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Birdbox
Four young siblings. An ancient evil that has been waiting billions of years for its opportunity to reign over the earth. Oscar, Esteban, Manny and Isabel are as different as brothers and sisters can be. They argue, and the brothers even fight, but their unquestioned love for each other is about to be tested in unimaginable ways. The Birdbox has finally been opened after many centuries. Can they work together to overcome the darkness housed in The Birdbox in time to save themselves and their family? In time to save humanity itself?
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2014
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2794 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 31, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook, which I generally don't prefer, but I still liked it even on this format. There were a lot of time jumps and they were done really well. I had already seen the movie so I was familiar with the story, but even so, there were some differences in the book that were interesting and I thought it kept up the suspense pretty well. The ending was also a little different - the movie was weirdly less harsh than the book. I did not like the scenes with because it was just really disturbing, and I didn't like the ambiguity of not really knowing what was going on - I also thought it was neat that the author chose to go with a limited third-person point of view so that we have exactly as much information as the main character and even we don't know what's going on when she's wearing the blindfold, beyond what she can hear and feel. I'm kind of surprised this was made into a movie because although it has a lot of suspense and an interesting premise, most of the story was told with the absence of visuals or only very limited visuals.
The writing was really simple, so it's very readable but it wasn't my personal cup of tea. I also had trouble suspending disbelief about how they survived without many amenities or sources of food and nutrition, so that was a little distracting. Overall, though, very entertaining.
The writing was really simple, so it's very readable but it wasn't my personal cup of tea. I also had trouble suspending disbelief about how they survived without many amenities or sources of food and nutrition, so that was a little distracting. Overall, though, very entertaining.
July 27, 2020
So sad and spooky and suspenseful.
July 20, 2020
Writing style got quite "listy". Sometimes it added to the fast pace of the plot, but often times it was just annoying.
August 5, 2023
Book is an all out blitz. Impossible to put down
March 12, 2026
Audiobook with Viking time. Didn’t know so much cussing 😳😬
September 23, 2019
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book, especially since many 'movie' books aren't always that good. I felt this was tense, well-written, intriguing. I wanted to know what was happening at each point, even though I'd seen the movie already. Some of the dialogue was a little unrealistic to my ear, but otherwise I don't have much to complain about. I know some people don't like how the main character behaves (particularly to the kids) but to me it made sense for the world and scenario she faced. I certainly recommend giving this a shot, it's not a long read and is a good page-turner
July 17, 2019
I actually watched the movie version first and like it a lot. I liked the book too. Interestingly, I didn't think one was better than the other but that each depiction fit it's own medium very well. The book dives in a little more to the main characters psyche and experiences. Everything is a bit deeper and darker. A nice dark end of the world novel with good characters, exactly what I like!
November 23, 2023
Josh Malerman's "Bird Box" takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful ride through a post-apocalyptic world where an unseen force induces madness and suicide. While the novel has its strengths, it falls short in certain areas, earning it a four-star rating.
One of the commendable aspects of "Bird Box" is its ability to create a palpable sense of fear and tension. Malerman's narrative skillfully explores the psychological toll of living in a world where one must navigate blindfolded to survive. The unknown threat and the characters' struggles are portrayed in a way that keeps readers engaged and invested in the unfolding story.
The dual timeline structure, alternating between the present and the initial outbreak, adds depth to the plot. However, at times, this narrative technique feels disjointed, disrupting the flow of the story. The constant back-and-forth may leave readers yearning for a more seamless transition between timelines.
Malerman's character development is a strength of the novel, particularly in the case of the protagonist, Malorie. Her journey is compelling, and readers can empathize with her determination to protect two young children in the face of overwhelming danger. The supporting cast, though interesting, could have benefited from more exploration to enhance the overall depth of the narrative.
While the novel successfully taps into the fear of the unknown, the ambiguity surrounding the nature of the threat may leave some readers craving more concrete answers. The lack of a clear explanation could be both a strength and a weakness, depending on individual preferences for resolution in a story.
The pacing of "Bird Box" is generally quick, with short chapters that maintain a sense of urgency. However, there are moments when the story feels a bit rushed, and certain plot points could have been further developed for a more satisfying narrative arc.
In conclusion, "Bird Box" offers a unique and suspenseful reading experience with moments of genuine horror. While it falls short in terms of narrative cohesion and pacing consistency, it compensates with a strong exploration of fear and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. If you enjoy psychological horror with a touch of mystery, "Bird Box" is worth a read, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of a five-star rating.
One of the commendable aspects of "Bird Box" is its ability to create a palpable sense of fear and tension. Malerman's narrative skillfully explores the psychological toll of living in a world where one must navigate blindfolded to survive. The unknown threat and the characters' struggles are portrayed in a way that keeps readers engaged and invested in the unfolding story.
The dual timeline structure, alternating between the present and the initial outbreak, adds depth to the plot. However, at times, this narrative technique feels disjointed, disrupting the flow of the story. The constant back-and-forth may leave readers yearning for a more seamless transition between timelines.
Malerman's character development is a strength of the novel, particularly in the case of the protagonist, Malorie. Her journey is compelling, and readers can empathize with her determination to protect two young children in the face of overwhelming danger. The supporting cast, though interesting, could have benefited from more exploration to enhance the overall depth of the narrative.
While the novel successfully taps into the fear of the unknown, the ambiguity surrounding the nature of the threat may leave some readers craving more concrete answers. The lack of a clear explanation could be both a strength and a weakness, depending on individual preferences for resolution in a story.
The pacing of "Bird Box" is generally quick, with short chapters that maintain a sense of urgency. However, there are moments when the story feels a bit rushed, and certain plot points could have been further developed for a more satisfying narrative arc.
In conclusion, "Bird Box" offers a unique and suspenseful reading experience with moments of genuine horror. While it falls short in terms of narrative cohesion and pacing consistency, it compensates with a strong exploration of fear and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. If you enjoy psychological horror with a touch of mystery, "Bird Box" is worth a read, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of a five-star rating.
February 7, 2026
I realized about 3/4 of the way through this that I had already read it before, which might be why I didn’t enjoy it so much on the second go around. I really do think it’s a very original and interesting monster story, but on this read, I found myself very frustrated with Mallory. Her actions make absolute sense and she is much braver than I could ever be, but as a reader, I found myself very frustrated. Why did it take her so long to denounce Rick? Again, probably I’m being harsh on the character and it’s a realistic response to the situation, but I found it very frustrating.
October 30, 2020
When the world changes and nobody understands what happening, life becomes very scary. It seems.there is something alien outside and if you see it, you go.mad. in order to survive you must love in a world of darkness and blindfolds. This is the story of attempted survival by a pregnant woman.
The writing style.is very easy and flows - a nice easy read. Thought it would be much scarier than it was.
The writing style.is very easy and flows - a nice easy read. Thought it would be much scarier than it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
Loved loved LOVED this book, would have read it in one sitting if pesky christmas shopping didn't get in the way! I've been hooked all the way through, cant wait to watch the film, cant wait to read it again.
January 30, 2019
I can't remember the last time a story gave such anxiety. A great engaging read that pulls you in with each passing page. The splitting of the timelines is a fantastic narrative structure and really adds to the depth and flow of the book. Loved this one.
September 28, 2020
Well-paced and good with character development. It's overarching creepiness and absence of resolution for its imagined crisis made the whole book unsatisfying. No happy ending required, but where the heck was this world going?
November 8, 2020
I have finally read Birdbox. I’ve been putting this off for a really long time because it got so much hype and I wanted to wait for that to calm down!
Birdbox follows Malorie from the beginning of an absolute nightmare happening across the world. People are starting to go absolutely crazy when they see some mysterious thing and they either try to kill themselves or hurt others. Very interesting concept. Malorie is also pregnant and she decides to move in with a group of survivors and intense things happen.
I quite liked this book. It has an interesting plot, child characters who aren’t complete annoyances [a major horror/thriller trope that annoys me 😂] and I liked Malorie as a main character.
However, I thought this didn’t create enough suspense for me and we never find out what started this or what the unknown entity looks like.
Overall, was a solid thriller but only 3 stars.
Birdbox follows Malorie from the beginning of an absolute nightmare happening across the world. People are starting to go absolutely crazy when they see some mysterious thing and they either try to kill themselves or hurt others. Very interesting concept. Malorie is also pregnant and she decides to move in with a group of survivors and intense things happen.
I quite liked this book. It has an interesting plot, child characters who aren’t complete annoyances [a major horror/thriller trope that annoys me 😂] and I liked Malorie as a main character.
However, I thought this didn’t create enough suspense for me and we never find out what started this or what the unknown entity looks like.
Overall, was a solid thriller but only 3 stars.
August 10, 2021
Loved this far more than the movie! No romance, which I appreciate even as a romance fan, terrifying and gut wrenching. It atmosphere was so tense the entire time I felt as though I couldn't breathe!!
October 23, 2022
The book is good, I enjoyed the read of this. Read it after the film came out so all the characters were formed out of the actors and actresses which isn’t a bad thing. Some difference which was good and a deeper story. Book is good for a quick read.
June 18, 2024
I found it to be an average read maybe I'm reading later the hype was over. Too much detailed than necessary and character oriented. I would have preferred to see the world building behind this story and with little more action
September 1, 2025
a great book! way better but also different from the film. I think stand alone, they could be different stories from the same universe. I am very happy I finally read it, the book was on my TBR for months
November 5, 2017
Definitely one of the better books I've read this year.
October 9, 2018
A unique post apocalyptic story.
January 4, 2019
Better than the movie, but not much. Good character development, but falls short on follow through.
January 8, 2019
Wow, loved it
January 17, 2019
Amazing writing.
February 21, 2019
Twisted, well-written
February 25, 2019
Great book!
March 14, 2019
I did not care for this book at all.
March 26, 2019
its fine? I mean better than the movie forsure. It was creepy. But then it was that. Im glad I read it. Good brain candy.
May 24, 2019
Worth reading even if you've seen the movie... very well written and different enough to warrant the extra time commitment.
June 20, 2019
Enjoyed the book it really brought me into the world of blindfolds and creatures perfect book for travels.
September 3, 2019
Very riveting, it really kept me on the edge the whole time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews