The Glass Woman

This was really beautiful and a really interesting story. Rósa and Jón were really well written. The issues so well presented. I feel like Lea did a really good job with the place and time. You really feel Rósa's isolation.

Part of my family is from near Stykkishólmur, and I've been there, so I loved the setting. I've also spent a lot of time in a turf house (https://www.akureyriguide.is/portfolio/laufas-heritage-site/), which, while more modernly decorated, really gives an idea of Jón's home. I could picture it, the upstairs, and the outbuildings so well.

I highly recommend the audiobook read by Heida (Heiða) Reed (Elizabeth Poldark in the recent Poldark series) and Smari Gunn - Icelandic is hard even if you kind of know it (ask my mom about trying to say eight/átta), so it helps to have Icelanders read to you.

A very atmospheric read, one I couldn't put down due to suspense in each chapter. It was also so interesting to get a glimpse into what life was like in Iceland in the 1600s; I only know about English history and culture from that time. The world seems pretty bleak and harsh; the landscape and inner demons more dangerous than any “spirit”. It's the people who add the tension and danger to this tale, not the supernatural.

Definitely recommend for those who like slightly gothic historical themed stories.

I have to admit that whilst the ending did feel a bit rushed, the mysteries and plot twists tied up in a neat package and I suppose the story could be picked up as a sequel down the line.