Not really sure what I was dxpe6from this book but I enjoyed it. Not a fan of the animal deaths. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

The horror of not knowing what's going on with her body, and why things seem to be happening without her knowledge is so, so terrifying. Watching her try to figure it out was an intense process.

n "The Night Guest," Hildur Knutsdottir delves into the psychological and physiological realms of our existence through the compelling narrative of Iðunn, a woman grappling with an unrelenting fatigue that leaves her feeling both helpless and isolated. Knutsdottir effectively uses Iðunn’s struggles to explore themes of disbelief, the quest for understanding one’s body, and the haunting shadows of the unknown that linger in the corners of our minds. The story begins in a familiar setting: a doctor’s office, where Iðunn is dismissed by practitioners who fail to address her concerns. This scenario resonates deeply with many readers, as it highlights a common frustration in modern healthcare—when symptoms are overlooked or minimized, leaving patients in a state of limbo. Iðunn’s attempts to explain her condition to friends and family yield the same unhelpful advice: eat better, exercise more, establish a nighttime routine. This advice, while well-meaning, underscores a societal tendency to simplify complex health issues, reinforcing Iðunn’s feelings of alienation and inadequacy as she fails to find a remedy for her plight. The narrative takes a surreal turn when Iðunn discovers that she has walked over 40,000 steps in her sleep, prompting a cascade of questions: What is happening to her during the night? Why does she wake up with injuries that grow more disturbing with each passing day? The author masterfully escalates the tension, weaving a sense of dread throughout the story. Iðunn's experiences can be interpreted as a metaphor for the unseen battles many face within their bodies, illustrating how our internal struggles can manifest in ways that are both physical and psychological. As Iðunn’s condition worsens, her growing isolation becomes palpable. The disbelief of those around her adds a layer of urgency to her quest for validation. Knutsdottir captures the essence of frustration that accompanies chronic illness; the feeling of being unheard and unseen. The narrative compels readers to empathize with Iðunn, as she becomes a symbol for anyone who has felt marginalized in their fight for health and understanding. "The Night Guest" is not just a tale of one woman's struggle with her health; it is a poignant commentary on the human experience. Knutsdottir's prose is both haunting and lyrical, drawing readers into Iðunn's world, where the boundaries between reality and the surreal blur. The book raises important questions about trust in one’s body and the often harrowing journey to uncover the truth behind one’s health. In conclusion, Hildur Knutsdottir’s "The Night Guest" is a powerful exploration of health, disbelief, and the quest for understanding in a world that often dismisses our struggles. It invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with health and the importance of listening to one’s body. This gripping narrative is not only a page-turner but also a profound reminder of the complexities of the human condition. Whether you are drawn to psychological thrillers or narratives that delve into the depths of human experience, "The Night Guest" is a must-read that will linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.

Tw: animal cruelty
Very quick, fast paced read! I really enjoyed this although it isn't for everyone. Very dark and doesn't really have an ending.

Dark, intense, and thoroughly creepy! Fast read, you won't stop until the end - you may hold your breath for most of the time, so remember to breath. Might not want to read it before bed ... it is that good.

This is an eerie, spare read. I wanted just a little bit more, though - maybe 20 pages that delved more into the relationship between the main character and [redacted spoiler], which would have deepened the emotional stakes.

A short, scary novella that I finished in two evenings, but could be done in one.

What would you do if you woke up completely exhausted every day, and the doctors have no idea why? When you find out from your pedometer that you have been walking over 40,000 steps in your sleep, would you be afraid FOR yourself or OF yourself?

Trigger warnings for animal violence. Only the aftereffects are noted, but they were graphic enough for me to skip over.

I'm still thinking about this story a few days after I read it, so it definitely impacted me. Makes you consider the lack of studies into women's healthcare and how frequently women are ignored in medicine.

The only real complaint I have is that there is no clear motive for what an entity in this book does. I wish there was more backstory for that character, but an entertaining read that I would recommend.

Huge trigger warning for dead cats. My fault for not looking into trigger warnings before reading. I was quite enjoying the book up until that point. It is very well written and fast paced. The chapters are all short with zero filler. Each chapter skips to a new spot in the action. I found the whole book very unsettling. The ending was very disappointing in my opinion. I’m still confused by it. I was hoping i would get some clarity about what was occurring the whole time but sadly that was not the case.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.0

Setting: Iceland
Rep: n/a

This is a very short book that you can read in less than 2 hours - many of its 100 chapters are only a few words long, all of them under 3-4 pages. I was hoping it would be weird and mysterious and tense but it just fell flat for me I'm afraid.

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir is a captivating and powerfully restrained novel. It alternates between chilling and hauntingly relatable moments, offering a thought-provoking exploration of femininity, agency, and self. This book is truly a heart-pounding read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The night guest. This is a story from Iceland. It’s a very different book. I would love to have people who read it, to tell me what they think

This novella kept my attention from the very beginning! The super short chapters had me flying through this book. I loved the mystery and suspense of it all. It’s definitely an unsettling read not knowing what the heck was going on and why it was happening. The only thing that I didn’t like was the end. I felt like there could’ve been more of an explanation. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend!

Thank you @netgalley & @tornightfire for the ARC 🫶🏽

One of my favorite things to do on an evening without plans is to find a short horror film on any of the streaming services, preferably one I haven't heard of, and watch it. My ideal length is 100 minutes or less, a fast pass to the spine-tingling chills and terrors that might keep someone else up but which I fall asleep promptly after experiencing.

Hildur Knutsdottir's The Night Guest is the literary equivalent of the perfect Icelandic thriller I might seek out.

The main character of the story, Iðunn, is exhausted and she doesn't know why. A responsible adult, we meet her at the doctor's office where she's seeking answers. Unfortunately, her symptoms align most closely with depression, not the most helpful of answers for her. Later, at happy hour with her friends, one of them suggests she get more active. Maybe she just needs those endorphins everyone is talking about. So Iðunn goes to the store and buys a Garmin watch, smartly choosing to monitor her progress and get those steps in!

The horror at the core of this novel creeps in as slowly as Iðunn's step count rises, manifesting in an unusual reflection in the mirror, unexplained bruises and cuts, and strange interactions with neighbors. Without spoiling anything, this is a sprint of a novel that I simply inhaled. Knutsdottir's writing is sharp, propulsive, and frenetic and the Night Guest feels like the expertly edited speed horror I crave as a viewer and reader. It will be the perfect fall read for a night where you just want to spend the evening stressed out on your couch with a glass of wine when it comes out in September. I can't recommend it enough.

Definitely check this trigger warnings on this one! This is a spooky novella set in Reykjavik and explores themes of family, sisterhood, as well as the ways that women are sometimes treated as medical patients. I didn't connect so much with the main character, Idunn, but since this was a horror novel, I was mostly just reading for the spooky atmosphere.

🍷🍷🍷🍷/5

Sleep disorders! I didn't know that I liked that trope until now. Ah! The Night Guest is a book you can read in an afternoon. A sweet 200ish pages. It absolutely hooks you in and keeps you there. I loved the premise, the bite sized chapters, the overall tension, but I did feel let down by the ending. I actually wish it was longer to fully flesh out what was going on, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading it.

TW: Animal death. That was surprising/I didn't love it, but it's there so just sending out that warning!

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @tornightfire for the ARC! 💕 The Night Guest comes out on September 3rd in the US!

I just absolutely loved reading this book! This author was new to me and was just amazing
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this in advance

The Night Guest is a deeply unsettling incredibly tense novella about a woman who's having trouble sleeping and I loved every second of it, What starts off as a woman going to see her doctor because she's waking up feeling more tired that when she went to bed quickly devolves into some of the most heart pounding story telling i've read in awhile.
For a more in depth review please check out my spoiler free youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsS9nlBAyu8

This book is just creepy and you will read it in one sitting. You will keep flipping the pages to find out what the heck is going on and where the story is going. This was a short novella about a girl named Iðunn, she is waking up each morning tired and feeling like she ran a marathon in her sleep. She tried to get help to find out why she is so tired but the doctors state there is nothing wrong with her and you are left to try and piece together what is happening to her. I was a little disappointed in the ending and felt it wrapped up a bit too quickly. There was a few jaw dropping moments though and I had to reread a few pages to make sure I was getting the point correctly. This author is twisted in such a good way. I would like to see a full story written by this author as they have a very interesting and twisted mindset.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book grabs you immediately. The premise is straight forward and I am always impressed by authors who can pack a punch in less than 200 pages. Reminiscent of Cassandra Khaw's ability to build a haunting horror novel in a succinct manner while still retaining beautiful prose. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I devoured it in one sitting. Along with Idunn you will feel drive to uncover the truth behind her mysterious ailments. Trigger warnings for animal cruelty however.

The Night Guest is a short but impactful story about a woman who is endlessly fatigued despite sleeping soundly every night. The writing is a bit manic, which added to the anxiety and perpetually eerie vibe I felt while reading. It felt similar to a Black Mirror episode.

I really liked this novella until... the end 😤

I am all for abrupt endings that make you think and leave you shell-shocked. But this story NEEDED more closure. I ran through a list of 10 different meanings for the final scene and am still unsure what happened. There was too much ambiguity, so I ultimately rated The Night Guest 3 ⭐️'s.