Buddy Read for The Bird King

[Theresa]

I have a note that there is a buddy read if The Bird King was picked in Unofficial Trim. Well it hasn't [#23] and I need to read it next week after Poll Tally locks for my Feminerdy Book Club video discussion on Sunday, November 8.

I decided to open this buddy read for it in case whoever also has it on TBR wants to join me.

It is a fantasy...in case anyone wondering.

[Johanne]

Ooooh I want to, but I can't next week. I'm fully booked.

[Joanne]

I will see where I am at after the Polls close-I have to read this for SRC before the end of November, so I will probably join you

[Theresa]

Don't think you have to read at same time I do. I can wait to chat about it! I will have had already chatted in one group.

This should be fun.

[Joanne]

I snagged the book yesterday at the library. As soon as I get room on the night stand, I will start it.

[Jgrace]

I love the idea of a Feminerdy book club! What a great name. I've borrowed an overdrive copy of this book but haven't started it. I can't seem to settle on anything right now. I've started at least 3 books that haven't kept my attention.

[Theresa]

Jgrace wrote: "I love the idea of a Feminerdy book club! What a great name. I've borrowed an overdrive copy of this book but haven't started it. I can't seem to settle on anything right now. I've started at least..."

You can find them on GR and FB. Originally an in person book club out of the Astoria Book Shop in Queens, NY, COVID has sent it virtual. I suspect if you wanted to join, you could. Very small with both regulars and some like me only joining when it is a book I read...I am not a fantasy reader per se.

They use Facebook Video Chat for the monthly discussions. Books chosen a month or two ahead. No meeting this December so a longer book can be read, not chosen yet.

[Theresa]

Started reading last night late. It is reading fast and enjoyably. 400 pages though and my Feminerdy discussion group is at 1 PM tomorrow! Wasn't able to settle to reading earlier this week or it would be finished. *Sigh*

It already has me pulling up Alhambra maps and info on my tablet or phone while reading, dipping into the real history incorporated. I have an autographed hardcover with a cover jacket so beautiful, I keep fondling and gazing upon is with a small smile.

Wouldn't you?

[Theresa]

Here is a link to an audio of the NYPL Author Talk I attended last year that introduced me to Wilson and got me my personally autographed copy. With Wilson is the awesome N.K.Jemison.

These are two incredibly smart, talented and entertaining women.

http://media.nypl.org/video/2019-03-1...

[Theresa]

My penchant for looking maps when reading has led me to appreciate a very fine detail in the book.

From the very beginning you know Alhambra is surrounded in a seige, an island in the midst of the new country created by Ferdinand and Isabella. While far from the sea, it is in the center of the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, with the city of Granada to the south. When the emissaries arrive to negotiate surrender, they come via the Gate of Granada. From the south, thus subtly enforcing that Alhambra is surrounded.

[Joanne]

I love looking at a map while reading books that incorporate, looking forward to picking this one up either tomorrow or Monday

[Johanne]

I've been at Alhambra, it has a really special history and atmosphere. Sounds like it's incorporated really well in the story.

[Theresa]

Johanne wrote: "I've been at Alhambra, it has a really special history and atmosphere. Sounds like it's incorporated really well in the story."

At beginnning at least...blurb indicates there is a journey...think next chapter will have that start. My googling suggests tbat the Alhambra today is an expanded and modified version of the one in book. Book starts in 1492, and Ferdinad & Isabella made it their seat during their reign...which of course comes after tbe surrender of the sultan being negotiated in chapter 3. Of course tbey undertook ronavations and expanded it greatly. 🤣

[Theresa]

I have a handful of chapters to read yet and Feminerdy meets in less tban an hour but I have to share: this book is perfect to be reading right now. This weekend especially. The themes on the relationship of hope and faith are particularly resonating with me.

[Theresa]

I finished! Not quite before my Feminerdy Book Club meeting today as I got derailed by yesterday's big news, finding myself hanging out the kitchen window cheering rather than reading. There was a very lively discussion about it today too, although in the end we all agreed on the flaws and strengths. The serious fantasy readers were less enamored of it than I, but all gave it about a 3 star rating.

And it has a dragon that shows up in the final third....

Reads fast and here's a link to my review which I'll hold off posting in full here for a bit longer. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joanne]

I finished-which in itself was a fluke. It was heading for the wall of shame by mid-book. Theresa was kinder than I. Could not in good conscious give it more than 2 stars

[Theresa]

Joanne wrote: "I finished-which in itself was a fluke. It was heading for the wall of shame by mid-book. Theresa was kinder than I. Could not in good conscious give it more than 2 stars"

I am easily seduced by a very pretty cover to add a star....and my copy is personally autographed to me.

[Theresa]

I think most have read this by now so here is my fully review - may have spoilers.

It is the end of the moorish occupation of Spain at the Alhambra in Granada. The battles are lost, and Ferdinand and Isabella have sent one of their top Generals to negotiate the Sultan's surrender. With the general comes Luz, a beautiful blond baroness who happens to represent the Inquisition. Fatima, the Sultan's concubine, mistakenly takes her to meet Hassan, the Sultan's cartogropher where by accident Luz discovers his special gift: Hassan has the ability to map places he's never seen or been. To Luz, this is sorcery, and Fatima and Hassan flee before he he can be arrested and tortured. What follows is their journey to a place of safety, an island that may or may not be real.

There are some interesting and vivid characters and scenes. The historical setting in Spain in 1491 was fascinating as were so many of the occupants of the Alhambra. There were some wonderful mythical characters like jinns and a dragon sea serpent. Themes of faith and religion, diversity, self-realization, life/death are explored as part of the journey. One particular theme relates to the author/reader relationship, and how once the author has released the words on the page, the author no longer owns the story. It passes to the reader who now owns it and makes it relevant to their life. This comes home again much later in the book, in a chapter that was so perfect to be reading this past weekend and the 2020 Election results - about hope vs. faith, and how having hope leads to faith.

However, the book is flawed. Wilson is a noted comics and graphic novel writer, although this is her 2nd pure novel. The structure of the book felt like it should be a graphic novel, with rich imagery and minimal writing, with distinct sections that don't have to flow together (and they don't in the book) in a comic. The writing itself was jarring too often. It was too contemporary - too many 21st century sentence strutures and thoughts, too many mannerisms or behaviors of characters that are too modern even for a fantasy set in 1491. I'm actually pretty forgiving about those sorts of things, yet it bothered me here, probably because there were sections so wonderful. I wanted the whole book to be those moments.

Also, it felt like Wilson brought you to a certain point and just left you - there just wasn't enough. The journey just seemed long. The motivations of too many obscure. The ending should have had more impact. Again, as a graphic novel, the impact likely would have been stronger.

For all that, my Feminerdy Book Club had an hour-long lively discussion about the book, far more engaged and lively than some other books of note we have read.