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.