I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In 1617, off the coast of Vardo in Norway, a terrible storm killed over 40 men in mere minutes, leaving the women to fend for themselves. In this story, Maren is helping to keep her family alive when Commissioner Cornet arrives on the island to do the work of 'god' - aka identify witches - and brings with him in young wife Ursa. Maren and Ursa befriend each other as Ursa's husband begins to sow terror and discord among the island.

I was really excited about this book and then when I marked it to read, I felt a bit nervous because I realised I had read another book by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (The Deathless Girls) and felt disappointed by it. So I was afraid it might have been an issue with me not gelling with her writing, and that I may not enjoy this one as much. But I'm glad to say I was wrong, and I really enjoyed this.

I didn't know anything about the witch trials in Norway but I definitely want to read more books set in this time as I found Scandinavian way of life portrayed in this book utterly fascinating. Vardo really comes to life in this book, and the way women have to work so hard to just survive there - with and without their men. A portion of this book is consumed in grief due to the story and Maren losing not only her brother and father, but also her betrothed and her future independent life away from her mother. That grief comes in dirty bodies, and greasy hair and it's very present and oily in the story, and I really think it was done very well.

Ursa's arrival in her yellow dress definitely broke Maren's story up between her grief and her healing. A bit of something new to lift Maren's spirits though in the end Ursa's husband is anything but good news.

I liked Ursa as a character though I feel at times we got more from Maren. Ursa always felt a little bit like a puppet, reacting to those around her in a delayed manner rather than choosing to lead a conversation. The relationship between the women is a sweet one, and while I would have liked more tender moments between them to build up their romance organically rather than just being told they liked each other, I still liked their relationship.

This book honestly makes me hate men, and also religion, but mostly men and their fear of independent women. There were moments when reading this that I wanted to scream in fury at other women like Toril who like to tear down other women just because, to men like Cunningham and Cornet who just love to see a woman on her knees.

I definitely recommend this book. It is not the happiest read but the atmosphere and the sense of place is wonderful. I'd highly recommend looking up pictures of Vardo as well while you read to get a feel for what the island really looks like and imagine what it looks like in the 17th century.

Perfect for fans of Burial Rites by Hannah Kent!