The Fires

A Novel

By: Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir, Larissa Kyzer - translator

Narrated by: Nina Yndis

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From Icelandic author Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir comes a heart-wrenching thriller about a woman’s desperate quest to save the people she loves from a natural disaster.

After an eight-hundred-year slumber, the volcanoes in Iceland’s most populated region are showing signs of life. Earthquakes dominate the headlines. Echoes of the devastating eruptions in the past stir unease in the people.

Volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir has spent her entire life studying the volcanic powers under the earth’s crust, but even she cannot fathom the catastrophe at hand.

As a series of eruptions threaten most of Iceland’s population, she’s caught off her rational guard by the most terrible natural disaster of all—love. The world as she knows it is about to fall apart, and so is her heart.

Caught between the safety of a nation and her feelings for her children, her lover, and her past, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to save the lives of the people she loves—and her soul.

©2020 Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2022 by Larissa Kyzer.

Critic reviews

“Nina Yndis stylishly narrates Icelandic volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir's race against time to save all that is dear to her when new activity in previously dormant volcanoes creates imminent danger to those around her. Yndis's authentic-sounding pronunciation of place and character names helps conjure the ambiance of Iceland, and her warm tone and perfect pacing keep the listener engaged throughout. Her strong characterizations are key because the novel, more suspense than mystery, is filled with long, unfamiliar-sounding names that will be difficult for many listeners to follow. The combination of Yndis's flawless narration and an unusual mystery results in an engaging listen.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Actress, producer, and narrator Nina Yndis skillfully brings out the tension that runs throughout. Her Icelandic accent adds a note of authenticity to this already riveting story. Björnsdóttir's steamy thriller should appeal to readers of romantic suspense and cataclysmic fiction and to anyone interested in learning about the geology and history of Icelandic volcanoes. Share with fans of Ragnar Jonasson's Outside or Harry Turtledove's Supervolcano Explosion.” —Library Journal

“This fiercely wrought thriller from Björnsdóttir perfectly balances science and psychology…Björnsdóttir smoothly integrates geological and historical information about Iceland’s volcanos into the action. This explosive tale of adulterous passion is not just for Scandi noir fans.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Emotional read

I found "The Fires" by Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir to be a compelling read, despite my limited knowledge about volcanoes. If you have a penchant for disaster stories or a genuine fascination with volcanoes, this book will likely captivate your interest. However, it occasionally delves a bit too deep into the history of Icelandic volcanic activity, which may be better suited for readers well-versed in the topic. Nevertheless, this didn't deter me from continuing, and it might be a bit harsh to criticize this aspect. Consider this a heads-up if you find extensive historical information less appealing.

The protagonist, Anna, is a well-developed character whose upbringing and life choices are intricately shaped by her parents and the family she has built. Anna's complexity as a character kept me engrossed in the story. She faces the challenge of balancing a natural disaster with a personal one, and I couldn't help but sympathize with her, as well as with the other characters entangled in her personal crisis. It's a somber tale.

If you're looking for a book solely focused on personal drama or on volcanic disasters, this may not be the right fit for you. However, if you enjoy a blend of both themes, "The Fires" offers a compelling mix, with each taking the spotlight at different points in the narrative.

I must commend the translation by Larissa Kyzer, which was skillfully executed. Additionally, Nina Yndis' narration was excellent and particularly helpful in pronouncing the challenging Icelandic names, making the text more accessible to readers like me who may struggle with the language's pronunciation.

Quotes:

“We live in enlightened times and as such, have the privilege of being able to use scientific techniques to make sense of phenomena that were once completely incomprehensible to us. Our forefathers had no choice but to resort to superstitions and lore to try and solve the riddles the world put before them: the progress of celestial bodies across the skies, the changing of the seasons, life and death.” (Pg. 115)

“Poets can prattle on about love, but I know her, I’ve seen her at work. Love is nothing but a natural disaster.” (Pg. 197)

Great performance by the Audible narrator.

I tried really hard to sympathize with the main character. I struggle to finish the book because she's so despicable. The author seems to spend too much effort trying to justify her being and her ways that diminishes other more interesting parts and possible turns to the story.

I really wanted to love this book.

I really wanted to love this book. I was excited for a book set in Iceland and a volcanic natural disaster book. I just knew the second I saw the cover that this was going to be a page-turner. That being said, I despise cheating in books and in life. From the synopsis there was no indication that there would be cheating in this book. So when our main character begins an illicit affair with a photographer, I was both caught unawares and annoyed. Also, on their second tryst they were proclaiming their love for each other and I couldn't stop rolling my eyes... This book ended up being more of a personal domestic drama rather than a natural disaster book up until the 80% mark.

Cheating aside, the subject of volcanology is very interesting and the setting of Iceland, a country made from lava flow was a really great choice. The author clearly has done a lot of research into this subject, but there were also times when it would read like a volcanology textbook. I felt that it leant itself to the personality of out dry, very logical and unsentimental main character. But it did make it hard to read at times.

I will say that when we get to the last 20% of the book, when everything goes to hell, the author really played up the anxiety, crippling fear and uncertainty of a large-scale disaster. And the ending was absolutely devastating.

Overall, this wasn't quite the tense volcano disaster book I had thought it would be but still quite anxiety inducing and emotionally crushing.

Beautiful and Tragic

I was mesmerized by the story of Anna as she discovers herself and the meaning of love.

Well, that was depressing…

Not good, not terrible. Enjoyed the references to geology, but the subplot was a bit infuriating, unnecessary, and just plain sad.

Not what I expected

Started as a great disaster novel but morphed into something else. Potential wasted on a subplot that was clichéd and boring.

Interesting geology

It was a good story! I especially enjoyed the facts about the geology of Iceland. I visited Iceland in 2017 and I definitely plan to return.

So Depressing

I've been to Iceland and was excited when I saw this offering. I know it's a thriller so it couldn't be all sunshine and rainbows but man was it depressing. It was also not very thrilling. If it wasn't for the narrator I would not have finished this book. The volcanic parts were interesting but the storyline overall was sub-par

Excellent book!!!

I loved the intertwining of the story about the volcanoes with the incredible love story.

Agree with not what was expected reviews

Basic plot about Iceland and volcanic activity was ok. But I found subplot irrelevant and distracting to overall book.

Probably worth my listen time but would have enjoyed other content more