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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
A fantasy/science fiction book that is a fun, quick read. It takes place in a near future and pits the Magicians (representing Nature), who are intent on helping mankind avoid destroying itself, and the Scientists, who are also trying to help mankind avoid destruction, albeit using technology. The two protagonists, one from each camp, are both compelling, and their relationship forms the core of the story.
My rating is usually based as much on how much I enjoyed reading a book as how "good" it is, which is why a Regency romance and Heart of Darkness can both be given five stars by me. This is a rare review where I'm giving a book a higher rating than my enjoyment level warrants. Enjoyment level for me was probably about a 2.5.
I did not enjoy reading All the Birds in the Sky, but I recognize that it has some cool original elements. I liked that it married fantasy and science fiction. There were whimsical passages I enjoyed (like when main character Patricia's sister Roberta has an unexpected conversation with a boss chicken). I enjoyed just about everything involving the birds. I liked the plot developments involving Laurence's AI.
I like that the author didn't seem to care what categories her book falls in, and I wonder if her position in the sci fi-fantasy community allowed her to get away with things other authors might not. The first 100 pages is about childhood bullying. What magic and fantasy science is present could be explained away as childhood imagination. I found the first third of the book a long slog. It read more like contemporary young adult fiction (which is not a genre I'm a fan of) than fantasy/science fiction. But there were also elements that reminded me of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl.
The book got better in the last two thirds. I think it's a good imaginative book that blurs lines, I just didn't much enjoy reading it. (And what happened to Berkley?!?)
Edit: I was just looking through some other reviews and keep seeing this book compared to Jo Walton's Among Others. No, just no. Among others is so so so much better.
I did not enjoy reading All the Birds in the Sky, but I recognize that it has some cool original elements. I liked that it married fantasy and science fiction. There were whimsical passages I enjoyed (like when main character Patricia's sister Roberta has an unexpected conversation with a boss chicken). I enjoyed just about everything involving the birds. I liked the plot developments involving Laurence's AI.
I like that the author didn't seem to care what categories her book falls in, and I wonder if her position in the sci fi-fantasy community allowed her to get away with things other authors might not. The first 100 pages is about childhood bullying. What magic and fantasy science is present could be explained away as childhood imagination. I found the first third of the book a long slog. It read more like contemporary young adult fiction (which is not a genre I'm a fan of) than fantasy/science fiction. But there were also elements that reminded me of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl.
The book got better in the last two thirds. I think it's a good imaginative book that blurs lines, I just didn't much enjoy reading it. (And what happened to Berkley?!?)
Edit: I was just looking through some other reviews and keep seeing this book compared to Jo Walton's Among Others. No, just no. Among others is so so so much better.
All the Birds in the Sky I found to be a tremendously compelling and interesting read. It's a world were magic and super science co-exist and they are important elements of the story, but at its heart it's a much more intimate tale about identity, understanding and belonging. I found it to be incredibly well crafted and emotionally resonant. I heartily recommend it.
Not life changing, but good none the less
I really enjoyed this book, despite not really ever knowing where it was supposed to be heading. The end is a bit abrupt and needed some more fleshing out, but a fun read!
I really enjoyed this book, despite not really ever knowing where it was supposed to be heading. The end is a bit abrupt and needed some more fleshing out, but a fun read!
Very trying read. Shallow characters doing foolish things. Writing that seemed to aim for the magical but came across as amateurish young adult fiction accompanied by a lot of forced-seeming irreverence. Could not fathom why this has scooped so many awards.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
best thing about this book was the cute girl at the used bookstore who recommended it to me, but there's nothing else to like about it lmao
What was that?
Quirky, funny, painful, heartening. I don’t know what say about this book. It’s different and a bit strange. I want to say more, but I won’t do spoilers.
Quirky, funny, painful, heartening. I don’t know what say about this book. It’s different and a bit strange. I want to say more, but I won’t do spoilers.
I stopped listening to this audiobook about halfway through. I might be able to read it with my eyeballs in the future, but the way the narrator reads the book, and the fact that the main characters were little kids in the very beginning, made it really hard for me to view the (supposedly grown-up) characters as anything but kids. It seemed very YA to me, and I don't really like reading YA most of the time. Just couldn't get into it. Sorry, CJA. Maybe I'll try again later.