Review: Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer

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Hummingbird Salamander

by Jeff VanderMeer

Narrated by Lisa Flanagan

Thanks to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for this gifted copy.

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Publish Date: April 6, 2021
Audiobook
11 hrs 35 min

Standalone
Genre: Science Fiction

From the author of Annihilation, a brilliant speculative thriller of dark conspiracy, endangered species, and the possible end of all things

Security consultant "Jane Smith" receives an envelope with a key to a storage unit that holds a taxidermied hummingbird and clues leading her to a taxidermied salamander. Silvina, the dead woman who left the note, is a reputed ecoterrorist and the daughter of an Argentine industrialist. By taking the hummingbird from the storage unit, Jane sets in motion a series of events that quickly spin beyond her control.

Soon, Jane and her family are in danger, with few allies to help her make sense of the true scope of the peril. Is the only way to safety to follow in Silvina's footsteps? Is it too late to stop? As she desperately seeks answers about why Silvina contacted her, time is running out--for her and possibly for the world.

Hummingbird Salamander is Jeff VanderMeer at his brilliant, cinematic best, wrapping profound questions about climate change, identity, and the world we live in into a tightly plotted thriller full of unexpected twists and elaborate conspiracy.

My Review:

I'm going to keep this review short. I'm utterly fascinated with this author's mind. Annihiliation hurt my brain in both book and movie form. I still don't know what happened in that book/movie and I can't get that time back, ever. 🤣 BUT, I know how brilliant this author is so I had to try this one - plus look at that cover! (Shiny thing).

Again, I leave with my brain hurting and feeling dumb. I'm so confused again as I walk away from this story as well. Jane gets a weird cryptic message ith a taxidermied hummingbird with clues leading to a taxidermied salamander. WHAT. There's more to the story of course but the plot moves with Jane and I cannot for the life of me see where she comes up with some of her logic and conclusions. I did enjoy the lesson I think I was supposed to take away in re to our ecosystem and our future on this planet. Maybe I'm just not smart enough for this author's work. 🤷

I think I realize that I'm just not the right audience for this author's work and that's ok. While it would be nice if we liked every book and every author we try, that just isn't realistic.

★★