Quirky and enchanting story full of magical moments, this was such a unique book that kept me interested from start to finish. Such a whimsical story, it follow Zoey as she moves to Mallow Island set in South Carolina in search of her mother's abandoned apartment. I enjoyed every moment and was sad when the end of the book came! Usually I read more thrillers, but this book was a great break from that.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to see Sarah Addison Allen back with her magical realism. She is by far one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to be able to read her latest book. I feel in love with all of the eccentric and loveable characters in this book. I loved how each of the characters backstories all wove together and how they became their own kind of family. Such a heartwarming read and a delight.

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.

Sarah Addison Allen has been a favorite author of mine for a long time. I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint!

We follow several different characters and pov’s. Every character felt so real and relatable. I’m not sure how she does it but Sarah makes me care about these people instantly.

We also have her signature dose of magical realism. The magic in her stories always feels so whimsical and yet so real. When I come out from my book and look around I always expect to see her magic in the real world.

The story is very intriguing. There are twists I did not see coming.

We start off following Zoe as she moves into her Kate mothers condo on Mallow Island. The condo complex, also known as Dellawisp. She is young and sweet and has charm about her as she meets and interacts with the rest of the characters. It’s here we meet Charlotte a henna artist who has her own issues, and Mac a shy but sweet chef.

There were a few stereotypes and a few twists I did not like. But, overall I did love this book. The writing and the magic was superb as always. Sarah Addison Allen always crafts a work full of magic, and full of people I want to know, and people I never really let go of even when I close the book.

A gem of a story!
A well written story with a varied, eccentric group of characters. Zoey’s youth and excitement encompasses the other tenants to become a created family who gives what is lacking in each other lives. A touch of magic, a bit of mystery, and meddling ghosts add to this wonderful story.

I at first rated this 4 stars, then found myself going on and on about this book to my husband, started crying (again) about the ending, and went back to upgrade it to 5 stars. It really is a lovely tale.

I devoured this fantastic novel in two days. It would have been one sitting but I had housework to do (boring!).

I am not usually a fan of magical realism but wanted to read this one as I loved the other three books that I've read by the author which of course, they are magical realism as well.

First, I want to live on Mallow Island in the Dellawisp. It sounds like pure magic. The birds, the tenants, the history, YES, please!

I was a little sad for Zoey, losing her mother and being ignored by her father and step-mother but happy that the adults that surrounded her at the Dellawisp took her in and loved her.

My favorite quote in the whole book-

:"Do you believe in ghosts?"

"I've never seen one. But that doesn't mean they're not real. There are a lot of things we can't see that are real."

:Such as?"

"Stories, Scent. Love. Lots of things?"

Be still my heart. So powerful. So true.

Right off the coast of South Carolina, on Mallow Island, The Dellawisp sits—a stunning old cobblestone building shaped like a horseshoe, and named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy.

When Zoey comes to claim her deceased mother’s apartment on an island outside of Charleston she meets her quirky and secretive neighbors, including a girl on the run, two estranged middle-aged sisters, a lonely chef, a legendary writer, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn’t yet written.

Another sweet magical book from Allen. Zoey is filled with the wonder of someone about to go to college. Someone who is trying to bring people together and learn. Even the one tense scene was easily resolved. Glad for another book by this author.

Side note: 2 chapters were out of order in my electronic copy. I hope this is fixed before it's published.

“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be another bird than just the same old thing.”

This enchanting story follows 18-year-old Zoey as she moves to Mallow Island, SC to prepare not just for starting college in the fall, but also for a fresh start on life. She moves into her mother’s old apartment in the Dellawisp condo community, named for the quirky little dellawisp birds that call the area home. When one of the other members of the condo community is found dead, Zoey plays a key role in getting the residents to come together and also in helping everyone to find their separate paths to their own versions of love and acceptance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming tale of found family, belonging, friendship and love. The narrative features alternating perspectives between a few of the current residents of Dellawisp, and even a few past residents in the form of ghosts, which was a successful strategy in keeping me hooked and wanting to know what happened next. The characters themselves all felt so real, flaws and all, and were easy to get invested in and to relate to. I loved each and every one of them for different reasons, and Pigeon just stole my heart in the end. And how can I forget about the lovable ghostly curmudgeon, Lizbeth?!

In addition to the themes and characters, there was so much else to love just as much - the lovely birds that carried so much meaning on their wings, a strong sense of food, magical realism that made me a believer, and gorgeous imagery of Mallow Island that made me want to stay there forever. Other Birds was enchanting, sparkly and magical, and one that I will be recommending to lots of different types of readers. A well-deserved 4.5 stars. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. This book is one of those books with a story that’s going to stay with me. This was my first Sarah Addison Allen book and most certainly will not be my last. I’ve already purchased several of her previous books. I don’t want to say too much about this story as I don’t want to give anything away. It includes birds, surprises, magical realism, and a smidge of romance. You need to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Heartwarming and tragic, another magnificent tale from Sarah Addison Allen. Her magical realism is a stunning support character while the true story lies in the relationships - past, present and future - with reveals keeping you moving along. I wasn't ready to leave the Dellawisp once I finished!

Other Birds is a beautifully told story filled with magic, whimsy, heart and the power of love. It’s magical realism at its finest. This is the first book I have read by Sarah Addison Allen and it certainly won’t be my last.

When Zoey arrives at Mallow Island off the coast of South Carolina, she is immediately swept into the drama of her secretive neighbors at the condo complex of her deceased mother. Filled with feisty birds and mysterious ghosts, the Dellawisp complex, named after the tiny turquoise birds that live among the trees, becomes a character in itself.

The friendships are at the heart of this story. It’s hard to have a favorite character because each one is so complex and interesting: Charlotte, a woman with a mysterious past fills her days drawing henna designs and riding her scooter. Mac, an executive, James Beard award-winning chef at a resort restaurant, always seems to be dusted with cornmeal. Frasier, the caretaker, has a unique bond with the birds. And Lucy Lime, a woman shut-in her her condo, only seen by the light of her cigarette glowing in the dark.

I was immediately drawn into the world Allen created. The vivid descriptions of the island and the food, the heartfelt dialogue between the characters, and the exploration of the meaning of love, all made this one of my favorite books of the year.

I’d highly recommend reading Other Birds if you love magical realism, adore found family stories and love reading about food.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.*

What happens to untold stories?

That's just one of the big questions that this novel tackles. It's a story about found family, secrets, loss, and love. The characters are all nuanced and well written. I ultimately connected with each of them.

Woven in to the story is all sorts of magic, including an invisible bird, witch balls, and ghosts. Normally, I do not prefer ghost stories, but one of the ghosts in this, Camille, was also one of my favorite characters.

There was a bit of weird chronology in the advanced reader copy that I am hoping was sorted for the finished book.

I have long loved Sarah Addison Allen's books. I highlighted so many quotes that spoke to me and that I know I will come back to. I was so pleased to be able to read it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Sarah Addison Allen takes us to Mallow Island in her latest book, Other Birds. The sea breeze and the smell of sugar is in the air. A small condo building has adults, both young and old, who are working to come to terms with the past and move forward into a positive future. A few ghosts and mischievous birds add to the magical and poignant elements of this novel. Allen has a gift for allowing the dialogue and relationships between the characters to unfold in such a natural way that we, as readers, also get to fully know and care about them. Charming, delightful, and recommended.

A truly magical book. Maybe not quite as otherworldly as some of the author’s earlier books, but just as wonderful. I read this so quickly I had to forgo such niceties as eating, sleeping and talking to my family! But worth it! I fell in love with all the characters, especially the birds. Can’t give away any of the details, you’ll have to read it yourself. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved this book. It was the perfect blend of magic and realism that makes this genre so compelling to read. It's like a world where things are full of just a little bit more potential and something that's all we need to believe in a better tomorrow. Sarah Addison Allen is an outstanding writer and anyone who loves her will be fully satisfied with her newest release. I am so happy I had a chance to read this beauty.

Thank you!

Zoey moves to Mallow Island the summer before she begins school at the College of Charleston. She's taking up residence in the condo where her mother lived before Zoey was born and where she planned to take Zoey after divorcing her father. Unfortunately she died, leaving Zoey to be raised by her much older and disinterested father and his new wife. The Dellawisp, the community where she moves, is small, inhabited by another young woman, a chef, and two estranged sisters.

Zoey, eager to create a new family, is drawn into the lives of her new neighbors, even as one of them loses her life the first night Zoey is there. She senses other presences and helps her neighbors find peace.

Like Sarah Addison Allen's other novels, there's a strong element of magic and a gentle lyricism. I've very much missed Sarah Addison Allen's books--although her absence from writing is totally understandable--and am so happy to have had the opportunity to read this one. I loved the different setting. #OtherBirds #NetGalley

DNF at 65% I did skim to the end of the book to know what happened but this book just did not grab my attention. I loved her previous books and the description on this made it seem like this would be similar but I felt that there was hardly any magic and the characters were all so unlikeable. There was a lot of potential for where the story took place but a lot of things were brought up and then never really explained. My biggest issue was that I do not understand why out of every art medium that exists she wrote a white woman profiting off of henna????

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing an ARC for my honest review.

Wow, this book starts off like a typical modern fiction, and then there's some mystery, some magic, and suddenly you don't want to put the book down, you want to stay right there on the island, getting to know the characters and seeing if Zoey can discover the truth about her mother and about herself. Allen once again gives us a story woven to enchant, that will have you mesmerized from page one and sighing at the dn with having a very satisfying read, It's an AMAZING book, sure to be the hit of the late summer, so don't miss this one!

4.5 stars
It's been a few years since we've gotten a new book by this author and it was worth the wait! She does magical realism so well. This book was no exception. The characters and the setting were amazing.