This is a new novel from Ireland but it looks like really promising with a thrill event t following seven people over the course of a week as their mid-century apartment building in Oslo inexplicably disappears. Habitat is a novel you probably want to read for you who like thrilling adevnture.

I gravitated toward requesting this ARC because it was such a unique concept, and it did not dissapoint! Disturbing, yet strangely compelling is how I can describe every character and chapter of this one. It's a book with such a determined lesson and voice about our environment and how to protect it. absolutely enjoyed it!

3.5/3.75 ⭐️

Catriona Shine’s architectural nightmare sent me on a well-paced, captivating reading journey. We are witnessing a week in the life of the tenants of two apartment buildings as they notice odd happenings going on with the structural consistency of their apartments and the buildings.

The events are told in multiple POVs and we get a very extensive insight into each character’s prejudices and often unwarranted judgments of their neighbours. We meet several characters each day which are interluded with what seems like the thoughts (and warnings) from an unknown entity. (I’m making it sound much more mystical than it is!)
The story-telling is really, really good — the voices of the different characters are very distinct.

I do have to add a “however”. However, I was left somewhat dissatisfied with the where we’re leaving the tenants. We also never go too deep into the nature aspect of it all. I think the scales between human study — interpersonal relationships between neighbours — and the effect human living has on nature are heavily skewed towards the first. Until we are left with no real conclusion at the end.
Personally, I think the author could’ve pushed the architectural angle way more. She might not have wanted to do that to make the book more accessible but I think getting more into theories how some architects like to incorporate their buildings’ surroundings or draw inspiration from nature would’ve been really interesting in this context. But that’s a personal preference bc I’m a big old nerd.

This is definitely a book where you can draw your own conclusions at the end but I wished we would’ve been nudged into a direction a bit more forcefully. That’s another personal preference. 😇

As I said, overall this is a well-paced, well-told character study which I had a hella good time with. Would I be reading another novel by this author? For sure! I genuinely enjoyed the story-telling and the characters were just so well fleshed out.

The beginning of the story was a bit confusing due to the rapid introduction of many characters. However, as the narrative progressed, their individual stories began to unfold, and it all made much more sense. The premise of the book is refreshing, and while the execution felt somewhat haphazard at times, I ultimately loved the unique concept and the eerie atmosphere; the progression felt very fitting. I would definitely be interested in reading more from the author in the future.
Thank you very much to Lilliput Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Why do Irish authors hate quotation marks?!?!

Before I say anything else, thank you so much to NetGalley and Independent Publisher’s Group for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to enjoy this but the formatting of this book consistently took me out of it to the point of completely ruining my enjoyment. Maybe it was the way it displayed on my ereader, but it felt erratic in the way it was organized, occasionally making it difficult to follow and connect with. Aside from that, I just cannot stand it when dialogue heavy books do not use quotation marks. I’m begging people to use them, please, it doesn’t make you cool or quirky to not, it just makes it so obnoxious to read

With that being said, the plot of this book was intriguing and well executed. Seemingly using the current global climate crisis as a backdrop for inspiration, Habitat examines the lives of people within the same apartment building as they experience strange shifts and events over the course of a week. The addition of the perspective of the building itself was an interesting choice which allowed for deeper insight into the impact of environmental changes. It is unsettling at times and will provoke thoughts of how reality will proceed as climate change progresses.

The formatting of this book truly made it almost intolerable for me. I’m not sure if this was intentional, adding to the chaotic undertone of climate change, or if it was simply my device setting out to sabotage, but regardless it made me really hesitate to continue reading this. With that being said, the content itself was good, if not incredibly slow at times. This is only a debut novel from this author and I’m interested to see how her works grow as the years, this story had such an interesting premise that I’m sure so many intriguing and impactful plots are rustling around in her brain!

3.5/5

Habitat • Catriona Shine

This book was absolutely lovely. Big change of pace from my other reads lately. So, so well done for a debut novel.

The perfect slice of life and felt so easy getting to know the full cast of characters in this. Could just relax into this book & take my time with it. It follows a cast of seven neighbors over a week and takes everything day by day. The apartment is lowkey falling apart around them, and we get to see how they interact within it and with each other. I couldn’t wait for the next of their small details to be revealed. Almost felt similar to a short story collection with all the lives these characters lead.

Recommend this one for sure ! Put it on your release radar.

US pub date - September 17 2024

If you know me, then you should know that I love my weird little books where weird little things happen. Habitat by Catriona Shine fits the bill, and safe to say I enjoyed this book a lot. And if this short intro appeals to you, then you’d probably enjoy this book too.

Habitat is set in a mid-century apartment complex in Oslo. Most residents own their apartments and have lived there for years. Living in a small space with many people, it’s inevitable that you get to know your neighbors, albeit through a very limited perspective. Over the years, resentment and tensions build up, and it all comes to a head when strange things start happening to the building. Windows refuse to close. There are unexplained draughts. Bricks go missing. Walls seem to thin, to the point that sounds from the neighbors are amplified. The floors no longer remain solid. Things disappear and reappear in places they shouldn’t. The roof suddenly stops being a roof. And the earth reclaims the building, soil and roots taking over the lower levels. These things happen separately to different people and different apartments. And it’s just weird enough of an occurrence that they feel like they shouldn’t talk about it to anyone because it simply can’t be real.

But it is.

The book starts off slow, and we get chapters from different neighbors, giving us a glimpse into their lives, their apartments, their petty grievances, and their long-standing feuds. We also learn what home means to them.

The memorable cast of characters each had their own quirks and backstories. Eva, the very bossy and holier-than-thou head of the board of residents reminds me of someone my aunt has some ongoing beef with (a story for another time). Gunnar, the greedy nephew of a resident who is just itching to sell his aunt’s well-preserved apartment with all the original mid-century elements. Oh, he also owns a basement flat in the building and is renting it out to students. Unsurprisingly, Gunnar is a horrible landlord. And softspoken Sonja!!! With her determination to get to the bottom of things, despite not having anyone take her concerns seriously.

The writing in this book was compelling in an understated way. It’s not often that I get to indulge in being a little nosey, so this book about a bunch of neighbors dealing with a crisis scratched that itch. I loved how the absurdity and the horror slowly built up, with the characters shifting from mild curiosity to disbelief to the realization that something quite impossible and unbelievable has indeed happened. Things could have turned out better for them if only they talked to each other, and helped each other out. But despite living in a shared space, they have a surprising lack of community. They chose to put themselves first, hiding the truth so they can come out ahead in some way. Unfortunately for them, the building has other plans.

This debut novel by Catriona Shine was a joy to read, and a great book to start my July with. Thank you to NetGalley and The Lilliput Press for the eARC!