Rich in Icelandic culture and myth, The Swell delves into themes of survival, fate, and the power of women in the face of overwhelming odds. The slow unraveling of the mystery keeps you hooked, while the evocative prose captures both the stark beauty and the dangers of the land. This is a story about women rising in the face of adversity, and the secrets that refuse to stay buried beneath the surface. I couldn’t put it down.

From the cover art work to the description of the book I felt drawn to this novel. Kat did not disappoint. The setting of the story was perfection, I absorbed the folklore, the Icelandic scenery and way of life, and those girls. The sister storyline set in the past was my favourite and rich in the storytelling, the character building and the suspense of the character identities in the present day storyline. Very beautifully told and a treasure of a tale, with a very rewarding end result.

I could not put this book down! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This was such a fantastically written book, set in Iceland that connects two timelines about 65 years apart.

In the earlier time period we follow two sisters who live in rural Iceland in the shadow of a mountain and whose lives are changed when a shipwrecked Danish sailor comes to live with them. The later timeline in the 1970s follows a young woman who is at a crossroads in her life and having to deal with how the expectations of others aren’t aligning with her own true desires and wants for her life.

This book explores female treatment by men, what it is to challenge society’s expectations, the changing role of women in society, attitudes towards motherhood. We see the historical parallel of this between the two timelines, and how although the choices available may be different, many of the thoughts and emotions are similar.

The writing struck a good balance of beautiful setting and intrigue. I particularly liked the way Icelandic sagas were woven through the story and how this was referenced by the women in both timelines, drawing parallels with their own lives.

I found this to be a well-written, engaging novel with underlying messages balanced skilfully with plot progression, a clear love for the setting and fascinating characters.

This a really good read. I enjoyed the two narrations between both past and present as they drew the story together nicely highlighting parallels between time periods and the sagas. The story has some excellent and strong female characters that are portrayed in such a positive way but whilst at the same time showing how difficult it can be to be a woman. The family relationships are also written really well. I absolutely love Iceland and the atmosphere of the island so it was the perfect backdrop for this story.

Historical fiction, dual timelines, incredibly complex female family bonds, men are the worst, set in Iceland! If a kidnapper held up this sign, I’d be napped.

But this really did have so many elements that I just adore! The relationships between all the different characters were so well thought out. Especially looking at Sigga’s relationship with her grandmother and comparing it with her mother. Freyja and Gudrun’s bond and the relationship they had with their father.

The atmosphere and the setting and oh just everything. 65 years really isn’t that long in the grand scheme of history, but the stark difference in life between the two time periods was so interesting to read!

Obviously we know from the blurb that a body is found in the 1975 timeline and this made for a bit of a mystery through both timelines, desperately wanting to know who it is but also praying it’s not who it probably is. And on top of that, who is Sigga and how does she tie in with Freyja and Gudrun. I was genuinely hooked, sweating and stressing at some points! But the ending / reveal had me in pieces. I’m still heartbroken!!

If you’re like me and love multiple timeline historical fiction, get ready to devour this!