The author is clearly very well educated on the land the story is set on as well as the nature of sharks. I felt like I was learning a lot as I was reading, without it feeling heavy handed or dry. I think that attention to research and detail really added a great layer to the story.
Minnow was an interesting main character, who felt realistic and easy to follow along with right away. I liked that there was a subtle mystery aspect to the story, as well as a look into science in general and what academia can be like for women.

4 / 5 Stars
Who has two thumbs and got emotional reading a book about sharks? THIS GAL! Set in 1998, “The Shark House” centers on Minnow, a biologist who specializes in shark research, who is called to Hawai’i to investigate three recent shark attacks. Incidents with humans and sharks are rare so Minnow is tasked with figuring out what prompted these attacks and if the same shark is behind them. As fear grows within the community, both of the sharks and of their impact on tourism and money, Minnow works against the clock before a shark hunt begins. As Minnow explores, she starts to relive and rethink her father’s death many years ago. Part mystery, part cool facts about sharks, and part exploration of family and grief, this had me hooked from the first chapter.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🦈 Women’s literature with a romance subplot
💙 Facts about sharks
🦈 Learning more about the history and culture of Hawai’i
💙 Complicated family dynamics
🦈 Explorations of grief

I really enjoyed Minnow. She is strong, kind, and smart and deals with a ton of sexism (it is DR. Minnow Gray to y’all. Put some respect on that PhD). Minnow has an innate connection to the ocean, nature, and sharks. She can hear and sense things that most people can’t (a shark’s heartbeat, the sound of fins) which make her feel different but are truly her superpower. Her relationship with Luke was slightly confusing at times because that man was evading her questions like she was the FBI. But she does say that the “dangerous unknown had always appealed to her” so she had a much higher risk tolerance than I do. I guess if you can swim with sharks, you can fall for Luke. In the end, I did end up liking their relationship even if I couldn’t exactly explain why.

Minnow’s relationship with her mother, father, and her father’s death were also very well done. Minnow’s father died from a shark attack when she was very young and she blames herself for the loss. While in Hawai’i, she is reprocessing and reliving the events while also learning new information about her father and mother (who has also passed). It really added to her character growth and the nuances of family dynamics in a powerful way.

The writing was really atmospheric and captivating. Even though it centers on two really grand topics (sharks and Hawai’i), it always felt grounded. Even with the mystery element of trying to figure out the shark attacks, the writing was always evenkeeled and powerful in its quietness. It felt like being floating in the ocean – it could feel overwhelming being in something so big but instead it felt like being lulled and comforting. Occasionally, some of the dialogue was a bit awkward, but that might get ironed out. And I LOOOOVED the information about sharks and Hawai’i. It all flowed really well and never felt like it was just being jammed in.

My biggest gripe was with the timeline of Minnow’s journal entries. Each chapter ends with an entry from Minnow’s journal from different parts of her life, mostly from 1993 and 1996 when she was conducting research and some from 1998 as she was actively in Hawai’i. The entries always related to the chapter but because they were out of order, it was sometimes hard to tell where Minnow was in her life journey and what was happening when. I would have to go back and only look at the journal entries to really map her emotional progression chronically to really digest and understand it and I don’t have the time or energy to do that.

I would highly recommend this book if you have even the smallest curiosity about sharks, the ecosystem of the ocean, nature, Hawai’i, or a badass lady scientist.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026

I have enjoyed Ackerman's books so far, and this is only the third by her so far. The prior reads were more historical fiction than this one, which is set primarily in present day minus a few years. With that in mind, I was going into this one a bit more on the fence. First of all, not sure I wanted to read something about sharks and shark attacks in Hawaii, because I love Hawaii and am already a chicken when it comes to swimming in the ocean there (or anywhere). So, this book could have tipped the scale towards me never getting in the water there again.

Overall, the book is well written and structured. The story flows and I was excited to see how all the pieces would come together. The characters are solid, with Minnow of course being front and centre from start to finish. Everyone else is there to support her journey and her investigation into what is going on. There were no huge surprises but I was still looking forward to to the conclusion and how we got there.

Minnow is highly likeable as a character. She believes strongly but is not aggressive in her beliefs. A free spirit, but without being over the top and alienating.

I can't think of anything that would have made this book stronger. And I truly enjoyed every page. I even jumped from Taylor Jenkins Reid to this one and set Atmosphere to the side while I finished The Shark House. Given how much I enjoy TJR, that is no small amount of praise for the strength of this book and its story.

A great addition to the Ackerman cannon. A great story for anyone who likes marine biology, sharks, Hawaii, or just a great adventure.

There were so many things I loved about this novel, but my favorite by far was Ackerman’s writing and her deep connection to nature. Her prose was both visceral and immersive, rendering Hawaii’s landscapes and atmosphere with exceptional clarity. The ocean truly came to life on the page, and the elusive “man-eating” great white shark was revealed to be far from a monster, but rather a misunderstood, vital predator essential to maintaining the ocean’s delicate balance.

I learned so much about sharks through this story and loved every moment of it. Minnow’s character, in particular, felt beautifully parallel to the great white itself — quiet and independent, yet a force to be reckoned with when it truly mattered. I didn’t expect the romantic thread woven into the plot, but it was handled so delicately that it enhanced the narrative rather than overshadowing it.

As the only female scientist in the story, Minnow’s determination to have her voice heard in a room full of men was inspiring and empowering. Despite the terrifying concept of shark attacks, this was an unexpectedly easy and captivating read. I’d highly recommend it to anyone with a passion for nature, the ocean, and stories that explore the wild beauty of our world. Thanks NetGalley and Harper Muse for the gifted e-book copy!

“The Shark House,” not my usual read, but at the mention of sharks I was instantly intrigued. Sara Ackerman delivers a novel that is not only beautifully set in Hawai’i but also incredibly well researched. The detail on sharks and the natural world felt immersive and authentic without ever becoming dry or bogged down. I appreciated how the research elevated the story rather than weighed it down—informative and fascinating all the way through.

Minnow Grey is a solid and compelling protagonist. She had to learn to cope with tragedy early on, so her journey is both emotional and inspiring. Through her, Ackerman highlights women in science and the strength it takes to carve out space in that world. Secrets, the sea, and the natural world surround her story, pulling the reader in deeper with every page.

The Hawaiian setting is vivid and atmospheric, adding another layer of beauty to the narrative.
An engaging read that blends science, storytelling, and setting into something memorable. The Shark House proves that even when a book isn’t your usual go-to, sometimes the pull of the sea—and sharks—makes it impossible to resist.

Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, of course, are my own.

This books was cozy and atmospheric. One thing Ackerman accomplishes in all her books is instilling a deep desire to drop everything and visit Hawaii.

This book was a beautiful story written to sharks and the magic that they are. I truly enjoyed the bits of science woven into a mystery and romance.

I will continue to add Ackerman’s books to my TBR as long as she keeps writing.

I think I had so many emotions in this book that I cant even grasp how many! I loved every page. It was fantastic. Such a great book!

Thank you so much net galley for this arc. wow this was such a good read, i really like sharks. it,s not just about conservation but grief and growth.

I loved Minnow’s passion and advocacy for marine life, particularly sharks. I think my favorite part was her quick friendship with Woody- they saw things so deeply and similarly and it was beautiful. Sara always does such a good job immersing her readers in island life- whether it’s the sandy beaches, the reefs, or the lava rocks- she explains everything in such vivid detail it’s easy to imagine myself back there.

The Shark House is a mystery of the deep, woven in with Hawaiian belief and the beauty of sea life.

Along Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala coast, fear ripples through the community after a series of shark encounters leaves families grieving and fishermen wary of the sea. Minnow Gray, a marine biologist with a reputation for listening as much as measuring, is invited to investigate. Some call her a shark whisperer, though she prefers to think of herself as a student of the ocean. Her charge: determine whether the same great white prowls the waters, or if something more sinister is behind the injuries and deaths.

As Minnow dives into the currents, she is confronted not by the whispers of kupuna—Hawaiian elders—who remind her that sharks, mano, are not just predators but guardians, ancestors, and omens. Their voices stir memories she has long buried: the morning when her father, a fisherman, was lost to the sea in a violent encounter with a white shark. That tragedy fractured her life, and unlocking its truth may be the only way forward.

The longer Minnow stays on the island, the more the line between science and spirit begins to blur. She finds herself caught between competing truths: data and instinct, memory and myth, grief and healing. In the dark blue cathedral of the ocean, where sharks glide like shadows of gods, she discovers that her search is as much about honoring the sea’s mysteries as solving them.

Set against volcanic cliffs, coral reefs, and the haunting music of the Pacific, The Shark House is an atmospheric story of redemption, belonging, and the fragile covenant between humans and the natural world.

Dive into this tale where every wave carries memory, every shark is a story, and the ocean itself may hold the key to forgiveness. #thesharkehouse #minnowgrey #harpermuse #saraackerman

Thank you, NetGalley, and Harper Muse, for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I love sharks and feel they are misunderstood and this book touches on the culture of shark conservation. Maybe it’s because I recently watched Shark Whisperer on Netflix, but this book felt like well done fanfiction for Ocean Ramsey. It’s not stated that’s the case, but there are similarities. I liked that it had similarities to Ocean because she’s an incredible person.

This book was beautifully written and I connected with the characters. The dialogue is fluent and the pacing is consistent. It is more than a book about sharks. It has lots of conversations about grief, and growth. It’s very atmospheric and dreamlike at times. I highly recommend this book even if you’re not a fan of sharks.

As a shark lover, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. You can tell the author thoroughly researched both sharks and Hawaiian land and culture (I believe she was born and raised in Hawaii). I loved the intersection of mystery with science and personal grief (and therefore love). Hawaii was treated with such respect, honoring the locals and making sure to include their stories throughout the novel. I loved the way the human relationship with sharks is portrayed, rejecting the “man-eater” stereotype and reinforcing one of mutual respect and honor. The attention to detail and thorough research are what made this a five-star read for me.

The FMC Minnow is a well-rounded, strong, intelligent woman. She’s knowledgeable and just overall a bad*ss. The supporting characters are fantastic and memorable as well. The author did a great job describing the setting and immersing the reader in it.

This novel is the perfect summer read, especially if you love marine biology.

"There are so many things more dangerous that we humans have become habituated to. When you realize that, everything changes."

If you are interested in sharks, Hawaiian culture, and nostalgic historical fiction, then The Shark House by Sara Ackerman might be for you! This novel is set in Hawai'i in 1998 and follows marine biologist, Dr. Minnow Gray, as she investigates several shark-related incidents to uncover what is keeping a large, predatory shark active in these nearshore waters. Tangled in a web of her own traumatic past around a tragic shark encounter, Minnow discovers that there's more to these incidents than one deadly great white. With help from the locals housing her and an unexpected alliance with an alluring, but questionable fisherman, Minnow fights to defend the sharks from a mass killing ordered by the mayor, confront her own haunting memories, and discover what exactly connects her so strongly to these underwater predators and this Hawaiian paradise.

This was undeniably a 5 star read for me. Everything about this book moved me. The setting, the shark element, the character dynamics. All of it. I really enjoyed the truly immersive feeling this book gave into a Hawaiian setting and the culture. It highlighted Hawaiians connection to the land, the sky, the sea, and all the living creatures in between and it was beautiful. The atmosphere of this book was just ethereal. I loved the way that the characters were fleshed out and how they were portrayed through Ackerman's writing. The characters felt real and alive on the page and I was invested in everything they did and said. The dynamics and relationships between them were multilayered and nuanced. Personalities and emotions were shown not told. And of course, I can't forget the sharks. I adore sharks and I always have. That is why I was drawn to this book and, boy, did it deliver. Sharks are widely misunderstood creatures and are nine times out of ten, demonized by the media and society. But they are not demons or monsters. They are beautiful, living, powerful creatures who are not blood-thirsty killing machines. The sea is their home and shark attacks are largely just curiosity bites. An animal which does not understand its own strength and acts upon instinct. This book portrayed that remarkably well. The portrayal of sharks as guardians was also fascinating and, honestly, a breathtaking revelation. Lastly, I adored the aspect of Minnow's heightened sensitivity to sounds and soundscapes. This aspect added wonderfully to the atmosphere and in humanizing the sharks. Overall, The Shark House was an extremely delightful and moving read that I highly recommend.

Thank you Harper Collins/Harper Muse for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be published publicly on my Goodreads account (linked) and Fable account today, August 14th, 2025. I will also post it on my Instagram account (@okumura.reads) and a video review on my Tiktok account (@okumura.reads) at a later date.

This was such a beautifully written book. Anyone that has an interest in science and/or marine biology should be sure to read this. It dives deep into the world of sharks and our oceans but also into life in Hawaii and the overall culture. The writing is so descriptive and the book was very well researched. It’s easy to feel like you are in the story and on the island while reading this. As a bonus, the author weaves a bit of mystery and romance into the storyline, making this impossible to put down. Although this is work of fiction I felt like I was learning something the entire time. It was such a great book and I really enjoyed it!

The Shark House was a truly enjoyable read. The storyline captures you right from the beginning. The novel is set in Hawai'i, where a series of people have been injured by an enormous white shark.

Minnow Gray is a marine biologist who has spent her whole life in the ocean. She is called to Hawaii to assist in identifying what kind of shark is responsible for the attacks on humans. I love reading a book where the main character is a strong and intelligent woman!

The story flashes back to Minnow losing her father at a young age, to her childhood spent by the ocean, and to the present where she is trying to let the world know that sharks are not evil, they're just misunderstood.

The setting of this novel was PERFECT for a summer read. Sara Ackerman does an incredible job of describing the setting. You can truly picture the magnificent beaches, the salty air, and the palm trees swaying.

Loved this one!

Thank you @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for this early copy of The Shark House by Sara Ackerman. A wonderfully enlightening read about these magnificent misunderstood creatures, woven through the story of a brilliant woman healing from grief and finding her people. As always with @saraackermanbooks, Hawai’i steals the show 🩵🦈

This book made me fall a little bit in love with sharks and the ocean, something I never thought possible, since I’ve always been afraid of both.

From the beginning, it’s clear how well researched this story is. The details about sharks and the environment are excellent, adding depth and authenticity.

The writing style is strong, and the setting feels fresh and unique. While the story begins a little slowly and it took me some time to connect with the characters, it ultimately came together beautifully. The ending was absolutely fantastic.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves emotional, well-researched stories with a unique and beautiful setting.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.