3.5 stars, rounded up. Zoey moves into her late mother’s condo on Mallow Island, South Carolina. She brings an empty birdcage, with an invisible bird, named Pigeon. That same night, one of the residents dies suddenly, when a bookcase falls on her. However, that sad incident leads to Zoey meeting all the other residents of the Dellawisp, including the blue birds that try to regulate activities. The story of each resident slowly unfolds, along with 3 ghosts still living at the Dellawisp. Each resident has their own family hardship and struggle with current relationships. This is a nice, light, feel-good story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.

🐦📘Other Birds📘🐦 by @sarahaddisonallen

This lovely novel set on Mallow Island, South Carolina winds ghosts, strange birds, and family losses together into a story where seemingly unrelated people are drawn together in unexpected ways. Allen writes sentences that draw the reader into the story just as the magical food draws people home. Perfect for fans of magical realism and found family themes.

From the publisher:

Four friends. One night. Not everyone will come out alive . . .

When a deadly snowstorm strikes the Icelandic highlands, four friends seek shelter in a small, abandoned hunting lodge.

It is in the middle of nowhere and there's no way of communicating with the outside world.

They are isolated, but they are not alone . . .

Review: Okay this book had me hooked at the beginning - I thought it was actually a bit shocking and mysterious and creepy I've never read something that started off that strong. This novel is very atmospheric and I was on a real Scandinavian mystery novel kick so this was perfect for that. The ending didn't particularly resonate or satisfy me but overall an enjoyable read. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my free digital copy.

MAGICAL. There is something about reading a Sarah Addison Allen book that transports you. You want to live in that magical world where troubles still exist but your surrounded by magic that makes everything a bit softer.

This book was great - the characters were well rounded, their troubles there but not what they lived for, and so very likeable. The setting was perfect with the oasis in the middle of chaos.

I can't say enough good things about this book and highly recommend to...EVERYONE.

Other Birds takes its time methodically introducing a cast of complex characters that'll break and mend your heart in equal measure.

In the months leading up to her first day of college Zoey moves into her late mother's condo. The Dellawisp, an otherworldly cobblestone condo complex, is nestled in a secluded nook on a quiet and secluded Mallow Island. It's quirky tenants and Boisterous Birds soon intrigue Zoey and she eagerly begins to learn the heartbreaking stories of the small community.

Other Birds is a must read for folks who love character driven stories. We're offered a huge cast of characters here and they each get equal billing. I found myself engaged with each, rooting for most, grumbling at some, and empathetic for all. While initially this story felt a bit isolated and slow for my liking it picked up steam at the mid point and it delivered big with a whole lot of heart!!

The authors tell-tale magic is threaded throughout creating a story that's masterfully balanced between harsh humanity and lighter whimsy.

I only dock one star because I felt an opportunity was missed to sprinkle in some more atmospheric elements.

Not rating!

I was wanting to try some magical realism, but at 25% I realize this isn’t for me!

Magical Realism is style of literary fiction and art. It paints a realistic view of the world while also adding magical elements, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Despite including certain magic elements, it is generally considered to be a different genre from fantasy because magical realism uses a substantial amount of realistic detail and employs magical elements to make a point about reality, while fantasy stories are often separated from reality. (Wikipedia)

Please read the reviews from those who love the genre and the author because it’s just a matter of personal taste and nothing more. 🐦

Other Birds
Sara Addison Allen

Other Birds is Southern Fried Fiction meets Magical Realism, a poignant and a bit otherworldly coming of age story, a love story and a story that tells readers families aren’t always blood related. Beautifully set on a touristy fictional South Carolina barrier island this master storyteller will have her audience entranced as she weaves her multilayered tale about love, loss, starting over and letting go. Readers will be mesmerized by Sara’s fluid narrative, whimsical dialogue and exceptional quirky characters both corporeal and spectral, especially Zoey who is simply enchanting, a misfit who just wants to belong who just so happens to move into a condo complex full of other misfits who just want to belong and as Sara fills in all the blanks of her story readers will find themselves totally hooked. Fans of Karen White, MJ Rose, Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig will find this extraordinary novel absolutely unputdownable.

Zoey Hennessey hasn’t had it easy growing up in a family who always made her feel like an outsider but now she’s ready to make a fresh start, start living, ready to start college in the fall but first she’s ready to come home to Mallow Island and move into the condo at the Dellawisp she inherited from her late mother. So armed with all her earthly belongings and her invisible pet pigeon she takes her first baby steps into adulthood. Her neighbors, including the tiny pesky turquoise birds the condo complex is named for, a henna artist, a chef, two sisters, plus the condo manager are a quirky bunch and all seem to be ships that pass in the night. When one of the sisters dies accidentally at home, Zoey takes on the job of cleaning out the woman’s apartment because she needs something to do until school stars and decides it’s also the perfect way to meet her neighbors, learn their stories and hopefully be able to share hers as well.

This is a heartwarming magical realism book about finding your self and finding those who accept you for who you are. I love how this book has a wide variety of characters, each with their own unique story that all comes together and connects with other stories in the end. This is a bit of a slow burn, so it took me some time to truly get hooked, but I am so glad I kept with it. This is a sweet and meaningful read. Thank you so much to Net Galley, the author, and publisher for providing this book for my honest review.

Pure magic! Escape from reality with this whimsical, heart-stirring book. There are birds—both invisible and real (and the real birds are full of personality)—and ghosts. But at its heart this a book about lost childhoods, grief, and secrets. The residents of Dellawisp are wonderfully quirky, each with their own origin story, but they come together in this place to find friendship, love, and family. Sarah Addison Allen fans have been clamoring for a new book, and they are going to love this one!

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is a thought provoking book about the family we grow up with and the family that we choose after we grow up.

I loved this new novel from Sarah Addison Allen!

Set on Mallow Island off the coast of South Carolina we follow a cast of characters each struggling with their own past and ongoing journey. It is a lovely story of found family and the importance of community. A charming story with hints of magic and ghosts (but not the scary kind).

I don't have the words to say how much I loved this book, but here is my attempt.

Other Birds is hands down one of my favorite books. I'm not saying this is the best book ever written, the most technically perfect, the best paced, the greatest characters, none of that (though I truly loved every one of those aspects here). I'm saying this book made me feel deeply for the characters - I was happy when they were, I was relieved when they were, scared when they were, everything. I loved every twist and bend in the tale and every single one felt earned and right unlike so many "twists" that are written for shock and awe. I'm truly going to mourn not being with Mac, Charlotte, Zoey, Oliver, Frasier, and Lucy. I'm going to miss Mallow Island. I'm going to crave cornmeal pancakes and sweet marshmallow treats for weeks after this. Allen truly paints a world for her readers, complete with smells, tastes, sounds, everything. This book is a treat for the soul.

**Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC**

Sarah Addison Allen's books always are magical in just the right ways. "Other Birds" is no exception.

Set on Mallow Island in South Carolina, "Other Birds" brings together a disparate group of loners with secrets, regrets and problems of their own. Birds . . . the annoying ones that flap their wings and peck at those who get in their way and the invisible variety that only certain people realize are there . . . share the premises with ghosts who want to move on but who have unfinished business.

Readers familiar with Sarah Addison Allen's books know to expect just a touch of magic or mysticism in her novels. Readers also know to expect well-drawn characters who tug at heartstrings and contemplative storytelling that lures readers into the tale.

This review has been shared on Goodreads and on Facebook groups Books & Brews and Blanket Forts Too; Sixties Plus Reading Room; 52 Books; and Girls Who Love Books.

Quirky and enchanting story full of magical moments, this was such a unique book that kept me interested from start to finish. Such a whimsical story, it follow Zoey as she moves to Mallow Island set in South Carolina in search of her mother's abandoned apartment. I enjoyed every moment and was sad when the end of the book came! Usually I read more thrillers, but this book was a great break from that.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to see Sarah Addison Allen back with her magical realism. She is by far one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to be able to read her latest book. I feel in love with all of the eccentric and loveable characters in this book. I loved how each of the characters backstories all wove together and how they became their own kind of family. Such a heartwarming read and a delight.

Nestled in the heart of Mallow Island, off the coast of South Carolina, lies a peculiar, cobblestone building called the Dellawisp. When Zoey arrives to claim her mother's apartment at the Dellawisp, she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in the whimsy and mystery of the island as she tries to piece together the story of a legendary writer and the unfinished stories of her enigmatic neighbors.

Sarah Addison Allen's novel "Garden Spells" was pure magic to me, and instantly earned a place in my all-time favorite reads. What I so desperately was hoping to find in "Other Birds," unfortunately, never quite emerged. The large cast of characters feels reminiscent of Allen's earlier work--quirky, imperfect, and many holding onto unfinished business--but also feel underdeveloped and rather one-dimensional.

The magical realism in "Other Birds" feels more like a light touch than something that permeates the whole story and infuses it with real magic; page after page, I found myself waiting to see if something more would happen. Ultimately, something about Allen's writing here lacked the bewitching, descriptive quality of "Garden Spells" and "Girl Who Chased the Moon." This story is sweet, breezy, and emotional at points, but I wanted so much more from it.

A story about stories, the legacy we leave behind, and what it means to call a place "home," "Other Birds" is sure to please readers, but may fall short of expectations for Allen's true devotees.

Sarah Addison Allen has been a favorite author of mine for a long time. I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint!

We follow several different characters and pov’s. Every character felt so real and relatable. I’m not sure how she does it but Sarah makes me care about these people instantly.

We also have her signature dose of magical realism. The magic in her stories always feels so whimsical and yet so real. When I come out from my book and look around I always expect to see her magic in the real world.

The story is very intriguing. There are twists I did not see coming.

We start off following Zoe as she moves into her Kate mothers condo on Mallow Island. The condo complex, also known as Dellawisp. She is young and sweet and has charm about her as she meets and interacts with the rest of the characters. It’s here we meet Charlotte a henna artist who has her own issues, and Mac a shy but sweet chef.

There were a few stereotypes and a few twists I did not like. But, overall I did love this book. The writing and the magic was superb as always. Sarah Addison Allen always crafts a work full of magic, and full of people I want to know, and people I never really let go of even when I close the book.

A gem of a story!
A well written story with a varied, eccentric group of characters. Zoey’s youth and excitement encompasses the other tenants to become a created family who gives what is lacking in each other lives. A touch of magic, a bit of mystery, and meddling ghosts add to this wonderful story.

I at first rated this 4 stars, then found myself going on and on about this book to my husband, started crying (again) about the ending, and went back to upgrade it to 5 stars. It really is a lovely tale.

I devoured this fantastic novel in two days. It would have been one sitting but I had housework to do (boring!).

I am not usually a fan of magical realism but wanted to read this one as I loved the other three books that I've read by the author which of course, they are magical realism as well.

First, I want to live on Mallow Island in the Dellawisp. It sounds like pure magic. The birds, the tenants, the history, YES, please!

I was a little sad for Zoey, losing her mother and being ignored by her father and step-mother but happy that the adults that surrounded her at the Dellawisp took her in and loved her.

My favorite quote in the whole book-

:"Do you believe in ghosts?"

"I've never seen one. But that doesn't mean they're not real. There are a lot of things we can't see that are real."

:Such as?"

"Stories, Scent. Love. Lots of things?"

Be still my heart. So powerful. So true.