clacey 's review for:

The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley

5.0

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I usually only review non-fiction books, although I do also read fiction – and something about the cover and the blurb of this book really called me in. I was not disappointed. 

This is one of the most original and unusual stories I have read in a long time. The near-future world is richly imagined and disturbing, definitely not a place any of us should want to live. The idea of Alcatraz Island as the last zoo is incredible and descriptions so vivid I could imagine it no problem. The zoo life itself sounds almost idyllic, particularly compared to the outside world, at least if you can ignore the disruptive tours, the isolation, the cliques and the military style rule enforcement. 

Camille and Sailor are interesting characters, and whilst sometimes I felt a little frustration at Camille’s naivete, you can also understand her need to be liked by her more confident and out-going friend. 

The ending… I’ll be thinking about that for a long time.  This is an incredible book. 

Thank you Flatiron Books for providing an advance content copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.