This was a super intriguing concept and it didn’t let me down. Even though it’s set in a post apocalyptic world, the plot was driven by Rachel, the protagonist. She was so well developed it was easy for me to like her and care about her journey. It was also fast paced and impossible to put down.
I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

“The Last Woman in the World” made for an interesting read. Rachel’s reclusive life sets up an unusual concept for the beginning of the book, as she must face her fears to help Hannah and Isaiah. Simpson’s writing style and pace kept me hooked throughout the book as the tension rose and fell. I would have liked to see more elaboration on the ending, as it felt flat compared to the rest of the novel, but overall this was a great read.

I really enjoyed it and was hooked all the way through. I did think the ending fell a bit flat but I still enjoyed the book overall

Absolutely fantastic read although the ending felt a bit rushed and I wasn't completely sold on the fear creatures but Rachel and hannah were incredible characters

I really enjoyed "The Last Woman in the World" by Inga Simpson. You really feel the remoteness of Ray's existence which is shattered when Hannah and Isaiah knock on her door. What follows next is Ray heading back to civilisation hoping to find her sister and seeing that the world has completely changed since she ventured into town. As the trio make their way to find loved ones and medication, Ray hears of this mysterious illness that has swept the country (and maybe the world) very recently, and it seems that they might be immune.

This author has a great writing style. While it can be a little info dumpy at times, the author has a way of delivering one-liners or paragraphs that were perfectly creepy and actually made me stop and think "oh sh*t", and it really developed the atmosphere well.

I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading and I actually found myself tensing at certain scenes without realising it. Once I picked this book up, I just couldn't put it down.

Rachel was a great character. As someone with anxiety, I found her character so relatable. She was well written and nicely developed. I liked the slow reveal of her past throughout the book alongside her growing relationship with Hannah and Isaiah. Hannah was a good balance to Rachel, she helped her keep calm when needed and I think she played a big part in Rachel's growth, mentally.

This book was a rollercoaster but in the best way. There were times when I smiled at Rachel's and Hannah's memories but there were also times when I got emotional at certain events.

The ending was a little flat though. I'd love to know more about the creatures, where they came from or what created them and I'd like to know what happens next to the survivors and the rest of the world.

While this book had similar vibes to Bird Box by Josh Malerman, it was still original and I will definitely be reading more books by Inga Simpson.

*Thank you to @Netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*

A dystopian thriller that felt very real and emotional. At the core, is the friendship that evolves between reclusive artist Rachel and young mother Hannah on their hazardous trip through a burning Australian landscape. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I enjoy dystopian themes within books so I was looking forward to reading this one. The stand out feature of this book is the relationship between the women of the story. A thought provoking read that I would recommend!

I'm a big fan of dystopian fiction so was itching to get my hands on this one! I expected some sort of horror apocalypse genre, but I didn't expect such a wonderful story about the strength and resilience of the female characters. The relationship between the women as they travel across a burnt landscape, and attempt to survive, was what really made this for me. This novel also has a really important point to make about what we are doing to the planet. I'm a firm believer that we are heading for the next extinction, and the author does an excellent job of raising this issue in the readers minds, without coming across as preachy. The cause of the shadows that destroy humankind is never really explained, which is the only negative. I'm assuming this was a deliberate choice of the author to leave it up to the readers imagination, but personally I'd have preferred an explanation. Overall an excellent read

Rachel is happy living her life in peaceful solitude, away from the noise and chaos of humanity. She spends her days creating art deep in nature, with just the occasional call to her sister and a driver to collect her crafts.

Until the unfamiliar sound of pounding on the door changes everything. Hannah and her baby have fled the city, running away from the mysterious waves of death that are sweeping through the world, washing away people and leaving nothing behind. She's been running from it - from the feeling that something is watching her, waiting to take her too.

Rachel always thought her isolation was her salvation, her fear making her stay away from everyone and everything - but now, she'll have to fight to make sure she isn't alone for the rest of her days ... however many there may be.

"It was a simple choice, on the face of it. To stay where she was, as long as she could, alone. Or go back out into the world - help these people. But how much hep would she be? And what dangers would they face?"

A dark, disturbing and reflective story about the horrors that wait in the shadows - forcing us to look inwards and stare directly at the most desperate and despicable parts of humanity. There have been a lot of books that have tried to capture the profound and understated horror of the "unseen monster" since Bird Box became a sensation, but Simpson has nailed it with this timely, futuristic thriller that seeps with silent tension and nuanced themes.

Simpson painstakingly crafts an atmosphere that is suffocating, making us feel claustrophobic and trapped, but isolated and alone. The nervous energy is there from the get go, making us feel caged, stuck - just like our narrator. But this energy is balanced with a reverential and vivid viewpoint of nature, of Mother Earth herself. It's beautiful, but terrifying - good and evil, death and life in a natural balance.

Through the first couple of chapters, we're left alone with Rachel and her thoughts - in quiet contemplation, content with her isolation, her craft, the sounds of nature. She's by herself but not alone - until she feels very alone. Opening the story this way naturally and authentically allows us to understand the scene and get to know the voice of our narrator on a personal level without the need for exposition before the peace is shattered. Rachel is nervous, and although we don't know exactly what caused her reclusive nature, we know it's something deeply troubling for her and the bond is almost instant. She's cold, short, abrasive - but under the surface is a big heart that is clear as her relationship with Hannah and Isiah sneak up on her and us to create something truly moving.

The pace moves quickly but quietly - with short chapters that flow seamlessly into one another. We only know as much as Rachel, disconnected from the wider world and wait to see what this nameless horror is; a virus? a monster? divine retribution? societal collapse? The constant unknown was more fear-inducing than any horror scene. Everything was subtle, delicate - Rachel and Hannahs realisations and theories coming naturally as we move through devastated landscapes and otherworldly, eerie scenes of death and decay.

This isn't a story where everything is clear and neat, but a journey into fear and desperation, into the true fragility of human existence - this is a triumphant exploration into the essence of what makes us human and it was a joy to read.

I really enjoyed "The Last Woman in the World" by Inga Simpson. You really feel the remoteness of Ray's existence which is shattered when Hannah and Isaiah knock on her door. What follows next is Ray heading back to civilisation hoping to find her sister and seeing that the world has completely changed since she ventured into town. As the trio make their way to find loved ones and medication, Ray hears of this mysterious illness that has swept the country (and maybe the world) very recently, and it seems that they might be immune.