The Republic of Birds by Jessica Miller
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922268044.
(Age: Primary school students) Olga and her family have been exiled
to an inhospitable outpost due to her father's inability to
successfully complete the Sky Metro transport system in the capital
city. The move is labelled a promotion, but it is all too clear that
their father has been punished and moved to cold and dangerous
lands, where he needs to deal with the growing tension between
humans and birds.
Olga's younger sister Mira is the darling of the family and her
dancing delights and entertains everyone. Their actress stepmother
is suffering by being away from the social life of the city and her
audiences.
Olga displays jealously and annoyance towards her sister, but it is
only when Mira is kidnapped by the large birds that she realises her
love for Mira and knows she alone must complete her rescue.
This journey for Olga becomes one of self-discovery as she uncovers
her real abilities, becomes involved with the magical yagas and
understands why she has a deep attachment to cartography and
explorers.
There are aspects of this novel I really enjoyed, Olga's developing
magical skills, the descriptions of the yagas and their chicken
legged homes and the meeting with her personal hero, a long-lost
explorer but there were parts of this story that I felt were not
developed fully.
Olga's visit to the Bleak Steppe Finishing School for Girls of
Unusual Ability seemed to be rushed and didn't provide the depth of
learning and skill that Olga needed to complete her quest. The
journey from ordinary to magical was hurried and I felt unconvinced
that Olga had the talents to complete her adventure.
More time was needed to develop Olga's character and her quest which
would have made the story more exciting and believable.
This novel, inspired by Russian folklore, would be suitable for
primary students who enjoy fantasy stories. Teacher's
notes are available.
Jane Moore