I have a passion for books set in slightly altered versions of our own. While I love the high fantasy of The Lord of the Rings, I adore the world bending of A Discovery of Witches and Emily Wilde. In the latest book coming out this week from India Holton, we are introduced to a world much like our own, but one in which Ornithology is a dominant concern, and the birds they study are far more magical than our own. The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love introduces us to Dr Beth Pickering and Professor Devon Lockley, in a delightful historical parody romcom.
The scene for this enemies to lovers tale is set within the first few pages, when Beth and fellow Ornithologist, Hippolyta Spiffington Quirm, are on the verge of capturing the rare deathwhistler bird. As they are on the brink of success the bird (and the glory) is stolen away by Devon Lockley and Klaus Oberhufter. Devon succeeds in stealing both the bird and Beth’s imagination, as much to her chagrin, the handsome and charming villain begins to occupy her thoughts. As professional rivals, they both understand that they must not draw closer to each other, but both of them are captivated by the other
Ornithology is a cutthroat and villainous world, and Beth soon finds herself trading in one backstabbing partner for another, Devon Lockley himself. The International Ornithology Society (IOS) has announced a competition to capture the highly elusive and endangered caladrius bird. Circumstances initially throw them together, but a greater plot is afoot. The IOS is engineering the entire competition to bring itself more fame and encourage the next generation of Ornithologists to enlist. They have decided that the media story is best served by throwing Beth and Devon together wherever possible, be it in two beds or one.
The pair are not witless however and learn of the plan quickly enough, playing along just enough that they can protect the birds they love and the person they are starting to care far too much about.
All is fair in love and war, but this is Ornithology.
This is one of the most enticing love stories I have read of late. The characters presented are very Darcy and Elizabeth-like, as all good enemies to lovers should be. Devon’s demeanor and reputation mask the man within who needs only the love of a good woman to emerge. While Beth’s intelligence and skill will take her far, but leave her wanting something. To be clear, Beth is not lacking for anything, only that her attraction to Devon fills a part of her she was not aware of before.
He found her beautiful, to be sure, but she was also fun, and interesting, and he liked her equally as much as he felt in love with her.
Holton writes wonderfully engaging characters, from our protagonists, to the agents of the IOS, to the street boy that is unnamed but recruited by the society to advance their end game. The book comes with a frontispiece to guide you on these delightful people. Gabriel Tennat is described as a grumpy cousin, Klaus Oberhufter is listed as “a stain on the noble name of beak bagger” while Mrs Hassan is simply listed as “coincidental”. As Devon and Beth make their way around the country, they encounter all sorts of characters, and Holton paints each one lovingly, making for a wonderful patchwork of personality, and a fascinating deep dive into the characters of the United Kingdom.
The birds themselves are utterly delightful, whether they are simply beautiful such as the rainbow ostrich of South America, or terrifying as the deadly rabid flesh-eating lapwing. Not enough time is spent describing the subjects of this world of Ornithology, and while the book does not lack because of that, I personally would love to see a companion piece describing the denizens of this new feathered world.
The story takes us from the wilds of Spain, to the streets of Calais, and then across the British countryside, all with a subtle Edwardian feeling of gentility and society at the edges of the tale. Never mind that the parasols the ladies carry serve as “go-go-gadget” helicopters to get them out of trouble, as long as tea is observed at the proper time. The juxtaposition of technology and high society, of birding and Machiavellian plotting, is delightful, and Holton masterfully weaves the odd pairings together in a unique setting that only makes me want to spend more time in this world. Though preferably far away from the lapwing.
India Holton lives in New Zealand and is the author of The League of Gentlewomen Witches, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, and The Secret Service of Tea and Treason. The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is being released this week by Berkley Romance. GeekMom received a copy of this book for review purposes.
