary, industrial world on this book is truly inspired by the current events of the world: alienation of peoples who do not fit into society according to the government or ‘normal’ people, the iron fisted rule of the government, the anxiety and unrest in society caused by the ones who want to bring about change and the ones who side with the powers that be. Sounds like the daily evening news…
With the addition of the otherworldly aspect, Shadows of the Short Days has a lot going on. The demonic familiars require blood sacrifices and the psychoactive graffiti with the purpose to influence other people also affects the one who carries the ‘tainted’ graffiti paint.
The clash of the these two very different yet interweaved worlds create the aspect of horror and grimness like no other. I felt like it was constantly dark. dark, dark, dark. And the contemporary feel in fantasy, especially a fantasy as dark as this, feels strange… you’d expect swords and sorcery not political rallies, nightclubbing and sorcery?! Nonetheless, it’s a fresh and, dare I say, Icelandic approach to fantasy.
The characters…Sæmundur is probably one of the most selfish characters I’ve ever read about. Talk about walking over everyone and everything to get what he wants. The cruelty he imposes on living beings without a shred of consideration is shocking. When most books try to pin any redeeming qualities to the evil characters, just to make the reader wobble behind their moral compass, Sæmundur is just straight out psycho! We simply can’t explain away his tendencies to madness… his madness is his psycho.
Garún belongs to one of those groups of people who are ‘not accepted’ by the ‘normal’ society. And like any alienated group needs someone to stand up for their rights, Garún is leading the fight against the government policies. It’s interesting to see how the fight for something good eventually starts to blur the line that limits the use of dark forces… anything for the greater good?! Questionable… Garún’s story is interesting and she has a big mission on her shoulder. No leader ever had it easy.
There were a lot of elements that I enjoyed in this book that worked well, but at times I thought things went on for too long. The long, descriptive scenes overtook the plot and focus of the story which ultimately was the last – but also first and only- nail in the coffin that took away from enjoyment for me. Having said that, the writing is solid- you can feel the author moving through the story with a purposeful stride and a clear vision.
Tons and piles and heaps of potential in this book. Will definitely appeal to an audience of readers who enjoy being firmly planted in the moment of a dark Reykjavik, both in this and the other dimension. The premise remains interesting, wrapped in a foggy shroud of pulse-pumping fight against the system. I can respect that! I do respect that!
See the closing of the blurb:
This is a tale of revolution set in a twisted version of Reykjavik fuelled by industrialised magic and populated by humans, interdimensional exiles, otherworldly creatures, psychoactive graffiti and demonic familiars.
This is exactly what Shadows of the Short Days is- one of the best summaries of a book that captures all of its themes. It’s a mix of real, contemporary world with blurring lines into magic used mostly to summon demons for selfish agendas, and stepping through to another dimension. A dimension that sounds like the underbelly of reality.
The contemporary, industrial world on this book is truly inspired by the current events of the world: alienation of peoples who do not fit into society according to the government or ‘normal’ people, the iron fisted rule of the government, the anxiety and unrest in society caused by the ones who want to bring about change and the ones who side with the powers that be. Sounds like the daily evening news…
With the addition of the otherworldly aspect, Shadows of the Short Days has a lot going on. The demonic familiars require blood sacrifices and the psychoactive graffiti with the purpose to influence other people also affects the one who carries the ‘tainted’ graffiti paint.
The clash of the these two very different yet interweaved worlds create the aspect of horror and grimness like no other. I felt like it was constantly dark. dark, dark, dark. And the contemporary feel in fantasy, especially a fantasy as dark as this, feels strange… you’d expect swords and sorcery not political rallies, nightclubbing and sorcery?! Nonetheless, it’s a fresh and, dare I say, Icelandic approach to fantasy.
The characters…Sæmundur is probably one of the most selfish characters I’ve ever read about. Talk about walking over everyone and everything to get what he wants. The cruelty he imposes on living beings without a shred of consideration is shocking. When most books try to pin any redeeming qualities to the evil characters, just to make the reader wobble behind their moral compass, Sæmundur is just straight out psycho! We simply can’t explain away his tendencies to madness… his madness is his psycho.
Garún belongs to one of those groups of people who are ‘not accepted’ by the ‘normal’ society. And like any alienated group needs someone to stand up for their rights, Garún is leading the fight against the government policies. It’s interesting to see how the fight for something good eventually starts to blur the line that limits the use of dark forces… anything for the greater good?! Questionable… Garún’s story is interesting and she has a big mission on her shoulder. No leader ever had it easy.
There were a lot of elements that I enjoyed in this book that worked well, but at times I thought things went on for too long. The long, descriptive scenes overtook the plot and focus of the story which ultimately was the last – but also first and only- nail in the coffin that took away from enjoyment for me. Having said that, the writing is solid- you can feel the author moving through the story with a purposeful stride and a clear vision.
Tons and piles and heaps of potential in this book. Will definitely appeal to an audience of readers who enjoy being firmly planted in the moment of a dark Reykjavik, both in this and the other dimension. The premise remains interesting, wrapped in a foggy shroud of pulse-pumping fight against the system. I can respect that! I do respect that!
a_l_deleon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
5.0
When an author can draw you in to where you feel as if you are immersed in the story, then you know they've written something amazing. Shadows of the Short Days is a well written and interesting dark epic urban fantasy. It does have horrible outcomes for several characters. Those outcomes make sense and tell a much larger story, setting the stage for subsequent novels. I'm not sure anyone can write a revolution happening in their characters world and NOT have devastating conflicts, internally and externally for each character. I'm looking forward to reading the next book by Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson and see what journey he takes us readers on next.
A note: Be patient with yourself as you read this novel. There are Icelandic terms that readers will come across frequently. It's okay if you don't know how to pronounce them or understand them. There is a helpful pronunciation guide at the beginning, use it.
A note: Be patient with yourself as you read this novel. There are Icelandic terms that readers will come across frequently. It's okay if you don't know how to pronounce them or understand them. There is a helpful pronunciation guide at the beginning, use it.
annasirius's review against another edition
Dnf at 2h 47min. I just didn't connect with any of the characters.
rndana's review against another edition
2.0
ויליאמסון עשה בספר כמה דברים מעניינים, אבל בסופו של דבר הוא מתאמץ מדי, ארוך מדי, עם גיבורים מעיקים.
literaturesciencealliance's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was disappointing to me. I really liked the beginning and was excited that this was going to be a more modern rebellion fantasy set in Iceland. I really loved the aesthetic and how the world was brought to life and I think the reason I didn't love this story could be a reason a lot of readers should pick it up. This is a very grim dark type fantasy that I thought would be more standard epic high fantasy. Both of our main characters were very difficult for me to root for because of how morally grey to black they were. I remember a scene where one of the perspective did something about 25% of the way in and I basically could never get back on board to giving that character any sympathy and the other character just kept going lone wolf and doing things I felt kind of dumb. It was an interesting take on modern day rebellion in a high fantasy world and lots of fascinating elements but I think if I don't care about characters it really hard for me to enjoy a story this long. I also have no idea what happened at the end and I know there is a sequel but have no intention of continuing.
fishface's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
The concept of this steampunk, dimensionally warped Reykjavík is very cool and I enjoyed the world building immensely. The Náskárar were very cool and I would have like to learn more about them.
Unfortunately, the characters ended up being a let down. They were all so unlikeable that I struggled to care about either the revolution or the demon summoning aspects of the plot. Garún had potential, but she ended up far too self righteous and one dimensional. Which left me with basically nothing. Their relationships with each other of the story also felt pretty empty as a result.
Ultimately I think this story and world has a lot of potential, enough that I will read from this author again in the future if they publish something else, but this book wasn’t for me because of the characters.
The concept of this steampunk, dimensionally warped Reykjavík is very cool and I enjoyed the world building immensely. The Náskárar were very cool and I would have like to learn more about them.
Unfortunately, the characters ended up being a let down. They were all so unlikeable that I struggled to care about either the revolution or the demon summoning aspects of the plot. Garún had potential, but she ended up far too self righteous and one dimensional. Which left me with basically nothing. Their relationships with each other of the story also felt pretty empty as a result.
Ultimately I think this story and world has a lot of potential, enough that I will read from this author again in the future if they publish something else, but this book wasn’t for me because of the characters.