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Miriam Black #6
Vultures
In the sixth and final thriller of the “wildly entertaining” (Kirkus Reviews) Miriam Black series, Miriam tries to break the curse of her powers, but first she must face The Trespasser a final time.
Still reeling from the events of The Raptor and the Wren, Miriam must confront two terrifying discoveries: the Trespasser now has the power to inhabit the living as well as the dead, and Miriam is pregnant.
Miriam knows her baby is fated to die, but Miriam is the Fatebreaker. And if the rules have changed for her nemesis, her own powers are changing as well. Miriam will do whatever it takes to break her curse and save her child. But as Miriam once again finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer and in need of an elusive physic, she can feel the threads of her past coming together—and the pattern they’re forming is deadly.
To end the Trespasser’s influence in her world, Miriam must face her demon a final time. And, this time, one of them must die. Vultures is a heart-pounding conclusion to the series: “Think Six Feet Under cowritten by Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk” (SFX).
Still reeling from the events of The Raptor and the Wren, Miriam must confront two terrifying discoveries: the Trespasser now has the power to inhabit the living as well as the dead, and Miriam is pregnant.
Miriam knows her baby is fated to die, but Miriam is the Fatebreaker. And if the rules have changed for her nemesis, her own powers are changing as well. Miriam will do whatever it takes to break her curse and save her child. But as Miriam once again finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer and in need of an elusive physic, she can feel the threads of her past coming together—and the pattern they’re forming is deadly.
To end the Trespasser’s influence in her world, Miriam must face her demon a final time. And, this time, one of them must die. Vultures is a heart-pounding conclusion to the series: “Think Six Feet Under cowritten by Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk” (SFX).
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2019
63 people are currently reading
929 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Wendig
183 books7,274 followersChuck Wendig is a novelist, a screenwriter, and a freelance penmonkey.
He has contributed over two million words to the roleplaying game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP).
He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is a fellow of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, will show at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producer Ted Hope.
Chuck's novel Double Dead will be out in November, 2011.
He's written too much. He should probably stop. Give him a wide berth, as he might be drunk and untrustworthy. He currently lives in the wilds of Pennsyltucky with a wonderful wife and two very stupid dogs. He is represented by Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.
You can find him at his website, terribleminds.com.
He has contributed over two million words to the roleplaying game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP).
He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is a fellow of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, will show at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producer Ted Hope.
Chuck's novel Double Dead will be out in November, 2011.
He's written too much. He should probably stop. Give him a wide berth, as he might be drunk and untrustworthy. He currently lives in the wilds of Pennsyltucky with a wonderful wife and two very stupid dogs. He is represented by Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.
You can find him at his website, terribleminds.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 30, 2025
The final instalment of this almost one-of-kind series starts with Miriam reeling from the outcomes of The Raptor and the Wren. It's bad enough that her , there's also, as usual a demented serial killer on the loose, the FBI have offered her a job; and the Passenger is not done with her. Miriam does what she does second best, and runs.
This was always going to be a difficult series to end, but what started off as off-beat dark Americana tale with a sniff of supernatural in the first book Blackbirds has de-evolved(?) into an off-beat dark supernatural Americana tale, not bad, but not what I wanted not being much a fan of the supernatural. Despite the increased prominence of the supernatural in this final volume everything came together from the FBI, the bird metaphor volume titles and the coming in from the dark, through to the serial killing, Miriam's power and of course the Passenger.
This book still grabbed my attention on many occasions, but the dark humour was nowhere as good as the earlier volumes; the improvement/evolving of Miriam to be a less self centred and less overtly offensive person is great for character development, but not as satisfying for my reading experience. As with the other volumes I very much recommend this not-as-smart but actually darker American version of Lisbet Salander with a supernatural power of foretelling death. A Four Star, 8 out of 12 vulture infested treat. But is that bird vultures, or human vultures?
2025 read
This was always going to be a difficult series to end, but what started off as off-beat dark Americana tale with a sniff of supernatural in the first book Blackbirds has de-evolved(?) into an off-beat dark supernatural Americana tale, not bad, but not what I wanted not being much a fan of the supernatural. Despite the increased prominence of the supernatural in this final volume everything came together from the FBI, the bird metaphor volume titles and the coming in from the dark, through to the serial killing, Miriam's power and of course the Passenger.
This book still grabbed my attention on many occasions, but the dark humour was nowhere as good as the earlier volumes; the improvement/evolving of Miriam to be a less self centred and less overtly offensive person is great for character development, but not as satisfying for my reading experience. As with the other volumes I very much recommend this not-as-smart but actually darker American version of Lisbet Salander with a supernatural power of foretelling death. A Four Star, 8 out of 12 vulture infested treat. But is that bird vultures, or human vultures?
2025 read
January 21, 2019
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/01/21/...
And so, it’s over. After six books, Miriam Black has her conclusion, and I’m trying to deal with a lot of different thoughts and feelings all competing for my attention. Obviously, there’s elation, because all in all, it was a good finale. And of course, there’s pain and sadness too, knowing that a favorite series of mine for years has finally come to an end. However, there were also plenty of disappointments, and I find myself really struggling with them right now, because after all, it’s always tempting to give the last book in a series a proper send-off by showering it with all the love you can give. But in truth, as far as endings go, I feel Vultures could have been better, and while I feel overall quite happy with the way things turned out, it also wasn’t my favorite book of the series by a long shot.
First things first, though. It’s important to note the high possibility that this review will contain spoilers for the previous books in the series, especially for the end of The Raptor & the Wren, because the last few chapters of that book delivered some seriously shocking twists. At this point we must deal with the consequences, so yeah, I would highly recommend being caught up before proceeding. Really. I mean it. Stop reading these words immediately if you haven’t read all the books up until this point. Because Louis, the man who has been Miriam Black’s rock ever since her first encounter with all the way back in Blackbirds, is dead. And now she is pregnant with his child. Boom.
Miriam, however, is far from joyous with the news. Not only is she still grieving for Louis’ death, because of her curse, she can also foresee how their baby will die. And it sucks. The kid won’t even get a chance to take her first breath before her life will be extinguished from this world, the moment she is born. But Miriam isn’t giving up. She is determined to do all she can to prevent her vision from coming true, because breaking the chains of fate won’t just mean saving her baby, it will also mean vanquishing her nemesis, the Trespasser, for good. And hopefully, that will also mean the end of her curse, so that Miriam might be able to give her unborn daughter a future, and finally have the chance to settle down to a normal life with her girlfriend Gabby.
Still, changing fate won’t be easy. Miriam will need help, something she’s not often comfortable with receiving, especially when it comes with strings attached. One of these strings is the requirement that Miriam help with the capture of a serial killer who has been claiming victims every month from Los Angeles’ never-ending crop of up-and-coming hot young actors. Miriam has a feeling that everything—the killings, the Trespasser, the fate of her baby—is all somehow connected but isn’t sure how…that is, until her violent past rears its ugly head.
Incidentally, that’s actually one of the things I loved best about Vultures: the fact that it brings back some of the most significant moments and people from the previous volumes, tying them into the events of this novel. In my opinion, a good series finale always endeavors to call back to the beginning, so that things come full circle. Another thing I loved about this book—which also happens to be the reason I kept returning to this series—is watching Miriam grow as a character. Admittedly, that growth isn’t always in the direction I’d prefer it to be, but the point stands. Interesting things are always happening to Miriam, and I’ve learned over the course of this series that reading about how she deals with the changes in her life is half the fun. Without a doubt, her becoming pregnant is the most consequential, life-altering thing that’s ever happened to her, and watching her actions, emotions, and motivations evolve and play out in response to her impending motherhood was incredible to see.
But now, for the things I didn’t like so much: ever since Thunderbird, I’ve felt that the series has lost some of its magic. I’ve talked before about how the visceral, sheer horror of Blackbirds was what made me fall in love with the series. Likewise, Miriam Black’s devil-may-care attitude and brash and crude ways were what made me fall in love with her. Still, while the last three books have seen the core of her character mature some, her caustic and biting personality has not changed at all. Now I get why this might be the case—Chuck Wendig is clearly trying to grow his protagonist while keeping the most memorable and defining parts of her character intact (i.e. the swearing, the sarcastic wit, the shoot-first-ask-questions-later attitude etc.) But it’s clear that these two goals are no longer as synergistic as they once were. As a result, a lot of Miriam’s actions and dialogue in this one felt forced, and more than once I found myself frustrated with her for going against her own grain, fighting her new and improved instincts by unnecessarily reverting to old patterns. In some ways, I think Wendig is also facing a similar struggle of his own. I love his books, but I also can’t deny that many of them are very similar in tone and style. With Vultures, it feels as though he’s trying to break out of a rut, except that a lot of the writing feels contrived and a bit cringey, almost like he’s trying too hard to be edgy or to seem woke. Whatever it is, it’s just not coming across as naturally or authentic as it used to be like in the earlier books. And neither really is Miriam.
But the plot, though? The plot was solid. Save for some pacing issues caused by the frequent shifts between timelines and the final few chapters feeling a bit rushed, I felt really good about how the story played out. The ending revelations were also terrific. Now, that’s the way you leave your readers chewing on the last scene after finishing a book! In that, Chuck Wendig has crafted an ending for the Miriam Black series that’s just right. There may have been a few issues kept me from falling completely in love with Vultures, but bottom line, if you are a fan of Miriam Black you owe it to yourself to experience this long-awaited finale.
And so, it’s over. After six books, Miriam Black has her conclusion, and I’m trying to deal with a lot of different thoughts and feelings all competing for my attention. Obviously, there’s elation, because all in all, it was a good finale. And of course, there’s pain and sadness too, knowing that a favorite series of mine for years has finally come to an end. However, there were also plenty of disappointments, and I find myself really struggling with them right now, because after all, it’s always tempting to give the last book in a series a proper send-off by showering it with all the love you can give. But in truth, as far as endings go, I feel Vultures could have been better, and while I feel overall quite happy with the way things turned out, it also wasn’t my favorite book of the series by a long shot.
First things first, though. It’s important to note the high possibility that this review will contain spoilers for the previous books in the series, especially for the end of The Raptor & the Wren, because the last few chapters of that book delivered some seriously shocking twists. At this point we must deal with the consequences, so yeah, I would highly recommend being caught up before proceeding. Really. I mean it. Stop reading these words immediately if you haven’t read all the books up until this point. Because Louis, the man who has been Miriam Black’s rock ever since her first encounter with all the way back in Blackbirds, is dead. And now she is pregnant with his child. Boom.
Miriam, however, is far from joyous with the news. Not only is she still grieving for Louis’ death, because of her curse, she can also foresee how their baby will die. And it sucks. The kid won’t even get a chance to take her first breath before her life will be extinguished from this world, the moment she is born. But Miriam isn’t giving up. She is determined to do all she can to prevent her vision from coming true, because breaking the chains of fate won’t just mean saving her baby, it will also mean vanquishing her nemesis, the Trespasser, for good. And hopefully, that will also mean the end of her curse, so that Miriam might be able to give her unborn daughter a future, and finally have the chance to settle down to a normal life with her girlfriend Gabby.
Still, changing fate won’t be easy. Miriam will need help, something she’s not often comfortable with receiving, especially when it comes with strings attached. One of these strings is the requirement that Miriam help with the capture of a serial killer who has been claiming victims every month from Los Angeles’ never-ending crop of up-and-coming hot young actors. Miriam has a feeling that everything—the killings, the Trespasser, the fate of her baby—is all somehow connected but isn’t sure how…that is, until her violent past rears its ugly head.
Incidentally, that’s actually one of the things I loved best about Vultures: the fact that it brings back some of the most significant moments and people from the previous volumes, tying them into the events of this novel. In my opinion, a good series finale always endeavors to call back to the beginning, so that things come full circle. Another thing I loved about this book—which also happens to be the reason I kept returning to this series—is watching Miriam grow as a character. Admittedly, that growth isn’t always in the direction I’d prefer it to be, but the point stands. Interesting things are always happening to Miriam, and I’ve learned over the course of this series that reading about how she deals with the changes in her life is half the fun. Without a doubt, her becoming pregnant is the most consequential, life-altering thing that’s ever happened to her, and watching her actions, emotions, and motivations evolve and play out in response to her impending motherhood was incredible to see.
But now, for the things I didn’t like so much: ever since Thunderbird, I’ve felt that the series has lost some of its magic. I’ve talked before about how the visceral, sheer horror of Blackbirds was what made me fall in love with the series. Likewise, Miriam Black’s devil-may-care attitude and brash and crude ways were what made me fall in love with her. Still, while the last three books have seen the core of her character mature some, her caustic and biting personality has not changed at all. Now I get why this might be the case—Chuck Wendig is clearly trying to grow his protagonist while keeping the most memorable and defining parts of her character intact (i.e. the swearing, the sarcastic wit, the shoot-first-ask-questions-later attitude etc.) But it’s clear that these two goals are no longer as synergistic as they once were. As a result, a lot of Miriam’s actions and dialogue in this one felt forced, and more than once I found myself frustrated with her for going against her own grain, fighting her new and improved instincts by unnecessarily reverting to old patterns. In some ways, I think Wendig is also facing a similar struggle of his own. I love his books, but I also can’t deny that many of them are very similar in tone and style. With Vultures, it feels as though he’s trying to break out of a rut, except that a lot of the writing feels contrived and a bit cringey, almost like he’s trying too hard to be edgy or to seem woke. Whatever it is, it’s just not coming across as naturally or authentic as it used to be like in the earlier books. And neither really is Miriam.
But the plot, though? The plot was solid. Save for some pacing issues caused by the frequent shifts between timelines and the final few chapters feeling a bit rushed, I felt really good about how the story played out. The ending revelations were also terrific. Now, that’s the way you leave your readers chewing on the last scene after finishing a book! In that, Chuck Wendig has crafted an ending for the Miriam Black series that’s just right. There may have been a few issues kept me from falling completely in love with Vultures, but bottom line, if you are a fan of Miriam Black you owe it to yourself to experience this long-awaited finale.
March 7, 2019
Sitting here in front of my laptop after just finishing the sixth and final book in the Miriam Black series and I'm experiencing a mixed bag of emotions.
First, I've said this countless times all over social media but I'd like it to be officially on the record:
The Miriam Black series is one of my top 3 book series.
In no particular order: The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and this series by Chuck Wendig.
And last books are so hard aren't they?
I got a very advanced copy of VULTURES from Joe at Saga and I just could not bring myself to pick it up--the act of getting invested in the story again meant making that definitive step to end it and I was not ready for it to be over.
I liked living my bookish life knowing I still had one more Miriam Black journey to take.
So there it sat.
Many in my circle of friends had read and reviewed it. I heard the praise. I plugged my ears and squeezed my eyes shut to ward off spoilers or anything at all that would take away the specialness of my reader discovery with this story.
Then one day, I was just ready and I jumped in.
This is where I must confess that this series has RUINED me for all other books. I only want these punchy, one-three page chapters from now on!
If I even look at a regular-sized chapter, my eyes roll and I yawn and I'm already waiting for it to be over. Damn you Chuck Wendig!
That's probably going to come back to bite him in the ass with that new GINORMOUS novel of his I've seen around, WANDERERS. That thing has a bazillion pages and I'm sure the chapters are loooooong. Hopefully I'm wrong.
All the books need shorty chapters!
After six books with the same handful of characters--especially our protagonist, I'm so thrilled to report that Wendig is a master at giving every one of his characters a unique, distinct voice and personality. That is truly a skill. I've read books with a cast of characters that all sound and act the same--it makes for very confusing dialog and a lot of having to go back and re-read portions of story to get things sorted--who did what now? Who are we talking about?
But not in this series. Everyone is special. Everyone speaks for themselves in a way that is different. I never feel lost or confused or have any trouble keeping everyone straight. I know you guys reading this review will be nodding in agreement, it's a very satisfying attribute to highlight.
Also, I had no idea where this was going to go--how Chuck was going to end things and that's an amazing feat too. With each of these books, I was never guessing at theories or anticipating certain events--I was more along for the ride. I just enjoy being a spectator to the craziness, the humor, the surprising way something will just smack me upside the feelings and make me cry...
and oh boy, this one, this one got me.
Sure I have complaints--I will say there were a few times I thought the comebacks or the sarcasm or the "Miriamness" was a wee overplayed.
Okay?
Yeah. A few times. And you know how an author will do a little info dump about stuff that happened in previous books for the sake of people who might be picking up the story halfway through--or maybe refreshing our memories? Some of the info dumps were repetitive.
But those are my only, stupid knit-picking complaints. Super minor.
I went back over all 5 of the books before this one and I'm pretty sure I rated them all 5 stars--so this entire series is made up of five star reads. Count them: 6 WHOLE BOOKS OF PERFECTION.
If that doesn't make you want to run out and buy all six of them, then I'm sorry you're kind of lumpy loser. Have fun reading classics we all read in grade school. Bye.
(sorry I got salty there, I just really wanted to stress the importance of reading books that will blow your MINDS)
Thank you Chuck Wendig for this series!!
First, I've said this countless times all over social media but I'd like it to be officially on the record:
The Miriam Black series is one of my top 3 book series.
In no particular order: The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and this series by Chuck Wendig.
And last books are so hard aren't they?
I got a very advanced copy of VULTURES from Joe at Saga and I just could not bring myself to pick it up--the act of getting invested in the story again meant making that definitive step to end it and I was not ready for it to be over.
I liked living my bookish life knowing I still had one more Miriam Black journey to take.
So there it sat.
Many in my circle of friends had read and reviewed it. I heard the praise. I plugged my ears and squeezed my eyes shut to ward off spoilers or anything at all that would take away the specialness of my reader discovery with this story.
Then one day, I was just ready and I jumped in.
This is where I must confess that this series has RUINED me for all other books. I only want these punchy, one-three page chapters from now on!
If I even look at a regular-sized chapter, my eyes roll and I yawn and I'm already waiting for it to be over. Damn you Chuck Wendig!
That's probably going to come back to bite him in the ass with that new GINORMOUS novel of his I've seen around, WANDERERS. That thing has a bazillion pages and I'm sure the chapters are loooooong. Hopefully I'm wrong.
All the books need shorty chapters!
After six books with the same handful of characters--especially our protagonist, I'm so thrilled to report that Wendig is a master at giving every one of his characters a unique, distinct voice and personality. That is truly a skill. I've read books with a cast of characters that all sound and act the same--it makes for very confusing dialog and a lot of having to go back and re-read portions of story to get things sorted--who did what now? Who are we talking about?
But not in this series. Everyone is special. Everyone speaks for themselves in a way that is different. I never feel lost or confused or have any trouble keeping everyone straight. I know you guys reading this review will be nodding in agreement, it's a very satisfying attribute to highlight.
Also, I had no idea where this was going to go--how Chuck was going to end things and that's an amazing feat too. With each of these books, I was never guessing at theories or anticipating certain events--I was more along for the ride. I just enjoy being a spectator to the craziness, the humor, the surprising way something will just smack me upside the feelings and make me cry...
and oh boy, this one, this one got me.
Sure I have complaints--I will say there were a few times I thought the comebacks or the sarcasm or the "Miriamness" was a wee overplayed.
Okay?
Yeah. A few times. And you know how an author will do a little info dump about stuff that happened in previous books for the sake of people who might be picking up the story halfway through--or maybe refreshing our memories? Some of the info dumps were repetitive.
But those are my only, stupid knit-picking complaints. Super minor.
I went back over all 5 of the books before this one and I'm pretty sure I rated them all 5 stars--so this entire series is made up of five star reads. Count them: 6 WHOLE BOOKS OF PERFECTION.
If that doesn't make you want to run out and buy all six of them, then I'm sorry you're kind of lumpy loser. Have fun reading classics we all read in grade school. Bye.
(sorry I got salty there, I just really wanted to stress the importance of reading books that will blow your MINDS)
Thank you Chuck Wendig for this series!!
May 23, 2019
"Miriam is bound to an exam table. She is clothed. Her feet are in stirrups, bound there with a cruel swaddling of duct tape, the ankles elevated above her head. Her hands are fixed to a set of bedrails, also with tape--so much tape, it bulges, like a nodule, a tumor. Her arm, where the bullet cut through her, is already starting to heal up.
(And it itches something fierce. As if the injury is stuffed with crawling ants struggling to dig a colony in the meat of her body.)"
Well, here we are. All things must end, or so they say..
I think by now most people know that I fucking love this series. It's for a plethora of reasons, really. But the center of it is.. well.. Miriam, of course. It's Miriam. She's the beating, throbbing, pulsating heart of it all. Always.
If you are reading this but you have yet to check out the other books.. FAIR WARNING! It's wicked difficult not to talk about a few important plot points which come about from the prior threads that Wendig weaved throughout each installment.
This conclusion picks up six months after the events in the Raptor and the Wren. When I say the ending of that book shattered my heart, I fucking mean it. It was brimming with shocking twists. In Vultures, Miriam is knocked up and terrified of being in the situation she now finds herself. Not only that, but she knows the fate of the unborn baby and it's.. not good. She takes a job with the FBI, while trying to finally put an end to the supernatural entity that has followed her throughout this journey - The Trespasser. The Trespasser is bigger and badder than ever before. Throw in a serial killer, FBI agents, Louis/Not-Louis, Gabby, a shit ton of birds and you've got an ending amped up to eleven!
This series may not be known for it's deep emotional impact, but to me it has meant so much. In Miriam I saw a kindred individual. I saw myself. She is a character that I just connected with so completely. I mean, not fully completely because I can't predict how you're going to die and then try to save you or anything. Other than that, we have more than a few things in common. I've had relative strangers tell me how much I remind them of Miriam, which.. I take as a compliment whether it is meant to be or not. ::checks notes:: Yeah. Fuck it! I'm taking it as a major compliment! I'm not quite as angry as Miriam, because let's face it.. I'm Canadian. However, we've both suffered immense pain and took our time learning to.. just love ourselves. To find a few fucks to give. On more of a surface level, we are both somewhat loners by choice, take no shit, have a dark sense of humor, love whiskey and are in possession of the foulest of mouths. So there's that!
Also, let me just say how fucking thrilled I am to see bisexual representation in this series. It is so damn rare for me to see bisexuality in the books I read. Biphobia and Bi Erasure are very real, hurtful issues within mass media. It's a subject that is vastly misunderstood and misrepresented. Diverse representation is important. Having a horse in this race, I can say empathetically that IT'S SO FUCKING CRUCIAL!!
I'm rambling. JESUS FUCK. It's just difficult to write about the sixth and final book in a series that has struck such a chord with me. I could spend hours dissecting each and every little thing that I've loved about these characters and the insanely addictive way that Wendig writes. But I won't. Just read the series. Devour the hard-hitting prose, the effectively short chapters, the monsters that lurk between the pages. Shove it deep within your brain meat!
Vultures is a near-perfect destination on this glorious ride. One that I am forever grateful for taking. Book after book after book is such a massive gut-punch! Sure, there are many intense horror elements and it's super bonkers at times.. but there is also just so much fucking heart.
Thank you Chuck Wendig. Thank you for this series! The gory, grimy, wickedly brutal world. Your effervescent words. The humor that I adore. But mostly, thank you for Miriam. For writing someone that spoke to my very core.
ALL THE FUCKING STARS!!
-Holly
(A fellow foul-mouthed, venom-hearted soul)
(Massive thanks to Saga Press for sending me a copy ages ago before the release date.. sorry for the delay! I truly couldn't bring myself to read it at the time I received it. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Miriam!)
(And it itches something fierce. As if the injury is stuffed with crawling ants struggling to dig a colony in the meat of her body.)"
Well, here we are. All things must end, or so they say..
I think by now most people know that I fucking love this series. It's for a plethora of reasons, really. But the center of it is.. well.. Miriam, of course. It's Miriam. She's the beating, throbbing, pulsating heart of it all. Always.
If you are reading this but you have yet to check out the other books.. FAIR WARNING! It's wicked difficult not to talk about a few important plot points which come about from the prior threads that Wendig weaved throughout each installment.
This conclusion picks up six months after the events in the Raptor and the Wren. When I say the ending of that book shattered my heart, I fucking mean it. It was brimming with shocking twists. In Vultures, Miriam is knocked up and terrified of being in the situation she now finds herself. Not only that, but she knows the fate of the unborn baby and it's.. not good. She takes a job with the FBI, while trying to finally put an end to the supernatural entity that has followed her throughout this journey - The Trespasser. The Trespasser is bigger and badder than ever before. Throw in a serial killer, FBI agents, Louis/Not-Louis, Gabby, a shit ton of birds and you've got an ending amped up to eleven!
This series may not be known for it's deep emotional impact, but to me it has meant so much. In Miriam I saw a kindred individual. I saw myself. She is a character that I just connected with so completely. I mean, not fully completely because I can't predict how you're going to die and then try to save you or anything. Other than that, we have more than a few things in common. I've had relative strangers tell me how much I remind them of Miriam, which.. I take as a compliment whether it is meant to be or not. ::checks notes:: Yeah. Fuck it! I'm taking it as a major compliment! I'm not quite as angry as Miriam, because let's face it.. I'm Canadian. However, we've both suffered immense pain and took our time learning to.. just love ourselves. To find a few fucks to give. On more of a surface level, we are both somewhat loners by choice, take no shit, have a dark sense of humor, love whiskey and are in possession of the foulest of mouths. So there's that!
Also, let me just say how fucking thrilled I am to see bisexual representation in this series. It is so damn rare for me to see bisexuality in the books I read. Biphobia and Bi Erasure are very real, hurtful issues within mass media. It's a subject that is vastly misunderstood and misrepresented. Diverse representation is important. Having a horse in this race, I can say empathetically that IT'S SO FUCKING CRUCIAL!!
I'm rambling. JESUS FUCK. It's just difficult to write about the sixth and final book in a series that has struck such a chord with me. I could spend hours dissecting each and every little thing that I've loved about these characters and the insanely addictive way that Wendig writes. But I won't. Just read the series. Devour the hard-hitting prose, the effectively short chapters, the monsters that lurk between the pages. Shove it deep within your brain meat!
Vultures is a near-perfect destination on this glorious ride. One that I am forever grateful for taking. Book after book after book is such a massive gut-punch! Sure, there are many intense horror elements and it's super bonkers at times.. but there is also just so much fucking heart.
Thank you Chuck Wendig. Thank you for this series! The gory, grimy, wickedly brutal world. Your effervescent words. The humor that I adore. But mostly, thank you for Miriam. For writing someone that spoke to my very core.
ALL THE FUCKING STARS!!
-Holly
(A fellow foul-mouthed, venom-hearted soul)
(Massive thanks to Saga Press for sending me a copy ages ago before the release date.. sorry for the delay! I truly couldn't bring myself to read it at the time I received it. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Miriam!)
May 5, 2019
"Everyone dies around me". Her very presence is like a taste of slow poison. She's radioactive; a walking, talking, singing, dancing slice of Chernobyl.
Chuck Wendig sure knows how to mess with his readers emotions. The conclusion of the Miriam Black series is satisfying and loaded with tantalizingly tasty twists, especially as the curtain closes on Miriam Blacks' continually dark chapter.
The Trespasser, Gabby, Louis/Not-Louis, Wren, Miriam's curse; it all comes to a close here as Miriam confronts her arch nemesis (sounds a little superhero like but this is much too macabre for Marvel). Along for the ride is on-again, off-again lover Gabby and some suits from the FBI who just can't let go of Miriam as they continue the push to recruit her to help them crack cases - but Miriam's more Suicide Squad than Shield so things aren't exactly going to be easy for the Feds.
Readers familiar with the series will welcome to continued nod towards continuity with characters once again appearing/being referenced from previous books. I really picked up on this in The Raptor & The Wren and it was great to see it here again. The overall series plotting is pretty tight and Chuck Wendig does a great job at making everything flow seamlessly from one book to the next.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Great series with a fitting ending. I know it's unlikely but I'd love to see this character (and some of the bit players) in some form fiction post Vultures.
Chuck Wendig sure knows how to mess with his readers emotions. The conclusion of the Miriam Black series is satisfying and loaded with tantalizingly tasty twists, especially as the curtain closes on Miriam Blacks' continually dark chapter.
The Trespasser, Gabby, Louis/Not-Louis, Wren, Miriam's curse; it all comes to a close here as Miriam confronts her arch nemesis (sounds a little superhero like but this is much too macabre for Marvel). Along for the ride is on-again, off-again lover Gabby and some suits from the FBI who just can't let go of Miriam as they continue the push to recruit her to help them crack cases - but Miriam's more Suicide Squad than Shield so things aren't exactly going to be easy for the Feds.
Readers familiar with the series will welcome to continued nod towards continuity with characters once again appearing/being referenced from previous books. I really picked up on this in The Raptor & The Wren and it was great to see it here again. The overall series plotting is pretty tight and Chuck Wendig does a great job at making everything flow seamlessly from one book to the next.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Great series with a fitting ending. I know it's unlikely but I'd love to see this character (and some of the bit players) in some form fiction post Vultures.
November 14, 2020
I don’t even know where to begin with reviewing this book because there are so many things I want to say and I don’t have adequate words to say them. This book and this whole series is just beyond brilliant. Every single book has gotten five stars from me and that is incredibly rare when I read a series, usually I find something to nitpick over. But not this one. It is six books of total and utter perfection and one of my top three favourite series of all time across all genres. That’s how bloody amazing Miriam Black is! And this finale just absolutely took my breath away. I didn’t know where Wendig was going to end this, the series has been so wild and unpredictable so far and I knew the ending wasn’t something I’d be able to predict. And I was right because it’s not what I was expecting, I didn’t see it coming in a MILLION years and yet it was so fucking bloody perfect and everything I didn’t even know I wanted. I sobbed happy tears when I read that final page, it just felt so right as an ending and wrapped up this incredible series on the most amazing, perfect note.
January 27, 2019
A spectacular and perfect ending to one of my favorite series. Chuck Wendig saved the best for last. I was on the edge of my seat till the very end, and a tear or two may have been shed. :) loved it!
February 1, 2019
With Vultures, Wendig takes the entirety of his six book saga and culminates it with a high-stakes chase against fate. We pick up with Miriam after the catastrophic events of The Raptor and The Wren. Newly pregnant and on the run, Miriam is getting ready for a final showdown with her tormentor, The Trespasser. However, it still has a few tricks up its sleeves, what with being able to possess people and making them do very bad things. Miriam needs a way to circumvent her destiny and she needs safe passage to deliver her baby. Luckily, an FBI agent approaches her with an offer – track down a serial killer who is murdering young, fresh-faced actors in Los Angeles in exchange for a clear record, lodging and health care to boot.
The end is here. Things are about to get messy.
I love Miriam. She is brutal and nihilistic, yet scrappy and heroic. She’s extremely well written, even if she is vulgar and completely, infuriatingly self-destructive. Even when she gains a modicum of ground, it won’t be long until she finds a way to take two giant leaps backwards. If anything, she’s consistent in her own sabotage. She is one of the best representations of mental illness I’ve come across in my years of reading. She doesn’t feel she deserves anything even remotely good because her comfort lies in her own misery. Granted, with a curse like hers, it’s hard to accept happiness and it’s probably safer to avoid fostering relationships with others.
Yet, even though she is constantly her own worst enemy, you can’t help but feel for her. In the few instances she allows herself to show some vulnerability, she’s usually kicked to the side of the road and left for dead. So, you allow yourself to invest in her – you care about the outcome. Every decision matters and when death lurks around every corner, the choices Miriam makes have substantial, long-term consequences that send ripples throughout all six novels.
There are some seriously excellent moments in this novel. The way Chuck showcases The Trespasser and its newfound abilities leads to some pretty chilling scenes. This is all killer and no filler when it comes to the more horror-inspired instances. To steal a line from Jean Sheppard, “Chuck works in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay.” As always, the dialogue between Miriam and others sizzles across the page like bacon on a blisteringly hot pan. It’s just as tasty and satisfying to consume as well.
For those who are worried that after all this time Chuck may botch the ending? You can put to rest those fears. Chuck had me gripped right up until the end – although he made sure to keep the threat of a dagger over my heart as I was speed-reading to find out everyone’s fate. I’ll spare everyone the ending (of course), but I think you’ll be satisfied with what Chuck puts out there.
The Miriam Black series is one of my absolute favorites and I’m happy to say I had a blast from the beginning of Blackbirds to the last page of Vultures. Is it perfect? Probably not to everyone. But it’s about as good and concise an example of enjoyable consistent storytelling as you can find.
The end is here. Things are about to get messy.
I love Miriam. She is brutal and nihilistic, yet scrappy and heroic. She’s extremely well written, even if she is vulgar and completely, infuriatingly self-destructive. Even when she gains a modicum of ground, it won’t be long until she finds a way to take two giant leaps backwards. If anything, she’s consistent in her own sabotage. She is one of the best representations of mental illness I’ve come across in my years of reading. She doesn’t feel she deserves anything even remotely good because her comfort lies in her own misery. Granted, with a curse like hers, it’s hard to accept happiness and it’s probably safer to avoid fostering relationships with others.
Yet, even though she is constantly her own worst enemy, you can’t help but feel for her. In the few instances she allows herself to show some vulnerability, she’s usually kicked to the side of the road and left for dead. So, you allow yourself to invest in her – you care about the outcome. Every decision matters and when death lurks around every corner, the choices Miriam makes have substantial, long-term consequences that send ripples throughout all six novels.
There are some seriously excellent moments in this novel. The way Chuck showcases The Trespasser and its newfound abilities leads to some pretty chilling scenes. This is all killer and no filler when it comes to the more horror-inspired instances. To steal a line from Jean Sheppard, “Chuck works in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay.” As always, the dialogue between Miriam and others sizzles across the page like bacon on a blisteringly hot pan. It’s just as tasty and satisfying to consume as well.
For those who are worried that after all this time Chuck may botch the ending? You can put to rest those fears. Chuck had me gripped right up until the end – although he made sure to keep the threat of a dagger over my heart as I was speed-reading to find out everyone’s fate. I’ll spare everyone the ending (of course), but I think you’ll be satisfied with what Chuck puts out there.
The Miriam Black series is one of my absolute favorites and I’m happy to say I had a blast from the beginning of Blackbirds to the last page of Vultures. Is it perfect? Probably not to everyone. But it’s about as good and concise an example of enjoyable consistent storytelling as you can find.
February 11, 2019
While the previous entry wasn't my favorite of the series, this entry stepped back up to being more along the same lines as the rest of the series... which is good, because this is the very last one!
Miriam Black's story has reached its conclusion, and honestly, I think Wendig did a great job tying up some loose ends. I'm still kind of bitter about a big loss from the last book, but at least this book provides some not-quite-as-good copy of what I wanted to happen with someone else. (Can't say much more, it's already borderline spoilery!)
I'll miss Miriam's sass and foul mouth. Overall, a fantastic series with some really good highs and some blah lows, but I'd recommend to anyone who can get past potty mouth (or enjoys potty mouth!) for some fun urban fantasy.
Miriam Black's story has reached its conclusion, and honestly, I think Wendig did a great job tying up some loose ends. I'm still kind of bitter about a big loss from the last book, but at least this book provides some not-quite-as-good copy of what I wanted to happen with someone else. (Can't say much more, it's already borderline spoilery!)
I'll miss Miriam's sass and foul mouth. Overall, a fantastic series with some really good highs and some blah lows, but I'd recommend to anyone who can get past potty mouth (or enjoys potty mouth!) for some fun urban fantasy.
February 16, 2020
Damn. I’m going to miss Miriam. This series is fucking perfect! Now I just need to buy them one by one so I can revisit them when ever I want to.
February 22, 2019
I read the first book Blackbirds in the Miriam Black series in 2017. I was instantly in love with Miriam and hooked on her story. That book was originally published in 2012, so I was late to the party. My friend Sadie (@mother.horror) was absolutely raving about it, so I knew I needed to pick it up. Two years and six books later, Miriam's story has come to an end in Vultures. I was both sad and incredibly eager to read this book. And I'm so happy to say that Wendig gave Miriam the perfect ending.
It's really hard to write about this book especially, but even the series in general without spoiling anything for future readers. And I'm telling you now, (yes you), you need to read this series. Binge it. Roll around in it. Spend a few weeks with Miriam. I promise they will be the most enjoyable, heartbreaking, breathtaking, laugh out loud weeks you can possibly experience.
Miriam is definitely one of my new favorite literary characters. Cursed with the ability to see exactly when and how a person dies, it's impossible for Miriam to live a normal life. She just can't get close to anyone. So she spends her life on the road, meeting awful people, strangers who help her move from city to city by stealing their cash and credit cards once they kick the bucket. It's not the life she wants, but she's forced to live it. Her quick wit and a mouth that would make a sailor blush make her instantly likable. She's authentic and she couldn't care less what other people think of her. But Miriam lives a hard life, one that forces her to not only steal to get by, but drink until she forgets, at least until the next morning. Still she's a badass female protagonist who is more than capable of standing up for herself. Sure she has lots of faults, but you love her even more for those. And over the course of six books she matures, but continues to make terrible mistakes. She's human, and she's carrying a huge burden. Mistakes come with the territory.
I didn't want this series to end, but Wendig wrapped it up in a very satisfying way. And now I can go back and visit Miriam anytime I want. If you think fast-paced thrillers with a trash talking, whisky swilling heroine are something you would dig, you need to start this series ASAP. Miriam's exploits are so entertaining. I promise you will both laugh out loud and cry over and over again. Wendig whisks you across a spectrum of emotions with this series, and I loved every minute of it. Go now and start your journey. Miriam is waiting for you.
It's really hard to write about this book especially, but even the series in general without spoiling anything for future readers. And I'm telling you now, (yes you), you need to read this series. Binge it. Roll around in it. Spend a few weeks with Miriam. I promise they will be the most enjoyable, heartbreaking, breathtaking, laugh out loud weeks you can possibly experience.
Miriam is definitely one of my new favorite literary characters. Cursed with the ability to see exactly when and how a person dies, it's impossible for Miriam to live a normal life. She just can't get close to anyone. So she spends her life on the road, meeting awful people, strangers who help her move from city to city by stealing their cash and credit cards once they kick the bucket. It's not the life she wants, but she's forced to live it. Her quick wit and a mouth that would make a sailor blush make her instantly likable. She's authentic and she couldn't care less what other people think of her. But Miriam lives a hard life, one that forces her to not only steal to get by, but drink until she forgets, at least until the next morning. Still she's a badass female protagonist who is more than capable of standing up for herself. Sure she has lots of faults, but you love her even more for those. And over the course of six books she matures, but continues to make terrible mistakes. She's human, and she's carrying a huge burden. Mistakes come with the territory.
I didn't want this series to end, but Wendig wrapped it up in a very satisfying way. And now I can go back and visit Miriam anytime I want. If you think fast-paced thrillers with a trash talking, whisky swilling heroine are something you would dig, you need to start this series ASAP. Miriam's exploits are so entertaining. I promise you will both laugh out loud and cry over and over again. Wendig whisks you across a spectrum of emotions with this series, and I loved every minute of it. Go now and start your journey. Miriam is waiting for you.
February 14, 2019
For anyone who has not read the Miriam Black series, it's pretty wacky and wonderful, but don't start with Vultures as there are too many backstories to understand context. Miraculously, Miriam is pregnant despite a womb that was wrecked in a teenage miscarriage. But, her lover Louis is dead, killed by Wren, a rescued victim of a serial killer from an earlier book, who was possessed by the evil tormentor, The Trespasser. At the heart of the book is Miriam's continued attempts to free herself of her curse (seeing how a person dies, trying to save a victim by killing the murderer) and her efforts to keep her unborn baby and girlfriend, Gaby alive. Here she chases a killer dubbed the Starfucker, who is murdering actors. Miriam’s devil-may-care attitude, her sarcastic and biting personality, and her foul mouth are great, but they are definitely mellowing as she works to become more adult as she marches towards being a mother. Some of the twists at the end were pretty cool too.
In the final words of author Chuck Wendig: "as a final endnote to the series: we live in a particularly stupid-ass timeline, and I assume at this point that the Hadron Collider went awry and fucked shit up, and now we're paying some kind of cosmic debt. We're a country perched precariously on a needlepoint of a pin, and I don't know what way we'll fall. but I know a lot of us are mad as hell, as we should be. As such, there exists a current debate as to whether or not the resistance against the current administrative regime should dare to be (gasp) uncivil. Should we use naught words in our criticism? Should we dare to stand up and stand in the way of our political foes? And the Miriam Black that lives in my heart says that fuck yeah, we should. Fuck the fucking fuckers. Fuck the fucking lot of them, and fuck them is they think they can shame us for our incivility while trying to bring the hammer of sexism and racism and ableism down on our democracy. Fuck that noise. Evil people want you to be nice, because when you're nice, it's nearly impossible to point out the evil that they're doing. Fuck nice. Be more like Miriam. Speak truth to power, with as many nasty words as you can muster.
Thank you, you foul-mouthed, venom-hearted souls, you. Keep on keeping on.
Miriam would thank you, but she's too busy giving everyone the middle finger."
In the final words of author Chuck Wendig: "as a final endnote to the series: we live in a particularly stupid-ass timeline, and I assume at this point that the Hadron Collider went awry and fucked shit up, and now we're paying some kind of cosmic debt. We're a country perched precariously on a needlepoint of a pin, and I don't know what way we'll fall. but I know a lot of us are mad as hell, as we should be. As such, there exists a current debate as to whether or not the resistance against the current administrative regime should dare to be (gasp) uncivil. Should we use naught words in our criticism? Should we dare to stand up and stand in the way of our political foes? And the Miriam Black that lives in my heart says that fuck yeah, we should. Fuck the fucking fuckers. Fuck the fucking lot of them, and fuck them is they think they can shame us for our incivility while trying to bring the hammer of sexism and racism and ableism down on our democracy. Fuck that noise. Evil people want you to be nice, because when you're nice, it's nearly impossible to point out the evil that they're doing. Fuck nice. Be more like Miriam. Speak truth to power, with as many nasty words as you can muster.
Thank you, you foul-mouthed, venom-hearted souls, you. Keep on keeping on.
Miriam would thank you, but she's too busy giving everyone the middle finger."
October 16, 2025
The final book of the series, a series which started so brightly with it’s innovated creation of the personage called Miriam Black who could foretell the nature & time of death of others simply by pure touch!
The first entry was a riot! Sheer brilliance & rumours of a TV series was muted but unfortunately it has to be said subsequent books (4 & 5 in particular) in the series saw the story loose it’s way a little albeit I’d have to say the bar was set very high with that first entry, it was a hard act to follow especially with it’s novelty & plot.
All that said I’m very much looking forward to how this one ends…. So much so I purchased my own copy, which, I can’t believe was now published as far back as 2019! And when did books get so expensive?
So how did we go….?
Snarky start… well what else did you expect me to remark on!!
AND it gets snarkier……. Miriam is at her best, her inner monologue which is more oft than not said out loud to all & sundry is brilliant, it’s the glue that holds the series together for me.
A serial killer called “Starfucker”, the trespasser, the FBI, old friends along with some new are all involved in small or large in this (very) dark humoured paranormal thriller.
Vultures does bring the series back to its central core, it makes a lot of sense and I can now see how & why the second set of three books (Thunderbird & The Rapter and the Wren) travelled in the direction they did after not really enjoying them… I thought the series had lost it’s way, it’s charm for sure. This book brings it back into the fold as it retains a lot of the rawness of the opening trilogy of books where Miriam is concerned & there is a theme to it, a reason, a finality about it. Although I should add summit about the conclusion of it all…. I won’t as it’ll give too much away for readers following…..
Five stars (rounded up) all the way & sorry in some ways to see the series conclude although I will admit a trilogy instead of a series would have made it epic as it was a difficult topic/subject matter to keep rolling over 6 books which is bore out by the way it was wrapped up. I still say a TV series would be brilliant although it’s adaptation would need to be quite different to keep an audience unless it went down a kinda (very dark) “Quantum leap” sort of programme with a diffo case each week. Overall Id give the series 3.75, its not quite a four where the plot/overall theme falls away a little in those middle books. For the character though, Miriam Black a straight FIVE, she’s glorious, a fantastic creation by the author!
For those thinking of giving the series a go, I would say the opener “Blackbirds” could easily be read as a standalone, a taster if you will
The first entry was a riot! Sheer brilliance & rumours of a TV series was muted but unfortunately it has to be said subsequent books (4 & 5 in particular) in the series saw the story loose it’s way a little albeit I’d have to say the bar was set very high with that first entry, it was a hard act to follow especially with it’s novelty & plot.
All that said I’m very much looking forward to how this one ends…. So much so I purchased my own copy, which, I can’t believe was now published as far back as 2019! And when did books get so expensive?
So how did we go….?
Snarky start… well what else did you expect me to remark on!!
AND it gets snarkier……. Miriam is at her best, her inner monologue which is more oft than not said out loud to all & sundry is brilliant, it’s the glue that holds the series together for me.
A serial killer called “Starfucker”, the trespasser, the FBI, old friends along with some new are all involved in small or large in this (very) dark humoured paranormal thriller.
Vultures does bring the series back to its central core, it makes a lot of sense and I can now see how & why the second set of three books (Thunderbird & The Rapter and the Wren) travelled in the direction they did after not really enjoying them… I thought the series had lost it’s way, it’s charm for sure. This book brings it back into the fold as it retains a lot of the rawness of the opening trilogy of books where Miriam is concerned & there is a theme to it, a reason, a finality about it. Although I should add summit about the conclusion of it all…. I won’t as it’ll give too much away for readers following…..
Five stars (rounded up) all the way & sorry in some ways to see the series conclude although I will admit a trilogy instead of a series would have made it epic as it was a difficult topic/subject matter to keep rolling over 6 books which is bore out by the way it was wrapped up. I still say a TV series would be brilliant although it’s adaptation would need to be quite different to keep an audience unless it went down a kinda (very dark) “Quantum leap” sort of programme with a diffo case each week. Overall Id give the series 3.75, its not quite a four where the plot/overall theme falls away a little in those middle books. For the character though, Miriam Black a straight FIVE, she’s glorious, a fantastic creation by the author!
For those thinking of giving the series a go, I would say the opener “Blackbirds” could easily be read as a standalone, a taster if you will
February 7, 2019
"We're both as good as we can be, and as bad as we are."
The Miriam Black series has ended. If you haven't read these books yet, you are seriously missing out. This series is so damn entertaining, and Chuck Wendig wrapped it up well. I was anxious and excited to get into this book, and I'm happy that I enjoyed it.
Miriam is one of my favorite characters ever, I loved seeing her change and grow. I appreciate that Chuck was able to maintain her essence for 6 character-focused books, and write incredibly dark and entertaining stories.
While I'm sad that there won't be anymore Miriam books, I'm happy with how it went. I don't necessarily think it was perfect, but it worked. I can't wait to read more of Chuck Wendig's books!
The Miriam Black series has ended. If you haven't read these books yet, you are seriously missing out. This series is so damn entertaining, and Chuck Wendig wrapped it up well. I was anxious and excited to get into this book, and I'm happy that I enjoyed it.
Miriam is one of my favorite characters ever, I loved seeing her change and grow. I appreciate that Chuck was able to maintain her essence for 6 character-focused books, and write incredibly dark and entertaining stories.
While I'm sad that there won't be anymore Miriam books, I'm happy with how it went. I don't necessarily think it was perfect, but it worked. I can't wait to read more of Chuck Wendig's books!
August 19, 2020
I didn't like this book more because 1) MIriam Black is not a nice person at all, 2) long inane conversations between Miriam and girlfriend Gabby make up much of the book, and 3) Miriam just keeps whining about the past and her problems. I really like some of Wendig's novels, e.g. Zeroes, Invasive, Double Dead but not some of the sentimental ones like Wanderers which i couldn't get past the first 20 pages of stupidity.
February 6, 2019
Sad to get to the end of this series!
March 18, 2019
*Need to Review
Notes:
Lots of great stuff about pregnancy.
Lots of cool & bizarre events per normal.
Floppy Ta Da?
I'm not sure how I feel about the way it all comes down in the end. It's either a 3.5 or 4 star book.
Notes:
Lots of great stuff about pregnancy.
Lots of cool & bizarre events per normal.
Floppy Ta Da?
I'm not sure how I feel about the way it all comes down in the end. It's either a 3.5 or 4 star book.
June 4, 2021
The perfect ending to a brilliant series. I've loved these books from Chapter 1 of Book 1 and not once in six books felt disappointed in the story or in my book BFF, Miriam Black.
February 16, 2019
Actual Rating: 4.5
February 25, 2021
I absolutely loved the beginning of this series, but about half way through it started to get old. At first I loved Miriam's trashy mouth and crazy antics, but it grew old over time. It's almost like the author wanted to see how many new bad words he could come up with, and how vulgar Miriam can act. I honestly wish he would have stopped after book 3.
January 24, 2019
Thank you sir for the wild ride that is Miriam Black. I was so nervous and excited going into this one, as the series can be so unpredictable. I do believe he wrapped it up well enough to satisfy everyone. I wouldn't say this was my absolute favorite of the series but it does it all justice, answering the questions and tying everything up fairly easily. I don't even want to say much to give anything away but as I think about it I'm happy to see a few threads left open for future exploration.
April 2, 2021
this review originally published in Looking For a Good book. Rated 4.5 of 5
How do you write a review of a Chuck Wendig novel? Answer: write a review as you normally would but periodically, after a description, add "with vengeance." For instance: In Vultures, the sixth book in Chuck Wendig's Miriam Black series, we find Miriam pregnant and that the The Trespasser has the ability to inhabit both the dead and the living. Fate has decreed that the baby will die, but Miriam is ready to defy fate, with vengeance.
If you've read any of the other books in the Miriam Black series you'll want to complete your reading with this series finale. But if you haven't already familiarized yourself with the series or even with author Chuck Wendig, feel free to jump in here at the end, or better yet, go back and start at the beginning with Blackbirds.
Miriam has a special psychic ability - when she touches someone she can see how and when they die - and she's become addicted to using this ability. She is also a highly reluctant help for certain law enforcement agencies, currently one such agency is trying to track down a serial killer and Miriam will catch glimpses of the killer when she makes physical contact with some of his future victims. This concept can be pretty depressing and clearly Miriam's attitude reflects a lifetime of watching people die.
Wendig's writing is gut-wrenching. Literally. Take the opening of the book:
This is what it feels like, six months into losing Louis:
It feels like someone has pushed a corkscrew through her middle. It is a comically large tool, this corkscrew, like a cartoon prop, but it feels cold and sharp as it pushes its way through her body every morning, every afternoon, every evening, every hour and minute and second of every f**king day and every f**king night, coiling deeper in her before it reaches her margins and then rips its way back out in one brutal yank, uncorking her insides, spilling her guts, hollowing her out from belly button to backbone.
(Grawlix replacing letters in curse words are mine.)
This is a solid introduction to Wendig and let's you know right from the start that he's not going to pull his punches. He writes with power and with vengeance.
This book is the complete package. You've got a murder mystery with a serial killer to stop. You've got a strong hint of supernatural. You've got characters who are gritty and flawed, making them come across as powerfully real. And you've got an author whose ability to manipulate the reader with his words is almost beyond compare. He'll reach into the reader's psyche, scramble it with vengeance, and remove a few strands of innocence.
I don't know why Wendig hasn't been on my 'must read' list (that's changed) but every book of his I've read has made an impression on me and I recommend this highly.
Looking for a good book? Vultures, by Chuck Wendig is the 6th book in the Miriam Black series and will leave the reader reeling from the journey.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
How do you write a review of a Chuck Wendig novel? Answer: write a review as you normally would but periodically, after a description, add "with vengeance." For instance: In Vultures, the sixth book in Chuck Wendig's Miriam Black series, we find Miriam pregnant and that the The Trespasser has the ability to inhabit both the dead and the living. Fate has decreed that the baby will die, but Miriam is ready to defy fate, with vengeance.
If you've read any of the other books in the Miriam Black series you'll want to complete your reading with this series finale. But if you haven't already familiarized yourself with the series or even with author Chuck Wendig, feel free to jump in here at the end, or better yet, go back and start at the beginning with Blackbirds.
Miriam has a special psychic ability - when she touches someone she can see how and when they die - and she's become addicted to using this ability. She is also a highly reluctant help for certain law enforcement agencies, currently one such agency is trying to track down a serial killer and Miriam will catch glimpses of the killer when she makes physical contact with some of his future victims. This concept can be pretty depressing and clearly Miriam's attitude reflects a lifetime of watching people die.
Wendig's writing is gut-wrenching. Literally. Take the opening of the book:
This is what it feels like, six months into losing Louis:
It feels like someone has pushed a corkscrew through her middle. It is a comically large tool, this corkscrew, like a cartoon prop, but it feels cold and sharp as it pushes its way through her body every morning, every afternoon, every evening, every hour and minute and second of every f**king day and every f**king night, coiling deeper in her before it reaches her margins and then rips its way back out in one brutal yank, uncorking her insides, spilling her guts, hollowing her out from belly button to backbone.
(Grawlix replacing letters in curse words are mine.)
This is a solid introduction to Wendig and let's you know right from the start that he's not going to pull his punches. He writes with power and with vengeance.
This book is the complete package. You've got a murder mystery with a serial killer to stop. You've got a strong hint of supernatural. You've got characters who are gritty and flawed, making them come across as powerfully real. And you've got an author whose ability to manipulate the reader with his words is almost beyond compare. He'll reach into the reader's psyche, scramble it with vengeance, and remove a few strands of innocence.
I don't know why Wendig hasn't been on my 'must read' list (that's changed) but every book of his I've read has made an impression on me and I recommend this highly.
Looking for a good book? Vultures, by Chuck Wendig is the 6th book in the Miriam Black series and will leave the reader reeling from the journey.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2019
I acknowledge that I should probably have read these in their proper order to get the full effect, but I have to say Wendig does a fine job of telling a complete story while also creating a sense of this story's place in the series. Having only read The Cormorant (#3 in the series) before, I can say that Wendig uses references to characters and earlier events to reinforce important plot points so you won't be lost if you haven't read the books, but you also won't feel hit over the head with lengthy exposition if you have.
The end of Miriam Black's story doesn't feel like an "ending" as much as it feels like the beginning of something new. As a character, she has changed and grown, and now that the threads of her larger story have been drawn together, there is a sense of both completion and of looking forward. If anything, I think I'm ready to begin this series, now.
Which, I intend to do properly, starting with book #1.
As for the story itself, I offer the usual caveats that I start my ratings at 3 stars for books that accomplish what they set out to do, and stories that are competently told. Wendig's voice is brisk without being rushed, and by this sixth outing with Miriam, he clearly feels comfortable enough with her to allow her to grow up a bit, while still leaning into the flaws that make her interesting. His story and plot twists are inventive, and as you would hope with a beloved heroine in her sixth book, the driving force of the story has more to do with her growth and flaws than with the "whodunit" aspects and the resolution of the supernatural concepts.
Overall, if you haven't read these books, I'd suggest starting at the beginning, but rest assured that based on my sampling of 33% of the total, this series will deliver consistently. And now, back to the beginning for me!
The end of Miriam Black's story doesn't feel like an "ending" as much as it feels like the beginning of something new. As a character, she has changed and grown, and now that the threads of her larger story have been drawn together, there is a sense of both completion and of looking forward. If anything, I think I'm ready to begin this series, now.
Which, I intend to do properly, starting with book #1.
As for the story itself, I offer the usual caveats that I start my ratings at 3 stars for books that accomplish what they set out to do, and stories that are competently told. Wendig's voice is brisk without being rushed, and by this sixth outing with Miriam, he clearly feels comfortable enough with her to allow her to grow up a bit, while still leaning into the flaws that make her interesting. His story and plot twists are inventive, and as you would hope with a beloved heroine in her sixth book, the driving force of the story has more to do with her growth and flaws than with the "whodunit" aspects and the resolution of the supernatural concepts.
Overall, if you haven't read these books, I'd suggest starting at the beginning, but rest assured that based on my sampling of 33% of the total, this series will deliver consistently. And now, back to the beginning for me!
July 28, 2019
4.5 stars. This should not have taken me this long to read this book, it's just that the new business has interfered with my reading time drastically and it seems I only have time to listen to audiobooks when I'm commuting. But enough about that.
If you haven't read the six Miriam Black books by Wendig then you need to. To me they're just short of amazing as I think I would have like all of them edited down to just one massive amazing book but eh! No worries, I still loved them.
Bitchy, tough, fuck-the-world-I-can-see-your-death-and-take-over-control-birds-so-don't-piss-me-off-you-twat Miriam Black is going down as one of my all time favourite book characters. In this final installment she is looking for another gifted/cursed person who may finally be the one to help her get rid of the Trespasser and save her unborn miracle baby's life. I really wish I had had the time to just sit down, not have to work or sleep and read this book all in one sitting. Fuck you reality. Read these books.
If you haven't read the six Miriam Black books by Wendig then you need to. To me they're just short of amazing as I think I would have like all of them edited down to just one massive amazing book but eh! No worries, I still loved them.
Bitchy, tough, fuck-the-world-I-can-see-your-death-and-take-over-control-birds-so-don't-piss-me-off-you-twat Miriam Black is going down as one of my all time favourite book characters. In this final installment she is looking for another gifted/cursed person who may finally be the one to help her get rid of the Trespasser and save her unborn miracle baby's life. I really wish I had had the time to just sit down, not have to work or sleep and read this book all in one sitting. Fuck you reality. Read these books.
April 13, 2025
This final book in the series I approached almost like the end of a beloved television show, as I was excited to see how it wrapped up but sad it was ending. I ended up reading it slower than normal with more breaks, seemingly just to prolong things - but once I got past about halfway I just immersed myself in Miriam's fight for her soul and the lives of all those she loved that she could still save. The series in general took a turn to more fantasy than the original straight "evil humans getting their comeuppance" but it made that pivot graciously and the wrap up really did a great job of merging the real life (FBI happenings, people that are just participants in the drama that is Miriam's fight against the trespasser) and the shadow-type world where the real danger resides.
And a little twist in the middle was a bit of "oh no - not this" but Wendig got us back to the story quickly.
In all, this is more a review of the full series - just a great read throughout with a satisfying conclusion.
And a little twist in the middle was a bit of "oh no - not this" but Wendig got us back to the story quickly.
In all, this is more a review of the full series - just a great read throughout with a satisfying conclusion.
April 6, 2019
Wow. I picked up and read the first in this series, Blackbirds, in 2014 and was immediately hooked. It had everything I liked in a book: horror, raunch, imaginatively profane language, blood, squick-inducing descriptions, a bad-ass, female anti-hero, and the promise of more to come.
And, now, it's over. I'm both disappointed to part company with Ms. Black and blown away by the way Wendig ended it and how he tied up all the little loose ends.
I got this copy from the library because there have been times the last book in a series has completely disappointed me and I regretted the purchase. I tend to Bookcross books I buy, but a few I keep because I want to revisit them or I want to have them to loan out. This series I keep to loan. I will buy a copy of Vultures so I can push the last book into someone's hands with a knowing smile and wait for their "WTF?! WTactualF?!" texts. :)
And, now, it's over. I'm both disappointed to part company with Ms. Black and blown away by the way Wendig ended it and how he tied up all the little loose ends.
I got this copy from the library because there have been times the last book in a series has completely disappointed me and I regretted the purchase. I tend to Bookcross books I buy, but a few I keep because I want to revisit them or I want to have them to loan out. This series I keep to loan. I will buy a copy of Vultures so I can push the last book into someone's hands with a knowing smile and wait for their "WTF?! WTactualF?!" texts. :)
April 20, 2019
I'm sorry to see this series end, but absolutely thankful I found it and got to enjoy every page. I'll be honest, this one was hard for me to read, given how Miriam has changed in this book (trying not to give spoilers). It makes things in her life much more complicated, but she is struggling to find a place for herself in this world while still protecting the ones she loves. Is that even possible for Miriam. She's come a long way since the beginning of this series, and she's taken us all on a very winding path to reach this conclusion. Raw, quirky, hilarious, and terrifying. This book is everything we've come to expect from Miriam and Wendig. Bravo to both!
May 10, 2019
This final book has a surprising amount of editing mistakes...but I throughly enjoyed the entire series, from start to finish. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - Miriam is the perfect anti-hero: she’s foul-mouthed, irreverent, and often makes terribly selfish choices. This honestly wasn’t the ending I would have chosen for her (never in a million years would I have killed off Louis), but I’m still fairly satisfied with it. I would love to see an offshoot series that follows Lulu’s inevitable upcoming adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2025
4.5 stars rounding ??? Crude, crass, even gross at times. Very explicit and graphic language, sex, violence. Read that sentence and wondering to myself why I am thinking of rounding up to 5 stars and have read 6 of the books over the last few weeks. Who knew I was that bent and demented?
Because even with the crude and explicit the stories are LOL, compelling and so well written you are rooting, cringing and hoping that Miriam will win. Or at least survive without too much therapy in her future.
Because even with the crude and explicit the stories are LOL, compelling and so well written you are rooting, cringing and hoping that Miriam will win. Or at least survive without too much therapy in her future.
March 20, 2019
Fate finds a way, as do so many of Miriam's last remaining enemies and allies. It's the endgame, the big showdown, the last hurrah, and it's a good one.
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