Book Review The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley 5 Stars!

 It's been a hot minute since I posted a book review!  I've had a lot of things taking up my time!  Sometime in July, I injured my eye and have been trying to get the eye back to full functioning, which has obviously slowed down my visual reading quite a bit.  My Audiobook reading has also suffered a bit just because while I've been listening a lot, I don't seem to be finishing that many reads. 

BUT  The Island of Lost Things by Emma Sloley was actually impossible for me to forget about or put off.  I loved this novel - in part because it was so unique. 

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!

Thankfully, because of my eye issue, I was provided with the audiobook from Macmillan audio, so I was able to dive right in!

Without any spoilers, our two main characters Camille and Sailor meet while working for a zoo that houses some of the last animals on earth. They had polar opposite personalities with Sailor being one to quickly shake things up and Camille being a more reserved personality who likes to play it safe.  Their friendship is built on a mutual love and respect for the animals in their care. It's clearly not "just a job" for these unlikely friends. Sailor has some secrets that she slyly keeps from even the readers until nearing the end of the novel, and she concocts a plan to possibly help the animals, and save herself. Camille, always in her orbit is drafted, reluctantly to assist. 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. 

Suzy Jackson narrates this story with smooth transitions between the two female characters. I had no problem following the story and never felt that the narration got in the way of the storyline.  I highly recommend this one. It is a fantastic option for book clubs as it has so many discussion points, an easy to follow narrative, and themes that will appeal to a variety of readers! 

STATS

First Published : August 2025

Pages: 272

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, Animal death, violence, animal confinement/ethics - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly.