*Other Birds* by Sarah Addison Allen is soft, a little weird, and totally sweet. It’s got magic, ghosts, found family, and just enough romance to make you smile. The characters feel like people you want to hang out with, and the whole thing has this dreamy, comforting vibe. Kinda like a hug in book form.

Other Birds is a beautifully whimsical and quietly profound novel that feels like a warm breeze carrying secrets and second chances. Sarah Addison Allen blends magical realism with tender character-driven storytelling in a way that feels both cozy and enchanting. The Dellawisp and its cast of eccentric neighbors (including a few delightful ghosts) are full of charm and mystery, and watching Zoey unravel their stories—and her own—feels like peeling back the layers of a dream. This book is about grief, belonging, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways people find connection. If you love stories with heart, a touch of magic, and characters who feel like old friends, Other Birds will absolutely sweep you away.

Sarah Addison Allen will always be a comfort read, and Other Birds is very tied to family and connections and the bonds that humans form with each other. The writing is great, as usual. This is a very calm read without a lot of zip to it. I enjoyed my time in this world, but it wasn't earth shattering.

Other Birds is a beautifully crafted tale telling of a particular summer when a small group of people intersect at the Dellawisp condominiums on Mallow Island (fictional), S.C. Each is a lost soul in their own way. And each is dealing with ghosts, real or imagined, from the past.

Recent high school graduate Zoey Hennessey moves to the Dellawisp from Tulsa, leaving the cold home of her father and stepmother to take up residence in the upstairs studio condo left to her by her late mother Paloma. Her mother left her the condo as well as a tidy invested sum to pay for Zoey’s college in Charleston. One of the few belongings Zoey brings with her is a seemingly empty wicker bird cage housing the invisible Pigeon, who guides Zoey.

Henna artist Charlotte Lungren owns one of the one bedroom condos on the first floor. Staying totally to herself, Charlotte seems to be watching over her shoulder and always ready to take off with little notice.

Across the open area lives master chef Mac Garrett. Having started life in terrible circumstances on the island, a young Mac was taken in by the late Camille and brought up with love and good food. Beginning his career in Charleston restaurants, when Camille became elderly and needed Mac nearby, he got his one bedroom condo and took on the sous chef position at the island’s large resort. Eventually, Mac moved to the executive chef position. He basically works constantly and cleans up the fine cornmeal, a cooking staple for Camille, he finds himself covered in each morning.

And then there are the Lime sisters who live at opposite ends of the first floor. Lizbeth Lime loosely works for famous island native author Roscoe Avanger. Lizbeth, younger sister to Lucy, has an all consuming vendetta against her sister. Her grown son, Oliver, is about to finish college in California but she never expects his return. Her condo is burgeoning with boxes and crates of papers of unknown importance. In fact, one can barely find a path through the mess. What secrets could be found here?

Lucy is a recluse. Having served prison time and now spending her time sitting in the dark looking out the window behind the glow of her cigarette, no one has actually spoken to the woman in ages.

And last, but maybe most importantly, is Frazier. The elderly dark skinned gentleman manages the building and cares for the tenants as well as the exotic Dellawisps that inhabit the brugmansia bush in the front. With their vivid turquoise plumage and raucous songs, they are the main reason Roscoe Avanger renovated these old stables into apartments that are watched over still.

This is such an interesting tale. Part character study, this novel also has a layer of mystery and an ethereal quality as it brings together unique people coming into each others lives during a convergent summer. Each person carries their own secrets and are shadowed by their own ghosts. As the culminating incident occurs, it will explode the plot to come to an unexpected conclusion. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

This book was so much fun a few surprising twist and turns and I loved the magical realism. Can’t wait for her next book.!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I've tried to get into this book a few times and haven;t been able to. DNF

The most beautiful, whimsical, touching ghost story. Characters that are likely to stay with you forever. My new favorite fiction book.

Set in a picturesque Charleston apartment complex, the novel weaves together the lives of its quirky residents, each grappling with their own struggles and secrets. The story centers around Zoey, a young woman who inherits a mysterious apartment and discovers that the building’s inhabitants—both living and deceased—hold the key to unlocking her past and finding her place in the world.

Allen’s writing is lush and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between reality and magic are delightfully blurred. The apartment complex itself feels like a character, filled with its own history and charm, and the magical elements add a whimsical touch without overwhelming the story. The themes of healing and connection are explored with sensitivity and depth, making the novel both engaging and emotionally resonant.

The characters are well-drawn and endearing, each bringing their own unique perspective to the narrative. Zoey’s journey of self-discovery is compelling, and her interactions with the other residents are both poignant and heartwarming. While some plot twists may feel a bit predictable, the emotional payoff and the development of the characters are handled with grace and care.

The pacing of the novel is steady, with moments of quiet reflection and bursts of magical intrigue that keep the reader engaged. The resolution ties up the various threads of the story nicely, offering a satisfying conclusion that feels both hopeful and realistic.

Overall, Other Birds is a captivating and uplifting novel that showcases Sarah Addison Allen’s talent for blending the magical with the everyday. It’s a charming read that will resonate with fans of contemporary fiction and magical realism alike, leaving a lasting impression long after the last page is turned.

Upon relocating to her late mother's former residence on Mallow Island, South Carolina, nineteen-year-old Zoey is met with an overwhelming sense of loss and solitude that has been a constant presence in her life since her mother's passing during her childhood. The apartment, called Dellawisp after the enigmatic turquoise birds that inhabit the area, becomes the setting for Zoey's unexpected connection with her fellow tenants, each carrying their own burdens of sorrow and heartache.

The enchanting element of magic woven into the narrative of this tale introduces a captivating layer of complexity that captivates the reader from the very first page to the last. As a fervent admirer of stories centered around the concept of found family, I found "Other Birds" to be an incredibly fulfilling and satisfying exploration of this theme.

I finally read this one and wow. It was amazing. I was hesitant at first but ended up living it in the end.

The way I could kick myself for not picking this up sooner. Mood reading can be a drag at times.

The story is touching as we navigate characters that come together to and learn to love; themselves and others. To belong is to be seen and there is not always a place for this and not always someone you need to know by blood. People are our people for numerous reasons. Found family can help you feel like you belong. I absolutely loved the birds. I am such a huge fan of birds.

"Other Birds" is the book on grief we all needed, and it could only have been written by Sarah. This book has been waited, yearned, and longed for by many readers alike, myself included. I adored meeting the cast of characters through Zoey at The Dellawisp. I had an inkling as to who/what the bird accompanying her represented, but I was still charmed by Zoey and her coming to learn who her mother was and what kind of life she lived. This book made me want to ask more questions, call more often, and check in more with my own mom - which is the magic of Sarah Addison Allen. She leaves you wanting a stray piece of candy, a fuzzy summer peach, or a crisp apple (if you dare). While this was not my favorite book of hers, it is a beautiful addition to a body of work that feels like an old and dear friend.

"Other Birds" by Sarah Addison Allen is a beautifully crafted tale filled with magical realism and heartwarming moments. Set on the enchanting Mallow Island, the story follows Zoey Hennessey as she inherits her mother's apartment at The Dellawisp, a charming building inhabited by an eclectic group of residents, including ghosts. The novel artfully weaves together the lives of these characters, each grappling with their own pasts and secrets.

I was captivated by the atmosphere Allen creates, blending the mystical with the everyday. The narrative is rich with themes of loss, healing, and the importance of found family. Zoey's journey to uncover the mysteries of her new home and connect with her neighbors is both touching and intriguing.

The writing is lyrical, and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed the depth of the characters, each bringing their own unique perspective and backstory to the plot. The touches of magic and the sense of community among the residents of The Dellawisp added a delightful layer to the story.

Overall, "Other Birds" is a gem of a book that will appeal to fans of magical realism and those who enjoy stories about personal growth and connection. I highly recommend it for a cozy, emotional read.

I am writing to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read 'Other Birds' by Sarah Addison Allen. Although I finished reading this book before its release date in 2022, I am only now getting around to reviewing it. I apologize for the delay in writing this review.

As a dedicated fan who has read all the author's books, I can confidently say that "Other Birds" lives up to her previous works. The story follows Zoey, who inherits an apartment from her late mother, known as the Delawisp Apartments, situated on Mallow Island, SC. Zoey formed connections with the group of unique residents, including a woman on the run, a heartbroken chef, two estranged sisters, and even some ghosts. Ms. Addison Allen does an excellent job with character development, and the reader learns about each of their lives, backstories, and the hardships they have faced and overcome. Ms. Addison draws the reader into Zoey's and the residents' journey, evoking strong emotions that linger even after finishing the novel. I still hear the delawisps, and the story's impact remained with me for days. "Other Birds" is a tale of self-discovery, connection, friendship, love, and the creation of a newfound family. I adored this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

Finally a book that broke my reading slump!!! This story was even better than I expected. I read it in two settings…albeit on a long road trip. Then I recounted the whole thing for my husband! So glad to own this one on my shelf. Great characters. Superb character development. I think Mac was my favorite, but they were all wonderful. And that last reveal…the first page of the epilogue…made me gasp. I did not see that coming, although maybe I should have.
This was going to be a solid 4 stars, but when I caught myself smiling through so much of the book, I had to bump it up.

Favorite quote: “Zoey was uneasy with the thought of untold stories. What happens to them? Where do they go? If you never share your stories with at least one other person, does that mean they weren’t real, that they never really existed?”

I absolutely adore Sarah Addison Allen's writing and have devoured everything she's written. Other Birds is no exception. All of Allen's quirkiness, charm, and heart are present as is the magical realism that makes her stories shine.

The interconnectedness of the characters was so satisfying to watch play out despite the sadness, lingering resentments, and lost potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher.

Beautiful magical realism in a southern gothic novel! This poignant story of grief, found families, love and longing. I think the creative way they author finds to describe grief and longing is amazing. Each character is fascinating and compelling to read about on their journey of self-discovery. I think the story within the story of Mallow Island is another unique facet of this novel. I loved the parents and children themes and how you always long for your family no matter how old you are. I have been a fan of SAA from her previous novels and I live in NC so I love knowing some of the places personally.

I am a HUGE Sarah Addison Allen fan, and this book perfectly illustrates why:
Her luminous, fantastical storytelling is both enchanting and emotional.
Other Birds will transport you to a small coastal town that harbors many secrets. In the ensemble, each character is mysterious and enjoyable in their own way.
I loved the twists the plot took to show you more of who these people are and how they all ended up in a small apartment complex together. A lovely summer read.

I have always love Sarah Addison Allen's books and was so happy to see that she had released a new one. Other Birds had the familiar mystical and magical books while also adding a layer of grief and mourning and what that can mean to different people. This was a beautiful, heartfelt book that tugged on my heartstrings until the very last page.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All words and opinions are my own.

Sarah Addison Allen does a fantastic job or threading the right amount of magical realism into her small town stories. The charm of the characters, the location development and the weaving of everyone's story comes together beautifully.