First of all, I was gutted to find out that Tuga is a fictional island in the South Atlantic Ocean. Ok, so I thought it was having never heard of it despite being pretty good at maps 😉 The author has created such a magical and inviting place to go, it’s a shame this is only possible in a book. The book is very good and very atmospheric though so it feels VERY realistic.

I started googling lots about this novel pretty much after starting to read it. Now that’s when you know you’re on to a good thing. The island and the life on it the author has created is wonderful. I was right there with the animals and those gorgeous tortoises. David Attenborough was reading the text in my head as I was taking it all in. Maybe an idea for an audio special?

You might come to this novel, as I did, for the turtles and the sand, but it’s so much more than this. There’s romance, a Dr Dolittle vice, Durrells kind of drama and a setting to die for.

It’s the start of a trilogy! Yippee!!!