Not only is Burial Rites impressive as Kent’s first book and as a “speculative biography,” this tale of the final year in the 19th century life of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last woman excuted in Iceland, is one of the most thoroughly haunting and atmospheric books I’ve ever read. As the readers, we go into this story completely aware of how it’s going to end, there’s no changing history with this sort of book. But by the time that ending arrives, the vivid journey we’ve undertaken with Agnes and the feeling of Iceland that now permeates our bones and feels tangible behind our eyes even if we’ve never set foot there, means we’re as unprepared, distraught, and full of disbelief as Agnes herself. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s heartbreaking. It’s also completely worth it. And now I want to travel to Iceland even more than I already did.