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Blackbird: A Novel
What if the life you’re meant to live is just beyond the one you know?
Blackbird follows the alternating perspectives of two women weaving their futures from the threads of the past.
Eloise, creative, sarcastic, and quicker to comfort others than herself, faces an unexpected, life-altering what future will she create for her child? In the process, repressed pieces of herself surface like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, forcing her to consider herself first for once.
Lucy, armed with wit, a cup of pretentious coffee, and enough therapy to bankrupt a small nation, is determined to be the mother she never had. Breaking cycles isn't as easy as breaking into an anxious sweat though, and the shadows of her past haunt her.
When visions start to blur the lines for both women, they’re left questioning everything- especially whether they’re losing their minds... or finally waking up to who they really are. As their pregnancies and visions unfold, Eloise and Lucy face the messy, sometimes painful realities of family, identity, and the ripple effects of their choices.
Mielbick’s sharp, heartfelt debut explores how healing begins with one decision and invites readers to discover the unexpected magic between what was and what could be.
Blackbird follows the alternating perspectives of two women weaving their futures from the threads of the past.
Eloise, creative, sarcastic, and quicker to comfort others than herself, faces an unexpected, life-altering what future will she create for her child? In the process, repressed pieces of herself surface like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, forcing her to consider herself first for once.
Lucy, armed with wit, a cup of pretentious coffee, and enough therapy to bankrupt a small nation, is determined to be the mother she never had. Breaking cycles isn't as easy as breaking into an anxious sweat though, and the shadows of her past haunt her.
When visions start to blur the lines for both women, they’re left questioning everything- especially whether they’re losing their minds... or finally waking up to who they really are. As their pregnancies and visions unfold, Eloise and Lucy face the messy, sometimes painful realities of family, identity, and the ripple effects of their choices.
Mielbick’s sharp, heartfelt debut explores how healing begins with one decision and invites readers to discover the unexpected magic between what was and what could be.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 15, 2026
Two women living different lives both find out their pregnant - Lucy lives a more privileged life in a house with a supportive husband; Eloise lives in poorer conditions with an alcoholic abusive partner. However, both women are connected.
At first I thought Lucy had nothing to worry about, she has everything Eloise has ever dreamed of - a house, a husband, support system, therapists, a good career etc. However, this quickly unravels and Mielbick’s novel Blackbird shows that these material items don't define us. Both women, beneath the surface, are united by the same humanness at their core - both are haunted by childhood trauma, both grew up in poverty and difficult circumstances.
This novel beautifully depicts how at the core of who we are as humans, we all have trauma and struggles we carry deep within us. Regardless of social status, both women have experiences with a blackbird that keeps appearing, along with visions, as a metaphor of their trauma. Both women follow along with the blackbird's work building its nest, which mirrors their hard work towards becoming free of their traumas' shackles and breaking the pattern of abuse before their babies are born.
At first I thought Lucy had nothing to worry about, she has everything Eloise has ever dreamed of - a house, a husband, support system, therapists, a good career etc. However, this quickly unravels and Mielbick’s novel Blackbird shows that these material items don't define us. Both women, beneath the surface, are united by the same humanness at their core - both are haunted by childhood trauma, both grew up in poverty and difficult circumstances.
This novel beautifully depicts how at the core of who we are as humans, we all have trauma and struggles we carry deep within us. Regardless of social status, both women have experiences with a blackbird that keeps appearing, along with visions, as a metaphor of their trauma. Both women follow along with the blackbird's work building its nest, which mirrors their hard work towards becoming free of their traumas' shackles and breaking the pattern of abuse before their babies are born.
July 21, 2025
Such a beautifully written story that goes so deep into family dynamics and tricky emotional landscapes. As a mom I’ve never felt more seen by the ~intrusive~ thoughts that go into the highs and lows of motherhood and its anxieties. Hopefully a sequel??
January 18, 2026
This book really pulled at my heart strings. Being a mother to a toddler and trying for my second, I was really able to relate to both characters.
I remember the "oh sh!t" when first finding out I was pregnant. I was also able to relate to dealing with the mom rage and mom guilt.
This book was a quick read and a bit emotional. I truly enjoyed the writing and how each person had their own struggles.
Read the Trigger warnings for sensitive readers.
I remember the "oh sh!t" when first finding out I was pregnant. I was also able to relate to dealing with the mom rage and mom guilt.
This book was a quick read and a bit emotional. I truly enjoyed the writing and how each person had their own struggles.
Read the Trigger warnings for sensitive readers.
August 18, 2025
I really liked this book, but I do think that someone that has experienced pregnancy would enjoy it more.
Spoilers-
However, I wish the ending had more. I was wondering if they were the same person, but the ending left me with questions still. Who is real? Or is it alternative universes? Why did she change her name to Lucy? Maybe there will be a sequel to answer more of these questions!
Spoilers-
However, I wish the ending had more. I was wondering if they were the same person, but the ending left me with questions still. Who is real? Or is it alternative universes? Why did she change her name to Lucy? Maybe there will be a sequel to answer more of these questions!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
MiAt age sixty, I am closer to being a grandmother than a mother. Still, it was pleasant to revisit the pregnancy experience. The ending however was completely unsatisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this debut novel by indie author Jess A. Mielbick! As a mom, I felt deeply connected to both women as they faced their pasts and decided what they wanted for their futures.
𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙…𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙧. ~ 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩
Ultimately this was a beautifully written blend of contemporary fiction and magical realism…with a twist left open to interpretation.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙…𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙧. ~ 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩
Ultimately this was a beautifully written blend of contemporary fiction and magical realism…with a twist left open to interpretation.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
March 11, 2026
𝕤𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤 : What if the life you’re meant to live is just beyond the one you know? Blackbird follows the alternating perspectives of two women weaving their futures from the threads of the past. Eloise, creative, sarcastic, and quicker to comfort others than herself, faces an unexpected, life-altering what future will she create for her child? In the process, repressed pieces of herself surface like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, forcing her to consider herself first for once. Lucy, armed with wit, a cup of pretentious coffee, and enough therapy to bankrupt a small nation, is determined to be the mother she never had. Breaking cycles isn’t as easy as breaking into an anxious sweat though, and the shadows of her past haunt her.
When visions start to blur the lines for both women, they’re left questioning everything-especially whether they’re losing their minds... or finally waking up to who they really are. As their pregnancies and visions unfold, Eloise and Lucy face the messy, sometimes painful realities of family, identity, and the ripple effects of their choices.
𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 : this was a raw and beautiful written story that really pulled at my heart strings. As a mother, I related to the feelings of trying to get pregnant, the business of life with a toddler and the navigating of toxic family relationships.
I wondered throughout the book how the two characters would be connected and was so surprised by the twist at the end.
“Mielbick’s sharp, heartfelt debut explores how healing begins with one decision and invites readers to discover the unexpected magic between what was and what could be.”
When visions start to blur the lines for both women, they’re left questioning everything-especially whether they’re losing their minds... or finally waking up to who they really are. As their pregnancies and visions unfold, Eloise and Lucy face the messy, sometimes painful realities of family, identity, and the ripple effects of their choices.
𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 : this was a raw and beautiful written story that really pulled at my heart strings. As a mother, I related to the feelings of trying to get pregnant, the business of life with a toddler and the navigating of toxic family relationships.
I wondered throughout the book how the two characters would be connected and was so surprised by the twist at the end.
“Mielbick’s sharp, heartfelt debut explores how healing begins with one decision and invites readers to discover the unexpected magic between what was and what could be.”
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews