Teetering between a 2.75 and 3 ⭐ rating for this one... I'm left feeling a little mixed up.

The premise lured me in and I found myself really enjoying the setting of the zoo on the island. The world-building (if you can call it that as this is litfic, not fantasy) was a little lacking, as I wished we as the reader had gotten more insight as to HOW this extraordinary setup wound up on such an iconic and hard-to-reach location. We piece together that the world is in a dystopian state (environmental dangers, capitalistic greed, resource mismanagement, etc.) and I wish we could have gotten at least a little bit of how that played a role in the creation of this wildlife endeavor.

That said, I'll quickly go over the reasons I both loved and disliked this book:
- This should have been a queer love story. It felt like queer-bait on several occasions (several references to each of the FMCs as "girlfriends" in a negative connotation, the FMCs using cover stories of making out (etc.) with each other when sneaking around the island, an obvious attraction written out on the page and crackling between the FMCs dialogue but ultimately being brushed off and swept away, etc.). I understand that there has to be a reason why the author didn't go this route (there are key relationships and roles that the FMCs have with integral characters) BUT, that being said, I think the author could have absolutely landed a more emotional connection with the reader if they HAD gone forward with a queer romance. I kept hoping it would turn out and *sigh* it just felt like a fish being dangled in front of a hungry crocodile (that's a funny joke if you read the book *wink*).
- The lines blurred between the inherent evils of zoo/animal captivity and conservation/rehabilitation centers or groups, IN MY OPINION, was not executed as cleanly or correctly as possible in this novel. In fact, often there were times where (as the reader) you were left see-saw-ing between supporting the outside groups attempts of "rescuing" these animals and then hoping for the best possible chance of survival or reproduction of the same said captive animal who would not make it on their own in the wild. I can understand what the author was trying to achieve and the message they were trying to get across, but this is an incredibly layered issue (and everyone feels very differently about in reality as well!) and sometimes it felt as though these issues were used merely as plot devices to help justify a crazy scheme or rash judgement rather than open a line up and have room for a deeper conversation. There was an opportunity here to really delve into the nuances and good/evil of these institutions, organizations, groups, etc., and it was a mark missed here.
- I loved the way we got to transition between our FMCs POVs throughout the book and the use of flashback sequences was really well done.
- The little bits of information we got about the wildlife in the zoo was a fun touch!
- The plot twist and reveal at the end was jaw-dropping.

Overall, I enjoyed this story! This was an entertaining, thoughtful and interesting dystopian take on what the world and zoos would look like in a not-so-far-off future. However, I think some of the issues and discussions introduced/covered weren't executed as accurately as what the author's vision was and in an attempt to steer the reader in certain directions over these topics, wound up going in circles or hitting dead ends.

Lastly, the narrator Suzy Jackson did a SUPERB job of bringing depth and individuality to these characters and story! The book was made that much more enjoyable due to her skills and performance.

Okay, real talk: I don’t like zoos. Never have. Even as a kid, something about them felt off—like the animals were stuck in someone else’s idea of safety. So when I picked up this book, I was skeptical. But it surprised me.

This isn’t a story that tries to make zoos feel okay. It knows they’re heartbreaking. It knows they’re complicated. The last zoo in the world, set on a repurposed Alcatraz, is less about animal displays and more about what we cling to when everything is falling apart.

If you like fast-paced thrillers or tidy endings, this probably isn’t your jam. But if you’re someone who:
• Thinks about climate change at 2am,
• Cries over animals in documentaries,
• Wonders what “care” really means in a broken world,
• Or just loves quiet, thoughtful stories that sit with you after—

Then this might be worth your time. It’s not loud. But it’s the kind of book that whispers something important and doesn’t let go.

Wow. Let me start by congratulating the narrator (and the author) on a fantastic audio version of the book. The voice was clean and easy to sink into, which was great considering a lot of the book is told in a first-person narrative/internal monologue. Normally I would get bored with a story told in this way, but the vivid description of the slightly dystopian version of our world was engaging and terrifying. The MC is a young keeper at the last zoo in the world, on the island of Alcatraz. Camille's whole life revolves around the animals and the tiny group of humans that care for them, while outside the island the world is slowly starving to death. Protesters in this reality are against the animals on the island being treated better than the humans on the mainland. The irony is not lost. I loved the tidbits of animal trivia sprinkled generously throughout Camille's storytelling of the last of the last animals and the horrifying prospect of losing them. Although the outlook is grim, the author manages to keep hopes high by recognizing the small pleasures in life and retaining the hope that life will always find a way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC audiobook.

*4.5

Slice-of-life litfic aren't usually a hit for me, but apparently all it's missing is a dystopian setting where zookeepers are responsible for caring for the last surviving animals on Earth. Set on an island conservation sanctuary, this slower-paced, near-future novel balances emotional depth with a haunting sense of realism that feels entirely too possible.

The audiobook narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. Her performance definitely added to the reading experience and I highly recommend the audiobook just as much as the novel itself.

Speaking of the novel itself, I was completely drawn in by the details of the zoo island itself—learning about the animals, their behaviors in captivity, and what might’ve been “normal” in the wild felt both tender and devastating. The relationship between the two main characters was beautifully developed, and the ethical questions they face, about care, extinction, and responsibility, make this story stand out for me.

The novel’s environmental and conservation themes are baked in with care and nuance, sparking reflection without feeling too preachy. While a few sections meandered more than I would have preferred in terms of plot progression, the rich storytelling, layered character work, and a genuinely surprising ending more than made up for it.

Highly engaging and deeply powerful, this book was truly amazing and worth picking up.

Haunting, intimate, and funny, I found The Island of Last Things to be emotionally stirring, gripping me with its atmospheric setting and story.

Honestly impressed by how boring this was. It takes place in a near future dystopia at the last zoo on earth located at Alcatraz Island. That sounds so cool! Instead it was a snooze fest. Too slow, characters were uninteresting, nothing was explained. Bummer.

This is a quietly devastating dystopian novel that explores what it means to nurture in a world built to consume. At the center is Camille, a zookeeper who continues to care for the last surviving animals in a society that has long since stopped valuing them, or anything vulnerable. Her devotion is rendered in poetic, deliberate prose that lingers in the intimate moments: feeding routines, silent companionship, and the slow erosion of institutional structure. The act of caretaking becomes an expression of feminist resistance, especially in the ultimate decision to sacrifice to save a crocodile, a creature emblematic of prehistoric endurance, misunderstood danger, and feminine rage.

The relationship between Camille and her friend Sailor adds nuance, modeling solidarity and chosen kinship in the absence of larger social stability. Their intimacy, both emotional and practical, challenges dominant narratives of individualism in apocalyptic fiction. Sloley’s vision of womanhood resists romantic tropes and instead centers survival through care, patience, and mutual reliance.

But the novel’s power is complicated by its insular whiteness. Camille’s world is quietly shaped by privilege: she had the resources and education to be a zookeeper, and even in the apocalypse, her inner world remains the primary lens. The narrative glosses over the colonial and racial legacies embedded in both zoos and dystopias, treating the island as an abstracted ruin without reckoning with whose land it might have been (with some superficial attempts - mention of the AIM protest on Alcatraz) or who never had the luxury to grieve the old world in peace. This absence is not just a missed opportunity; it limits the novel’s capacity to fully engage with the systemic forces it gestures toward.

The island is Alcatraz and, years from now, assuming the current president doesn't have his way with it, Alcatraz has become a zoo. More than a zoo, it's the last refuge for all sorts of animals otherwise killed off by humans. Alligators, for example, that couldn't survive in the hotter and chemically infused waters of Florida. Elephants that had no more land and were poached to the edge of extinction. This Alcatraz zoo, then, is the last hope for these last-of-their-kind species. Or so Camille thought. As a zookeeper, she takes her responsibility very seriously. One day, a new keeper arrives from Paris' failing zoo. Sailor has great experience and is bold in a way that captivates Camille. We get alternating chapters from Camille's first-person accounts and a third-person narration of Sailor's background and activity. Good narration, but it would have been stronger with two distinct voices.
In this not-so-far-fetched tale, the ultra-wealthy use philanthropy to brand-wash whilst maintaining a tight hold on things, such as the lives of the zookeppers. Tours to the zoo are not unlike our current tours to the upper atmosphere in a billionaire's rocket: extremely expensive and only for the entitled. It's terribly sad (and true) to think that we are bringing all animals (including humans) to the edge of extinction. The book ends on an interesting note that you might interpret as futile or hopeful, depending on your mood. Still, it's an imaginative, creative, and well-written book that is worth reading or listening to.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheIslandofLastThings for review purposes. Publication date: 12 August 2025.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

The Island of Last Things is a powerful novel with compelling characters and vivid prose.

I loved this one. The themes were thoughtful and beautifully explored, and the plot was propulsive. The characters were well-developed and entertaining. I loved the incorporation of a zoo setting and its animals. The world-building was creative and believable, and the pacing fit the story nicely. The ending was unexpected, but it fit the story well. Emma Sloley’s prose was beautiful and poignant. I highly recommend this one!

Suzy Jackson narrated this one beautifully. Her voice fit Camille wonderfully, and I loved the energy and emotion she brought to the story. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

Wow! I feel like this book was written for me! As a former zoo intern and researcher this was so unique and interesting to read! I also loved the setting and apocalyptic vibes. I wish there was a more of a strong plot but I loved all of the descriptions of the zoo and the animals.

5 Stars all around, excellent premise, pacing, storyline, and narration! Highly engaging and readable novel about two zookeepers living and trying to make the world a better place in a near future dystopian setting. Suzy Jackson took on the narration with gusto, making the distinction between two female main characters distinct and pleasant. The narration supported the work perfectly.
***Spoiler free****
I was attracted by the vibrant cover, but the blurb indicating that this is the story of two zookeepers working at a zoo filled with the last animals on earth had me wondering exactly what type of adventure this novel was going to provide for readers!
Sailor and Camille are opposites but they share a deep love for the animals they care for, and this is enough for an unlikely friendship to thrive, even when extreme risk is involved.
Sloley touches on themes of friendship, ethics, risk, environmental adaptation/change, and the future. Readers are left with a hopeful conclusion about our changing world and a future for all.
“If you knew from the start how small you’re going to have to shrink your dreams in order to fit them into the shape of your life- how could you bring yourself to even begin?”
This line just… crushed me.- so relatable, for so many!

The book was engaging, heartwarming and oddly charming! I very much enjoyed the Alcatraz setting - familiar but yet not. Great book that will generate loads of book club discussion!
Many thanks to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

Set in a near future where most animals have been killed off by disease and the air is barely breathable for humans, The Island of Last Things tells the story of two keepers working at the world's one remaining zoo.

Quiet Camille has worked on Alcatraz Island for nine years. She isn't thrilled that the zoo is primarily kept afloat financially by catering to ultra-wealthy tourists, but she cares deeply for the animals and sincerely believes in conservationism. On one momentous day, two new inhabitants arrive and completely alter the environment of the zoo: an elephant bull who will provide companionship and possibly mate with Alcatraz's other pachyderm, and Sailor, a rule-flouting keeper from the Paris Zoo.

Despite their personality differences, the two women soon become close friends. Camille isn't always comfortable with how Sailor pushes the envelope at the zoo, but she knows that Sailor shares her passion for animal welfare. However, Camille doesn't know the true circumstances of Sailor's arrival at Alcatraz, and has been largely sheltered from the dangers of the outside world. Sailor, desperate with the hope of finding a fabled animal sanctuary, takes advantage of Camille's naivete to achieve her aims.

A quiet novel that explores ethics, desperation, and connection at the end of the world, The Island of Last Things builds to a dramatic conclusion that will leave readers reeling and, despite everything, hopeful.

I listened to this on audio and found Suzy Jackson’s narration excellent. She captures Camille’s quiet sincerity and Sailor’s restless energy with precision, which is critical to keeping the book’s emotional core intact.

If you’re looking for hard sci-fi dystopia, this isn’t quite that. Instead, this is a contemplative, immersive character study about what happens when people (and animals) are backed into corners – and what it means to reach for something better, even if it’s risky, even if it’s foolish. Like the jaguar pacing its enclosure, Sailor cannot abide confinement, and Camille discovers she may not want to either.

Recommended for readers who love quietly propulsive stories, layered ethical quandaries, and deeply observed character work – especially those who don’t mind putting the book down to let it linger before picking it up again.

This was a beautiful and layered story. The only reason I would not purchase it for ours tore is because we are romance exclusive. I was screening it to see if I could justify it, but alas. Still very good

In a near-future where extinction has reached epidemic
proportions, zoos scramble for the last of many animal
species.Camille works at one such zoo on the island of Alcatraz
outside of San Francisco, where she loves her job as an animal
caretaker. She has a simple, yet safe, life on the island until a
new keeper, Sailor, arrives and upsets Camille's routine. Sailor
doesn't seem to follow the same rules as everyone else, and it
helps Camille open her eyes and her heart to new experiences.


I'm a sucker for near-future dystopian novels, and thoroughly
enjoyed the world building in this one. The concept was
intriguing, but the plot moved a bit too slowly for my tastes, and
the characters weren't quite as fully fleshed as I'd have liked. I
tandem read/listened, and highly preferred audio for this one.
The narrator really helped the story come more alive

The Island of Last Things is a gorgeous climate dystopia about a future where Alcatraz is used as one of the last zoos in the world for the dwindling species of animals remaining. Camille has been working there for years and prefers animals to people, but when a new coworker, Sailor, shows up, her disruptive commitment to the animals pushes Camille outside her comfort zone and into trouble for the first time in her life. It's sad and propulsive and all too plausible a future to feel remotely escapist, but that's much of what I loved about it.

Thank you Macmillan aidiot and NetGalley for the ALC.

In a dystopian future where most animals no longer exist in the wild, the zookeepers at the Alcatraz zoo work hard to keep the remaining animals happy and healthy. Camilla forms a tight friendship with Sailor, a new zookeeper who worked at the Paris zoo. With their love of animals a constant topic of conversation, they discuss a world where the animals can roam free.

This was an interesting read that kept me engaged. It was a future I don't want to imagine, but a possibility rooted in reality. There were some times that the plot moved a little slowly, but I felt there was a good payoff at the end. If you want something a little different with light dystopia and sci-fi, this is might be the book for you.

This started incredibly strong—I was immediately drawn in by the setup, atmosphere, and our main character. As someone who reads a lot of dystopian fiction, I was intrigued by the unique zoo setting, which felt refreshingly original. I especially enjoyed the early tour scenes, which reminded me of my love for zoo-building games.

Unfortunately, around the 30–35% mark, my engagement dropped. I found myself zoning out, needing to rewind the audio, and struggling to stay focused. While I did finish the book, the second half didn’t quite live up to the promise of the beginning.

One additional note: the book seems to take a largely critical stance on zoos. While I understand and even share some of those critiques, I would’ve appreciated a more balanced view. Many modern zoos contribute meaningfully to conservation, research, and education—roles that feel especially vital in our current ecological moment.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook. I thought this was such a cool concept! The last Zoo in the world, and it’s on Alcatraz. This had me wanting to branch out from my normal reading realm. I’m glad I did.

The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley is a quiet, slow-burning elegy for a world we’ve already begun to lose. Set on a reimagined Alcatraz Island—now home to the last known zoo—the novel walks a delicate line between dystopia and haunting beauty. Our protagonist, Camille, is deeply tethered to this crumbling sanctuary, having not stepped off the island in years. She lives in careful isolation, her life measured by the routines of animal care and memory.

When Sailor, a veteran zookeeper from a different era, arrives, he brings with him a sense of the wild that’s long gone—and a flicker of urgency Camille hasn’t felt in a long time. Their connection is immediate but complicated, and their ideological bond leads them to imagine something radical. Is it rescue? Rebellion? Something in between? What begins as a quiet exploration of shared grief becomes a charged meditation on the limits of activism and the cost of dreaming in a dying world.

The atmosphere is the true star here. Suzy Jackson’s narration breathes life into every bleak detail—from the eerie quiet of a nearly extinct planet to the way hope can feel like a dangerous, wild animal. There’s a sense of unrelenting sorrow that pulses under everything, not from melodrama, but from the stark reality of the setting. It’s the world, not the characters, that breaks you.

Camille is a deeply introspective character. She doesn’t leap—she watches, tends, and waits. The emotional weight of the book is carried in her silences, her routines, and her slow realization that the status quo isn’t stasis—it’s surrender. Sailor’s arrival unspools that logic. He’s both a catalyst and a question: what happens when survival isn’t enough?

While the story is thoughtful and thematically rich, it does take its time getting where it’s going. The first three-quarters lean more into mood than motion, and although that slow pacing lets the message breathe, I did find myself wishing for a stronger narrative current earlier on. That said, the final chapters hit with the kind of impact that leaves a ringing in your ears—devastating, inevitable, and impossible to forget.

For readers who like:
-Environmental dystopia
-Introspective, character-driven narratives
-Atmospheric, slow-burn stories

Final Verdict
The Island of Last Things isn’t loud, but it’s profound. It asks what we owe a dying world, and whether belief is enough to make a difference. With gorgeous prose, sobering themes, and a final act that guts you, this is a story for anyone who’s ever mourned what’s already disappearing—and dares to imagine something more.

Grateful to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emma Sloley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the future warning and concept of "The Island of Last Things" by Emma Sloley. The threat of the wild collapsing, everything dying off, and being the last zoo is all possible in our lifetime. Out 19 August 2025, thanks for the copy Macmillan Audio and Netgalley.

Camille works at the last zoo, located on Alcatraz Island and hasn't left in years. Sailor is the old guard of zookeeper who saw animals in the wild and experienced more of the world. When Sailor comes comes to SF Camille meets someone she believes shares her values, but acts on her problems. Now are their actions noble, feasible, or just a pipedream?

Narrated by Suzy Jackson, delivery on some just crazy events that are "normal" in the story gave my neck some whiplash.

Reasons to read:
-The idea of zoos for what they can be is good, educational and conservational focused
-Mention of the concept of animal welfare
-Yea elephant keepers can be like that
-Mess zoo politics, totally haven't seen that at any facility I worked at. Noooope

Cons:
-My issues are because I worked at zoos, have 2 degrees in animal sci, and know things that make some bits fall apart. It is a good story, I just have to say some things about a couple of inaccuracies because I had people yell at me about this specific issue.
-African and Asian elephants aren't housed together because one carries a disease lethal to the other
-They have never had viable offspring, aside from one who died quickly
- Big gripes for me, but most folks aren't going to notice