This book offers a powerful glimpse into the life of the Sami, the indigenous people of Northern Scandinavia, whose livelihood centers around reindeer herding. Through the eyes of a Sami girl, the narrative unfolds as both a family saga and an exploration of the Sami's threatened way of life. Vivid descriptions of the Arctic wilderness and dark winters enhance the story, while the Sami's struggles against Swedish encroachment on their land, language, and culture are deeply unsettling.

At nine years old, Elsa witnesses her neighbor, Robert, brutally slaughter her reindeer calf. Fearful of his threats, Elsa remains silent, even as the police ignore the crime. As she grows up, Elsa continues to grapple with the injustices faced by her people, until she resolves to break her silence and seek justice for the Sami.

A harrowing but beautiful story which had me gripped! I found the writing to be quite beautiful although I did feel that the description of the setting was a bit flat in places. Overall, a very good read!

A terrifying story about how racism can rear its head in all circumstances, regardless of their absurdity. At the centre of this story is Elsa, and we get to know first in 2008, when she is 9, and then again in 2018 and 2019. Through the story of her life and traumas we get to know more about the Sami community, and especially the tension between it and the non Sami surrounding it. The author doesn't spare the community itself from criticism, especially with regard to its chauvinism and conservatism, and the ways these affect young women in its midst.

The book's atmosphere is perhaps its most striking characteristic - it's written like a slow-burn horror. As the story progresses, the terror grows, and the feeling of pervasive threat permeates the emotional state of the reader, as much as it does the same to the protagonists. The book also shows how life under the constant threat, physical and economical, can erode personalities, and links that to the not uncommon suicides among young men in that community.

I loved the way the book created this emotional state, and explored the psycho-sociological system in which the Sami live, while also celebrating their way of life. The book really opened a window into the world of the Sami, and I feel greatly privileged to have had a glimpse through it.

The book is a great read for anyone interested in the Sami people, but also - for fans of psychological horror, with echoes of The Auctioneer. It reads well, has vivid characters, and is memorable.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

Translated by Rachel Wilson-Broyles, Ann-Helen Laestadius provides an authentic, informative, and realistic picture of the harrowing history, challenges, life and struggles to survive, past and present, of the indigenous Sami people living in the Arctic circle, covering a number of countries, including Northern Sweden. This is conveyed in this coming of age story of Elsa, her family, the dynamics and relationships, the community, the culture, reindeer herding, traditions, climate change, the harshest of environments and more. Then there are the Swedish incomers taking their land, their efforts to wipe out the Sami language and culture, the belittling, hate, racism, the threat that roads and mines bring to the region, and the attractions of the outside world for their young people.

9 year old Elsa is witness to the traumatic and brutal killing of her reindeer, Nastegallu, she recognises the perpetrator who threatens her and her family, ensuring her silence when the 'crime' is reported, but no investigations ever take place, as the reindeer are designated as 'stolen', but the reindeer have a special place and spiritual significance within Sami culture. As a determined Elsa grows up, she becomes more resilient, losing her earlier fears, more willing to take on the horrors of this devastating crime, but her life is far from easy, there are the patriarchal structures that can limit the progress and the world women live in. Her family give us insights into Sami history, mental health issues, suicides, alcoholism. and more.

The author gives us complex characters, within a tense and suspenseful narrative that sadly mirrors the brutal experiences, terrors, and treatment of indigenous communities the world over. This has now become a major Netflix adaptation coming to our TV screens, reading this has ensured that I will be watching it! This is a profound, powerful and atmospheric read that makes a gut wrenching impact, with rich descriptions that give us a feel for the location. There are weaknesses in the storytelling, but this does not prevent this being a essential, educational, gripping, and engaging read that will linger long in my memory. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for a copy.

This started out strong but unfortunately I got bored quite quickly. I liked reading about Sami life but there wasn’t much plot and all the things that happened seemed a mish mash of things that didn’t go together which made the book feel clunky
The writing was really good but overall I didn’t have a great reading experience

Brilliant beautiful story from start to finish. Definitely worth a read if you like thought provoking stories.

Cant wait for the movie adaptation!