I picked up this book on a suggestion email offering only to a few selected people. I was lucky enough to be granted access to this book.
What a deep story told from both protagonists you learn of the catholic religion brought to the Icelandic people and their distrust and fear of not only outsiders but of gossip.
People living desolate, cold and harsh lives on bear minimum and eking out a living out at sea and on the harsh land.
Rosa a woman who loves but forced to marry another and moving away from her own people to join her husband and his people. Trying to live with strangers and be meek and a pious woman when all she needs is warmth, love and comfort.
Jon her husband is also the leader of this small village who works hard for his people but distant with Rosa.
A spellbinding story draws you in till the very end, I felt for every character in this book and their struggles and pain a wonderful tale I will endeavour to have other people read too.

This is a dark, atmospheric Icelandic saga set in the 17th century. Living conditions are harsh and men rule over women. There is hunger and cruelty, murder and witchcraft. Jon and Rosa tell the story of their marriage in alternating chapters. After a slow start the tension builds up and unexpected truths are revealed in the dramatic second half of the book. The author's lyrical language suits the story. well. This is a gripping and exciting novel which I really enjoyed.

A slow book and one written in very simple language. My heart always sinks as soon as witchcraft is mentioned with all the connotations of victimised women... There's a good atmosphere of menace and claustrophobia but somehow I didn't quite believe in this C17th Iceland full of Gothic tropes (who or what is in the locked loft?!)

As a lover of historical stories this setting was unusual and intriguing. The description of the landscape of the setting in Iceland drew me in to this land of extremes in weather and geology, making me more than ever wish to visit it for myself. Newly married Rosa's isolation by her husband fuelled her fears , and the arrival of her childhood friend while welcome only increased her difficulties . What was hiding in the locked attic? and were the rumours about Jons first wife true.? There was comfort in the old forbidden beliefs when events turned even darker. A well researched story which gave a real sense of the mystical Icelandic people but with a mystery to be solved. Excellent.

So nearly a 5 star read.

I was drawn to this novel because it’s set in Iceland, a land and culture that has an endless fascination for me. It’s set in the 17th century and gets off to a slow start. Rosa leaves the love of her life behind to marry a wealthy man who can provide for her ailing mother. From the moment she sets off for Stykkishólmur, where her husband lives, there is a menacing undercurrent and the book quickly becomes a page turner. Rosa’s new husband, Jon, has already lost one wife. He shows her little affection because really he just needs someone to cook and clean and help him with the farm. There is a loft in the building but it’s kept locked. Rosa imagines she hears someone moving around up there but can’t get in to see. Her husband forbids her to mix with the locals so she quickly feels isolated and frightened.

To say much more would be to spoil the unfolding of the story. We jump about between months and between different accounts, a good device for keeping our interest and increasing the tension and it works. Why isn’t this a 5 star read then? I didn’t need to read the acknowledgements at the end to know that the author doesn’t really know Iceland. The story could have been set anywhere where remote communities make travel difficult and strangers arouse suspicion. Her first book, which I haven’t read, is set on the island of Jersey where she grew up. I think it’s good advice for authors, especially new ones, to stick to what they know. The Icelandic setting rarely felt authentic and I wasn’t surprised to learn that she has only been there fleetingly, relying mostly on research.

It’s a good read, however. I really enjoyed the suspense which the author builds up very well. It’s very exciting at times and she tries to address important issues.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK / Michael Joseph for a free review copy.

I didn’t just read this book, I experienced it. Caroline Lea conjures up an atmosphere fraught with tension that permeates every page. A tiny, isolated community is eking out an existence in a stark, brutal landscape where everything around them is dangerous - blizzards, the icy sea, the turbulent, volcanic land itself and, not least, each other. They walk a fine line between a harsh version of Christianity and the old beliefs in witchcraft and omens, and cling to superstition - any event out of the ordinary can be seen to bode badly. Into this community comes Rosa, young and hopeful new wife to the local chief, and is soon in danger of being overwhelmed by loneliness, menacing gossip and a husband who terrifies her.

There is only a handful of characters and the action scarcely extends beyond Rosa’s back yard, so the feeling of claustrophobia is high, and a couple of gruesome events didn’t make for easy reading. The novel’s structure is effective. We rely on Rosa’s narrative at first and her view of events from an incomer’s perspective, but later the narrative alternates between Rosa and her husband Jon, so his back story reveals how he came to be as he is and the reason for his behaviour. Characters and their motivations are no longer as black and white as they seemed and the tension builds to an unexpectedly poignant conclusion.

An engrossing story, terrifically well written, and highly recommended (especially to those who have enjoyed works by Sarah Moss and Hannah Kent, both of whom are acknowledged in the author’s afterword as inspirations).

read this book over a wintry Scottish weekend, curled up in front of the fire. It’s very dark and cold here this time of year but even so, nothing compared to the bleak winterscape of this novel’s setting, 17th century Iceland. Right from the start the book perfectly creates the tone of a bleak almost otherworldly environment. It took me a few pages to be become acclimated to some of the Icelandic words and expressions sprinkled throughout the text but as soon as I settled in, the discord in the narrative ramped up, to great effect.

The story’s main character, Rosa, is 25 years old, a “spinster” from an Icelandic viewpoint. Forced to make hard choices to ensure the survival of her aging and ill mother, Rosa reluctantly marries Jon, a wealthy widower from a village some miles away. Transported from her familiar surroundings, Rosa struggles to find security in her new home and with her strange new husband. Worse still, rumours swirl about the fate of Jon’s first wife Anna. As the winter darkness grows, so does Rosa’s unease as she hears odd noises coming from the forbidden loft area and uncovers hints dropped by other inhabitants of the village.

I enjoyed this a lot. Rosa is a compelling character and it’s easy to sympathise with her dilemma. The story moves along at a reasonable pace, neither glossing over too much or dwelling too long at certain points. I was firmly hooked by the sense of mystery and secrets. There are plenty of fun and interesting twists to keep the reader guessing. Caroline Lea’s writing is beautifully evocative and layered with a sense of authenticity of place and time. She also handles what can often be a tricky shift to another character’s viewpoint so that despite the story not always running in a linear fashion, it still works. The story lingered in my mind afterward, which is always a good sign. I recommend this book and look forward to reading more of the author’s work.

A wonderfully atmospheric wintery read. Set in Seventeenth Century Iceland, we follow a young woman as she is taken far from her home, family and friends to become the wife of the dark chieftain with a mysterious past. While it took a little while to get going and the blunt dialogue took some getting used to, Caroline Lea masterfully builds tension and intrigue akin to Du Maurier’s Rebbeca. We know something isn’t right, we know facts are being kept hidden yet we have no idea what the truth could be. What really happened to Anna, Jon’s first wife? Why is Rosa not allowed to ask questions? There is a growing sense of danger throughout the novel that keeps it pacy despite the isolation Rosa endures. I particularly liked the way Lea manages to link scenarios and characters to those described in the Icelandic sagas. It was interesting and not only made me want to go look up the originals, it added a layer of authenticity to the setting. I liked the juxtaposition of Rosa’s education and desire to write her own sagas in a time where knowledge and love of them was considered heretical with the rise of Christianity.

Full of atmosphere,and tension,set against beautiful landscape and a harsh winter... this book has a lot going for it.
Added to that mix is witchcraft,death,rumour,suspicions And a love story.
Cleverly told from two points of view,a month or so apart I believe,giving all the back history we needed through Jon's voice,revealing him not to be quite the Bluebeard character I imagined at the start of the book.
I think I read it in two sittings.
Great stuff.

A great story week researched and gripping, just what i wanted and hope that is what you find as still.
Rosa has opted for a life of serving GOD but after her Dad has died and her Mum health weakening she knew she had to do something and with her Mums disgruntled approval she marries Jon a leader in a village three days ride away or five days on foot. In her arrival she doesn't know what to think of Jon odd she scared of him or just weary she wants to keep him happy but fears she doesn't. And his right hand man and loyal friend Let us is hard to second guess as well.
To put the cat among the pigeons (or falcons) Rosa's life long friend cousin and heart felt well read it you can work that out, turns up after a five day journey and has to convince Jon that he can be of use and help even when the bad weather comes and they have to battle with the snow and what life is about to throw their way.
There are some other important characters to watch out for Katrin and Egill who will bring new direction and twists which come and keep you guessing.
This is one of those books that at times leaves you confused as to where it's going to keep you hooked and at other times you think you know exactly where it's heading but no it's just to fool you because it will not be so.
I enjoyed this book and out kept my attention from the start and the ending was oops better let you finds that it for yourself. I do really and highly recommend this book too you.

This is... Bleak. But amazing! It really takes me to the cold hard places, where people struggled to survive, where the oppressive miasma of Christianity is killing off pagan culture and women are living whole lives of fear.
It also has some amazing Nordic culture and description in.
Its a tightly written and engaging storyline, and I was sucked into it and read in one sitting. It is hard going though! I wanted the heroine to finally catch a break, but, drawing perhaps from traditional gothic writers like Bronte and Austen, more and more misery sees fit to dampen her days.
However, loved it, bleakness and all. A strange, moving and fey tale. Recommend.

Beautifully atmospheric and absorbing, set in the harsh landscape of Iceland this dark and brooding novel is so wonderfully written. Full of tales of folklore, curses and witchcraft the book is a slow build up of menace and suspicion making a excellent read. Told from two different points of view it’s a book that pulls you in so you can feel the savage iciness and solitude of these lives and their sad but compelling stories.
This is a book to savour and not to rush it’s just a stunning haunting read and I loved it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a haunting story! I'll be the first to admit I know nothing of Iceland but The Glass Woman took me straight there! I feel the book could be shorter due to some repetitiveness in the middle section but it worked really well overall and I really enjoyed this book. Full of tension and an unforgettable read.

This was very beautiful, but slow. The bleak, harsh Icelandic world was perfectly conveyed and I found myself shivering as I read it. The book lagged a bit in the middle section but the characters are well-drawn and convincing. A good one to read by the fire!

Thanks to Penguin UK and Netgalley for the Advance Review Copy.

This novel tells its story from the viewpoints of Rosa and Jon, a husband and wife in 1600s Iceland. Rose is Jon’s second wife as his first wife died in mysterious circumstances prior to the events of the novel. The story takes place in small Icelandic communities and the author does a great job of capturing the wildness and brutality of the landscape and its people. This is a tumultuous period of Icelandic history and the author covers some of the events including witch hunts, natural disasters and the tensions between traditional beliefs and Christianity. The community in which the protagonists live is one fuelled by gossip, suspicion and jealousy.

There is a real air of mystery running throughout the novel and the reader is kept guessing right through to its conclusion. Is it a ghost story? A folk tale? One of the Sagas? As I started reading it almost felt like I was perhaps reading an adaptation of Bluebeard with similar themes of a new wife whose husband has a dark secret. I really enjoyed getting lost in the mystery and finding out just what the secret was.

The writing is evocative and there’s a real sense of place which helps to bring the story to life. The realities of being a powerless woman removed from all she has ever known and having to adapt to new and difficult conditions is portrayed effectively and Rosa’s isolation and fear is palpable. Jon is perhaps more of an enigma, but we get a better grasp of who he is towards the end of the novel as the mystery unfolds.

Things perhaps get a little bit lost towards and the later part of the novel could have been tightened up a little, but overall a fantastic novel with surprising relevance to modern times and the experiences of both men and women and the human experiences we suffer. The cover is lovely too and fits well with the atmosphere of the novel.

First-rate historical fiction! I was thoroughly absorbed by this novel, set in Iceland in the 17th century. The characters are beautifully realized and the story is excellently plotted out. I almost wept at the end. I predict this book will be big - it has the potential to be a hit in the mould of The Miniaturist or The Essex Serpent.