This book made me uncomfortable deep into my bones, my soul, my heart. What a writer! The terrible beauty of this short novel, and I think the author recognizes this, is that this story is one that could be told by hundreds of women, but Hjörleifsdóttir told it in such a way because our society deems it inappropriate to talk about such things. About how these men exist, sucking the joy, the hope, the will to live out of the women they touch, they interact with, they deem 'worthy' of their advances. This book is a perfect example of a work of art that is terrible to behold, but is so, so hard to turn away from in its horror - a horror that consumes so many. Lilja frustrated me throughout her story, making so many reckless decisions, sticking by someone with no love or regard for her - but that's the point, isn't it? How easy it is to fall for these monsters disguised as men who take what little shreds of dignity and self-worth Lilja and women like her have left? The ending left me unsatisfied, but it does make sense where Hjörleifsdóttir chose to leave off. I'll be thinking about Magma for quite some time.

Thank you to NetGalley & Grove Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!