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A review by beckys_book_blog
The Swell: A captivating mystery set in Iceland and steeped in myth by Kat Gordon
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? No
3.75
I found this such an atmospheric read. I'm always fascinated by books set in Iceland and would really like to visit this country!
The book is written in two parts. In 1910, Frejya and Gudrun, rescue a man from a shipwreck in the middle of a storm. Following this, Tomas goes to live with them on their small, remote farm.
In the second story, which takes place sixty-five years later, Sigga is spending time with her grandmother when they learn a body has been discovered on a mountainside near Reykjavik, perfectly preserved in ice.
There are lots of Icelandic myths interwoven through both stories, which I found interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the story set in 1910 and felt immediately invested in Freyja's and Gudrun's lives.
This book really demonstrates the constraints women felt, in a very male dominated society both in 1910 and 1975. Despite being years apart the women experience some very similar emotions.
I couldn't put the book down in the final chapters. The tension and mystery really builds in each separate story, and I loved how the two slowly connected, and some of the characters' true intentions were revealed. I didn't see the ending coming at all!
If you enjoy a good historical mystery steeped in folklore and with a very atmospheric setting I would recommend this book.
The book is written in two parts. In 1910, Frejya and Gudrun, rescue a man from a shipwreck in the middle of a storm. Following this, Tomas goes to live with them on their small, remote farm.
In the second story, which takes place sixty-five years later, Sigga is spending time with her grandmother when they learn a body has been discovered on a mountainside near Reykjavik, perfectly preserved in ice.
There are lots of Icelandic myths interwoven through both stories, which I found interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the story set in 1910 and felt immediately invested in Freyja's and Gudrun's lives.
This book really demonstrates the constraints women felt, in a very male dominated society both in 1910 and 1975. Despite being years apart the women experience some very similar emotions.
I couldn't put the book down in the final chapters. The tension and mystery really builds in each separate story, and I loved how the two slowly connected, and some of the characters' true intentions were revealed. I didn't see the ending coming at all!
If you enjoy a good historical mystery steeped in folklore and with a very atmospheric setting I would recommend this book.