This was a very odd little novella. It had a really unnerving atmosphere and it was definitely creepy to read. The pace was fast and the chapters were short which means it can easily be read in one sitting - I think it has more impact if you read it all at once.

The plot was interesting and I loved the sense of paranoia that the main character had. It was actually really scary to imagine not having control over your body when you’re asleep.

I could pretty much predict where the plot was going to go because the author laid the ‘clues’ out right from the start. Personally, I don’t like anything that involves animal torture and it made me really sad to read but I understand that this is a dark book.

I actually liked the ending and the ambiguity of it - it worked well for this short story type of book. Overall, it was tense and had really great weird, unsettling moments.

I received a Netgalley ARC of this title. My thoughts are my own.

I'm calling this a 4 star read if you're okay with an ambiguous ending, 3 stars if you're not. The overall message, before we get into the nitty gritty, is that I liked a lot of this story and what Hildur Knútsdóttir had to offer. I would love to read more from this author!

The Night Guest is a translated work from an Icelandic author. The translation is by Mary Robinette Kowal, who is a celebrated author in her own right. Mary Robinette also does book narration, including for the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, a favorite series for me. Even when I'm reading a print copy, I hear her voice. I can't possibly officially know how well she translated it, but it read really smoothly.

Our main character is sore and tired all the time. Even if she goes to bed early, she wakes up feeling like she was active all night, often with bruises and abrasions. Her first doctor isn't helpful or particularly compassionate, so she asks for a younger doctor and ends up seeing a young woman who gives her empathy and listens. I think it's debatable ultimately how much more helpful she is than the first doctor.

There's a relatability to these passages for anyone who has ever had chronic symptoms that aren't easily diagnosable, particularly if you're a woman. Often doctors shrug. Even more often, they resort to treating it as psychosomatic.

The best and worst thing I ever did was confess to my healthcare provider my depression and anxiety. She was empathetic and told me I didn't have to suffer, and that was a relief. On the other hand, since then every time I've had an ache or pain without an immediate and obvious explanation, I've had to hear a speech on how psychological pain can manifest physically. I spent a year being told this over debilitating back pains and spasms before a specialist pointed out the arthritis that he feels should have easily been seen on MRIs and X-rays. I got into a physical therapy program that helped so much, but it was so rough trying to get anyone to believe it was real.

Iðunn irritated me in the first pages until I realized it was one of those things where I was irritated over traits I share with the character. I also think some of that tone was her desperation, her eagerness to be diagnosed, her fear that she had a serious disease, and even repression of the truth.

Before we further delve in, I want to talk about one of the triggers. I've never given an exhaustive list of them, although I have a goal to pay better attention. However, yeah, this book had the one thing I personally least like to encounter. I'll read it, but I like to know it's coming ahead of time. No one did anything wrong here, just telling you where I'm coming from. So, the first spoiler tag will be what it is, and the second will be an elaboration while still not being entirely specific, so you can choose your level.

Basic trigger: <spoiler>Lots of animal death, specifically cats.</spoiler>

Elaboration on trigger: <spoiler>I used to work at a shelter. I got my fill of animals in pain and death. It kinda messed me up in ways I wasn't aware of at the time because I was repressing pain. I got my fill of it. It hits me hard. I don't have the ability to be entertained by it. Whenever an animal is introduced in horror, I brace myself. The very worst iteration of it is when the animal trusts the person who hurts them, the betrayal. No author is "wrong" in doing this, but I also wish it was less common. So, it's the trope that triggers me the most, the variation on the trope that triggers me the most, and we get a recitation of the cats' names.</spoiler>

So, yeah.

I ended up liking Iðunn a lot. I related to her. I found her a little morbidly funny. While she is trying to get to the bottom of waking up to ever increasingly bizarre things, injuries, is she REALLY trying to get to the bottom of it? Or is she simply being an unreliable narrator in what she chooses to reveal?

I also enjoyed the setting, and I don't think I've read too much from the Nordic region. I did about 10 minutes researching to get a basic, very basic, idea of the geography and culture. The funny thing is that a story about the translator, Mary Robinette Kowal, and her experience with the health care system popped up. I'm actually enthused to delve in deeper.

The ending was perhaps confusing, but I'd guess that was intentional, that it was meant to be up for interpretation. I think this works sometimes, but I really would have preferred less ambiguity either in the ending or in a few clues earlier on.

Part of the reaction to a book is timing. I read another horror novel, I believe in January, with an ending that was also hard to decipher. I also read Tananarive Due's anthology The Wishing Pool, which I loved, with a couple stories that had ambiguous endings. So there was a bit of "not again."

But like I said, it's timing, which is unforeseeable.

How well you will enjoy the ending involves your preferences ... and timing.

This was, overall, a very positive read for me. The story flowed well, I liked the themes around the medical profession, the patriarchy, depression and anxiety. I liked the mystery and finding out what was happening. I also like that some things were left a mystery so you can imagine just what happened. I want more from this author and want to get my hands on whatever is next!

Iðunn wakes every morning E x H a U s T e D. She’s sure this chronic fatigue means she has a horrible disease or illness, but her doctor isn’t taking her seriously since all tests come back normal. Everyone she knows offer suggestions—supplements, Zumba, walking more, getting into a sleep routine etc.; she tries them all. Nothing helps, and now she’s waking up with injuries on her body, bruises and scratches and what’s under her nails, is that. . . is that blood? She accidentally leaves her pedometer on overnight; the next morning her watch says she walked over 40,000 steps! WHAT is going on at night?

The sheer helplessness and panic of fighting fatigue and having symptoms but not knowing why, is something anyone who has had sleep issues or a chronic illness can relate to! Iðunn is SO tired she’s struggling at work, while also avoiding her ex who is a co-worker. Her family isn’t all that supportive so she feels alone in her fear. Hildur Knútsdóttir brings such life to Iðunn’s distinct voice. Her inner monologue made me laugh at times because of how REAL and relatable she is. She thinks exactly what most of us would but with no apologies; it was refreshingly honest!

The Night Guest is deliciously creepy and moves at an increasingly frightened pace. Some chapters are only one sentence or paragraph and this unique format adds to the intense despair of nights slipping away from Iðunn’s control. One of the most chilling things I’ve ever read, is Iðunn watching a recording of herself at night. *shivers* I got literal goosebumps! The ending was a little abrupt (I wanted more!) and ambiguous, but the ambiguity allows you to make up your own mind about what was happening. I’m still pondering this sinister little horror novella and I can see myself reading it again!

Thank you Hildur Knútsdóttir, Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the gifted copy and to Mary Robinette Kowal for translating it to English. All opinion are my own.

Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.




































⚠️Trigger warnings: sexual situations, gore, death, mention of infidelity and dead cats (after the fact)

Well, that was weird. This story had a few really creepy parts, but overall, it won't keep you up at night. The ending was too abrupt after a nice buildup. I'm still not sure what exactly happened in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Nightfire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5
hmmmm
I was really loving this one for the first 80%. It was suspenseful and super fast and the writing was sassy (it felt like the author's voice was super well-translated). But as I find is often the case with horror, especially short horror, the ending was just a little too open-ended for me. I felt like I was able to draw some conclusions and form some theories, but I still didn't feel remotely satisfied.
I was genuinely so sad when I got to the last page because I was really enjoying this one and just needed a little bit more.

As an adult sleepwalker who loves a good horror book, I was SO excited for this. I’ve also had the goal of reading more translated works so this was right up my alley. However, I have mixed thoughts about this one.

As I mentioned, I have a history of sleepwalking. I’m also a psychology professor. So…I’ve always been quite interested in crimes during somnambulism (for legal reasons this is NOT because I’m looking to get away with any crimes, ok?). This novella was super fast paced and definitely creepy.

Iðunn, sarcastic and full of existential dread, has been suffering from a staggering case of chronic fatigue. When she seeks medical attention, nothing seems to be the matter. But why, then, is do her limbs ache like she has been running marathons in her sleep?

Overall, yes, this novella was creepy and yes I enjoyed it. I don’t think it is earth-shatteringly unique or absolutely terrifying…it won’t keep me up tonight. BUT…the end kind of ruined the high for me. It ended so abruptly (on my kindle I had 10% left…I was expecting atleast another chapter) and confusingly. I still can’t quite figure out what happened and I can’t even really talk about it without giving too much away. If you want a quick creepy read, this may be for you…just know the ending is quite disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!!

This was a deeply unsettling little horror novel that I simply flew through. I'm currently re-reading Ottessa Moshfegh's "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" and it's funny because I kept thinking her character was going to do something horrific but was just mixing the two storylines. My only complaint is the murdering of cats - not a fan. I actually really hate animal murder in horror books and don't understand that aspect some horror writers feel like they need to include. As the cat stuff came up just for a few pages, I flipped past them. It didn't add anything to the book except yuck.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This is an easy, fast paced read with a relatable MC. I also enjoyed the formatting.
Check trigger warnings, but there is no "on screen" violence.
The ending did confuse me. I'm thinking she should've listened to the doctor who tried to call her a taxi.

This was not my usual genre but WOW. This novella packed a punch. Reading it was like watching a horror movie but better. I wish the ending had offered a little more clarity but I’m able to piece together an idea of what I *think* the conclusion is. Really excellent.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for an eARC of The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir. I enjoyed this small novel that dealt with a very intriguing plot involving a woman trying to figure out what's happening while she's sleeping. The novel is a slowburner, as Iðunn's life slowly gets upended as she gets closer to discovering or trying to control the cause of her fatigue. Iðunn is a wonderful narrator, and you come to love her quirky observations about the life she is trying to keep in check.

First- know your triggers, there’s pet deaths in this one and it definitely made me sad to read about.
But.. Whoa, I’m still processing but I think I understand that ending. This was a really great novella read, from start to finish I was trying to figure out what was happening. I actually thought the short chapters were a good addition building up the story. At first I thought I was missing some pages but then I realized it was meant to be like that & it grew on me. Gave that suspense vibe for sure. I enjoyed this story, I could have used maybe another chapter to fully understand that ending but all in all this was a page turner.

Thank you, NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for this fun little horror Arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I’m not sure what I just read but I binged it in a little over an hour. I couldn’t put it down.

This horror novella is creepy, chilling, with a plot that moves quickly and an ending that will leave you confused but in a good way. In a way that leaves it up to the reader to decide what happened. If you like horror and are looking for a quick read I highly recommend picking this one up.

It will have you scared to fall asleep.

This sparsely but effectively written horror-mystery novella will frustrate many readers with its abrupt ending. After sitting with the ending for a bit, I’m a fan. Would I have liked this to be twice as long? Yes - because I was deeply drawn into the story. Did it need to be twice as long? No… I think the novel did what it wanted to do.
I loved the creeping tension of this novella - the uncertainty, the eerie atmosphere, the hints at something ELSE beyond what we (think we) know is going on. It was short, but the effect lingers.

Review of an ARC provided by NetGalley.

3.5 stars

Well this was a quick and pleasant surprise. I enjoyed every minute of this book, and the ending was not what I was expecting. I for sure want to check out more by this author.

This book follows Iðunn who has been waking up mysteriously, tired, and sore every morning with no reason to why it’s happening to her. This was a short and fun read. This book kept me entertained from the beginning to end, I would definitely recommend it to others. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC.

Read this in one sitting - it was intriguing and felt so realistic and eery that I couldn’t put it down until I knew what was going on. A very quick, easy read that will keep ya hooked - I give it 3 stars just because I was entertained but not blown away.

The most perfect, eery novella. I read this book in one sitting, eager to find out what happens next. The book gave me chills. Will be recommending.

Engaging, gory, and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where horror is popular. (Definite trigger warning for animal death though)

Okay, that ending shocked me. When I first started reading, I’m sat there thinking okay an older woman who sleep walks and weird things happen.. nothing new but then the ending. Literally loved it.

The short chapters made it such an easy quick read which I personally enjoy.

I will make a note about a possible trigger warning as it talks about the death of some cats. It’s not descriptive or anything but it is implied there are some cats killed.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

wow! this was really something. i deeply enjoyed the atmosphere and the sense of dread the author was able to establish. the ending left me disappointed a bit, even though it was amazingly written and interesting. not sure … definitely want to read more of this author because of it that’s for sure.
tw animal death / gore