🦇 Vampires

The Coldest Blood

✍️ Reginn Tumi Kolbeinsson
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$13.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A vampire nurse returns to Iceland during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Ísóld struggles to maintain her cover as a respected medical professional while managing her vampiric urges. The snowy landscape of her homeland mirrors the coldness of her condition. Rumors of a local beast create a parallel threat to her secret. She must confront both external dangers and internal conflicts as she reengages with her past. The narrative examines how trauma and isolation shape identity over time.

Key Themes
vampire identity Spanish flu epidemic Icelandic highlands
Literary Context

The story is set in 1918, a year marked by the worldwide Spanish flu epidemic. It draws on the cultural context of Iceland and the experiences of army nurses during that period. The setting utilizes the snowy highlands to create an atmosphere of isolation and dread.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Anne Rice · Shirley Jackson · Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain · Daphne du Maurier
🦇
Vampires
🏛 Reginn Tumi Kolbeinsson 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9788409657933

📝 Description: The Coldest Blood

Reginn Tumi Kolbeinsson presents a narrative set in 1918 during the global Spanish flu epidemic. The story follows Ísóld, an army nurse who returns to Iceland after ten years away for a significant family matter. She wears her uniform with pride, yet she hides her true nature from everyone around her. Ísóld is a vampire, and this secret complicates her attempt to balance her professional duties, personal relationships, and the hunger for blood that controls her existence. The plot centers on her homecoming, which tests the fragile equilibrium of her double life. Memories of the past she abandoned to pursue her career resurface alongside the people she left behind. Simultaneously, rumors circulate about a bloodthirsty beast haunting the snowy highlands of Iceland. These events converge as Ísóld navigates the tension between her public identity and her supernatural reality. The author draws on gothic traditions and historical settings to explore themes of isolation and hidden identities. This book suits readers who enjoy supernatural fiction grounded in specific historical periods. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted tales or stories without complex moral dilemmas regarding the nature of monstrosity.

💎 Our verdict on The Coldest Blood

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
This novel effectively merges historical fiction with supernatural elements, creating a tense atmosphere where the external threat of disease mirrors Ísóld’s internal vampiric hunger. The author skillfully uses the Icelandic landscape to reflect the protagonist's emotional coldness and isolation. While the premise is strong, the narrative focuses heavily on psychological depth rather than plot twists, which may deter readers seeking fast-paced horror. It suits those who appreciate slow-burn gothic tales and complex explorations of hidden identities. The moral ambiguity surrounding Ísóld’s condition adds layers to the traditional vampire trope, making it a thoughtful addition to the genre for discerning horror enthusiasts.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the intersection of supernatural horror and historical tragedy will find this title compelling. It offers a unique perspective on the 1918 flu pandemic through the lens of a vampire nurse, exploring themes of identity, trauma, and isolation. The story appeals to those who enjoy complex moral dilemmas regarding monstrosity and the struggle to maintain one's humanity in extreme circumstances. The atmospheric setting of snowy Iceland enhances the gothic tone, providing a chilling backdrop for psychological horror. It is ideal for fans of dark fantasy who appreciate nuanced character studies over action-driven plots.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

This novel effectively merges historical fiction with supernatural elements, creating a tense atmosphere where the external threat of disease mirrors Ísóld’s internal vampiric hunger. The author skillfully uses the Icelandic landscape to reflect the protagonist's emotional coldness and isolation. While the premise is strong, the narrative focuses heavily on psychological depth rather than plot twists, which may deter readers seeking fast-paced horror. It suits those who appreciate slow-burn gothic tales and complex explorations of hidden identities. The moral ambiguity surrounding Ísóld’s condition adds layers to the traditional vampire trope, making it a thoughtful addition to the genre for discerning horror enthusiasts.

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