Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

A human apocalypse seen through the eyes of a crow.

Feathered ones, except penguins and turkeys because they’re fucking morrons, have wonderful memories—not sure why elephants get all the damn credit. 

Something’s wrong with all the humans. S.T., a crow hand-raised by an anti-social man, finds said man suddenly acting odd and then murderous. S.T. and his sidekick, a bloodhound named Dennis, go looking for help for their bipedal companion. 

In the streets of Seattle there are more murderous humans. Wild animals invade previously civilized or domestic spaces. Domestic animals aren’t thriving. Trees and wild birds have their own respective whisper networks. 

Writing from the perspective of an animal is hard. But characterizing a crow as foul-mouthed and suspicious is believable. This book won’t be for the pedantic. It’s for fun and excitement. Don’t take it more seriously than it takes itself. Laugh a little. Then google the very real and interesting lives of the crows in the Seattle area. They are fascinating and Buxton clearly respects them.

Despite the humor and occasional gore, underpinning this romp through Seattle streets is an examination of the extinction of humankind and what we’d leave behind: beloved pets, majestic buildings, and shameful trash. The boundaries of civilization would crumble as the wilderness absorbed it all. 

Geographical Link:  Seattle, WA | Publisher: Grand Central Publishing| Published: 2019