Rick Riordan's Reviews > The Night Guest

A chilling, deeply disturbing read about a young woman whose life is slowly falling apart after the death of her older sister -- a tragedy we find out about only in glimpses and inferences. Iðunn goes to a doctor to report inexplicable aches and pains when she wakes up each morning. Is it possible she is sleepwalking? If so, what is her subconscious trying to tell her? Sometimes, it is better not to know . . .

This is a super-quick read. I finished it in one sitting. To say I enjoyed it is possibly not accurate -- it left me unsettled and disquieted, as no doubt the story is meant to -- but it was certainly compelling and haunting.

*Trigger warning / spoiler* As other reviewers have noted, animal cruelty is depicted in this book. As a cat lover, I found this difficult to get past, though the author does foreshadow the gruesomeness to come and I understand why it was part of the story. I finished the book, and am glad I did, but be warned if this is a topic about which you would prefer not to read. *END trigger warning / spoiler*

We visited Iceland a few years ago, and that certainly helped me picture the setting in which the novel unfolds. The narrative is spare and gripping, and though I don't know any Icelandic, the English translation felt beautifully done and did the story justice. It was like a dip into an Icelandic lake -- which I have done -- brief, shocking, and deathly cold. Glad I did it. Glad to be out again! BRRR!