It’s time to play “guess that book” and also watch our TBRs weep.
Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and is all about the first line of a current/upcoming read. Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, where you turn to page 56 (or 56%) in what you’re reading a find a snippet that jumps out at you.
One pet crow fights to save humanity from an apocalypse in this uniquely hilarious debut from a genre-bending literary author.
S.T., a domesticated crow, is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his owner Big Jim, trading insults with Seattle’s wild crows (those idiots), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®.
Then Big Jim’s eyeball falls out of his head, and S.T. starts to feel like something isn’t quite right. His most tried-and-true remedies–from beak-delivered beer to the slobbering affection of Big Jim’s loyal but dim-witted dog, Dennis–fail to cure Big Jim’s debilitating malady. S.T. is left with no choice but to abandon his old life and venture out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, where he discovers that the neighbors are devouring each other and the local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of dangerous new predators roaming Seattle. Humanity’s extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a foul-mouthed crow whose knowledge of the world around him comes from his TV-watching education.
Hollow Kingdom is a humorous, big-hearted, and boundlessly beautiful romp through the apocalypse and the world that comes after, where even a cowardly crow can become a hero.
- Story told from the unique perspective of a crow.
- A dark, sarcastic, humorous narrative voice.
- Fun twist on the traditional apocalypse story.
- Funny animal perspective on human beings.
- Adventure and action and danger and horror.
- In other words, a little bit of everything!
5 On My TBR is hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook and is meant to take place on Mondays. But since Fridays tend to be my TBR-focused post, I’ve decided to combine them here. Next Monday’s prompt is: sea & seaside, which for the sake of this I’m going to interpret to be books involving water, because sea and seaside sounds more like contemporary books to me rather than fantasy.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
A warrior protagonist with only one arm plus an ancient goddess, “wild magic, wondrous creatures, and hidden enemies”? Ummm . . . that’s gonna be a big yes for me. I don’t feel like I know a whole lot about what this book is about from the blurb. I almost prefer it that way, because it means there’s still plenty to discover while reading it. At the same time, it tells me just enough to know that I definitely want to pick it up!
The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
According to the blurb, this one has war-dragons and sea-faring raiders. So I was obviously always destined to want to read it. Throw some queer romance and pirates into the mix and it sounds like a winning combination to me!
Tidepool by Nicole Willson
This book is set in the oceanside town of Tidepool, where corpses wash up on shore, killed by something not-quite-human. If that doesn’t pique your interest . . . well, there’s probably no hope for you. What can I say? There’s obviously a dark and dangerous secret going on in this town, and I can’t wait to dig into it and find out what it is!
The Wolf and the Water by Josie Jaffrey
First, I just want to say how much I love that cover! I haven’t read any Josie Jaffrey books yet (even though I’ve got one I plan on hopefully picking up soon). But I’ve heard good things about her work from others! This sounds like a fun, dark fantasy with a hint of romance, and I’m always up for those sorts of books.
Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen
Meddling gods and pirates. Yup, yup, yup, that’s on brand for me. I actually own this book (and the sequel), so I really have no excuses as to why I haven’t read it yet. It’s got adventure and blackmail and secrets and all the stuff that I love in books, so I really do need to get around to reading it!
What are you reading this week? Share its first line in the comment below or drop your own First Line links!
Wow. great excerpts! Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “SURVIVE THE NIGHT”
It’s been a fun read so far!
I feel that 56 deep in my soul. Happy weekend!
Freda Mans-Labianca recently posted…The #Friday56 & #Instagram56
Yes. Basic adventuring 101: never say things couldn’t get worse!
I’m up for an hilarious book with a crow as a character. Sounds fun. My Friday quotes are here
It’s definitely a nice break from some other books I’ve been reading! Not quite what I expected, but much better!
Dark Shores is on my tbr – it sounds right up my alley!
I hope you enjoy it! I’ve heard it’s really good.
I can not imagine how difficult it must have been to stay in the point of view of a crow while writing an entire novel.
I can’t even imagine. But the author does it so well! It’s super impressive. They come up with some perspectives and things I never would have thought about but which are so perfect!
Looking forward to your thoughts on Hollow Kingdom when you finish😁 And I’m looking forward to Tidepool!
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…The Friday Face-Off: Landscape
I’m enjoying it so far! You were definitely right about that. xD
I am probably in the minority, but I love crows (such smart birds) and I love the idea of this book. I will definitely have to give it a try! Your TBR 5 today all sound interesting. Dark Shores especially! I hope you have a great week!
I love crows, too! So if you’re in the minority, at least we can be there together. 😉