While this book is well written, not much of a story or plot is developed. Instead this book is chock full of introductions of species, why they have feathers, who doesn't like molting, pirates with starving kids, etc. Talk, talk, talk, endless chatting about scales, why someone became a chef, the differences between egg-mates and nest-mates, and so on. This book was one of those rare ones where I could not wait for it to end.
I'd nearly given up on this series given the writing style and story that seems stretched over far too many volumes. However I wanted to finish this book just to have it completed. now I'm glad I did as the story took a huge turn and is now suddenly interesting again! Yes, this means I'll be moving on to volume 12. 17 total volumes in the series so I may make it to the end yet!
I'm still hopeful to never read the word shriek again. Hope also looks to encounter no more alliterations of amazement at things that are bigger, better, worse, more terrifying, louder, thunderous, etc. than anything a character has ever seen, heard or experienced before in their life. That turn of phrase is getting a little tired.
Great retelling of an AT trail through hike. I think what fascinated me most was the recurring updates of other hikers that he met and re-set along the way, as well as the feel the reader gets for just how physically difficult this hike is. It's not something everyone can do, and taking the hike vicariously as a rapt reader I feel like I've lived part of the experience.