4.5 stars rounded up

This is definitely an overdue review! I started this book months ago and chose it as my BOTM pick since I LOVED Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. Also, I will just about pick up any audiobook if I see Saskia Maarleveld is narrating it. 😂

BUT, I ended up starting the audio and not finishing it before it was archived, so I went on a months long hiatus while I waited for the audio on Libby.

Regardless of the break, I was easily able to jump back into this story because it’s truly so unique and unlike any other book I’ve read. It is told primarily from two perspectives, Rowan and Dominic, but all three of Dominic’s children have chapters sprinkled in throughout.

There’s a lot of genre overlap here, including aspects of literary fiction (obviously), romance, mystery, science fiction, and even some parts that had my anxiety spiking like a thriller. Charlotte McConaghy writes stories centered on nature, and while I’m not sure that description alone would entice me to read a book, she somehow makes her stories so alluring all while not shying away from big issues like climate change.

The setting of this story, Shearwater Island, truly becomes a character throughout. Located off the coast of Antarctica, this tiny island that used to house researchers, now only has the Salt family to care for the largest seed bank in the world. And then, Rowan washes up on shore.

I loved how the mysteries are revealed over the course of the book, and the simmering love story was very believable—I loved it. Even Rowan’s relationship with the kids made so much sense, especially combined with her revealed background. The incidents with the island’s wildlife are lovely touches, too.

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. I can’t say too much, but frankly, it didn’t need to end the way it did to be impactful. Otherwise, this would have been an easy 5 star read for me.

🎧The audio here is FABULOUS! Highly, highly recommend. Of course Saskia is perfection, but all of the narrators do an incredible job encapsulating their characters.

This is the type of book I hate to love. For one, without reading via the audiobook, it would be insurmountable to finish for my tastes. However, this is why I love audio; it offers me experiences I otherwise would never get.

Charlotte McConaghy’s books are cli-fi carwrecks...only in the way that when you’re on the road, you are dying to know what is holding up traffic, and then when you finally see that it’s an accident, you know you shouldn’t look or slow down...but you inevitably do. Then the rest of the day even though the traffic made you miserable...you can’t help but think that maybe on the otherside was a reminder of what it means to be alive and grateful.

So yeah...need I say more about the book?...just ingenious in the slowest of burning ways. I love anything with robust descriptions of nature, and in the end, this book really broke me. It was beautiful and destructive...just as nature will remain as it eradicates the virus that is the human race...too bad the plants and animals have to suffer as a result of our own carelessness.

RATINGS
8 Characters
8 Atmosphere
8 Writing Style
7 Plot
5 Pace
8 Intrigue
7 Enjoyment
4 Impact Bonus
TOTAL= 51+4= 55/14= 3.93

4.00/5.00 Impact Rating
Ugh..you jut gotta read it to get it :(

4.00/5.00 Rounded Rating

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Audio
#DeepDiveThisBook

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to review.

I enjoyed this book. McConaghy definitely knows how to write nature well. This is a slower-paced read, very atmospheric, and I loved Rowan and the kids. I thought the audio was well done and the narrators did a fantastic job; Saskia Maarleveld is a favorite of mine. Overall I liked this one, but a lot of it felt like one conversation could have resolved the majority of the tension, and they could have moved on quicker, which is not my favorite thing in a book. However, many have loved this one, so I do think I’m an outlier here.

Dominic Salt and his 3 children live on a remote island off the coast of Antarctica. The island houses the world’s largest seed bank and scientists have used the area in their research. But the scientists are gone and now the Salts are the lone caretakers of the island and are preparing to evacuate because of the rising waters. Unexpectedly, they find a woman near death in the frigid waters. Dominic and his family nurse the woman named Rowan back to health. She is a mystery and they wonder how and why she was there.

Rowan has her own questions about the scientists, the Salt family and the graves on the island. Neither she nor the family are forthcoming about their secrets which only slowly come to light. In the meantime, storms are increasing and the family’s rescue by the authorities is approaching. Rowan helps the family gather seeds and their belongings to take with them and the suspense increases as the story of the scientists and their relationship with the family unfolds, at the same time as the weather becomes increasingly dangerous.

The children include a teen son Raff who is very capable and reliable but suffering a broken heart. Fen is the teenage daughter who seems tortured by demons. She refuses to remain with the family in their cabin; preferring to stay near the shore. Orly is nine and a nature lover who has grown close to Rowan. They all love the island and are reluctant to leave, but staying is not an option as the sea is encroaching.

McConaghy often writes about vanishing habitats and threatened species. Here it’s as if nature’s wrath is wreaking havoc on the remaining inhabitants and the scientific research that will soon be wiped away. Her characters each deal with their own tragedies. All of them have lost someone and their loss is compounded by the isolation and the need to leave their home. Young Orly is one of the bright lights among the sad, grieving older characters. He’s adorable in his affinity for nature and fully appreciates his family’s role in protecting the environment. Rowan sees how Dominic will go to great lengths to protect his children as she warms to these motherless children and the stoic, hardworking father. The audio was performed by multiple readers who bring the story to life. This is another example of the author’s skill at weaving her environmental warnings into an engaging fictional narrative.

Dominic Salt and his three children live together on Shearwater, a remote island near Antarctica. Shearwater used to be full of researchers but now the Salts are the sole caretakers of the world's largest seed bank. During a fierce storm, a woman washes ashore. As the Salts nurse Rowan back to health, they feel revitalized. Except Rowan is hiding the truth about her journey to Shearwater but the Salts have their own secrets to hide. McConaghy has made a name for herself with her climate fiction books, so I'm curious to see what she has in store with her March release.

McConaghy has made a name for herself in climate fiction and you can viscerally feel the bleakness in Wild Dark Shore. With sea levels rising and massive wildfires, the climate disaster looms over the story especially in Rowan's pessimism. While McConaghy's writing shines when focused on climate change, Wild Dark Shore is essentially a poorly done mystery. The enveloping setting can't overcome the poor character development and lackluster mystery writing.

This was very true to form for McConaghy, so if you’re expecting a departure from her previous work, don’t. It’s a mysterious and moody eco-thriller that defies genre conventions. You’ll be confused, you’ll be intrigued, you’ll think you’re missing something until the end, and you’ll learn a lot about seeds. Not my favorite of her books, but solid, and something that will appeal to her usual readers.

I thought from the description of the book I would love it but I found the whole story to be overdramatic and the narration made it even more over the top. I found the setting interesting but did not like the whole story based on just miscommunication.

I still can’t stop thinking about this beautiful and gripping book. The story was at times sad and heartbreaking, yet it still managed to be hopeful. Like with her previous books, McConaghy managed to balance multiple POVs and flashbacks, while developing a beautiful and complex story along with fully fleshed out characters.

I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll end it here. I highly recommend you pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing says suspense like islands, storms and bodies. Author Charlotte McConaghy has crafted a mysterious story that hooks readers from the very beginning and holds tight to us as we whip in the waves.

I learned a lot about climate change and seed vaults; the mystery was interesting, but the romantic subplot was unnecessary.

Honestly, almost all the reviews before mine absolutely rave about this book, but it just didn't resonate with me.

As I was listening, I thought it was turning into a thriller--or even suspense. And it didn't. And then there was gratuitous romance. Until there wasn't. And then there was lit fic, until it wasn't. And in between, the story skipped around to everyone's POV; there was vague commentary on climate change in the future; there was completely inappropriate contact between a young teen and an adult; there was angst; there was SO MUCH deception (and not in a good thriller-esque way; in a "I'm going to lie for the sake of lying because I'm a coward and can't have hard conversations); and there was weird commentary about plants from a 9-year old kid.

The characters were unlikeable. I really do think they could have been likable if the whole book had been written like the whales chapter. But the characters talked around their issues and refused to have honest and clear conversations. It was annoying. Everyone was hiding their feelings even though they were going through (and had gone through) the most heartbreaking circumstances.

All in, I wonder if I just don't think deeply enough to have this book resonate with me. But I also embrace that I read for fun, and don't think too deeply about the fiction I read. If you like to overthink your fiction, pick this one up.

Another great read from McConaghy! Love her atmospheric writing- nature, mystery, complete with great characters. If you loved her previous books, I think you’ll love this one.

Thanks Macmillan audio for an audio copy so I could listen along while reading my hardcover copy!

The author describes the setting as a character in the book in her note at the end of this story, and I couldn't agree more. The fictional town in Antarctica lends so much atmosphere, depth, and also heartbreak to this incredible novel. It’s hauntingly beautiful and it mirrors the emotional landscape of the characters in ways that feel both intentional and unforgettable.

This book gutted me in the best way. It made me feel small and human and raw. Five stars.

Overview
Charlotte McConaghy’s upcoming novel is poised to be one of the most emotionally resonant literary releases of the year. Early descriptions point to a narrative that is profoundly affecting—gut-wrenching in the best possible sense—and crafted with the kind of lyrical precision and raw emotional depth that have become hallmarks of McConaghy’s writing. This novel promises to offer a searing exploration of loss, identity, and the endurance of the human spirit.

Emotional Resonance
This book is not simply a story—it is an emotional experience. Readers can expect to be immersed in a world that is both haunting and beautiful, one that leaves a lasting emotional imprint. The narrative reportedly evokes an intense and deeply personal response, making it especially impactful for readers drawn to stories that challenge and confront as much as they comfort. The emotional weight carried throughout the story is unflinching, making it a powerful and cathartic read.

Thematic Depth
McConaghy appears to once again delve into themes of grief, resilience, and the fragility of human connection. Her writing often explores how individuals respond to trauma, how they repair what’s broken, and how they find meaning in the aftermath of profound loss. This novel is expected to expand on those ideas, offering nuanced reflections on what it means to endure—and to heal—in the face of irreversible change.

Literary Style
Stylistically, the prose is expected to be lush and evocative, with McConaghy’s signature command of tone and atmosphere. Her ability to build emotionally complex characters and situate them within stark yet poetic settings creates a deeply immersive experience. Readers will likely find themselves lingering over passages, not only for the story’s content but for the sheer beauty of the language itself.

Anticipated Impact
This release is already generating early buzz in literary circles and among readers who gravitate toward emotionally driven fiction. It’s poised to be a standout addition to spring reading lists and a likely contender for critical acclaim. With its raw emotional honesty and literary elegance, the novel is expected to spark meaningful conversations and connect deeply with audiences around the world.

Final Thoughts
Charlotte McConaghy continues to solidify her place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary fiction. Her forthcoming novel promises to be both devastating and luminous—a story that lingers long after the final page. For those who seek novels that challenge the heart and elevate the form, this will undoubtedly be an essential read.

Charlotte McConaghy is back again and gave me all the feels like her other books. The character development and storyline will keep you wanting more even when the story ends. Her descriptive ability to bring nature to life is a gift. This novel is truly amazing. Put at the top of your list! The audiobook is well done.

Thank you NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for this advanced audiobook.

I feel like I'm definitely an outlier with my opinion on this one, so take it with a grain of salt. Wild Dark Shore takes on the topic of climate change and the impacts on a remote island housing the world's seed stores. The story follows the Salt family, the caretakers of the island, and a woman, Rowan, who mysteriously washes ashore one day.

Though the book is very beautifully written and narrated, and although it tackles some interesting topics like grief, trauma, and an uncertain future due to climate change, I unfortunately felt like the bulk of the story was extremely dull and slow. It just didn't feel like much really happened in the story, other than the impending problem of the island disappearing. The mystery aspect of the story was really underwhelming and predictable for me. The children's characters were somewhat interesting, but I never felt connected to the adults or their stories.

Again, take this with a grain of salt because everyone else is loving it, but for me, this was tough to rate. I did think the writing was good, but the story itself was dull.

The author has such a way with words and emotions that makes this book just as special as her previous. From the beginning, I was hooked, and while the story progresses quickly, you learn a lot about past events and present events at the same time. One thing that I love about her books is that the settings are always in very remote places, often places that I know very little about so it’s like getting to learn as I read a really great story. The ending of this one really got me and I did expect it to end quite differently. My heart is still broken but I respect the author’s story. I would love to know the behind the scenes of this one and how she felt while writing it.

Give this one a try if you want a little bit of mystery that will rip your heart out.

WoW! This is one of the best books I have read in AGES! Amazing characters, amazing premise, the perfect balance of climate catastrophe and the beauty of living in the moment. DO NOT MISS!

Excellent performance. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC.

This book was so beautiful. The writing, the plot, the characters— I loved it all. With that being said, it isn’t for everyone. It was quite slow, but it worked for me.

The ending absolutely gutted me. I hear this author is just an incredible writer overall, which means I need to read more from her.

This book had such an incredible message.

I can’t recommend this book enough. Thank you to publisher and author for this ALC.

🐚𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙳𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎 𝙼𝚌𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚐𝚑𝚢🐋

•Character Driven
•Lyrical Prose
•Breathtaking ode to natural world
•Hauntingly captivating
•Deliberately dream-like
•And as all McConaghy novels are, deeply insightful!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of my favorite authors of all time has done it again!!!!

In Charlotte McConaghy’s third novel, Wild Dark Shore, the story begins with striking imagery as a woman named Rowan washes ashore on Shearwater, a secluded island off the Antarctic coast after a shipwreck. She is cared for by the island’s few remaining inhabitants — Dominic Salt and his children, Raff, Fen, and Orly — who are the last survivors of a long-abandoned research station and seed bank. However, Rowan’s unexpected arrival disrupts the delicate balance of the Salt family, already strained by personal and professional crises and the weight of ongoing grief.

Dominic, his family, and the vital seeds they’ve been protecting for the past eight years are supposed to be picked up by ship in six weeks, but with their radio destroyed, there’s no way to accelerate their departure. As Rowan’s physical wounds heal, she follows her own secretive mission that brought her to Shearwater, all the while becoming involved in the Salts’ growing struggle to safeguard the precious seed vault and the biodiversity it holds.

This is a book to SAVOR. I hope you all will love it as much as I did!! Be sure to run to your local bookstore and grab a copy today!! I’ll be reading Broken Country next which is also published today!!

P.S. If you haven’t read any of her work, I highly recommend picking up Once There Were Wolves and Migrations!!! All her books are standalone’s but I feel as though Once There Were Wolves is a good book to start with if you want to familiarize yourself with her writing style!