Reviews

An independent prequel to the well-received Maresi, Maria Turtschaninoff's Naondel tells the story of the First Sisters – founders of the Red Abbey.

‘Don’t look for a scapegoat. We all bear the guilt.’

Hannele Mikaela Taivassalo's works span drama and prose, but always with a poetic touch, and In Transit is no exception.

Maja Hagerman’s impressive research and skilful narrative reveal unexpected events in the life of controversial doctor Herman Lundborg and confirm many misgivings about his work and views.

In this first instalment in the Idijärvi Trilogy, Charlotte Cederlund blends Sami mythology with YA fantasy to create a Nordic coming-of-age novel set under the glow of the Northern Lights.

This is futuristic fiction, dealing with a world where nuclear war and its aftermath is the reality but where the potential attacks of tomorrow are even more deadly and frightening – enough to wipe out the entire human race.

Elis Burrau’s first full-length poetry collection is a fragmented but alluring investigation into finding a poetic identity. It’s an opportunity to sample the very latest of young Swedish poetry.

Negra Efendić's book is a personal story of a child's journey from security to a life in a far away land.

In this vividly narrated novel from August-Prize-winning writer Johanna Thydell a teenage girl meets her estranged mother for a bird-watching assignment.

Korta Stycken, a slim volume of short stories, flash fiction and poetry, is a masterclass in style by Johan Bargum, one of Finland’s most renowned contemporary writers.

The exploration of her own past was a driving force behind Elisabeth Åsbrink's selection of people and events from 1947 and gives this book its special atmosphere.

In her trilogy about the teenage Turid, Elisabeth Östnäs gives us a tale of a curious, kind and fiercely intelligent young woman who finds herself questioning elements of the society where her father is king.

To put it in the terms of her particular academic field, we might say she has entered her own Mannerist phase, her life descending into a grotesque caricature of itself.

Sara Lövestam's third novel about Kouplan, a transgender Iranian refugee turned private detective, is a subtle, humorous and immensely enjoyable read.

Profoundly humane, inviting the young reader to sympathise with the underdog.

Such benign vagueness is probably the best policy for someone who lives under threat, not only from former potentially murderous co-religionists but also assorted security agencies (the Swedish included).

These short stories may simply be too frightening – or perhaps unnerving – for some readers.

Khemiri is known for his ironically self- referential approach to writing.