I was initially drawn into this book due to the setting on a fictional Welsh island. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book set in Wales prior, so that alone was of interest. If I’m honest, the setting remained the most compelling part of the book. It had me dreaming of little islands off the coast of the UK.

Our MC was pretty well done as well. At the start of the story, she is a clever young woman, but very sheltered and as the story progresses we see her begin to grow. It isn’t always easy watching her make her way through life, but I thought it was realistic.

Another thing that struck me as accurate is the way that modern society portrays old-fashioned cultures. The culture on the island is farming and fishing based, but the researchers following them treat the population as if they are all naive and childlike. Our MC witnesses it upon occasion and we have time to see through her eyes how humiliating it is to be portrayed as this backwards society. 

That said, I did occasionally feel that the book was emotionally detached. It is a relatively short book and at points it felt like it needed more space to grow. 

All in all, if you like books that are character focused, deal with heavy themes, and take a look at life on a remote island, you may enjoy this one.