3.5 stars

This is an understated and sinister novel with some intriguing twists and lasting questions (not in terms of plot but in terms of what the reader is left pondering in the greater scheme).

Rowan appears, seriously injured, on the shore of an island inhabited by an unusual man and his traumatized children. Mystery and isolation surround each character in distinct ways, and so much of this book is spent determining what is really happening and why these characters are motivated to behave as they do. For me, the most compelling part of the read is the ecocritical insight, which is threaded throughout the setting AND characters' decisions and outcomes.

I enjoyed this listen and look forward to dipping into the back catalogue of this author, since this was my first exposure to McConaghy's haunting writing.

Thank you NetGalley. 4.5⭐️ Dominic and his children live in a lighthouse on an island near Antartica with frigid temperatures and unpredictable storms and waves. Researchers are also occupants collecting and cataloging seeds for the seed bank. Seals, whales and albatrosses are constant companions for the children. One day Fen spots a body in the ocean and swims out to recover it she’s still alive! Life will change and secrets revealed as Rown, the rescued woman, brings back the love and communication that the family has been missing for years. Wonderful story and if I had read the book and not used audiobook, it would’ve been 5⭐️. Audiobooks are not my go to and I found all the different character’s voices didn’t fit my impression of them. There was an oops thing, when Rown said she was a chippie. I was shocked due to the British use this term for a woman with multiple sexual partners and it didn’t fit the narrative. After looking up other definitions I finally found the Australian result meaning carpenter. Great story and would highly recommend!

Wild Dark Shore has some undeniably great writing—atmospheric and immersive, with moments that really pull you in. The problem is, the book can’t seem to make up its mind about what it wants to be. It flirts with being a thriller, but never fully commits, leaving the pacing uneven and the tone muddled. And that ending - ugh. It felt unnecessary and honestly, it soured the whole experience for me. Such a shame, because the potential was there.

I love a Charlotte McConaghy novel, because I know I'm going to feel big and learn a lot about nature. Wild Dark Shore delivers heavily on both. I particularly enjoyed McConaghy's exploration of choosing not to have children through the character of Rowena, and her partner's failure to understand that choice as anything but selfish. That element of climate change conversations is one I've not yet seen explored so poignantly, and as a person who is choosing not to bring a child into our current world in part because of similar reasoning, I appreciated the discussion. As is also always the case with a McConaghy novel, I am left with some pretty heartbreaking mental images to wrestle with (penguin barrels being top of the list) and some intensely emotional talking points. Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

I really enjoyed listening to this book with the different narrators. This book really brought to light climate change and how fast it is happening. The author did an amazing job setting the scene and writing her characters. The loss for each character broke my heart and how it impacted them in different ways just shows how great of an author Charlotte McConaghy is. There are a lot of secrets and trust issues but at the heart of it these people just want to be loved and have a family.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book.


This book has it all.
Conservation- ✅
Mystery - ✅
Atmosphere - ✅
Self reflection- ✅

Charlotte does it again where she mixes the themes of climate change and mystery together flawlessly with a wonderful dash of self discovery.

If you are a fan of Migrations and Once There Were Wolves you will absolutely love this book.

Setting a lighthouse in Antarctica where a family and scientists are caring for a seed storage facility to help grow food in our ever changing disaster of climate change.

The characters are compelling and you feel their stress, unease and hopefulness throughout the gripping tale. The theme is tough but absolutely necessary, the seas are rising.

I was lucky enough to listen to the audio as well and let me tell you the Narrators are absolutely fantastic and provide an even more emersive experience. I felt like I was out there shivering with the seals.

I highly recommend you take a chance on this book.

Once in a great while a book comes along that grabs a hold of me and doesn’t let go. WILD DARK SHORE is a gripping blend of climate fiction and literary suspense that will easily find its way to the top of my 2025 favorites.

The Salt family lives on a remote subantarctic island between Tasmania and Antarctica and are caretakers for the world’s largest seed bank. Researchers have left the island due to rising ocean tides and the Salt family are left as the last inhabitants; that is until a woman washes up on the shore. With her arrival brings an unraveling of secrets with catastrophic consequences.

To say the setting is atmospheric is a complete understatement. A treacherous landscape. A tumultuous sea. Unforgiving conditions that bring out the best in some, and the worst in others.

I have loved each of Charlotte McConaghy’s books, but WILD DARK SHORE is nothing short of incredible. Through themes of loss, sacrifice, and motherhood McConaghy powerfully explores the ghosts we carry. The story manages to be both deeply sad yet earnestly hopeful for humanity all at the same time.

Saskia Marleveld is a standout in this full cast audiobook narration. The full cast production makes for an immersive audiobook experience and adds to the tension of the story.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-are drawn to emotionally riveting stories
-find climate fiction fascinating
-love when a setting is a character in and of itself

RATING: 5/5
PUB DATE: March 4, 2025

Many thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A seed bank in Antarctica becomes the setting for an unsettling, dystopian thriller. One family has been left to care for the seed bank, they have been alone for years, but then a woman washes up on the island. Both the Salt family, and Rowan are drawn together, but both are keeping secrets. When Rowan discovers a recently dug for dinnergrave on the island, she begins to wonder if she should trust her newfound family