A spooky book about a woman who wakes up every morning feeling like she ran a marathon during the night? Sign me up, this was right up my alley. This was such a fun horror novella to read, I was sucked in right away, and absolutely flew through it. I'm a big fan of horror that tends to be unsettling, rather than outright scary, and this was just that. The pacing was done really well, and the author played with chapter length in a way that really enhanced the experience.

I found myself constantly questioning what was really going on, which is typically a good thing in horror, since it makes the payoff at the end when we finally figure it out very satisfying. Now, I appreciate a good vague ending where the reader has to form their own conclusions, but for that to work as intended at least some questions have to be answered. This story sort of just...ends right as it feels like we're about to get some answers. We never find out what was actually going on. I wished the author had given us a little bit more to go on.

This was clearly a commentary on how women are often ignored or not taken seriously when seeking medical and mental health care, and that message really hits home for me. Overall, I had a blast reading this unsettling little novella, but was left wishing for a more definitive ending. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I'm not sure what I read, but I enjoyed it. It was interesting and thrilling. I wanted to see what happened next. I'd love to read more by this author. I have loved the translated horror that I've read so far. It's a very short novella, that leaves a lot to your imagination. I received a free e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so freaking quick and so good, I finished this in one sitting. I couldn’t believe how quick I rushed through this. Go in it blind, feel all the feels that are there to be felt, absorb yourself in this short but furious descent into madness. It was unsettling insanity in the best way. I ended up listening to this on audio, the narration was perfect and the translation was done well. It would have been five stars, had the ending not left me wanting more. It was still great and I am definitely waiting for whatever Hildur Knutsdottir gives us next. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Tor Nightfire for my eARC and advanced audiobook. The Night Guest will be published 9/3.

Interesting at first but not great, especially the end. I was confused by the anticlimactic ending. It ended in a super unsatisfying way. I was interested until that point. Just like a TV. It just shut off… two ⭐️.

A very effective little horror novel about a woman who wakes exhausted every day and realizes she’s been walking 40,000 plus steps at night. Where is she going and what is she doing during the night? I think the premise is quite interesting. I’m not sure if the ending paid off entirely for me hence the 4 star instead of 5. I’ll have to sit with this one for a bit, but I think a 4 is accurate. I read most of this book during my own bought of insomnia and that only added to the tension.

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir is a novella about a woman named Iðunn who is constantly fatigued. No doctor can figure out what’s causing her to feel so sore and exhausted everyday. One night, she falls asleep with her watch on and wakes up to discover she walked 40,000 steps during the night. But Iðunn has no recollection of waking up and walking in the middle of the night – and she has no idea what she could have been doing. Even more disturbing, she’s waking up with painful injuries, and Iðunn doesn’t know why.

I sat down to read this for about 15 minutes and ended up completing this entire novella in one sitting. The story kept me hooked from the very first page. The first 95% of The Night Guest was absolutely amazing, and I was prepared to give this 5 stars. However, the end was definitely kind of a let down. It felt very abrupt and I wanted just a little bit more. I’m normally perfectly fine with ambiguous conclusions, especially in the horror genre, but this was too vague even for me.

However, I also am so intrigued by the way Knútsdóttir ended this novella. It makes me wonder if there are any clues in the text, any extra answers I could go back and search for. I definitely won’t be forgetting about this novella anytime soon, so for that I give it 4 stars. I think it will 100% work for some readers, and the ending leaves plenty to be discussed!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted on Goodreads on 7/21/24.

Brief review will be posted on Instagram in my July monthly reading wrapup, posted around the beginning of August. Full review of this novella will be posted to my Instagram account on release day.

Not really sure what I was dxpe6from this book but I enjoyed it. Not a fan of the animal deaths. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

The horror of not knowing what's going on with her body, and why things seem to be happening without her knowledge is so, so terrifying. Watching her try to figure it out was an intense process.

n "The Night Guest," Hildur Knutsdottir delves into the psychological and physiological realms of our existence through the compelling narrative of Iðunn, a woman grappling with an unrelenting fatigue that leaves her feeling both helpless and isolated. Knutsdottir effectively uses Iðunn’s struggles to explore themes of disbelief, the quest for understanding one’s body, and the haunting shadows of the unknown that linger in the corners of our minds. The story begins in a familiar setting: a doctor’s office, where Iðunn is dismissed by practitioners who fail to address her concerns. This scenario resonates deeply with many readers, as it highlights a common frustration in modern healthcare—when symptoms are overlooked or minimized, leaving patients in a state of limbo. Iðunn’s attempts to explain her condition to friends and family yield the same unhelpful advice: eat better, exercise more, establish a nighttime routine. This advice, while well-meaning, underscores a societal tendency to simplify complex health issues, reinforcing Iðunn’s feelings of alienation and inadequacy as she fails to find a remedy for her plight. The narrative takes a surreal turn when Iðunn discovers that she has walked over 40,000 steps in her sleep, prompting a cascade of questions: What is happening to her during the night? Why does she wake up with injuries that grow more disturbing with each passing day? The author masterfully escalates the tension, weaving a sense of dread throughout the story. Iðunn's experiences can be interpreted as a metaphor for the unseen battles many face within their bodies, illustrating how our internal struggles can manifest in ways that are both physical and psychological. As Iðunn’s condition worsens, her growing isolation becomes palpable. The disbelief of those around her adds a layer of urgency to her quest for validation. Knutsdottir captures the essence of frustration that accompanies chronic illness; the feeling of being unheard and unseen. The narrative compels readers to empathize with Iðunn, as she becomes a symbol for anyone who has felt marginalized in their fight for health and understanding. "The Night Guest" is not just a tale of one woman's struggle with her health; it is a poignant commentary on the human experience. Knutsdottir's prose is both haunting and lyrical, drawing readers into Iðunn's world, where the boundaries between reality and the surreal blur. The book raises important questions about trust in one’s body and the often harrowing journey to uncover the truth behind one’s health. In conclusion, Hildur Knutsdottir’s "The Night Guest" is a powerful exploration of health, disbelief, and the quest for understanding in a world that often dismisses our struggles. It invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with health and the importance of listening to one’s body. This gripping narrative is not only a page-turner but also a profound reminder of the complexities of the human condition. Whether you are drawn to psychological thrillers or narratives that delve into the depths of human experience, "The Night Guest" is a must-read that will linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.

Tw: animal cruelty
Very quick, fast paced read! I really enjoyed this although it isn't for everyone. Very dark and doesn't really have an ending.

Dark, intense, and thoroughly creepy! Fast read, you won't stop until the end - you may hold your breath for most of the time, so remember to breath. Might not want to read it before bed ... it is that good.

This is an eerie, spare read. I wanted just a little bit more, though - maybe 20 pages that delved more into the relationship between the main character and [redacted spoiler], which would have deepened the emotional stakes.

A short, scary novella that I finished in two evenings, but could be done in one.

What would you do if you woke up completely exhausted every day, and the doctors have no idea why? When you find out from your pedometer that you have been walking over 40,000 steps in your sleep, would you be afraid FOR yourself or OF yourself?

Trigger warnings for animal violence. Only the aftereffects are noted, but they were graphic enough for me to skip over.

I'm still thinking about this story a few days after I read it, so it definitely impacted me. Makes you consider the lack of studies into women's healthcare and how frequently women are ignored in medicine.

The only real complaint I have is that there is no clear motive for what an entity in this book does. I wish there was more backstory for that character, but an entertaining read that I would recommend.

Huge trigger warning for dead cats. My fault for not looking into trigger warnings before reading. I was quite enjoying the book up until that point. It is very well written and fast paced. The chapters are all short with zero filler. Each chapter skips to a new spot in the action. I found the whole book very unsettling. The ending was very disappointing in my opinion. I’m still confused by it. I was hoping i would get some clarity about what was occurring the whole time but sadly that was not the case.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.0

Setting: Iceland
Rep: n/a

This is a very short book that you can read in less than 2 hours - many of its 100 chapters are only a few words long, all of them under 3-4 pages. I was hoping it would be weird and mysterious and tense but it just fell flat for me I'm afraid.

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir is a captivating and powerfully restrained novel. It alternates between chilling and hauntingly relatable moments, offering a thought-provoking exploration of femininity, agency, and self. This book is truly a heart-pounding read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The night guest. This is a story from Iceland. It’s a very different book. I would love to have people who read it, to tell me what they think

This novella kept my attention from the very beginning! The super short chapters had me flying through this book. I loved the mystery and suspense of it all. It’s definitely an unsettling read not knowing what the heck was going on and why it was happening. The only thing that I didn’t like was the end. I felt like there could’ve been more of an explanation. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend!

Thank you @netgalley & @tornightfire for the ARC 🫶🏽

One of my favorite things to do on an evening without plans is to find a short horror film on any of the streaming services, preferably one I haven't heard of, and watch it. My ideal length is 100 minutes or less, a fast pass to the spine-tingling chills and terrors that might keep someone else up but which I fall asleep promptly after experiencing.

Hildur Knutsdottir's The Night Guest is the literary equivalent of the perfect Icelandic thriller I might seek out.

The main character of the story, Iðunn, is exhausted and she doesn't know why. A responsible adult, we meet her at the doctor's office where she's seeking answers. Unfortunately, her symptoms align most closely with depression, not the most helpful of answers for her. Later, at happy hour with her friends, one of them suggests she get more active. Maybe she just needs those endorphins everyone is talking about. So Iðunn goes to the store and buys a Garmin watch, smartly choosing to monitor her progress and get those steps in!

The horror at the core of this novel creeps in as slowly as Iðunn's step count rises, manifesting in an unusual reflection in the mirror, unexplained bruises and cuts, and strange interactions with neighbors. Without spoiling anything, this is a sprint of a novel that I simply inhaled. Knutsdottir's writing is sharp, propulsive, and frenetic and the Night Guest feels like the expertly edited speed horror I crave as a viewer and reader. It will be the perfect fall read for a night where you just want to spend the evening stressed out on your couch with a glass of wine when it comes out in September. I can't recommend it enough.

Definitely check this trigger warnings on this one! This is a spooky novella set in Reykjavik and explores themes of family, sisterhood, as well as the ways that women are sometimes treated as medical patients. I didn't connect so much with the main character, Idunn, but since this was a horror novel, I was mostly just reading for the spooky atmosphere.