Blackbirds

, #1

ebook

English language

Published Nov. 7, 2012 by Angry Robot Books.

ISBN:
978-0-85766-231-6
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4 stars (6 reviews)

8 editions

Review of 'Blackbirds' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I've got some mixed feelings about this book. I loved - LOVED - the first third or so but then things crept up that made me love it less. By the end, I liked the book alright but don't feel any desire to go forward with the series.

Some of the things I loved: Wendig's voice and writing style. Love much of the language and imagery and the pacing. Very gory and graphic but in a way that drew me even more into the story.

Some of the things I didn't like: The only time anyone's race was specifically stated was two Black peripheral characters. I'll keep pointing this out whenever I see it because only mentioning the race of people of color continues to perpetuate the idea that white is the norm and everyone one else is "other." White authors need to stop doing this. Thank you.

I also …

Review of 'Blackbirds' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Probably 4.5 stars and not the full 5 but anyway. I don't even know why I love this so much. It's written in present tense which makes it very immediate for me. The protagonist Miriam Black is vulgar, there's a lot of violence and it always left me feeling a bit dirty, reading about the seedy life of Miriam, drifting by highways and motels, with the power to know how people die, and glimpses of a dark past. It read like young Stephen King and was a page turner for me. Definitely not for everyone though.

Review of 'Blackbirds' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I have been following Chuck Wendig for a few years now, and I have come to enjoy his writing style immensely. The story of Blackbirds is dark, following the story of a troubled young woman who can see when you die, and can't do anything to change it. The writing is fluid, the characters are interesting, and the plot is riveting.

My only critique is that the main character sounds much like Chuck, or at least sounds like the voice he presents during interviews and on his blog. This is not a bad thing, per say; but, it distracted me from remembering that the character was in fact a troubled woman, and not the middle aged self proclaimed pen monkey that entertains almost daily.