TL;DR: This book took me completely by surprise. Although it has a relatively ‘violent’ beginning, it is a slow burn. There are so many secrets and somewhat poor communication (or just choosing not to communicate really), but let me say the payoff was worth the journey. I found this to be such a beautiful character driven story that is about so many things—parenthood, motherhood, coming-of-age, love, climate change, a bone deep appreciation of mother nature, biodiversity, and the planet we inhabit. There are definitely parts where you have to suspend your disbelief, but I was fully into it and found that those parts didn’t bother me at all. If you’re willing to be patient and allow yourself to sink into the bones of this story, I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Other than the characters and their arcs, half of what made me fall in love with this story was McConaghy’s writing. It’s quietly beautiful—not flashy or overly poetic—but it has such a tragic and true human quality to it that I find hard to describe. Something about it connected with me on a deeply emotional and human way. Perhaps it’s because we follow the perspectives of Rowan and the members of the Salt family, and we learn about their extremely isolated yet endlessly fascinating, joyful and fulfilling lives on Shearwater. Maybe it’s because of the way McConaghy writes about nature—from the ferocious and deadly waters surrounding the island to the incredible wildlife and biodiversity.

“But here is the nature of life. That we must love things with our whole selves, knowing they will die.”

I highly appreciated how McConaghy wrote about the duality of nature and how it gives life but also has the capacity to cause immense destruction. And despite our own destructive nature as humans, at the end of the day, mother nature will always win. The picture that’s painted of this slowly disappearing island was honestly pretty bleak and heartbreaking as we witness the looming loss of biodiversity and the literal seeds that can help humanity survive and restore life in whatever future may exist.

I was in awe of how McConaghy was about to make me feel how freeing and full this family’s life was, even whilst living on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere. I could imagine how isolating it would feel, while at the same time how liberating. Alongside the mysterious and mildly sinister tones of the story, there was also a mystical and magical feel to the atmosphere that made you believe anything could be possible, whether you believe in it or not.

“Maybe we will drown or burn or starve one day, but until then we get to choose if we’ll add to that destruction or if we will care for each other.”

The characters were also fascinating and I fell deep into each character’s arcs. My heart ached so much! While they weren’t always likable, especially when they were being evasive and making frustrating choices, McConaghy really makes you care for them as their stories unfold. It made the ending all the more hard-hitting and bittersweet. Seriously, what a freaking punch to the gut that I wish I could experience again because it was not what I expected, but the author really committed to making her readers ugly cry andi t was 1000% effective on me! 🤣

Wow, I didn’t expect to feel teary-eyed again while writing this review, but here we are, lol. I am emotional. Climate change is so real and what feels like a very distant future for most, is already a lived reality for many.

“I think I finally understand your words. It’s just a body. They hold on or they don’t. You’re right, it’s nothing to be frightened of. Mine will become the salt of this water. And every time you swim it will be me upon your skin.”

Overall, the combination of the writing and the multiple perspectives meshed beautifully, and really sucked me in as a reader. I felt every tough decision, horrifying tragedy, and hopeful beginning in these pages. I can’t emphasize enough how beautiful and wholly immersive the writing was, and if you enjoy this type of story, then I would definitely recommend checking this out! Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I feel this might be one of my favourite reads this year. It has lingered with me far longer than I ever expected.

Have you read Wild Dark Shore or is it on your TBR?

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