HOUSE OF SPARROWS

Mayo offers a glimpse into a fictional world in which avian society governs all aspects of the afterlife.

Spizella Andromeda Pusilla Rochelle, known as “Spiz” to her friends, is a sparrow whose species is tasked with the conveyance of souls who haven’t yet crossed over to the world beyond. When Spiz is assigned to retrieve the soul of William Eduardo Compostela Estes, a philosophy professor who died in pursuit of his daughter’s killer, Spiz finds herself emotionally connected to him, to her surprise. Empathizing with William’s desire to avenge his child, yet fearing for the fate of his soul should he succeed, she allows him to remain in the mortal realm and even assumes a human form to assist him. But her growing, mutual love for William has a price, marking her as an enemy of her own avian society and ultimately drawing her into a war between free and enslaved birds. Meanwhile, with every passing moment in the mortal realm, William’s soul grows weaker and threatens to fade away for good. When Spiz is presented with a magical path that could prolong William’s soul-life by giving him part of her own, she faces an impossible decision: protect the person she loves and confine him to her world or risk losing her connection with him to the ravages of time. Mayo’s work is full of heart, and readers will quickly find themselves immersed in its vivid, magical landscape. It also has some clever details, such as the aviaries’ use of famous fast-food arches as the passage between two worlds “because they [are] plentiful.” However, it’s not the differences between the realms of the living world and the avian-centered afterlife but the similarities between them that will resonate with readers. Love, pride, courage, and unity reverberate throughout both worlds, positing that humans aren’t so different from their animal, or even otherworldly, brethren. The tale ends with an inspiring revelation about the future of one of its endearing characters that will leave readers eager for the next installment in the Hidden Aviaries series.

A compelling, imaginative story about the transformative power of love.