myko_tofana 's review for:

Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer

4.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This story is masterfully written. It's paced to climb higher and faster over time, and so many wildly clever details are woven through the whole length. The themes of climate and political crisis on a global scale happening out of view keeps the mood serious. I'm not surprised this was published in '21 - it would have been written largely during the worst of lockdown. The terror and insecurity and unprecedented feeling of life at the time colors this novel and makes it uncomfortably relatable. Setting aside, the way this approaches the human condition and familial strife spins an even more intense angle. I feel hopeless yet inspired, saddened yet determined....I feel like this one really spoke to me personally and am shaken over how powerful Hummingbird Salamander feels. 
Read it.