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lakeofstars's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
this book was hand catered for me i think
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Violence, Colonisation, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
dlrosebyh's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Simon Jimenez, I was not familiar with your game.
I am not the same person pre-TVB and post-TVB. I’ve been hesitant to read The Vanished Birds because a lot of reviews said it was boring, and for me, no, it really wasn’t. And yes, it might be slow, and the chapters are long, but the pacing made perfect sense.
A lot of people compare The Vanished Birds to the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers. And if you know me, you know I loved that series. While that series is healing and comforting, this book will tear your heart into pieces, throw it against the wall, run it over by a truck, break it even more with a hammer, and pierce it with a sword. I was expecting a simple space found family moment, but noo, Jimenez had to break my heart a million times. My heart broke for every character in this story.
This book is so rich in many ways. The characters, the plot, the world building, the atmosphere, everything. I was so shocked to find out that this is Jimenez’s DEBUT NOVEL. Only a mastermind can do such. I loved how he used scientific explanations for the progression and the effects of capitalism. Those footnotes really intrigued me.
Character wise, I have a question for you, Mr. Jimenez. Did you somehow go through my brain while writing Nia? Because why is she SO ME. The way she tries to protect everyone and is willing to give up anything just to keep everyone safe made me sob so hard. I loved how she treated Ahro, and Ahro, my baby, I will protect you with everything I have. And don’t even get me started on DanaFumiko because I cried over them so many times.
In short, please read this book. Any bad mouth against it shall fall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Colonisation
Minor: Suicide attempt
avacadosocks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Medical trauma, Medical content, Gore, and Body horror
Minor: Suicide attempt and Sexual content
ostenreal's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Body horror, Murder, and Suicide
letsgoevie's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Torture, Child abuse, and Suicide
deereadstoo's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
I always think about the friends that I made in my adult life when I think about found family. Surprisingly enough, I don't read about found family often but it will always have a special place in my heart because it's truly a gift to be able to grow a family outside of the one that courses through your veins. I believe that's why The Vanished Birds by Simon Jiminez struck a chord with me like no other.
I was going into this story thinking it was going to be your normal science fiction read. There would be some action, some strife, some evil, and some triumphs. However, that seems rudimentary compared to what I read in this book.
This story follows Nia Imani, a captain in Allied Space, who is just going through the motions of life. Until she meets a young boy with a broken past. Unbeknownst to her, this boy will be the start of her life. A life that would be filled with loss, pain, love, and hope. However, this story doesn't start with her nor does it just focus on her. There are so many characters sewn into her and the boy's story that they all become somewhat of an amalgamation of each other. You even get to know these characters on an individual level that packs such a potent punch, that you start to feel as though you're in the story with them. You begin to feel their every emotion as though it's your own. Jimenez unfolded such a powerful story about family and loss within these characters that I'd be doing this book a disservice if I rated it anything other than 5 stars. He put purpose behind every word in this book.
I was going into this story thinking it was going to be your normal science fiction read. There would be some action, some strife, some evil, and some triumphs. However, that seems rudimentary compared to what I read in this book.
This story follows Nia Imani, a captain in Allied Space, who is just going through the motions of life. Until she meets a young boy with a broken past. Unbeknownst to her, this boy will be the start of her life. A life that would be filled with loss, pain, love, and hope. However, this story doesn't start with her nor does it just focus on her. There are so many characters sewn into her and the boy's story that they all become somewhat of an amalgamation of each other. You even get to know these characters on an individual level that packs such a potent punch, that you start to feel as though you're in the story with them. You begin to feel their every emotion as though it's your own. Jimenez unfolded such a powerful story about family and loss within these characters that I'd be doing this book a disservice if I rated it anything other than 5 stars. He put purpose behind every word in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
hamstringy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m very conflicted on this book. I really struggled to get into the book: the first chapter really drew me in, but the first part of the book was much more difficult because it was much more removed and slower-paced than I typically enjoy. The characters and world building are built out so beautifully, which almost makes it hard to focus on Jimenez’s story at times. However, this is an incredibly written book and I guess I’m just left stewing in my own emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Beautiful, devastating, and brilliant. The Vanished Birds has a lot that I love: strong character development, an interesting multi-POV structure, and a clear anti-capitalist spirit. This does not read like a debut novel; I can't wait to read more from Simon Jimenez.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Colonisation, Torture, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death, and Medical content
teaxmillions's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
a_kt's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was so imaginative, so beautifully written, it felt like I was in a dream every time I sat down to read. Jimenez's writing style is impeccable, he really draws you in with the ethereal prose and keeps you interested with the intriguing setting, lovable characters, and mysterious twists. I really really enjoyed this book, its everything I want in a sci-fi story: not mind-numbingly complicated with millennia-long backstories and lore, and not overly simplistic with a cheap futuristic "wash". The themes were very relevant to modern day, making this "future" of humanity seem realistic and grounded, but unique enough to feel fresh and tense.
I think the only reason I wouldn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were portions of the book that were just a little too languid for my tastes, most notably the ending. Although I can see what the author was going for- trying to steadily ramp up the tension and build to a moment where you weren't sure what would happen- but unfortunately the build up was a bit drawn out which caused the conclusion to just not hit as hard and it should have.
Aside from that minor criticism, I'm so so glad I read this book and I can't wait to add Jimenez's other works to the TBR pile.
I think the only reason I wouldn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were portions of the book that were just a little too languid for my tastes, most notably the ending. Although I can see what the author was going for- trying to steadily ramp up the tension and build to a moment where you weren't sure what would happen- but unfortunately the build up was a bit drawn out which caused the conclusion to just not hit as hard and it should have.
Aside from that minor criticism, I'm so so glad I read this book and I can't wait to add Jimenez's other works to the TBR pile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Torture, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Toxic relationship