In 'What We Fed to the Manticore,' animals take center stage as narrators of nine powerful stories that weave through the intricate tapestry of life on Earth. With the fidelity of a hound reflecting on the loss of a rhino he guarded, the searching gaze of vultures witnessing the cycle of life and death, the unyielding loyalty of a donkey in conflict-torn Gaza, and the unexpected friendship of a wounded pigeon in Delhi, author Talia Lakshmi Kolluri tenderly exposes the emotional landscapes of animals amidst environmental and human-made challenges. This debut collection shines a spotlight on the interconnectedness of life, reminding us that we are all part of a much grander, yet fragile, web.