Kaseys Korner

Other Birds

“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing.”

Pretty much a fitting description of every character & POV in the book!

Sarah Addison Allen books are always light fun reads, full of magical realism & usually end on a happy note. 'Other Birds' followed the formula. The authors note at the end was very touching.
If you're familiar with this author and a fan of her work, most likely you will enjoy this latest release too.

 

 

 

 

House of Sky and Breath

WOW. I am completely and wholly thunderstruck by that ending!!!!!! It might take me more than a minute to process but I already know I can't wait to see how that BLINDSIDE plays out!!!!  Actually (now that I'm writing about it) I think I need to go back and reread the ending.  Maybe more than once??!!

When I first started reading this series, I thought maybe SJM was a little bit too verbose?! I know ~ what was I thinking???!! It was such a long and winding path to get engaged in this series ~ the thought crossed my mind "the way some people talk just to hear the sound of their voice, SJM writes because she's got a thing about words." Having finished 'House of Sky and Breath' all I can say is 'how lucky we are that she loves them, has dynamic command of them, invents even more of them, then shares all that mad talent with us!?!" Write as many words as you want ~ I'm going to read every single one!! Lesson learned. I will never ever think about giving up on one of your books again like I pondered doing with 'House of Earth and Blood.' I read book #1 & #2 back to back and instantly dropped right back into this wild world but now, SO MUCH was left hanging, it's going to be sheer agony waiting for book #3.

No way to deny it now, I'm a hopeless fangirl...

House of Earth and Blood

I don't even know what I just read!??! I liken it to one of those spinning top toys ~ at first laying on my side, motionless, just trying to plow thru the chapters, then suddenly someone (SJM) pulls the string and amps the velocity until I can't. read. fast. enough!!! Tears streaming down my face, crying about a girl (Bryce) who I wasn't even impressed with or sure I liked for the first half of the book. I might just have to reread that ending and try to keep dry eyes this time!!

Honestly, what a surprise because I almost dumped the book 30 - 40% in ~ it wasn't grabbing me AT ALL. I picked it up because I loved the 'A Court of Thorn and Roses' series so much I thought I'd try something else by this author. 'House of Earth and Blood' definitely didn't instantly reel me in like the first book of ACOTAR. Nonetheless, Ms Maas built a deep deep world herein and there's much more to be explored. I think it could be extremely exciting... If it takes too long to pick back up in book two, I'm out tho.

I'm rating 4 Stars because of how slow the book started but my advice ~ if you hang in until the ending, it's intense and absolutely redeeming. One thing the book blurb said I disagree with ~ the reference to a searing romance. Seriously?? "Searing" is not quite the correct adjective I would choose to describe it. Certainly there was a slow building attraction between the main characters but by no means searing. Maybe there are plans for that to pick up in book 2??? I've got it on hold so we'll soon find out!