Murmuration

by Elisabeth Pike

When the birds have a message, they will stop at nothing to get your attention.

And when a murmur rises and no one notices, it will grow and grow until the whole sky is filled with its noise.

The birds came, a whole skyful of them. The next day the adults were gone.

Jay is desperate to get off the island to find his mother, but when the adults disappear his only job is to keep everyone alive.

Fee, a mysterious outsider appears, but Jay is sure she's keeping something from him. When she falls dangerously ill, Jay must decide whether he's willing to face his biggest fears to save her.

300 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2024

About the author

Elisabeth Pike is a freelance writer and maker. Her debut novel, Murmuration, a YA dystopian survival story, was shortlisted for the Kindle Storyteller Award 2024. Christopher, Running is her second novel. Find her at elisabethpike.co.uk

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Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story:
When Jay wakes up on Friday, 24th September 2021, his father is gone. But not just his father… it seems that every adult on the Isle of Sheppey has vanished overnight. With no help coming from the mainland, the lives of the children that have been left behind are Jay’s responsibility – despite being little more than a child himself.

Fee is a mysterious stranger who appears among the confused and frightened group, offering comfort and support to Jay. She is looking for her father too, but Jay is sure she is keeping secrets from him. And the behaviour of the island's birds hints at a deeper mystery… Jay is determined to find answers and keep the children of Sheppey safe. But when Fee becomes dangerously ill, will he be able to do what scares him most to protect those he loves?

My thoughts:
“Murmuration” by Elisabeth Pike is an exciting book to review, as the author is a friend and I’m delighted to see this out in the world!

It is the author’s first novel, but she has previously published other works including poetry and short stories. And you can tell Pike is also a poet, as she uses language beautifully to describe the landscape and nature of Sheppey, capturing the dual beauty and bleakness experienced by main character Jay.

The story is set in a country not quite our own, but not too far removed, with the UK completely isolated from the ‘European Free Republic’, with no travel and no trade (referred to as the ‘Cut Off’). This has led to hardship, with a lack of resources and a lack of hope. Jay is at an age to start thinking about his future, but he struggles to believe in a life beyond Sheppey and is scarred by past losses, with only his Dad remaining — and he is a man who prefers to bury his feelings.

So when the children of Sheppey awake to find their adults gone, it is both frightening and freeing. Jay finds himself with heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but he also finds people to love and a sense of purpose.

This is a young adult novel, but I found it very satisfying as an adult read too. I enjoy dystopian fiction, and this also had a touch of magic that really added to the plot and made this an intriguing read. I loved all the description of the natural world, and the community of children that grew up around Jay and Fee. The book ends with the promise of more to come, and I look forward to seeing where the characters go next!

[Hullabaloo22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Wow! What a totally original story.
Jay is the main character, a seventeen year-old who lives in the island of Sheppey. Things are running out on the island. All island and UK residents can no longer travel or trade abroad - not since the Cut Off, when the European Free Republic forcibly ejected it. And then something really strange happens. All of the adults on Shelley disappear, their clothes left where they were last wearing them.
Very well written, almost poetic in places. I was a bit disappointed to find that it was the first in a series but it can be read as a standalone - just don't expect all the answers.
Above all - watch out for the starlings!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this, it had all the ingredients I enjoy: dystopian setting, magical realism, brilliant characters. Pike is great at world-building, I feel like I've visited the island for myself. I read this in one day, I found it unputdownable!

[Kate Packman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the scope of this book! The mystery of the island and how it’s all wound up in nature propels you through the novel. A wonderful insight into being on the cusp of adulthood. Looking forward to #2!

[Emmie Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Murmuration: a large group of birds, usually starlings, that all fly together and change direction together.

This was such an intriguing, mysterious and gripping read that I devoured in two sittings. I really enjoyed the whole premise of this story and found it such a thought-provoking read. Could you imagine being a child/teen and waking up to all the adults missing? How do you even cope with that?

I really liked how British this book was. Not only did it start out at Southend on Sea (which I've been visiting since I was a little girl) but the mannerisms and language used just felt like a breath of fresh air in comparison to the books I tend to pick up (which are mainly set in America or a fantasy world).

Jay was such a great main character who finds himself in such a tough position and finding himself in a position of leadership due to his age and experience. I really loved getting to see Jay's life before it all happens and how much he grows as a character. I also liked getting to know some of the adults before the disappearance as I felt like it just developed the world and the islanders more. I do wish we had got a bit more of Fee's POV but that's definitely just a me thing.

This was a well written novel and a great debut. It was atmospheric and an interesting read! I can't wait to see what Elisabeth writes next!

[Nat thelowkeylibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eerie, dystopian YA novel set in a reality-adjacent UK. With its poetic prose and unsettling atmosphere, the story weaves themes of grief and belonging in a way that feels both haunting and heartwarming. The found family moments are especially touching, providing emotional balance to the otherwise bleak world.
The multiple POV worked well and the characters are all particularly well-crafted, real and believable, grounding the story amidst the more surreal elements.

There was a definite political undertone, especially disillusionment with a broken system and a sense of powerlessness in the face of economic and political instability.

While the book’s style and tone kept me intrigued, the plot wasn’t at all what I expected based on the blurb which left me confused at times - nevertheless I really enjoyed it and was hooked from start to end.
If you enjoy dystopian fiction with a lyrical writing style in places, and don’t mind a bit of ambiguity, Murmuration is worth picking up.

[DJBookgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous dystopian read that brought out all my emotions.

Reasons you'll love this book:

❤️ Beautiful writing, poetic in parts
❤️ Multi POV with characters that you warm to immediately
❤️ Dark dystopian plot with sensitivity towards hard topics such as belonging
❤️ Wonderful found family moments
❤️ A sprinkling of romance first crush
❤️ A stunning ending

This book is one that you have to read in one sitting!

Looking forward to what the author writes next!

[Keri Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it started brilliantly and I was hooked. I wanted it to linger more on the survival of the children on the island and their stories. ¾ through it suddenly picked up pace and went a bit too fast, in my opinion. A fabulous debut from a local author.

[Tina T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth Pike’s Murmuration is a striking and atmospheric novel that masterfully blends quiet mystery with elemental suspense. It begins with an arresting premise: a sudden, unexplained arrival of birds, followed by the silent disappearance of every adult. This compelling setup serves as the foundation for a deeply human story of responsibility, fear, and fragile trust.

The narrative follows Jay, a young protagonist thrust into a position of desperate guardianship. His struggle to keep the remaining children alive is portrayed with gripping authenticity. The introduction of the enigmatic outsider, Fee, adds a potent layer of tension and uncertainty, deftly exploring themes of suspicion and alliance in a broken world. The novel’s true strength lies in Jay’s poignant internal conflict, culminating in a choice that pits survival against profound courage.

With a poet’s eye for imagery and a deft hand for pacing, Pike has crafted a tale that is both a thrilling page turner and a thoughtful meditation on resilience. Murmuration resonates long after the final page, a testament to its haunting power and emotional depth. It is a truly memorable and evocative read.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding new dystopian classic in the making. I am not usually into YA fiction, but can honestly say that this book sits well in the genre and will sit well in many more. It is unique in its powerful ability to create a dystopia not far removed from that perspective which we are all experiencing in one way or another

Jay finds himself navigating a world beyond reason, where he has to carve a path through a new reality, a reality where all of the adults on the isle of Sheppey have disappeared, leaving behind just the clothes they were in. One by one, the children left behind begin to come together, organise, and become a community, but when they try to escape the island and seek a way back to society, they meet an obstacle that was unimaginable in its lack of humanity

Elisabeth Pike has the ability to weave an engaging story while at the same time raising questions and reflecting the world order tilting on its axis. An outstanding work of literature and one I am sure will become a classic - Looking forward to reading more from this very talented author

[Elisabeth Pike]

Hello readers,

I loved writing this book. It took me five years from the initial spark of inspiration to publication, so that's pretty quick for me! I'm busy working away on Murmuration 2 this summer. What is amazing to me as a writer is that I worried about self-publishing for so long, and then when I finally did it, I was overjoyed to find that Murmuration had been shortlisted for the Kindle Storyteller Award a few months after it was released. It was an unexpected and delightful surprise, and it goes to show we should always feel the fear and do it anyway as the book suggests!

Read this book if you like:

-Survival stories
-Dystopian fiction
-Conspiracy theories
-Friends-to-lovers romance
-Supernatural starlings

Thanks for all the beautiful reviews I've had so far.

Elisabeth

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I found hard to put down, I was so keen to know what happened next. I felt very invested in finding out what would happen to the main character Jay, and in discovering the secrets of the mysterious Fee and what was behind the life-changing situation they found themselves in. It was the first book I’ve read by this author, and I loved her writing style. I will definitely look out some of her other books and can’t wait to find out what happens next to Jay, Fee and co. As an adult reading the book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would say it is of just as much appeal to adults who enjoy dystopian fiction as it is to a YA audience.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a dystopian world, not far removed from our own, Elisabeth Pike’s Murmuration shines a beacon of hope. Set on an island, bound by the sea, a cast of likeable and compelling characters wrestle with grief, loss, and future dreams. The birds fly free, but the humans seem trapped and earthbound. When the adults disappear, young hero Jay steps up as leader, shouldering the strain of keeping an island full of children alive while trying to understand what has happened to their parents. This brilliant YA novel has broad appeal for adult readers, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

[Glen Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and get lost in it, but that doesn't detract from its powerful imagery which fuelled my imagination. Lots of characters to root for and I am looking forward to the next instalment.

[Josh Rice - Author · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly unique YA dystopian with a voice unlike anything I've read all year. Murmuration isn't a complete tale. It leaves you with more questions than answers, but the journey is well worth the read.

I look forward to hearing more about Murmuration 2!