“Franny Stone has always been the kind of woman who is able to love but unable to stay. Leaving behind everything but her research gear, she arrives in Greenland with a singular purpose: to follow the last Arctic terns in the world on what might be their final migration to Antarctica. Franny talks her way onto a fishing boat, and she and the crew set sail, traveling ever further from shore and safety. But as Franny’s history begins to unspool—a passionate love affair, an absent family, a devastating crime—it becomes clear that she is chasing more than just the birds. When Franny’s dark secrets catch up with her, how much is she willing to risk for one more chance at redemption?”

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited to read.

Story (4/5): The story follows Franny Stone as she desperately tries to follow the migration of Arctic terns. The story bounces between various points in her past and her current adventure. This was very well done and as the story unravels we find out there’s a lot more to Fanny’s past than we could have ever guessed. I loved the way the story plays out and how it transforms from something that seems fairly straight-forward to a much darker and complex story. It was very well done and very engaging. There are heavy environmentalism themes as well as themes of dealing with grief and feelings of guilt.

Characters (4/5): The characters are complex and well done but also feel a bit distanced from the reader. Franny is distanced from both reality and herself (for various reasons that unfold throughout the story) so I think this is part of why she feels a bit apart from the reader. All of the characters in here have dark and painful pasts and it makes for a very griping, if not always comfortable, read. I enjoyed them and the characters were a big part of what drove this story forward.

Setting (4/5): This is set in the near future where many wild animals have gone extinct. While this is never explicitly described, you get a feel for the things that are happening as you see the world through Franny’s past and current eyes. Most of the book takes place on a fishing boat and I loved the chilly atmospheric setting of Greenland where we start. I also really enjoyed the storm tossed ocean journey as we continue the trek south with Franny. It was all very well described and really came alive for the reader.

Writing Style (4/5): This is well written, flows at a good pace and is engaging. I didn’t have any problems breezing through this book. I enjoyed how we jump from Franny’s present to various points in her past. Although, at times the jumps into her past weren’t very linear and could be a bit disorienting and jarring. Still, overall I really enjoyed it. I loved the parallels of the terns’ migration and Franny’s journey through her own life. I also love how the survival of these animals is reflected in the struggles of our characters.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I am glad I read this, it was different from what I would normally read but engaging and thought-provoking. I love that it touches on environmentalism but also wraps this around the story of Franny’s life and her journey through it. There is plenty of adventure and the book moves at a good clip. I would definitely recommend, this is a thought-provoking story and an engaging diversion.

Review – Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (4/5 stars)

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