5 December 2025

Arndís Þórarinsdóttir Nominated for The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize

The nine nominees for the Fjöruverðlaunin – The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize have been announced, and we are delighted to share that Arndís Þórarinsdóttir’s YA novel Solar (Sólgos) is among the shortlisted in the category of children’s and young adult literature.

Jury’s motivation:

“Arndís Þórarinsdóttir’s Solar is a brilliantly written book about what happens when the world changes in an instant, nothing is the same, and no one knows what the future holds. Through Unna’s eyes, readers observe how the collapse of technology and communication is addressed, as well as what happens to morality and empathy. Solar is a sensitive story about issues that affect us all, and the big question is really: What matters most to us?”

Arndís Þórarinsdóttir’s latest title Solar (Sólgos) is an exciting and moving dystopian YA novel about a society where all the rules have disappeared, and threat has become the main currency. The story follows 15-year-old Unnar and her family as their lives are turned upside down when a massive solar flare hits Earth, followed by unprecedented ferocity as their community is plunged into darkness and chaos. In the midst of the disintegration, however, one can find solidarity, empathy, and warm feelings.

The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize is an annual award that honours the works of Icelandic female authors across three categories: fiction, non-fiction, and children’s and YA literature. Arndís Þórarinsdóttir previously won the prize in 2023 for her multi-award-winning YA novel Somersault (Kollhnís). Read more about the prize here.

Our warmest congratulations to the author!