[NB: This novel is out in paperback today, coincidentally]
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I said that this book takes a slightly playful look at the apocalypse, you might look at me strangely. But I’m not wrong.
This strong, tightly paced story encompasses the conflict between Technologists (represented by Laurence) and Magicians/Witches (represented by Patricia) as both groups attempt to avert the oncoming apocalypse, firm in their belief that whatever the OTHER group is doing is CAUSING the aforesaid apocalypse.
Laurence and Patricia have known each other since they were children. Both are fundamentally broken and put back together in their own complementary and highly specific ways. Both need to reconcile their perceived duties with their feelings.
Apocalyptic shenanigans ensue, as they are wont to do. And they feel like shenanigans because the narrative tone that Charlie manages to provide somehow completely takes into account the deep seriousness of the world ending with a wry, slightly … askew voice that understands that one cannot be totally serious all the time, and that’s okay.
This is a really enjoyable novel about the apocalypse.
