Lessons in Birdwatching

By: Honey Watson

Narrated by: Nathaniel Priestley

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A smart sci-fi epic interwoven with political intrigue; set on a dystopian world ravaged by a time-plague where a brutal murder will start a civil war.

Perfect for fans of Dune, A Memory Called Empire, and Ninefox Gambit.

During their temporary research post on Apech—a planet ravaged by a time distorting illness—Wilhelmina Ming and four other elite students of the Crysthian empire have witnessed such illogical brutality that they’ve resorted to psychedelic antidepressants and group sex to take the edge off. After a night of indulgence following a gruesome execution, they wake to find an oblique warning in the form of an impaled corpse dangling from the exterior of their residence.

When their subsequent investigation uncovers a web of collusion and conspiracy in the ranks of their own diplomatic corps, the envoys find themselves caught in the middle of a bloody civil war. As bodies pile up above ground, a deranged fanatic stokes an existential threat below, coaxing the embers of a forgotten god, and its temporal virus, to life.

File under: Science fiction. Timing is all. Amateur heroics. Body of God. Birdsong.

©2023 Honey Watson (P)2023 Angry Robot

Best debut in recent memory

What an incredible new, horrific, fun world to dive into. I don’t remember the last time I listened to a book like this. This book’s world feels so full and somehow real - while also being delightfully disorienting. I found myself laughing while simultaneously terrified. Had no idea what was coming next, and completely compelled to find out.

Regarding the narrator, I haven’t heard anything from Nathaniel Priestly before, but he is an absolute gem. Really nails the unnerving insouciance of an uncaring universe, while finding the moments of dark comedy and bringing them to life. What a book. Hope there’s more to come

An exceptional story that excels in audio form!

I heard a lot of buzz surrounding this book and was further intrigued when I listened to the audio sample, so I had to check it out upon release. Lessons in Birdwatching had me hooked from the start. While the plot is fairly complex, Watson doesn't bog us down in next-level scientific minutiae. The result is a compelling, well-paced narrative that finishes in a welcome 10-hour runtime, satisfying the listener while also leaving us wanting more. You can tell that the author is just getting started with regard to fleshing out this world, and that too is welcome. As a listener, I didn't experience the familiar Book 1 frustration of "where is this all going?" Instead, she tells a cohesive story and allows the world-building to happen organically. I can't wait to see where things go next.

One last thing... who is this narrator? He is GREAT. I hope that his star rises alongside the author culminating in a new, masterful sci-fi audiobook series!

Wow. This book is amazing and I can't put it down.

Lessons in Birdwatching is an incredible debut novel from Honey Watson. You are immediately transplanted in a world of mystery, hope, and wonder where nothing is as it seems. Watson's unique ability to present a sci-fi world full of enigma without inundating the reader with mindless sci-fi jargon and boggy high tech explanations is a breath of fresh air. The story, driven by a slew of well thought out and emotionally deep characters, will have you at the edge of your seat, wondering what fantastical development will come next, and it never disappoints. Watson's mastery of the English language is on full display, giving the reader picturesque descriptions of another world and making it feel like home.
The narrator, Nathaniel Priesley, could not have been a better selection. His take on the characters and story help bring you in even deeper into Watsons crazy, yet delightful world. I would highly recommend this book to anyone I know and will definitely be reading this again as soon as I finish posting this review.

Devastating and incredible

This was my best read of 2023. The blend of sci-fi and cosmic horror was well-done, and the writing was precision-tuned. I can't wait for the sequel!

Incoherent and gross

The publishers summary tells you more about the storyline than you’ll get from listening to the book. The dialog is bad, the characters are shallow and the plot is thin. Add to that a lot of unnecessary graphic grossness that serves no purpose other than to be ‘dark’ and you end up with ten hours of ick. The narrator did a decent job so there’s that.