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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was an impulse purchase! I thought the premise was interesting and I would say it delivered on it.
I wasn't expecting the book to be as dark as it was - but I found Adam a very compelling narrator and would recommend to someone looking for something with biblical themes - although not necessarily someone very religious.
The roots in biblical mythology really carried through, whilst being modern and unique in its own way.
It starts off pretty hard with a murder - which immediately drops you into the world of human-shaped animals. The cast of creatures is diverse enough and their personalities were both fitting to their species but not over the top (bar pig, who was a bit grotesque at times).
I liked Magpie as a character, very chaotic neutral, and I enjoyed his ministrations behind the scenes. I liked the energy he brought to scenes. Crab was enjoyable, as was Owl.
I liked Adam's rage and strength, inhuman and powerful. I liked the start with them swapping hearts in a grotesque display of love. I also liked his apathy towards humanity - and I thought there was some connection between humans maybe killing Eve and her absence and 'thorns' in his mind.
My main critique of the book was the distinct absence of Eve - I think she would've been a compelling character he even could've been in conflict with. The fact he killed her was an interesting twist, but for me I found the conflict with humanity - his children - fascinating. It felt like a bit of a lazy avoidance, and instead focussed on Adam.
I wasn't expecting the book to be as dark as it was - but I found Adam a very compelling narrator and would recommend to someone looking for something with biblical themes - although not necessarily someone very religious.
The roots in biblical mythology really carried through, whilst being modern and unique in its own way.
I liked Magpie as a character, very chaotic neutral, and I enjoyed his ministrations behind the scenes. I liked the energy he brought to scenes. Crab was enjoyable, as was Owl.
I liked Adam's rage and strength, inhuman and powerful. I liked the start with them swapping hearts in a grotesque display of love. I also liked his apathy towards humanity - and I thought there was some connection between humans maybe killing Eve and her absence and 'thorns' in his mind.
My main critique of the book was the distinct absence of Eve - I think she would've been a compelling character he even could've been in conflict with. The fact he killed her was an interesting twist, but for me I found the conflict with humanity - his children - fascinating. It felt like a bit of a lazy avoidance, and instead focussed on Adam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism, Fire/Fire injury
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Torture, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
A character is eaten alive by an animal
Birds of Paradise follows Adam. Yes, this Adam. The first man. Created before Death, Adam has lived countless lives. When his last job ends in a disaster, he takes on a new identity. This time, however, things get more complicated than usual. After meeting with The Rook, Adam starts a quest to recover scattered elements from the Garden of Eden.
The narrative moves smoothly between meditative and explosive. Adam is a HUGE man who loves gardening and peace but has no issues with a brutal fight. Exhausted by the endless death and destruction (of the Earth, of his past lives amongst humans), he misses Eve and his long-lost home.
Besides Adam, the story features his friends - Edenic creatures able to transform into humans at will. Most of them lead successful lives. Some, like Butterfly, Crab, or Pig prefer freedom and arts. No one should underestimate any of them. Those who do, suffer. Or die. Owl or Pig’s ferocity and ruthlessness in the fight result in a high body count. The Rook destroys his enemies through his lawyers. As a Senior Partner in Corvid & Corvid law office, he’ll own your life and wealth in a blink of an eye, having you on your knees begging for mercy.
The story focuses on the characters and their longing for Paradise. As the country floods once more, they cooperate to rebuild the Garden and stop bad people from doing bad things. In Birds of Paradise, antagonists are arrogant people positioning themselves above the rest of the creation.
I loved how the story connected mythology with everyday life and sorrows. While strongly influenced by Christian mythology, the book doesn’t feature god. It uses elements of fantasy, thriller, drama, and magical realism to tell an emotionally engaging and unique story. Highly recommended for readers looking for something fresh.
ARC through NetGalley
The narrative moves smoothly between meditative and explosive. Adam is a HUGE man who loves gardening and peace but has no issues with a brutal fight. Exhausted by the endless death and destruction (of the Earth, of his past lives amongst humans), he misses Eve and his long-lost home.
Besides Adam, the story features his friends - Edenic creatures able to transform into humans at will. Most of them lead successful lives. Some, like Butterfly, Crab, or Pig prefer freedom and arts. No one should underestimate any of them. Those who do, suffer. Or die. Owl or Pig’s ferocity and ruthlessness in the fight result in a high body count. The Rook destroys his enemies through his lawyers. As a Senior Partner in Corvid & Corvid law office, he’ll own your life and wealth in a blink of an eye, having you on your knees begging for mercy.
The story focuses on the characters and their longing for Paradise. As the country floods once more, they cooperate to rebuild the Garden and stop bad people from doing bad things. In Birds of Paradise, antagonists are arrogant people positioning themselves above the rest of the creation.
I loved how the story connected mythology with everyday life and sorrows. While strongly influenced by Christian mythology, the book doesn’t feature god. It uses elements of fantasy, thriller, drama, and magical realism to tell an emotionally engaging and unique story. Highly recommended for readers looking for something fresh.
ARC through NetGalley
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Birds of Paradise is many things: a surreal roadtrip, a heist, a grief-driven vendetta, a study of hope and friendship. Dreamy reveries of days past and bemused interactions with the modern world are punctuated by violence that I can only call Biblical: an eye for an eye, meted out without hesitation or remorse. It’s contrasted with moving moments of great beauty, showing a softer, warmer side to its timeless outsiders.
A beautifully written fable of love and grief, rage and friendship as the first man tries to come to terms with a past too heavy to bear, and find the energy to build a future for those he loves.
3.5 stars
Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully written fable of love and grief, rage and friendship as the first man tries to come to terms with a past too heavy to bear, and find the energy to build a future for those he loves.
3.5 stars
Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.