As many other reviews of this book have stated, this story will without doubt break your heart. Christy Lefteri has a writing style which has you captivated instantly. You feel an immediate affinity to each of the characters and Lefteri's story telling is so good that your heart will ache for each and every one of them for very different reasons. This is a tale of love, loss, hopefullness, hopelessness, racism and criminality which is equally gripping as it is heartwrenching. There is no question, this book will make you shed a tear on more than one occasion. The way that the fate of both humans and animals is portrayed is spellbinding. This is an absolute must read. I personally couldn't get enough of Songbirds and found myself many a night staying up into the wee hours not daring to put the book down as I was just dying to know more. Absolutely loved it.