Historical fiction with a touch of magic, queer explorers running around doing their own thing. It reminded me a little of a watered-down Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (not watered down in a bad way, that book is a CHALLENGE). It also reminded me a little of a show called Sanctuary starring Amanda Tapping, from the good old SyFy Channel days. In this case the beasts are birds, but still a similar vibe with the love triangle.

The narrator of this book was 10/10 but the plot had me a bit lost at times.

Birds, New York City, late 1800's, and magic!

This story follows 3 people and their interest in the Arcane Taxonomy, which is where certain individuals can utilize abilities animals and plants. While this book did an incredible job laying out the world I found it hard to stay interested because it burned a bit too slow for me.

The pacing was weird and sometimes didn't make sense but I know a second book is coming and I'm sure a lot will be cleared up.

Overall a great listen, I would maybe read along next time to get a bit more of it as I don't know too much about ornithology.

What did I just read/listen to?! I am utterly confused by this book. I pushed through and finished the audiobook because I did enjoy the narrator, and I kept thinking I would eventually figure it out… I did not. I think this may be too complicated for *me* to listen to the audiobook, and would be better suited to reading a physical book. It also may be that I lack the appreciation for ornithology to really appreciate this story.

Loss, love, and ornithology. It is a love story to the study of birds, but also the embodiment of nature into a Wiccan-like magic, and also a poly-amorous love story. And don’t forgot a commentary on the limitations of the female gender, people of color, and fluid sexuality in polite society of the 1800s (and beyond of course, but that’s not addressed here).

2.5⭐️ rounded up. I really wanted to love this book but I still don’t really know what happened and what I am supposed to take away.

The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn is such a good read! Omg I had the time of my life reading it! Soooo soooo good! I have no words.

Beth has a great love of birds and studying their existence when she meets a man, Harry, so delighted with her interested that he takes interest in her. Sadly, just a few years later she loses her husband, and her avenue for publishing her work into her studies.

This ruse is soon discovered by friends of her late husband, Bran and Anton. While initially shocked, and somewhat shamed at how they failed to consider women and their knowledge/skill, they support Beth's interest and research.

However this is in 1880 so of course we have the requisite asylum scene because woman aren't allowed to think or live independently. Thankfully that situation is short lived and Beth escapes to her freedom.

Spoilery below...

Now what I didn't expect was the relationship that developed among Bran, Anton and Beth. Frankly it feels seamless in the story, even though it likely wouldn't have been in society then or really event now.

I enjoyed this book, but I'm not sure it'll be one I think about long after.

I adored this novel from Carrie Vaughn. Not quite as supernatural as some of her other books, the magic was written with a lighter touch, but it was nonetheless a wonderfully magical story.
Beth Stanley's is widowed in the summer of 1880. She is devastated, not just by the loss of her husband, but the access to the world of the Naturalist Society that he provided her. With his death, she can no longer use his name to publish under, as well as have an ear to share her ideas with.
While she is well provided for after his passing, she is still lonely and vulnerable, and still yearns to make a name for herself... even if she has to do it under a new false name.
While trying to determine how to do, she meets some friends of her husband, arctic explorers, Brandon and Anton, who have secrets and struggles of their own.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book... Beth herself was wonderful. She really came into her own after her husband's passing... no longer able to hide in his shadow, she was forced to become her own woman in a way she never planned. Reading how she controlled her power and viewed the world, both human and nature, was interesting. Her developing relationship with Brandon and Anton was very sweet (and a little scandalous!)
I would have liked to read more about her journey west and how she managed that. That in itself was a whole adventure I feel like I missed out on!

This was fun: well written, well paced, and well researched. I liked how passionate the protagonist was about her field of study, and it was clear the author has put a lot of thought and research into it - I also liked how it tied to the magic system. The feminist angle was interesting, and one I enjoyed, especially because the author didn't pull back from the full horrors of what a smart, opinionated woman might have endured during the time period of the novel. There was a little hiccup near the beginning of the romantic arc which prevented me from being fully on board with the romantic subplot, I have to admit, but since this is not a romance novel, it didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the story. This was a good read.

Absolutely adored this one! It’s got all my favourite tropes and the character progression was so well done. I’m so glad there’s going to be more books in this series and I can’t wait to see where the next one goes.