Wild Dark Shore follows a family in charge of the world's largest seed bank in an apocalyptic setting. When a random woman washes ashore on their remote island near Antarctica, mysteries on both sides begin to unravel. I loved the complexity of the main characters, and I felt transported to the setting throughout the novel. I will absolutely be looking into Charlotte McConaghy's backlist after experiencing Wild Dark Shore.

Narration performed by Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West was truly outstanding!

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wild Dark Shore is a book I have been looking forward to for a long time so I was really excited to get an advanced copy of the audiobook. It is narrated by several narrators which I always enjoy.

This felt like a literary mystery/thriller which is a genre I love! I really liked the alternating POV that added layers to different aspects of the story. The writing was very atmospheric and I could clearly envision the setting.

Like many thrillers, there were some parts I found a little hard to believe but it was still a great read. At one of the twists I actually gasped I was so surprised. It was more of a slow burn but I felt immersed throughout the story.

My only feedback would be that the ending felt a little abrupt to me and I would have liked a little more. Some of the storylines I would have liked fleshed out a bit more as well but overall this was a riveting read that I think most people will enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Wild Dark Shores
Charlotte McConaghy
Macmillan Audio
Format: Audiobook ARC courtesy of Macmillan Audio
5/5
#MacAudio2025

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and McConaghy for the advanced copy of Wild Dark Shores!

Sigh. I laughed, I cried, and I pondered the hell out of this book. McConaghy absolutely blew me away with this amazing story of a family working on picking up their broken pieces and the woman that they meet who is determined to take her broken pieces and smash them into dust. Taking place in a world mid-fall into an apocalyptic collapse, this story asked what our relationships with others look like, what our relationships with the environment look like, and how we define love and family.
While I initially started this book excited to see what the twist was (and I promise it is excellent and I felt dumb for not seeing it earlier), I ended up forgetting one was coming because I was so wrapped up in the stories of Rowan and the Salt family. Each of the characters were well written and had a lot of nuanced depth to them, making me feel like I really got to befriend them as the book went on. However, Orly will forever have a piece of my heart, say it is because I’m overly emotional because I have a baby boy or something else, but I related to Dom and Row the most because their fierce need to protect him was how I felt throughout the whole book.
Words cannot even begin to explain the wave (haha get it?) of emotion that is still washing over me. I am going to have a major book hangover from this, there were so many elements to love. The writing style was fantastic with multiple points of view and were used well throughout the book. It had a lot of Faulkner's As I Lay Dying vibes to it with the way we experienced everything through multiple character's eyes. I love this style because I feel like it gives such depth to the storytelling.
I highly encourage this book to everyone. I am not an apocalyptic girlie myself (sorry mom), and if I had known that was such a big plot point I probably would have not picked this book up. Honestly, though, it was one of my favorites of the year so far, and was such a beautiful blend of multiple genres. I also highly suggest the audiobook if you're a sucker for Australian accents like me.

Wow—this book was absolutely stunning. I first noticed the cover, then hopped over to Goodreads to check out the blurb. After reading a few reviews, I knew I had to pick this up. The premise immediately intrigued me, touching on several of my favorite topics: scientific research, seed vaults, penguins, whales, seals, solitary islands, and eerie, haunted plotlines.

Every character in Wild Dark Shore was so well-crafted, each carrying their own tragic backstory. I wanted to hold and comfort every single member of the Salt family—and Rowan, too. The island itself felt like a character, its harsh and volatile weather mirroring the emotional turmoil of those who inhabited it. The ghosts in the wind and the overwhelming isolation created an atmosphere reminiscent of Lost, adding to the novel’s immersive, almost cinematic feel.

The mystery surrounding Rowan’s husband, Hank, was masterfully done. I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened to him until the author revealed it toward the end, keeping me engaged and guessing. The imagery throughout the book was both brutal and breathtaking, breaking and mending my heart over and over again.

I also loved the real-world inspiration behind Shearwater. Though fictional, the island is heavily influenced by Macquarie Island, a remote subantarctic landmass. Learning that Charlotte McConaghy and her family had actually visited Macquarie on a research trip before writing this novel made the setting feel even more vivid and authentic.

This was my first book by Charlotte McConaghy, but it definitely won’t be my last—though I might need to pick up something a little lighter first, because this one emotionally wrecked me.

I received an ARC of the audiobook version thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and as always, Macmillan delivered a top-tier production. The narrators did an incredible job. At first, I assumed there were only two people voicing multiple characters, but after a quick search, I realized it was actually a full cast—each bringing their respective characters to life. One thing I particularly appreciated was how well each narrator handled voices of the opposite sex without it sounding forced or unnatural. Poorly done narration in this area has caused me to quit many audiobooks in the past, but that wasn’t an issue here at all.

Wild Dark Shore is a breathtaking, atmospheric novel that explores grief, isolation, and the fragile hope of starting over. It’s a story that lingers, both in its beauty and its heartbreak. Thank you again to NetGalley and Macmillan for the opportunity to experience this book—I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if the twists toward the end left me heartbroken.

Wow. When I started listening to this audiobook, I was ready for a beautifully crafted story about an area I don't know much about. I wasn't ready to be so heavily invested in the Salt family, and Rowan, and the seals and the whales and the seeds! It's about family, grief, trauma and healing. It's about the earth and what is happening to it. I've seen others say how this book is a unicorn because of its ability to be a character-driven novel as well as being plot-driven... and it is! There is so much packed in every morsel of this book and it was so beautiful and achingly sad I cannot stop thinking about it. Highly recommend the audio version purely to just lay down, close your eyes, and envision every detail.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the privilege of listening to this gorgeous story. Huge thank you to Charlotte McConaghy for creating such a gem.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

The Salt Family has lived on this isolated island for 8 years, previously living alongside resident researchers. But with rising sea levels, the researchers have left, and now they are the only humans left on the island. During a storm, a mysterious woman washes up on shore, and no one is giving up their secrets…

Family drama, secrets, mystery, all on an island slowly being taken by the sea; it all made for a gripping and emotional story.

The story was told in multi-POV, so we got to know each character intimately, and I loved seeing their individual connections to the environment and island.

The setting itself was very atmospheric, and definitely felt like a character of its own; dark and mysterious.

The ending definitely took me by surprise, and that’s all I’m going to say about that! 🤐

Overall an engaging, character focused thriller with emotion and mystery.

Audiobook notes: Multicast narration, and they all did a great job!

What this series is giving:
✅ Thriller
✅ Isolated Island near Antarctica
✅ Family
✅ Washed up stranger
✅ Rising Seas
✅ Wildlife
✅ Mystery

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

This was my first book by this author, and I’m HOOKED! I will be reading her other books now. What a phenomenal, atmospheric, mysterious story! It was part mystery, part thriller, with a dash of romance. The description of nature in this book was absolutely raw and beautiful. I loved the seals, whales and penguins! I listened to this one on audio, and I didn’t want to put it down. I ended up listening to it in one day. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for sending me an early copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

I'm unwell and I'm not sure I'll ever recover from this book. These characters were so raw and real that I disliked them all at first, but then as I got to know them, I understood that they were just reflections of the truth of humanity at its core. They were so special in their own ways, and I loved getting to know them and watch their journeys as they began to understand their own humanity and the fragility of it.

This is not just a book about survival at the end of the world, it's a book about discovering yourself and your place in a world that is more than cruel at the best of times. I loved the journey that these characters took me on and the way they captured my heart.

This is a gritty, hard read, but it was a special one.

Another great book by Charlotte McConaghy. The audio production was excellent with several narrators. The description of the island was so vivid. I loved the characters and their growth. Highly recommend.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is a beautifully written, engaging novel that pulls you in from the moment you read the first page until it leaves you in tears on the last. I fell in love with the characters and setting, and I am always delighted to see my favorite audiobook artist Saskia Maarleveld in the lineup of actors for a novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an audio ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. So good!

⭐️⭐️Review⭐️⭐️
📖 Title: Wild Dark Shore
🧍‍♀️Author: Charlotte McConaghy

About?
This is a story about a father and his three children living on a very remote island near Antarctica called Shearwater. This is a place that once housed many researchers due to it being the world’s largest seed bank. However, everyone is gone except this family as they are the hired caretakers. A storm is brewing and a mysterious woman washes ashore. The family attempts to save her from hypothermia. But the family is struggling with the isolation that has encompassed them as they are alone on the island with still 6 weeks before a boat will come take them back to civilization.

But how did the woman get there? Why is she there? And what will become of the group of them with the sea level slowly rising and the worst storm the island has ever seen?


Makes you feel?

Im going to start with this … this book is hands down my favorite book of 2025 so far. Now I know it’s only February, but I have already read 33 books! And I believe this will be in my top 10 and possibly even 5 of the year.

The writing is richly beautiful and atmospheric. It deals with deep themes exquisitely such as love, grief, motherhood, family, death, and mortality. You will be swept away - first by the authors prose, then by her story. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to @Netgalley & @charlottemcConaghy & @flatironbooks for an advanced audible and physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

A mysterious woman washes up on a remote island off the coast of Antarctica. She’s looking for something, and the father with his three children, who are hired as maintenance for a research lab, are hesitant about what it is she tells them.
This books starts off as a literary fiction, but dives into a thriller with so many twists and turns at every chapter. The audiobook narration brings life into this all but abandoned world. All the characters give so much to this book that the multiple POV’s make it a fast paced nail biter.
Absolutely would recommend!

I have loved everything that I have read by Charlotte McConaghy and Wild Dark Shore was another five-star read! In this story we follow Dominic Salt and his three children, who are the last caretakers of a remote island near Antarctica that they are preparing to leave due to rising sea levels. The plot thickens when a mysterious woman named Rowan washes ashore. We have themes of family, isolation and environmental change. The characters' internal struggles and evolving relationships are beautifully portrayed, making you deeply invested in their fate. The story's atmospheric setting and eloquent prose create a haunting and immersive reading experience. This is a poignant exploration of human resilience and the bonds that hold us together. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys atmospheric and character-driven stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own.

Personally bounced of a bit of the narration, but this is definitely going to be popular. A recommended purchase for most collections and an easy recommendation to fans of How High We Go In the Dark.

On a tiny island between Australia and Antartica, where researchers are trying to save all seeds from every known type of vegetation as the sea waters are rising (presumed to be from global warming although this book isn't about that), one family is left on the island for the next 6 weeks until the island will be deserted, or under water.

Father Dominic Salt, his children Raff (18), Fen (17) and Orly (9) are left to care for the island and the lighthouse and the research facility. Their mother has died and this has changed each of them in different ways. One day, a woman, nealy dead, washes up on the shore and they take her in and nurse her back to health. But is she a danger to their family? Why would she be all the way down to their island when there is nothing around this area?

I enjoyed the narration and the accents of the characters. The story was compulsive to listen to - I finsihed in a day because I could not stop listening. Each of the characters were so well-written and I was very involved with each of them, not finding where the author was going to take the story.

My thanks to Net Galley and Macmillian Audio for an advanced copy of this e-book.

Macmillan Audio ALC
I am so glad I gave this book a go because I have been wanting to try this author for a while, and there's no better way to do it than with a full cast audiobook. The narrations here were stellar. I loved how each captured their character and it kept me engaged because of how all their performances captured the characters. I'd definitely listen to all these narrators again. Now with the story, I knew I was getting a slow moving character driven story - which are not always for me. I did find a lot of the middle to be boring. I actually considered not finishing. However, the author did have way of slowly unraveling the plot enough to keep me wanting to know how it would all play out. I did come to care for Rowan, Dominic, Raff, Fen, and Orly. This was a fascinating way to look at climate change and the detrimental effects its having on the earth. And the last 30% really pulled it all together for me and I appreciated the character's reflections and growth. It gave me lots to think, about and I'm glad I gave it a shot.

This book was beautifully rendered, and the climax wrecked me. It is a story of love, loss, grief, and survival. The island itself takes on a life of its own as it is deeply atmospheric. The ensemble cast of narrators did an excellent job. 5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

I love a remote location thriller and this one delivered with it's atmospheric and haunting location of a remote island near Antarctica. This island is inhabited by Dominic Salt and his children - and no one else. Until they discovery and take in a mysterious woman, Rowan, who washes ashore during a brutal storm. But as Rowan recovers, both she and the Salts begin to suspect that no one is telling the whole truth. As the waters start to rise, radios are sabotaged, and and a freshly dug grave is discovered, it feels like danger is closing in.

This one really makes you think about the lengths we go to in order to protect what we love, even as the world crumbles around us. There is so much psychological tension and twists, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The narrators did an amazing job of creating an eerie atmosphere.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC.

A lyrically written, atmospheric thriller, set on a bleak island at the end of the world. Dom and his three children are carving a life on Shearwater Island, grieving the death of their mother, studying the effects of climate change and monitoring a crumbling seed vault. Then one dark stormy day, a woman washes up on shore.

This novel has the feel of a near-future apocalyptic thriller, with the tone of enemies to lovers miscommunication love story. Secrets, lies, suppressed desires, missed opportunities to be truthful, grief, misplaced loyalties and a dramatic timeline amps up the tension.

The characters were finely drawn with each struggling with their own guilt and anger. The story unfolds with emotional precision, well-paced with startling twists. I loved reading about the kindness, the loyalty, the closeness of the siblings and Rowan’s empathy as she slowly falls in love with the whole family.

I just struggle with why a precious seed vault that contains all that can save humanity would be placed on a barren, storm-swept, ocean-beaten island that is nearly impossible to reach.

4.5 out of 5

The Salt family are the caretakers of Shearwater, a small island near Antarctica. They live in the lighthouse on the island. One stormy day, a woman washes ashore and they save her. But she is not as she seems, and the Salt family carry many secrets.

I was gifted a copy of the audiobook, which had a full cast performance. It took a little while for me to get into it, but once I got invested in the story and characters, I was enjoying it. Well, maybe not enjoying as it was kind of terrifying in terms of climate change and the realities we will be facing. This was a full on, all-emotions-on-deck-type book. I cried so hard. But it was a good cry. There was a lot of food for thought. Despite the slow to grab me start, I was really engaged the further I got. This book is hard to classify, it covered a lot of themes and elements of several genres. There was a lot of action and suspense, and a really atmospheric sense of place. This book was dark and stormy, and I loved it.