I have been a big fan of Sarah Addison Allen’s since reading Garden Spells. I love the mystical, magical parts that she weaves in with reality. This book doesn’t rank up S a favorite, but I enjoyed the characters and alternating viewpoints in each chapter. It seemed an appropriate book to read in October!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley.

I have loved Sarah Addison Allen's books. Her books, Garden Spells, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and others seemed to wrap their sweetness and fantasy around me like a cocoon and I loved the atmosphere and the characters.

However, this one just fell short for me. It attempted to do what books of hers have done previously, but the effects were just not there. It often seemed disjointed with the surprises surfacing often at the end of chapters and leading to a question of where did that come from in my mind.

It's a story of love and loss which had a tad of magical realism thrown in to pique my interest, but sadly it just didn't get to that state I have relished in the past. The characters were sweet and while I really liked Zoey, the seventeen year old who was the glue that held the story together, the rest of the characters seemed to me to be underdeveloped and I had a hard time keeping them straight and developing an affinity for them.

There were birds and there were other birds, the humans taking on that role, and there was one invisible bird that stayed with Zoey until she was no longer needed, as Zoey proceeded to embark into the world of college and growing up. We do learn who she is though.

There were ghosts whose presence were a bit baffling as their purpose seem to be elusive.

Overall, as much as I wanted the story to become the magical treat, the author's other books were, this one left me wanting. I just couldn't force myself into that magical love I had previously experienced in this author's books.

I am sorry to say, that it seemed too short, the characters seemed underdeveloped, and the glue that held it together seemed short on what I wanted and expected from this book.

Thanks go to Sarah Addison Allen, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this book which published in August of this year.

I don't read a lot of magical realism but I am so glad to have picked this one up! I felt totally immersed in the characters, story and plot. If you are looking to get lost in a book this is one you should pick up!

I know magical realism isn't for everyone, and I don't normally say it's for me, but I just love Sarah Addison Allen. She writes such quirky and charming books. Other Birds, while different from some of her others, did not disappoint. I would say this one was more supernatural than magical. A few of the characters we read about were ghosts, but not the haunting creepy sort. I had a feeling I would love this book and I was right.

I really love a book with a found family and watching these characters become a family was so beautiful. I found myself really caring about Zoey, Charlotte, Mac, Oliver and Frasier. They each had such baggage and difficulties from their past, but were all learning to let go and move forward. I loved watching them come together and found healing and growth in their relationships. Some of the things these people had experienced was pretty heavy, but SAA was able to keep the tone on the lighter side and still very charming.

I found many quotes that made me stop and and think and sometimes reread because it was so poignant and beautiful. If you like books that talk about forgiveness, found family, moving on from the past, hope, then this is a book for you. After all we all would rather be other birds I think.

OTHER BIRDS begins with a young Zoey arriving on Mallow Island to live in a small condo that was left to her by her late mother. About to start her first year in college Zoey wants to settle in beforehand and acquaint herself with the area. The small condominium complex is named for the unique birds that live in the surrounding courtyard. The Dellawisp is an old building that was converted into five small units with an office for Frasier the manager. The building is owned by Roscoe Avanger a recluse who wrote a famous and successful novel called Sweet Mallow.
Lisabeth is a cranky old woman who kept a watchful eye over the comings and goings of the others. She did not hesitate to shoo or shush anyone who crosses her path. An accident happens that causes Lisabeth’s death.
Lisabeth’s unexpected death brings the residence closer together. Zoey is employed by Frasier to clean out Lisabeth’s condo. Lisabeth’s was a hoarder who had a penchant to collect paper.
Zoey strikes up a conversation with fellow resident Charlotte who is a henna artist. Recently unemployed Charlotte with time on her hands begins to help Zoey. Mac a chef who is smitten with Charlotte notices the pair. No longer in fear of the wrath of Lisabeth Mac starts to get to know the two women.
The only other resident is Lucy who is Lisabeth’s sister. She continues to lurk behind closed doors. Perhaps, Lucy shouldn’t be considered the last resident since there are ghosts lurking about the Dellawisp.
OTHER BIRDS has a delightful cast of characters including the birds themselves. It is an engaging story about a group of people coming together to form a family. I thoroughly enjoyed OTHER BIRDS. Sarah Addison Allen has been on my radar for years. I am glad I had this opportunity to finally read one of her books.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital edition of this book.
4..5 ⭐️

Allen’s Other Birds is a charming story of loss, love and moving on. With a hint of mystery and a few ghosts lurking on the sidelines, this whimsical tale with a cast of lovable characters was a joy to read.

Does it really get any better than having a Sarah Addison Allen book to look forward to? Starting one of her books is like falling into a magical and mystical hug. At the heart of this book, were lost souls finding each other and learning to live life on their own terms, with the love and support of new found friends. It also demonstrates the long-lasting power of love, even after someone important to us passes on. But the real star of the show for me may have been the charming birds (the delawisps)...I could've read an entire book just about them. I enjoyed this books so much and was sad to see it end...these books are never long enough me. The town and its history were special and charming and I have the strangest desire to get Henna work done and go out for a fancy, comfort food inspired meal. I cannot wait to see what Sarah Addison Allen has in store for us with her next book.

This one wasn’t what I expected, but after a bit of a slow warmup up it turned out to be a story filled with characters I didn’t want to say goodbye to! Sarah Addison Allen’s books are typically very obviously magical so I was surprised at the subtle and mysterious tone that was set at the beginning. Written after dealing with terrible illness and then amidst great personal loss, its quiet and reflective tone make perfect sense. Filled to the brim with the very human longing for connection and the desire to make peace with the past, this heartfelt found family read left me thoughtful and introspective.

Once the story veered off into magical realism territory, it lost me. I thought it was going to be a straight-forward whodunit novel.

I have always loved the touches of magical realism that Sarah Addison Allen brings to her books and this one is no different. The book has quite the cast of unique characters and each adds their own bit of specialness to the story. The writing was fabulous and the story was heartwarming. Definitely recommend this one.

“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 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜.”

Other Birds is one of those gorgeous “found family” novels full of magical realism, mystery, and a lot of heart. I really, sincerely loved this book. Each character had this really lovely backstory that author Sarah Addison Allen clearly crafted with care, and each personality stood out immensely.

Something that the novel really did well was touch themes of love in so many ways — just some of many different types of loves one can experience: romance, friendship, companionship, lost love, longing, obsession, desperation…they were all interspersed so beautifully into this narrative.

I particularly loved that the little turquoise birds in the story also had their own personalities and quirks, they were sewn into the fabric of this little neighborhood.

Other Birds left me feeling whole and healed when I didn’t know that I needed to be.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this eARC. I really loved it!!

A sweet book set on an idyllic coastal island. The characters all have secrets and are surrounded by ghosts that they can’t seem to shake. Identities are revealed and relationships are formed. The birds that haunt this place are delightful.

OTHER BIRDS

I enjoyed this book. It had a fresh and young and hopeful feel to it. It was deceptively simple and pleasant.

Set on Mallow Island, known for its agricultural crop of the mallow plant used in making marshmallows, it is now a tourist destination. Things change with time. The story focuses on a group of lonely and lovely tenants living at The Delawisp, a beautiful old cobblestone stable now renovated into condominiums. Each person carries secrets and scars from the past, and are learning to grow and live with loss.

With just a touch of magic and some gentle ghostly visits, the atmosphere of beauty and charm blends nicely while addressing some very serious and tender issues. The beautiful little turquoise Delawisp birds, namesake of the small community, flit around causing interesting trouble.

“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.”

I would like to thank NetGalley, Sarah Addison Allen, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen was a long-awaited treat as her fans, which includes me, have been waiting for a new book since 2015. All I can say is welcome back! Her first book, Garden Spells from 2007 was a New York Times bestseller. She has a delightful way of incorporating magical realism into her books that just works.

This book had the most uniquely flawed and loveable characters. Each one needed each other in simple ways, and they all seemed to fill a void for one another. They were a study in misfits that found a much-needed family. There was a hauntingly beautiful atmospheric feeling throughout the book. You just felt like you were there.

Packed with ghosts, magical birds, earnest and flawed characters, romance, strong mother daughter bonds, a renowned author and an unlikely band of residents made up this delightful story. I think that I read this book in a day it just was a necessary escape from reality that sent a hearty message about friendship and opening your heart to others.

Quotes I liked:
If the people around you don’t love or accept you just as you are, find new people. They’re out there.”

“Don’t hold on to old love so hard you forget to live. Old love isn’t the only love you’ll ever have.”

“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 rather than just the same old thing.”

Liked but didn't love this one. I really was looking forward to the new Sarah Addison Allen book but sadly I just found this an okay read. Recommended for people who enjoy stories about:

-found family
-magical realism
-intergenerational friendships

There were a lot of characters to keep track of in this story and I just didn't find myself connecting deeply with any of them. Good on audio narrated by new to me narrator Siiri Scott.

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This is one that I did enjoy but won't stick with me in the long term.

I had set aside time to read and review this book, but Covid has made it impossible. I appreciate the review copy and will try to get to it when I am feeling better. Allen's writing and characters are always a treat so I am looking forward to experiencing it once I can concentrate in the manner it deserves.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was an intriguing and enchanting read full of quirky but loveable characters. As with her other books, this story contained a blend of elements of magic and romance along with a heartwarming story about isolated and lonely characters who ways to heal by connecting with one another. This was an enjoyable read from start to finish.

A beautiful and original story that drew me in and took me along its journey. A feel good story with some twists and unexpected turns!

I have read many of this author’s books, and this one did not disappoint. Zoey is getting ready to go to college in Charleston, staying at the condo her mother owned. Dellawisp was an unusual place with quite quirky residents. Charlotte is a henna artist with secrets in her past, Mac is a chef also with sadness in his past. Zoey’s enthusiasm starts to bring them together, and slowly, they open up to each other. Lisbeth, another resident, dies at the beginning of the story and we are introduced to her son, Oliver, another troubled soul. The story offers hope as the group begins to understand each other and themselves. The magical realism in the author’s books includes ghost and the birds, the dellawisps. If you like quirky and unique, I recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I'm always a fan of Sarah Addison Allen's books - and Other Birds is no different. I loved the story of Zoey and her new life at the Dellawisp, a condo on Mallow Island, SC, that she inherited from her mother. Zoey's story quickly entwined with those of her neighbors at the Dellawisp and the little touch of magic and mystery kept me enthralled all the way through. Definitely recommending to all my reading friends and family.