Thank you to the author, Europa Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This novel - written in a very nonlinear style, which made it hard for me to really get into at beginning - follows the individual lives of members of a small commune that have chosen to live on a secluded farm property, and what happens when Emelie, a young woman fleeing burnout from her journalist job, intrudes into their closed system.

Each character has a complex back story, and is fully fleshed out - this forms the main part of the book. As we get to know them one by one, we realize that chance and mistake are conjoined with choice to bring this disparate group together. The question that evolves with the introduction of Emelie into the group is the moral foundation of the group and its choices - rifts start to develop as it becomes clear that the peace they claim to live is nothing but an agreement to avoid issues, and gloss over disagreements. Hard to get into, but fascinating overall.

I really enjoyed this book. It was introspective and the writing is fantastic. Would love to read more from this author.

The Colony explores the stories of members of a cult in Sweden that the main character, Emilie, stumbles upon. In following their stories, we find out more about what drove them to join the cult, and how their society is shaped by an outsider joining in. I really liked the premise of this book, but I think it was a bit too literary for me. I struggled to feel connected to the characters or plot line, but I think it might really work for some people who like a more literary fiction take on a cult story.

I initially picked up The Colony because I love a cult novel, but unfortunately it just didn't end up working for me - I struggled to get into the writing style of the author. Thanks so much to Europa Editions and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

My thanks to Net Galley for a DRC of "Colony" by Annika Norlin.
As someone who loves outdoors and enjoys translated literary works this should have worked for me.
The execution was a weird combination of bland characters and actions that at times had graphic descriptions, a tone of unease and discomfort that made for an unpleasant reading experience.
The weird, but sometimes beautiful prose made me so torn up, but the more I pushed myself to continue, the more I realized that I am not enjoying myself nor am I gaining any satisfying insight.

Three stars for The Colony - I thought the individual characters were interesting but did not like main character Emilie. I also enjoyed the author’s writing style and can see why this is a popular book. But I didn’t love it. Thank you Europa Editions and NetGalley for the eARC

The premise about a cult-like group of individuals living in the woods in Sweden was what drew me in.

I'm always intrigued by people who live off-grid or challenge conventional and modern society. The simplicity and ease of the secluded life rings a bell for me. Peace and quiet. A simple life.

In The Colony we follow 7 people (Aagny, Sara, Jozsef, Ersmos, Sagne, Lake, Zakaria) who have chosen to live on a small secluded property - which is farm like and referred to as such at points throughout the book. Some end up there by chance, some by choice, some by mistake. All decide to stay. And stay they do, for a decent amount of years. But when their idyllic little society is challenged by the intrusion of an outsider (Emilie) years after they have started The Colony, things start to become unhinged. Is their conjoined silence and harmony the peace they have always dreamed of, or are they avoiding bigger issues at hand? Do they really want to continue living this way? All questions shall be answered as the seven take a good look at what their past years spent together have and have not brought into their lives.

This book is quite nonlinear in narrative, with almost every chapter jumping forward and back in time. In the beginning, it took a bit to adjust to how the book was written, but it quickly became easy to follow. Additionally, the author introduces all of the characters within the first few chapters, which is to be expected, but there were a lot of people to keep track of. I actually took notes on who was who, what they did, and their reasoning for moving to the farm. It helped as the book progressed.

The book delves deeply into challenging societal norms, and what is and isn't considered acceptable. What constitutes a family? Should children be made to go to school if they can be educated thoroughly at home? Polyamory is also a prevalent topic, as is buddhism, generational trauma, and rape.

Lots to think on! I do know that I really was invested in the characters, even though I didn't necessarily like about half of them. I consider this successful on the part of the author, as diverse personalities and conflict within the plot structure typically makes for a more interesting read.

I obviously won't spoil the ending, but I have rather mixed feelings on how it ended. It is a tad open-ended, but at the same time not. It definitely makes you think and wonder what will happen to all of these people. I finished this several days ago but I'm still thinking about everyone. I think that's one of the best compliments an author can receive, that you can't get their beloved characters out of your head. I know my thoughts will be occupied with this crew for the foreseeable future.

Even though this was a longer book for me (400+ pages) I was not bored with it. It kept me hooked throughout the entire story.

Ummm….. I am OBSESSED with this story! 🐜♥️ Wow, I enjoyed savoring and annotating this one. An unbelievably incredible debut novel! I truly hope I see more people talking about this one and giving it the hype it totally deserves.

📢 Buzzword list:
character-driven
nature conservation
found family
Ferngully movie
1970’s - 1990’s
corporate burnout
generational trauma
bullying/hate
finding your purpose
parental abuse/neglect
second chances
accountability/responsibility
messy situationships
communal living

The writing is absolutely phenomenal; I loved the way the story was told. I felt like I really got to know the characters - I was right there with them - and I was so invested in their lives. I wasn't sure about this cover at first but as I was reading it and learning the meaning behind it, it grew on me and I love it now.

⭐Rating: all 👏 the 👏 stars 👏 (aka 5/5 bc that’s as high as it lets me rate it)

The Colony follows a young woman as she escapes her regular life to live in the woods after suffering from burnout. While she’s there, she discovers a group of strange individuals living in the area with unique—almost cult like—habits. The main characters observes them and their way of life until they finally meet, with life shattering consequences.

This book is above all else a character study of not just one, but every character. Every member of “the colony” is incredibly fleshed out and complex. Not only are there individual lives and personalities portrayed, but there relationships with each other examined in detail. These are characters that are incredibly flawed yet loveable in many ways and the reader is shown that beautifully.

The writing style is also a positive of this book; it’s beautiful without being flowery and the translation is done really well. This is great read for anyone who likes women in translation, nature and character focused stories, and literary fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley & Europa for the e-arc.

This wasn't quite as explosive as I was expecting but it was atmospheric and stunning. The characters were well written and the pacing was perfect.

Not the total blockbuster I was expecting, but an emotional and atmospheric novel about people's live unexpectedly coming together in the strangest ways. I thought the translation was perfect, and I got lost in the story.

Great read. Complex and emotional but not overwhelming or cloying. Interesting plot and strange characters. Frustrating at times but that did not detract from the story.

The Colony follows a group of troubled characters who have all, for various reasons, retreated from mainstream society, and led by the somewhat manipulative Sara, have built a new life for themselves with virtually no contact with the outside world. The arrival of Emelie, a journalist suffering from burnout in the city, disrupts the balance in the community and the Colony’s isolated existence is put to the test. Switching between past and present, the narrative explores the characters’ back stories and describes the reasons they have come together in this unconventional “family” and the effect Emelie’s arrival and her “outside” perspective has on each of them. I found the book an immersive experience, and its examination of community, belonging and connection insightful and empathetic. I particularly appreciated that the book eschews many of the tropes of communal living stories and avoids melodrama, which all too often seems to be the fall-back when talking about “cults”. This novel is far more nuanced and thought-provoking and I very much enjoyed it.

Long live Queen Aagny.

The Colony is, on paper, a book about a small commune made up of characters with colorful histories and how one outsider experiencing burnout from her journalist job finds herself living in the woods and studying this group.

But these CHARACTERS! Most of the book is dedicated not to Emelie's encounters with the group, but to explaining each of the members' histories and how they came to live this alternative lifestyle. Much like the ant colony they resemble, each member brings to the group their own unique skills and traits which help contribute to the greater whole. While much of the book is charming, the reader is constantly questioning the moral foundation of the group and its choices.

Thank you to NetGalley & Europa for the e-arc.

I can already say that The Colony by Annika Norlin will be one of my favorite books of 2025.
Absolutely incredible: the plot is unique and interesting, the prose clean and charming, plus there's a very delicate humor that I enjoyed a lot. The translation by Alice E. Olsson is also excellent.
I would recommend going in blind and just go with the flow - don't get discouraged by the slow pace of the book or its length, I think it fits perfectly the story!
I loved everything about it, literally. 5 stars.

* I'd like to thank Annika Norlin, Europa Editions and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#TheColony #NetGalley

The writing in THE COLONY was quite lovely, but I didn't finish reading, partly because of its slow pace and partly because I wasn't finding it funny like other reviewers have.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy.

There’s something quietly unsettling and thought-provoking about The Colony. A group of strangers, led by the enigmatic Sara, build a life hidden away in the countryside — free from the chaos of modern society. Or at least, that’s the hope. When Emelie, a burnt-out city-dweller, stumbles upon their isolated community, it seems like the dream: silence, nature, and a chance to hit pause on life. But as the days go on, and the layers start peeling back, it becomes less clear whether this is freedom… or just a smaller cage.

What really stood out to me is how the book makes you question the roles we accept — consciously or not — in our daily lives. Peer pressure, discomfort, even manipulation: Norlin shows how easy it is to accept things as normal when everyone else seems to. The themes of burnout, alienation, and the longing for an alternative life felt deeply relatable, and I found myself reflecting on how often we trade one set of expectations for another without even noticing.

That said, the pacing wasn't perfect for me. The early chapters dive into the characters’ pasts before we really get to know them in the present, which made the start feel a little slow and distant. But once the plot picks up and the focus shifts to the group dynamic, it becomes clear why this foundation was necessary — and by the end, I found myself invested, if slightly haunted.

Norlin’s writing is sharp in its quiet way. There are lines in here that made me stop, reread, and sit with for a while — some gently insightful, some cutting deep without making a fuss about it. The ending, too, avoids easy answers and leaves you thinking, which I always appreciate.

All in all, if you like slow-burn, character-driven novels with sharp social commentary and a touch of discomfort (the good, thought-provoking kind), The Colony is worth picking up.

Thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this! It raised interesting questions about human nature and what we need to be happy. As someone that fantasises about fleeing to rural Sweden at the first sign of stress, I found it very relatable.

I did find the book a little overly long, but ultimately an enjoyable read.

The Colony is a thought provoking, often uncomfortable and at times shocking story of an unconventional way of life. A group of 7 social misfits gradually form a “colony” that avoids society and lives almost exclusively off the land. “They were all strange. They were all l flawed. Together, they managed to survive. They each had something that benefitted the others.” When Emilie, a former journalist, encounters the group during her respite from a mental burnout, her questions cause the entire group to rethink their relationships and decisions.
There are several potentially triggering situations that I was not prepared for. I found myself wincing as the group made increasingly questionable choices for themselves and their child Lake in order to avoid the law. I also questioned myself why I was so judgmental about a different way of living. I would say I don’t think this book will be for everyone. It’s thought provoking and controversial, and I won’t soon forget it, but also slow at times, with a generous amount of time spent on character back stories. 3.5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Europa Editions for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

The style of The Colony is so unique. It tells the back stories of 8 characters who end up all living together as part of a community/cult/homestead called the colony. I loved learning about the individual paths that led each character to desire this kind of life and how they viewed their role in the group dynamic. In the end, I think it was lacking a bit of emotional depth for me, but I really enjoyed the reading experience.