A review by jedore
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson

dark hopeful informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

“It’s an awful thing, you know, to be tolerated—everyone needs you, nobody wants you.”

The book is set in 1491, at the tail end of Muslim rule in Spain, and follows Fatima, a concubine in the court of the last Sultan of Granada. She helps her friend Hassan, a royal cartographer with the magical ability to create maps of places he's never been, escape persecution from the Spanish Inquisition. The novel weaves together elements of historical fiction and magical realism, as the two journey to find the mythical island of the Bird King, a place from Hassan’s maps where they hope to find freedom.

G. Willow Wilson is best known for being the creator of the critically acclaimed *Ms. Marvel* series. She’s also a convert to Islam, and her diverse background and deep knowledge of Islamic culture impact her writing.

This book solidified my realization that I am not a fan of historical fiction blended with magical realism. While I love historical fiction for its ability to bring to life real people, places, and events, the inclusion of magical elements disrupts that experience for me.  

Furthermore, I struggled to connect with the characters. Neither Fatima nor Hassan felt fully developed, and I found it difficult to bond with them or care much about their journey. In fact, I often dreaded picking up the book and felt frustrated while reading, which made it hard to stay engaged.

Despite my issues with the character development and the magical realism, I did appreciate learning about the Muslim presence and influence in Spain during this period, as well as the history of the Spanish Inquisition. 

I have to give honorable mention to the cover art of this book…absolutely stunning. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings