𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝?! 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑮𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 (𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝). 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝐻𝒾𝓁𝒹𝓊𝓇 𝒦𝓃𝓊𝓉𝓈𝒹𝑜𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓇, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, 𝒯𝑜𝓇 𝒫𝓊𝒷𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

What happens when you do your very best to live a healthy lifestyle and yet constant fatigue and unexplained symptoms take over? Iðunn is feeling hopeless and betrayed by her own body. With the help of a new doctor and a new Garmin watch, she begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together but somehow ends up with so many more questions. The Night Guest is a beautifully unique horror novel full of quiet suspense, an absolutely stunning read.
Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

Iðunn has been in and out of the doctor’s office but can’t figure out why she’s always so tired. She thinks it’s an illness, but when that’s cleared, she takes up exercising with the hope that it’ll give her some energy. In the process, she buys a smartwatch to track her progress, and that’s when she realizes that when she’s asleep, she’s not actually asleep.

This was an interesting read. It was suspenseful and creepy, and for that reason, I found it hard to put down. I admit though that I was disappointed in the end of the book. I feel as if a lot of questions aren’t really answered as to the why’s of what Iðunn is experiencing.

I loved the writing style of this though. It really was easy to breeze through the book in one setting because I could see this playing out in my head. It has some pretty dark moments, but for the most part, most of the gore scenes take place “offscreen” so to speak. For that reason, I’d consider this to be on the lighter side of horror.

Major trigger warning for animal abuse/death, but if you’re looking for a quick read to give you the chills, this book is good for that.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy.

"The Night Guest" is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions that deftly blends psychological suspense with a profound exploration of the human condition. Originally written in [Icelandic] and beautifully translated into English, this novel immerses you in a world that is as unsettling as it is intriguing.

Trigger Warnings: Animal death

The story follows Iðunn, a character who embodies the frustration and desperation of countless individuals facing unexplainable medical mysteries. Exhausted and dismissed by doctors, Iðunn's life becomes a series of unanswered questions. Despite relentless fatigue and troubling symptoms, her concerns are continually brushed aside by healthcare professionals, while friends and family offer well-meaning but ultimately unhelpful advice: "Have you tried eating better? Exercising more? Establishing a nighttime routine?"

Desperate for answers, Iðunn tries everything from vitamins to sleeping pills, and even a step-counting watch. But the real horror begins when she discovers that she’s inexplicably walking over 40,000 steps in her sleep, waking up with mysterious and increasingly disturbing injuries. What is happening during her slumber? Why are these nocturnal escapades becoming more dangerous? And most hauntingly, why won't anyone believe her?

The narrative grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go, taking you on a journey that's both thrilling and terrifying. The author masterfully crafts a tale of suspense, filled with unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending, which I won’t spoil, is profoundly impactful and leaves a lingering sadness that’s difficult to shake off.

While "The Night Guest" might leave you feeling unsettled, it is precisely this emotional engagement that makes it a compelling read. It resonates with the same chilling intensity as "Tender is the Flesh," leaving you in a state of reflection long after you turn the last page.

This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and those who appreciate a story that challenges the norms of the genre. Prepare yourself for a journey into the unknown, where every turn of the page reveals a new layer of mystery.

Release Date: September 3rd

Sadly, i could not get into this book. No worries, didn’t books satisfy different people! That’s the beauty of reading.

A spooky book about a woman who wakes up every morning feeling like she ran a marathon during the night? Sign me up, this was right up my alley. This was such a fun horror novella to read, I was sucked in right away, and absolutely flew through it. I'm a big fan of horror that tends to be unsettling, rather than outright scary, and this was just that. The pacing was done really well, and the author played with chapter length in a way that really enhanced the experience.

I found myself constantly questioning what was really going on, which is typically a good thing in horror, since it makes the payoff at the end when we finally figure it out very satisfying. Now, I appreciate a good vague ending where the reader has to form their own conclusions, but for that to work as intended at least some questions have to be answered. This story sort of just...ends right as it feels like we're about to get some answers. We never find out what was actually going on. I wished the author had given us a little bit more to go on.

This was clearly a commentary on how women are often ignored or not taken seriously when seeking medical and mental health care, and that message really hits home for me. Overall, I had a blast reading this unsettling little novella, but was left wishing for a more definitive ending. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I'm not sure what I read, but I enjoyed it. It was interesting and thrilling. I wanted to see what happened next. I'd love to read more by this author. I have loved the translated horror that I've read so far. It's a very short novella, that leaves a lot to your imagination. I received a free e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so freaking quick and so good, I finished this in one sitting. I couldn’t believe how quick I rushed through this. Go in it blind, feel all the feels that are there to be felt, absorb yourself in this short but furious descent into madness. It was unsettling insanity in the best way. I ended up listening to this on audio, the narration was perfect and the translation was done well. It would have been five stars, had the ending not left me wanting more. It was still great and I am definitely waiting for whatever Hildur Knutsdottir gives us next. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Tor Nightfire for my eARC and advanced audiobook. The Night Guest will be published 9/3.

Interesting at first but not great, especially the end. I was confused by the anticlimactic ending. It ended in a super unsatisfying way. I was interested until that point. Just like a TV. It just shut off… two ⭐️.

A very effective little horror novel about a woman who wakes exhausted every day and realizes she’s been walking 40,000 plus steps at night. Where is she going and what is she doing during the night? I think the premise is quite interesting. I’m not sure if the ending paid off entirely for me hence the 4 star instead of 5. I’ll have to sit with this one for a bit, but I think a 4 is accurate. I read most of this book during my own bought of insomnia and that only added to the tension.

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir is a novella about a woman named Iðunn who is constantly fatigued. No doctor can figure out what’s causing her to feel so sore and exhausted everyday. One night, she falls asleep with her watch on and wakes up to discover she walked 40,000 steps during the night. But Iðunn has no recollection of waking up and walking in the middle of the night – and she has no idea what she could have been doing. Even more disturbing, she’s waking up with painful injuries, and Iðunn doesn’t know why.

I sat down to read this for about 15 minutes and ended up completing this entire novella in one sitting. The story kept me hooked from the very first page. The first 95% of The Night Guest was absolutely amazing, and I was prepared to give this 5 stars. However, the end was definitely kind of a let down. It felt very abrupt and I wanted just a little bit more. I’m normally perfectly fine with ambiguous conclusions, especially in the horror genre, but this was too vague even for me.

However, I also am so intrigued by the way Knútsdóttir ended this novella. It makes me wonder if there are any clues in the text, any extra answers I could go back and search for. I definitely won’t be forgetting about this novella anytime soon, so for that I give it 4 stars. I think it will 100% work for some readers, and the ending leaves plenty to be discussed!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted on Goodreads on 7/21/24.

Brief review will be posted on Instagram in my July monthly reading wrapup, posted around the beginning of August. Full review of this novella will be posted to my Instagram account on release day.

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.