A review by crafalsk264
The Fires by Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir

adventurous challenging informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Anna Arnardóttir is a volcanologist and a member of the Iceland Scientific Council, which is a scientific advisory organization to the upper levels of government. But the membership of the Council has been changing from scientists to economic and tourist officials. Now a volcano thought to be dormant is becoming active near the most populated area of Iceland. As earthquakes begin to happen more often, the scientists fear that a serious event is on the horizon. The first half of the book relies on scientific information and was interesting. About halfway, Anna begins to have an affair and her happy home life unravels. The last part of the book switches back to emphasize the scientific information and the effects the eruption has on people. 

The book offers several different subplots. The scientific back story was interesting. Anna as a passionate scientist is engaging. The part of the book telling the story of the affair feels forced and artificial. I nearly DNF-ed it during that part but eruptions and the disasters it spawned kept me reading. The characters are rather predictable. The setting of Iceland being threatened by earthquakes and volcanos was well presented and the action was definitely the last part of the book. Recommend to readers of mysteries, science fiction, survival, and natural disasters.