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melanie55's review
5.0
The Company of Birds is a lovingly crafted epic fantasy which I thoroughly enjoyed. The protagonist, Liese is a wonderfully flawed character who draws a tremendous deal of empathy. While all the characters are well drawn, it’s Liese who drives the story and is the most fully rounded.
The world building in this story is beautiful and I found myself getting lost in it. This dominates the first half of the book and while that effected the pacing, the imagery created was worth it. There are many strong themes which are planted at the beginning which pay off in the climax.
I received a free review copy of book in return for an honest review. And I’m very interested in reading more from this author.
The world building in this story is beautiful and I found myself getting lost in it. This dominates the first half of the book and while that effected the pacing, the imagery created was worth it. There are many strong themes which are planted at the beginning which pay off in the climax.
I received a free review copy of book in return for an honest review. And I’m very interested in reading more from this author.
casseyt's review
4.0
A 3.5 read rounded up. This read has been odd. It took sometime for me to fully get into it - 6 chapters - and then it was all systems go. It's most frustrating as I've loved other words from Nerine, but somehow everything was just that smidge off kilter for me with this one.
I think it's likely because the protagonist, Liese was just not someone I could like.
I'm not saying that all protagonists must always be likeable, that's boring, but the moments of liking her were far outnumbered by those when I liked her. She's utterly human often, which makes it tough given where she ends up. She's got to be that little bit more than your average human given her power and the lot befallen to her. The world building is great in this read - lots of it will feel very familiar to South Africans, and those who know our history.
The internal journey that Liese takes is intense. Birds are extra scary to me now. Revenge is best served hot. Isha is the best. And when do we get book two?
I think it's likely because the protagonist, Liese was just not someone I could like.
I'm not saying that all protagonists must always be likeable, that's boring, but the moments of liking her were far outnumbered by those when I liked her. She's utterly human often, which makes it tough given where she ends up. She's got to be that little bit more than your average human given her power and the lot befallen to her. The world building is great in this read - lots of it will feel very familiar to South Africans, and those who know our history.
The internal journey that Liese takes is intense. Birds are extra scary to me now. Revenge is best served hot. Isha is the best. And when do we get book two?
xan_van_rooyen's review
4.0
Wow, it's been a while since I've read an epic fantasy novel and this was a great book to break back into the genre.
I absolutely loved that this book draws inspiration from South Africa and South African culture. Readers familiar with the country will enjoy nods to the nature, cuisine, and languages.
The author has created a novel rich with world-building. For me, the intricate world-building was one of the best features of the book but also one of its drawbacks. Because readers need to understand how the world works to truly appreciate the politics that drives the plot, the first half of the story felt a little slow at times as it laid the groundwork for the setting and introduced us to the characters.
Around 2/3 into the story, the pacing picks up and the plot really takes off. I flew through the last 25% of the book and was disappointed the story ended where it did because I found myself deeply invested in the characters and I have to know where their story goes from here. I really do hope there's a sequel in the works!
I absolutely loved that this book draws inspiration from South Africa and South African culture. Readers familiar with the country will enjoy nods to the nature, cuisine, and languages.
The author has created a novel rich with world-building. For me, the intricate world-building was one of the best features of the book but also one of its drawbacks. Because readers need to understand how the world works to truly appreciate the politics that drives the plot, the first half of the story felt a little slow at times as it laid the groundwork for the setting and introduced us to the characters.
Around 2/3 into the story, the pacing picks up and the plot really takes off. I flew through the last 25% of the book and was disappointed the story ended where it did because I found myself deeply invested in the characters and I have to know where their story goes from here. I really do hope there's a sequel in the works!
yolandie_horak's review
5.0
I was given a free digital copy of this book for an honest review, but the fact that I ordered a softcover halfway through the read should tell you all you need to know. My shelf was incomplete without it.
If you're looking for not-your-traditional fantasy novel, set in somewhere other than pseudo-Europe, this is the book for you. Lush writing, wonderful characters, and a unique take on magic and self-discovery. Also, the birds. Any book is better if it features birds! Highly recommended.
If you're looking for not-your-traditional fantasy novel, set in somewhere other than pseudo-Europe, this is the book for you. Lush writing, wonderful characters, and a unique take on magic and self-discovery. Also, the birds. Any book is better if it features birds! Highly recommended.
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