Reviews

Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer

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jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

I've had my eyes on Jeff VanderMeer's [b:Annihilation|17934530|Annihilation (Southern Reach, #1)|Jeff VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403941587l/17934530._SX50_.jpg|24946895] for awhile now so I jumped at the opportunity to read his latest novel, Hummingbird Salamander. This was my first book by him and I enjoyed it. Others (and myself) have tagged this as sci-fi but it isn't super futuristic laser guns, spaceships etc sci-fi. Rather, it is set in the near to mid future in a time where a bunch of animals have gone extinct or are extremely endangered.

Jane Smith works as a security analyst and spends a lot of time away from her family at conferences or on investigations. One day, she receives a key from a recently deceased woman, Silvina, who is a purported bio-terrorist. The key is to a storage unit that contains a taxidermy hummingbird. The bird and the note set Jane off after a trail of clues. Jane's life quickly gets our of control as she finds herself entwined in conspiracy theories, shady dealings, and more.

This modern speculative fiction has a lot to say about the ecosystem and human's treatment of our planet. It's the battle between climate change/environmental activists vs. evil corporations and capitalism cranked up to maximum level. The story is full of twists and turns and is confusing at parts because just like Jane, we have no idea what is going on and how things are connected. It all comes together in the end. This was a fun and thought-provoking techno thriller. I enjoyed this crazy ride and will definitely pick up the Annihilation series sooner rather than later.

What to listen to while reading...
Birds of Paradise by Chromatics
Human by Sevdaliza
No Surprises by Radiohead
You Don't Know Me by Son Lux
Destroy Everything You Touch (Hot Chip Remix) by Ladytron
Running up that Hill by Meg Myers
Echo Home by The Kills
This Mess We're In by PJ Harvey
New Ways by Daughter

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

harrahdf's review against another edition

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4.0

A Raymond Chandler-esque novel set against a close mirror or our current apathy towards climate change. Maybe because I’d just read Venomous Lumpsucker, it had echoes of Beauman’s simultaneously hopeful and despairing view of humanity’s capacity for change, but the perspective was entrenched in and sometimes overwhelmed by tropes of the hardcoded detective genre—namely lengthy internal dialogues, lots of sardonic wit, and a protagonist who gives Philip Marlowe a run for god money in terms of antisocial behavior and cynicism.

daph15's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

mementomoriiv's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

crypticalmoth's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is confusing and difficult to read, I won’t lie. You have to be somewhat familiar with VanderMeer’s writing style to understand the way the book is written, but once you do it’s a beautiful piece of literature. VanderMeer has cemented his place as one of my favorite author.