Name: anj's review of The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
Item: The Vanished Birds
Rating: 2
Author: anj

Simon Jimenez

A “highly imaginative and utterly exhilarating” (Thrillist) debut that is “the best of what science fiction can be: a thought-provoking, heartrending story about the choices that define our lives” (Kirkus Reviews, Best Debut Fiction and Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year). NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TORDOTCOM AND KIRKUS REVIEWS A mysterious child lands in the care of a solitary woman, changing both of their lives forever. I expected many things from this trip. I did not expect a family. A ship captain, unfettered from time. A mute child, burdened with unimaginable power. A millennia-old woman, haunted by lifetimes of mistakes. In this captivating debut of connection across space and time, these outsiders will find in each other the things they lack: a place of love and belonging. A safe haven. A new beginning. But the past hungers for them, and when it catches up, it threatens to tear this makeshift family apart. Praise for The Vanished Birds “This is the most impressive debut of 2020.”—Locus “This extraordinary science fiction epic, which delves deep into the perils of failing to learn from one’s mistakes, is perfect for fans of big ideas and intimate reflections.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A lyrical and moving narrative of space travel, found families, and lost loves set against an evocative space-opera background.”—Booklist (starred review) “The Vanished Birds finds an intimate heartbeat of longing in a saga of galactic progress and its crushing fallout. . . . A novel of vast scope that yet makes time for compassion, wonder, and poetry.”—Indra Das, author of The Devourers

A Novel

The Vanished Birds

Bold, lyrical and imaginative, this space opera is a must for fans of Becky Chambers and Alastair Reynolds Nia Imani is a woman out of place and outside of time. Decades of travel through the stars are condensed into mere months for her, though the years continue to march steadily onward for everyone she has ever known. The captain of a transport ship contracted to the Umbrai corporation, she lives only for the next paycheck, until the day she meets a mysterious boy, fallen from the sky. A boy, broken by his past, and hunted by his present. For he is one of the few born with the gift of the Jaunt. The ability to travel instantly anywhere in the universe. An ability that threatens the vicelike control of the settled worlds by corporations such as Umbrai. Fumiko Nakajima, the great scientist responsible for the design of bird-like Stations that Umbrai uses to control vast tracts of space, has been searching for one such as he for a thousand years. Together, they set out to protect the boy, a journey that will cross the decades and light years all the way out to the fringes of settled space where the laws of civilisation do not apply, and they will have only each other to rely on.

Nate

He lived in flight between worlds. There was freedom in these uninhabited places, where it did not matter how he behaved, or how he dressed, or not dressed. Pissing where he liked, bowels loosened from great heights, forbidden words shouted into the air--he listened as they bounced like stones off the faces of sheer cliffs. He said silly things into the ears of grobin birds, and sang into a great black pit his secrets, the fantasies, the wet dreams he ached with. He laughed, alone. Those were his animal days. And they were good.

Sandy

A mysterious child lands in the care of a solitary woman, changing both of their lives forever in this captivating debut of connection across space and time. This is when your life begins. Lonely and adrift, Nia Imani is essentially a time traveler, a woman out of place and outside time. A month of travel for her is a decade for all others. But when she takes in a boy who fell from the sky, everything changes. The boy refuses to speak, but he plays beautiful, haunting music. Through this unusual communication, these two outsiders form a bond, finding solace in each other. Their fateful encounter allows them to start life anew, and over years of traveling together through the stars, they grow from strangers into mother and son. But Nia is not the only one who wants the boy. The past cannot be outrun forever, and when it catches up, it threatens to tear this family apart.

 I'm sorry I did not enjoy this book, it was so boring for me. I was waiting for it to pick up even if I was already past halfway in but alas it didn't came. I also found the writing style confusing so I guess it was just not for me. Still I'm gonna think If I will give the author another chance and read TSCTW. Maybe yeah soon in the future :)

yawns I'm sorry I did not enjoy this book, it was so boring for me. I was waiting for it to pick up even if I was already past halfway in but alas it didn't came. I also found the writing style confusing so I guess it was just not for me. Still I'm gonna think If I will give the author another chance and read TSCTW. Maybe yeah soon in the future :)

funaay

altlovesbooks

"There is no assuaging the fear that things end and people leave."

Wow. I'm not sure how to properly review this, and hope that a simple 'wow' will convey the feeling I have upon finishing this book.

The story... hm. The story revolves around a boy and his found-family. In this universe where travelling long distances in space is done through jumps and lost time (weeks/months/years) for the crew, Nia Imani crosses paths with a boy whose appearance on a backwater planet was sudden and mysterious. He can't speak, has no memory of how he got there, crash landed and naked in a field. The inhabitants of the planet are unsettled, and send the boy off with Nia to find where he belongs. Where he ends up belonging is...complicated. Within him, his bone, his blood, are secrets that put him and everyone around him at risk, and Nia is tasked with keeping him safe as he comes of age. Things get...complicated.

Interspersed with this story are other points of view from other people important to the overall story. Chief among them is the story of Fumiko Nakajima, starting a thousand years before the time of Nia and the mysterious boy, as she develops space travel, folding space, entire space stations, and all sorts of advances that completely alter the landscape of humans in space. High on her accolades, she thinks she can do no wrong as her story intersects with the story of Nia and the boy. 

Let's be frank here -- there's no big space battles. No dramatic escapes. No last-second rescue attempts. Nothing here that really could be considered Star Wars material. This is very much a character-driven family story, in hard sci-fi space. But what a story. It is beautiful. It is horrible. It is heartwarming. It is heartwrenching. 

Wow.

Vladimir

Лирична вариация на теми, зададени от Алфред Бестър, ранния Дилейни и Урсула Ле Гуин.

The space ship Devi, with a crew of misfits, is sent out into the frontier edges of populated space. Nia Imani is the captain. They are sent there on a contract by Fumiko, the creator of the engine and architect of the space stations, to protect a mysterious child. A found family is formed. They go on adventures, but they are mostly off-page. We get the daily mundane experiences of traveling through the imensity of space.

This is a haunting and beautiful book. Smooth and lyrical prose. Music plays a roll in the storytelling as well. Characters and themes are the focus here. Definitely not a space adventure, more like a literary leaning space opera. There are multi-pov's and the story spans a wide swath of time, sometimes jumping back and forth with flashbacks. Time dilation and the effects of space travel on culture, people and relationships is a big theme. The way space travel, capitalism, and empire could work together and what that can do to individuals and populations is well explored. Everything has a cost, and it can be very personal. The storytelling feels disjointed sometimes but it does all come together like a braided cord. Some sections, especially the first chapter, feel like they could be their own short stories.

Cheryl Hedlund

The space ship Devi, with a crew of misfits, is sent out into the frontier edges of populated space. Nia Imani is the captain. They are sent there on a contract by Fumiko, the creator of the engine and architect of the space stations, to protect a mysterious child. A found family is formed. They go on adventures, but they are mostly off-page. We get the daily mundane experiences of traveling through the imensity of space.

This is a haunting and beautiful book. Smooth and lyrical prose. Music plays a roll in the storytelling as well. Characters and themes are the focus here. Definitely not a space adventure, more like a literary leaning space opera. There are multi-pov's and the story spans a wide swath of time, sometimes jumping back and forth with flashbacks. Time dilation and the effects of space travel on culture, people and relationships is a big theme. The way space travel, capitalism, and empire could work together and what that can do to individuals and populations is well explored. Everything has a cost, and it can be very personal. The storytelling feels disjointed sometimes but it does all come together like a braided cord. Some sections, especially the first chapter, feel like they could be their own short stories.

Shona Tiger

** spoiler alert **
           Struggled to engage initially, and the characters weren't particularly likeable. Fascinated by the ending - what an ending. Was going to rate it 3/5, but that ending is so spectacular it makes the book a 4. 

The laboured writing in bits really does nothing for me, & the world-building was decidedly strange. More fantasy than sci-fi "proper." Enjoyed the social commentary.

tina

I was/am/will be blown away by this book. I picked this up entirely by accident, or maybe entirely by the purposed designed by the universe. I was visiting Nashville and of course had to stop by a book shop. This one had a monthly book club, but the unique part is that the books of the month are all hidden in brown paper bags, each packet adorned with 3 or so bullet points of themes. I read found family and anti capitalism and was immediately interested in the mystery book. The month of May was the theme of space. So it all makes sense, now.

This novel, the first of the author’s, is a truly incredible. It isn’t flawless, of course, but its most masterful quality is its ability to spend just the right amount of time focusing on a character or a plot point. It may not seem so in the moment, but I promise you, holes are not just holes. I may come back and adjust this review once I process this book a bit more since I literally just finished it, but the only thing left to say is it speaks volumes about how we interpret time and relationships, how we come to terms with inevitability or swim against its current, how we are selfish and selfless, how our planet is dying and how time is manipulated to fit the contours of expected output. 

Anyway, before I get too carried away, here are some favorite quotes:

“…she said the day she stopped moving would be the day that she died” (24)

“‘This is the only sunset I’ve ever known…I’m lucky it’s a pretty one’” (31)

“But a part of me still revolts against the notion that this is our basic nature; that we are, in essence, self-serving creatures. That love is an explainable construct and souls are pretty feint to distract ourselves from our own cruel emptiness.” (94)

“Her stomach bloomed from the drink; that blindside of kindness” (112)

“He says I will not die but my body is on fire & I cannot escape the fear that my heart might stop in this small room so far from home…Overwhelmed by the silly fear that they have thrown out my flowers. Brunias are not fussy plants. Easy to care for. Damn it all, I should have left them instructions. Something handwritten & tied to the vine with nice string to show it mattered. One hour of light & a toss of water, the note would’ve said. That was all they needed for their purple hues to keep, even in winter” (189)

“…nauseous from the blood she smelled in the perfumed City Planet air, even in this cold night, as if the stars themselves were wrapped with iron flowers” (331)

“‘They still believe memories are citizens of the mind. But memories also live in the bones, and the blood’” (356)

“…she had long since learned her life’s purpose. Accepted the nature of herself: that she would always, and ever, chase after what was just out of reach. Even if it was, in the end, a shadow.” (375)

Deyana

I was/am/will be blown away by this book. I picked this up entirely by accident, or maybe entirely by the purposed designed by the universe. I was visiting Nashville and of course had to stop by a book shop. This one had a monthly book club, but the unique part is that the books of the month are all hidden in brown paper bags, each packet adorned with 3 or so bullet points of themes. I read found family and anti capitalism and was immediately interested in the mystery book. The month of May was the theme of space. So it all makes sense, now.

This novel, the first of the author’s, is a truly incredible. It isn’t flawless, of course, but its most masterful quality is its ability to spend just the right amount of time focusing on a character or a plot point. It may not seem so in the moment, but I promise you, holes are not just holes. I may come back and adjust this review once I process this book a bit more since I literally just finished it, but the only thing left to say is it speaks volumes about how we interpret time and relationships, how we come to terms with inevitability or swim against its current, how we are selfish and selfless, how our planet is dying and how time is manipulated to fit the contours of expected output. 

Anyway, before I get too carried away, here are some favorite quotes:

“…she said the day she stopped moving would be the day that she died” (24)

“‘This is the only sunset I’ve ever known…I’m lucky it’s a pretty one’” (31)

“But a part of me still revolts against the notion that this is our basic nature; that we are, in essence, self-serving creatures. That love is an explainable construct and souls are pretty feint to distract ourselves from our own cruel emptiness.” (94)

“Her stomach bloomed from the drink; that blindside of kindness” (112)

“He says I will not die but my body is on fire & I cannot escape the fear that my heart might stop in this small room so far from home…Overwhelmed by the silly fear that they have thrown out my flowers. Brunias are not fussy plants. Easy to care for. Damn it all, I should have left them instructions. Something handwritten & tied to the vine with nice string to show it mattered. One hour of light & a toss of water, the note would’ve said. That was all they needed for their purple hues to keep, even in winter” (189)

“…nauseous from the blood she smelled in the perfumed City Planet air, even in this cold night, as if the stars themselves were wrapped with iron flowers” (331)

“‘They still believe memories are citizens of the mind. But memories also live in the bones, and the blood’” (356)

“…she had long since learned her life’s purpose. Accepted the nature of herself: that she would always, and ever, chase after what was just out of reach. Even if it was, in the end, a shadow.” (375)

Lia Yuliana

Update 13/09/2021

Find my reviews on :  An Ode to Fiction
Official Release Date : 14th January 2020
Buy the book :
 Amazon |  Book Depository

5/5 ⭐️


  
    Once in a rare while, there is an alignment. Moments that, to some, reveal the workings of God, and to others are simple fortune. But there is no known explanation for this communion of events. It only is.
  


An emotional Sci-Fi standalone about a bond shared between two souls, a bond that stands the test of time.

Around a week ago my Twitter timeline was flooded by a close friend’s mental break down over this book. For a while I was simply entertained by it but with the passing days I got really curious because she kept tweeting the quotes. Since I just finished my current read at that time I was looking for something new. I tried reading three other books before I finally picked up The Vanished Birds. I went in completely blind something I will recommend to all future readers should do to fully enjoy the book. The grip was instant and enticing from the first chapter. Right then I knew it is gonna be an EXPERIENCE reading this book.


  
    The dream was gone, and only now, at the end of the day, was he awake.
  


The Vanished Birds is the 2021 Locus Award Nominee and first novel by debut author Simon Jimenez. It is a story about one woman’s job which spans years as she captains her ship across the galaxy with her crew : a veteran soldier, an engineer, a doctor, a pilot, a writer-entertainer, and a mysterious boy that fell from the sky. I will not elaborate more about the story because I highly recommend for future readers to not know anything about the book and I do not recommend reading the synopsis either. The Vanished Birds is the type of book that is better and more enjoyable if you don’t know anything prior to reading it. The synopsis contains a few major things about the story that if I read it before going into the book it would hinder me in enjoying the book. But this is just my personal opinion and preference.


  
    Take this letter as evidence that I am still thinking about you, and that, despite my self-interest, I am still waiting.
  


The Vanished Birds follows a multitude of perspectives. Usually the formatting of a multi POV stories I’ve read with each new chapter comes a new POV from a new character. But in The Vanished Birds in one chapter there could be one or more POVs. I found this way of writing to be refreshing as readers can see the progression of plot for different characters simultaneously without having to focus on just one character. These perspectives will then converge slowly as the story develops and their arcs overlap. During the early chapters this perspective shift isn’t apparent as this shift only starts in the later chapters. Saying that the writing is well written is an understatement because Jimenez’s writing is beautiful and astounding. Each sentence is written with meticulous care and thought as they are formed into well intentioned paragraphs that is consistent with each page forming the masterpiece that is this book. Jimenez’s prose is immaculate and expertly executed leaving me floored in awe as I read each line. It is a banquet of delicious, lyrical, and articulate writing that is evident from the first chapter until the very end of the book.


  
    “If we can’t have our world, then no one can.”
  


A lot of the general issues with time travel books is the execution—how the transitions are done and how effectively it is used for the plot. Time is an unforgiving all consuming tool that is prominent throughout the story. Jimenez used time as a heart wrenching reminder for all the characters and readers of the cost of inter stellar travel. The harsh reality of how the movement of time differs from space travel and real time is felt throughout the story. This is what I love about the time travelling aspect of The Vanished Birds how time moves forward for some faster than others. There are no quick fixes or U-Turns to right the wrongs that was done complete with the consequences and regrets. The checks and balances surrounding time and it’s progression within the world are achieved in a consistent and precise manner. The transitions of the time jumps are done wonderfully, it adds a layer of urgency to the story building up tension and amplifying the emotional impact when the story reaches it’s climax.


  
    Here before her was proof that time was moving, and quick. Here was this child who had already survived so much, but was still naïve about the way of things. Here was a small fire that must be nursed.
  


At the heart of the story is the ever expanding view of perspectives and world building that spans across a multitude of galaxies. The world building is expansive, vibrant, and full of imaginative aspects. The places that the characters get to see from the space stations to the city planets to an unknown part of the galaxy they all have a certain charm and unique attributes. In this time travel Sci-Fi epic the origin of space expansion of the world is told from the perspective of three main characters that directly or indirectly influenced by it. These characters are Fumiko Nakajima, the Captain, and the Boy that fell from the sky. Fumiko’s arc goes hand and hand with the Captain and the Boy, as the greed and ambition for technological advancements and world expansion of a third power threatens the balance. The cruel and insidious acts of colonization of this third power is the bane of our main character’s existence. The antagonist that has been grasping behind the scenes to conquer and exploit for the sake of power. The intertwining fates of these three characters with this third power brings forth the growth to an ever expanding view of the world and the consequences that comes with it serving as a one of the many crucial themes in the story.


  
    She would play her song, and he would find that new flame, and together, they would add another voice to the choir.
  


Friendship, determination, abandonment, coming of age, trust, love, and redemption are few of the themes that are weaved into The Vanished Birds. These themes are explored through the character relationships that formed throughout the story and through the characters’ back stories. The found family aspect and platonic friendships are complex, meaningful, and full of depth. The perspectives of characters varies from different backgrounds as each have their own role in progressing the story further. The characterization and the development are masterfully done by Jimenez from the main characters to the side characters. There is no character in The Vanished Birds that are forgettable or uninteresting. I’d say their existence in the story is impactful and leaves an imprint no matter how small their appearances may be. All of the characters have their own story arc complete with believable character development, well fleshed out personalities, and a means to their end that is satisfyingly done. Proving how well Simon Jimenez knows their characters and how well intentioned their existence are within the story.


  
    Take my day, but give me the night.

Feed the hearth and ready the brew.

For I am coming home to you. I am coming home to you.
  


Final thoughts, The Vanished Birds is a lyrical and beautiful Sci-Fi debut about life and the bonds that stands true and strong against the current of time. A remarkable adventure crossing galaxies with a cast of brilliantly crafted characters during their arduous journey to find their closure or a way home. A gripping story with unexpected twists and turns that will leave you floored and silenced by heart wrenching pain. I was trapped in an emotional storm after I finished this book even as I write this review I’m still recovering from it. The emotional impact of that ending will stick with me for a long time. There are so many note worthy moments in this story that I’ve highlighted whole paragraphs not wanting to forget any of Simon Jimenez’s flawless writing. Let me remind you that The Vanished Birds is a standalone and within it’s 400 pages contains a story that spans a lifetime. Jimenez single handedly accomplished a feat like no other presenting an impactful story that is weaved with expertise solidifying The Vanished Birds as one of the best debuts in 2020 and a new personal favorite. I will also be looking forward to Simon Jimenez’s future works knowing how strong this debut book is. With that I would like to recommend this masterpiece of a book to everyone I know as I hope for you all to relish and suffer a long with me. It is a crime that not a lot of people know about this book so I urge you to read it or consider it for your next read. You will not regret it.

Please mark your calendars and add Simon Jimenez's new novel set to release March 2022 titled The Spear Cuts Through Water. Pre-order links below !

 Amazon |  Book Depository

Nia is so relatable, as someone who had dedicated a large fraction of their life to their work. Connections are made temporal and ephemeral. While it is ephemeral for Nia, it's not for her lover Kaeda. Like dedicating your life to work, it does eat up your life and time that you never noticed how much people are aging around you. There is so much world-building here, not by the available technology or culture but by people's emotions. I like that science fiction as a genre here is just a theme but not the driving force of its narrative. While the middle and last part of the book is more compelling, I think the middle needs to build its tertiary characters more. I felt that I didn't care that much for them. So far, an enjoyable book that is more emotional than fascinating.

Fraser Simons

A winding, time-hopping, fantastically introspective reading experience. For the first half, or maybe two thirds, it basically changes styles with each part. Emerging from a frenetically fast and really mindfully rumination on two people being inexorably connected despite time being experienced wildly different for each. 

Basically, it’s a short story that segues into a queer story that feels like more of the actual “start” of the story, perhaps the former being a prologue. But a similar tension between a connection to a person and the need to fulfill other things in their lives. Coupled with a character in each which operate in a somewhat disaffected manner due to their interpersonal skills and, probably, some neurodiversity. Interestingly (to me), many readers finding the book really isolating because they don’t find the characters relatable. I found my experience was the exact opposite. Probably because I have similar struggles and people characterize it as a lack of empathy. 

Communication can be just tough for some people and I found the authorial voice to be phenomenal at elucidating the thoughts and feelings of the people on both fronts. I thought it was moving and the author is very clearly interested in the same things as me in their scenes, which is nice, and kind of rare for me as a reader. The prose are poetic and exactly to my taste. Word ecosystem felt specific and tailored to the kind of odd story; continually bouncing around time and space and characters and fostering a sense of mystery as things progress. And, as mentioned, wonderfully queer. 

This is a 4, but by a hairpin. I wouldn’t be surprised if the reading experience stays with me and it goes up, to be honest. Especially because I will 100% look for a physical copy now, though do wonder if the audiobook is part of what sold it so well and made it so memorable.

Cindy Lieberman

Terrific world-building and interesting main characters - the importance of connecting with others and what we will do for love, writ large across hundreds of years in pursuit of instantaneous interstellar travel.

Rina

Edit: I get it now and! I accept everything that happened! :D

This felt like a fever dream. It had such a strong and interesting start, the first few chapters already spanned close to a hundred years so to readers who like those kinds of stories, I’d recommend this. It’s divided into three parts and I found the writing so good and atmospheric I was reminded of Becky Chamber’s A Long Way to A Small Angry Planet, especially on part II; the found family here was simply chef’s kiss. I liked how the characters’ stories wove together and how it all pulled apart. I got confused in part III - in Fumiko’s chapters mostly - and still had a lot more questions than answers, but a little discussion and processing helped. It took a turn I wasn’t expecting, which wasn’t really a bad thing. The ending may have felt abrupt for me; I was left with the feeling of wanting more. Overall, I found this to be a really enjoyable book with great characters, atmosphere, and writing. It had a great concept and was well-executed and thought of.

Deborah Kerr

The Vanished Birds was everything I needed it to be without me knowing I needed it.

Jimenez found a way to write lyrical sci-fi without it going to far into the ether, an impressive feat within itself, but he also managed to tell a compelling story with strong characters and exceptional world-building.

The Good, the Great, the Exceptional:
- Holy. Shit. This man can write. Just an absolutely, unequivocally beautifully, well-written book.
- Sci-fi that isn't about intergalactic wars and aliens (I absolutely am always about both of these things but it is refreshing to read sci-fi without either of these components).
- LGBTQ+ representation--there are 3 confirmed main LGBTQ+ characters which is basically unheard of in an ensemble situation (we also get 2 non-graphic queer sex scenes !!!). So, come, scream into the abyss of joy with me about this unprecedented rep.
- POC representation--it is so damn nice to read a sci-fi book where the cast of characters represent the actual global population. So. Damn. Nice.
- Like Nia, I too, would jump around the universe in search of Ahro
- The world building is elaborate and pertinent without being intrusive to the narrative style. You never feel like you are being info-dumped with how things work. Jimenez has a knack for giving you the right amount of information when needed.
- Excellent character development and character relationships. This is super important since there are a lot of characters and intersecting story-lines. Jimenez writes realistic, flawed loving characters in realistic, flawed loving relationships and it is a joy to experience.
- Even though you know exactly where Jimenez is going to take you, it is still heart-breaking when it happens. That's good writing.
- Corporations and colonization--the relevance of this story is undeniable and the voices of these characters are strong

The Meh:
- On one hand I really, really, really, really enjoyed the changing POV. I greatly enjoy that type of story telling and the interweaving of all of the characters across multiple timelines and across the universe was really beautifully done. BUT BUT BUT holy shit, sometimes I just wanted to stay with our main characters for more than one chapter at a time.
- Fumiko Nakajima. While I appreciate what Jimenez did with this character I did not feel quite satisfied with the execution of her storyline.

The Not So Great:
- We start with Kaeda and then we never come back to him (yes, we come back to the planet and his family, but not the character). We literally spend the first 35 pages with this character, learning him and his life, and getting attached only to find out that the boy that crash lands on his planet/outside his village and the stand-offish ship captain, Nia, that visits every 15 years are our actual main characters and that Kaeda is just a footnote in this journey. Once again, Jimenez writes it so well that I can't be too mad, but alternatively: UGHHHH.
- The swap out of the crew of the Debby 1/3 of the way through the book. Like with Kaeda, what the hell was the point of giving me these characters to take them away halfway through and never bring them back? I'd be more forgiving if they came back later on--especially Nurse--but none of them do.
- The portions from Vaila's POV were unnecessary. Like ten whole pages we did not need that brought the rising action of the climax to a straight up standstill. 
- The pacing cannot make up its mind. For most the book Jimenez carries you through at a comfortable speed but then there are chapters--whole ass chapters, and let me tell you, friend, these chapters are monsters--that L A G.

Regardless of any small gripes, this book is gorgeous and a must read for anyone who loves sci-fi or just good freaking books!

Leelynn Brady

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

So here apparently was another book that I was approved for on Netgalley and didn’t end up getting a chance to read it. And honestly maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t end up finishing this before it was published because I don’t think I would have been able to give this book justice. I honestly felt super uneducated while I was reading this novel because I felt like a lot of what was going on didn’t make sense to me. I understood some parts of it, and I’ll explain more here, but there was also most of the plot and content that seemed to be a lot more complex than what meets the eye, and maybe it takes someone with a lot more intelligence than me to fully be able to appreciate what Jimenez was trying to convey.

Let’s try to discuss this a little bit more.

First, I would say that each chapter almost acts as a mini storyline, but will all come together in the end. There are also some things that happen in an earlier chapter that isn’t always addressed in future chapters, so just keep that in mind also. For the most part, I would say that the main themes seem to relate to each other.

I felt like even though it seemed to be pretty subtle throughout the novel, one of the main themes that Jimenez wanted to convey was that humans are killing the Earth, and the more that we mess with the environment, the sooner that we are going to destroy it. While extraordinary genius Fumiko Nakajima figures out a way to not only save humanity, but create thriving space stations that can house thousands and thousands of people, it doesn’t stop from the majority of the human race from being impacted. As Nakajima spends years designing these space stations and trying to make sure that humans are able to get to space safely, she mentions the extinction of various birds in the world – which would probably explain the title more. She ends up naming her space stations after three birds that died because of what was going on with the Earth. She was also able to somehow frog hop through time for millennia, seeing everything that she created and being celebrated for her achievements long after she should have been dead.

But it’s not just Nakajima’s story that the reader follows, and it’s not just in the beginning of the journey where she is tasked with building these space stations. We also follow the main story of what the synopsis tells us: the story about a space ship captain named Nia, and her relationship with a boy that drops out of the sky. We get to see how Nia becomes a loving person in a sense, and how her humanity comes out because of her feelings for this boy. After what happened to Nia’s sister – which is touched upon but not completely discussed – it seems like Nia just does what she needs to do in order to get through her latest contract. It’s on this contract, on one of her last trips to a Resource Planet in the Umbai Corporation, that she comes across this boy. He can’t seem to speak, he doesn’t have any memory of where he came from, and the people that found him see him as a bad omen. They don’t want him around, and so they give him to Nia and her crew to take him back to the space station that they report to.

I don’t want to say more about the story than that because it could go into spoiler territory, and I hope that me talking about the Earth and the space stations wasn’t some sort of spoiler for you. But really, it was definitely a lyrical journey that makes you think about all of the things that we are doing to the Earth today, and makes you wonder if there really are other planets out there that can be used the way that the Umbai Corporation uses them. It was… interesting I guess. They don’t ever say whether or not these planets were previously occupied before the Umbai Corporation came into existence in the universe, but now that I think about it… it makes me wonder if there was something else behind that.

I think I was the most sad about what was happening towards the ending because it just was really intense and I didn’t like how it happened. It almost made me lose all hope for how the book would end, and I was curious to see how the author was going to come to some sort of conclusion. This definitely wasn’t the kind of soap opera or anything that I would normally come across in the Sci-Fi genre, but wow it was definitely an interesting one. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this, and I liked that it felt unique. I do still think that I’m a little at a loss with my feelings on this book as a whole because it has been a while, and even when I did end up finish this book, I was kind of confused on everything. It just felt like something was missing, or something wasn’t sitting right with me. Maybe it was because there were some things that were left unsaid, and even though they didn’t have to be explained because they didn’t do much for the story, it was still something that I wanted to know about. I needed some sort of closure for a lot of things.

Which is ironic because since when do I ever finish anything?!

This book got violent, it got depressing, it got…. just really, really cruel at times too. I don’t know if I got all of the content warnings that I remember from reading this book, and I’m sorry if I missed some crucial ones. These were the ones that stood out to me even now, after trying to think about this book months after I read it. I would just be careful with this if certain things like what I mentioned above are difficult for you to read about.

I didn’t feel like there were a lot of happy things that happened in this novel either, and it felt like a really slow burn type of book that just took so long to get through because I had to stop reading and stop thinking about what I just read. It would really mess with me at some points and I just had to stop and get out of my head. So yeah, this was a difficult read for me, but I’m glad that I got the opportunity to read this. It’s also a little bit difficult for me to rate as well. It was definitely well written, and for a debut, I think that Jimenez did a great job. I just don’t know if this book was for me, or at least I don’t think I would read it again personally.

Gosh I’m sorry, I feel like I was repeating myself over and over here. But as with all books, I hope that you take a chance to read it and tell me what you think of it yourself.

Jolie

I was on the fence about reviewing The Vanished Birds. To make up my mind, I read the first four reviews on Goodreads. That is something I never do, but I was conflicted. The reviews were evenly conflicted about the book. So, I decided to take a chance on it. For the most part, it was a good book. But some parts made me wonder why they were written, even after finishing the book.

The Vanished Birds had a slow to a medium-paced plotline. When the book focused on Nia and her relationship with Ahro/their travels until he was 16, the book moved at a medium-paced. But, when the book focused on Fumiko Nakajima (past and present) and her travels, it slowed to a crawl. I will be honest; I skimmed over a large part of her story. I started paying attention when she was on the secret base and the events afterward.

I enjoyed reading about the type of space travel that Nia used to go between planets. It fascinated me. I couldn’t imagine being in space for what I would have thought would be a few months and to find out that 15 years have passed.

Nia was a tough cookie to like during the book. She made some questionable decisions that affected the people around her. Nia kept people are arm’s length. She did unbend, slightly, when she met Ahro. She unbent, even more, when Fumiko asked her to keep him safe for 15 years. But, I couldn’t quite bring myself to like her.

When Fumiko was introduced in The Vanished Birds, I didn’t understand what her role was. I mean, it was explained relatively early on that she was the founder of the colonies in space, and she invented the engine that allowed space travel. But I didn’t know why her backstory was being told. It didn’t go with the flow of Nia’s story. Even when her story was brought to the present, I still wondered: “Why?” I also wondered why she was so invested in Ahro. It was explained, and it didn’t show her in a good light.

I loved Ahro. I loved seeing his character growth throughout the book. I wasn’t prepared for what his secret was, though. I honestly thought that it had something to do with music and his affinity for it. So, when it was revealed, I was shocked. I loved watching his relationship with Nia and her crew grow, which made what happened and who caused it such a shock.

I do wish that more time had been spent on the times they visited the planets. There were so many locations!!! All exotic and all made me want more. But that didn’t happen.

I wasn’t a fan of the last half of the book. I had questions about what was going to happen to Nia and Ahro once the dust settles. I also had questions about Fumiko. I can only assume what happened to her. And then there is the question about where Ahro originally came from and who The Kind One was.

Ben Nathan

This was 2.5 stars. I found myself so uninterested I may have missed everything that happened for whole chunks. It had good characterization and good moments, but was totally listless and felt overall kind of pointless. I can see future books from SJ being good, but this was meh at best.

Jessica Nottingham

I don’t know what I expected when I started The Vanished Birds, but I can tell you that it blew any expectations I did have completely out of the water. This book is beautiful. It’s haunting and poignant. This story is filled with scenes that will make your imagination sing, and your eyes tear up. This is the kind of Science Fiction that I missed so very much.

It all begins on a world that is on the fringes of occupied space. One that is spared the colonization of other worlds, and is saturated with tradition. Jimenez makes it obvious early on that this will be a story about how civilization changes over time. How, despite what we cling to, the world is continuously evolving around us. A story about how one tiny thing, in this case a boy who falls out of the sky, can set in motion things that will change everything.

What is so fascinating about this story is that it also bring so the table so many questions about human kind. What depths will we go to in order to further a cause? Are people expendable, if it means progress? When does greed get to a point where it is no longer sustainable? As Nia and her crew navigate the stars, learning more about the mysterious boy who fell into their life as they travel, the story even questions what makes up a family. I can’t express enough how deep this story is, and how wonderful it was to sink into.

This story is not going to be for everyone, I know. It’s the kind of Science Fiction that is a gorgeous, slow burn. It takes a while to understand the characters, and how they interact with one another. You must be patient as the universe expands, and the terrible/wonderful things that come along with that unfold. If you are patient, you’ll be well rewarded. This book too my breath away and I can scarcely believe that it’s a debut.

Sandy &
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

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Sandy &The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

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Sandy &
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez