Challenge Corner discussion

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.

Ooo I have this BR too!!

Uh, I meant book lol not BR. How am I not awake after two cups of coffee ?!?!

lol Yay!!! Hopefully you can join us!

I'm finally trying to catch up! Starting this one in a few!

25% / 32 chapters

this one is (view spoiler)[ definitely taking a looooong route to getting started. I forgetting the letter came from a barista....I feel like we're so off course

the break down of society and the eco-threat is frightening and makes me catch and hold my breath every time he brings it up

I love this author - I've read so much of his stuff
but this story has got to get moving lol (hide spoiler)]

Ugh I'm getting behind on BRs but I swear I will start this one SOON.

50% / 57 chapters

(view spoiler)[ it got really moving for a minute there - the gun, the white handkerchief, searching the apartment and dodging her work
but it's slowing down a bit as she's searching again

I wonder who this guy in the wig is. and poor Larry and Allie

and her poor husband and daughter who wonder if she is stepping out on them. Yikes.

the gun is still kind of freaky (hide spoiler)]

75% / 81 chapters

this book is taking me so long to read....lol

(view spoiler)[ I can't believe where her life has come. she used to have a successful career, a semi-happy family life and....a house, car, phone, clothes, a few friends, etc. NOOOOOW she has.....a rented crappy houseboat and.....a crappy car she just stole off a woman who's husband she watched get killed. also her boss was tortured and nearly killed, Ally is missing and Larry died didn't he? It doesn't seem like it was worth it.
and the salamander doesn't seem to have the meaning she thought it would. I have no idea where this story is going.... (hide spoiler)]

I'm done. this book was tiring

(view spoiler)[ sooooooooo.....all that....all that
at least she found it
at least she knew the code
at least she left that last note for her daughter
at least she saw her husband one last time

the rest....was it worth it? (hide spoiler)]

this one was weird

Oh man.

Starting this now!

Prologue?!?!: (view spoiler)[Okay, a weird beginning.. but okay. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Still weird but slightly interesting. I just kind of wish the pace was a bit faster because this is dragging so much for me. I'm just really bored and want something to happen to capture my attention... but so far no such luck. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[What the hell just happened??!? I feel like each part so far will have like an interesting chapter or two. Or like something will catch my eye but then it's over so quickly. I'm just really bored with everything that's happening and it's all just weird to my brain. I guess the only good thing so far is the short chapters.. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "25% / 32 chapters ..."

Yes, I agree this is getting tougher and tougher to get through.

Trisha wrote: "50% / 57 chapters..."

I wish the pace was more consistent because I'm just sitting here bored.

Trisha wrote: "75% / 81 chapters

this book is taking me so long to read....lol..."

Honestly, I like that the chapters are so short but my brain hurts so much while reading this. It just doesn't make sense one bit. So weird.

Part 3: (view spoiler)[I'm honestly so confused lol. People never seem to truly die in this book. Or at least some people don't. The little reunion between her and her husband was just all kinds of awkward. Also with her dad and his new wife. Not sure how this going to end but I have zero expectations. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[What the hell did I just read... I just feel like I'm so confused about it all. I don't even think whatever she went through was really worth it.. ugh, my brain hurts. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

omg yes(view spoiler)[ sooo slooow soooo confusing
overly wordy and overly....I don't know, convoluted. I felt like there were whole sections of fight scenes that were just unnecessary and whole sections of her on the run that were fluff too.....it wasn't a long book but it felt like it was 600+ pages!! (hide spoiler)]

so glad you made it to the end!!!

Trisha wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

omg yes..."

I'm just happy we somehow both made it through this book lol