"All the Birds in the Sky" by Charlie Jane Anders is a thrilling blend of fantasy and science fiction centered on two lonely, bullied teens. Laurence is a geeky genius who unwittingly creates artificial intelligence, while shy Patricia is shocked to learn she can converse with birds. They become friends, until Laurence gets spooked by Patricia's otherworldly abilities (turns out she's a budding witch). Ten years later, the Earth is nearing an apocalyptic crossroads. Laurence and Patricia meet again as virtuosos in their respective arts, and resume a wary friendship that begins to grow. But their conflicting approaches to the crisis could doom the world they are trying to save. Can some combination of Laurence's science and Patricia's magic prevent the End? Prepare for a dazzling finale in a near-future San Francisco on the brink.
John Heidal, Shakopee
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