Overview

Island of Wings follows Neil and Lizzie MacKenzie, a newly married couple sent in 1830 to the remote Scottish archipelago of St Kilda. He arrives as a minister to bring religion to the islanders, while she, pregnant and isolated, must face the brutal elements and the strain on their marriage in a harsh frontier world.

Writing & Voice

We found Altenberg’s writing vivid and atmospheric. Her prose is spare but evocative, capturing both the stark beauty of St Kilda and the psychological strain on her characters. The tone moves between hope and unease, giving the story a reflective rhythm that suits the setting.

Content & Perspective

The narrative follows the couple’s struggle to adapt to island life. Neil’s religious mission and Lizzie’s isolation expose the limits of resolve and companionship. We see how external hardship and internal doubts shape their interactions and the community around them.

Themes

Island of Wings explores faith, endurance, and the tension between belief and reality. It looks at how love and duty endure amid hardship, and how isolation reshapes identity. We were struck by its blend of historical insight and emotional depth.

What Worked

• Evocative sense of place on the remote isles.
• Strong character focus in difficult circumstances.
• Blends history with personal drama effectively.

Minor Quibbles

• The pacing can feel slow at times.
• The focus on historical detail may appeal more to some than others.

Final Thoughts

We found Island of Wings quietly devastating, using isolation, faith, and marriage under pressure to show how belief and love strain when survival becomes the daily work.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5