A Brand New Favorite - Hollow Kingdom Review

TITLE: Hollow Kingdom
AUTHOR: Kira Jane Buxton
PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing
PUBLISHING DATE: August 6, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: S.T., a domesticated crow, is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his owner Big Jim, trading insults with Seattle's wild crows (those idiots), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®. 

Then Big Jim's eyeball falls out of his head, and S.T. starts to feel like something isn't quite right. His most tried-and-true remedies--from beak-delivered beer to the slobbering affection of Big Jim's loyal but dim-witted dog, Dennis--fail to cure Big Jim's debilitating malady. S.T. is left with no choice but to abandon his old life and venture out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, where he discovers that the neighbors are devouring each other and the local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of dangerous new predators roaming Seattle. Humanity's extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a foul-mouthed crow whose knowledge of the world around him comes from his TV-watching education. 

Hollow Kingdom is a humorous, big-hearted, and boundlessly beautiful romp through the apocalypse and the world that comes after, where even a cowardly crow can become a hero. 

MY THOUGHTS: Go buy this book now! Seriously, you can't go fast enough. I need more people to share in my joy. I'll wait until get back. You think I'm joking???

I honestly don't know where to start with this review.  As you can probably tell, I clearly loved it and to be honest, the description above pretty much tells you all you need to know about the plot.  So let me just gush about the things I love.

First of all, this book, which is about the very tragic fall of man (of course I guess that depends on who you ask how tragic it is), is so full of humor that I laughed so much my husband thought I was losing my mind (also a possibility in our house).  S.T (short for S**T Turd) has lived with his owner and their bloodhound for many years.  Much of what he has learned has come from Big Jim, who can best be described as a good ole' boy, and television.  So needless to say, S.T. uses some pretty crude language but really doesn't understand how crude because he thinks it's normal.  For example, he believes the human race is called "mofo's" because that's all he's heard from Big Jim.  S.T. uses it as a term of endearment  - a lot.  He also quotes depression advertisements while trying to cheer up the family dog, Dennis and loves Cheetos and the Seattle Seahawks.

Secondly, there are animals EVERYWHERE.  You have crows, dogs (including Winnie the Poodle), cats (Genghis Cat), wolves, a whale, an octopus, orangutans, and numerous others.  They communicate among themselves using their own internet per se (aura for air, web for ground and echo for water).  Some are happy that the humans are disappearing, yet some, especially the "domestics" desperately want to save them.  However, S.T. is pissed off at the whole situation and he takes it upon himself to save the humans, and if that isn't possible, at least save the domestics left behind.

And lastly, the book is full of such wonderful friendships and characters.  Clearly S.T. has gotten annoyed by Dennis in the past, but when he sees how upset he is over Big Jim's demise, he takes him under his wing (pun intended).  He looks out for him and tries to teach him to survive in the new world. He loves him and tends to any wounds and comforts him when he is sad. Their friendship becomes so dear that S.T. actually becomes physically ill when he has to venture out on his own to see what is happening which leaves Dennis on the ground.

So have I convinced you yet?  I'll admit, I don't know that this book is for everyone.  It's crude at times and extremely sad at others (yes, I cried).  However, Buxton shares with her readers a commentary about mankind and other inhabitants of the world.  She has a way of painting a desolate view of the future with humor, wit, and emotion.  And just wait until you see what brought the humans down - classic.

I've seen a few interviews and there has been some mention that Buxton is not yet done with S.T.'s tale.  I honestly hope she isn't because I'm here to say I would pre-order a sequel sight unseen.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS (and more)

COYER CHALLENGE UPDATE: Read a book featuring an animal prominently in the story.