Books by State: Washington

“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 (i.e. “those idiots”), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®.

But when Big Jim’s eyeball falls out of his head, S.T. starts to think something’s not quite right. His 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 suddenly discovers that the neighbors are devouring one other. Local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of Seattle’s dangerous new predators.

Humanity’s extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a cowardly crow whose only knowledge of the world comes from TV.

What could possibly go wrong?” — Summary from Amazon

This is an apocalyptic / zombie story like none other. The fall of humanity is recounted by the foul mouthed S.T. (short for Shit Turd), a domesticated crow who adores humans (known to most animals as “Hollows” but known to S.T. as “MoFos”). S.T. holds strong to his hope that at least one human may have evaded this disease that seemingly came from phones and other electronic devices which changed the humans into mindless, agressive monsters, some of whom have gone through horrifying physical evolutions in order to survive this new world. He starts off on his quest to find healthy MoFos with his friend Dennis, an extremely loveable bloodhound. They both eventually team up with the wild crows as well as all other animals who have survived, wild and domesticated alike. They’re goal now is simply survival.

This was a really fun take on the apocalyptic genre. It was incredibly funny at times and anxiety inducing at others. The deaths in this book hit hard because how can you not fall for talking animals full of hope and eagerness and spunk? Then to have them ripped away? Horrible. I definitely shed a few tears over a specific furry friend who really didn’t need to be killed off in my opinion. That’s the only warning though I’d give to someone before reading this book. I still think it’s worth it because the plot and the execution are fantastic. It really was a special ride, and I’m glad I took it.