Magma was a compelling tale that I read in a single sitting. The relationship between Lilja and her boyfriend is clearly abusive, yet she cannot see that herself and justifies everything that happens as being her own fault. This is a powerful work despite its outward simplicity and highlights how easy it is for a violent relationship to continue unchecked. Hjörleifsdóttir doesn't shy away from harsh reality in her portrayal of her characters, and as such this is a work some readers may want to approach with caution. Overall, though, she delivers a strong and important message through her story, which is a scathing commentary as much as it is a work of fiction.

In this short novella, narrator Lilja tells the story of how she ended up in an abusive relationship - and what's makes the text so effective is that the guy she submits to is basically made of red flags, but as Lilja employs very common female rationalizations to explain to herself why it's all not his fault, the text still rings very true, making the reader ponder how such outright insane behavior can still feel plausible - what does that say about our society, about all of us? Yes, the story gives us a key event that is one source of Lilja's self-betrayal, but what's at play here are more general manipulative techniques like gaslighting and emotional blackmail as well as female tendencies to please others, to show understanding, to compete against other women, to make it short: this is partly about toxic femininity.

Lilja grows emotionally dependent, she starts to believe that her sexual and social boundaries are somehow wrong - and she gives them up, with harrowing consequences. As the story progresses, we learn more and more about the book-loving vegetarian she first deems to be prince charming, and from very early on, it becomes clear that he is a cruel manipulator who avoids accountability - and Lilja knows it too, but she can't find the strength to act upon it, as she is successfully shaken in her belief that her opinions and emotions are valid.

Hjörleifsdóttir's debut is a shocking pageturner that shouldn't ring true, but does - and that's the sad core of a story that is well worth telling. The book can be discussed in the context of First Love and In the Dream House, and I can't wait to read what this exciting new voice comes up with next.