What do you think?
Little Bird
There was always something different about Sun Song Shia, but like most little girls she just wanted to be loved. Strangely, it wasn't until the Chinese government stuck her in a research facility did she find the love and acceptance she craved. Song Shia returned to her parents only to be met with wariness and even fear. She craved her Baba's love most of all, but that love came at a terrible price.
Song Shia fled China all the way to the Safe Zone city of Chicago. Even there she was monitored and strictly regulated by the government. Despite it all, Song Shia fell in love with a museum curator named Alex. Right from the beginning Song Shia warned Alex to "Run like hell!" Alex did not run. As their romance developed, Song Shia reluctantly brought Alex further into her world. Then their life together exploded when a devastating secret was exposed: a secret Song Shia kept not only from the world, but from herself.
Little Bird is an expansion of "In Her Eyes," which appeared in the Jan./Feb. issue of F&SF and reprinted in The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novellas, edited by Paula Guran. "In Her Eyes" was also a nominee for the Theodore Sturgeon award and an honoree for the James Tiptree award.
Song Shia fled China all the way to the Safe Zone city of Chicago. Even there she was monitored and strictly regulated by the government. Despite it all, Song Shia fell in love with a museum curator named Alex. Right from the beginning Song Shia warned Alex to "Run like hell!" Alex did not run. As their romance developed, Song Shia reluctantly brought Alex further into her world. Then their life together exploded when a devastating secret was exposed: a secret Song Shia kept not only from the world, but from herself.
Little Bird is an expansion of "In Her Eyes," which appeared in the Jan./Feb. issue of F&SF and reprinted in The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novellas, edited by Paula Guran. "In Her Eyes" was also a nominee for the Theodore Sturgeon award and an honoree for the James Tiptree award.
- GenresFantasy
476 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Want to Read
August 10, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/10/2019)! 🎁
June 20, 2017
Song Shia can have any man she wants – and she definitely snagged me. I was hooked from page one.
This book is a rather fabulous mixture of contrasts. On the one hand the story is touching when it tells about the childhood Song Shia – and the rest of the time it is a sexual fantasy beyond any man’s wildest dreams when the adult Song Shia is around.
I can’t explain much without revealing a significant spoiler so suffice to say it is compelling and wildly sexy in alternate chapters. Early in the book Song Shia the little girl wants to fly and I nearly lost it at what happened as the little girl jumps from a tall tree, furiously reading to learn the result. The author really has a knack for drawing you in with simple prose that nevertheless makes you invested in the story.
And just when you think the story can’t get better, or there can’t be any more surprises, it comes up with something new—especially about half way through when Song does something you won’t see coming.
And just when you think the story can’t get any stranger or surprise you, at the three quarters mark, it does, again.
All the while I was fascinated and amused and a little sad that Song couldn’t be herself.
Until the end, the marvelous, awesome end. I’m not sad any more.
And oh what a character Song Shia is – one of my favorites in a long, long time.
This book is a rather fabulous mixture of contrasts. On the one hand the story is touching when it tells about the childhood Song Shia – and the rest of the time it is a sexual fantasy beyond any man’s wildest dreams when the adult Song Shia is around.
I can’t explain much without revealing a significant spoiler so suffice to say it is compelling and wildly sexy in alternate chapters. Early in the book Song Shia the little girl wants to fly and I nearly lost it at what happened as the little girl jumps from a tall tree, furiously reading to learn the result. The author really has a knack for drawing you in with simple prose that nevertheless makes you invested in the story.
And just when you think the story can’t get better, or there can’t be any more surprises, it comes up with something new—especially about half way through when Song does something you won’t see coming.
And just when you think the story can’t get any stranger or surprise you, at the three quarters mark, it does, again.
All the while I was fascinated and amused and a little sad that Song couldn’t be herself.
Until the end, the marvelous, awesome end. I’m not sad any more.
And oh what a character Song Shia is – one of my favorites in a long, long time.
November 16, 2017
‘I lunged to catch her but wasn't quick enough. It didn't matter, though, because she flew. She flew!’
Author Seth Chambers has worked as an army medic, mental health counselor, farm hand, wilderness guide, bike messenger, and ESL teacher. His work has appeared in F&SF, Daily SF, Fantasy Scroll, and Perihelion SF, and The 2015 Year's Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Novellas. He is the author of WHAT ROUGH BEASTS, THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MONSTERS, WE HAPPY FEW, BEAUTIFUL MACHINES, DETROIT, RUSTY BOLTS, A LITTLE SLICE OF HELL, THE UNFOGIVING MINUTE, TOURIST SEASON, BLUE DEVILS, EDITORIAL LIFELINES, THIS RESTLESS NIGHT, HER RULE WOULD ALWAYS LAST, MORNING AND NIGHT, UNIVERSE IN A TEACUP, LITTLE EINSTEIN, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, and now LITTLE BIRD. His genre is cyberpunk, fantasy, hard science fiction, and in this vein he has already gained recognition and awards.
Seth wastes no superfluous words – he gets to his character development quick and surely and leaves ample room for character development and growth – and secrets. For example, his unveiling of his heroine is as follows – ‘Even before she had words for "heart" and "blood," she sensed the fluttery bird pushing life water throughout her body. She felt the blood pulse and flow through tiny tubes in her limbs and even sensed the one-way valves that kept it from backing up into her heart. Long before she had words, she knew her organs and what they did. She sent her consciousness through her body: watching, listening, learning. A man placed a cold, round piece of metal on her chest and she knew he was listening to that fluttery little bird within. She sped it up so that its individual beats blurred together so fast they no longer pushed the fluid through the tubes. Then she slowed it way, way down so the beats came only at long intervals. A commotion arose. The man with the round piece of metal seemed upset. She didn't mean to upset him. She let the little bird in her chest beat as it normally did. The man smiled at her and she smiled back. She liked the man. She felt her pupils open wide to let in more of this man's face. She grabbed two of his fingers in her tiny hand and held tight. The man tried to pull away but could not. Not until she let him. The man turned toward her Baba and made sounds: "She's strong." She didn't know what the sounds meant. She just knew she liked the man and she loved her Baba. She felt the muscles in her face move in response to him. "And very cute," added the man. Her Baba looked down at her. "She's still a girl." She didn't know what the sound meant but she didn't like the feel of them in her ears. Then her Baba turned away and walked out of the room. Song Shia cried but Baba stayed gone. She knew that someday she would learn to make the right sounds, the sounds that would make Baba come back.’
Eloquent and magnetic, the passage invites the reader into this strange and beautiful story.
The synopsis provides a guide map to what is ahead – ‘There was always something different about Sun Song Shia, but like most little girls she just wanted to be loved. Strangely, it wasn't until the Chinese government stuck her in a research facility did she find the love and acceptance she craved. Song Shia returned to her parents only to be met with wariness and even fear. She craved her Baba's love most of all, but that love came at a terrible price. Song Shia fled China all the way to the Safe Zone city of Chicago. Even there she was monitored and strictly regulated by the government. Despite it all, Song Shia fell in love with a museum curator named Alex. Right from the beginning Song Shia warned Alex to "Run like hell!" Alex did not run. As their romance developed, Song Shia reluctantly brought Alex further into her world. Then their life together exploded when a devastating secret was exposed: a secret Song Shia kept not only from the world, but from herself.’
Many levels of significant philosophy are contained in this fantasy book. Not only will fans of sci-fi/fantasy be satisfied (‘When she was seven her bones began breaking for no reason at all, and then fixing themselves again. It hurt and yet felt good all at the same time. She also heard music whenever her bones started to break. It was beautiful, wonderful music that nobody else could hear. If she thought about it really hard, she could bend her arms in several places at once.), but readers who are sensitive to those aspects that make a child into an adult will be also well served. This is a fine little novel.
Author Seth Chambers has worked as an army medic, mental health counselor, farm hand, wilderness guide, bike messenger, and ESL teacher. His work has appeared in F&SF, Daily SF, Fantasy Scroll, and Perihelion SF, and The 2015 Year's Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Novellas. He is the author of WHAT ROUGH BEASTS, THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MONSTERS, WE HAPPY FEW, BEAUTIFUL MACHINES, DETROIT, RUSTY BOLTS, A LITTLE SLICE OF HELL, THE UNFOGIVING MINUTE, TOURIST SEASON, BLUE DEVILS, EDITORIAL LIFELINES, THIS RESTLESS NIGHT, HER RULE WOULD ALWAYS LAST, MORNING AND NIGHT, UNIVERSE IN A TEACUP, LITTLE EINSTEIN, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, and now LITTLE BIRD. His genre is cyberpunk, fantasy, hard science fiction, and in this vein he has already gained recognition and awards.
Seth wastes no superfluous words – he gets to his character development quick and surely and leaves ample room for character development and growth – and secrets. For example, his unveiling of his heroine is as follows – ‘Even before she had words for "heart" and "blood," she sensed the fluttery bird pushing life water throughout her body. She felt the blood pulse and flow through tiny tubes in her limbs and even sensed the one-way valves that kept it from backing up into her heart. Long before she had words, she knew her organs and what they did. She sent her consciousness through her body: watching, listening, learning. A man placed a cold, round piece of metal on her chest and she knew he was listening to that fluttery little bird within. She sped it up so that its individual beats blurred together so fast they no longer pushed the fluid through the tubes. Then she slowed it way, way down so the beats came only at long intervals. A commotion arose. The man with the round piece of metal seemed upset. She didn't mean to upset him. She let the little bird in her chest beat as it normally did. The man smiled at her and she smiled back. She liked the man. She felt her pupils open wide to let in more of this man's face. She grabbed two of his fingers in her tiny hand and held tight. The man tried to pull away but could not. Not until she let him. The man turned toward her Baba and made sounds: "She's strong." She didn't know what the sounds meant. She just knew she liked the man and she loved her Baba. She felt the muscles in her face move in response to him. "And very cute," added the man. Her Baba looked down at her. "She's still a girl." She didn't know what the sound meant but she didn't like the feel of them in her ears. Then her Baba turned away and walked out of the room. Song Shia cried but Baba stayed gone. She knew that someday she would learn to make the right sounds, the sounds that would make Baba come back.’
Eloquent and magnetic, the passage invites the reader into this strange and beautiful story.
The synopsis provides a guide map to what is ahead – ‘There was always something different about Sun Song Shia, but like most little girls she just wanted to be loved. Strangely, it wasn't until the Chinese government stuck her in a research facility did she find the love and acceptance she craved. Song Shia returned to her parents only to be met with wariness and even fear. She craved her Baba's love most of all, but that love came at a terrible price. Song Shia fled China all the way to the Safe Zone city of Chicago. Even there she was monitored and strictly regulated by the government. Despite it all, Song Shia fell in love with a museum curator named Alex. Right from the beginning Song Shia warned Alex to "Run like hell!" Alex did not run. As their romance developed, Song Shia reluctantly brought Alex further into her world. Then their life together exploded when a devastating secret was exposed: a secret Song Shia kept not only from the world, but from herself.’
Many levels of significant philosophy are contained in this fantasy book. Not only will fans of sci-fi/fantasy be satisfied (‘When she was seven her bones began breaking for no reason at all, and then fixing themselves again. It hurt and yet felt good all at the same time. She also heard music whenever her bones started to break. It was beautiful, wonderful music that nobody else could hear. If she thought about it really hard, she could bend her arms in several places at once.), but readers who are sensitive to those aspects that make a child into an adult will be also well served. This is a fine little novel.
November 19, 2018
I definitely enjoyed reading this book. It was fast and fun. At the beginning of the story I had some moments of confusion since the polymorph premise is not explained right away or in whole. I liked the slow leaking of information but I would have liked even more information. Why are polymorphs protected? Only in Chicago? elsewhere?
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the development of the characters. Song was crass but likeable. It's hard to say if she was realistic because the nature of her character, but I liked her. I enjoyed where the story went and its development and I would definitely enjoying reading about where the characters go from here. Or to read about other developing polymorphs in this world. Definitely a lot of potential here!
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the development of the characters. Song was crass but likeable. It's hard to say if she was realistic because the nature of her character, but I liked her. I enjoyed where the story went and its development and I would definitely enjoying reading about where the characters go from here. Or to read about other developing polymorphs in this world. Definitely a lot of potential here!
November 19, 2017
Growing up with stories like X-Men, I have always been fascinated by those who would be considered mutants. The main character in this book would certainly fit into that category, even though her power would typically be seen as heroic. Rather, she can charm any man she pleases. This ability lands her in a lot of trouble, which the author crafts masterfully. I love the way the character was developed, and the dialogue presented, because it makes her seem so real. This always amplifies a book for me and makes me want to know more. You can tell, the author put a lot of work into creating such a novel as it is easy to be drawn into the world straight away. Of course, there are some heartbreaking moments, but you will really love every second of this novel. I would recommend it to sci-fi fans, but anyone interested in something new and exciting might also enjoy this story.
December 12, 2018
Shanghai, China. Baba (Song’s dad) kept special tabs on his daughter Song Shia (P6; Polymorph, shape shifter) she was unique.
Momma wasn’t real sure what to think about her.
At 9 yrs.-old Song Shia kissed Luo Lei.
Song Shia never missed the St. Peter’s mass at 10:00 AM.
Center for Polymorph protection facility. Security Officer Wong took Song Shia to see Emily (counselor).
I day Alex (catalog/authentic art/museum exhibits) met Song Shia.
She did warn him about falling for her.
What did Agent Lawrence Chen want to see Song Shia about?
What are Alex’s & Song Shia future together?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, or better yet a mini TV series. This was different. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Double Dragon Publishing; author; autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Momma wasn’t real sure what to think about her.
At 9 yrs.-old Song Shia kissed Luo Lei.
Song Shia never missed the St. Peter’s mass at 10:00 AM.
Center for Polymorph protection facility. Security Officer Wong took Song Shia to see Emily (counselor).
I day Alex (catalog/authentic art/museum exhibits) met Song Shia.
She did warn him about falling for her.
What did Agent Lawrence Chen want to see Song Shia about?
What are Alex’s & Song Shia future together?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, or better yet a mini TV series. This was different. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Double Dragon Publishing; author; autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
November 15, 2017
A fantasy thriller with erotic overtures
This is a story of a woman with some unique abilities and discovers herself while we take this journey with her. Can you imagine what it would be like if you could have every woman you had ever fantasized about? The possibilities are endless and the journey exquisite. The author does a great job of telling this story and drawing the reader along page by page to discover the secrets enclosed within. I found the characters well developed and the story very fun and easy to follow. I would recommend everyone with desires take the journey and tell me what you think of the book.
This is a story of a woman with some unique abilities and discovers herself while we take this journey with her. Can you imagine what it would be like if you could have every woman you had ever fantasized about? The possibilities are endless and the journey exquisite. The author does a great job of telling this story and drawing the reader along page by page to discover the secrets enclosed within. I found the characters well developed and the story very fun and easy to follow. I would recommend everyone with desires take the journey and tell me what you think of the book.
November 21, 2018
This book was not what I expected but so much more. This story was gripping, emotional, suspenseful and many more things. It takes you on a roller coaster ride leaving you to not know what to expect at any time. The story is deep with love, emotion and sadness. The two main characters (Song Shia and Alex) are wonderfully developed and you bond with them so throughout the story. The book made for a wonderful read and leaves you wanting it to be continued. I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.
January 28, 2021
This is an amazing book!
It takes you in a rollercoaster of emotions, one instant you're happy then sad then worried. It's fast paced and entertaining, a real page turner. If there were more starts to be given I would more than happily give them to this book! It's well written also.
It takes you in a rollercoaster of emotions, one instant you're happy then sad then worried. It's fast paced and entertaining, a real page turner. If there were more starts to be given I would more than happily give them to this book! It's well written also.
December 28, 2018
This book was 100% written by a man. The concept was good but 90% of the book was fluff relating to their sexual encounters. I would have enjoyed more of a mystery maybe more action. It all seemed like a flashback for the actual book I should be reading.
February 10, 2019
LOVED this little tale! A tale that out of the ordinary. One of the books I read slower near the end because I did not want it to end! I am going to be passing this book around to all my booknerd friends for sure! Don't miss it!
January 17, 2020
5 for artwork, 2-3 for story.
November 22, 2018
I received this book free as a Goodreads Giveaway.
An interesting story, although one that’s been told before: the young person who turns out to have intense and frightful supernatural abilities; rejected by her family and guided by government agents with mixed motives: to protect her, but also to study her, and to protect society from her. The difference here is the emphasis on sex, and the way she uses its power on the protagonist who falls for her - this aspect is taken to excess, and while this may align with some readers’ fantasies, it doesn’t quite work for me. Song’s mercurial temperament is well done, to a point, but her foul mouthed persona shades a bit too far into downright nastiness for my taste. The writing style is straightforward; less polished than some, but not bad. The ending is nicely done, with a satisfying progression that’s pleasantly surprising after some of what has come before.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book, so thanks to Goodreads and to the author for the giveaway.
p. 54: "...first cinematic choices" -> "...first cinematic choice"
p. 87: "...about Song and I" -> "...about Song and me"
An interesting story, although one that’s been told before: the young person who turns out to have intense and frightful supernatural abilities; rejected by her family and guided by government agents with mixed motives: to protect her, but also to study her, and to protect society from her. The difference here is the emphasis on sex, and the way she uses its power on the protagonist who falls for her - this aspect is taken to excess, and while this may align with some readers’ fantasies, it doesn’t quite work for me. Song’s mercurial temperament is well done, to a point, but her foul mouthed persona shades a bit too far into downright nastiness for my taste. The writing style is straightforward; less polished than some, but not bad. The ending is nicely done, with a satisfying progression that’s pleasantly surprising after some of what has come before.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book, so thanks to Goodreads and to the author for the giveaway.
p. 54: "...first cinematic choices" -> "...first cinematic choice"
p. 87: "...about Song and I" -> "...about Song and me"
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews