3/5⭐️

This novel left me feeling like I needed more information.

I did enjoy it and think the premise of the story is super promising, but the book itself fell flat. I felt no connection with the characters and a lack of world building.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I began this book deeply invested. The premise is very interesting. The very last zoo in the world is on Alcatraz Island. Zookeepers are fighting to keep their beloved animals from extinction while the outside world fights off a "blight" that is killing forests and jungles making the earth uninhabitable for the animal kingdom.

Unfortunately, I lost steam about halfway through. I felt like there could have been more character development or even just more about what was happening outside the island?? While it was interesting to see how this zoo was affected,I wanted to know what else was going on in the "real world". I had a hard time connecting with the two main female characters, trying to find some likeable characteristics. The ending did kind of save the book for me though. It was not really what I expected to happen, by any means, so that got my attention and increased my rating from 2 to 3 stars.

I kept thinking the title of this book was The Island of LOST Things, but the real title more aptly reflects the tense ephemerality that is central the story.

The Island of Last Things is both elegant and modern: narrated mostly in the first person, snappy, but not shying away from a few dreamy descriptions. The story is set in a frighteningly plausible future, the reality of which is implied rather than described through meticulous world-building. Still, it effectively sets the scene as well as the tone: a quiet but persistent tension throughout, efficiently built through atmosphere and the looming sense of ecological and emotional collapse.

In many ways, this is a 'mood' book more than an action-driven book.

The story unfolds in two timelines. In one, we follow Camille Parker, a zookeeper at the Alcatraz Zoo, one of the last places in the world with wild animals, after the arrival of Sailor, a mysterious new keeper. The second timeline, set in San Francisco and Paris over a few earlier years, and then in parallel to Camille's plotline, follows Sailor. While Sailor’s plotline does shed light on her motivations and emotional landscape, I found the split timeline disruptive. The flashbacks, though informative, broke the flow of Camille’s more compelling narrative.

Indeed, Camille is endearing. Her passion for nature, her quietly rebellious streak, and her relatable discomforts make her a compelling narrator. Sailor, on the other hand, initially intrigued me with her cool assurance and mysterious aura. But as the story progressed, she began to feel like a Dr. Doolittle Manic Pixie Dream Girl—adolescent in tone despite being in her forties.

Camille and Sailor's friendship is a driving force of the plot, but it develops a bit too fast, possibly contributing to Sailor's aforementioned descent into a bit of a cliché.

All in all, this reads like both a coming-of-age for the end times, and a modern fable, atmospheric and introspective, but culminating to a somewhat one-note ending.

I received an audio ARC of this book through NetGalley, narrated by Suzy Jackson, whose narration is clear and expressive.

A story about two women who work on Alcatraz Island at the last zoo on earth. Sailor is the newcomer, having recently come from the zoo in Paris, and Camille is the first friend she makes. Camille is a dedicated zookeeper whose connection to the animals is genuine and obvious. Perhaps that's why Sailor recruits Camille to help her smuggle out one of Sailor's favorite animals on the island.

The setting is so strong in this book, and Alcatraz is the perfect location choice given this book reads like a prison break story. There are heavily armed guards, the zookeepers feel more like prisoners except with benefits--the benefits being taking care of animals they love.

It is impossible to not make the Charlotte McConaghy comparisons given this is climate fiction, and while it is not an unreasonable comparison, I don't think this book had the emotional despair or depth that McConaghy's work has. I didn't feel particularly connected to the characters, but overall enjoyed the book given it's imaginative setting and sense of place. The zoo is visceral and real and the "twist" at the end was unexpected, though I'm still wondering if it was satisfying.

The audiobook was very well done and expertly read.

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator did a great job but I had to listen on 1.5 speed for it to sound like a normal conversation pace to me.

The entire book I was just waiting for the animals to eat someone - ANYONE! - and when it finally happened it was over before it started.

A book about forced friendship… that’s it. This book was the equivalent of the orchestra tuning… forever.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. To be honest, I hated it. I hope NetGalley doesn’t dump me.

This was a thought-provoking dystopian novel. I was constantly conflicted on who I should root for. I didn’t feel connected to the characters, but I did find the plot interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the book even though it made me sad at times. It definitely gets you thinking of the future and the state of our planet. The narrator did a great job!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Emma Sloley, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: August 12, 2025

Camille is a zookeeper at one of the last zoos on earth on Alcatraz Island. She forms a friendship with new zookeeper from a zoo in Paris. Most of all the animals are the last or close to last of the species. You get a nice glimpse into the lives of the keepers and the relationship they develop with the animals. The black market animal trade is going strong, the ultra rich and animal cartels compete to own these animals. This was more of a slow burn dystopian story.

This was a highly anticipated book for me, but there were so many elements that fell flat. I think that the premise is very intriguing - the last zoo on Earth and the implications that come from that as every living animal is caged or extinct. There is some wonderful commentary on eliciting change as we continue our descent into a climate crisis where animals are continuously going extinct at the hands of humans.

I gotta give it to the author though, I didn’t see that twist coming … but it had me wanting more. It felt very abrupt, but didn’t seem to do anything for the character. I don’t know if the goal was martyrdom, but it didn’t land (and if it was something else, it didn’t land with me).

Additionally, the ending didn’t leave me with hope like the blurb suggests. If anything, it was too vague to garner any emotion from me except confusion and disappointment - and I left feeling even more disheartened.

Also, the lack of world building was lacking and I wanted to learn more about the outside world and why it is how it is. This is a futuristic dystopian novel, but I didn’t understand how the book got to that point.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you first and foremost Net Galley for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the story and I gave this book. I gave this book 3.75 stars and I rounded it to four on Goodreads.

The Island of Last Things is the story of two zookeepers working in the last zoo in the world. Seemingly, the animals present are all the last of their kind, and the world outside of the island is struggling with air quality, anti-zoo activists, governmental issues, and animal-rights cartels.

I enjoyed listening to this- the narrator did a great job in distinguishing between characters with different voices and dramatised the words perfectly. The idea of zoos surviving at the brink of human extinction or even just the imminent heat-death/destruction of the world as we know it was super intriguing, and that's part of why I have been so keen on reading this book for a while. Not to mention the gorgeous cover. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did feel it begin to flag about 75% through- I thought I had determined the twists and turns, but quickly discovered I was wrong. No one comes out being a good guy, and the motivations of animal conservation don't necessarily lie on the "correct side". I like how this book pushed boundaries on what we in current society would call the correct morals when it comes to animal care and human rights.

Another aspect of this book I really enjoyed was the subtle world-building. The author did a great job of only giving the reader enough of the outside world and clarity on the state of things when absolutely necessary-- a great example of show and not tell. The ending was interesting and not entirely expected.

The only things that I had a hard time with were the general naivety of Camile--blindly following Sailor and believing some absolutely absurd things Sailor tells her. In Camile's defense, she is a character who does not venture off the island and truly only loves the animals, but that still does not entirely excuse the occasional ridiculousness. Additionally, this did not read like a story of hope as is advertised. It felt more like an anti-zoo, anti-conservation story and a deep reminder of the irreparable damage humans are doing to the world around them.
Overall, an enjoyable and engaging read. Very well done as an audiobook. Reminded me of The Ministry of Time or The Last Murder at the End of the World in its telling and how the story moves from obvious to twisty.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book and the opportunity to review it.

Why I loved it:
• The unique end-of-the-world setting — Alcatraz as the last zoo is genius.
• Thought-provoking questions about animal ethics and climate change.
• A slow-burn connection between Camille and Sailor that builds real tension.
• Suzy Jackson’s narration perfectly captured Camille’s youthful, questioning voice.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.”

Thanks Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for the advanced readers copy and advanced listeners copy via Netgalley! 3.75 rounded up to 4

For those who like literary fiction that incorporates some suspense, drama, and environmental crises (think Charlotte McConaghy where these are the settings but it’s the characters who stand out the most), then I suggest giving this one a shot! The cover might be quirky but don’t let it fool or deter you.

We are given Camille’s POV recalling past events on Alcatraz and Sailor’s brief POVs leading through her time there. It’s more of a slow burn but there is a continuous uneasiness, a foreboding, not so much about the climate issues as much as about Sailor’s antics and motives, which influence Camille’s predictable compliant behavior, and get increasingly more reckless and defiant. I was curious to know how things would all unfold, the true reasoning behind Sailor’s actions, and where Camille is now telling her side of the story.

The intensity ramps up towards the end and you’ll be shocked by what happens. I was, and thought the ending was fitting. Was it a favorite? No, but I did enjoy and liked the development of the characters and the story, as well as the reflections on the animal kingdom; how they contribute to our world and our unfortunate footprint on their survival. It makes you appreciate the beauty, majesty, and wildness animals offer our world. So, if you want something a little different, one that isn’t a cookie-cutter, been-there-read-that, this is worth picking up. Content includes minimal profanity and suicide.

A poignant, enchanting, heart-touching story that will get the gears of the brain turning. Keeping this one short because going in blind is what I recommend for greatest enjoyment. Just trust me. If you are contemplating which format to go with, I can't recommend the audio narration by Suzy Jackson enough.

3.5 stars

I love the premise of this book - imagine a world in which animals are rarities. Our protagonist works at the last zoo, caring for the animals there with reverence.

The world building in this book was small, but I did enjoy the little world created on Alcatraz. The characters fell flat for me, unfortunately, which left me only caring about what happened to the animals. Not a read that will stick with me.

Camille is a zookeeper at the last zoo on Alcatraz Island when a new keeper, Sailor, joins the crew before a new animal delivery. The women make a friendship connection as Sailor tells stories of an animal sanctuary. Sparking inspiration in Camille to help wild animals roam free.

After finishing this book I feel a little mislead by the synopsis. I was expecting some great heist and escape while this felt more subdued and anticlimactic. As climate change stories go, the world building was very minor. There is mention of an illness that killed off most of the world’s animal population but it’s not explored in any detail. Corporations and billionaires have taken over dealing in animal trade for show.

This presented more as a story of friendship that was. Camille and Sailor are drawn together living and working at the zoo, but their friendship felt one sided. Camille’s relationship with her parents and feelings of loneliness made her vulnerable to latch on to this new exciting person and she was very gullible.

Ultimately, I think more world building would have elevated the story, it was anticlimactic for me. However, audiobook narration by Suzy Jackson was very engaging. Her delivery kept my attention when the plot faltered. She did a great job at voicing the characters and making them stand out from each other.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy to review. #MacAudio2025

Camille has no family but a love for animals when she has the opportunity to work on alcatraz island she can't turn it down. the once jail has been remodeled into a zoo and camille is very dutiful with her job and she loves it. When she is assigned to a new keeper to show them around they become the unlikeliest of friends. Sailor has transferred from a zoo in Paris and is a little strange. There is a vibe to her that you can't put your finger on but, the more time they spend together the closer they get. When Sailor is faced with some demons from her past she is forced to make a decision that will alter both of their lives. i LOVED this one! as someone who loves animals this one was too good to put down with a hint of thriller it was phenomenal.

Ahoy there me mateys! This book has a cool cover and a cool concept. Alcatraz Island has one of the last zoos in the world.  Camille is a zookeeper there.  Her normal routine is uprooted when a new zookeeper, Sailor, arrives from Paris.  Sailor brings word of an animal sanctuary where animals roam free.  She wants to smuggle zoo animals to the sanctuary.  Will Camille agree?

I think this is a book where the blurb is a disservice.  I thought the focus on the novel would be on taking care of animals at the zoo and sneaking animals to the sanctuary itself.  Instead this book is really about the friendship of Camille and Sailor.  Sailor is a bit brash and hates rules.  Camille is a naive follower.  The animals are really in the background.  They are there to highlight the discussion between zoo conservation and wildlife sanctuaries.  But even that conversation wasn't really dealt with in detail.

The other issue is that the world building is extremely light.  There is "the blight" which is discussed as being catastrophic but is otherwise not dealt with in any practical way.  Sailor spends time off the island but other than light mentions of food storages and bad air, there are no real answers to exactly what happened to cause the blight or how it affects the rest of the world.  I think this was to showcase how isolated Alcatraz Island is but it made the island seem almost like a fantasy land on another planet.  The blight had no real consequences other than "animals died."

In addition to the lackluster friendship, world building, and animal discussions, there is a massive plot twist at the end.  Weirdly this did not shock me.  It actually irritated me because it skewed all the prior conflict in the book to be meaningless.  It was all a lie and so listening to a ten hour audiobook felt like it was a gimmick.  And Camille's ending is nebulous so that there are no real answers.

I do think that the narrator, Suzy Jackson, was excellent.  Her storytelling made me want to continue to find out what happened even if the novel did not have the focus I would have liked.  Also I think if the book could have ended without the twist invalidating all the prior discussion and conflict, then I may have been okay with the story the author wanted to tell.  Sadly, this book ended up being disappointing and therefore walks the plank!   Arrrr!

The premise of this book drew me in right away. It's undeniably intriguing and sets the stage for a gripping, atmospheric story. For the most part, the novel delivers on its promise: the mysterious -- and kind of heartbreaking -- setting is vivid, and I found myself really empathizing with the main character. She's a zookeeper on an island where some of the earth's very last animals live. Yes, a lot of people hate her and what she does, and she feels bad for the animals being caged. But at the same time, she loves them and wants them to thrive as much as they can within their limited environment.

I can understand that. As someone who loves animals far more than people, I can easily put myself in her place in the same situation. Yes, I hate zoos, and I hate seeing wild animals in cages. But at the same time, I would definitely want to work to provide the best life possible for the last animals on the planet.

See, like I said -- easy empathy. Ha.

That said, some parts of the narrative moved a little too slowly, and a few sections felt like they missed the mark, not quite living up to what the book COULD have been. Still, it kept my interest, but there were definitely lulls that made my attention wander.

As for the audiobook itself, the narration was solid. I have no complaints with the audio production or performance.

In all, I enjoyed the book and am glad I listened, even if it did make me kind of sad, and I didn’t love every moment. I definitely liked it more than I disliked it, but I can’t help but feel it had the potential to be even better.

I'd still recommend it, though, so I put that as a "win."

This was a really good book. I love animals so this concept seemed fun and cute but this is so much more than that. This book tackles some serious subjects but never loses that calm and easy flow. Overall this was really good