With the elegant and lyrical THE UNBALANCING, R. B. Lemberg reveals the mythic Birdverse is populated by fascinating and memorable characters
Some two weeks before its actual release (though the book, both physical and digital, is currently available directly from Tachyon and other select outlets), R. B. Lemberg’s THE UNBALANCING is garnering plenty of attention with glowing reviews from Kristi Chadwick for Library Journal, Gary K. Wolfe in Locus, Infinite Text, and at Trans Narrative, L. A. Lanquist shares a moving, personal reflection on how the book affected him. Additionally, THE UNBALANCING merits inclusion in Arvyn Cerézo list for Book Riot 8 Notable Nonbinary SFF Books You Need to Check Out.
*SIGNED* copies of THE UNBALANCING are available for preorder from the fine folks at Raven Book Store.
Lemberg’s first full-length novel in their lauded “Birdverse” (following the novella THE FOUR PROFOUND WEAVES) showcases elegant and lyrical prose to create an immersive romantic fantasy.
Library Journal
While Lemberg’s prose can be as lilting and lovely as their poetry, the novel is not without a fair amount of wit; this is the Birdverse, after all, and the expletives of choice are ‘‘Pluck it!’’ and ‘‘Bird peck it!’’ That sort of dialogue, together with Lemberg’s sharp portrayal of the challenges of holding a relationship together, grounds the novel firmly in character despite the fanciful cosmology of its setting (though we do get some dramatic perorations as the crisis comes to a head). The Birdverse may be mythic in form, but it’s occupied by some fascinating and memorable characters we won’t soon forget, and whose problems subtly and wisely reflect our own.
Locus
Reading this book is like diving into the most beautiful language exploring various aspects of human possibility. Everything in this book is so fluid from the words, the setting itself, but also the characters–the way they think, the way they feel, and the way they present. The play on words feels like you’re inside a poet’s playground. The language has flow–it’s mellifluous.
Infinite Text
I should hope that the answer to this is obvious, since it impacted me so greatly, but to state it outright: yes, you should read this book. For those who are drowning in their own tangle of concerns like I have been for the past year and beyond, this story is a respite and a consolation. It will not fix your problems, because if such a thing was possible due to a single book, the publishing industry would be in a much more secure position and authors would get paid more. But it did make me cry, and it helped me to sort through my feelings, and it gave me the strength to write this post, despite being gone for so long without notice.
Trans Narrative
The book is challenging to read as it’s so dense, but the premise is that both characters are trying to save their city from a star, which also needs some saving. The book also explores nonbinary gender identities, which makes it well worth a read.
8 Notable Nonbinary SFF Books You Need to Check Out
