This story takes place in Western Australia in 1886 in a fictional town of Bannin's Bay. Eliza Brightwell is 20 yrs old, and stays home while her older brother Thomas and her father leave her for about 3 months at a time to go pearling. The town's economy is based on pearling so it becomes a women's town while the boats are out. Eliza's mother is deceased, and while Eliza is alone for months at a time, she does not socialize with the other women in town, nor does she desire to. She is lonely, but like most of the town, she is struggling to live.
When her father doesn't come home from the latest expedition, and her brother can't or won't tell her what happened- other than "one day he just wasn't there", she decides to find him. Although an Aborigine has been jailed for her father's death, he escaped into the wild, She meets a visiting German man, who helps her search for her father. They searched brothels and pubs (forbidden places for women), consulted seers and talked to other pearlers, until they finally embarked on a journey to some remote islands seeking him.
The lush tropical landscape was beautifully described, but I didn't think that it added anything to the story.. I thought there were several flaws in the book overall. The characters never came to life for me. They were described but never developed. I never had a sense of why they did anything, or why Thomas was so tight-lipped with information about his father. Why didn't Eliza's aunt help her at all? She was only 20 yrs old, and the men were gone for long stretches of time. All in all, the plot line was thin but the story was drawn out. I thought that many of the situations were too improbable to have happened in the timely way that they were described.
I received this ARC book from NetGalley and SImon&Schuster and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I didn’t finish this title. The description sounded intriguing, but the characters just didn’t interest me enough to keep going.

This book is exemplary of why I like to read historical fiction. I learned much about a time and place I have never visited, not to mention a trade I had known nothing about. The writing richly invoked the setting's sea smells, flora, fascinating birds, harsh climate and culture.

In addition, Eliza Brightwell, the main character, was an accidental feminist well before the term came into use. Her courage and determination to find her missing father grew steadily along the story line, carrying her through what seemed to be overwhelming adversity and lack of support from most others, especially her brother. I particularly appreciated her friend Min, whom I would have liked to know more.

This book traces an incredible journey that held my interest throughout. A remarkable debut novel from an author who took the time and effort for meticulous research and shared much of what she learned with readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC digital edition.

Unfortunately, I was unable to read this in the time allotted.

When Eliza’s father’s ship returns from a pearling expedition without him, everyone but her seems to accept that he is dead. But Eliza is certain there is more to the story, and she is determined to find him.

I am rather annoyed with this book. It was so relentlessly depressing, and once I had gotten through the whole story, it seemed to be without purpose.

But first, the positives. The writing is wildly atmospheric, creating a clear image of this strange, raw place where the Brightwells live. I definitely learned a lot about the history of pearling in Australia that I had never known. I appreciated how the author acknowledged the atrocities that were perpetuated upon the Indigenous Australians, especially in the context of the pearling industry.

But the story! It made me spitting mad! It was a dreary tale, and the only person with any integrity seemed to be the often nigh-suicidal Eliza. She is obsessive in her search for her father, but personally I do not understand why. All the characters in this book lead dark and constrained lives, and no one seems to have ever been happy, and will apparently never be happy. I also found the character of Axel to be very odd – he commits whole-heartedly to helping Eliza with her search – because he briefly admired her from afar?

I think the sensibilities of the author and myself wildly differ, and for this reason, I doubt I will read more of her work.

This was a DNF for me. I wanted to like it but if a book doesn’t grab me within the first fifty pages I don’t tend to stick around.

The writing was perfectly fine, no complaints on the prose, but I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist and understanding her world. Much of the information given didn’t make sense because I felt like I was missing the context or it was assumed that I knew. Maybe it’s because I didn’t read further though because others have enjoyed it.

I think if you’re interested in the blurb give it a shot (never let a review talk you out of reading something that sounds neat to you) but it won’t be one I recommend in the future.

Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 6/14/22 - out now!
Genre: historical fiction
In one sentence: In 19th century Western Australia, Eliza's pearl diver father disappears, and it's up to her to find him.

I loved the atmospheric writing in this book - I felt like I had been transported to Australia. Eliza was a great MC - smart, curious, and unwilling to take no for an answer! I loved following her investigation as she entered the dark underbelly of the pearling world. The location reminded me a bit of The Exiles, another historical fiction I loved. The story wraps up nicely at the end with some good action I wasn't anticipating, but this is primarily Eliza's story rather than a fast-paced adventure.

If you're looking for a non-WWII historical fiction, you might like this one!

Eliza’s father doesn’t return from his most recent pearling journey and is presumed dead. Eliza doesn’t believe it and knows she would feel it if he were gone. She sets out to find him on her own no matter what it takes and learns of the secrets her brother and father having been keeping from her along the way.

Moonlight and The Pearler’s Daughter is set in Western Australia in 1896, shifting from then and ten years earlier, when Eliza’s family made the long journey from London. This historical fiction novel started slow for me, but grabbed my interest with the suspenseful mysteries Eliza found. Filled with action and drama, this woman’s quest is one I’m glad I read.

Pook clearly did the legwork on her research to bring colonial rule Australia to life. At times it reminded me of the Thornbirds which is a long time favorite. Eliza is an engaging protagonist and the story paces well.

I had initially shied away from this book because of the title. It’s becoming a bit worn out; This Daughter, That Daughter, Uncle’s Friend’s Daughter, ad nauseam. But then I received an ARC and decided to give it a peek.
I’m so glad I did. Eliza’s story hooked me from the first chapter as her family was rushed onto a ship traveling to a faraway land. Eliza’s first impression of her new homeland was priceless, and very much an omen. Flashing forward, we meet the tough young lady who has survived early Australia's elements.
Eliza knows things are not as portrayed when her father’s oyster boat returns without him on it. She’s not going to quit until she figures it out. She takes us to the underbelly areas of the oyster trade as she teams up with a quirky young man who insists on staying by her side.
I really appreciate how the author allowed Eliza to remain the strong independent soul that she is, even when faced with the choice of a soft life. This, to me, was the most crucial takeaway we could learn from this oyster pearler’s daughter.
Sincere thanks to Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date was June 14, 2022.

Eliza Brightwell knows something is wrong when the Starlight returns from another months-long pearling journey without her beloved father. No one seems to know where he went or how he even disappeared. He has vanished without a trace.

Talk in the small Bannin Bay pearling community is across the board, with some claiming mutiny and others murder. Parker, the local law enforcement officer wants to pin Brightwell’s disappearance on one of the Starlight’s native divers. Eliza believes he is innocent and that Parker is just prejudiced and hateful. She is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, and with the help of a local priest’s ward and Axel, a German wanderer, she sets off to find him. On short, but perilous journey, Eliza finds out that her naturalist heart was not exactly prepared for the reality of the dangers at sea.

Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter was certainly a lesson in the British colonial rule of Australia and the pearling industry that helped the expats thrive. The story is obviously very well researched, but I found myself getting bogged down in the industry terminology and the plot tended to drag. Eliza’s journey is a bleak one, and if you are looking for happy endings this is not your book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and of course Lizzie Pook for the advanced copy. The Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter is out now. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5
I was given the eARC for my honest opinion.

First, I want to say what an amazing job Pook did with her research and the heartfelt love she put into this book. Now historical fiction is not my go to genre at all, however, with that being said I did find myself really pleased by this book. I have not read that many books that will take you back to 1886, and to the Western Australia coast. Heck not many that speak of all the wonders that the seas bring there, or all the horrors that one might have to face off with. I thought Eliza was a strong lead character, I loved how she did not let others doubts cloud her own, and she followed what she knew was best for her and her family. I know of the hardships women back in those times faced but I didn’t know it was that bad and to be in a different country that you were not raised and have to discover everything and fight for everything. I found that part of the book to be so inspiring, I love characters that go against what is the “normal” in society at that time.
I think Pook did an incredible job with capturing the old town feel of this book, as well and describing in detail everything that an explorer would want the world to know. I gave this book 4 stars due to the pace, I felt at times it was a little slow and really was not going that fast, but overall, the book was phenomenal.

I want to thank Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, and Lizzie Pook for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I gravitate towards historical novels and was very excited to be approved to read this novel. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this opportunity.

Eliza, along with her family settles in the frontier pearling town of Bannin Bay, Australia in the late 19th century. Ten years on, her brother returns from a pearling expedition but her father is missing. All alone and determined to find out what happened to him, she embarks on a dangerous mission, exposing the dark underbelly of the frontier town.

Evocative and descriptive, the author brings the scorching dangerous Australian landscape to life. I could feel the flies and creepy crawlers on every page. However, I struggled to finish the novel as I could not relate to the characters and felt they needed to be fleshed out a little more. To me the mark of a good novel is that the characters leave me thinking about them while I'm going about my everyday life. Unfortunately, this didn't really happen with this novel.

I think, with added character development, this story would have been a great read.

I voluntarily leave this review and my opinions are my own.

f you love historical fiction with a dash of feminist literature, then the odds are good that you'll appreciate Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter by Lizzie Pook. It's certainly worth the read, especially if you're hoping to learn something new.

Eliza Brightwell and her family have finally made shore. Their new home? Bannin Bay, Australia. It's a bit of a change from what they're used to, but they're hoping that this change will be exactly what the family needs to thrive.

The pearls that drew Eliza's family to these shores have now been the cause of a great personal tragedy. Following her father's death, Eliza quickly learns that the pearl industry is not as shiny and kind as it may appear on the surface.

Wow. Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter is a rich and intense read. One that isn't afraid to show us the pain human nature can cause. It hits home at many points, even when telling a story that most of us can only imagine.

Eliza's character is, without a doubt, the shining piece of this tale. Her journey is powerful, and I can see why this book was described as a feminist tale – because of her. She made this book worth it for me.

Okay, I also enjoyed learning about the history a bit. The pearling industry during that time was something I knew nothing about. Now I know a bit more, though I'm sure that my knowledge still pales in comparison.

Historical fiction fans will almost certainly enjoy this peek into the past, so I recommend they read Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter.

Eliza's Search

Exciting and historical this is a wonderfully magical story. I enjoyed every page. Steeped in the early history of the pearler's trade in Australia, it brings those earlier times to life in an informative and interesting story.

Eliza and her family move to Australia to trade in the pearler's trade with her uncle. One day her father and her brother go out on the ship to search for pearls. Her father never returns and her brother is secretive and no help when she questions him.

With the help of her friend Alex they search for her father on the island of the birds her friend's psychic has seen in her dream. Eliza will not give up until she finds her father using his diary for clues.

Into the crime ridden part of the city and learning of the nasty part of the Pearl trade she trudges into danger and on the trail to find her father. When she learns his best mate is charged with his murder she must find her father and save his life.

A determined daughter and a besotted friend along with a boy called Knife embark on a journey to find the truth.

This was truly and engrossing story and I would enthusiastically recommend it.

Thanks to Lizzie Pook for writing a great story, to Simon and Schuster for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review.

I didn't realize when I read this book that it was a debut novel...I expect to see more great things from this author in the future.

The story was very well written, the details are portrayed so vividly I felt like I was there. The humidity, the bugs, the mud, cursing of menfolk at the shore and the many people who tried to keep Eliza from continuing her father's pearling business after his sudden death. Based in a time when feminism didn't exist, Eliza was one of her kind and had to take brave risks to get what she wanted.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

As a lover of historical fiction I was really excited to pick this up as it is set in a time and location I had not yet come across. 1886 on the coast of Western Australia, we find Eliza and her family in Bannin Bay. Having just arrived from England Eliza is not prepared for the disparity of the land or the intense heat. This novel has a little bit of something for everyone. The characters were well researched and developed, the mystery is intriguing and inspires heartfelt events. The emotional responses Eliza has to events feel genuine. What made me really fall in love with this novel was the world building. Pook did a phenomenal job of capturing not only the landscape but really honed in on life in the 1880s and the way that people lived. For her debut I feel Pook really nailed it and I really appreciate the amount of research and heart she put into this novel.

Very poignant and compelling I found myself caring about each character and finding the story impossible to abandon!

This book was just ok for me. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't awful either. The missing father storyline was enough to keep me mildly interested, though there were times when I wanted to DNF it just from lack of interest. It just seemed to drag on sometimes and it seemed like there was a lot happening that didn't add anything to the story. Almost like when your teacher assigned you a 1,000 word essay and you could only make it to 800 so you just throw in random stuff to get your word count. I was terribly confused by the way one aspect of the story ended. It almost felt like a sucker punch because I thought the book was leading somewhere else entirely and then all of sudden the carpet is pulled out from under you. The one thing I did really enjoy about the book was Min. I felt like she was a much more interesting character than Eliza and felt myself being drawn to Min and wanting to know more about her. If we got a sequel about Min and her further adventures, I'd be there for that. I was attracted to this book because of my love of pearls, but I don't think that was enough for me. If you want your historical fiction to be more than "boring, old war stories", than I would definitely recommend this book for you. It takes place in a time and area that I feel is rarely touched upon, and does appear to be backed up in true history, based on the information the author provides at the back of the book. As for me, I'm headed back to my WWII historical fiction where I'm happiest so please don't let my judgement sway you away from this book if you're comfortable in other eras.

I enjoyed learning about this particular era of Australian history and it was refreshing to read it through the lens of a strong female character. Eliza has determination and heart. She defied expectations and remained true to herself, despite societal expectations. The plot moved quickly and there was tension in the unfolding of the mystery. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this intriguing story.