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The Language of the Birds - by K a Merson (Hardcover)
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About this item
Highlights
- A gifted but idiosyncratic teenager must unlock fiendish puzzles, pore through occult texts, and unearth buried clues--all while reckoning with the outside world in ways she never has before--as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, YA/adult conspiracy thriller.
- About the Author: K. A. Merson is a vaguely reclusive writer who lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, along with a patient spouse, a malevolent boxer dog, and an Airstream trailer.
- 368 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Mystery & Detective
Description
About the Book
"A brilliant but solitary teenager must unlock ciphers, unearth buried clues, and reckon with the outside world as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, puzzle-filled mystery that will leave readers wondering where the truth ends and fiction begins"-- Provided by publisher.Book Synopsis
A gifted but idiosyncratic teenager must unlock fiendish puzzles, pore through occult texts, and unearth buried clues--all while reckoning with the outside world in ways she never has before--as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, YA/adult conspiracy thriller. When Arizona learns her mother's been kidnapped and finds a cryptic test accompanying the ransom note, she has no idea that she's just been enlisted in a treasure hunt, on the trail of an occult, centuries-old secret her father supposedly took to his grave. And if the prize at the end is real, it could shake the world. Following a trail of cryptic clues across the remote American West, Arizona must use her unique skills and confront her greatest fears, all while staying one step ahead of those working against her as she races toward the dark and dangerous secret that is The Language of the Birds. "A wondrous unstoppable read, knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, all starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman whose differences are her greatest gifts--and the keys to deciphering some very dark secrets."--Matthew Sullivan, bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore "A high-stakes treasure hunt and an intricate puzzle box of a novel filled with hope, history, and all kinds of heart."--Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player OneReview Quotes
"A thrilling page-turner full of heart and unforgettable characters . . . The Language of the Birds is a must-read for fans of puzzle books and intelligent suspense."--Meg Shaffer, bestselling author of The Wishing Game and The Lost Story "A high-stakes treasure hunt and an intricate puzzle box of a novel filled with hope, history, and all kinds of heart . . . a delight for readers who enjoy sifting through clues and poring over evidence alongside the hero, racing to see which of you can crack the mystery first."--Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player One "K. A. Merson has created a wondrous mystery that unlocks the mind and the heart. . . . A refreshing, unstoppable read, knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, all starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman whose differences are her greatest gifts--and the keys to deciphering some very dark secrets."--Matthew Sullivan, bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore "A mind-bending dive into the power of the puzzle . . . Sweeping across the American West, the story takes in ancient mythologies, classic literature, and sinister conspiracy theories to weave its own shade of magic. . . . A mystery, crime, adventure, and coming-of-age tale all wrapped up in a treasure of a book."--Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Twyford Code and The Appeal "This taut, engaging thriller has charm to burn, thanks to its literature-obsessed teenage codebreaker, Arizona, and her faithful hound, Mojo. . . . A puzzle box of delights."--Simon Wroe, author of Chop Chop
"Merson debuts with a fun, code-filled mystery . . . with a crackerjack ending. Dan Brown fans will enjoy themselves."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
K. A. Merson is a vaguely reclusive writer who lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, along with a patient spouse, a malevolent boxer dog, and an Airstream trailer.Dimensions (Overall): 9.2 Inches (H) x 6.2 Inches (W) x 1.3 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.05 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Theme: Amateur Sleuth
Format: Hardcover
Author: K a Merson
Language: English
Street Date: May 13, 2025
TCIN: 93251455
UPC: 9780593874523
Item Number (DPCI): 247-47-3964
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.3 inches length x 6.2 inches width x 9.2 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.05 pounds
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4.0 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
15 May, 2025
Intricate puzzling
Wow! This turned out to be far more intricate than I anticipated. It’s packed with cryptograms, riddles, and a mystery woven from history. I absolutely loved the main character, Arizona—she was refreshingly unique, and I really appreciated how the author brought her to life. It didn’t take long before I was rooting for her. While I enjoyed the premise of the story and the geographical journey it took me on, I quickly realized I wasn’t quite prepared for the complexity of the puzzle-solving. At times, I felt weighed down by the detailed decoding Arizona worked through. However, whenever the story shifted away from the ciphers, I was drawn back in. The ending delivered some great surprises, and Arizona’s character development was so compelling that I’d love to read more about her—ideally in a slightly less complex adventure next time!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
13 May, 2025
Exciting and Mind-boggling
I admire the author’s amount of research and brilliance for setting up a wild obstacle course that 17-year-old Arizona had to complete. It was like watching a James Bond movie where he’s doing the impossible. The setting made me want to follow along with travels to the rustic Bodie National State Park, the beautiful San Nicolas Island and the magnificent Hoover Dam in the SW.