You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
While I found the ideas explored in this book interesting, I think the author’s reach exceeds her grasp. I found the main characters unlikable, the primary plot far too meandering, and it spent far too much time on what became a positively Dickensian portrayal of childhood in the 21st century that bordered at times on gratuitous. Plot points and characters that seem important at the time are forgotten, characters about-face from benevolently misguided to cartoonishly evil at the drop of a hat, and the entire denouement just kind of ends with a hand wave of “and things got better” without any explanation or details. Overall, I just found the whole thing kind of pointlessly nihilistic.
Magic vs science during a near-future apocalypse. The book takes a lot of tropes and clichés and creates an engaging story focused on ethics, love, and empathy. I enjoyed the worldbuilding a bunch, as well. Although I must admit, I still do not like Laurence and the book certainly didn't restore my faith in humanity.
This was such an absolute joy. Wonderfully written and wholly original, it was enthralling to read such a fresh blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and humor. My first but not my last Anders read! I can't wait to consume her oeuvre.
All the Birds in the Sky is a sweet love story. CJA captures the two leads really well and they have great interplay.
The ending did not live up to the first two thirds of the book as the plot takes charge of the book from the characters.
The ending did not live up to the first two thirds of the book as the plot takes charge of the book from the characters.
Short Review
You ever read a book you really wanted to love thinking it would be your jam? All the Birds in the Sky is one of those kind of books that 50% I adored and 50% I didn't care for. When Charlie Jane Anders is running on all four cylinders she's poignant and has a lot to say about love and life. But then this book is all over the place. It's quirky, which I like--but it's one of those cases where there's just too much going on and I'm not sure if it works all together. I mean a lot of people dig it, which is great because I do like the author but this is one of those kinds of books it's me and not the book.
I found the ending too convenient and some of the characters fell flat. I found some of the similes were out of left-field and felt written to surprise rather than add to the story. It was just weird some of the comparisons and it threw me out of the story. I also found the dialogue in the first part of the book cringe worthy and not realistic. It felt hallow and really weird. Too formal and really hard to read.
However, I did enjoy a lot of the world-building and descriptions for the SFBA from the AT-AT shipyards (the Oakland cranes! I laughed because I got the reference). I also love the shade thrown onto PG&E (about turning off power because PG&E is a crappy company).
At the end of the day, I'm struggling with this book because I do like aspects of it but others not so much. I like 50% of the book from the jokes, the references, the main characters, and the worldbuilding and themes but the writing style and voice? It's just not for me and that's okay. I'll read other books by the author and see if maybe they are more of my jam. I want to support her because she writes interesting things, but this book wasn't completely for me.
You ever read a book you really wanted to love thinking it would be your jam? All the Birds in the Sky is one of those kind of books that 50% I adored and 50% I didn't care for. When Charlie Jane Anders is running on all four cylinders she's poignant and has a lot to say about love and life. But then this book is all over the place. It's quirky, which I like--but it's one of those cases where there's just too much going on and I'm not sure if it works all together. I mean a lot of people dig it, which is great because I do like the author but this is one of those kinds of books it's me and not the book.
I found the ending too convenient and some of the characters fell flat. I found some of the similes were out of left-field and felt written to surprise rather than add to the story. It was just weird some of the comparisons and it threw me out of the story. I also found the dialogue in the first part of the book cringe worthy and not realistic. It felt hallow and really weird. Too formal and really hard to read.
However, I did enjoy a lot of the world-building and descriptions for the SFBA from the AT-AT shipyards (the Oakland cranes! I laughed because I got the reference). I also love the shade thrown onto PG&E (about turning off power because PG&E is a crappy company).
At the end of the day, I'm struggling with this book because I do like aspects of it but others not so much. I like 50% of the book from the jokes, the references, the main characters, and the worldbuilding and themes but the writing style and voice? It's just not for me and that's okay. I'll read other books by the author and see if maybe they are more of my jam. I want to support her because she writes interesting things, but this book wasn't completely for me.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
This book is strange, brilliant and completely epic, following the adventures of its two protagonists from adolescence to adulthood, with the end of the world thrown in for good measure. The story begins with Patricia and Laurence as children, discovering the world of magic and science respectively. Over the course of their teens and twenties, these two characters strike up an unlikely friendship, lose touch and then reconnect. I loved how Patricia and Laurence understood each other despite their outward differences and how, through them, the very different ideologies of magic and science - whilst still being fundamentally at odds - begin to mesh together. I also liked how the story was resolved in a surprising and satisfying way but with an ending that's just open-ended enough to leave you guessing what happens next.
4/5. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend!
I reviewed this book on October 10, 2017 on my Facebook page…
This was a very different book for me to read.
But...
Oh, so timely.
The question is: how can magic and technology save the world from destructive people?
Hmmmm.....do you think we need a little magic now?
I can see why Charlie Jane Anders book is a national bestseller.
This was a very different book for me to read.
But...
Oh, so timely.
The question is: how can magic and technology save the world from destructive people?
Hmmmm.....do you think we need a little magic now?
I can see why Charlie Jane Anders book is a national bestseller.