Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton Published by Grand Central Publishing on August 6 2019
Genres: Adult, Post apocalyptic
Pages: 308
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: Purchased
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The nitty-gritty: The zombie apocalypse meets Watership Down in Kira Jane Buxton’s glorious, emotional and hysterically funny debut. This book will change the way you think about animals, life and death, and may even give you a deeper appreciation of Cheetos®
I fluttered my gular, hating the part of me that they recognized, desperately wanting to pluck off my wings and walk on two legs and have a limitless imagination. I was sick of being a patchwork of puzzle pieces, parts of this and bits of that. I was one color but not one thing. I wanted to be perceived, to look and sound and act, like I felt inside. Like a MoFo.
Hollow Kingdom did not hit my radar until it was already out in the world, and so for the first time all year, I read a book months past its release date, not a review book but one I purchased. And let me tell you, of all the books I read this year, this one has enriched my life and opened my eyes more than any other. Kira Jane Buxton’s debut made me sob and laugh and yell out loud. I cursed her in one breath for doing something unthinkable, then praised her a moment later for writing one of the loveliest and heartfelt sentences I’ve ever read. Not all readers will have my experience, I’m sure, but if you are an animal lover like I am, I strongly suggest you give this a try. (Note: keep reading for some important trigger warnings)
The story is told by a domesticated crow named Shit Turd, or S.T. for short, who was raised by a man he calls Big Jim. S.T., Big Jim and his loyal bloodhound Dennis live a happy life together in Seattle, Washington, until one day Big Jim’s eyeball falls out. This alarming event heralds the beginning of the end of the human race, as S.T. and Dennis will soon find out. Because for some unknown reason, the human population has suddenly become zombies, and S.T. and Dennis are determined not only to discover the reason for humanity’s downfall, but to find a cure for it. Because S.T., as we will come to learn, loves humans (or “MoFos,” as Big Jim called people) and after being raised by one from infancy, considers himself to be a MoFo at heart.
S.T. and Dennis set out on a harrowing adventure through the streets of a still changing Seattle, determined at first to find a cure for Big Jim, and later to save the “domestics,” or all the pet dogs, cats and birds who are trapped in their houses with no MoFos to feed them. Their journey will take them past clusters of zombie MoFos, through the Seattle Aquarium, and even into the bowels of the Woodland Park Zoo, where the animals have escaped their enclosures and are roaming free in the city. S.T.’s mission soon becomes one of survival, as he and Dennis are threatened on all sides by MoFos, tigers, and even a rival group of crows. As S.T. gradually comes to accept that life will never be the same again, he must make a choice: try to remain a crow who thinks he is human, or evolve with the changing world around him.
S.T. is a simply wonderful creation. He’s a crow who loves humans and everything about them. Raised on a diet of TV shows and Cymbalta commercials, Big Jim’s dubious words of wisdom about the world, and Cheetos®, S.T. revels in his domestic life. He even remembers the last words that Big Jim spoke to him before the eyeball incident, “Shit Turd, you are one crazy MoFo,” and he’s proud of those words, because deep down, S.T. feels like a human. And S.T. is everything that is good about humanity. He cares deeply for those he loves, he wants to save those who need saving, and he’s the best kind of optimist, one who looks at the terrible things that have happened to the world and still believes that life is worth living and fighting for. He’s also laugh-out-loud funny. He swears like a sailor, but it’s the kind of swearing that young children do to mimic their parents. He doesn’t know swearing is bad, it’s just the way MoFos talk.
And then there is Dennis, the goofy bloodhound who will go anywhere with S.T. We don’t get to hear his thoughts, but it doesn’t matter because S.T. perfectly captures Dennis’ joyful, loving qualities and makes us fall in love with him. We meet plenty of other animals, like an African Grey named Ghubari, a large group of crows that hang around the Bothell campus at the University of Washington who S.T. calls the “college crows,” a wise octopus named Onida, and a Pomeranian named Cinnamon. Each of these characters gives S.T. a new piece of life wisdom and helps him on his journey. I was also fascinated by Buxton’s creation of an “internet” of sorts among the animal world, and we even discover that trees have their own way of communicating.
Despite the humor, readers should keep in mind that this is a zombie story. It’s full of macabre scenes and disgusting descriptions of decomposing bodies, piles of body parts strewn about, and pools of blood. There are some terrible scenes where wild animals are attacking, killing and eating each other. And despite my own optimism that the characters I love so much will surely make it to the end of the story, I’m sorry to say that didn’t always happen. There are some hard deaths in this story, I’m not going to lie. Buxton knows how to hit, hard, and I’m still aching from one of her more forceful blows. But looking back now, I think maybe these decisions were necessary, if not for me personally, at least for the successful outcome of the story.
We get some glimpses into the rest of the world, which is also suffering the same fate. In brief chapters, Buxton gives us the perspectives of a host of other animals, like a polar bear at the North Pole, a camel in Dubai, a herd of elephants, and even of a couple of other domestics in Seattle who are confused and trapped in their homes. Eventually we learn why the zombie apocalypse happened, although Buxton doesn’t go into much detail. Some readers may be frustrated at the lack of answers, but for me, the whys and hows weren’t as important as S.T.’s journey.
This is a cruel book in many ways, but it’s also a wonderful, emotional reading experience. There are devastating moments of sadness and death, balanced out by the miracles of life and side-splitting humor. I’ve never read a book quite like this, and I’m certain it will be a long time before something this unique comes along again. S.T.’s observations about humans will remind you just how precious life is, which if you think about it, is quite a feat, considering S.T. isn’t really human. The ending surprised and delighted me and gave me goosebumps, and I was so happy that the author ended her story on a hopeful note. Readers who appreciate stellar writing, colorful characters, and the heartbreaking and joyful moments in life will be dazzled by Hollow Kingdom. Highly recommended.
Trigger warnings: animal deaths, gore, violence.
Hollow Kingdom sounds incredibly imaginative. I want to read it!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…December To-Do’s for Writers
It’s SO imaginative, unlike anything else I’ve read:-)
Okay, wow. This has been popping up on my Amazon recommendations for a couple of months now and I never looked into it. Your review is amazing — I need to read this book!
Yes you do! Thanks Lisa:-)
Fabulous review!
Thanks Paul:-)
Wow, sounds like an awesome book! Right up my alley.
Hope you get the chance to read it, you won’t regret it!
This is an amazing review, Tammy. I loved reading it – it’s marvellous to hear so much passion and excitement for what sounds like an extraordinary book. Sadly, I don’t think it’s for me – not at present, anyway. Too deep into winter and low light levels to read something quite so hardcore and violent, given I’m such a wuss. But I will consider it next summer… Thank you for putting it on my radar!
Thank you Sarah! It’s ultimately so uplifting, despite some of the more gruesome parts. Definitely worth reading, even in summer:-)
Wow, high praise!
So amazing, Bonnie! Especially if you love animals and nature.
And here goes another enthusiastic – no, loving review of a book that has already caught my attention. Seeing the world – or its downfall – through the eyes of animals is not a new concept, but this novel seems to delve into these creatures’ *soul* to give us much more than a different point of view. And what you say about the high emotional content of the story only strengthens my impression of an amazing read.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Vorkosigan Saga: WINTERFAIR GIFTS, by Lois McMaster Bujold
It was so unique and emotional. And just reading the author’s writing makes me cry, it’s so lovely. I should have included more quote from the book because there were so many that moved me:-)
Okay, I need to read this! Great review, Tammy.
Thanks Lauren!
even though Zs are not my fav characters since I love apocalyptic tales I’ve learned to love them more and more 🙂 because yeaaaaah.. rotting corpses and gore woooohooo 🙂
[there is something wrong with me seriously :)]
You convinced me! I AM READING THIS ONE great review as usual Tammy!
It’s more about the animals and their journey than the zombies, the zombies are more background noise than anything else!
Well. I have to say the cutesy lime cover sort of put me off. But your review has convinced me. I am still kind of torn whether it sounds like the scary post apocalyptic zombie novel I love or more like a parody of that novel, but I’ll give it a try. Great review!
Yes, the cover definitely doesn’t convey the whole story, it makes it look like a middle grade book! It’s not really a parody, but told from a crow’s point of view, he sees zombies differently than we would. It’s really hard to describe this book, but all I can say is if you have spare time and want to read something unique and uplifting, this is a great choice.
I really loved this original book, too, Tammy, and your review of it captures it well! An unforgettable read!
Thanks Jennifer! I will be searching far and wide for another book that can give me the same feels:-)
My fave of the year….hands down.. Your review fully captured the beauty, and maliciousness of it all. I will never recover from the blow you speak.if, yet it remains a 5 star read. So glad you loved this.
I honestly was going to give A Boy and His Dog the top spot, but this might have knocked it down a bit! And yes, so weird that such a devastating thing could happen and yet I somehow forgave her and gave this 5 stars.
This one didn’t hit my radar until it was out in the world either, and I’m so glad I got to read it! I probably wouldn’t have given a second look if not for some of the wonderful reviews. Definitely the hidden gem of the year.
The cover definitely didn’t catch my attention, although after reading it I think it fits the story really well.
Oh wow, I love how unique this book sounds. I really want to meet Dennis and S.T. Great review, Tammy. You’ve convinced me that I need to read this one. 🙂
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Books from My Winter TBR I’m Most Excited For
S.T. is one of my favorite characters now:-) (And Dennis!)
I am SO TEMPTED to pick this one up even though my reading plate is pretty full, it sounds like it hits a lot of thing things I love. Great review, Tammy!
That’s exactly what I did. I threw aside my review books and just read this. I’m SO glad I did, it’s ended up on my best of the year list!
Wow! You’ve convinced this MoFo. This sounds like the right kind of quirky, something with heart, funny, but full of emotion and impact. Added to my list. Thanks much!
todd recently posted…The Inspiration of Books
Ha ha, all MoFos should read this!!
Yay for having the time to review a book you bought yourself! And wow, it sounds absolutely amazing. I love books which can bring you from the highest highs to the lowest lows and make you feel all the things. I am going to have to look into reading this one myself!
Olivia Roach recently posted…The Space We’re In [Book Review]
I’m just now hearing about this book but the more reviews of it I read, the more I want to get and read it. Sounds interesting, like one I might like too.
I will definitely pick this one up. All the great reviews I’ve read. Plus I have gift vouchers.
Lynn
This crow sounds like he has a really interesting psychology! The story sounds gripping. –I expect in real life humanity will come to a worse end, with eventual mass die-offs, and no crows to look out for us….
I love that this is a clever book about animals and on my home turf. Thanks.
This was highly recommended at Tattered Cover in Denver after it came out and has been on my wish list but I haven’t gotten to it yet. I’d love to win a copy of this one!
Great review. Interesting cover.
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