I always think about the friends that I made in my adult life when I think about found family. Surprisingly enough, I don't read about found family often but it will always have a special place in my heart because it's truly a gift to be able to grow a family outside of the one that courses through your veins. I believe that's why The Vanished Birds by Simon Jiminez struck a chord with me like no other. 

I was going into this story thinking it was going to be your normal science fiction read. There would be some action, some strife, some evil, and some triumphs. However, that seems rudimentary compared to what I read in this book. 

This story follows Nia Imani, a captain in Allied Space, who is just going through the motions of life. Until she meets a young boy with a broken past. Unbeknownst to her, this boy will be the start of her life. A life that would be filled with loss, pain, love, and hope. However, this story doesn't start with her nor does it just focus on her. There are so many characters sewn into her and the boy's story that they all become somewhat of an amalgamation of each other. You even get to know these characters on an individual level that packs such a potent punch, that you start to feel as though you're in the story with them. You begin to feel their every emotion as though it's your own. Jimenez unfolded such a powerful story about family and loss within these characters that I'd be doing this book a disservice if I rated it anything other than 5 stars. He put purpose behind every word in this book. 

I’m very conflicted on this book. I really struggled to get into the book: the first chapter really drew me in, but the first part of the book was much more difficult because it was much more removed and slower-paced than I typically enjoy. The characters and world building are built out so beautifully, which almost makes it hard to focus on Jimenez’s story at times. However, this is an incredibly written book and I guess I’m just left stewing in my own emotions. 

Beautiful, devastating, and brilliant. The Vanished Birds has a lot that I love: strong character development, an interesting multi-POV structure, and a clear anti-capitalist spirit.  This does not read like a debut novel; I can't wait to read more from Simon Jimenez.

This book was so imaginative, so beautifully written, it felt like I was in a dream every time I sat down to read. Jimenez's writing style is impeccable, he really draws you in with the ethereal prose and keeps you interested with the intriguing setting, lovable characters, and mysterious twists. I really really enjoyed this book, its everything I want in a sci-fi story: not mind-numbingly complicated with millennia-long backstories and lore, and not overly simplistic with a cheap futuristic "wash". The themes were very relevant to modern day, making this "future" of humanity seem realistic and grounded, but unique enough to feel fresh and tense.

I think the only reason I wouldn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were portions of the book that were just a little too languid for my tastes, most notably the ending. Although I can see what the author was going for- trying to steadily ramp up the tension and build to a moment where you weren't sure what would happen- but unfortunately the build up was a bit drawn out which caused the conclusion to just not hit as hard and it should have. 

Aside from that minor criticism, I'm so so glad I read this book and I can't wait to add Jimenez's other works to the TBR pile.  

very slow paced. 

this book had soo much potential to create incredible worlds out there in space. this entire book is about jumping around to other planets. what are these planets like? what are the animals like? are the people humans? any different kinds of flora/fauna than earth? instead we get taken to different worlds and all we are told is "this one has an ocean. this one has two red suns." maybe it wasn't the point of the book, but I thought it would have made the world building so much cooler. 

there were some paragraphs that could have been cut out from this book and we still would have gotten the same understanding. it does drag in some places more than it needs to. and I think the plot could have gone a lot deeper. I mean the whole middle of the book is just them waiting around...

also I hate nurse lol. love sartoris