A review by booksblabbering
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

3.25

As you know, I am a sucker for found family and I love lyrical writing and unconventional narrative. I really enjoyed The Spear that Cuts through Water and immediately added this to my TBR. 

This one sadly let me down. 

I think it is because I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and felt like the found family aspect was massively overplayed. 

Nia is captain of a ship, alone as she passes through different planets unable to put down roots or have lasting relationships. When she finds a boy who has crash landed on one of her trading planets, she is drawn to him, his oddness, and love for music.

Honestly, I am not going to say anymore because the real plot doesn’t start or even get revealed until almost 45% in. 

<b>I expected many things from this trip. I did not expect a family.

</b>

The writing is bittersweet and introspective. It was a satisfying standalone. 

However:

The side characters were barely distinguishable. The descriptions teased at much greater imagery and world-building and science, yet never fully delivered.  

I am very disappointed by this one as I had been saving it up to start by 2025 with a bang like Spear started off my 2024. 

Not a bad book by any means - I just went in with extremely high and different expectations.