From the editor-in-chief of io9.com, a stunning novel about the end of the world–and the beginning of our future Childhood friends Patricia Delfine and Laurence Armstead didn’t expect to see each other again, after parting ways under mysterious circumstances during high school. After all, the development of magical powers and the invention of a two-second time machine could hardly fail to alarm … to alarm one’s peers and families.
But now they’re both adults, living in the hipster mecca San Francisco, and the planet is falling apart around them. Laurence is an engineering genius who’s working with a group that aims to avert catastrophic breakdown through technological intervention into the changing global climate. Patricia is a graduate of Eltisley Maze, the hidden academy for the world’s magically gifted, and works with a small band of other magicians to secretly repair the world’s every-growing ailments. Little do they realize that something bigger than either of them, something begun years ago in their youth, is determined to bring them together–to either save the world, or plunge it into a new dark ages.
A deeply magical, darkly funny examination of life, love, and the apocalypse.
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So I just read All the Birds in the Sky and it was very interesting. I love the author, who was editor in chief of Io9 for AGES, and I loved the concept of this book. The writing was compelling and I finished it in a day. Overall, however, it wasn’t quite as sheer fun as I was hoping for (YMMV).
The first couple chapters were utterly delightful. I’d tried out three other books that morning before deciding this was the one I was going to read (what can I say, I’m indecisive) and after just a page or two I knew this was it. There’s charming magic and science, a sense of whimsy I adored, and an assassin who made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions.
As the novel progressed, it became less whimsical and slightly more depressive. Still good, and very well written, but it reminded me of The Magicians where everyone has these awesome powers but the world still just sucks. People are the worst. I closed it feeling sort of sad (as I often do finishing literary novels).
That said, the idea of brilliant magic and science existing in the same world and getting equal weight was wonderful. I would love to read more books like this – any recommendations? (Though I think this is part of what makes this book so original – not a lot others like it out there).
This book is so much more fun than any book with a cover this beautiful and literary-looking has any right to be. It’s really funny and smart and imaginative and I’m excited to discuss it at my (BookBub unaffiliated) book club. I’m also excited to return it to @bridget even though I totally left it at home today. Sorry, Bridget!
With great reluctance, I finally read “All the Birds in the Sky”. I finally caved because it has received great reviews. Before continuing I should mention that I did not like the premise, magic vs science, witch vs scientist, girl vs boy, etc. It struck me as too “clever” – too much of a gimmick. I could tell before I started the witch was gonna be cool and the scientist was gonna be evil or at least unsympathetic. I was a little pissed off before I read the first page. Turns out I was Wrong and all those reviewers were Right. This is a terrific, occasionally funny, heart wrenching story. The two main characters were great (though I admit I was not thrilled with every detail of the characterization of the scientist). There were several clever, original ideas scattered through out the story. This was one of the most fun and *satisfying* stories I have read in some time. Definitely recommended.
I was drawn to this book because the reviews said it mixed scifi and fantasy together. I wasn’t sure what to expect but i’m glad I picked it up; I found it a fascinating read. The two main characters, Patricia and Laurence, were so very relatable and honest. The mixture of the fantastical and the advanced technology worked for me. I know it didn’t for other people, but that’s okay.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved it so much that I skipped dinner to get through the last few chapters, which is always the mark of a good book for me. The science fiction and fantasy elements blend together really well and the characters were great, especially Patricia who I would die for.
What if science fiction fell in love wth fantasy, and then they went to war?
It’s YA, but it’s not YA at all. But it’s perfect for teens, anyway. If you’re looking for something truly unique, fun, poignant, and all around entertaining, All the Birds in the Sky is IT.
Highly recommended.
Sci
Recently I was doing a Spiritual Rebel book signing at a bookstore that offered me a “free” book as a thank you. My eye was drawn to this book, and it’s back cover copy which seemed to offer part wicca, part droid love. The book does not disappoint. Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx & Crake,” it offers the perfect blend of adventure romance and speculative fiction. Charlie Jane’s pop culture references delight, and her unique characters surprise.
I was expecting a better story…
…that said, it wasn’t bad. Just not as good as all the media hype.
worth my time.
Not perfect by any means but it’s doing something quite new, and very valuable
It says a lot about a book when you dread coming back to it, even if you keep hoping “maybe it’s growing on me?”
Maybe the characters will stop being so weird to each other?
Maybe a plot will finally take shape?
Maybe the writing will stop trying so hard?
Maybe the narrator can save the day? (For what it’s worth, she was the best part of this novel.)
I threw in the towel with not even an hour left in the audiobook. When I realized I couldn’t muster even one f*ck about what happens to Patricia and Laurence, and the world, I decided to abandon ship.
Science and technology versus magic
All the Birds in the Sky is a nice blend of science fiction and fantasy. The storyline is interesting and meaningful in today’s world of technology gone amuck and climate change. The two main characters, Patricia and Laurence, meet in middle school hell with neither of them happy with their life. They each follow their calling, with him growing up to be a top tech engineer while she becomes a witch. They meet again as adults with the world sliding toward the brink of destruction.
Will either of them, and the forces each represents, be able to save the human race? Will it be Laurence, who has helped build a tech device he believes will be able to transport large numbers of people to a safer world? Or will it be Patricia and the other witches who love the organic and animal life on earth and have a much different plan? Overall, the book was well-written, at times quirky, and an enjoyable read.
Loved the book, the finding was a little unsatisfying
I loved this book! The story is original and surprising without being gimmicky, and the writing is beautiful.
I just couldn’t put it down. Very well written prose and unpredictable trajectory.
Some of the most clever, witty, delightful writing I’ve seen in a long time. A blend of magic-fantasy, techno-fantasy, and sf expressed through beautifully created characters. Wonderful book.
I loved this book. The author took me places that I didn’t expect and it’s world view is romantic in embracing love and art with full force. I went in reading this book without really knowing what it’s about and I’m all the better for that. Where you start and where it ends is worlds away. Read it!
Absolutely fabulous.