Reviews

When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

danabs's review

challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

4.5

It takes a long time to pick up. But once the characters come together, it's beautiful and amazing. 

laratboulos's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

My favourite book I’ve read in 2024 so far. Absolutely breathtaking!!

mizpurplest's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Slow build; not enough birds

franzi_krt's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

beewangu's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

3.5

Felt incomplete and character stories not fully developed 

ehparrish's review

I couldn't get past the present tense grammar.

emmakg's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

0ri's review

emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

a0ri's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Deeply poetic, this book looks at  the intricate interplay between loss, love, inheritance, and duty as two people seek to understand themselves as they come to find each other. I absolutely loved the writing, and I loved the hope that the author searched for within her chatacters and their grief. The magical realism aspects only served to amplify the themes of what is, on its own, a wonderful and deeply human story

birdiesreads's review against another edition

4.0

4 stars, captivating, mystifying story about two people finding themselves and coming together, would reread