I loved this book! I practically consumed it. I am a huge Sarah Addison Allen fan. This book follows Zoey and her invisible bird, "Pigeon" as they strike out one their own. They land in a condo owned by her late mother and meet a host of characters in this complex. Two elderly sisters who don't speak and one you even don't see! A handsome chef and across they way, an artist. All of whom interact and follow along with the "father" of the building , the complex manager Frasier. Each of these characters have a story to tell and all come together at the Dellawisp Apartments. The Dellawisp is a tiny blue bird the complex is named for. Their stories are heartwarming, heart breaking and all have a common bond of love. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, spirits, birds, friendships and that deep bond of really needing a friend.

Once again Sarah Addison Allen has written a delightful story with a touch of magic. In a condo complex on a South Carolina island with a history of marshmallow production, the arrival of an outgoing college-bound woman, Zoey, coincides with the death of the complex's resident curmudgeon. Zoey is able to bring the residents together and we learn of their traumas, joys, secrets, and their ghosts. Yes, the novel features ghosts, but not the scary kind. This book is about found family, overcoming loss, moving forward, and the support of community. I left this novel wishing I could be the characters' friend, glad for the promising future ahead of them, and deeply happy they found each other.

Other Birds
Sarah Addison Allen
St. Martin’s Press
2022

“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 an other bird than just the same old thing.” (Frasier, p. 237 on iPhone EArc).

Sarah Addison Allen’s Other Birds is my first five star read of 2022. It’s a masterful piece of magic realism set in the Dellawisp (a horseshoe shaped condo) on Mallow Island, off the coast of South Carolina. The DellWisp is named for the turquoise birds that live there and who are chatty, nosy, and exquisitely beautiful.

The main protagonist is Zoey, a teen-aged who is headed off to college in Charleston, but has been gifted the studio apartment by her deceased mother, Paloma. She is filled with energy, imagination, and has a knack for creating family out of strangers.

Other characters include Frasier, the manager of the Dellawisp; Charlotte, a Henna artist; Mac, a gourmet chef; Lucy, Lizbeth Lime, and Oliver Lime; and of course, the ghosts.

I loved Zoey’s energy, but I was especially taken with Mac, a chef who believed that food is like storytelling. You create something wonderful and then you give it away. He awakens each morning covered in cornmeal, courtesy of Camille (now a ghost, but she raised Mac after his mother abandoned him as a child) who won’t move on until Mac has someone to love: Someone to cook for. Mac has created a whole menu devoted to Southern cuisine, specializing in cornmeal dishes.

The book weaves the characters together in such a magical tapestry that so felt transported to their world. I didn’t want the book to end, it was that good.

There are so many secrets that you have to read to find out. But here are three more thoughts from the book:

“Birds are supposed to be messengers between heaven and earth,” (Charlotte, p. 106).

Not everything has to be real to be true -Zoey.

Where do lost stories go?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this unbiased review.

I have waited years for Sarah Addison Allen to come out with a new book…the wait was worth it! I have read and adored every single one of her books, but this is her best work yet! I loved each character in this book and their individual stories that brought them together. It’s a story of brokenness and hope, and finding love and healing. I honestly didn’t want this book to end!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

I went back and read the book's blurb after reading the blurb. It isn't often that the two even match, but my goodness, that blurb is a masterpiece. Absolutely nailed it. I cannot do better without giving something away. If you want to know what the book is about, the blurb is not a lie, that is exactly what the story is about. It is beautiful and mysterious, with lovely touches of magical realism and complex, well realized characters. The island itself has its own persona, as does the Delawisp building and its avian companions. The introduction of Zoey into the complex as she takes residence in the apartment of the mother she never knew causes a small whirlwind of change, like the delawisps taking flight. Friendships begin and secrets are revealed. Hope returns. It's a lovely story, very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
My copy is an eARC from NetGalley.

Welcome back, Sarah Addison Allen. We've missed you. It's been a long time since we have had such a readable magical realism cum ghost story from you. And as before, Sarah grips you from the first chapter.

The novel takes place on Mallow Island, peopled with tourists, shops, a famous author (where is he?) and some very strange birds. Zoey has come to claim her mother's legacy, a condo on the island that is close to the college she will be attending in the fall. She brings with her an empty cage (or empty as far as anyone else can see) containing Pigeon, her invisible bird who keeps an eye out for her safety.

Zoey is only the first character we meet. Other humans are Charlotte, a henna artist, Frasier, who manages the condo, and later on Oliver, Mac and Lucy. Then there are the ghosts. As always in Allen's books, they are hanging around for a reason and each, eventually, gets a chapter of their own. There are plenty of surprises and you will find no spoilers here.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the author for a chance to read this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

A poignant story that touched on a lot of interesting bits of grief and death and moving on. Read as an ARC and may try to read again because the world and characters were so beautiful but I know some of the ARC was out of order in its timeline. I quite enjoyed this and loved reading from all the characters themselves. 4 stars here, I give 4.5 on TheStorygraph.

An absolutely lovely tale of chosen family with Allen's signature touch of magic. Delicious descriptions of food and an emphasis on the importance of food in emotional as well as physical nourishment, a strong sense of place in this little island town in South Carolina, and a wonderful cast of characters, each story given its own space and life. I plan on reading it again to savor.

This was such a lovely, whimsical, charming and magical book. I found myself smiling the entire time I was reading it, even during the sad parts. I mean, honestly, who couldn't use a little magic in their life? It's truly one of those feel-good books that helps explore real life problems from some awesome characters who are trying to work their way through their issues.

We find ourselves on Mallow Island, which is a place off the coast of South Carolina, and it's noted for their mallow plants, which automatically makes you think of sweet and happy times. Those are beautiful places, and I should know, as I am fortunate to live in the southern most coastal part of South Carolina.

I love how the book incorporates magical realism with the inclusion of the darling little Whimsical Birds, the magical cornmeal and the love for everyone that's just waiting to be found. I found myself curling up my chair with a cup of delicious coffee, spending my time reading this delightful book. I'm a huge fan of this author and I know she's been through a very trying time in her personal life. So this book was well worth the wait. I definitely recommend it it was absolutely beautiful.

Another sweet, charming story by Sarah Addison Allen. A small community of residents interact and grow together after the arrival of nineteen year old, Zoey. The characters are each unique, quirky, and likeable. A sweet summer read

It's been such a long time since I've picked up a novel by SAA and I was so hoping that Other Birds would feel like so many of this author's previous works -- magical, delicious, and full of wonder. And while there is some deliciousness, and a little bit of magical, it wasn't quite wonderful. And, combined, it didn't quite pack the punch I expected.

Initially, this story doesn't do much to draw the reader in. I found the voice of (what I presumed to be, and was later wrong) the MC to be a little off and not very engaging. And the same could be said for the other POVs, which was something of a disappointment. As is typical for me, though, the one perspective I liked the most was the one we had the least.

I think what works against this offering is that the found family element doesn't feel realistic. This group of motley misfits, living in this condo complex, on a small island, are drawn together by proximity and a few strange events and things quickly escalate in a way that doesn't feel quite believable; which is kind of funny because I was absolutely onboard with the magical part of the story.

I think, had this been given a little more time to breathe, the page count been a little longer, it might have fleshed things out more. But maybe it's supposed to be a snapshot. It's something of a beginning for these characters, or a reset, or a new chapter, and there's something hopeful in that, in letting go and moving on. But as a reader (or at least, for this one) it's also a little unsatisfying.

Having said that, I'm very glad to see SAA pop up after such a long time (her last release was 2015!) and I do hope there's more to come. I would absolutely recommend you check out her backlist if magical realism is at all in your wheelhouse.

2.5 stars

Pros: I enjoyed reading Garden Spells and First Frost, so I was excited for a new book from the author. Like the author’s previous books, this book has a bit of magical realism. I think this book is for readers who love books about found families.

Cons: I can’t think of any specific cons. For me, three stars = I liked the book!

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

Points > Paragraphs

Overall 5
Spice 0

• Exploration of love and loss
• Magician realism
• Southern Charm
• Multi POV
• Lighthearted
• Whimsical
• Found family
• Family secrets.
• Fast-paced
• Ghosts
• Heartwarming with sad elements
• Sensitive content check trigger warnings
• Elements of mystery
• Nostalgic and yet Modern

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an ARC of Sarah Addison Allen’s latest release “Other Birds.” Addison excels at capturing the everyday magic of living in the south. She weaves a tale of magical realism, where you truly believe that ghosts and magic are just around the corner and hiding in the Spanish moss, like no other. As an avid reader of hers, I can attest that this book was worth the wait. It tackles serious issues and yet feels light and heartwarming, keeping a sense of nostalgia while staying remarkably modern. Another 5-star read from Sarah Addison Allen.

• Review will be posted on Amazon GoodReads StoryGraph during the following window: 8/22-8/30
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Big thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the mysterious aspect of the synopsis, but decided to give it a go. The story was a little slow moving for my liking, but the characters were interesting and the writing style kept me reading.

My favorite part was hands down the last chapter about Zoey’s mom. Such a perfect ending!

This was a quirky read. And I really enjoyed it. I loved the ghosts and how they all came together, all the little magical bits were fun. I loved the idea of a Mallow Island and their little community. And I thought the ending was perfect.

Welcome back, SAA!! Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC of this much awaited return. I am a very loyal fan of this author--I read The Sugar Queen back in 2008 and have revisited all of her books many times, so I was really happy to see a new title added to the shelf.

When lonely, college-bound Zoey Hennesey moves into the condo of her deceased mother on the lush South Caroline Mallow Island, she brings her ghost bird and hopes for a new life with her. But when another mother next door unexpectedly dies at the charming but insular Delawisp building, Zoey begins a search for her story, in the process uniting her misfit, haunted neighbors into a found family.

Friends, the first half of this book was definitely slow, especially because it is so myopically focused on the Delawisp building rather than zooming out to give much sense of the wider town--building settings and communities are some of SAA's greatest strengths. But the story is full of well paced little twists, really satisfying surprises that gave this essay on grief some plot structure. It has all of Sarah Addison Allen's classic sweetness, a cast of engaging characters, and a lot of love. I will always be waiting for her next read!

*This book was received as an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley.

It shouldn't have surprised me that I'd start this book and then not be able to put it down again. Aside from magical realism being one of my favorite genres, Allen's books in particular I'm always drawn to. They're comforting, unique, and offer you a comfortable charm that is just hard to find.

This book revolves around a cast of main characters. Zoey, essentially an orphan, but with an overabundance of optimism, who moves into her mother's old condo. Charlotte, an artist with a past, but who has found comfort in her condo. Two strange sisters, one of of which sets off the catalyst for everyone coming together. A chef, still attached to the ghost of the woman who raised him. And the caretaker of the place, a man with his own likes and reasons for sticking around. And those condos, well of course they're in a charming old stable that has been reinvented with a flock of birds to keep them company. I can honestly say I enjoyed all of them (including the birds).

Ghosts, rather than happenstance magic, seems to be the element in this book that takes it a bit to the magical realism side. While the characters do have their own quirks, it's their hauntings that bring them meaning. And no, not in the scary sense, this book is far too charming for that. Although it should be noted that it doesn't steer away from harder subjects too, although they're often alluded to rather than spelled outright.

Again, one sitting to read this. Because it was charming. Because it was full of magic. And because it made you feel good to read it. I'm so glad I got to pick this one up.

Review by M. Reynard 2022

Sarah Addison Allen never disappoints! This one was fun, imaginative, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. I loved how she wove the stories of the rag-tag bunch of misfits together with a touch of the whimsical, supernatural and other-worldly. I truly enjoyed how the group came together and demonstrated the power of love and acceptance that can be found in a chosen family.

I have recently become a huge Sarah fan but this is her best yet. The characters tug on your heart strings in all kinds of ways. It’s just beautiful and deep and magical. Loved it!

This story was truly beautiful. I never wanted to put it down. The writing was gorgeous. I was just sucked right it! I can’t wait to read more of her work!