Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge

I once read that the cuckoo leaves its eggs in other birds’ nests to avoid the effort of raising its own young. Imagine the duped bird’s shock to find that the egg hatched into some other species!

And so in Cuckoo Song, young Triss wonders if she is a cuckoo among the crows. She’s just had an accident that no one wants to talk about, but she knows she’s changed. For one thing, her memories are hazy and detached. For another, she is so hungry all the time…

This book was like a giant jigsaw puzzle for Triss to solve. A mollycoddling possessive mother. A rebellious angry kid sister who often runs away from home. A father who’s broken a dangerous bargain. Letters that still come in from a dead brother. The brother’s fiance who seems to call in snowfall. Dolls that speak. A shopkeeper who uses scissors as weaponry. Strangers who wear grey coats and are hard to describe.

Have I given away too much? I think not. *inserts evil grin*

Triss has to go through so much to figure out who she is or has become after the accident. Every time you think it can’t get worse, it really does. Every time you think that this is the end for Triss, it seems there’s one more round to go. Seriously, this is my first book by Hardinge and quite simply, she is the Master of the Plot.

The best part is that Hardinge also mixes in so much empathy and insight about the human condition —

‘Life isn’t that simple. People aren’t that simple. You can’t cut them into slices like a cake, then throw away the bits you don’t like. The Triss who was kind about the frog and the Triss who spoilt your birthday – they’re the same person.’

Somehow the safety of another person, a smaller person, had been thrust into her hands. It frightened her. She wondered if mothers felt scared at having so much power over their children. Perhaps they did. Perhaps they wished there was somebody to tell them if they were doing things wrong.

‘The letter about my son’s passing had arrived that morning … I went out, and walked through the streets without seeing them. I do not expect you to understand, but sometimes grief has a terrible energy …’ He trailed off.

This book is extraordinary. It’s middle grade fiction, and definitely for younger audience (ages 9 & above), but don’t let that stop you. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop — it’s really perfect for whenever you are commuting or standing in queues.

The book also isn’t hard core horror / nightmare material, but if you’re looking for Eerie and Dark with lots of heart, then go read Cuckoo Song. Or gift it to the youngsters in your life, they’ll thank you.

Rating: 8.5 of 10 — Highly Recommended

Have you read Cuckoo Song? Did you manage to read any spooky books for Halloween month or #RIP XVI Challenge? Tell me about it!