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Freyja
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26The unsolved case of a young girl’s disappearance reopens after twenty years in this moody, atmospheric debut of suspense set in Reykjavík and the Icelandic coast.
Unnur has secrets. A single mother to a beloved daughter, Lilja, she lives a deliberately quiet life in Reykjavík, working at a bakery under an assumed last name and pushing away haunting visions of the last summer of her childhood. Her safety—and Lilja’s—now hinges on discretion. But when her ex-husband returns to Iceland and brings with him a new girlfriend, who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, Unnur may finally have to face what happened long ago on a black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley—and the possibility that she might be responsible for the disappearance of her otherworldly friend Freyja.
As a cold case investigation reopens and the intricate threads of past and present begin to tangle, Unnur must race to recover the broken memory of what happened all those years ago, or risk losing her daughter. Steeped in Icelandic folklore and myth, Freyja is at once a gripping story of a child’s disappearance, a testament to the power of a mother’s love, and an enthralling tale of redemption and forgiveness from a gifted new voice.
Unnur has secrets. A single mother to a beloved daughter, Lilja, she lives a deliberately quiet life in Reykjavík, working at a bakery under an assumed last name and pushing away haunting visions of the last summer of her childhood. Her safety—and Lilja’s—now hinges on discretion. But when her ex-husband returns to Iceland and brings with him a new girlfriend, who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, Unnur may finally have to face what happened long ago on a black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley—and the possibility that she might be responsible for the disappearance of her otherworldly friend Freyja.
As a cold case investigation reopens and the intricate threads of past and present begin to tangle, Unnur must race to recover the broken memory of what happened all those years ago, or risk losing her daughter. Steeped in Icelandic folklore and myth, Freyja is at once a gripping story of a child’s disappearance, a testament to the power of a mother’s love, and an enthralling tale of redemption and forgiveness from a gifted new voice.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
November 17, 2025
I LOVED this book. The writing is phenomenal - it's thrilling, addictive, and utterly unputdownable.
I've read and enjoyed a handful of other books by Icelandic authors (big fan of Hildur Knutsdottir) but this book had a little something extra because it was written by an American-Icelandic author, so it included the the author's unique perspective and experience of both cultures. On its face, this book is a mystery about lost children but it's also SO so much more. The book includes background about the history of Iceland and it's relationship with America and American soldiers. It also delves into the beliefs and history of folklore once a central to the lives of native Icelanders, while also recognizing that times change and strict adherence to ancient beliefs today is less common. An American in Iceland might deem these ancient beliefs and folklore to be fairy tales, but to undermine their role and importance to Icelandic culture would be a mistake.
This story alternates between 1990 and 2018. The 1990 chapters reexamine Unnar's (main character) childhood in Iceland following her traumatic forced relocation by her aunt to live at a farm with strangers in the Dark Valley. This is where she meets and loses Freyja and the story begins.
In 2018, Unnar is single after a divorce and living with her daughter in Reykjavik. This is where her ex-husband introduces her to his new (morally questionable) girlfriend, Loa, and her daugher, Freyja, and a new Freyja disappears.
After the release of a book about Freyja's disappearance in 1991, Unnar is taunted by someone who knows about her past in the Dark Valley and her connection to Freyja before she went missing. After Loa's daughter goes missing and Unnar is framed, Unnar realizes that the present day disappearance of Freyja is intrinsically connected to the disappearance of her Freyja from the Dark Valley. One mystery cannot be solved without solving the other and if she cannot prove who is framing her for Loa's daughters disappearance, she may never see her daughter again.
This story is a melding of two worlds for Unnar: the Dark Valley and the Bright Valley. Folklore and logic. Two Freyjas. Two continents. Two cultures. Two sisters. Pagan beliefs and Christianity. Good and evil. Life and death.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you love dark mysteries, Nordic settings, and folklore. It's packed full of twists and turns, unexpected discoveries, found family, history, suspense, trauma, grief, unconditional love, forgiveness, and growth. It also had a great ending (imo). This book is a MUST READ for mystery lovers. I will be recommending to everyone I know. I can't wait to read the author's next work.
(I also personally loved the connection to Connecticut because I also live in Fairfield County.. and visited Iceland but that is less unique to just me.)
Thank you, NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau, for the eARC!! <3
I've read and enjoyed a handful of other books by Icelandic authors (big fan of Hildur Knutsdottir) but this book had a little something extra because it was written by an American-Icelandic author, so it included the the author's unique perspective and experience of both cultures. On its face, this book is a mystery about lost children but it's also SO so much more. The book includes background about the history of Iceland and it's relationship with America and American soldiers. It also delves into the beliefs and history of folklore once a central to the lives of native Icelanders, while also recognizing that times change and strict adherence to ancient beliefs today is less common. An American in Iceland might deem these ancient beliefs and folklore to be fairy tales, but to undermine their role and importance to Icelandic culture would be a mistake.
This story alternates between 1990 and 2018. The 1990 chapters reexamine Unnar's (main character) childhood in Iceland following her traumatic forced relocation by her aunt to live at a farm with strangers in the Dark Valley. This is where she meets and loses Freyja and the story begins.
In 2018, Unnar is single after a divorce and living with her daughter in Reykjavik. This is where her ex-husband introduces her to his new (morally questionable) girlfriend, Loa, and her daugher, Freyja, and a new Freyja disappears.
After the release of a book about Freyja's disappearance in 1991, Unnar is taunted by someone who knows about her past in the Dark Valley and her connection to Freyja before she went missing. After Loa's daughter goes missing and Unnar is framed, Unnar realizes that the present day disappearance of Freyja is intrinsically connected to the disappearance of her Freyja from the Dark Valley. One mystery cannot be solved without solving the other and if she cannot prove who is framing her for Loa's daughters disappearance, she may never see her daughter again.
This story is a melding of two worlds for Unnar: the Dark Valley and the Bright Valley. Folklore and logic. Two Freyjas. Two continents. Two cultures. Two sisters. Pagan beliefs and Christianity. Good and evil. Life and death.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you love dark mysteries, Nordic settings, and folklore. It's packed full of twists and turns, unexpected discoveries, found family, history, suspense, trauma, grief, unconditional love, forgiveness, and growth. It also had a great ending (imo). This book is a MUST READ for mystery lovers. I will be recommending to everyone I know. I can't wait to read the author's next work.
(I also personally loved the connection to Connecticut because I also live in Fairfield County.. and visited Iceland but that is less unique to just me.)
Thank you, NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau, for the eARC!! <3
November 23, 2025
Freyja is a novel with a mystery at its center about a girl who disappeared many years ago. Unnur is the protagonist, who is a loving mother to her daughter Lilja. She also knew Freyja as a girl when she was taken to live in a home in the Dark Valley. What follows is the slowly unfolding story of what happened with Freyja’s disappearance in the past, as well as Unnur’s plight dealing with her ex-husband’s request for joint custody of their daughter after returning to Iceland. Stranger still, he brings along a new girlfriend, whose daughter bears the same name as the girl who vanished many years ago.
This author does an incredible job weaving a story about a woman whose nebulous past collides with her present life. It makes the reader question what is real and what is myth. The setting is eerie and mystical, with a unique location for the main events of the story. Most of all, the author really makes you feel for Unnur, despite questioning her sanity and honesty. This book would make an incredible mini-series or movie.
My thanks to the publisher for sending me an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Everything stated in my review is my own opinion written in my own words.
This author does an incredible job weaving a story about a woman whose nebulous past collides with her present life. It makes the reader question what is real and what is myth. The setting is eerie and mystical, with a unique location for the main events of the story. Most of all, the author really makes you feel for Unnur, despite questioning her sanity and honesty. This book would make an incredible mini-series or movie.
My thanks to the publisher for sending me an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Everything stated in my review is my own opinion written in my own words.
December 5, 2025
This was interesting because the plot kept changing every time you would think something happened. This led it to be changing when we changed years. We'd go from feeling worried that Unnur was the killer and then go to someone different, it was quite different book. I liked it in the end, it finally made sense.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a beginning! It's one thing to have an unreliable narrator. It's another to have one that knows she is and is tormented by it. When she was a child, Unnar lost her best friend Freya to the sea. Was she killed? Probably, but the body was never found. Did Unnar risk her life trying to save her? Did she drown her in a fit of rage? Unnar remembers both. How much was planted in her young mind by endless police interrogations? Is there any other possible explanation? Now a young mother with a child of her own, she still doesn't know. When her ex-husband moves back to Iceland with a new flame who also has a daughter, the old tragedy is brought into the present when Unnar discovers that the rival's daughter is named Freya.
There's something deliciously sinister hanging over this book from the first page, and I loved it. If feels like everyone is being manipulated by an unseen hand. It quickly becomes apparent that Loa, the evil new girlfriend has it in for Unnar, but why? Could she possible tie in with the original Freya? But how? The two girls were isolated from the world. They only had each other. Thor is a master at playing with Unnar's mind and keeping ours whirling. This is an excellent psychological thriller. Highly recommended!
p-h, s-n, v-s
There's something deliciously sinister hanging over this book from the first page, and I loved it. If feels like everyone is being manipulated by an unseen hand. It quickly becomes apparent that Loa, the evil new girlfriend has it in for Unnar, but why? Could she possible tie in with the original Freya? But how? The two girls were isolated from the world. They only had each other. Thor is a master at playing with Unnar's mind and keeping ours whirling. This is an excellent psychological thriller. Highly recommended!
p-h, s-n, v-s
November 20, 2025
I really loved the prose. It was poetic and vivid, and so easy to read. My problem really comes with the plot. I love trying to figure out the mystery as I’m reading, using the information stated in the book to figure out the ending. Meaning things need to be set up in the book before hand. And the only time any evidence of this a third person being at the beach for Freyja’s death was that there were Polaroids taken from a third POV, and like sure maybe that’s enough for some people, but the fact that Unaar didn’t even remember until the very end, and there felt like there was really no set up for the plot reveal, it lowered my overall enjoyment of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2026
I was very interested in this book’s mix of mystery, Icelandic folklore, and a unique, well-developed setting. Combine this with an unreliable narrator, and you get a story that opens a bunch of different possibilities, before all coming together in the end. I personally enjoyed how much the Icelandic setting and culture was woven into the story and how the pacing of the book moved with the landscape of the past and present storylines.
There’s just enough uncertainty sprinkled throughout to keep you guessing until the end. It’s a standout debut and worth the read for lovers of the mystery and thriller genres.
Thanks NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the e-ARC and the opportunity to give an honest review.
There’s just enough uncertainty sprinkled throughout to keep you guessing until the end. It’s a standout debut and worth the read for lovers of the mystery and thriller genres.
Thanks NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the e-ARC and the opportunity to give an honest review.
August 2, 2026
*RECEIVED AN ARC FROM SPEIGEL & GRAU*
This book has everything I want in a psychological thriller - strong character building, a haunting childhood, neighborhood lore, and some psychosis. While a book about missing children is always hard to read, this one did it in such a delicate way that left you feeling for so many of the characters. The dark and moody atmosphere mixed with anxiety so palpable you can slice through it makes for an engaging and emotional read I didn’t want to put down.
This book has everything I want in a psychological thriller - strong character building, a haunting childhood, neighborhood lore, and some psychosis. While a book about missing children is always hard to read, this one did it in such a delicate way that left you feeling for so many of the characters. The dark and moody atmosphere mixed with anxiety so palpable you can slice through it makes for an engaging and emotional read I didn’t want to put down.
July 18, 2026
Icelandic thriller with folk horror and mommy issues--say less.
When the unsolved case of a missing girl in a remote area known as the Dark Valley of Iceland is reopened, Unnur must grapple with her past that she has worked very hard to keep hidden. She soon learns that in order to keep herself and her loved ones safe, she is going to have to go back to a moment she remembers little about but has continued to haunt her since.
Honestly, I requested this book because my baby girl's name is also Freyja. (We mixed the English and Swedish spelling and ended up with the Icelandic one), and I am so glad I did. This book was not only very entertaining (I loved looking up all the different Icelandic folklore that was mentioned), but it also hit me personally in a very touching way with the mother-daughter relationship aspects throughout the book. They tugged at my heart strings and made a lot of the main character's emotions relatable. The prose is incredibly beautiful, so much so that some times it felt like I was reading poetry. I highlighted man lines that felt touching.
This was a great, beautiful, dark debut and I cannot wait to see what Thors puts out next.
When the unsolved case of a missing girl in a remote area known as the Dark Valley of Iceland is reopened, Unnur must grapple with her past that she has worked very hard to keep hidden. She soon learns that in order to keep herself and her loved ones safe, she is going to have to go back to a moment she remembers little about but has continued to haunt her since.
Honestly, I requested this book because my baby girl's name is also Freyja. (We mixed the English and Swedish spelling and ended up with the Icelandic one), and I am so glad I did. This book was not only very entertaining (I loved looking up all the different Icelandic folklore that was mentioned), but it also hit me personally in a very touching way with the mother-daughter relationship aspects throughout the book. They tugged at my heart strings and made a lot of the main character's emotions relatable. The prose is incredibly beautiful, so much so that some times it felt like I was reading poetry. I highlighted man lines that felt touching.
This was a great, beautiful, dark debut and I cannot wait to see what Thors puts out next.
July 9, 2026
Do I have a new favorite author?
Unnur lives a deliberately small life in Reykjavík: a single mother working at a bakery under an assumed name, pushing away the memories of the last summer of her childhood. When her ex-husband returns to Iceland with a new girlfriend who seems to know far too much about Unnur's past, the quiet she's built starts to crack. Steeped in Icelandic folklore, it braids past and present as she races to recover a broken memory before it costs her everything.
I absolutely loved this one. It's beautifully written and immersive from the very first pages, so much so that at several points I had to put it down because my stomach was in knots. The dual timelines work wonderfully, and I loved inching closer to the solution without ever seeing it coming (the mystery is genuinely not obvious). The way Icelandic folklore is woven through the whole thing gives it a fantastic texture, and it left me wanting to book a trip to Iceland.
I can't wait to see what Thors writes next. For a debut, this is a remarkable one. Freyja is about to become my entire personality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unnur lives a deliberately small life in Reykjavík: a single mother working at a bakery under an assumed name, pushing away the memories of the last summer of her childhood. When her ex-husband returns to Iceland with a new girlfriend who seems to know far too much about Unnur's past, the quiet she's built starts to crack. Steeped in Icelandic folklore, it braids past and present as she races to recover a broken memory before it costs her everything.
I absolutely loved this one. It's beautifully written and immersive from the very first pages, so much so that at several points I had to put it down because my stomach was in knots. The dual timelines work wonderfully, and I loved inching closer to the solution without ever seeing it coming (the mystery is genuinely not obvious). The way Icelandic folklore is woven through the whole thing gives it a fantastic texture, and it left me wanting to book a trip to Iceland.
I can't wait to see what Thors writes next. For a debut, this is a remarkable one. Freyja is about to become my entire personality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2025
An eerie Icelandic mystery, perfectly haunting for the winter months. Years ago, a young girl named Freyja mysteriously vanished one night. Now, her friend Unnur—herself a single mother—is being forced to face the circumstances behind Freyja’s disappearance when a mystery note is slid under her door. And her ex’s strange new girlfriend only adds to Unnur’s worries…
This was an interesting story, and my favorite part was definitely the inclusion of Icelandic mythology within the plot. Sadly, the rest of the book didn’t hold up as much as many of the characters felt strange and disjointed from one another. The entire mystery surrounding Freyja was interesting at times, though unfortunately felt unsatisfying by the very end. Ultimately, not sure I’d recommend this one as a thriller/mystery (but potentially as a palate cleanser).
Enormous thanks to Spiegel & Grau for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review. “Freyja” releases on 8.4.26!
This was an interesting story, and my favorite part was definitely the inclusion of Icelandic mythology within the plot. Sadly, the rest of the book didn’t hold up as much as many of the characters felt strange and disjointed from one another. The entire mystery surrounding Freyja was interesting at times, though unfortunately felt unsatisfying by the very end. Ultimately, not sure I’d recommend this one as a thriller/mystery (but potentially as a palate cleanser).
Enormous thanks to Spiegel & Grau for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review. “Freyja” releases on 8.4.26!
December 17, 2025
This debut novel captivated me from the opening lines. It made me forget to and postpone sleeping, eating, breathing. The more the mystery unraveled the further my jaw dropped, and the more literary focused passages on myth and motherhood are so elequently woven in.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Appreciation to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for the ARC provided in return of an honest review of this book which is due out in August 2026.
Iceland is, to me, a mysterious island, full of lore, darkness, tales of the sea. This book accounts for that in many ways. The story is about single mother Unnar, who is raising a young daughter. The reader goes from present day Unnar back to Unnar's past where during her last summer in the Dark Valley something terrible happened that even Unnar can't seem to remember.
As many novels do, the chapters bounce between present and past. Many characters are introduced which tie the two together, further weaving the mystery and the thrill into the plot. What happened so long ago? Who is responsible? Will Unnar and/or her daughter be affected?
The locations of this book and descriptive writing of locations are phenomenal. As a reader, oftentimes I felt I was there. But the characters? Sadly, notsomuch. And it got more convoluted when having to jump 30 years backwards or forwards with Unnar.
It was a good book as a thriller, not great. 3 stars.
Iceland is, to me, a mysterious island, full of lore, darkness, tales of the sea. This book accounts for that in many ways. The story is about single mother Unnar, who is raising a young daughter. The reader goes from present day Unnar back to Unnar's past where during her last summer in the Dark Valley something terrible happened that even Unnar can't seem to remember.
As many novels do, the chapters bounce between present and past. Many characters are introduced which tie the two together, further weaving the mystery and the thrill into the plot. What happened so long ago? Who is responsible? Will Unnar and/or her daughter be affected?
The locations of this book and descriptive writing of locations are phenomenal. As a reader, oftentimes I felt I was there. But the characters? Sadly, notsomuch. And it got more convoluted when having to jump 30 years backwards or forwards with Unnar.
It was a good book as a thriller, not great. 3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Firstly, thanks to Goodreads Giveaway and Spiegel & Grau for the Advanced Readers Copy. The following review are my own thoughts and opinions.
I found this book hard to get through. The first chapter, a flashback to when the FMC was a child, hinted at murder. Maybe an accident. She can't actually remember. But then it was kind of slow, filled with the mundane flashbacks and mundane current day life.
It did finally come together and get exciting to read in the final 3rd of the book. But until that point, it was a lot of filler that didn't really explain anything or lead up to much.
I'm usually a pretty quick reader, but I struggled with this one. The summary of this book seemed suspenseful and exciting, and unfortunately, for me, it was mostly boring.
I found this book hard to get through. The first chapter, a flashback to when the FMC was a child, hinted at murder. Maybe an accident. She can't actually remember. But then it was kind of slow, filled with the mundane flashbacks and mundane current day life.
It did finally come together and get exciting to read in the final 3rd of the book. But until that point, it was a lot of filler that didn't really explain anything or lead up to much.
I'm usually a pretty quick reader, but I struggled with this one. The summary of this book seemed suspenseful and exciting, and unfortunately, for me, it was mostly boring.
July 14, 2026
thank you to netgalley, the author, and spiegel & grau for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
release date: august 4, 2026
as someone who is going to iceland for the very first time next month, i was so excited to read a novel with the plot based there. from my short research of the country and from this book, iceland is truly a beautiful and mystical place. much like freyja, the fmc's close childhood friend. this book was truly moving. even though the thriller aspects will keep you on your toes and you won't ever predict the next obstacle, this book is truly about grief and found family. i loved the few chapters on freyja as she is such an anomaly! i wish there were more passages about her and the time spent on the farm, just so we had more freyja time.
this was a slow and steady read, but if you can keep up with it, you won't be able to put it down.
release date: august 4, 2026
as someone who is going to iceland for the very first time next month, i was so excited to read a novel with the plot based there. from my short research of the country and from this book, iceland is truly a beautiful and mystical place. much like freyja, the fmc's close childhood friend. this book was truly moving. even though the thriller aspects will keep you on your toes and you won't ever predict the next obstacle, this book is truly about grief and found family. i loved the few chapters on freyja as she is such an anomaly! i wish there were more passages about her and the time spent on the farm, just so we had more freyja time.
this was a slow and steady read, but if you can keep up with it, you won't be able to put it down.
Want to Read
November 24, 2025A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Spiegel & Grau, and Margrét Ann Thors for the arc in exchange for an honest review! Freyja is set to release on August 4!
I'm not always a fan of unreliable narrators, but my favorite type of unreliable narrator of all is when the narrator is an adult and the unreliability relates to childhood memories. There's always a question of is it trauma, is it childhood imagination, or is it a injury-induced amnesia? And, every time I see it in a thriller it absolutely slaps. Even more so when, like in this, the character is a mom and the memories appear to be paralleling in her child. As a mom, it is absolutely nightmarish/terrifying, but it makes a super compelling story and I just love it.
Unnur is our main character here and the story covers two points of time in her life. The first begins in 1990 when she was 11; and the second in 2018 when she is in her late 30's with a 7-year-old daughter. Unnur and her ex-husband Nói haven't been together for more than five years, and during that time Nói has been living in Europe. He's supposed to come for a visit, his first in two years, to finalize their agreement giving Unnur full custody of their daughter. Instead he surprises them by showing up a night early, with his girlfriend Lóa and her daughter (also about 7 years old) Freyja and announces that they are staying and he can have his lawyer, which Unnur was not aware he had, draw up joint custody paperwork.
That first night, Unnur feels like they really all hit it off and that this could be a good co-parenting adventure that will be good for her daughter. Until Lóa starts making comments and Unnur starts to see things that make her think Lóa could potentially be her missing friend Freyja (who Unnur doesn't THINK she would have killed, but she may have). The next day, she also discovers that Lóa is a detective who, on the cusp of the release of an anonymously written thriller inspired by Freyja's disappearance back in the 90's, is starting a new initiative to re-examine cold cases on the disappearances or deaths of women and girls. She starts making comments to Unnur that make Unnur think that not only does she realize Unnur's connection to the long-missing Freyja, but that Lóa actually knows what happened. Items connected to Unnur's life with Freyja start appearing or disappearing, photographs of them from a distance that she didn't know were ever taken appear in her mailbox.
Above all, though, someone starts to mess with Unnur's relationship with her daughter and endangering her daughter. First, Unnur gets a call that Lillja is in the hospital with a cracked skull needing 12 staples after she was discovered alone on the street by the airport after school. Then, someone calls child services on Unnur for an unstated reason. It's clear to Unnur that Lóa has to be connected to this, but she doesn't understand how or why and there isn't really anything she can do about it.
The story, across both timelines, is attention grabbing and sinister with sprinkles of Icelandic mythology and lore as well as tie-ins to American/Icelandic history throughout. I loved Unnur as a character and everything she was trying to do for her daughter, and how ultimately familial relationships tie everything together.
I will say that I don't think I have hated a character so seemingly unreasonably as I hated Nói by the end of this lol. And it can all be summed by Unnur's characterization of him at the end as a "good-enough father." There isn't anything outright hostile as a dad that he did, but he could have stopped everything that happened to Lillja if he gave even half as much of a shit as Unnur did about their kid. And yes, child services is all up about Unnur and Nói gets praised for doing a pickup. Like, at least vet your girlfriends, man!
One trigger warning I think is worth mentioning that would not be apparent on the face of the book is that there is a fairly graphic on page animal injury and death.
I'm not always a fan of unreliable narrators, but my favorite type of unreliable narrator of all is when the narrator is an adult and the unreliability relates to childhood memories. There's always a question of is it trauma, is it childhood imagination, or is it a injury-induced amnesia? And, every time I see it in a thriller it absolutely slaps. Even more so when, like in this, the character is a mom and the memories appear to be paralleling in her child. As a mom, it is absolutely nightmarish/terrifying, but it makes a super compelling story and I just love it.
Unnur is our main character here and the story covers two points of time in her life. The first begins in 1990 when she was 11; and the second in 2018 when she is in her late 30's with a 7-year-old daughter. Unnur and her ex-husband Nói haven't been together for more than five years, and during that time Nói has been living in Europe. He's supposed to come for a visit, his first in two years, to finalize their agreement giving Unnur full custody of their daughter. Instead he surprises them by showing up a night early, with his girlfriend Lóa and her daughter (also about 7 years old) Freyja and announces that they are staying and he can have his lawyer, which Unnur was not aware he had, draw up joint custody paperwork.
That first night, Unnur feels like they really all hit it off and that this could be a good co-parenting adventure that will be good for her daughter. Until Lóa starts making comments and Unnur starts to see things that make her think Lóa could potentially be her missing friend Freyja (who Unnur doesn't THINK she would have killed, but she may have). The next day, she also discovers that Lóa is a detective who, on the cusp of the release of an anonymously written thriller inspired by Freyja's disappearance back in the 90's, is starting a new initiative to re-examine cold cases on the disappearances or deaths of women and girls. She starts making comments to Unnur that make Unnur think that not only does she realize Unnur's connection to the long-missing Freyja, but that Lóa actually knows what happened. Items connected to Unnur's life with Freyja start appearing or disappearing, photographs of them from a distance that she didn't know were ever taken appear in her mailbox.
Above all, though, someone starts to mess with Unnur's relationship with her daughter and endangering her daughter. First, Unnur gets a call that Lillja is in the hospital with a cracked skull needing 12 staples after she was discovered alone on the street by the airport after school. Then, someone calls child services on Unnur for an unstated reason. It's clear to Unnur that Lóa has to be connected to this, but she doesn't understand how or why and there isn't really anything she can do about it.
The story, across both timelines, is attention grabbing and sinister with sprinkles of Icelandic mythology and lore as well as tie-ins to American/Icelandic history throughout. I loved Unnur as a character and everything she was trying to do for her daughter, and how ultimately familial relationships tie everything together.
I will say that I don't think I have hated a character so seemingly unreasonably as I hated Nói by the end of this lol. And it can all be summed by Unnur's characterization of him at the end as a "good-enough father." There isn't anything outright hostile as a dad that he did, but he could have stopped everything that happened to Lillja if he gave even half as much of a shit as Unnur did about their kid. And yes, child services is all up about Unnur and Nói gets praised for doing a pickup. Like, at least vet your girlfriends, man!
One trigger warning I think is worth mentioning that would not be apparent on the face of the book is that there is a fairly graphic on page animal injury and death.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Freyja, by Margrét Ann Thors, from Spiegel & Grau/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 2.4 ⭐
Oh, how I so wanted to like this a lot more than I did.
That’s because I’m a _huge_ fan of Nordic Noir. Which, up until last night when I looked it up, I would’ve termed Scandinoir, both because I’m at least somewhat of a typically undereducated U.S. citizen when it comes to matters of world geography and culture, and because I like the way that portmanteau looks and sounds.
Turns out that Scandinavia is within the Nordic region (see Nordic Visitor: https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/no...) Which I needed to know not only for all purposes book-related, but also because Dear Leader seems hell-bent for leather again this week on the United States acquiring Greenland.
Greenland.
For God’s sake.
Greenland.
Sigh.
Also I wanted to love it because my heart is cold and bleak, kinda like my ancestral DNA. For years I thought I was part Viking, only to have Ancestry disabuse me of this notion in October of 2025. I nearly cried when I saw the change from Norway to The Netherlands. But, on the up side, that notification also included data that the 56 percent of me that is Scot includes 5 percent from the Hebrides and Western Highlands (and I can still lay claim to some fae! Southern Wales = 1 percent). Plus, this means I’m still extra-legit when it comes to loving the North Sea. And death metal.
Back to the book. I wonder if something was lost in the translation, maybe? Because it just dragged. Draaaaaaaaagggggged. As in, I kept putting it down and having to force myself to return to it. Plus I hated all the characters, especially the main one, and it got all convoluted-y. And if you’re new here, permit me to explain how I feel about “convoluted-y”.
I loathe it. With a passion.
And, again, it’s a shame, because I had held this book out to be an early read this year, one I could devote an entire uninterrupted afternoon to enjoying. Wish now I’d just gone ahead instead and finally ordered prints of photos in order to update our Marriage Album (vs a Wedding Album, we just kept adding to it and things evolved over the course of 27-plus years….). Going to do that here momentarily, for the first time since September of 2024. Yeah, I’m a little behind. So be it.
Note To Future Kristi: Don’t bother with anything else by this author in the future. The partial additional star was only because you liked the descriptions of Iceland.
DESCRIPTION
The unsolved case of a young girl’s disappearance reopens after twenty years in this moody, atmospheric debut of suspense set in Reykjavík and the Icelandic coast.
Unnur has secrets. A single mother to a beloved daughter, Lilja, she lives a deliberately quiet life in Reykjavík, working at a bakery under an assumed last name and pushing away haunting visions of the last summer of her childhood. Her safety—and Lilja’s—now hinges on discretion. But when her ex-husband returns to Iceland and brings with him a new girlfriend, who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, Unnur may finally have to face what happened long ago on a black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley—and the possibility that she might be responsible for the disappearance of her otherworldly friend Freyja.
As a cold case investigation reopens and the intricate threads of past and present begin to tangle, Unnur must race to recover the broken memory of what happened all those years ago, or risk losing her daughter. Steeped in Icelandic folklore and myth, Freyja is at once a gripping story of a child’s disappearance, a testament to the power of a mother’s love, and an enthralling tale of redemption and forgiveness from a gifted new voice.
Received a complimentary copy of Freyja, by Margrét Ann Thors, from Spiegel & Grau/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 2.4 ⭐
Oh, how I so wanted to like this a lot more than I did.
That’s because I’m a _huge_ fan of Nordic Noir. Which, up until last night when I looked it up, I would’ve termed Scandinoir, both because I’m at least somewhat of a typically undereducated U.S. citizen when it comes to matters of world geography and culture, and because I like the way that portmanteau looks and sounds.
Turns out that Scandinavia is within the Nordic region (see Nordic Visitor: https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/no...) Which I needed to know not only for all purposes book-related, but also because Dear Leader seems hell-bent for leather again this week on the United States acquiring Greenland.
Greenland.
For God’s sake.
Greenland.
Sigh.
Also I wanted to love it because my heart is cold and bleak, kinda like my ancestral DNA. For years I thought I was part Viking, only to have Ancestry disabuse me of this notion in October of 2025. I nearly cried when I saw the change from Norway to The Netherlands. But, on the up side, that notification also included data that the 56 percent of me that is Scot includes 5 percent from the Hebrides and Western Highlands (and I can still lay claim to some fae! Southern Wales = 1 percent). Plus, this means I’m still extra-legit when it comes to loving the North Sea. And death metal.
Back to the book. I wonder if something was lost in the translation, maybe? Because it just dragged. Draaaaaaaaagggggged. As in, I kept putting it down and having to force myself to return to it. Plus I hated all the characters, especially the main one, and it got all convoluted-y. And if you’re new here, permit me to explain how I feel about “convoluted-y”.
I loathe it. With a passion.
And, again, it’s a shame, because I had held this book out to be an early read this year, one I could devote an entire uninterrupted afternoon to enjoying. Wish now I’d just gone ahead instead and finally ordered prints of photos in order to update our Marriage Album (vs a Wedding Album, we just kept adding to it and things evolved over the course of 27-plus years….). Going to do that here momentarily, for the first time since September of 2024. Yeah, I’m a little behind. So be it.
Note To Future Kristi: Don’t bother with anything else by this author in the future. The partial additional star was only because you liked the descriptions of Iceland.
DESCRIPTION
The unsolved case of a young girl’s disappearance reopens after twenty years in this moody, atmospheric debut of suspense set in Reykjavík and the Icelandic coast.
Unnur has secrets. A single mother to a beloved daughter, Lilja, she lives a deliberately quiet life in Reykjavík, working at a bakery under an assumed last name and pushing away haunting visions of the last summer of her childhood. Her safety—and Lilja’s—now hinges on discretion. But when her ex-husband returns to Iceland and brings with him a new girlfriend, who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, Unnur may finally have to face what happened long ago on a black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley—and the possibility that she might be responsible for the disappearance of her otherworldly friend Freyja.
As a cold case investigation reopens and the intricate threads of past and present begin to tangle, Unnur must race to recover the broken memory of what happened all those years ago, or risk losing her daughter. Steeped in Icelandic folklore and myth, Freyja is at once a gripping story of a child’s disappearance, a testament to the power of a mother’s love, and an enthralling tale of redemption and forgiveness from a gifted new voice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Margrét Ann Thors, and Siegel & Grau for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Margrét Ann Thors is a new author to me, but if this impressive debut is any indication, she is poised to become a significant voice in the thriller genre. Blending a haunting mystery, complex family dynamics, and the stark beauty of Iceland, Thors delivers a gripping and atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page.
For two decades, Unnur has worked hard to leave her troubled childhood behind. Living in Reykjavík with her daughter, Lilja, she has carefully guarded the secrets surrounding the disappearance of a young girl during her final summer in southern Iceland. When that long-dormant case is suddenly reopened and her ex-husband returns to Iceland with a woman who seems to know far too much about Unnur’s past, old wounds are torn open. Forced to confront painful memories and unanswered questions, Unnur embarks on a journey into the past that threatens everything she has fought to protect.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its vivid sense of place. Thors captures Iceland’s unique landscape with remarkable skill, transforming Reykjavík and the remote southern countryside into integral elements of the story. The rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and ever-present sense of isolation create a palpable atmosphere of unease. The setting becomes far more than a backdrop; it amplifies the suspense and perfectly complements a narrative built on buried secrets and lingering trauma.
The character work is equally strong. Thors fills the novel with layered, flawed individuals whose motivations and loyalties are never entirely clear. Unnur is a compelling protagonist whose determination to protect her daughter drives much of the narrative. As long-hidden truths begin to surface, she finds herself increasingly disconnected from the version of the past she thought she understood, making her journey both emotionally resonant and psychologically engaging.
The pacing is expertly handled throughout. Short, compelling chapters maintain a steady momentum, while each revelation raises the stakes and deepens the mystery. Thors demonstrates a confident understanding of suspense, carefully balancing what is revealed and what remains hidden. The result is a novel that consistently encourages readers to keep turning pages as they search for answers about that fateful summer.
What begins as an intimate family drama gradually evolves into a layered thriller filled with shocking discoveries, dangerous secrets, and escalating tension. Thors skillfully weaves together mystery, psychological intrigue, and emotional depth, ensuring that the story remains captivating from beginning to end. As the truth slowly emerges, the narrative becomes increasingly compelling, delivering both surprises and satisfying emotional payoffs.
With its memorable setting, well-drawn characters, expertly controlled suspense, and compelling central mystery, this is an outstanding debut from Margrét Ann Thors. Readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers rich in psychological tension and sense of place will find much to admire here. I look forward to seeing what Thors produces next, as this novel firmly establishes her as a writer with tremendous promise and a bright future ahead.
Kudos, Madam Thors, for a great first novel.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Margrét Ann Thors is a new author to me, but if this impressive debut is any indication, she is poised to become a significant voice in the thriller genre. Blending a haunting mystery, complex family dynamics, and the stark beauty of Iceland, Thors delivers a gripping and atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page.
For two decades, Unnur has worked hard to leave her troubled childhood behind. Living in Reykjavík with her daughter, Lilja, she has carefully guarded the secrets surrounding the disappearance of a young girl during her final summer in southern Iceland. When that long-dormant case is suddenly reopened and her ex-husband returns to Iceland with a woman who seems to know far too much about Unnur’s past, old wounds are torn open. Forced to confront painful memories and unanswered questions, Unnur embarks on a journey into the past that threatens everything she has fought to protect.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its vivid sense of place. Thors captures Iceland’s unique landscape with remarkable skill, transforming Reykjavík and the remote southern countryside into integral elements of the story. The rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and ever-present sense of isolation create a palpable atmosphere of unease. The setting becomes far more than a backdrop; it amplifies the suspense and perfectly complements a narrative built on buried secrets and lingering trauma.
The character work is equally strong. Thors fills the novel with layered, flawed individuals whose motivations and loyalties are never entirely clear. Unnur is a compelling protagonist whose determination to protect her daughter drives much of the narrative. As long-hidden truths begin to surface, she finds herself increasingly disconnected from the version of the past she thought she understood, making her journey both emotionally resonant and psychologically engaging.
The pacing is expertly handled throughout. Short, compelling chapters maintain a steady momentum, while each revelation raises the stakes and deepens the mystery. Thors demonstrates a confident understanding of suspense, carefully balancing what is revealed and what remains hidden. The result is a novel that consistently encourages readers to keep turning pages as they search for answers about that fateful summer.
What begins as an intimate family drama gradually evolves into a layered thriller filled with shocking discoveries, dangerous secrets, and escalating tension. Thors skillfully weaves together mystery, psychological intrigue, and emotional depth, ensuring that the story remains captivating from beginning to end. As the truth slowly emerges, the narrative becomes increasingly compelling, delivering both surprises and satisfying emotional payoffs.
With its memorable setting, well-drawn characters, expertly controlled suspense, and compelling central mystery, this is an outstanding debut from Margrét Ann Thors. Readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers rich in psychological tension and sense of place will find much to admire here. I look forward to seeing what Thors produces next, as this novel firmly establishes her as a writer with tremendous promise and a bright future ahead.
Kudos, Madam Thors, for a great first novel.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Solid 4 stars- but could have been a 5!
From the opening, I was drawn in to Unnar's story. The bleak and tension filled atmosphere hangs over the events like an omnipresent character. The mixture of mystery, psychological thriller and Icelandic folklore add many layers to the story.
Unnar has been troubled by the disappearance of her childhood friend, Freyja, when she vanished in the sea. However, Unnar cannot remember what happened, only bits of it. Due to this, she questions her few memories and struggles with the thought that she was responsible. She is now an adult, and is raising her daughter alone because she is separated from her husband, Noi. One day she receives pictures from that time. She begins to think that Freyja is alive. As she begins to receive other items, and strange things begin occuring, she discovers that a book about Freyja has been published. It is dedicated to "the girl who didn't speak, but listened". Unnar realizes that it is time to try to get her memories back and look into what happened so long ago.
The opening of the book hooked me in with the memory of Unnar and Freyja being raised by Elias. How Unnar came to live here is a heartbreaking scene. We discover that Unnar's life has not been a happy one. AS she meets Freyja and gets to know Elias and Bitti, she comes to feel that she has found her family. However, there are many secrets that will upset this cozy family situation.
I was mesmerized by this story. It is very unique in it's approach flowing between the past and present through Unnar's memories. The mingling of the Icelandic folklore really added an extra element. Can we trust that Unnar's thoughts are real?
The characters are well developed, and I loved the relationship between Unnar and her daughter Lilja. Unnar experiences fear for her daughter's safety in almost everything. Instead of letting this cripple her daughter, she works through it and engages and encourages her daughter to experience life. Noi is a character that you want to hate, but the author does a great job writing a flawed character- with both strengths and weakness apparent to the reader.
The language is very descriptive. We are in Unnar's head a lot. I realize this style is not for all readers, but I was drawn into the beautiful descriptions. And when the story takes some twists, I was racing frantically through trying to tie it all together! I do feel that the final resolution, although it did make sense, was not developed as well throughout the whole story for the reader. Does it make sense? Yes- but only one thing gave hints to the end, and I feel a few more clues/information about this would have made it a solid 5 stars for me. However, I am so glad that I gave this book a try! There are a few things that will stay with me after I closed the final page!
Thank you to NetGalley and Speigal & Grau for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
From the opening, I was drawn in to Unnar's story. The bleak and tension filled atmosphere hangs over the events like an omnipresent character. The mixture of mystery, psychological thriller and Icelandic folklore add many layers to the story.
Unnar has been troubled by the disappearance of her childhood friend, Freyja, when she vanished in the sea. However, Unnar cannot remember what happened, only bits of it. Due to this, she questions her few memories and struggles with the thought that she was responsible. She is now an adult, and is raising her daughter alone because she is separated from her husband, Noi. One day she receives pictures from that time. She begins to think that Freyja is alive. As she begins to receive other items, and strange things begin occuring, she discovers that a book about Freyja has been published. It is dedicated to "the girl who didn't speak, but listened". Unnar realizes that it is time to try to get her memories back and look into what happened so long ago.
The opening of the book hooked me in with the memory of Unnar and Freyja being raised by Elias. How Unnar came to live here is a heartbreaking scene. We discover that Unnar's life has not been a happy one. AS she meets Freyja and gets to know Elias and Bitti, she comes to feel that she has found her family. However, there are many secrets that will upset this cozy family situation.
I was mesmerized by this story. It is very unique in it's approach flowing between the past and present through Unnar's memories. The mingling of the Icelandic folklore really added an extra element. Can we trust that Unnar's thoughts are real?
The characters are well developed, and I loved the relationship between Unnar and her daughter Lilja. Unnar experiences fear for her daughter's safety in almost everything. Instead of letting this cripple her daughter, she works through it and engages and encourages her daughter to experience life. Noi is a character that you want to hate, but the author does a great job writing a flawed character- with both strengths and weakness apparent to the reader.
The language is very descriptive. We are in Unnar's head a lot. I realize this style is not for all readers, but I was drawn into the beautiful descriptions. And when the story takes some twists, I was racing frantically through trying to tie it all together! I do feel that the final resolution, although it did make sense, was not developed as well throughout the whole story for the reader. Does it make sense? Yes- but only one thing gave hints to the end, and I feel a few more clues/information about this would have made it a solid 5 stars for me. However, I am so glad that I gave this book a try! There are a few things that will stay with me after I closed the final page!
Thank you to NetGalley and Speigal & Grau for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twenty years ago, in the Dark Valley of Iceland, Unnur’s childhood friend Freyja disappeared without a trace, and the case went cold. Now a single mother living under the radar and haunted by her past, she does her best to stay invisible. That is, until her ex-husband brings a new girlfriend around who seems to know more about her than she’s saying, and the case of Freyja’s disappearance is reopened.
With the past closing in on her and her daughter’s safety at risk, Unnur must unravel what happened twenty years ago by recovering her broken memories of that fateful night. And with them, the chilling possibility that she may be the one responsible for her friend’s death.
This was an incredibly interesting story, and a lot different than anything I’ve ever read before. It was an interesting feeling to love Unnur’s character even though you’re aware she may be a killer. And it was even more interesting to have such an unreliable narrator who was so self-aware about being unreliable! So while you’re immersed in the mystery of Freyja’s disappearance, you’re also immersed in the mystery Unnur is trying to solve within her own mind.
There are two timelines; one in the present day as the past begins to catch up to Unnur, and one twenty years prior when Freyja disappeared. The dual timelines flowed perfectly, and the author’s writing was absolutely gorgeous. I really connected with it in a way that was special.
I also thought the incorporation of Icelandic myth and folklore throughout the story was fascinating, and really added to the unease I felt as I was reading. Especially when you combine it with the chillingly atmospheric setting. So chilling, in fact, that I felt like I needed to be reading from within a cocoon of blankets even though it was 100 degrees outside.
While I was hooked right from the beginning, I will say it started to drag a bit for me in the middle, but I think it was due to a couple of scenes involving animal harm which I just can’t stomach. They were short scenes, but felt unnecessary and tainted the story a bit before it really picked back up in the last 20%, during which I couldn’t put it down.
All of that said, I really enjoyed this story and the author’s writing. It was an intriguing mystery of a young girl’s disappearance, and especially fascinating from a psychological perspective in its dealings with repressed memories. Beyond that, it was a brutally honest examination of a mother’s love, as well as a heartbreaking exploration of the depths of grief and loss. If I had to sum it up in two words, I would say it was hauntingly beautiful.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and Margrét Ann Thors via NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
With the past closing in on her and her daughter’s safety at risk, Unnur must unravel what happened twenty years ago by recovering her broken memories of that fateful night. And with them, the chilling possibility that she may be the one responsible for her friend’s death.
This was an incredibly interesting story, and a lot different than anything I’ve ever read before. It was an interesting feeling to love Unnur’s character even though you’re aware she may be a killer. And it was even more interesting to have such an unreliable narrator who was so self-aware about being unreliable! So while you’re immersed in the mystery of Freyja’s disappearance, you’re also immersed in the mystery Unnur is trying to solve within her own mind.
There are two timelines; one in the present day as the past begins to catch up to Unnur, and one twenty years prior when Freyja disappeared. The dual timelines flowed perfectly, and the author’s writing was absolutely gorgeous. I really connected with it in a way that was special.
I also thought the incorporation of Icelandic myth and folklore throughout the story was fascinating, and really added to the unease I felt as I was reading. Especially when you combine it with the chillingly atmospheric setting. So chilling, in fact, that I felt like I needed to be reading from within a cocoon of blankets even though it was 100 degrees outside.
While I was hooked right from the beginning, I will say it started to drag a bit for me in the middle, but I think it was due to a couple of scenes involving animal harm which I just can’t stomach. They were short scenes, but felt unnecessary and tainted the story a bit before it really picked back up in the last 20%, during which I couldn’t put it down.
All of that said, I really enjoyed this story and the author’s writing. It was an intriguing mystery of a young girl’s disappearance, and especially fascinating from a psychological perspective in its dealings with repressed memories. Beyond that, it was a brutally honest examination of a mother’s love, as well as a heartbreaking exploration of the depths of grief and loss. If I had to sum it up in two words, I would say it was hauntingly beautiful.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and Margrét Ann Thors via NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
November 9, 2025
Something about the way the pagan and Icelandic folklore come together to bring a cosmic level to this mystery narrative. Thors presents readers with an interesting twist of perspectives in how we perceive ourselves with the cosmos. The protagonist is searching for someone she may be responsible for losing – or are we given an unreliable narration of events that stemmed from years of unknowing? There is nothing but discoveries here that force you to tackle how we think about our relationship with grief and lost connections. A dazzling narrative that is guaranteed to blow readers away with this debut release.
Thors eloquent and striking writing is descriptive and fulfills each sensory sensation in our toolbox. You can taste the crisp Icelandic air on the coast and need a blanket to cozy up on your chair as you feel the shivers down your spine. You can feel the sand caught in your boots with a frigid twist of despair and wonder. The descriptions in this narrative are thorough and truly set the scene for what it is. You can feel the ambience of the mystery throughout this narrative due to the way Thors wondrously deploys her writing skills throughout her narrative.
The character building is strong and mostly secured through dialogue with one another and personal point of view. Through these reflections and conversations – the readers can fully grasp the character profile’s and what their agendas are. I get a sense of self of protagonist as the narrative unravels finely. Thors writes in her debut “Nearly every culture in the world has stories about water – as creator, as destroyer, as keeper of secrets” and this is one of the many beautiful ways she ties in the folklore to the mysterious secrets unfolding in Iceland. The characters have secrets to spill and memories to rewind and unravel with you.
You will taste, shiver, and feel every snowflake falling on your arms as you read through this narrative. This medium-paced narrative will want you to go from one page to the next. I was curious to see how this mystery unfolded and what it means for Frejya. Freyja is a goddess after all – and one of my favorite deities at that. What secrets will we uncover on the coldest nights under the northern lights at the coast? Thank you Netgalley and Spiegel & Grau for this electronic copy to read this narrative and read an honest review.
Read more reviews, recommendations, and impressions at my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Thors eloquent and striking writing is descriptive and fulfills each sensory sensation in our toolbox. You can taste the crisp Icelandic air on the coast and need a blanket to cozy up on your chair as you feel the shivers down your spine. You can feel the sand caught in your boots with a frigid twist of despair and wonder. The descriptions in this narrative are thorough and truly set the scene for what it is. You can feel the ambience of the mystery throughout this narrative due to the way Thors wondrously deploys her writing skills throughout her narrative.
The character building is strong and mostly secured through dialogue with one another and personal point of view. Through these reflections and conversations – the readers can fully grasp the character profile’s and what their agendas are. I get a sense of self of protagonist as the narrative unravels finely. Thors writes in her debut “Nearly every culture in the world has stories about water – as creator, as destroyer, as keeper of secrets” and this is one of the many beautiful ways she ties in the folklore to the mysterious secrets unfolding in Iceland. The characters have secrets to spill and memories to rewind and unravel with you.
You will taste, shiver, and feel every snowflake falling on your arms as you read through this narrative. This medium-paced narrative will want you to go from one page to the next. I was curious to see how this mystery unfolded and what it means for Frejya. Freyja is a goddess after all – and one of my favorite deities at that. What secrets will we uncover on the coldest nights under the northern lights at the coast? Thank you Netgalley and Spiegel & Grau for this electronic copy to read this narrative and read an honest review.
Read more reviews, recommendations, and impressions at my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my goodness! This is a claustrophobic, fast-paced, and utterly blood-chilling psychological mystery wrapped in a perfectly bleak, atmospheric Icelandic tone. As a debut, it is an absolute triumph that leaves me fiercely excited to devour anything this author writes in the future.
The way the past mystery of what happened to a missing girl named Freyja intersects with the present-day timeline is pure perfection. The escalating tension—fueled by a highly disturbing new girlfriend of the ex-husband who is absolutely hellbent on opening a dangerous can of worms—fits the narrative beautifully. This is, without a doubt, a "one-sitting" book. But let’s be clear: this isn’t your casual, cozy, lounging-on-the-couch-while-creamy-pistachio-Van-Leeuwen-ice-cream-melts kind of reading. No, this is sitting-on-the-very-edge-of-your-seat, biting-your-nails-to-the-quick, jumping-at-every-single-house-creak kind of reading. It completely tested the limits of how far my nerves could bend before snapping!
The Plot
Unnur is a divorced mother and baker living in Reykjavik, doing everything she can to raise her beloved daughter, Lilja, while preparing for an upcoming custody battle. But Unnur is also guarding a pitch-black secret inextricably linked to a notorious missing person's case. When her ex-husband suddenly resurfaces with a mysterious new girlfriend who seems to know far too much about Unnur's history, she is forced to confront the deeply repressed past she thought was buried forever—just as the case of missing Freyja suddenly cracks wide open.
The Execution
The writing is incredibly sharp, and the tension-building is a masterclass in psychological suspense; it will literally make you hit the roof. Every revelation is meticulously timed, dropping smart, calculating twists that keep you guessing. While the characters can be a bit challenging to emotionally connect with at times, they are entirely compelling and tolerable enough to keep you anchored in the bleak reality of the book.
However, all bets are off when it comes to Lóa, the new girlfriend. From the very chapter she was introduced, I wanted nothing more than to slap the smirk right off her face! She is the ultimate, deliciously infuriating antagonist.
Overall
This comes highly, highly recommended to hardcore genre lovers and anyone who craves a fast-paced, nerve-shredding crime thriller.
A massive thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader Copy of this heart-pounding mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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The way the past mystery of what happened to a missing girl named Freyja intersects with the present-day timeline is pure perfection. The escalating tension—fueled by a highly disturbing new girlfriend of the ex-husband who is absolutely hellbent on opening a dangerous can of worms—fits the narrative beautifully. This is, without a doubt, a "one-sitting" book. But let’s be clear: this isn’t your casual, cozy, lounging-on-the-couch-while-creamy-pistachio-Van-Leeuwen-ice-cream-melts kind of reading. No, this is sitting-on-the-very-edge-of-your-seat, biting-your-nails-to-the-quick, jumping-at-every-single-house-creak kind of reading. It completely tested the limits of how far my nerves could bend before snapping!
The Plot
Unnur is a divorced mother and baker living in Reykjavik, doing everything she can to raise her beloved daughter, Lilja, while preparing for an upcoming custody battle. But Unnur is also guarding a pitch-black secret inextricably linked to a notorious missing person's case. When her ex-husband suddenly resurfaces with a mysterious new girlfriend who seems to know far too much about Unnur's history, she is forced to confront the deeply repressed past she thought was buried forever—just as the case of missing Freyja suddenly cracks wide open.
The Execution
The writing is incredibly sharp, and the tension-building is a masterclass in psychological suspense; it will literally make you hit the roof. Every revelation is meticulously timed, dropping smart, calculating twists that keep you guessing. While the characters can be a bit challenging to emotionally connect with at times, they are entirely compelling and tolerable enough to keep you anchored in the bleak reality of the book.
However, all bets are off when it comes to Lóa, the new girlfriend. From the very chapter she was introduced, I wanted nothing more than to slap the smirk right off her face! She is the ultimate, deliciously infuriating antagonist.
Overall
This comes highly, highly recommended to hardcore genre lovers and anyone who craves a fast-paced, nerve-shredding crime thriller.
A massive thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader Copy of this heart-pounding mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts!
medium.com
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Taking place on the cold island of Iceland, which lends a certain dark demeanor to our story, it follows single mother Unnur while she navigates the daily life of raising a child on her own while simultaneously running from the past that she has been so desperate to hide from for the past 30 years. But when her ex-husband returns to Iceland for the first time in several years, with a new girlfriend in tow, that past comes back to haunt her in full swing. With someone desperately trying to bring that past to light, Unnur realizes that she will do anything and everything in order to protect the child that she so desperately loves.
Freyja is a mystery that allows us to follow along while our narrator, Unnur, goes through the memories that she rid herself of many years before in order to find out who might be stalking her and her young daughter Lilja. With the memories flowing through her mind into the present, as a reader, I came to the conclusion that Unnur is NOT a reliable narrator. There are several things that occur within the story that tell us that while Unnur remembers one specific story, the memories bring us a completely different story where both the past and present collide.
Our other character, such as Loa, who is the new girlfriend of Unnur's ex-husband Noi, along with her young daughter, Freyja, play a large role. Noi himself does not play a large role in the story, despite having returned into Lilja and Unnur's life to begin a new one in Iceland with Loa. We see patterns of mental illness, along with survivor's guilt, which are big themes within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery of the story and felt that it concluded well and answered any unanswered questions that I had come up within the story. I think this is a perfect representation of how mental illness can affect people, how people handle certain traumatic experiences and what they do with the information available to them. However, the story didn't resonate with me as a reader. Even though I am a parent, I couldn't relate to Unnur or Loa, and I just felt as if Unnur was a bit annoying as a main female character overall.
Thank you to Margret Ann Thors, Netgalley and publisher Spiegel & Grau for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Freyja is a mystery that allows us to follow along while our narrator, Unnur, goes through the memories that she rid herself of many years before in order to find out who might be stalking her and her young daughter Lilja. With the memories flowing through her mind into the present, as a reader, I came to the conclusion that Unnur is NOT a reliable narrator. There are several things that occur within the story that tell us that while Unnur remembers one specific story, the memories bring us a completely different story where both the past and present collide.
Our other character, such as Loa, who is the new girlfriend of Unnur's ex-husband Noi, along with her young daughter, Freyja, play a large role. Noi himself does not play a large role in the story, despite having returned into Lilja and Unnur's life to begin a new one in Iceland with Loa. We see patterns of mental illness, along with survivor's guilt, which are big themes within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery of the story and felt that it concluded well and answered any unanswered questions that I had come up within the story. I think this is a perfect representation of how mental illness can affect people, how people handle certain traumatic experiences and what they do with the information available to them. However, the story didn't resonate with me as a reader. Even though I am a parent, I couldn't relate to Unnur or Loa, and I just felt as if Unnur was a bit annoying as a main female character overall.
Thank you to Margret Ann Thors, Netgalley and publisher Spiegel & Grau for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5 Stars!
This book checked so many boxes for me. I picked this up in anticipation of my trip to Iceland in a few months, and this made me even more excited to visit! Thors' writing hauntingly captures the Icelandic landscape, and while the story was incredible engrossing, the lovely, lyrical prose evokes Charlotte McConaghy's novels, pairing environmentalism with mystery and a beautiful (messy) sort of reluctant love for humanity (in this case driven by a mother's love).
Freyja follows Unnur, an Icelandic-American mother who lives with her young daughter in Reykjavík in 2018. Interspersed in the narrative are flashbacks to the 1990s when Unnur lived in a remote part of the country with her friend Freyja, who went missing. When Unnur's ex-husband arrives with his new girlfriend and her daughter--another Freyja--memories and secrets swirl as Unnur's past and present collide. This story kept me guessing and honestly caught me off-guard with most of the twists.
I already praised the writing, but I'll do it again: just wonderful. Authors who capture the desolate, vast nature of a landscape while also detailing its charm and beauty are on another level. Braided in we also learned lots about Icelandic folklore and creatures, as well as Iceland's history as an occupied country; I for one did not know about America's history there. I also learned more about Icelandic language and culture (like how the father's name becomes someone's surname). If I had some critique of the book, I felt like the romantic element was unnecessary and some of the reveal felt a bit hard to believe. It didn't diminish my enjoyment or recommendation of the book, though.
I don't typically note trigger warnings but I do think it's important to note that this book contains animal death on page, something that I struggle with reading. Just a heads up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for review!
*2026 52 Book Challenge Prompt 47: A diacritical mark on the cover*
This book checked so many boxes for me. I picked this up in anticipation of my trip to Iceland in a few months, and this made me even more excited to visit! Thors' writing hauntingly captures the Icelandic landscape, and while the story was incredible engrossing, the lovely, lyrical prose evokes Charlotte McConaghy's novels, pairing environmentalism with mystery and a beautiful (messy) sort of reluctant love for humanity (in this case driven by a mother's love).
Freyja follows Unnur, an Icelandic-American mother who lives with her young daughter in Reykjavík in 2018. Interspersed in the narrative are flashbacks to the 1990s when Unnur lived in a remote part of the country with her friend Freyja, who went missing. When Unnur's ex-husband arrives with his new girlfriend and her daughter--another Freyja--memories and secrets swirl as Unnur's past and present collide. This story kept me guessing and honestly caught me off-guard with most of the twists.
I already praised the writing, but I'll do it again: just wonderful. Authors who capture the desolate, vast nature of a landscape while also detailing its charm and beauty are on another level. Braided in we also learned lots about Icelandic folklore and creatures, as well as Iceland's history as an occupied country; I for one did not know about America's history there. I also learned more about Icelandic language and culture (like how the father's name becomes someone's surname). If I had some critique of the book, I felt like the romantic element was unnecessary and some of the reveal felt a bit hard to believe. It didn't diminish my enjoyment or recommendation of the book, though.
I don't typically note trigger warnings but I do think it's important to note that this book contains animal death on page, something that I struggle with reading. Just a heads up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for review!
*2026 52 Book Challenge Prompt 47: A diacritical mark on the cover*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A superbly atmospheric and beautifully written suspense/mystery set in Reykjavic and the Icelandic coast.
Unnur is 39, and living a quiet life in Reykjavic with her daugher, Lilja. She has spent most of her life trying to put behind her the mysterious disappearance of her friend, Freyja, when they were both 12 and living by the coast. When her ex-husband appears with a new girlfriend who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, and then a cold-case investigation into Freyja’s disappearance opens, Unnur’s world begins to unravel.
The story is told from Unnur’s perspective, with the timeline split between present day (2018) and Unnur’s childhood in Dark Valley in 1991. This allows the plot to unfold naturally, with twists and revelations at a good pace, and never feeling forced. And while the plot does rely on the amnesia trope, this is also used minimally, and relates to childhood trauma in a way that fits naturally into the story.
Parenthood is a strong theme throughout the book - both the coparenting of Lilja by Unnur and her ex-husband, and Unnur’s own feelings of guilt and inadequacy as a parent, living side-by-side with the all-consuming love for Lilja. This was never sentimental, and often brutally honest. As a father myself, I appreciated that even the most overwhelming feelings of parental protectiveness and loss explored in the story were never depicted as being exclusively applicable to mothers (a bug-bear of mine), and I found myself empathising strongly with Unnur.
The writing is rich and descriptive, but not excessively or gratuitously so, really capturing the atmosphere of the Dark Valley on the southern coast. Snippets of Icelandic folklore and legends imbue the narrative with extra texture, and are also woven sensitively into the plot. This gives the story a very distinctive sense of place, and adds to the ethereal otherwordliness of Freyja.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you #NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the free review copy of #Freyja without obligation. All opinions are my own.
Unnur is 39, and living a quiet life in Reykjavic with her daugher, Lilja. She has spent most of her life trying to put behind her the mysterious disappearance of her friend, Freyja, when they were both 12 and living by the coast. When her ex-husband appears with a new girlfriend who seems to know more about Unnur than she’s letting on, and then a cold-case investigation into Freyja’s disappearance opens, Unnur’s world begins to unravel.
The story is told from Unnur’s perspective, with the timeline split between present day (2018) and Unnur’s childhood in Dark Valley in 1991. This allows the plot to unfold naturally, with twists and revelations at a good pace, and never feeling forced. And while the plot does rely on the amnesia trope, this is also used minimally, and relates to childhood trauma in a way that fits naturally into the story.
Parenthood is a strong theme throughout the book - both the coparenting of Lilja by Unnur and her ex-husband, and Unnur’s own feelings of guilt and inadequacy as a parent, living side-by-side with the all-consuming love for Lilja. This was never sentimental, and often brutally honest. As a father myself, I appreciated that even the most overwhelming feelings of parental protectiveness and loss explored in the story were never depicted as being exclusively applicable to mothers (a bug-bear of mine), and I found myself empathising strongly with Unnur.
The writing is rich and descriptive, but not excessively or gratuitously so, really capturing the atmosphere of the Dark Valley on the southern coast. Snippets of Icelandic folklore and legends imbue the narrative with extra texture, and are also woven sensitively into the plot. This gives the story a very distinctive sense of place, and adds to the ethereal otherwordliness of Freyja.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you #NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the free review copy of #Freyja without obligation. All opinions are my own.
July 18, 2026
For a good quarter of this book, I kept falling asleep whenever I picked it up. On top of the narrative being in the beginning stages of setup, the author's writing style complemented the tone of the setting so well. (This is a compliment, actually.) Like the glaciers of Iceland, it was calm and steady, mysterious and unchanging. In a part of the book where I'm not yet invested in anything and everything was shrouded in mystery, the slow start and the hazy point of views felt stale.
So I went online and read one or two sentences of some reviews. Most of them kept saying how fast-paced it was and I was, truthfully, pretty doubtful of them. But I journeyed on because it was I who requested the ARC after all, and turns out, the rumors were true. It was pretty darn gripping.
When things started to fall apart, it was as if a chain of dominoes were collapsing in rapid succession. Everything happened so quick — plot devices and characters passed by in a flurry. Reveals were shown, flashbacks were had, bows were neatly tied, in possibly maybe two hours?
It wasn't a necessarily a fresh perspective to the genre or a mind-bendingly wicked addition, but because I could not stop reading until I actually reached the final page, I'd already made up my mind to give it a high rating. It was the near end paragraphs about motherhood and children and what it means to raise and love a child that made me bump up half a star. It was pretty poignant and reflective, and a perfect ending piece of a breathy sigh at the end of a rollercoaster ride.
Side note: I also really liked Margret's writing style. Yes, it did make me fall asleep in the beginning, but, like I said, it suited so well to the story — what it was and where it was. The way nature flowed in and out of the pages was so elegant and there were several moments where I thought, "wow, i would've highlighted this sentence if I'd been reading physically. How can someone describe it this way??"
— thank you to Spiegel & Grau and Netgalley for providing this eARC in return of an honest review.
So I went online and read one or two sentences of some reviews. Most of them kept saying how fast-paced it was and I was, truthfully, pretty doubtful of them. But I journeyed on because it was I who requested the ARC after all, and turns out, the rumors were true. It was pretty darn gripping.
When things started to fall apart, it was as if a chain of dominoes were collapsing in rapid succession. Everything happened so quick — plot devices and characters passed by in a flurry. Reveals were shown, flashbacks were had, bows were neatly tied, in possibly maybe two hours?
It wasn't a necessarily a fresh perspective to the genre or a mind-bendingly wicked addition, but because I could not stop reading until I actually reached the final page, I'd already made up my mind to give it a high rating. It was the near end paragraphs about motherhood and children and what it means to raise and love a child that made me bump up half a star. It was pretty poignant and reflective, and a perfect ending piece of a breathy sigh at the end of a rollercoaster ride.
Side note: I also really liked Margret's writing style. Yes, it did make me fall asleep in the beginning, but, like I said, it suited so well to the story — what it was and where it was. The way nature flowed in and out of the pages was so elegant and there were several moments where I thought, "wow, i would've highlighted this sentence if I'd been reading physically. How can someone describe it this way??"
— thank you to Spiegel & Grau and Netgalley for providing this eARC in return of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to like *Freyja* more than I did. On paper, it sounded like exactly the kind of book I would enjoy: Icelandic folklore, a decades-old disappearance, dark secrets, and an atmospheric setting. The good news is that the atmosphere absolutely delivers. The Icelandic landscape is so vividly described that I felt like I spent more time wandering windswept beaches and gloomy coastlines than I did following the actual plot.
Unfortunately, the story itself moves at a glacial pace, which I suppose is thematically appropriate for Iceland. There were stretches where I felt like I was reading about people thinking about things they might eventually do rather than actually doing them. I kept waiting for the mystery to grab hold and pull me along, but instead it politely invited me to admire the scenery while it took its time getting anywhere.
I also struggled to connect with the characters. I understood their motivations well enough, but I never felt particularly invested in them. By the time some of the bigger revelations arrived, my reaction was less "Wow, I didn't see that coming" and more "Oh, we're finally here."
That is not to say the book is without merit. The writing is strong, the folklore elements are interesting, and the setting is genuinely haunting. I can absolutely see why readers who enjoy slow-burn literary mysteries would appreciate it. I just needed a little more burn and a little less slow.
Overall, *Freyja* is a well-written, atmospheric novel that excels at creating mood. I only wish the characters had been as compelling as the setting and that the plot had trusted itself to move a bit faster. Sometimes a story can be too committed to being atmospheric, and this one occasionally felt like it was determined to make sure every cloud, cliff, and gust of wind got equal billing.
Unfortunately, the story itself moves at a glacial pace, which I suppose is thematically appropriate for Iceland. There were stretches where I felt like I was reading about people thinking about things they might eventually do rather than actually doing them. I kept waiting for the mystery to grab hold and pull me along, but instead it politely invited me to admire the scenery while it took its time getting anywhere.
I also struggled to connect with the characters. I understood their motivations well enough, but I never felt particularly invested in them. By the time some of the bigger revelations arrived, my reaction was less "Wow, I didn't see that coming" and more "Oh, we're finally here."
That is not to say the book is without merit. The writing is strong, the folklore elements are interesting, and the setting is genuinely haunting. I can absolutely see why readers who enjoy slow-burn literary mysteries would appreciate it. I just needed a little more burn and a little less slow.
Overall, *Freyja* is a well-written, atmospheric novel that excels at creating mood. I only wish the characters had been as compelling as the setting and that the plot had trusted itself to move a bit faster. Sometimes a story can be too committed to being atmospheric, and this one occasionally felt like it was determined to make sure every cloud, cliff, and gust of wind got equal billing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Atmospheric novel of suspense set in Iceland dealing with the unsolved disappearance of a young girl and how a single event can shape a person’s life.
Unnur Nóadóttir, a single mother to a beloved daughter, Liija, has spent years trying to forget the traumatic disappearance of her friend, Freyja, during the summer she spent with her; Freyja disappeared on the black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley. Unnur has kept her daughter safe and away from her dreams of Freyja but when her ex-husband and her daughter’s father return with a new girlfriend, Detective Lóa Bryndísardottir, Unnur is wary since the girlfriend seems to know a lot about Freyja. When Lóa reopens the case, Unnur must piece back together her dark memories.
Filled with Icelandic lore and myth woven into the story such as the folklorish huldufólk who are believed Lóa and others to replace well behaved children with imposters (the changeling story found in my cultures) adds magical realism to the tale - but a dark magical realism. The story dwells on memories that often feel so “fixed and infallible” but may not be so as in the case on Unnur. And Unnur’s deep love for her daughter seeps through the story. But the bizarre twist at the end I didn’t see coming - it’s worth the read if for nothing else than this.
I thought the book was well written and Unnur as a good character. I’m not sure how I feel about Lóa, she definitely raises your hackles. I loved the Icelandic setting well described too.
This is a great book for lovers of Scandinavian noir - a favorite of mine.
My thanks to NetGalley and Spiegal & Grau for granting me access to this fine ARC.
Unnur Nóadóttir, a single mother to a beloved daughter, Liija, has spent years trying to forget the traumatic disappearance of her friend, Freyja, during the summer she spent with her; Freyja disappeared on the black sand beach in the remote Dark Valley. Unnur has kept her daughter safe and away from her dreams of Freyja but when her ex-husband and her daughter’s father return with a new girlfriend, Detective Lóa Bryndísardottir, Unnur is wary since the girlfriend seems to know a lot about Freyja. When Lóa reopens the case, Unnur must piece back together her dark memories.
Filled with Icelandic lore and myth woven into the story such as the folklorish huldufólk who are believed Lóa and others to replace well behaved children with imposters (the changeling story found in my cultures) adds magical realism to the tale - but a dark magical realism. The story dwells on memories that often feel so “fixed and infallible” but may not be so as in the case on Unnur. And Unnur’s deep love for her daughter seeps through the story. But the bizarre twist at the end I didn’t see coming - it’s worth the read if for nothing else than this.
I thought the book was well written and Unnur as a good character. I’m not sure how I feel about Lóa, she definitely raises your hackles. I loved the Icelandic setting well described too.
This is a great book for lovers of Scandinavian noir - a favorite of mine.
My thanks to NetGalley and Spiegal & Grau for granting me access to this fine ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. This book was everything! Such a breath of fresh air for me it did not disappoint. Mysterious, atmospheric, and moody I was hooked from the beginning.
A dual timeline follows the main character Unnar in the present as an adult with a daughter of her own and in the past as a young girl in the 90's living on a remote farm in Iceland with her friend Freyja. Unnar has spent most of her adult life trying to keep her past in the past, what little she remembers about the disappearance of her friend Freyja at that time feels like a foggy memory. Her memory is vague and it's difficult for her to sort through what really happened, what was just the folk lore of the stories told amongst superstitious villagers, and what her part in any of it was.
Present day Unnar has a daughter that her world revolves around but when she starts getting strange messages and newspaper clippings hinting that someone knows about her past it sends her into a spiral. Who knows her? And what does she really remember? The even more strange feeling is that the events happening in the present feel very much like a reminder of the past.
Exploring themes of motherhood, grief, guilt and redemption this book will have you wanting to keep turning the pages. I don't want to give too much away about either plot line, but I really enjoyed both the past and the present timelines in the book. The past is more mysterious and moody and the present is more fast paced and thriller like. For a debut novel this was just fantastic to me, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more to come from this author.
A dual timeline follows the main character Unnar in the present as an adult with a daughter of her own and in the past as a young girl in the 90's living on a remote farm in Iceland with her friend Freyja. Unnar has spent most of her adult life trying to keep her past in the past, what little she remembers about the disappearance of her friend Freyja at that time feels like a foggy memory. Her memory is vague and it's difficult for her to sort through what really happened, what was just the folk lore of the stories told amongst superstitious villagers, and what her part in any of it was.
Present day Unnar has a daughter that her world revolves around but when she starts getting strange messages and newspaper clippings hinting that someone knows about her past it sends her into a spiral. Who knows her? And what does she really remember? The even more strange feeling is that the events happening in the present feel very much like a reminder of the past.
Exploring themes of motherhood, grief, guilt and redemption this book will have you wanting to keep turning the pages. I don't want to give too much away about either plot line, but I really enjoyed both the past and the present timelines in the book. The past is more mysterious and moody and the present is more fast paced and thriller like. For a debut novel this was just fantastic to me, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more to come from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau for the eARC.
Unnur had a tough and unusual upbringing. She lost her mother, was sent to the Dark Valley for unknown reasons, lost her dear friend Freyja, and then was sent to live in the US. Years later, she is now living in Reykjavik, and is now a mother herself to a daughter named to Lilja. But despite her attempts to cut off her past and stay anonymous, someone out there knows her past, her guilt, and the burden she carries with her. Her only concern is to be there for her daughter and to keep her safe, but it is proving to be difficult when mysterious items start appearing at her door step.
This is the author’s debut book and wow it was amazing. Full of twists, turns, mysteries, and jaw clenching moments. Unnur is someone I found easy to sympathize with. She is definitely doing her best, but life is never fair, and I just want to reach through the book and give her a hug. The book was told in two timelines, one in the early 90s, and the other in 2018. I had a great time going back and forth, figuring out the mystery bit by bit.
There’s also a good bit of folklore mentioned, which is always fascinating as so many countries have a similar lore, but slightly different due to culture, religion, and beliefs. The ending was pretty satisfying, and despite feeling my not so great feelings towards the antagonist… they’re still humanized. I guess every villain has a villain origin story!
I’ll definitely be picking up more books from Margarét Ann Thors in the future!
Unnur had a tough and unusual upbringing. She lost her mother, was sent to the Dark Valley for unknown reasons, lost her dear friend Freyja, and then was sent to live in the US. Years later, she is now living in Reykjavik, and is now a mother herself to a daughter named to Lilja. But despite her attempts to cut off her past and stay anonymous, someone out there knows her past, her guilt, and the burden she carries with her. Her only concern is to be there for her daughter and to keep her safe, but it is proving to be difficult when mysterious items start appearing at her door step.
This is the author’s debut book and wow it was amazing. Full of twists, turns, mysteries, and jaw clenching moments. Unnur is someone I found easy to sympathize with. She is definitely doing her best, but life is never fair, and I just want to reach through the book and give her a hug. The book was told in two timelines, one in the early 90s, and the other in 2018. I had a great time going back and forth, figuring out the mystery bit by bit.
There’s also a good bit of folklore mentioned, which is always fascinating as so many countries have a similar lore, but slightly different due to culture, religion, and beliefs. The ending was pretty satisfying, and despite feeling my not so great feelings towards the antagonist… they’re still humanized. I guess every villain has a villain origin story!
I’ll definitely be picking up more books from Margarét Ann Thors in the future!
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