This is the sort of speculative introspective fiction I'm here for. Grief, trauma, introversion, disassociation AND a talking skeleton? Sign me the heck up.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Well I wanted to read this because of the cover and the title.
I thought this would be like the old movie Little shop of horrors.

But this was not at al what I expected. I have no idea what I read or what it was about. I'm totally fucking clueless.

I have a hard time getting why people rated it so high on goodreads, have I missed something???

A cross between urban fantasy and Magical realism, this book had me hooked since the beginning.

Our protagonist is an alcoholic with a complicated personality, dealing with tons of suppressed issues. She finds herself face to face with a skeleton much to her disdain, in her very own backyard! What do you think the skeleton wants? Is it evil or good?

Told with much sarcasm and sadness this tale will stick with most of us. We'll find bits of us in the protagonist and it'll break us. I'm not sure for better or worse!

I do wish the chapters were shorter and there were more characters. I'm still a bit unsure what Sue's point was in the entire story, some more explanation would have been insightful. The writing was fresh and witty, I was chuckling at every turn, which was unusual for me! Overall everyone should take a chance on this story 💙

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

The cover caught my eye - very intriguing. I went into this blind, purposefully avoiding reading the synopsis or any reviews beforehand. I was delighted to find a compelling tale, complete with a chihuahua named Po. (I happen to love Chihuahuas and the description of his little chi daily activities was spot on.)

A talking skeleton, a mysterious neighbor, and an alcoholic self-loathing protagonist is a bit of a strange combination but it works. Some reviewers said they were disappointed because it wasn't "horror." To me it's more magical realism and there was a melancholy to it that made me reflect on my own life. I enjoyed this very much. It's a quick read and such a pleasant way to spend a day.

Highly recommended!

This was a strange book for sure. I think the majority consensus on this book is just that. The characters were good and told the story well. I think it could hav been written for a longer book, but perhaps that would have dulled the details that were as good as they were.

Ooh, this was GOOD. It was crazy, bizarre and felt like a fever dream but it was so good. How to even explain it? Gothic, horror and a touch of fantasy with some hard hitting addiction themes.

Josie is a reclusive, divorced woman who lives alone with her chihuahua, Po, and has an alcohol addiction which is slowly taking over her life.

One night, Josie observes a new neighbour moving in next door. The next morning, she notices a plant bud sprouting out of the earth in her garden. Within a couple of hours, it’s a proper tangle of vines. A bit later, she finds a skeleton sat amongst the vines, and this skeleton has a lot to say to her. What is happening, and why is it happening to her?

I don’t really understand fully what happened, and what it all meant, but I don’t think we are supposed to. This book is so enthralling and bizarre, I think you could interpret a number of things from it, and that’s what makes it so different and interesting!

Quite a quick read at about 220 pages, and I flew through it as I was totally gripped by this strange story.

Sounds intriguing? Little Bird is out on 7 June 2022!

Thanks to NetGalley, Black Spot Books and the author Tiffany Meuret for his advance review copy!

So, lets say some vines grow wildly around your house, and from those vines, a skeleton appears. You don´t know what to do so you talk to them, normal huh? This skelleton says "if you don´t tell me a story in 3 days, something bad it´s going to happen" yeah....
I didn´t knew how to feel about this book, primero, porque no hai crecimiento de persenoajes. El único que me daba penita era Po y solo porque era el perro.
En fin, no hay trama, la protagonísta es una idiota y la vecina en vez de dar respuestas, se quedaba callada. El esqueleto es el único personaje que tiene una historia posta, aunque no sea completamente suya.

Wow! All I can say is that this one was definitely crazy! This is probably one of those that I will definitely add to my physical collection because I would love to read it over again!
Let's begin with Josie, Skelly, Sue and we cannot forget Po (the adorable dog!). Sue is like that one neighbor that we all have that is a nosey neighbor! Skelly is a talking skeleton, which as alarming as that may sound really works in this story!
Josie is recently divorced and while she is struggling she is definitely trying to cope. She loves playing with Po, her dog, and is self-medicating with copious amounts of Vodka. Now all bets go off the table when a plant starts growing in her bare backyard. Now while this plant continues to grow and become unruly Sue starts to implant herself there and is being nosey and getting involved. While Josie can definitely handle Sue, she starts to realize there is more than meets the eye when Skelly appears in her backyard using the unruly plant as a throne.
Slowly Josie starts to realize that Skelly appeared out of nowhere for a reason and Sue seems to know more than she lets on and she must figure out why Skelly appeared and how to solve her issue!
I know that this is probably a cliche-sounding thought but, I really enjoyed this story and while it is horror it's not so bad and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a book that is more than just one idea or thought! This is something different and it's very hard to describe it but it really is a gem! Thank you Black Spot Books and Netgalley because this was definitely a treat and just what I needed when I was feeling overwhelmed!

I was immediately drawn to this book because the description gave me the impression that the story would unravel like a fever dream soaked in metaphor. Somehow, it still managed to remain unpredictable enough to catch me out more than once. The protagonist, Josie, is the type of unlikable complex female character I wish was more commonplace in popular media. The perpetually bored Skelly, the irritating new neighbor Sue, and the wonderful dog Po, are all interesting in their own rights and provide excellent accompaniment to Josie's messy character. The story itself is strange—and I don't mean like 'Twilight Zone' strange, more like, you-have-to-read-it-to-get-it strange. I'm not entirely sure if I really loved this book or if I'm simply in awe of it, which seems like the sort of reaction Josie would appreciate.

A best way to describe this one is a weird little book. Some of the commentary was long winded but if you are up for a different read, this one is it!!

The cover was INSANE. Not going to lie, I definitely judged this book by the cover. It is SO GORGEOUS, and the main reason I was attracted to this book. I was very close to having this one be a DNF because it just wasn’t my style.

This story definitely hovers between the likes of fantasy, mystery and horror. If you are wanting a different read, give this one a try!

Little Bird is a book I badly wanted to love but ultimately, ended up struggling too much with it. It has a very promising premise—I mean, how can you not be intrigued by a talking skeleton making it’s new home in your backyard with sentient vines? Plus, you apparently only have a few days to figure out why it’s there or you’ll end up in a catastrophe. Adding onto these is the fact that this book is about “found family, no matter how bizarre” and you’ll have a book that sounds like a sure winner.

Unfortunately, no matter how in love I am with the idea of the book, the execution of the plot is a different matter altogether. The narrative is incredibly long-winded. It describes everything and half of it isn’t even necessary because it neither moves the story forward nor build character.

As for the characters, while I find Josie relatable enough despite her many flaws and lack of redeeming qualities, Skelly the talking skeleton and Sue, Josie’s new neighbour got on my nerves more often than not. They were really pushy and annoying, though I understand that some of this stems from the story being character-driven and that they were tight on time. Nevertheless, all of the characters are flat even though they had strong characteristics.

Other than that, I couldn’t find a meaningful point to having stories within this story. It just dragged the book on, and my interest was gone at this point. It also didn’t help that the conversations between Josie and Skelly were very much 21-questions-game style and that there’s an abundance of telling instead of showing. Honestly, because of this, I believe Little Bird would’ve faired better as a play than a novel.

Anyway, after losing my interest, I started skimming the book and that turned out to be a good decision because there’s way less horror than expected—like, so little horror that even Skelly isn’t scary. In fact, Little Bird would perhaps be more accurately categorised as a book with elements of dark magical realism than horror.

All in all, a lot of nothing happened throughout the 60% of the story that I did actually read, which is disappointing because I was hoping for more. Nevertheless, I did like the ending and Josie’s overall journey to acceptance.

I couldn’t pass the cover of Little Bird up, it is so SO pretty! Skulls/skeletons and flowers will always get my attention. 👀

Josie is grieving the end of her marriage and loss of her father. Her relationship with her mother is strained and Josie’s sorrow, loneliness and alcoholism make her the most unlikeable person. She’s a recluse if there ever was one. Her little dog Po is her only social interaction until a talking skeleton shows up in her yard bringing a massive invasion of vines with it and a new and nosy neighbor, Sue, moves in and begins to pester the shit out of her.

The vines have a life of their own and begin to take over her yard and consume her house, much to Josie’s terror. The skeleton, Skelly, is extremely sarcastic and annoyingly patient and persistent, and so, so weird - but what talking Skeleton isn’t weird? Skelly wants something from Josie but Josie has no idea how to provide and the ending is so crazy but so sweet all at the same time.

Josie was so irritable and miserable that I found it hard to push through the first half, but I accepted an ARC for this and felt like it was my duty to finish it… and I’m glad I did.
I wouldn’t call Little Bird a horror book, because there was nothing scary about it, but it was sad and heartwarming all at the same time.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy. Little Bird is anticipated to be published on June 7, 2022.

I saw this and initially wanted to read it due to the cover. A cover for me tells me so much about the story and this one definitely pulled me in. Then I read the blurb which was just as intriguing. I mean how much storyline can you get from a tiny weed?

What I found about this book was that it wasn’t so much a story about a talking skull but more a story of how isolating manic depression can be.

It incorporates grief, mental health, anxiety and agoraphobia which I could definitely relate to. It’s dealt with, with sensitivity and an approach that is slightly bizarre and fanciful through a dark fantasy story but it does have many levels to the actual meaning behind the story. I’m not sure if some readers really caught on to that element. For me the vines depicted how anxiety can tie you up in knots and keep you in a depressive state.

The neighbour Sue was an intriguing character, exactly who and what the neighbour was Im unsure. She was mysterious … and a friend guiding Josie.

For a genre I’ve only recently re taken up reading I was really pleasantly surprised by it. I mean it was really weird but you kind of take your own meaning from it. It full of an underlying sadness mixed with a raging character.

The authors writing is a delightful mix of humour laced with a bit of sarcasm I loved it despite it being a really strange book. I’ve only given a three star rating because I’ve been left still confused.

First, although this is in the horror genre, I would say it is more a contemporary paranormal fantasy.
The horror element I was expecting just wasn’t there, but that doesn’t take away from how delightfully bizarre this is.

The cover is gorgeous, and what initially caught my eye then, after reading the synopsis, I was intrigued, but by the time I came to read the book, I had forgotten what it was about and went in blind. I’m pleased I did.

From the way the story is still playing on my mind, it will stay with me for a while, and once it is released, I will be buying a physical copy.

Okay, so time to talk about the main character, Josie. She is fabulous! Flawed, a little bitter, and grumpy, her interactions with the other characters, including her dog, Po, are hilarious and wonderfully entertaining.
Josie is intelligent and cleverly disguises her pain and sadness with her humour, blunt manner, and rudeness.

Josie is more complex than she first appears to be. Her loneliness is palpable, lost in her self-imposed isolation with nothing but her work and alcohol to keep her company. And she is drowning in both.
Okay, she does have Po, but even the cutest dogs cannot save a person.

The introduction of a new neighbour and a skeleton (called Skelly) sitting on a throne made of vines in Josie’s garden dramatically changes the course of her life in a way I never anticipated.
The peculiar relationship between Josie & Skelly is humorous, to begin with, but it doesn’t take long before the interactions become confusing and intricate, unearthing a hidden meaning lurking underneath.

The cover perfectly captures the essence of the book.
A story so tragic and beautiful, it is easy to relate to in ways you would not think possible.

Even as I am writing this review, I am rethinking my rating.

One final thing I liked was that the chapters were days. It is little touches like this that help a book to stand out.

Trigger warnings: Alcoholism. Grief. Dark Themes.

Thank you, NetGalley & Black Spot Books, for the gift of the arc ebook in return for an honest review.

Finally sat down to write a review of this book!! I didn’t know what this book was about when I requested it, because all I was thinking was “wow that cover! I must have it” 😂 But I’m glad that I wasn’t disappointed with the content. If you too got attracted to this book because of the cover + if you like to read weird stories that hover between the lines of fantasy, mystery, and horror, I highly recommend this.

Little Bird was a quick read, a decently paced story told over the course of a week. Its ok if you feel a bit disoriented with talking objects and cute little things, but I assure you this book is like nothing you have read before!! Weird, different and definitely worth reading.

Thank you Black spot books via Netgalley for the reading copy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC I was able to read Little Bird (which honestly, the cover made me do it + the description sealed the deal). I wasn’t sure what I was expecting in this story going into it, but upon finishing it wasn’t exactly this. It was a quick read that moved at a decent pace and at times felt very reminiscent of reading a cozy mystery. Maybe cozy horror needs to be a new genre? There wasn’t much overtly horror about the story itself aside from a sentient skeletal being. Josie isn’t a likable character, although I don’t think she is supposed to be, but it was still disappointing that she didn’t truly address any of her issues. Overall it’s a unique concept that made for an enjoyable light read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Spot Books for the ARC. First, look at this cover! I am in love!! I usually do not read fantasy books, but this book was really good. Josie cut herself off from everyone and mostly spends her time with her dog, what I would give to live like this! She also buries herself in her work. The details in this book were amazing. It made me feel like I was there watching it play out. Definitely a book I will recommend. But again have you seen this cover?! It's beautiful.

The cover of this book is what originally grabbed my attention, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it! The story is quite short at just 230 pages, so perfect for readers who need a quick read. If there was any way to categorize this story it would be under ‘ cosy horror’… if that’s even a genre.
This book is about a main character called Josie and a talking Skeleton that appears in her back garden and her recent neighbor, Sue. Nothing in this book was predictable and the main character is her own worst enemy.

If you like guirky, mystical books.. this is for you!

I really liked reading the books. It was an enjoyable experience. The weirdness in the story grabbed my focus. I did loss my focus at parts but it was retrieved again. A good read!

Josie spends her time playing with her dog and drinking large amounts of vodka in an effort to cope with her father's death and the end of her marriage.  This lonely, solitary life soon changes when a strange plant starts growing in her backyard, followed by the appearance of an unexpected guest:  a talking skeleton named Skelly.  Where did Skelly come from, and will her wisdom be able to help a grieving Josie?  I really didn't know what to expect, but I quickly found myself caught up in this story.  Josie may not be the most likeable or sympathetic character, but I could relate to some of the emotions she had regarding her losses.  I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending (maybe I was building up something different in my head?  I don't know), but overall a great novel, one of my favorites of 2022.  Highly recommend.