Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Released: August 30, 2022
Received: Own (BOTM)

Every now and then, I get really lucky with my BOTM picks, and I grab something I would otherwise have completely missed out on. One such novel is Other Birds, written by Sarah Addison Allen. This novel promises a blend of magical realism and love.

Mallow Island is just off the coast of South Carolina. As the name may suggest, this island is famous for the confectionery sweets that originated here – marshmallows. Mallow Island is also home to many interesting and unique people.

For example, Zoey’s mother once lived on Mallow Island. Now, with her future waiting patiently, Zoey will follow in her footsteps, moving into her mother’s old home and making it a place just for her.

“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.”

Ohhh, they hit the nail on the head when they called this book enchanting, didn’t they? Though, if I’m being honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up Other Birds. This story is so fluid and sometimes feels so real; it’s borderline haunting.

I swear I’m not just trying to make a ghost joke! That was mostly just a happy coincidence. What I’m trying to say is that there was something very ethereal about Sarah Addison Allen’s writing style in Other Birds. Perhaps all of her novels have that quality, I cannot say. What I can say is that I enjoyed it.

Other Birds is broken into several perspectives, though Zoey is the prominent voice of the story. All perspectives are tenants (past and present) of the Dellawisp complex, and they are all connected in some way. That connection grows stronger as the story unfolds.

A few mysteries need to be uncovered over the course of Other Birds. That adds another layer to what is already an intricate novel. It was certainly more than enough to keep me hooked.

I’ll admit that the pace is a little on the slower side, though in this case, it falls under more of a relaxing speed. So if you’re looking for a novel to dive into, enjoy and become emotionally attached to, I recommend Other Birds.

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