Of Black Flags and Devil Birds
Of Black Flags and Devil Birds by Christopher Robertson is a wildly imaginative blend of prehistoric creatures and swashbuckling adventurers that delivers a unique premise sure to capture the interest of readers looking for something truly out of the ordinary - it certainly captured me that way. Robertson deserves praise for the sheer creativity of the setting—a world where time itself seems to unravel (quite literally), allowing dinosaurs to roam on an island alongside pirates and cannibals. This inventive backdrop is where the book truly shines, offering a fresh take on both genres and presenting an endless array of possibilities for action and intrigue.
I appreciate the historical accuracy in depicting pirate life. Robertson clearly put in the effort to research the period, seamlessly incorporating details about pirate culture, seafaring practices, and even the nuances of pirate codes and governance - and their dialect (more on that in a bit). The dinosaurs, while obviously a work of fiction due to time travel shenanigans, are described with a surprising amount of detail. Many people would opt for the Jurassic Park lizards instead of the more accurate chicken references, so I'm a massive fan of the rather accurate term of "the devil's own chicken" when faced with a raptor. Yay for feathers!
However, despite these strong points, this book stumbles when it comes to execution, particularly in the writing style and narrative structure. One of the most glaring issues is the overwhelming use of written-out dialects. While dialects can add authenticity and flavor to characters, in this case, they’re overdone to the point of distraction. Many characters speak in such heavy dialects that it becomes a chore to decipher their dialogue, breaking the immersion and making it difficult to follow the story. This choice might have been intended to enhance the atmosphere, but it ultimately detracts from the reading experience, turning what could be an engaging tale into a frustrating exercise in translation. The little vocab list at the end of the book does nothing to help with this. The amount of times not even context told me what Bucky was saying...
Another major flaw is the rapid shift in perspectives between the vast cast of characters. The number of perspectives wasn't so much the problem here, but the constant back and forth sometimes without even a hint of a shift in the same chapter. I had to take more than one double take to figure out in whose head I am. It results in a chaotic and disjointed narrative. Just as you begin to settle into one character’s story, the focus abruptly shifts to another, often without clear transitions. This constant bouncing between perspectives not only disrupts the flow but also makes it challenging to develop a strong connection with any one character. I was only interested in the villain of the story but not because I had time to settle with him. I liked him because he did the most badass things. Rooting for the british admiral in a pirate story? Whoops.
Let's speak about plot, or rather the lack thereof, the book seems to suffer from a case of too much going on and yet not enough direction. The concept of pirates and dinosaurs colliding in a time-bending adventure is fantastic, but the narrative lacks a clear, cohesive plot to anchor all the action. Instead, the story meanders through various set pieces and character interactions without ever building towards a satisfying climax or resolution. The result is a series of entertaining moments that never quite come together to form a compelling whole. Just like the cast, who is constantly splitting up so we can see more set pieces and more dinosaurs in this pirate story.
In summary, Of Black Flags and Devil Birds is a book with an exceptional premise and impressive attention to historical detail, but it’s hampered by excessive dialects, erratic shifts in perspective, and a weak, unfocused plot. It’s a novel that might appeal to readers who are willing to wade through its flaws to enjoy the unique setting, but for me personally, these issues proved too frustrating to overlook.
titsay
turnnoffyourmind
origamiaround
2087
areudirty
