This novella takes place in the same post-apocalyptic world of Jeff Vandermeer‘s Novel “Borne” but tells an entirely separate story. This story is that of the Strange Bird, who is a form of biotech created for a purpose that it itself does not understand. It is set off on a mission across the blasted world, and it encounters the city that is further described in “Borne.” We meet some of the same characters that are in that novel, but this story stands alone. It is neither sequel nor prequel, although some events are seen through different points of view. After being helped by the foxes then later by Wick and Rachel, it sets off to complete its own purpose on a far shore. This story further rounds out the post biotech future world Jeff Vandermeer began introducing us to in “Borne.” It is a grim but interesting place. Like “Borne” I think it is as much fantasy as sci-fi, since the biotech employed seems more fantastic than realistic. However, in Jeff Vandermeer’s “New Weird” works the nuts and bolts aren’t the focus, it is the feel and the story. The reader goes along for the ride.