You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
kakasnest 's review for:
Rare Birds
by L.B. Hazelthorn
Egypt is swarming with archaeologists making new discoveries. Rom Andromeda (Rom) Godden just wants to finish her degree and get back into the digs. Jasper Teague ordered that his assets, library and papers be burned to the ground upon his death. To Rom, his eldest grandchild, he bequeathed his dog Pixie. Fortunately, the family decided not to follow the Last Will and Testament to the letter, as the only way to save Rom from a blood curse is to discover the truth behind her grandfather’s research.
Rare Birds is a beautifully crafted novel brimming with delightfully drawn characters, from the showy to the discreet. Rom is a somewhat dowdy, second generation suffragette, steadfastly forging her own path in a man’s field. One of the more ‘real’ FMC I’ve read in a while. Unappreciated and underplayed, akin to the women in archaeology she was no doubt modelled on (if you’re interested Amelia Edwards, Kate Bradbury-Griffith, Lady Hester Stanhope). The counterpoint to Rom, our MMC, is “[the] Darkest Bright. The opposite of a star, …. Or a star turned inside out, a poisonous constellation. A falling sky-full. Life in death, end, beginning.” Also known as Mr. Prideaux. Just when I thought I had him pegged, he slipped away again. Points to note: the fae are not friendly and not all Gods (if any) are good.
Hazelthorn anchors the characters in the economic, political and socio-cultural aftermath of WWI, through circumstance (influenza pandemic, Lord Caravan’s Mummy Curse), characterisation (The Bear), and costume. Over this scene they layer fae-lore and contracts, “a random sting of fate”, and the Gods.
These layers add an enormous amount of detail to the novel, ultimately detracting from the pace and tension expected in the murder mystery genre. I found it difficult to give my full attention to Rare Birds until I was maybe 40% through the story. Despite this, superb dialogue (e.g. “The things you know could be engraved in 24-point Baskerville on the back of a penny.’) and reported exchanges throughout kept me cheering for my favourite characters.
Try this book if you liked [b:Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide|61272658|Murder Your Employer The McMasters Guide to Homicide|Rupert Holmes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675615554l/61272658._SX50_.jpg|96610926]. There's a touch of Agatha Christie too (with Gods and Fae). Just take it out for a whirl. It's definitely worth it!
One final note: a few of the birds fluff their feathers at appropriate intervals, expect FF, MM, FM. Spice level: 2
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rare Birds is a beautifully crafted novel brimming with delightfully drawn characters, from the showy to the discreet. Rom is a somewhat dowdy, second generation suffragette, steadfastly forging her own path in a man’s field. One of the more ‘real’ FMC I’ve read in a while. Unappreciated and underplayed, akin to the women in archaeology she was no doubt modelled on (if you’re interested Amelia Edwards, Kate Bradbury-Griffith, Lady Hester Stanhope). The counterpoint to Rom, our MMC, is “[the] Darkest Bright. The opposite of a star, …. Or a star turned inside out, a poisonous constellation. A falling sky-full. Life in death, end, beginning.” Also known as Mr. Prideaux. Just when I thought I had him pegged, he slipped away again. Points to note: the fae are not friendly and not all Gods (if any) are good.
Hazelthorn anchors the characters in the economic, political and socio-cultural aftermath of WWI, through circumstance (influenza pandemic, Lord Caravan’s Mummy Curse), characterisation (The Bear), and costume. Over this scene they layer fae-lore and contracts, “a random sting of fate”, and the Gods.
The gods walked between the animal world and human forms, fluid as the Nile. Just as simple to believe in a hundred gods as one, if you’re going to believe in something, and even the Greeks—who questioned all things seen and unseen, space and time and existence—they sat down to eat, and bowed their heads to the household shrine. You have to believe something, even if it’s only for a moment.
These layers add an enormous amount of detail to the novel, ultimately detracting from the pace and tension expected in the murder mystery genre. I found it difficult to give my full attention to Rare Birds until I was maybe 40% through the story. Despite this, superb dialogue (e.g. “The things you know could be engraved in 24-point Baskerville on the back of a penny.’) and reported exchanges throughout kept me cheering for my favourite characters.
He spoke like a clean incision, an inflection that might have been French and might have been mockery. He returned to his work. It wasn’t that he didn’t have anything to say, she realised. He simply had nothing to say to her.
Try this book if you liked [b:Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide|61272658|Murder Your Employer The McMasters Guide to Homicide|Rupert Holmes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675615554l/61272658._SX50_.jpg|96610926]. There's a touch of Agatha Christie too (with Gods and Fae). Just take it out for a whirl. It's definitely worth it!
One final note: a few of the birds fluff their feathers at appropriate intervals, expect FF, MM, FM. Spice level: 2
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.