This was so much fun! I couldn't put it down because it captured my attention so quickly.

Iðunn is always tired (but who isn't?), but when she starts waking up feeling like she's been doing hard labor all day and is covered in bloody scratches, she starts to suspect something isn't quite right.

This is a very quick read- a true one session book. It's extremely captivating and has very short chapters. Following a theme of identity through grief, Iðunn's mystery evolves rather quickly in this immersive tale. The story is set in Iceland, which was a new setting for me. I would have liked to experience more if Iceland, as I felt this story could have taken place anywhere.

Iðunn is an unreliable narrator, which is always charming. The characters she meets along the way are interesting yet I am not sure I would have trusted them. There were a few things that seemed odd about the side characters and situations, which just added to the story. Knútsdóttir's writing style is concise and easy to read. There is a bit of open door spice in the book, but nothing too graphic. This book would be appropriate for an older young adult who is wanting to venture into creepy tales.

The ending seems rather abrupt. I understand what the author was trying to convey, and I believe that it was done perfectly, but I would have liked to have had maybe a few more chapters at the end to really wrap things up.

I had a good time with this one and would've easily read a full length novel. Perfectly unsettling. Some of the content did bother me a little (re:animal deaths) but thankfully it wasn't lingered on.

The Night Guest was a super quick, short read that kept me engaged and engrossed from the first page to the last. I read it in 2 sittings (easily can be read in 1), I just had to know what was going on and how it was going to end. However, the abrupt ending left me wanting more and a little frustrated, therefore deducted a star from my rating for that. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you Tor and NetGalley for the early digital copy for my honest thoughts and review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and TOR Publishing Group for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A young woman consults her doctors about recurring extreme tiredness, bruises on her body, stiffness, and blood stains Once she finds a doctor who'll take her seriously, she slowly starts figuring out what is wrong with her mostly due to the activity app on her watch.

This little novella is well paced and keeps the attention. Unfortunately I thought the ending was such a let down, it will make you gasp and throw the book to the next wall. Not sure if something was lost in translation but an okay read.

Hildur Knútsdóttir's The Night Guest is a chilling and suspenseful novel that pulls readers into the mysterious world of Iðunn, a woman grappling with unexplainable symptoms that no doctor can diagnose. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Reykjavík, the story masterfully builds tension as Iðunn’s life spirals into a nightmare. Her struggle to find answers leads to an unsettling discovery—she’s sleepwalking thousands of steps each night, waking up with disturbing injuries and no memory of what happened.

Knútsdóttir’s writing is both haunting and captivating, drawing readers into Iðunn’s growing paranoia and fear. The novel explores themes of isolation, disbelief, and the terror of not being in control of one’s own body. As the mystery deepens, the eerie atmosphere intensifies, making The Night Guest a compelling read that keeps you on edge until the very end. This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good, spine-tingling story.

This was just a fast and fun read! It had me all over the place! The mystery of what is happening had me at the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had it figured out, a twist! The ending was.. I dont know what that ending was. It left me grasping for more!!

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

What in the world did I just listen to?

This novella was an absolutely chilling experience. The audiobook is incredibly short, and the suspense kept me hooked from start to finish. Iðunn’s sleepwalking mystery is creepy and unsettling, and the Reykjavík setting adds an extra layer of eeriness.

However, I have mixed feelings about this one, especially because of the ending, which left me totally confused. And a heads up—there’s a tough trigger for animal lovers, with some disturbing scenes involving cats. I wish I had known about that beforehand.

Overall, it’s a well-written, fast-paced story, but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped. The narrator did a great job, though!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my ALC!

3.5 stars - I definitely think this is one of the more stronger horror novellas I have read. The beginning is very solid. Iðunn's early perspective was very interesting and I wish we dived more into how women's health issues are often dismissed by doctors. It definitely added to the mystery and I was intrigued by where Iðunn was going in the night. I really enjoyed the writing style, it was fast paced and kept me turning the pages - but this meant that I figured out the twist pretty early on and the finale came quicker than expected, which left me a little confused. I was hoping for at least one more chapter to sort of tie everything cohesively, but it was left very mysterious.

Creepy!!! This may be a novella, but it packs a large punch to suspense. When Iounn cannot find out what is wrong with her because of her constant fatigue, she thinks it could be something serious. She takes everyone's advice on eating better, vitamins and even sleeping pills. She wakes up with disturbing injuries. She wears her watch one night and finds out she has sleepwalked for over 40,000 steps. That is a lot for daytime, much less lose sleep to do it. Her mind is all over the place at why she ends up in the same place each night. Could it be her relationships, family issues or something darker?
Why murder the cats in the book?? I'm a no on that. :(
I read through this one pretty quickly to find out what was happening to her. I was a little skeptical about the ending. If you want to psychoanalyze it, you will have to dig deeper than the literal words.
This author propels through the story quickly and keeps you on the dark edge throughout. Don't read it before bedtime! It carries an eeriness that can see right through your blinds at night.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Nightfire for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Holder Knútsdóttir for providing me with an ARC of The Night Guest in exchange for my honest review.

The Night Guest presents an intriguing premise, blending elements of psychological tension with unsettling scenarios. The story revolves around the unsettling experiences of a protagonist who, while sleepwalking, finds herself entangled in a series of disturbing events. The novel effectively creates an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on edge as they try to piece together the unfolding mystery.

However, my experience with the book was somewhat mixed. The narrative left me grappling with a sense of dissatisfaction. The ending, in particular, felt abrupt and unresolved, leaving several major plot points hanging without clear resolution. This lack of a definitive conclusion was a significant drawback for me, as I prefer stories that offer a more satisfying and comprehensive wrap-up.

Additionally, readers should be aware that The Night Guest contains some disturbing scenes, so checking trigger warnings before diving in is advisable. The unsettling elements add to the story's intensity but might not be suitable for everyone.

Another potential factor contributing to my mixed feelings could be related to the translation, as this can sometimes affect the clarity and coherence of a story. As such, it's possible that some aspects of the narrative might have been impacted by the translation process.

Overall, while the story is intriguing and offers a gripping premise, it ultimately left me yearning for more answers and a more conclusive ending. I rate The Night Guest 3 stars, appreciating the suspense and atmosphere but wishing for a more satisfying resolution.

The Night Guest is a quick read (208 pages) with short chapters that help build suspense in this eerie horror story. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down! Iðunn is trying to figure out why she wakes up every morning exhausted, which leads to a series of scary events that had me questioning what was happening the entire time. A few of those terrifying events made me pause for a moment 😅 The ending is left up to interpretation and I found it to be emotional and powerful.

I enjoyed the writing style and noticed no issues due to its translation. I’d happily read something else from Hildur Knutssottir in the future.

What a bizarre, disturbing, captivating read! I cannot remember the last time I finished a book in one sitting, but I could not put this one down. Knútsdóttir's prose veers from mundane and relatable to spine-chilling, and that duality kept me hooked. While I am someone who always prefers a bit more of a concrete ending with my horror reads, I do feel satisfied with how this story played out, and I cannot wait to see how others react to this eerie, beautifully-written novella. 4.5 stars!

3.75 stars rounded up to 4.

Honestly this is a bit complicated to review. It starts strong, as Idunn is at the doctor’s office to get an answer for being exhausted. It’s a great scene, I could definitely feel myself being right there!

The rest of the book, or most of it, follows in the same engaging way. I flew through the pages of this plot driven book. (Very little surrounding of the characters or locations) I was looking forward to seeing who/what was behind the strange and creepy things happening. (The cats thing was a bit too much?)

Then, it ended. So many questions. No answers. Now, I honestly have no answers to what was going on and why.

Advance reader copy provided by Tor Publishing and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

3 stars I liked it
I read this in one sitting, I was so into this. it was creepy and atmospheric but the ending pissed me off. I am all for ambiguous endings to allow the reader to come to their own conclusions but this just left SO many unanswered questions. Even thought I didn't love the ending I still really enjoyed the story itself but I think it would have benefited from another chapter or two.

This is a really quick read, I think readers who love ambiguous endings or mostly vibes books will enjoy this.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Nightfire for sharing a digital copy, as always, opinions are my own.

A fever dream of a novel, The Night Guest latches on immediately and doesn't let go. Set in Iceland, Iðunn is in her doctor's office trying to determine what's wrong. She's waking up bruised and fatigued, sleep deprived even though she appears to be sleeping.

There are some very unsettling scenes as she tries to figure out what's happening. Creepy scenes reminiscent of the Paranormal Activity movies. You won't want to read this alone, at night, in an empty house (I didn't).

Great premise and a big creep factor, The Night Guest left me wanting more, but not really in a good way. The WTF ending (not to mention the animal cruelty) put a damper on the party.

My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the digital ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this creepy novella by Hildur Knútsdóttir, absolutely perfectly narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up because I just couldn't stop listening!

Iðunn is in yet another doctor's office. She knows her constant fatigue is a sign that something's not right, but practitioners dismiss her symptoms and blood tests haven't revealed any cause. Everyone tells her to eat better, get more sleep, exercise more but nothing helps. One night, Iðunn falls asleep with her new step-counting watch on, and wakes up to find she’s walked over 40,000 steps in the night. Just what is happening when she's asleep?

I was pulled into this book right away. A woman goes to the doctor with symptoms, only to be dismissed. After just going through something very similar, I could definitely relate to her, as most women probably can. I also loved the way this story was written. Some chapters only had a few words or one sentence. It just kept pulling me further and further in. If you want a book with an ending tied up neatly with a bow, this is not your book. But I thought the ending just added to the creepiness of the book, the unreliable narrator, and just felt right. The narrator was perfect and added to the overall mystery of the book. I loved it!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I went into this book blind, and did not realize how much it would terrify me. From the first page, I was absolutely hooked. It’s a bone chilling story that really surprised me, and honestly would be my worst nightmare. If you like horror, or are thinking about getting into it- try this book!

Iðunn wakes up every morning super tired, barely able to move but doctors cannot find anything wrong with her. She eventually buys a fitness tracker because everyone is telling her that walking will help, and her fitness tracker shows that she’s walking tens of thousands of steps every night. But she can’t remember any of it. That’s when the nightmare begins.

Iðunn is such an intriguing character, and the writing made it seem like she was disassociated or disconncted from the world. I loved the style, and thought the tranlation was very well done. Some chapter were only a sentence long, but it ads to the eerie atmosphere created. They said a lot with so little and had me feeling scared for the character. You are in a constant state of questioning everything while reading. The story kept building and building, until it ends pretty abrutly.

Many people hated the ending. I truly loved it, but I do wish it was longer. I wasn’t ready for Iðunn’s story to end even though this book completely scared me. It’s creepy, chilling short scare.

Trigger warning: Animal abuse (cat)

This book comes out Sept. 3 (tomorrow). Thanks to @torbooks and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review?

Content warning for animal cruelty and death.

The Night Guest is one of those novels that's best read quickly, but digested slowly. After I devoured this book in one sitting, I had to sit with it for a while, thinking about what I'd just read and what it all meant.

The narrative is urgent and unsettling from the first page, when the book opens with Iðunn at a health clinic. She's there because she's constantly exhausted and wakes up with aching muscles and strange bruises. All of her tests are normal, but nevertheless, it becomes increasingly clear that something is very wrong in Iðunn's world.

That's all I want to say about the plot, because I think it's best to leave as much as possible about this story open to interpretation. There is a spareness and a strangeness to Hildur Knútsdóttir's writing; there's a lot that she only hints at without saying explicitly, which just adds to the looming sense of dread. The whole idea of not being in control of your own body is incredibly frightening. At first I was somewhat put off by the abruptness of the ending, but that's where the whole "digesting slowly" comes in. The more I thought about it, the more I began to understand -- and it was only after finishing it that the true horror of it all washed over me.

Iðunn is a compelling character, and Knútsdóttir uses her to introduce readers to life in contemporary Reykjavík and to explore feminist themes. There's interesting commentary about health issues, particularly surrounding a woman's need to advocate for herself when a health professional dismisses her concerns. For a novel that comes in at just over 200 pages, there is so much to unpack both thematically and plot-wise. I just love a book like this: that I know I'll keep thinking about and that I immediately want to discuss with other readers.

The vibes of The Night Guest reminded me of Catriona Ward and Iain Reid, so if you enjoy those writers, this book may interest you as well. Thank you to Tor Nightfire for the early reading opportunity.

It's going to take me a long while to not feel weird about waking up exhausted.

The book begins with Iðunn, in the doctor's office yet again. She's exhausted. No matter how much sleep she gets, she is bone tired. She knows something isn't right, but the doctor's don't listen to her. They give condescending advice, medicine, but nothing that helps.

So she gets vitamins, changes her diet, takes their sleeping pills, and gets a pedometer. Nothing helps.

But then one night she forgets to take off the pedometer. She wakes to find she walked more than 40,000 steps overnight. Where did she go? What did she do?

I really identified with that feeling of 'something is wrong with me and no one will listen.' I felt this book really delivered on the horrors of autonomy and the feeling of losing control of your own body. Iðunn's desperation really comes through and left me feeling a little breathless and claustrophobic. The Night Guest is a fast read and I personally loved the ambiguous ending. It's left the story in my mind to be turned over and over for far longer than most books do.

The Night Guest releases tomorrow, 9/3. I highly recommend you check it out!

4.25 stars

This short novella packed a punch in few pages, touching on many hot button issues such as women's medical concerns being discounted, while also building a sense of dread up until the last page.

Idunn wakes up each morning feeling exhausted, sometimes with scratches and bruises on her body, but her doctors can't find anything medically wrong with her. Fed up, she buys a smart watch, and is shocked to see that she registers thousands of steps each night. The nights increasingly get rougher for her, to the point where her doctors believe she should be under psychiatric care. Resisting, she tries to live her life instead, casually dating a man who initially believed her to be her deceased sister, and avoiding the repeated advances of the married man she had an affair with out of boredom. As her nighttime activities escalate, she starts to wonder if it is not her doing all these terrible things, but rather the vengeful spirit of her sister. The culmination is an ambiguous ending that many have found frustrating, but was crystal clear to me, being a bit of an armchair psychologist myself. Idunn is not a particularly likeable character, and you are left to wonder what she might have been capable of if she is also capable of more minor transgressions. My interpretation of this story was that it was a study in grief and guilt, and believing you don't deserve anything that brings you happiness, until it all becomes too much.