Jonathan’s review of Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett, #1) > Likes and Comments

This is my current favorite of his many masterpieces. Well said.

This entire series is fantastic!

Would you believe I've had this one on my reader the longest of times? After loving Boy's Life I was floored (not in a good way) by Swan Song and I haven't really recovered yet...

Thoroughly enjoyable review of an outstanding read.

I've only made it halfway through one book by this author, and had to quit because it was the darkest thing I had ever read Swan Song.) Phew! Is it all super dark?

Jenny, no. Boy's Life is one of the most uplifting, beautiful books I've ever read. I highly recommend it.

Brian wrote: "This is my current favorite of his many masterpieces. Well said."

Thanks, Brian! I appreciate it and am not a bit surprised you loved this book. It's amazing.

Charlene wrote: "This entire series is fantastic!"

I can't wait to read the rest, Charlene! After I read BOY'S LIFE. :-)

Thomas wrote: "Would you believe I've had this one on my reader the longest of times? After loving Boy's Life I was floored (not in a good way) by Swan Song and I haven't really recovered yet..."

Really? I have heard BOY'S LIFE is amazing. I'm curious why you didn't dig SWAN SONG (you're the first of two people in the thread who haven't liked it). Totally cool, of course. Just curious. :-)

(I do think you'd go wild over SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD.)

Zoeytron wrote: "Thoroughly enjoyable review of an outstanding read."

Thank you, Zoeytron! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in my love for it. :-)

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I've only made it halfway through one book by this author, and had to quit because it was the darkest thing I had ever read Swan Song.) Phew! Is it all super dark?"

Hey, Jenny! I'd say...well, it's not nearly as dark as SWAN SONG, though there is CERTAINLY quite a bit of darkness in it. I think you'd dig SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD.

Charlene wrote: "Jenny, no. Boy's Life is one of the most uplifting, beautiful books I've ever read. I highly recommend it."

Soon, Charlene. Soon.

Friggin loved this book and now starting book 2 Queen of Bedlam

Jonathan wrote: "Really? I have heard BOY'S LIFE is amazing. I'm curious why you didn't dig SWAN SONG (you're the first of two people in the thread who haven't liked it).

..."

I adored Boy's Life, it was one of those I never wanted to end!

Swan Song did not work so well for me, I had trouble picturing the post-nuclear apocalyptic world. Even if I'm happy to participate in a little make-believe no matter the level of explanation such as, say, a story with werewolves in it, I found it hard to grasp the unexplained survival of a few people and animals of this one. Also, I though the entire imagery of the book to feel very cardboard b-movie set. And I'm not talking "Steel Dawn", but rather "Exterminators of the Year 3000". Add to that that is was brutally long and had that "Dirk Pitt"-ending...

Thomas wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Really? I have heard BOY'S LIFE is amazing. I'm curious why you didn't dig SWAN SONG (you're the first of two people in the thread who haven't liked it).

..."

I adored Boy's Lif..."

You know, even though the book worked really well for me, I have to admit to understanding your criticism really well. Full disclosure: I actually began the novel, put it down for nearly two years, then picked it up and ended up falling in love with it. I felt much as you did in the early moments of the story; add to that the fact that I didn't much care for several of the characters (early on), and it didn't seem worth the effort of fighting through.

Compounding all this was the problem of my still reading primarily print books at that point, which meant lying next to my wife at night with an unruly fat paperback and a book light that wouldn't cooperate. It was about that time that I began to read more digital, which is how I eventually finished (and loved SWAN SONG).

And I loved your werewolf comment, by the way. :-)

Great review, I'm sold... been putting it off, but now will definitely read this!

Natalie wrote: "Great review, I'm sold... been putting it off, but now will definitely read this!"

Awesome, Natalie. I think you'll enjoy it. McCammon is a true artist and craftsman.

Paddy wrote: "Hadn't heard of this book til now thanks to Goodreads app. Synopsis looks good but your review was the clincher!
Will definitely get a copy as soon as I can.
Thanks!"

Awesome, Paddy. Sorry for the late response, and I hope you dig the book.

Have read other Robert McCammon books. Loved Kali's Song.

Maybe you're thinking of Song of Kali by Dan Simmons?
Song of Kali

I have The Five in my stack. How does that rank up to his others? I didn't care for Swan Song. He's written some great short stories, though...

Lindsay wrote: "Have read other Robert McCammon books. Loved Kali's Song."

I've loved everything I've read by McCammon. Sorry for the late reply!

Char wrote: "Maybe you're thinking of Song of Kali by Dan Simmons?
Song of Kali"

That's a great book too.

Brian wrote: "I have The Five in my stack. How does that rank up to his others? I didn't care for Swan Song. He's written some great short stories, though..."

Sorry for the late reply, Brian. I've not read THE FIVE, but the readers I know who've read it have liked it. It's certainly on my radar.

Loved your review. Thank you.

Tabby wrote: "Loved your review. Thank you."

Thank YOU, Tabby!

Wow. That’s a dick move Leslie.

Char wrote: "Wow. That’s a dick move Leslie."

I agree, Char. Like who the hell is she?? It's one thing to say I disagree, and move on; but its another to be disrespectful.

Leslie wrote: "Good lord, write the review like a normal person next time. This is worse than the gif bloggers."

L

Great review Jonathan, I was about to add it straight to the TBR, but then I saw your comment about Song of Kali, which was probably the most terrifying book I've ever read, and at the end just tore my heart to shreds. I'm wondering if this is as bleak as that one?

Jonathan, this is a GREAT review.
As for Leslie...little girl, is your life so empty you need to criticize reviews now? You know, they say the people who lack the skill and creativity to write their own stories become overly critical. I see you are fairly new to this site, so I'll give you some free advice:
Pick your battles.

Great review :) what is “The Five” mentioned in some of your previous comments?

I really want to read THE FIVE. I'm so thankful I have quite a few McCammons still to read, including this one.

I heartily agree with your review. You couldn't be more correct.

One of my favorite authors. Definitely a good read. I’ve review

One of my favorite series of all time. Amazing stuff.

Great, fun review, and I agree, this series requires exclusivity.

Jonathan wrote: "I really want to read THE FIVE. I'm so thankful I have quite a few McCammons still to read, including this one."

'The Five' was fantastic one of his best! If you haven't read this yet I hop you will enjoy it.

Scott wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "I really want to read THE FIVE. I'm so thankful I have quite a few McCammons still to read, including this one."

'The Five' was fantastic one of his best! If you haven't read this..."

I've gotta read that one. I hear it's excellent!

Cheryl wrote: "Great, fun review, and I agree, this series requires exclusivity."

Thanks , Cheryl!

Jon wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time. Amazing stuff."

Truly amazing!

Rose wrote: "One of my favorite authors. Definitely a good read. I’ve review"

Glad we both love McCammon. He's incredible!

Saurabh wrote: "I heartily agree with your review. You couldn't be more correct."

Thank you, Saurabh!

I enjoyed reading your review of Speaks the Nightbird so much, I want to read YOUR books and short stories now. Well done!

Susan wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review of Speaks the Nightbird so much, I want to read YOUR books and short stories now. Well done!"

Wow, Susan, thank you so much! I hope you dig my stuff. If you like it half as much as I love McCammon, it'll be well worth it. :-)

Thanks again, and have a good one!

I am starting this novel now

Stephen wrote: "I am starting this novel now"

Great decision!

Jonathan wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I am starting this novel now"

Great decision!"

Fabulous book,thoroughly enjoying.

While I absolutely respect Jonathan’s opinion (not to mention enjoy his writing) I kind of regret that I commented on this review as I get all these updates. (yes I understand I can turn them off somehow! not on my phone app though). This is just because I kind of felt, a little bit, you know, as the book was, not all that great, but rather, a bloated, masturbatory, self indulgent and pretentious piece of crap. You know, I’d just be happy for one commenter, anyone to kind of agree and I would feel less disconnected from the world. I other words - please tell me I’m not alone in hating this.