The Republic of Birds

Jessica Miller’s recent book The Republic of Birds is a wonderfully written tale that takes place in a fantastical world full of magic and emotion. The Oblomov’s lives are uprooted when the Tsarina decides to send them into exile, and it seems like it can’t get any worse until Olga’s sister is kidnapped by birds, leaving Olga, determined to bring her back.

Olga Oblomov begins a journey to the Republic to save her sister Mira after she is kidnapped by birds. Along her way, she runs into other yagas like herself at a school called Bleak Steppe, which guides and teaches her how to perfect her magic. Using her cartography book, Olga makes her way into the Republic; but not before being captured by birds. While climbing the mountains separating the Republic from the rest of Tsaretsvo, Olga falls, and before hitting the ground, is caught by birds and taken to their queen, Ptashka. Ptashka offers Olga Mira in exchange for the single thing that caused the War in the Skies, the thing that was hidden in the Unmappable Blank to be kept away from power-hungry rulers like her – the firebird’s egg.

This story was an incredible, and fast-paced adventure that keeps readers interested from beginning to end. I think this story will appeal to readers age eight up; I hope they enjoy it as much as I did. It is powerful and intriguing.