Scan barcode
saville08's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Atmospheric combined with the loneliness and being stranded in a small town. This book was translated perfectly and kept me engaged. I am not a big thriller mystery person but I enjoyed this and would reread this book.
secre's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This Girl Who Died is a slow paced not-quite-thriller, set in a remote and tiny 1980's Icelandic village. Skálar is home to only ten adults and two children, and Una takes up a job in teaching the children. It's got a bleak and Gothic atmosphere to it and the author does well at bringing this small village to life around you. Where it falls down somewhat is the plot; not a lot happens for the vast majority of the novel and when things finally get moving, it's a little too late to engage you.
It took me a long time to get into the novel because of that and whilst the suspense builds up slowly, with real life events being heightened by the possibility of a supernatural force at work, the ending felt like a bit of a cop out. What I did like about it was the characterisations and the very real level of deception and mistrust throughout the tiny village to Una as a new interloper. Jónasson writes the characters in a very believable way, and this along with the dark atmosphere makes it a very evocative read.
This is going to be one of those novels that some people will adore for the atmosphere and the sense of time and place. For me, it didn't quite work as the narrative felt weak in comparison.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.
It took me a long time to get into the novel because of that and whilst the suspense builds up slowly, with real life events being heightened by the possibility of a supernatural force at work, the ending felt like a bit of a cop out. What I did like about it was the characterisations and the very real level of deception and mistrust throughout the tiny village to Una as a new interloper. Jónasson writes the characters in a very believable way, and this along with the dark atmosphere makes it a very evocative read.
This is going to be one of those novels that some people will adore for the atmosphere and the sense of time and place. For me, it didn't quite work as the narrative felt weak in comparison.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
liz_kill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
trinitycun's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
xxselenaj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wasn’t completely on board with why we were following the life of one of the people wrongfully imprisoned however I do think it tied in nicely with the narrative.
Loved this Icelandic noir and although my first, I will be sure to keep an eye out for more of Jónasson’s work. The writing was capturing and the story had you guessing what was going on at every chapter. I think the length and the style was perfect for the narrative.
Considering the time frame of this setting (80s) I think it was an honest capture of how mental illness was seen and how frightened people become when they fear they may be losing their mind. Una’s character is lovely and complex, I don’t love how the villagers treated her. However for the purpose of the story I was thrilled by the cultish aspect of belonging and Una’s desire to belong.
Loved hearing the narrative! It was kind of giving Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I loved that! I think that is what mainly pulled me in. While part 1 was slow, it helped to build the character of Skálar and the bonds surrounding these characters. Part 2 truly caught my attention and I couldn’t stop until I finished.
I also felt as if the romance between Thor and Una was more so to capture readers attention because it was barely in 10% of the book. It felt undeveloped and rushed on why Una felt so attached especially when Thor seemed hellbent on keeping his distance for his half sister (?). For reasons not fully explained.
Loved this Icelandic noir and although my first, I will be sure to keep an eye out for more of Jónasson’s work. The writing was capturing and the story had you guessing what was going on at every chapter. I think the length and the style was perfect for the narrative.
Considering the time frame of this setting (80s) I think it was an honest capture of how mental illness was seen and how frightened people become when they fear they may be losing their mind. Una’s character is lovely and complex, I don’t love how the villagers treated her. However for the purpose of the story I was thrilled by the cultish aspect of belonging and Una’s desire to belong.
Loved hearing the narrative! It was kind of giving Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I loved that! I think that is what mainly pulled me in. While part 1 was slow, it helped to build the character of Skálar and the bonds surrounding these characters. Part 2 truly caught my attention and I couldn’t stop until I finished.
I also felt as if the romance between Thor and Una was more so to capture readers attention because it was barely in 10% of the book. It felt undeveloped and rushed on why Una felt so attached especially when Thor seemed hellbent on keeping his distance for his half sister (?). For reasons not fully explained.
thompsonmer44's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.25
toastam's review
2.0
It was okay. The pacing was a little underwhelming. The supernatural side story would have been stronger had it been tied into one of the present mysteries. Overall, I enjoyed the remote atmosphere of the tiny Icelandic village and the theme of village vs outsider. But the character development was problematic. Maybe I'm just a stickler for justice, but it's lousy that Una decides to let those innocent people stay in prison just because of her attraction for Thor. After she fought SO hard to discover the truth.
Meh.
Meh.
lothwolfjedi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0