Scan barcode
A review by sauvageloup
The Language of Seabirds by Will Taylor
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
a beautiful middle school summer friendship/ romance
pros:
- quality of the writing surprised me with its loveliness. dialogue is quite meandering and ordinary in places, but theres some rly poetic bits and a sweetness under it all.
- Jeremy and evan are such nice characters. Jeremy forgave his father repeatedly and felt bad for him, but still stood up for himself and evan. I liked how Jeremy's dad felt real with his problems and ugly coping, though he was still thoroughly dislike able. Jeremy's mum felt realistic too, with her own things going on outside of Jeremy, like regular parents.
- the nature descriptions, the town and the bird language was all very lovely, quite vivid.
- and I liked the text conversations, they felt real without being dull. Jeremy's anxiety about messing up was also relatable whilst never getting too frustrating for the reader.
- nice pacing, very sweet and imminently readable.
cons:
- didnt forgive Jeremy's dad if that was the intent. them working it out felt maybe a little fast
- would've been nice to meet Evan's grandma more.
- Jeremy could honestly have been more angry
- would've been nice to have a hint at them reuniting, more than just next summer. but maybe just bc didnt want it to end!
a very sweet read that I wish was longer or had a sequel! a little simple maybe but lovely.
pros:
- quality of the writing surprised me with its loveliness. dialogue is quite meandering and ordinary in places, but theres some rly poetic bits and a sweetness under it all.
- Jeremy and evan are such nice characters. Jeremy forgave his father repeatedly and felt bad for him, but still stood up for himself and evan. I liked how Jeremy's dad felt real with his problems and ugly coping, though he was still thoroughly dislike able. Jeremy's mum felt realistic too, with her own things going on outside of Jeremy, like regular parents.
- the nature descriptions, the town and the bird language was all very lovely, quite vivid.
- and I liked the text conversations, they felt real without being dull. Jeremy's anxiety about messing up was also relatable whilst never getting too frustrating for the reader.
- nice pacing, very sweet and imminently readable.
cons:
- didnt forgive Jeremy's dad if that was the intent. them working it out felt maybe a little fast
- would've been nice to meet Evan's grandma more.
- Jeremy could honestly have been more angry
- would've been nice to have a hint at them reuniting, more than just next summer. but maybe just bc didnt want it to end!
a very sweet read that I wish was longer or had a sequel! a little simple maybe but lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
the boys have a tense near death experience involving getting caught out by the tide, worrying they will drown, and standing on a ledge for 6 hours. this is not too intense as the tone is soft and romantic