OrnithologistsΒ Professor Beth Pickering and her charming rival Professor Devon LockleyΒ each hope to become Birder of the Year 1890. From the start in Spain among tea services and luggage-porters as they attempt to catch a pileated deathwhistler in the wild, to the rarefied corridors of universities, the two lead us on a merry chase. THE ORNITHOLOGISTβS FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE takes two utterly besotted young people β besotted with birds, that is β and pits them in a contest against Britainβs best birders.
Β
The prize includes a large sum of money and the golden ticket of university tenure, which would mean less need to be polite to arrogant senior fellows. To win this, they have to prove their mettle and skills, by capturing an endangered caladrius bird. Some eagle-eyed readers will have spotted that these birds are not to be found in the regular guides. Alas, they are magical creatures, resident in this alternate, slightly steampunk world. Like the deathwhistler, the whopper swan, and the giant carnivorous moa of New Zealand, the unusual avians are endangered and possessed of thaumaturgic magic. This is dangerous.Β
Β
I definitely had a good time, with birds capable of melting railway tracks causing transport delays, burly French fishermen resenting their vessel being commandeered, and sneaky rivals willing to run down the competition with a carriage. Throughout, Beth is keen to maintain standards and demonstrate good manners. At times this did slow down the action, but I guess life was like that in Victorian times.
Β
A similar series is The Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan, who gave us The Natural History of Dragons just as it should have been. If you enjoyed that one, this new series Loveβs Academic will suit you nicely. The second book features geography because itβs widely known that thaumaturgy resides in certain rocks, earth and strata as well. India Holton has peopled her story with larger-than-life characters, to boo and to cheer, but we can always tell the good people because they want to preserve the rare birds. THE ORNITHOLOGISTβS FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE does contain some adult content and a little swearing, so Iβd recommend it to fantasy fans of mature teen years or adults. The only problem is, I want the magical birds to be real.
Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.
Beth Pickering is on the verge of finally capturing the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley swoops in, capturing both her bird and her imagination like a villain. Albeit a handsome and charming villain, but that's beside the point. As someone highly educated in the ruthless discipline of ornithology, Beth knows trouble when she sees it, and she is determined to keep her distance from Devon.
For his part, Devon has never been more smitten than when he first set eyes on Professor Beth Pickering. She's so pretty, so polite, so capable of bringing down a fiery, deadly bird using only her wits. In other words, an angel. Devon understands he must not get close to her, however, since they're professional rivals.
When a competition to become Birder of the Year by capturing an endangered caladrius bird is announced, Beth and Devon are forced to team up to have any chance of winning. Now keeping their distance becomes a question of one bed or two. But they must take the risk, because fowl play is afoot, and they can't trust anyone else—for all may be fair in love and war, but this is ornithology.
© 2003-2026