I really loved this short horror novella. The way it was written keeps the reader engaged and the story was so interesting to follow. I wasn't super happy with how it ended, but overall I enjoyed it and look forward to reading from this author again.

I read this in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down. So dark, so unique! I really liked it and it had a perfect ending. If you are looking for a quick thriller that is kind of paranormal but kind of not, give this a try! I especially loved the setting so I doubly recommend this if you have been to Reykjavik!

The Night Guest comes out next week on September 3, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!

Sometimes I imagine that if I say little enough, people will find me mysterious. That they'll begin to imagine that I have this rich inner life. That I think deeply but have no need to show off, that my ideas are too precious for careless babble, that I carefully select where I choose to shine.

I want to be like ... There was this silent man at a party I once went to somewhere near Vesturbajarlaugin. He barely said a word all night but still everything revolved around him. The women tried to catch his eye, the men tried to make him laugh. But he just sat there silently-and for some reason we were all convinced that he must be the smartest man in the room.

I have gradually come to the conclusion that this tactic only works for men. If you are a woman who is silent, then people assume you're stupid and have nothing remarkable to say.

I went into this one blind and I'm glad I did. I wasn't expecting anything in particular and as just along for the ride.

Anyone who has a chronic illness and has dealt with trying to get answers from doctors will definitely relate to the beginning of this book...I know I did. Thankfully, with what followed, I could not relate.

This was a twisting journey into finding out what the MC was doing in her sleep. And if it was sleepwalking, where was she going and why?

Enjoyable quick read. 4⭐️

As always, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Short chapters anyone? Cause this book has them!

But seriously, beyond that, The Night Guest took a firm hold on me and didn't let go until the very end. Iðunn was a likable, relatable main character, and I found myself genuinely invested in following her downward spiral into madness. It was chilling and unlike anything I've read in the past. Was the ending ambiguous? Yes. But did it just work for this novel? Absolutely. Easy five stars.


Thank you @netgalley and @tornightfire for the ARC ebook!

Unique premise, unreliable narrator, psychological terror, and mysterious nighttime events -- all add up to a tightly-woven, creepy, horrifying tale of a woman falling apart. Is it psychosis or something supernatural? The ambiguity is marvelous.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Tor Nightfire for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a person who suffers from random bouts of insomnia, this book grabbed my attention from the beginning. I needed to know what was happening to Iounn while they were “sleeping,” but at the same time I dreaded finding out. The story is structured in such a way that creates a sense of propulsion. The chapters are short and the plot moves along quickly. The story is so short (~200 pages) that I hate to give much away. I will say that, as the story progresses, the main character’s behavior becomes more and more erratic, making you question whether it’s the result of their fatigue or if something else is going on. The ending is definitely left open to interpretation but I was satisfied with it. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but there were a few details I wish had been expanded. Still a very solid read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Recommend ✔️

Thank you, Netgalley, Hildur Knutsdottir, and Tor Publishing Group for the ebook! Wow! What did I just read?! What a trip this was! Had all the great aspects I love in a thriller ... short chapters, creepy what is going on, and a banger ending! A quick must read!!!

This book was chilling! I was hooked. The ending fell flat to me, but since I absolutely loved the remaining 98%, I still recommend this to everyone!

This short read was fast and chilling, I loved that I had no idea what was going on but the descend into madness was spectacular. I mean, can you imagine not knowing what you doing, where you’re going or why are you waking up bloody? INSANE!
I finished this one in less than an hour, nothing was wasted and some of the chapters were literally a sentence. This one would’ve been a 5 for me if it wasn’t because of the abrupt ending that just left me with the “what tf just happened”, it definitely leaves you thinking and trying to figured out what was going on.
Definitely check out the trigger warning specially since there is some animal cruelty against Cats.

🩸🩸🩸🩸/5

This is my honest opinion and thank you for the advanced readers copy. A chilling tale of a doctor who has had strange occurrences and feels terribly ill everyday when she wakes, without any idea what has been happening. Until one day she stays up and starts setting traps for herself to find out what is happening to her. I will say this is a fast paced and easy read that you can devour in one sitting. To me their was a language barrier with the names but other then that it was fine. I gave it a 3 as it left me with so many questions after finishing it.

Talk about creepy and making you wonder what happens to you when you go to sleep as well. There were a few points in the book that had me a little scared as well and reminded me of a few paranormal episodes I have watched on tv. Almost as if someone different took over your body. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next with every page I turned. It was a short quick read.

What a wild, unsettling little ride this was! I enjoyed this immensely. It was fast-paced, propelling you forward with so much momentum (and dread), purposefully leaving so much up to the reader’s fearful imagination in such a capable way. Each chapter in this novella ratcheted up the tension — I truly flew this. The perfect quick-read set up for the fall/spooky season. My thanks to Tor Publishing for this ARC.

This was sooooo good until the last few pages. I hate ambiguous endings. I’m not smart enough to understand what happened. I can guess but it still doesn’t explain the motivation. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hildur Knutsdottir for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Night Guest coming out September 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I haven’t read any books by this author. I love horror books, so I was excited to check this out. I didn’t know what to expect. The Icelandic setting definitely added to the isolation of the character. It was definitely a creepy book with great writing. It’s very fast-paced and action packed despite the topic of tiredness. I didn’t quite understand the ending. I would check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys creepy horror books!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this novella.

This was a very interesting read. When I saw it on NetGalley, I had to request it because it had immediately caught my attention. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the hype I had built around it. I enjoyed the writing and the pacing. The unreliable narrator angle really fit the story. There were a few moments that were actually relatable to me as someone with chronic illnesses. Answers are not easy to get, especially when bloodwork comes back as normal. I did not like how many questions were left unanswered. I'm okay with unanswered questions most of the time, but in this instance, I was unsatisfied. I think I need to sit with the ending before I can fully know how I feel about it. Right now, I feel disappointed.

I would recommend this to people who enjoy thrillers with some horror tones. I do want to warn those interested that there is animal cruelty, so please keep that in mind.

Do you ever wonder what happens when you wake up overly tired and drained? Do you have mysterious cuts and bruises? Has your pedometer tracked 40,000 steps in the middle of the night??? 😴

Sleepwalkers steer clear, this may haunt your non existent dreams!

Iounn has no idea why she’s in a state of constant fatigue and learns she is walking all over in the middle of the night with no memory of what she’s done. 🥱

This was a quick, chilling read but like many readers I’m a bit perplexed after finishing. I think I have an idea of what’s going on but who knows if I’m actually correct 🤔

Thank you to the author, Hildur Knutsdittir and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun, keep you guessing, short novel. I had to take a star off for the ending, I wanted it to be more wrapped up and it was a little open ended for me.

When I requested The Night Guest, I only read the first small paragraph before requesting. What did I know going in? Just that the main character was battling some mysterious fatigue and that the doctors—classic—were dismissing her concerns. As a woman, that last part hit a little too close to home, even outside of a horror context. I 100% related to the main character being gaslit and told that there was nothing wrong with her whenever she went to the doctor. This has happened to me more times than I can count. I loved the discussion surrounding this and how it often happens to women.

From the beginning, it is easy to speculate what you believe is happening. The way the main character was introduced to the reader was well done. The story reveals just enough throughout. From the very first page, the atmosphere is eerie. The narrator, Iðunn, feels real—flaws and all. Even when she’s a bit hard to like, something about her makes you root for her. It’s impressive how much depth is packed into this short story.

I think the writing style worked for this type of story. There were a few chapters with only a sentence or two, and it affected the pacing and suspense in the best way. There were many times when I should’ve put the story down, but it was too addicting. Since it’s a translated work, there are a few moments where the sentence structure feels slightly off, but nothing major. Honestly, it just adds to the slightly disorienting story telling.

Now, about the ending. I can already hear the mixed reviews. It’s abrupt, and it definitely leaves a lot up to interpretation. I personally found something satisfying in it, but I’ll admit, it wasn’t until I peeked at other reviews that I felt more confident in my take. If you are confused about the ending, or even want to read other interpretations, I would read some of the Goodreads reviews!

Trippy…
I went into this book having absolutely no idea what is what about and I’m glad for it. I made me look at the FMC with a clean slate. Continuously I wondered if she was a worry wort, hypochondriac, OCD, genuinely sick, etc.

But I related managed to find her relatable in the beginning. Feeling a little awkward, being suspicious of the government, trusting her female doctor more.

However…the weird…the extra steps on the fitness tracker, the bruising, the cats…


I will say check your trigger warnings but otherwise I enjoyed this book.
I really enjoy a book that makes you think and leaves you questioning. This is it.

What a creepy, atmospheric, and chilling read.

The horror was fast-paced and dread-inducing with an ending that left the reader wondering. Filled with an interesting cast of characters and some dark humor and some drama, nothing was lost in translation on this spooky novella.

Tysm for the ARC!