Nightbird by Alice Hoffman
A work of modern folklore set in the Berkshires, where rumors of a winged beast draw in as much tourism as the town’s famed apple orchards. Twig lives in a remote area of town with her mysterious brother and her mother; a new girl in town might just be Twig’s first true friend, and an ally in vanquishing an ancient family curse.
My Thoughts:
This is my fourth #Boutofbooks read this week. I’m starting my fifth book today and may or may not manage to fit it all in today. I’m starting Disclaimer by Renee Knight.
As you can see from the cover of Nightbird, it’s classed as a ‘middle grade’ read. I picked it up from NetGalley as I liked the sound of it and I fancied something light and magical after the raft of crime books I’ve read recently.
It was just that; light and magical. It was also really sensory. Hoffman manages to pull you in to the small town and the families she is telling you about with the smells of baking pies, so sweet and delicious your mouth waters.
Twig is a lovely and intelligent girl who feels confined by her overprotective mother who is hiding a secret, but a secret that Twig knows about and is also keeping. Things start to unravel as you’d expect when new neighbours move in next door. Twig and the girl of the same age instantly click and become close friends, but it’s hard for Twig as she has become so isolated, she finds friendship a difficult path to navigate.
The pair of girls decide they are going to help their families and the town and try to figure out how to reverse a 200-year-old curse.
I haven’t read anything by Hoffman before but it seems she is a prolific and notable writer and this is evident in Nightbird. It is an endearing, sensory, magical escape which I loved for a few hours. And if you have no problems just letting yourself escape into such a world, then I’d recommend it. It reminded me a little of Neil Gaiman’s, The Graveyard Book. (Another book I’d recommend if you want to escape the read world.)
This copy was from NetGalley so I want to thank them, the publisher and author for my copy. Nightbird will be available on 26th February.
Susan Mann says
soumds magical. Might get this to read with my boys x
Rebecca Bradley says
I think they’d enjoy it.
Margot Kinberg says
It sounds like a great read for young people, Rebecca! And I respect anyone who writes books that engages young readers.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a beautiful book for young readers Margot. And this old reader enjoyed it as well 🙂
Jacqui Murray says
Sounds like good topics for middle school kids. Thanks for sharing this.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is aimed at middle school children. This big kid here enjoyed it as well though 🙂