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 𝒦𝓃ú𝓉𝓈𝒹ó𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓇, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

It's disappointing when a book with such a promising premise doesn't quite deliver the chills you were hoping for. The story had a lot of potential with its various supernatural and paranormal angles. While the reveal was a good spin on the story, it left me feeling underwhelmed.


Trigger Warning... Dead Animals. It is possible the end left me underwhelmed because of how this made me feel.

I really enjoyed this one! I found the comparisons to chronic illness to be really relatable, and the build up to the reveal to be soo tense. I also really like how the author included both past and present situations from the protagonist's life and used them to further the plot of the story. I loved the ending as well, how we got some explanation, but not everything. Some was left to the imagination. Do I wish we got a little more? Yeah, but at the same time, I like the questioning. Longer review to come soon.

The Night Guest was short but packed a punch. It was a tight, creepy story about a woman who can't figure out why she wakes up so tired, sometimes covered in bruises. After falling asleep wearing her smartwatch she discovers she's walked over 40,000 steps. This was a one sitting read for me that I really enjoyed.

Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars

There is SO much to like about this sinister and horrific novella, but if you are a cat lover, this might be too much for your feline focused fondness.

Iðunn is experiencing a strange and challenging time that includes waking up with sore muscles and other unusual signs. One of the strangest parts is how incredibly tired she is. There's no way she can be sleeping through the night in the typical way, but what IS happening to her? What IS she doing? This author does an exceptional job of setting up exactly the right tone: that women are frequently considered unserious individuals, especially when it comes to their own health and thoughts. Along with the institutional barriers present in this unfortunate reality, Iðunn also has to basically go it alone. Her isolation is a constant issue throughout the work. Her mother asks her EVERY time she's coming to dinner if she eats a different kind of meat, ignoring her vegetarian diet. Her romantic relationships? WEIRD to say the least and certainly not centered on what she brings to the party. Her favorite animals? Well, she's allergic to them and must admire them from afar. And underlying all of this is an unexpected view of another loss in her life. This character is isolated in a crowd, and this is a feeling that in today's world will be, unfortunately, quite relatable to many audiences.

While I wanted more from the ending, I thoroughly enjoyed so much about this. Do be mindful of the cat content if this is a pain point.

I am totally intrigued by this author and hope to read more.

This is more of a short story than a novel, in my opinion. It's definitely a thriller with a consistent air of mystery. I liked the main character. She was relatable, and I found myself really wanting to know what was going on with her throughout. Overall , this was a quick read that was intriguing. I would definitely read this author again.

I am still processing this two and a half hour audio book a day later, so, yes, this does what books should do - affect a reader and make her think.

In a nutshell this novella features a woman with constant fatigue and seeking medical help to understand what is happening. Why is she continually tired? As a perimenopausal woman subject to American medical gaslighting, boy oh boy was this the topic for me.

Chapters are short, narration was on point, all was great - I really enjoyed the plot despite not understanding some of the locale specific words or Icelandic culture unfamiliar to me.

I didn't love the end. Not ashamed to admit it confused me and felt like I needed to go back and listen to the last hour with more intention.

My favorite thing about The Night Guest was how the book came to be - the real life explanation of a chance meeting at a writer's conference, friendships formed, someone willing to take a chance on a newbie and, voila, there I sat on a mountain in West Virginia listening to the words of Hildur Knutsdottir from a million miles away. We live in amazing times.

This was such a fun read. It's perfect for fall. It is twisty, dark, weird, and quick. This will be one I'm thinking about for a while and one I'll probably read again.

Ooh so spooky! Perfect for September - November cozy and creepy reading. The character wakes up exhausted and sore everyday, with doctors finding no medical reason. Then she begins tracking her steps and enabling GPS on the tracker. The mystery begins! Content warning for violence, drugs, and animal death (cats, off-page killing, on-page description of bodies). Recommended on audio AND/OR print.

From the moment I started this audiobook, I was hooked. The short chapters created a rhythm that kept the tension high and my heart racing. Each segment was perfectly paced, making it easy to digest while maintaining a relentless grip on my attention.

I don't usually find myself drawn to horror books, but this one was different. The narrative was so compelling, filled with suspense and unexpected twists, that I couldn't help but be drawn in. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger that made it impossible to stop listening, creating an almost addictive need to know what would happen next.

The story unfolded in such a gripping way, and the atmosphere was perfectly eerie, keeping me on edge the entire time. The vivid descriptions and the hauntingly immersive audio production added layers of depth to the experience. I was curious to see what would happen next, and the book never disappointed. This audiobook truly delivered on every level of suspense and thrill I could have hoped for, making it an unforgettable experience.

This was a fast read. As it’s quite short. I was really into it. And it got more suspenseful as it went on. The cat thing was… 😬😖 but the end left something to be desired. What happened and why? It left me with questions. The narration was good tho and the narrator was easy to listen to. The audiobook was good.

**Review of "The Night Guest"**

*Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Night Guest" by is a captivating novel set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Iceland. The story unravels with an enigmatic blend of suspense and introspection, pulling readers into a narrative that is as stark and compelling as the Icelandic landscape itself.

What stands out most is the author's minimalistic style. Every word feels meticulously chosen, every sentence crafted with precision. This sparse yet evocative prose perfectly mirrors the isolation and raw beauty of the setting. The minimalism allows the reader to immerse themselves deeply into the story, feeling the chill of the Icelandic winds and the eerie silence of the long nights.

The characters are well-developed, their emotions and motivations unfolding subtly through the narrative. The protagonist's journey is both physical and emotional, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the haunting grip of the past. The interactions between characters are often loaded with unspoken tension, making every dialogue rich with subtext.

While the plot is deliberately paced, the suspense builds steadily, keeping the reader engaged and curious. The novel's atmosphere is palpable, making it a true page-turner for those who appreciate a slow burn.

However, the minimalistic approach may not appeal to everyone. Some readers might crave more action or explicit explanations. Yet, for those who find beauty in simplicity and depth in subtlety, "The Night Guest" is a rewarding read.

In conclusion, "The Night Guest" is a masterful work that captures the essence of its setting and the complexities of its characters with remarkable restraint. Its minimalistic style is both its strength and its challenge, offering a unique reading experience that lingers long after the final page. The novel invites reflection, leaving us to ponder the shadows of our lives and the elusive nature of truth.

A quick, interesting, and unsettling read. I enjoyed this story even though there was an inconsistency and the ending was open ended. The narrator did an excellent job. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher.

"The Night Guest" by Hildur Knutsdottir is a chilling tale set in Reykjavík about Iðunn, who is experiencing unexplained fatigue and strange injuries. Despite doctors dismissing her symptoms, Iðunn is determined to find out what is happening to her, especially after waking up with 40,000 steps walked in her sleep. As she tries to uncover the mysterious events occurring while she sleeps, she struggles to get anyone to believe her.

This audiobook was an exhilarating journey! The narrator's upbeat and captivating performance had me hooked from start to finish. I devoured this audiobook in just a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The narrator's delivery was a fantastic choice!

This novella is a thrilling horror story that will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat with its fast-paced narrative, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. While the ending left me slightly disappointed, as I was expecting a mind-blowing conclusion, the book still managed to thrill, surprise, and captivate me. The translation is expertly done. The translation captured the dark and sarcastic tone of the characters and the overall eerie vibe of the story.

If you're in need of a quick read to pull you out of a reading rut, look no further - this book is sure to do the trick!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my ARC audiobook copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Feminine horror set in modern day Iceland.

Suffering from fatigue, muscle pain, and unexplained bruises our narrator visits the doctor in fear of the worst. After routine tests and blood work, all comes back normal suggesting that it might just all be in her head or what the doctors professionally call “psychosomatic”. Her friends are eager to offer their advice: have you tried yoga, you need to eat more red meat, what about less caffeine, Zumba saved my life! Hoping to aid in her new fitness routine, she buys a shiny new watch and becomes a little obsessed with tracking her steps. When the watch shows an abnormally large number of steps walked overnight, our narrator grows annoyed. The watch is surely broken, right?

This heart-pounding novella can be read in a single afternoon. In fact, I finished the audiobook before my daily commute was over. The chapters are short and suspenseful which, along with the stress ramping up with each chapter, propel this story forward.

All was going well until the ending which came so quickly and abruptly. I do wish there would have been more substance there. When it ended, I said “wait.. that’s it? where’s the rest of it?” I’m ok with ambiguity—I love Shirley Jackson after all—but this went past ambiguity in to feeling unfinished.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/03/2024!

Well, this was, in my opinion, a quite unconventional horror story about a middle-aged woman who wakes up every day feeling more exhausted and in more physical pain than the previous day. She sees many different doctors in order to find out what's wrong with her, but all her exams fail to provide her with any diagnosis. She then starts to realise that her smart watch is counting more steps than the ones she actually takes, overnight. She suspects she is sleepwalking but soon she discovers the real reason behind all her blackouts and eerie overnight activities.

This story is told by this woman's perspective in very small (and many) chapters, so the narrative is really fast-paced. We, the readers, follow her own thoughts and conversations inside her head and we keep wondering "is this psychological or supernatural?"
I thought it was a very interesting short horror novella, easy to read and to empathise with the main character, and the tension builds up more and more by each chapter. I was loving it, really. Until the ending. Uff This is one of those "abrupt ending" cases. I got to the last chapter and then I was like "Wait, what? Was that the last chapter? Will there be a sequel or something?"
So, be aware that this is the kind of book with no clear conclusion. Also, there is a lot of animal cruelty here. I personally don't mind because, after all, this is a FICTIONAL story. Not supposed to be taken seriously.

I do recommend this novella to any horror fans who enjoy unique, unconventional and weird fast-paced stories.
I listened to the audiobook format, in one sitting, and the narrator (Mary Robinette Kowal - who is also the translator of this book) does a great job vocing this fascinating character.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for allowing me to listen to a free advanced audiobook copy of this novella in exchange for my honest opinion.

This one was a surprise. I didn't know what to expect, but I loved it. It was almost like what I was expecting from Nightbitch, but didn't get. Loved the short chapters, loved how quick it was- straight to the point without extra stuff allowing you to get bored. It was just great.

I read the book then listened to the audio version. I adored the first 75% of this book. After that, it fell flat for me and got totally confusing. I'm still unsure what happened at the end but perhaps it was lost in translation? The narrator was fantastic. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the advanced copy.