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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened to this book on audible and thankfully there was a lot of useless description from time to time that I didn't have to return to when I got distracted from listening by work...
Overall, I did enjoy it, but i'm not sure i'd suggest it to others. A bit of stretch in some regards - combining the twist with "who-dun-it" with the mothers (awful) past....
Overall, I did enjoy it, but i'm not sure i'd suggest it to others. A bit of stretch in some regards - combining the twist with "who-dun-it" with the mothers (awful) past....
Birds in Flight by Anni Taylor presents a haunting family mystery that centers around the bond—both fractured and inescapable—between two estranged sisters, Lily and Iris. Their mother’s disappearance twenty-four years ago still lingers over their lives, with Iris harboring a secret from that fateful night. Now, with the discovery of a new clue, the sisters are forced to reunite and confront the dark truths about their past.
The setup of this novel is undeniably gripping. Taylor masterfully builds an eerie atmosphere, particularly with the vivid descriptions of the sisters' unusual childhood in Pennsylvania, from their father’s controlling tendencies to their mother’s restless nature. The slow unraveling of their past—especially the night of their mother’s disappearance—keeps readers on edge, wondering what Iris has been hiding for so many years.
However, while the tension between the sisters and the mystery surrounding their mother is compelling, the pacing of the novel is uneven. There are moments where the narrative feels bogged down by too much reflection or unnecessary details, slowing the momentum just as it starts to build. Lily, as the primary narrator, often comes across as repetitive in her internal musings, which can take away from the intensity of the central mystery. Additionally, the resolution of the mystery, while satisfying in some aspects, feels rushed compared to the careful build-up, leaving a few lingering questions unanswered.
That said, the emotional complexity between Lily and Iris adds depth to the story, and the exploration of family trauma, memory, and forgiveness gives it heart. Readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with a strong emotional core will find much to appreciate in Birds in Flight—though the journey may feel uneven at times.
Content Warnings: No language. No sex or nudity. Family trauma, disappearance, emotional abuse, strained sibling relationships.
The setup of this novel is undeniably gripping. Taylor masterfully builds an eerie atmosphere, particularly with the vivid descriptions of the sisters' unusual childhood in Pennsylvania, from their father’s controlling tendencies to their mother’s restless nature. The slow unraveling of their past—especially the night of their mother’s disappearance—keeps readers on edge, wondering what Iris has been hiding for so many years.
However, while the tension between the sisters and the mystery surrounding their mother is compelling, the pacing of the novel is uneven. There are moments where the narrative feels bogged down by too much reflection or unnecessary details, slowing the momentum just as it starts to build. Lily, as the primary narrator, often comes across as repetitive in her internal musings, which can take away from the intensity of the central mystery. Additionally, the resolution of the mystery, while satisfying in some aspects, feels rushed compared to the careful build-up, leaving a few lingering questions unanswered.
That said, the emotional complexity between Lily and Iris adds depth to the story, and the exploration of family trauma, memory, and forgiveness gives it heart. Readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with a strong emotional core will find much to appreciate in Birds in Flight—though the journey may feel uneven at times.
Content Warnings: No language. No sex or nudity. Family trauma, disappearance, emotional abuse, strained sibling relationships.
the Australian environment was so beautiful described, so nice to have a book full of familiar landmarks. it made the story so easy to envision. the plot was good and full of things i didn’t predict. writing was also very skilled.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Completely picked for the roadtrip/mystery theme. Absolutely had no expectations and I loved it. Was a great, well structured story. A lot of emotions, character development - and character reveals. Lots of great twists I did not see coming! I always enjoy stories which cover more than 2 points of view, especially when done well. Complex themes and family issues throughout, it really has a lot going for it! Not to mention it's based in Australia which enhanced the experience further for me!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
not good but it did make me stay awake till 4am to know what happened next so it deserved the 3 stars
Too many characters and not much happening in the first 80%
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is the first Anni Taylor book I've read.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initially, this had a bit of a slow start and was a bit tough to get into. The main character Lily could be annoying and juvenile at times, especially as an adult.
However, once the story picked up pace, I couldn't stop listening. Wow, the plot twists were incredible.
The narration would have been ideal if they used American voice actors and had a dual narration with a male voice actor. It was a little bit cringey at times listening to the voice narrator doing Lily's parts.
Another improvement: having an epilogue to tie up the loose ends that were introduced towards the end.
Overall, I loved it, and I can't wait to read more of Anni's novels.
This is the first Anni Taylor book I've read.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initially, this had a bit of a slow start and was a bit tough to get into. The main character Lily could be annoying and juvenile at times, especially as an adult.
However, once the story picked up pace, I couldn't stop listening. Wow, the plot twists were incredible.
The narration would have been ideal if they used American voice actors and had a dual narration with a male voice actor. It was a little bit cringey at times listening to the voice narrator doing Lily's parts.
Another improvement: having an epilogue to tie up the loose ends that were introduced towards the end.
Overall, I loved it, and I can't wait to read more of Anni's novels.