The Bird King barely 2 1/2 stars rounding down

[Joanne]

The Bird King

I had such high hopes for this book. As I began reading, I rubbed my little hands together and said "YES! this is going to be good". By mid-book, I was inches away from throwing it into the DNF pile.

It was a great concept. Taking place in Granada, Spain in the twilight of the Moors occupation. Fatima, a young concubine to the Sultan and Hassan, a magical mapmaker, escape from the Palace when the Inquisitors come after Hassan. They go in search of refuge from their enslaved existence, looking for the island of The Bird King. As I mentioned above, by mid-book the excitement had diminished, reading it became a struggle. I started picturing Princess Jasmine and Abu as the protagonists.

I read a lot of fantasy. Good fantasy writers have the ability to make their worlds believable. In the beginning, I saw there was protentional here. Then, the author starting piling one fantastic character on top of another. One more "escape" that did not seem possible.

I knew nothing about this author before reading this book, I read no reviews. Now I find out she comes from a background of graphic novels. Like Theresa said in her reviews, I can see this, in that genre.

I did not hate it, but I can't give it 3 stars either. I rarely finish books that I know are going to come in at 2 stars, this was a fluke in my world.

[Johanne]

oh bummer. I had high expectations for this one. I still intend to give it a try, but I may readjust expectations.

[Joanne]

So many people liked it Johanne-go into with an open mind and perhaps you may come up higher than I. Theresa gave it 3 stars, I just couldn't -too many flaws for me

[Ellen]

Wilson's prose style does not work for a book set in the 15th century; her writing sounds too modern. I had previously read Wilson's Alif the Unseen, which I had enjoyed, but that book has a contemporary setting. The Bird King disappointed me on every level. The characters aren't well-developed, the level of tension isn't there for a story which has high stakes, the ending is anti-climactic, etc., etc. It gets a modest 2 stars from me. I heard the author speak at an event and she is funny, smart, interesting, dynamic, and none of that comes across in this book. It's a shame really.

[Joanne]

Ellen wrote: "Wilson's prose style does not work for a book set in the 15th century; her writing sounds too modern. I had previously read Wilson's Alif the Unseen, which I had enjoyed, but that book has a contem..."

Glad it's not just me Ellen