A strikingly original Icelandic debut set in a strangely familiar alternate Reykjavik where wild and industrialised magic meet.
Perfect for fans of contemporary fantasy in the style of Lev Grossman’s The Magicians or China Mieville’s The City & The City
Sæmundur the Mad, addict and sorcerer, has been expelled from the magical university, Svartiskóli, and can no longer study galdur, an esoteric source of magic. Obsessed with proving his peers wrong, he will stop at nothing to gain absolute power and knowledge, especially of that which is long forbidden.
Garún is an outcast: half-human, half-huldufólk, her very existence is a violation of dimensional boundaries, the ultimate taboo. A militant revolutionary and graffiti artist, recklessly dismissive of the status quo, she will do anything to achieve a just society, including spark a revolution. Even if she has to do it alone.
This is a tale of revolution set in a twisted version of Reykjavik fuelled by industrialised magic and populated by humans, interdimensional exiles, otherworldly creatures, psychoactive graffiti and demonic familiars.
Source | Format | Pages | Publisher | Genre | Publication Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Netgalley | eARC | 528 | Gollancz | SciFi/Fantasy | July 25th, 2019 |
I am quite positive that I have never read anything quite like Shadows of the Short Days. The book has a mystical and rustic and oppressive feel to it. Like the tones of doom metal on a dark-dark winter’s eve- slow tempo, despair and darkness, impending doom.
See the closing of the blurb:
This is a tale of revolution set in a twisted version of Reykjavik fuelled by industrialised magic and populated by humans, interdimensional exiles, otherworldly creatures, psychoactive graffiti and demonic familiars.
This is exactly what Shadows of the Short Days is- one of the best summaries of a book that captures all of its themes. It’s a mix of real, contemporary world with blurring lines into magic used mostly to summon demons for selfish agendas, and stepping through to another dimension. A dimension that sounds like the underbelly of reality.
The contemporary, industrial world on this book is truly inspired by the current events of the world: alienation of peoples who do not fit into society according to the government or ‘normal’ people, the iron fisted rule of the government, the anxiety and unrest in society caused by the ones who want to bring about change and the ones who side with the powers that be. Sounds like the daily evening news…
With the addition of the otherworldly aspect, Shadows of the Short Days has a lot going on. The demonic familiars require blood sacrifices and the psychoactive graffiti with the purpose to influence other people also affects the one who carries the ‘tainted’ graffiti paint.
The clash of the these two very different yet interweaved worlds create the aspect of horror and grimness like no other. I felt like it was constantly dark. dark, dark, dark. And the contemporary feel in fantasy, especially a fantasy as dark as this, feels strange… you’d expect swords and sorcery not political rallies, nightclubbing and sorcery?! Nonetheless, it’s a fresh and, dare I say, Icelandic approach to fantasy.
The characters…Sæmundur is probably one of the most selfish characters I’ve ever read about. Talk about walking over everyone and everything to get what he wants. The cruelty he imposes on living beings without a shred of consideration is shocking. When most books try to pin any redeeming qualities to the evil characters, just to make the reader wobble behind their moral compass, Sæmundur is just straight out psycho! We simply can’t explain away his tendencies to madness… his madness is his psycho.
Garún belongs to one of those groups of people who are ‘not accepted’ by the ‘normal’ society. And like any alienated group needs someone to stand up for their rights, Garún is leading the fight against the government policies. It’s interesting to see how the fight for something good eventually starts to blur the line that limits the use of dark forces… anything for the greater good?! Questionable… Garún’s story is interesting and she has a big mission on her shoulder. No leader ever had it easy.
There were a lot of elements that I enjoyed in this book that worked well, but at times I thought things went on for too long. The long, descriptive scenes overtook the plot and focus of the story which ultimately was the last – but also first and only- nail in the coffin that took away from enjoyment for me. Having said that, the writing is solid- you can feel the author moving through the story with a purposeful stride and a clear vision.
Tons and piles and heaps of potential in this book. Will definitely appeal to an audience of readers who enjoy being firmly planted in the moment of a dark Reykjavik, both in this and the other dimension. The premise remains interesting, wrapped in a foggy shroud of pulse-pumping fight against the system. I can respect that! I do respect that!
Fantastic review!
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Thank you! 🙂
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This is a great review. For me you’ve totally nailed it with ‘dark, dark, dark’. So true and a bit too much for my taste – plus that main, incredibly selfish character – I just couldn’t, the library, the cat, everything, No redeeming qualities whatsoever which maybe should make him into a great ‘baddie’ but no. I just. No.
Lynn 😀
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Yeah, Saemundur really is in a ‘class’ of his own… the maddest of all men with all the vices 😀
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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I’m gonna be honest here and say I still have no idea what this book is about xD Which I suppose is necessary to have the maximum enjoyment.
It does sound amazing in so many ways, yet I would probably feel like trudging through magical mud while reading it… If that makes sense.
I’m glad you were able to enjoy it for the most part, and it does feel very unique (not to mention I don’t think I’ve ever read any Iceland fiction or non-fiction, for that matter) so I’d be willing to give it a try depending on my mood. But the cons are not all that reassuring…
Amazing review, Liz! 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by and for commenting.. yes, this story has a LOT going on and sometimes it’s best not to even start rehashing the plot because where do you stop? 😀
I feel like it’s such a great book as it’s very ambitious and different but it will definitely be for an acquired taste.. and I don’t mean that others can’t enjoy it, sure they can, but it will certainly appeal to an audience with a passion for the industrial/contemporary/lyrical.. kind of.. sheesh, it’s so hard to explain the essence 😀 hhaha…
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Oh wow I love the sound of this story! Fab review. xx
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wonderful review! I can feel the oppression, the pleasantly torturous atmosphere based on your review alone! So glad you enjoyed this, Liz. 😀
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow, no soggy overdone premises here! Psychoactive graffiti? That’s something I’ve never come across before. I am also weary of sword and sorcery magic and have been trying to find some Urban Fantasy thats not overrun with romance. This was sounding great until the long drawn out scenes. It might be too gruesome for me, too, do you think? *sighs* It sounds so good, though. 😛
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Always an interesting read. 👍✨
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I think on one hand you would be able to appreciate the scenes that have been created and described, on the other hand, I think that maybe yes, it might be too gruesome for you. I mean, there aren’t gruesome scenes left/right/center, but if they are there, they are rather full blown…
The book does sound good- I agree… I still think it’s such an interesting one but noooot quite that 100%…
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It’s a pity the descriptive writing took away from the plot at times and this didn’t fully live up to its potential. Really good review!
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