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Grave of Hummingbirds
In a country that keeps secrets and buries sins, a stranger learns the price of both.
In the remote Andean village of Colibrí, a boy discovers what appears to be the body of an angel. But in the face and wounds of the dead, winged woman, Dr. Gregory Moreno sees something even more an uncanny resemblance to his beloved late wife that cannot be mere chance. And in American anthropologist Sophie Lawson, still more echoes of the doctor’s lost love stir…igniting the superstitions of the townspeople, and an elusive killer’s deepest desires and despair.
When Sophie vanishes, her son and Dr. Moreno must navigate the streets, politics, and mysteries of a place where tortured ghosts and strange omens exist side by side with mortals both devout and corrupt. But they may need nothing less than a miracle to save her from sacrifice at the altar of a madman’s twisted passion.
Conjuring shades of Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, or even Neil Gaiman, Grave of Hummingbirds is a mesmerizing novel of dreams and demons, beauty and blood.
In the remote Andean village of Colibrí, a boy discovers what appears to be the body of an angel. But in the face and wounds of the dead, winged woman, Dr. Gregory Moreno sees something even more an uncanny resemblance to his beloved late wife that cannot be mere chance. And in American anthropologist Sophie Lawson, still more echoes of the doctor’s lost love stir…igniting the superstitions of the townspeople, and an elusive killer’s deepest desires and despair.
When Sophie vanishes, her son and Dr. Moreno must navigate the streets, politics, and mysteries of a place where tortured ghosts and strange omens exist side by side with mortals both devout and corrupt. But they may need nothing less than a miracle to save her from sacrifice at the altar of a madman’s twisted passion.
Conjuring shades of Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, or even Neil Gaiman, Grave of Hummingbirds is a mesmerizing novel of dreams and demons, beauty and blood.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
432 people are currently reading
1946 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Skutelsky
9 books109 followersJENNIFER SKUTELSKY was educated in South Africa and the United States, where she lives in San Francisco. Award winning author of GRAVE OF HUMMINGBIRDS and TIN CAN SHRAPNEL, she is a softie and sometime warrior, with a passion for the underdog and alternate realities. She loves rhinos and elephants and has been know to talk to pigeons, while laughter and gratitude have often talked her off a ledge. With roots in ballet, marketing and visual art, everything she does now revolves around books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
March 22, 2016
Strange ... and strangely gratifying (particularly for a Kindle First freebie). Given how short the book is, there's a lot going on, from love and loss and jealousy and betrayal to mother-and-son-coming-of-age-and-breaking/redefining-the-bond to murder and human rights and animal rights and pagan religion and third-world politics and corruption and violence and ritual and mountains and tattoos and omelettes and horses and pumas and condors and guns and knives and caves ... and ... well, as I said, there's a lot going on here.
A couple of quirky comments/disclaimers:
I probably shouldn't have filed this book on my sci-fi-and-fantasy shelf - there's no space ships or aliens or dragons or elves, but, well, that's where the books with the ghosts in them go; and, frankly, once you throw in a character or two communicating with the animals by other-than-natural means, it is what it is.
I'm not surprised to learn, via the author's afterword/acknowledgements, that this book was an MFA degree project/output. There's a lot of creativity and art and style in here, and plenty of substance, but it lacked just enough of ... something such that I couldn't add that fifth star in my rating. It wouldn't surprise me if the author's next book is even better.
A couple of quirky comments/disclaimers:
I probably shouldn't have filed this book on my sci-fi-and-fantasy shelf - there's no space ships or aliens or dragons or elves, but, well, that's where the books with the ghosts in them go; and, frankly, once you throw in a character or two communicating with the animals by other-than-natural means, it is what it is.
I'm not surprised to learn, via the author's afterword/acknowledgements, that this book was an MFA degree project/output. There's a lot of creativity and art and style in here, and plenty of substance, but it lacked just enough of ... something such that I couldn't add that fifth star in my rating. It wouldn't surprise me if the author's next book is even better.
December 5, 2015
Let me be clear: Jennifer Skutelsky is an amazing writer. Her style is phenomenal. She pulled at my emotions with damn near every passage.
Unfortunately, the plot needed a lot of work. The magical elements in this book were introduced way too late, at which point it seemed really hokey. One particular murder remains unresolved. It was pretty clear, to me, who did it, but someone else ends up taking the blame for everything, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, given the facts. Everyone in the town being in love with the same woman got real irritating real fast, and Finn's thing with animals was eyeroll-worthy. Even the author's delicious prose couldn't take away from how silly it was.
The first dozen or so chapters were incredible. After that, though, I was unable to suspend my disbelief, and a lot of things seemed to happen for the sake of happening, rather than actually playing an important role. In my opinion, the author tried to jam too many things together at the end and none of it rang true.
I will, however, read more from this author, because I think she has potential and like I said, her technical ability is superb.
Unfortunately, the plot needed a lot of work. The magical elements in this book were introduced way too late, at which point it seemed really hokey. One particular murder remains unresolved. It was pretty clear, to me, who did it, but someone else ends up taking the blame for everything, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, given the facts. Everyone in the town being in love with the same woman got real irritating real fast, and Finn's thing with animals was eyeroll-worthy. Even the author's delicious prose couldn't take away from how silly it was.
The first dozen or so chapters were incredible. After that, though, I was unable to suspend my disbelief, and a lot of things seemed to happen for the sake of happening, rather than actually playing an important role. In my opinion, the author tried to jam too many things together at the end and none of it rang true.
I will, however, read more from this author, because I think she has potential and like I said, her technical ability is superb.
January 9, 2020
Full of culture.
Very interesting descriptions of the culture surrounding this story. You could feel the pressure in the story and the relief.
Very interesting descriptions of the culture surrounding this story. You could feel the pressure in the story and the relief.
March 1, 2016
Deep in the Andean Mountains a small town guards its secrets from outsiders - the unexplained death of a woman named Nita and an unexplained spiritual mysticism that floats around the town as the dead wait for resolution of their nightmares. The tale centers on an annual and brutal ritual that entails capturing a wild Condor tying it to a bull and then letting the two run through the village streets. It is a cruel use of such majestic animals, but the ritual is so ingrained into their society, the cruelty is overlooked while the tourism encouraged.
Gregory’s devastation over the loss of his love, Nita reveals a soft hearted character. He is a doctor for everyone including the animals in the village. Every year he offers to buy the old horse that will be sacrificed to capture a Condor for the festival. Gregory cares greatly for the people around him. He watches over a local teenager who had a very close relationship with Nita. The boy is a bit of a misfit and trouble seems to follow him everywhere. He is innocent and not the best educated. Unfortunately, while traversing the hills he has stumbled onto another murder. Alberto finds the body of a woman who is strikingly similar in appearance to Nita. She is covered in Black Condor feathers, a fallen angel amidst the jungle floor. Gregory struggles to understand the significance of the costumed corpse as his grief is resurrected from the unusual likeness to Nita. The mysterious death of this woman causes controversy as the town struggles to explain the events. Superstition replaces logic as fear about the unsolved murders resonate.
Time moves forward and we catch up to the story as the next festival begins. American characters are introduced into the story characterized as two pilgrims searching for adventure. Sophie, a mother who worries too much. She is a reluctant sidekick to her brash young son as they seek out a trip to remember. They are both beautiful people in their own right. Finn catches the fancy of many a lady and Sophie has a striking resemblance to Nita. They arrive at the time the town festival is about to take place and the townsfolk as well as the supernatural are shaken by their arrival. The two Americans have a similar heart to Gregory and a deep appreciation for the environment around them. They find the pagan ritual less than appealing. This causes a clash not only of culture but of philosophy. Murder increases in the wake of their distress and the supernatural finds opportunity to reach out for help in stopping further bloodshed.
Jennifer Skutelsky is an author who should be watched closely. Her prose are masterful and beautiful. Readers will find layers upon layers of symbolism embedded into the narrative that will drive their subconscious into depths of undiscovered emotion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reading and rereading paragraphs to absorb the beauty of the author’s written word. The visuals are far from overblown and effortlessly caress you as you venture through Skutelsky’s storyline. Amazing.
Gregory’s devastation over the loss of his love, Nita reveals a soft hearted character. He is a doctor for everyone including the animals in the village. Every year he offers to buy the old horse that will be sacrificed to capture a Condor for the festival. Gregory cares greatly for the people around him. He watches over a local teenager who had a very close relationship with Nita. The boy is a bit of a misfit and trouble seems to follow him everywhere. He is innocent and not the best educated. Unfortunately, while traversing the hills he has stumbled onto another murder. Alberto finds the body of a woman who is strikingly similar in appearance to Nita. She is covered in Black Condor feathers, a fallen angel amidst the jungle floor. Gregory struggles to understand the significance of the costumed corpse as his grief is resurrected from the unusual likeness to Nita. The mysterious death of this woman causes controversy as the town struggles to explain the events. Superstition replaces logic as fear about the unsolved murders resonate.
Time moves forward and we catch up to the story as the next festival begins. American characters are introduced into the story characterized as two pilgrims searching for adventure. Sophie, a mother who worries too much. She is a reluctant sidekick to her brash young son as they seek out a trip to remember. They are both beautiful people in their own right. Finn catches the fancy of many a lady and Sophie has a striking resemblance to Nita. They arrive at the time the town festival is about to take place and the townsfolk as well as the supernatural are shaken by their arrival. The two Americans have a similar heart to Gregory and a deep appreciation for the environment around them. They find the pagan ritual less than appealing. This causes a clash not only of culture but of philosophy. Murder increases in the wake of their distress and the supernatural finds opportunity to reach out for help in stopping further bloodshed.
Jennifer Skutelsky is an author who should be watched closely. Her prose are masterful and beautiful. Readers will find layers upon layers of symbolism embedded into the narrative that will drive their subconscious into depths of undiscovered emotion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reading and rereading paragraphs to absorb the beauty of the author’s written word. The visuals are far from overblown and effortlessly caress you as you venture through Skutelsky’s storyline. Amazing.
December 16, 2015
Love and betrayal served on a hefty slice of karma
In the Andean mountains, preparations are underway for Independence Day in tiny Colibri. Dr. Gregory Moreno, still mourning his late wife, dreads the holiday without his Nita. A young man finds an angel in the mountains – a dead woman – with wings sewn to her newly inked skin.
The authorities are taken with the woman's resemblance to the late Nita. Superstition, rumor, and suspicion swirl around this murder. Then, another woman is abducted, and this woman also resembles the doctor’s departed wife.
With the mayor prepping for the festival, the job of sleuthing falls to the doctor, though he is reluctant to accept the call to action.
This is a story to savor. So much of what goes on in small towns is captured here in loving yet suspenseful detail. There are several enduring themes here and I especially like the condors circling in the sky, reminding me of the endlessly spinning wheels in small communities.
Love and betrayal are served up on a hefty slice of karma. This story will stay with you long after you stop turning the pages.
Maggie Toussaint and Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews
In the Andean mountains, preparations are underway for Independence Day in tiny Colibri. Dr. Gregory Moreno, still mourning his late wife, dreads the holiday without his Nita. A young man finds an angel in the mountains – a dead woman – with wings sewn to her newly inked skin.
The authorities are taken with the woman's resemblance to the late Nita. Superstition, rumor, and suspicion swirl around this murder. Then, another woman is abducted, and this woman also resembles the doctor’s departed wife.
With the mayor prepping for the festival, the job of sleuthing falls to the doctor, though he is reluctant to accept the call to action.
This is a story to savor. So much of what goes on in small towns is captured here in loving yet suspenseful detail. There are several enduring themes here and I especially like the condors circling in the sky, reminding me of the endlessly spinning wheels in small communities.
Love and betrayal are served up on a hefty slice of karma. This story will stay with you long after you stop turning the pages.
Maggie Toussaint and Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews
December 10, 2015
This novel impressed me immediately. On a sentence level, the writing is skilled--haunting and lovely and effortless. The story enraptured me with compelling scenery and convincing characters. Though a few--Sophie in particular--were underutilized and under-explored, in my opinion, Rufo and Gregory and Alberto were fascinating enough to carry the book. I'd definitely support the comparison to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A little magic, a little strangeness, a few events that simply cannot be explained, illuminating a dark backdrop of human madness, cruelty, corruption, and betrayal.
Most of all, I'd recommend the feel of this book. The plot itself offers some easily predictable twists, but the plot isn't the sole "point" of the novel. Its quick and smooth progression underscores its own secondary importance. The characters, and the unseen forces pushing the events forward, are the stars of the show.
Most of all, I'd recommend the feel of this book. The plot itself offers some easily predictable twists, but the plot isn't the sole "point" of the novel. Its quick and smooth progression underscores its own secondary importance. The characters, and the unseen forces pushing the events forward, are the stars of the show.
March 15, 2016
I did not enjoy this. This is the story of the last days of a small town high in the Andes clinging to the worst of their cultural heritage. When I think of South American cultural heritage I think of dancing, pottery, cooking, piercings, tattoos, and good booze. What we have here is animal sacrifice presented ignobly and garishly. I'd like to say that the author made this up, like she made up the town, but I can't because Peruvians still do shit like this.
Sigh. Not a proud moment for me, a Latina.
The storyline is a ghostly telenovela set against lazy alcoholic cops, American turistas, and regime change. The best I can say is that the writing was good but I did not enjoy it.
Sigh. Not a proud moment for me, a Latina.
The storyline is a ghostly telenovela set against lazy alcoholic cops, American turistas, and regime change. The best I can say is that the writing was good but I did not enjoy it.
December 21, 2015
This book really does have all of the elements to create a gothic tale.
At times I hated the book and others I couldn't stop reading. This isn't a book you can haphazardly read. I found myself stopping and going back to retread because it is written poetically.
At times I hated the book and others I couldn't stop reading. This isn't a book you can haphazardly read. I found myself stopping and going back to retread because it is written poetically.
January 24, 2021
This was a struggle to get invested in.
While the story line is unique in a gruesome way, I couldn't really get into it much and found it all a bit strange and disjointed.
While the story line is unique in a gruesome way, I couldn't really get into it much and found it all a bit strange and disjointed.
March 27, 2025
Bezva kniha na dovolenou. napínavá, tajuplná, odehrává se v prostředí hor a lesū Jižní Ameriky. Magie stromů, zvířat a zvyky lidí se prolínají v lásce k přírodě.
May 15, 2016
This novel is unlike anything I've read before. Grave of Hummingbirds is like entering a fever dream where you're never sure if you're fully awake or asleep, where one moment moves with fluidity to the next, where dreams and reality collide. Add to it Skutelsky's haunting prose set amidst a small village in the Andes, with its unfamiliar settings, landscape, and heritage, and you have one immensely satisfying journey.
Exploring an ancient tradition that only takes place in the small mountain village of Colibri, a vacationing Sophie and her son Finn become caught up in much more than folklore and village rituals. Murder, mysteries, kidnappings and more set these two on a path that collides with the past and present.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the way it was told. This could have been a very standard thriller, its twists and turns brought under the construct of a regimented blueprint we've all seen before. Instead, Skutelsky weaves a complex puzzle, ignoring genres and instead allowing the story to unfold with an ethereal poignancy. It's an amazing accomplishment and I'm excited to see where the author takes her writing next. Highly recommended for something that's a far cry from your typical novel.
Exploring an ancient tradition that only takes place in the small mountain village of Colibri, a vacationing Sophie and her son Finn become caught up in much more than folklore and village rituals. Murder, mysteries, kidnappings and more set these two on a path that collides with the past and present.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the way it was told. This could have been a very standard thriller, its twists and turns brought under the construct of a regimented blueprint we've all seen before. Instead, Skutelsky weaves a complex puzzle, ignoring genres and instead allowing the story to unfold with an ethereal poignancy. It's an amazing accomplishment and I'm excited to see where the author takes her writing next. Highly recommended for something that's a far cry from your typical novel.
January 22, 2016
Review: GRAVE OF HUMMINGBIRDS by Jennifer Skutelsky
Outside a village high in the Andean mountains, a young man with a mind much younger than his years discovers the corpse of an "Angel": a female with feathers and condor wings. She notably resembles the late wife of the local physician, who has just discovered a pharmaceutical burglary at his clinic. Clearly the tattooed, mutilated, corpse is a message--but from whom and to whom? The corrupt local version of law enforcement? The local guerrillas who've traded land reform for drug crops? The doctor who constantly grieves his passionate-natured late wife? The shepherd boy and his llama who found the "Angel" and for two days read to her, hoping for resuscitation or resurrection?
Atmospherically I was reminded of both Paulo Coelho and Carlos Castaneda, but that is not to compare: GRAVE OF HUMMINGBIRDS stands on its own merits.
Outside a village high in the Andean mountains, a young man with a mind much younger than his years discovers the corpse of an "Angel": a female with feathers and condor wings. She notably resembles the late wife of the local physician, who has just discovered a pharmaceutical burglary at his clinic. Clearly the tattooed, mutilated, corpse is a message--but from whom and to whom? The corrupt local version of law enforcement? The local guerrillas who've traded land reform for drug crops? The doctor who constantly grieves his passionate-natured late wife? The shepherd boy and his llama who found the "Angel" and for two days read to her, hoping for resuscitation or resurrection?
Atmospherically I was reminded of both Paulo Coelho and Carlos Castaneda, but that is not to compare: GRAVE OF HUMMINGBIRDS stands on its own merits.
February 11, 2016
Haunting, gritty and beautifully original
This is one of my favorite books of the past year. The lyrical quality of Skutelsky's prose alone makes this worth the read. But the story is imbued with a daring imagination. The story captures the enchantment of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Colombia, giving us ghosts and magical realism, while mixing in the horrific realities of modern-day atrocities. Defying categorization, this would work as a crime thriller (the central crime is shocking but impressively original), a ghost story, a mystery, a romance, and a coming of age character study. A modern fable that weaves grisly murders with the humanity of local custom and a family trying to find themselves, this is the sort of book that provokes discussion. Bring it to your book club and have fun peeling back the layers.
This is one of my favorite books of the past year. The lyrical quality of Skutelsky's prose alone makes this worth the read. But the story is imbued with a daring imagination. The story captures the enchantment of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Colombia, giving us ghosts and magical realism, while mixing in the horrific realities of modern-day atrocities. Defying categorization, this would work as a crime thriller (the central crime is shocking but impressively original), a ghost story, a mystery, a romance, and a coming of age character study. A modern fable that weaves grisly murders with the humanity of local custom and a family trying to find themselves, this is the sort of book that provokes discussion. Bring it to your book club and have fun peeling back the layers.
December 28, 2015
I guess I was a bit confused for a large part of the novel, looking for the magical and haunted elements. When they finally came, by way of Finn and Sophie I think halfway through the book, the magic (seeing things, the hummingbird) was unbelievable and seemed very odd and out of place. I still have no idea why the hummingbird even appeared at all. I also thought the political part about torture and humane treatment was pretty random too.
However, I was really surprised at the ending and who the killer was revealed to be. That part of the book, the part revolving around the family drama and inner thoughts, that part I understood and enjoyed reading the mystery.
However, I was really surprised at the ending and who the killer was revealed to be. That part of the book, the part revolving around the family drama and inner thoughts, that part I understood and enjoyed reading the mystery.
February 28, 2016
This is a beautifully dreamy book, due to Ms. Skutelsky's poetic wording. It is a mystery at heart, with a side of ghost story (for which that and the animal connections you just have to suspend your disbelief.) I couldn't put it down, as the pace of the book starts slow in that hot jungle, but intensifies as secrets are revealed. I have to say that I never saw that end coming and the more I think about it the more I like it. Gregory, Alberto, Sophie, and Finn will be haunting me for a bit, though I'm going to my best to not think about the condors or the horse. Great. Now I'm thinking of them :/
October 13, 2018
Velice zajímavá kniha. Kdo by to byl řekl, že se do dvě stě stránek dá vecpat detektivka, magický realismus i společenský román. Všechny složky spolu ale krásně ladí a kvalitě jen nahrává působivý autorčin rukopis plný kudrlinek, metafor a bezvadně vykresleného prostředí. Knihy s magickými prvky nebo ty, odehrávající se v Jižní Americe, u mě vždycky sklidí úspěch; no a když v jediné knížečce najdu kombinaci obojího? :)
January 7, 2016
While the story started off interesting, it ultimately became muddled and lost my interest. There were too many eye roll worthy moments and I got tired of everyone falling for the same woman. The characters could have been more developed so that I could have cared a bit more. All in all a lackluster story with adequate prose.
January 15, 2016
I won this novel in a goodreads drawing.
A Cuban trained doctor in an Andean country finds the body of a woman who resembles his dead wife. The body has black angel wings sewn into her shoulders.
It's written in a lyrical fashion, so of an imitation magical realism novel. Not really my cup of tea.
A Cuban trained doctor in an Andean country finds the body of a woman who resembles his dead wife. The body has black angel wings sewn into her shoulders.
It's written in a lyrical fashion, so of an imitation magical realism novel. Not really my cup of tea.
March 29, 2017
Interesting book I found on Kindle Unlimited when trying to find a book set in Peru. This book had some supernatural suspense to it that I was not expecting. It was a very good read.
March 11, 2018
Ugh
I was somewhat enjoying the book until the Americans showed up to save the town. When white people try to write magical realism but time it in to law and order. Blah.
I was somewhat enjoying the book until the Americans showed up to save the town. When white people try to write magical realism but time it in to law and order. Blah.
July 27, 2020
I'm just really not sure what the point was. I read 20% and nothing of interest had happened. A grisly murder and a guy moseying around, daydreaming about his dead wife. There was no action or premise or forward motion. Yawnfest.
December 31, 2017
Beautiful and heart-wrenching, infused with the magical realism of South America. Very well written, spare but poetic. I thoroughly enjoyed!
February 12, 2016
So, another free Kindle book from Amazon Prime, and I wonder what their strategy is. If they are trying to generate word of mouth, they need to get better books than this. This was a strange mishmash of magicalism, mystery, episode of "Criminal Minds", ghost story, love story, and social commentary. None of it worked. The book takes place in a village in the country of "Pajaro" (around Bolivia or something I guess) which is so remote it doesn't have a hotel and maintains these ancient traditions, but somehow everyone in this backwater speaks English. A 17 year-old character agrees that "his ballet training would have to wait" to remain where his mother is nearly killed. Really? Do you know how hard it is to be a ballet dancer? And you will give up your prime years to waste away in some weird country where people sew condor wings on dead bodies? Maybe because he has developed the ability to commune with condors and pumas? (I kid you not). Maybe we should label this "magic un-realism" because I didn't buy a single part of the plot, or believe in a single character (living, dead, or ghost, animal or person, American or Pajaron).
December 17, 2015
I read Grave of Hummingbirds by Jennifer Skutelsky as an Amazon First selection for the month of December.
Described as a "thriller" by Amazon, Grave details the journey of a young man, Finn, and his mother, Sophie, on an exotic vacation, where they plan to witness a local, controversial ceremony involving tying a condor to the back of a bull. Upon their arrival, however, they are drawn into the town's history of mysterious deaths and omens, culminating with Sophie's disappearance into the night. With the help of a local doctor, Finn sets out to find his mother and, of course, stumbles upon numerous horrors along the way.
While the jacket summary makes this novel sound intriguing and exciting, it fell far short of its description due largely in part to its plodding prose and muddled story line. The basic premise certainly has potential, but with barely any character development and several jarring narrative switches, it is not one that I would recommend to someone looking for a strong, cohesive page-turner to keep him or herself occupied through the night.
Described as a "thriller" by Amazon, Grave details the journey of a young man, Finn, and his mother, Sophie, on an exotic vacation, where they plan to witness a local, controversial ceremony involving tying a condor to the back of a bull. Upon their arrival, however, they are drawn into the town's history of mysterious deaths and omens, culminating with Sophie's disappearance into the night. With the help of a local doctor, Finn sets out to find his mother and, of course, stumbles upon numerous horrors along the way.
While the jacket summary makes this novel sound intriguing and exciting, it fell far short of its description due largely in part to its plodding prose and muddled story line. The basic premise certainly has potential, but with barely any character development and several jarring narrative switches, it is not one that I would recommend to someone looking for a strong, cohesive page-turner to keep him or herself occupied through the night.
February 18, 2016
Grave of Hummingbirds is a book about secrets and rituals in the high Andean village of Colibri. Though beautifully written, the characters remain too distant to resonate with the reader. As if surrounded by mountain fog, they never reveal who they really are. And when the reader can see through the haze, the images are not as they appear.
The promised hummingbirds aren’t truly present, unless you count the spirits of the dead. Condors, on the other hand, are omnipresent. They soar, watching the land beneath. The boy shoots one; the doctor tends the bird’s wounds. But who will tend his? Nita is dead; her angel is Gabriela. American innocents stumble into Skutelsky’s mystic soup; Sophie, a forensic anthropologist, and her son Finn whose sensory ability takes him into the heads of pumas and condors. To what purpose? Only tragedy. Such is the tenor of the story.
I rate the book 4 stars largely on the basis of its compelling prose.
The promised hummingbirds aren’t truly present, unless you count the spirits of the dead. Condors, on the other hand, are omnipresent. They soar, watching the land beneath. The boy shoots one; the doctor tends the bird’s wounds. But who will tend his? Nita is dead; her angel is Gabriela. American innocents stumble into Skutelsky’s mystic soup; Sophie, a forensic anthropologist, and her son Finn whose sensory ability takes him into the heads of pumas and condors. To what purpose? Only tragedy. Such is the tenor of the story.
I rate the book 4 stars largely on the basis of its compelling prose.
May 8, 2016
I didn't have any expectations for this book when I started reading it. I seem to have picked it up as a free Kindle download from Amazon several months ago. I didn't even know the genre when I started reading it.
The book had a lot of atmosphere. The environment, the animals, the town, even the food, were written about beautifully. But the characters failed to connect - there was no real emotional development in this book. No impact.
I don't feel like I wasted my time - I felt interested enough to finish, and the reading was enjoyable. But overall, this book is fairly forgettable. I didn't dislike it. More like ambivalence bordering on liking it.
The book had a lot of atmosphere. The environment, the animals, the town, even the food, were written about beautifully. But the characters failed to connect - there was no real emotional development in this book. No impact.
I don't feel like I wasted my time - I felt interested enough to finish, and the reading was enjoyable. But overall, this book is fairly forgettable. I didn't dislike it. More like ambivalence bordering on liking it.
June 27, 2018
Pokud máte pocit, že dnešní thrillery jsou si všechny podobné a myslíte si, že vás už nic nedokáže překvapit, zkuste Hrob kolibříka, ve kterém se dokonale snoubí magický realismus s detektivní zápletkou. Děj se odehrává kdesi v Latinské Americe, v zemi, kterou ovlivnila diktatura tak moc, že ani nastupující demokracie nic nezmůže. V knize nechybí magické motivy, zaryté a dlouholeté tradice, u kterých vám bude rozum stát, kde vzduch je tak řídký, že způsobuje halucinace. Nechte se unášet na vlnách úžasných popisů tamní fauny a flóry a dechberoucích přírodních scenérií.
January 18, 2016
This was a surprisingly good book! I received it as a kindle first. There was a bit of a slow, confused start, but the author's writing was good so I pushed on. So glad that I did! Once the author started describing the Sophie character, I was hooked. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars
January 27, 2016
I'll admit I have an affinity for books involving Latin culture, but throw some ghosts into the mix, and I'll inhale it. Beautiful to read, intriguing characters, short and sweet.
August 16, 2023
hruza des
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