In this book, three monks travel to the Skelligs at the behest of Artt, a leader who has had a vision of himself and two others making a tribute to God in a place so remote that no other people had yet been there. He brings with him Cormac, an old monk who has come to the life of God late and who has a multitude of practical skills like stonemasonry, cooking, gardening. There's also Trian, a young monk with not much experience of the world and not a very high opinion of himself. He's a good sailor, fisherman and hunter though. The skills that Artt brings seem to be a knowledge of the wide world and its history and scribing. I can't count leadership as a skill that Artt possesses because even though he is seen as the one with authority, he doesn't care at all about the two people that he's supposed to lead and protect.

Emma Donoghue's Haven transports readers to the 7th century, following three monks on a journey to the remote Great Skellig island off Ireland's coast. Trian, the youngest, is eager and clumsy; Cormac, who lost his family to the plague, has deep faith; and Artt, a mysterious scholar, leads them as their Prior. They seek a place of solace and spiritual renewal.

The novel focuses on the monks' sacrifices and the challenges of blind obedience. Donoghue beautifully captures the human spirit, though Haven is a challenging read with its rich descriptions. It may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate thoughtful storytelling, the journey of these monks will resonate long after finishing the book.

I loved Room but this book was not for me. I found it to be too spiritual for my liking and it was difficult to stay focused and interested. I do look forward to what Donoghue does next!

I'm not a big fan of historical fiction usually, but I *am* a fan of Emma Donoghue so I took a chance on this. This was a little slow-paced for me but Donoghue's writing carries it, and this is a subject matter I would have never picked up a book had it not been written by her.

A beautiful novel told with the clarity of a fable. Thanks for the review copy. I learned about spirituality, hope, and human failure.

Excellent use of language - syntax and prose are all beautiful as per usual with this author. I will be recommending this to everyone!

Thank you to Net Galley and Little, Brown & Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. At first, I didn't really get what was or why things were happening and had to read a review to understand a bit more. Artt, a priest, leaves the world behind with two monks, Trian and Cormac, on a quest for his beliefs and religion and to found a new monastery in the remote outskirts of 7th century Ireland. They end up at Great Skellig (known also as Skellig Michael) a island of craggy vertical rock formations, filled with birds and little protection. We follow the three of them as they try to establish shelter, a cross for all to see from a distance and basically survive. Artt is a taskmaster and has no sympathy or care for the other two except to establish for his God a sacred place. Trian is young and willing to withstand Artt cruel and unforgiving nature as Trian is hiding a secret. Cormac is older and more worldly and sees the this quest is pointless as they'll all die trying. This story is based on the real monastery built in the 600s on Skellig Michael and is an imagining of what really happened. The writing is good but the story was slow and none of the characters were compelling enough that I was invested in the journey. 2 stars for the story but rounded up for the writing style.

Emma Donoghue has an incredible talent for writing haunting, beautiful, simple stories that will grab at you and make you think about them long after they end. She doesn't overstuff her narrative with characters or subplots; she truly knows how to craft a gorgeous book, so much so that you think it's a little magical. One of my favorite authors because of this, "Haven" is no exception, and I so enjoyed this love story.

I love Emma Donoghue, but this book fell flat for me. I had a hard time starting it, and just slogged through the rest. Honestly, just a bit boring.

I have so many conflicting feelings about this novel! I was intrigued throughout the story. It made me contemplate so much about faith and leadership--especially when it is toxic. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending and the twist near the end of the story. I felt compassion for Trian and old Cormac and just wanted them to survive this ordeal intact. And I felt so much anger towards Artt and his pride.

thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I can't review this book because I dnf'd it at 6%. Unfortunately, it did not grab my attention like I thought it would.

Beautifully written story of 3 men on a journey of discovery. The story is very slow at times. I found it hard to stick with and it wasn't really my type of book.

Somehow this is a page-turner - a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting character study. This was a fascinating read with characters that were frustrating and amazingly relatable.

This was a slog and too sad for me, but the writing was beautiful. I enjoyed learning about the vellum making process, but the rest of the book just did not hold my attention.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This one was a DNF for me at 15%. I’m not opposed to going back and trying it again later. I am often a mood reader so I just was not feeling this one. I’ve read and loved other books by the author so this definitely won’t stop me from reading more in the future! Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

What, then, consoles us in this human society full of calamities, but the unfeigned faith and mutual love of true and good friends?—Augustine, City of God, AD 426.

Emma Donoghue’s (ROOM) latest novel is set in seventh-century Ireland in Cluain Mhic Nóis, a monastery in County Offaly on the River Shannon. A scholar and priest named Artt has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind and found an isolated monastery. With two monks, young Trian and elderly Cormac, he sets out on a pilgrimage in a small boat with only faith to guide them. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find a steep, craggy island now known as Skellig Michael and claim it for God.

Artt tasks Cormac with building a great cross and Trian with copying the Bible. Other than the thousands of birds that inhabit the rock, though, it has little to offer in the way of resources—no groundwater and little vegetation. Artt forbids the others from trading with nearby settlements, so as summer turns into fall, their supplies dwindle. In the end, the two followers fear they have sworn fealty to a lunatic.

With Haven, Donoghue has penned an atmospheric, character-driven novel about the dangers of legalism and the curses of power. Her research was impeccable, from the religious life of a monk to survival on a piece of rock in the middle of the ocean. I could imagine living with absolutely no creature comforts and the emotions that brought.

The arduous process of codex especially fascinated me making. Fashioning vellum from animal skins, rubbing it with pumice to reduce to the sheen, making bronze needles, quills, and ink has given me a new appreciation for early Bibles I have seen on display in museums.

This psychological, contemplative novel was beautifully written, but with little action, it was dull. It was also quite sad. 3.5 stars.

Incidentally, Sceilg Mhichíl is an official UNESCO Heritage Site and ruins of the monastery still stand. You can read more about it https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/757.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.

I really loved The Wonder, and the premise of this sounded great, but I had a difficult time finishing (though I did manage).. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, which isn't helpful in such a character-driven story.

Emma Donoghue is so good at making the setting and atmosphere of a book a main character in the story. That was the highlight of this unusual and comforting story of two monks and a monetary. If you want a really unique, character driven story that will totally transport you, I highly recommend this!

A unique premise, complex characters, and a beautiful setting - this book really is something else!

Set in seventh century island, Artt has a dream telling him to leave his sinful world behind. With two fellow monks, he sets off to an isolated island to found a monastery in a psychological tale of survival and faith.

Emma really knows how to create a world. This is not a style of book that would typically call out to me, but something in this made me want to read it and then once started, curious to see where it was going. I do feel the pace was a bit slow and I was wondering where it was going so it took me a bit to read, but it was the writing style that kept me wanting to read more.

Thank you to Little, Brown & Company and NetGalley for my eARC.