This is a wonderful, magical, cozy story of family - the ones we find and want to stick around with and the ones we are ready to let go of. Like the other books by Sarah Addision Allen, there is a hefty dose of reality, along with some magic, and that makes everything sweet and heartwarming in the end. I loved the story, the setting, and the characters and the wonderful bonds between them.

Family can be found in all sorts of unexpected places.
The author, Sarah Addison Allen seems to wave a magical wand throughout this book, and she brings the reader a story that not only will warm your heart but a book that won't easily be forgotten.

The characters have all found their way to a magical group of condos that few seem to know exists. The residents are an eclectic group of people, perhaps with a ghost or two who present themselves in unique ways. The author slowly begins to peel away their stories and reveals how well they fit together in this beautifully written story.

I love a book where the author's words allow me to feel the descriptions and words in their story. Other Birds gifted this to me and more. The acknowledgement at the end of the book must be read, so don't miss it!
I would highly recommend this beautiful book!

Another good one from Sarah Addison Allen, so glad she’s back. A lovely tale of love.
** Thank You to the publisher and NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.**

As usual, Sarah Addison Allen hits a home run. I read this in less than 24 hours! It's got a handful of mysterious twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters and, of course, the tiny bit of magic that Allen always weaves into her stories. Just wonderful.

A little bit of a love story, a little bit of a story of family secrets, and a little bit of magical realism makes this book a fantastic read. I have read everything this author has written previously, and this book is just as good as their older works. You will fall in love with the setting and the slew of characters you will meet. This is the perfect read for a Cozy feeling.

I love Sarah Addison Allen's magical realism, and I think this was one of her most creative uses yet! I love the setting of Mallow Island, South Carolina and the fluttery birds, and I could envision the quaint row of townhomes in the Dellawisp. The personalities and experiences of all the characters just fit so well together into the storyline and made me enjoy the book--the characters were worth caring about. Unfortunately for me from about 1/3 through 2/3 of the book, the flow just felt 'off' like it was missing something and my interest in finishing it went nearly to zero. But, the last 1/3 redeemed it for me. It was full of surprises and interestingly satisfying 'feelgoods', and made me glad I read it.

This book was so magical. The characters and the world it is set in are so quirky and adorable, while also having a darkness that made them feel real and gave them depth.

Other Birds is a family story, infused with magical realism. It has shifted my perspective on birds. I loved the characters and working through their trauma. Beautiful writing and atmospheric.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story! It seemed short and sweet but I loved the character development and how it followed so many peoples lives all revolving around a condo unit on Mallow Island. The only reason it wasn’t a 5 star read for me is because I really wanted some kind of closure between Lucy, Oliver, and Fraiser. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for literary fiction with a complex story and multiple characters points of views.

This was a great read. I admit it took me a bit to get into, only because it was different genre than what I normally read. I loved the cast of characters and the bonds that developed. The magical aspect is a theme I really enjoy so that is what kept me hooked.

What an enchanting story! No doubt Sarah Addison Allen has a true gift in storytelling. Other Birds touches on so many different aspects of the human experience: growing up, growing old, family drama, second (and third) chances, it's absolutely lovely.

Other Birds was a great read by Sarah Addison Allen. There are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways between the real and the imaginary. On Mallow, off the coast of South Carolina, The Dellawisp sits. It is a stunning old cobblestone building shaped like a horseshoe, it is named after the tiny turquoise birds that inhabit an air of magical secrecy. Zoey comes to the area to claim her deceased mother's apartment the Dellawisp. Her mother's neighbors are quirky and secretive. There is a young woman with a past, two estranged sisters, and a lonely chef, as well as three ghosts. The sudden death of one of Zoey's new neighbors sets off a search that leads to the island's famous author. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

I have been a big fan of Sarah Addison Allen’s since reading Garden Spells. I love the mystical, magical parts that she weaves in with reality. This book doesn’t rank up S a favorite, but I enjoyed the characters and alternating viewpoints in each chapter. It seemed an appropriate book to read in October!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley.

I have loved Sarah Addison Allen's books. Her books, Garden Spells, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and others seemed to wrap their sweetness and fantasy around me like a cocoon and I loved the atmosphere and the characters.

However, this one just fell short for me. It attempted to do what books of hers have done previously, but the effects were just not there. It often seemed disjointed with the surprises surfacing often at the end of chapters and leading to a question of where did that come from in my mind.

It's a story of love and loss which had a tad of magical realism thrown in to pique my interest, but sadly it just didn't get to that state I have relished in the past. The characters were sweet and while I really liked Zoey, the seventeen year old who was the glue that held the story together, the rest of the characters seemed to me to be underdeveloped and I had a hard time keeping them straight and developing an affinity for them.

There were birds and there were other birds, the humans taking on that role, and there was one invisible bird that stayed with Zoey until she was no longer needed, as Zoey proceeded to embark into the world of college and growing up. We do learn who she is though.

There were ghosts whose presence were a bit baffling as their purpose seem to be elusive.

Overall, as much as I wanted the story to become the magical treat, the author's other books were, this one left me wanting. I just couldn't force myself into that magical love I had previously experienced in this author's books.

I am sorry to say, that it seemed too short, the characters seemed underdeveloped, and the glue that held it together seemed short on what I wanted and expected from this book.

Thanks go to Sarah Addison Allen, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this book which published in August of this year.

I don't read a lot of magical realism but I am so glad to have picked this one up! I felt totally immersed in the characters, story and plot. If you are looking to get lost in a book this is one you should pick up!

I know magical realism isn't for everyone, and I don't normally say it's for me, but I just love Sarah Addison Allen. She writes such quirky and charming books. Other Birds, while different from some of her others, did not disappoint. I would say this one was more supernatural than magical. A few of the characters we read about were ghosts, but not the haunting creepy sort. I had a feeling I would love this book and I was right.

I really love a book with a found family and watching these characters become a family was so beautiful. I found myself really caring about Zoey, Charlotte, Mac, Oliver and Frasier. They each had such baggage and difficulties from their past, but were all learning to let go and move forward. I loved watching them come together and found healing and growth in their relationships. Some of the things these people had experienced was pretty heavy, but SAA was able to keep the tone on the lighter side and still very charming.

I found many quotes that made me stop and and think and sometimes reread because it was so poignant and beautiful. If you like books that talk about forgiveness, found family, moving on from the past, hope, then this is a book for you. After all we all would rather be other birds I think.

OTHER BIRDS begins with a young Zoey arriving on Mallow Island to live in a small condo that was left to her by her late mother. About to start her first year in college Zoey wants to settle in beforehand and acquaint herself with the area. The small condominium complex is named for the unique birds that live in the surrounding courtyard. The Dellawisp is an old building that was converted into five small units with an office for Frasier the manager. The building is owned by Roscoe Avanger a recluse who wrote a famous and successful novel called Sweet Mallow.
Lisabeth is a cranky old woman who kept a watchful eye over the comings and goings of the others. She did not hesitate to shoo or shush anyone who crosses her path. An accident happens that causes Lisabeth’s death.
Lisabeth’s unexpected death brings the residence closer together. Zoey is employed by Frasier to clean out Lisabeth’s condo. Lisabeth’s was a hoarder who had a penchant to collect paper.
Zoey strikes up a conversation with fellow resident Charlotte who is a henna artist. Recently unemployed Charlotte with time on her hands begins to help Zoey. Mac a chef who is smitten with Charlotte notices the pair. No longer in fear of the wrath of Lisabeth Mac starts to get to know the two women.
The only other resident is Lucy who is Lisabeth’s sister. She continues to lurk behind closed doors. Perhaps, Lucy shouldn’t be considered the last resident since there are ghosts lurking about the Dellawisp.
OTHER BIRDS has a delightful cast of characters including the birds themselves. It is an engaging story about a group of people coming together to form a family. I thoroughly enjoyed OTHER BIRDS. Sarah Addison Allen has been on my radar for years. I am glad I had this opportunity to finally read one of her books.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital edition of this book.
4..5 ⭐️

Allen’s Other Birds is a charming story of loss, love and moving on. With a hint of mystery and a few ghosts lurking on the sidelines, this whimsical tale with a cast of lovable characters was a joy to read.

Does it really get any better than having a Sarah Addison Allen book to look forward to? Starting one of her books is like falling into a magical and mystical hug. At the heart of this book, were lost souls finding each other and learning to live life on their own terms, with the love and support of new found friends. It also demonstrates the long-lasting power of love, even after someone important to us passes on. But the real star of the show for me may have been the charming birds (the delawisps)...I could've read an entire book just about them. I enjoyed this books so much and was sad to see it end...these books are never long enough me. The town and its history were special and charming and I have the strangest desire to get Henna work done and go out for a fancy, comfort food inspired meal. I cannot wait to see what Sarah Addison Allen has in store for us with her next book.