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keen23's review against another edition
3.0
There were things I loved about this book, and things I really hated.
clairaurum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
mathman329's review against another edition
3.0
2023 Book Review - Book No. 17: “All the Birds in the Sky” written by Charlie Jane Anders, narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan
Date started: 4/24/23
Date finished: 5/18/23
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like technology, witches, and climate fiction)
Spoiler free review: This was a good audiobook to have borrowed from the library, though it took me a bit to get through it. This book had shown up as a recommendation for me based on the algorithms that be. I was definitely intrigued and the beginning of the book was certainly promising, giving Gaiman-esque vibes at times.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t love the story. At times, the plot was any of the following: meandering, predictable, madcap, repetitive, droll, whimsical, et al. I got lost in the story about 2/3 of the way through, wondering what exactly the endgame of the novel was. I know I’ve been a bit harsh on books in the past when they’ve been too predictable, but those books typically had a direction they were constantly progressing forward.
At its best, I felt like Anders’ writing was much in the same vein as Neil Gaiman or absurdist author Christopher Moore. But at its worst, it was a weak mimicry of these authors with a lot less resolve. Add in a lukewarm ending, and I would say read it if you have extra time and like the aforementioned authors, but certainly don’t elevate it to the top of your TBR’s immediately.
Date started: 4/24/23
Date finished: 5/18/23
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like technology, witches, and climate fiction)
Spoiler free review: This was a good audiobook to have borrowed from the library, though it took me a bit to get through it. This book had shown up as a recommendation for me based on the algorithms that be. I was definitely intrigued and the beginning of the book was certainly promising, giving Gaiman-esque vibes at times.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t love the story. At times, the plot was any of the following: meandering, predictable, madcap, repetitive, droll, whimsical, et al. I got lost in the story about 2/3 of the way through, wondering what exactly the endgame of the novel was. I know I’ve been a bit harsh on books in the past when they’ve been too predictable, but those books typically had a direction they were constantly progressing forward.
At its best, I felt like Anders’ writing was much in the same vein as Neil Gaiman or absurdist author Christopher Moore. But at its worst, it was a weak mimicry of these authors with a lot less resolve. Add in a lukewarm ending, and I would say read it if you have extra time and like the aforementioned authors, but certainly don’t elevate it to the top of your TBR’s immediately.
mihaaap's review against another edition
2.0
I speed-read it after I got to the half because the story got extremely lame.
ttribedi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ejjay7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.75
Beautiful book- heartbreaking and lovely, tragic and hopeful. Wonderfully follows a witch and a super engineer from childhood through their incredible but traumatic lives into adulthood amid a climate change apocalypse. Really similar to (but completely distinct from) Good Omens. Loved it
soupgirl9's review against another edition
2.0
this book lost me when they “hashed out their respective relationship problems while smoking an elf shaped bong on the couch.” the way this book is written is so insane to me in a way i really can’t explain
gabengal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
2.0
A strong start with some interesting characters but I felt the over arching storyline ended up falling a bit flat and the writing was all over the place.
I didn't really like Laurence or Patricia - they were too archetypal in their construction - so I didn't really care or connect with their struggles. I thought Peregrine was far more interesting but felt the story was a bit old hat - they author didn't take us into any new territories or present any unique ideas on the subject. AI becomes 'aware' - it wants what non-AIs have - companionship. This solves great drama between two people who come from the opposite side of the tracks to each other but are both outsiders desperately seeking acceptance, bleh di blah. Oh, and all adults are bastards. And SPOILER the assassin (who is the least malevolent, convincing baddy I have ever come across) is basically irrelevant. Magic is never explained satisfactorily, scientists behave like un-caring dicks and everyone appears to be a hipster. Oh and what the fuck - Diantha's reappearance is total page filler; why she's called back nobody knows, what she's doing nobody knows and why she was 'expelled but not really just graduated without honours' nobody knows. A lot of stuff happens for no reason and lots of characters pop-up randomly and serve no real purpose. Also, did I mention everyone is a dick?
I had also hoped the birds would be more relevant. Like a Secrets of NIMH moment. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Overall a pretty mediocre fantasy book that couldn't decide whether it was aimed at kids or adults.
I didn't really like Laurence or Patricia - they were too archetypal in their construction - so I didn't really care or connect with their struggles. I thought Peregrine was far more interesting but felt the story was a bit old hat - they author didn't take us into any new territories or present any unique ideas on the subject. AI becomes 'aware' - it wants what non-AIs have - companionship. This solves great drama between two people who come from the opposite side of the tracks to each other but are both outsiders desperately seeking acceptance, bleh di blah. Oh, and all adults are bastards. And SPOILER the assassin (who is the least malevolent, convincing baddy I have ever come across) is basically irrelevant. Magic is never explained satisfactorily, scientists behave like un-caring dicks and everyone appears to be a hipster. Oh and what the fuck - Diantha's reappearance is total page filler; why she's called back nobody knows, what she's doing nobody knows and why she was 'expelled but not really just graduated without honours' nobody knows. A lot of stuff happens for no reason and lots of characters pop-up randomly and serve no real purpose. Also, did I mention everyone is a dick?
I had also hoped the birds would be more relevant. Like a Secrets of NIMH moment. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Overall a pretty mediocre fantasy book that couldn't decide whether it was aimed at kids or adults.
mmajer's review against another edition
3.0
Ughhhhh. So. Frustrating. I wanted so badly to love this book, I really did, but it was just meh. The beginning started off so well and I was hooked- I read it any spare second I had. The second half just fizzled out and I struggled to finish it.