What exactly is a rain heron, the fantastical creature at the heart of the Australian writer Arnott’s daring, atmospheric novel? Is it just a “fairy tale” or is it real — and why is the military so intent on tracking it down? But Ren, it turns out, has actually seen the rain heron and will be forced by a hardened officer named Zoe Harker to lead her to it. She is partially blinded by its talons and wounds Ren, who tries to stop her. The heron itself will wreak havoc on the landscape they cross to deliver it to the military.

Source: International New York Times March 23, 2021 09:00 UTC