This was my first introduction to the bird verse, and wow! Like most fantasies, this book throws you in fast, with the story told in alternating viewpoints: Uiziya and the nameless man. I read it all in one setting and would love to sit in this world a little longer, as brutal and harsh as it can be. There is a hopeful tone as these two characters seek to better understand their identities and discover freedom for themselves. I’m intentionally vague and I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that you should pick this up if you love fantasy!

This story is indeed profound. A hopeful tale of wanderlust told from the perspective of those who are tired of waiting for their lives to begin. I felt lucky to be able to explore this world and would love to return. This story of light also includes a rich darkness that talks of death and hope.

I struggled to read through this book. The writing style seemed...repetitive and childish at times. I was constantly confused on who was narrating the story, as it switched points of view often and at odd times in the story. Because of those issues, I struggled to figure out what the story line actually was.

I think the IDEA of the book is good, it's a world where gender dysphoria is rampant, but the characters have the ability to "transform" at some point. But the idea was not executed in a manner that allows the reader to really connect and understand.

Wow. This is my first foray into the Birdverse and what a wondrous strange and beautiful world it is. The poetic language seeps under your skin almost unnoticed until you realise you are grabbing every free second to be with it again, leaning against the kitchen work surface, in the back of the car, in line at the post office. It’s a true strength of the narrative that this is a perfect standalone story; I was made aware there was more background but not frustratingly so, more as a glimpse into a place, the richness of which is only scratched at and begs to be explored more.
The subject of gender, the alienation of one’s own body and the chosen changes therein were addressed with heartbreaking immediacy and intimacy. Having lived a life being several kinds of ‘other’, in many kinds of substrata of society and culture, I still came away feeling I understand these things more empathetically, being given a look as a person looking in from the outside.
And the fantastic, magical setting lends itself perfectly to addressing these subjects. What a beautiful world, so tactile, so brutal in some of the classical fairy tale-like subject matter: weaving from bone, capturing soul essence through song, pacts made and undone by betrayal, love lost and made peace with.
I absolutely loved it.

I thought this was a brutally beautiful tale, with some fantastical elements that enhanced the narrative but did not take away from the insightful messaging. Lemberg developed, powerfully transformative characters that give us the opportunity to explore pain, hope and acceptance. A truly lovely read.

Wow. This book was magnificent. The opposing views of the societies on how they accepted, or did not accept, "changers" as they were called in the book felt familiar. The internal struggle for the No Name Man as he journeyed through the change and his desire to feel as tho he fit but struggling with how he was raised.

Without giving away too much I loved the revelation by Uiziya as the book unfolds. I can't share too much without sharing too much of the book.

The way the book describes the world and the magic is inventive and created an incredibly gorgeous land of beauty but also pain in an interesting way.

Hands down recommend this book to everyone. Especially those not exactly family with transitioning and the struggle of transgender people. I loved that this book also included non-binary people.