As a teenager, Kria watched her grandmother being abducted into another world. When the same fate threatens her granddaughter almost eighty years later, Kria does not hesitate and takes her place. Doing so, she finally sees the world which lies beyond the other side of the mysterious wardrobe in the old, derelict house in Reykjavík – and gets the chance to find answers to questions that have haunted her her whole life.

The Wilderness is the final book in Hildur Knutsdottir’s renowned cross-genre, multi-generational YA-trilogy. Both previous books, The Lion and The Witch, were nominated for the Icelandic Literature Prize, the former earning Knutsdottir the Reykjavik Children’s Book Award and the The Icelandic Booksellers‘ Prize.

Awards and nominations

• Awarded the Icelandic Bookseller’s Prize for best YA Book 2020

• Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize for Best Children’s and YA Book 2020

• Nominated for the Reykjavík Children’s Literature Prize 2020 for best original work

Reviews

“Hildur Knutsdottir is an author who has an unusual and rich imagination and improves stylistically with each book. This novel captivates the reader and the world she builds is believable and very well thought-out.”
Brynhildur Bjornsdottir, Frettabladid Daily

“She draws up a world for us which is very impressive and cinematic.”
Sunna Dis Masdottir, Kiljan, National TV

“This is a masterpiece!”
Thorgeir Tryggvason, Kiljan, National TV

“The Wilderness is a worthy end point to Hildur Knutsdottir’s really successful trilogy about Kria and her family … And what a fantasy! The world of the wilderness is remarkably original and deftly wrought … the explanation of the actions taken by David/Jacob is surprising and powerful. Aside from the innovative ideas, the novel also takes a sensible approach to friendship, trust and love. An excellent and neatly concluded final instalment.”
Thorgeir Tryggvason critic, Facebook