Nestled in the heart of Mallow Island, off the coast of South Carolina, lies a peculiar, cobblestone building called the Dellawisp. When Zoey arrives to claim her mother's apartment at the Dellawisp, she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in the whimsy and mystery of the island as she tries to piece together the story of a legendary writer and the unfinished stories of her enigmatic neighbors.
Sarah Addison Allen's novel "Garden Spells" was pure magic to me, and instantly earned a place in my all-time favorite reads. What I so desperately was hoping to find in "Other Birds," unfortunately, never quite emerged. The large cast of characters feels reminiscent of Allen's earlier work--quirky, imperfect, and many holding onto unfinished business--but also feel underdeveloped and rather one-dimensional.
The magical realism in "Other Birds" feels more like a light touch than something that permeates the whole story and infuses it with real magic; page after page, I found myself waiting to see if something more would happen. Ultimately, something about Allen's writing here lacked the bewitching, descriptive quality of "Garden Spells" and "Girl Who Chased the Moon." This story is sweet, breezy, and emotional at points, but I wanted so much more from it.
A story about stories, the legacy we leave behind, and what it means to call a place "home," "Other Birds" is sure to please readers, but may fall short of expectations for Allen's true devotees.
Rating: 3 Stars
Publication Details: Out Now, St. Martin's Press
*Huge thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing my review copy!*
