Title: The Knight and the Butcherbird
Author: Alix E. Harrow
Pages: 40
Genre: Short Story, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Dystopian
New York Times bestselling author Alix E. Harrow weaves a dystopian fairy tale that follows the town storyteller as she struggles to protect a local demon from the knight hired to kill it.
In this gritty, haunting tale about doing whatever it takes for love, a small-town storyteller resolves to keep the local monster—and her own secrets—safe from a legendary knight.
Nestled deep in the steep hills, valleys, and surrounding woodlands lies Iron Hollow, a rural community beset by demons. Such horrors are common in the outlands, where most folks die young, if they don’t turn into monsters first. But what’s causing these transformations?
No one has the answer, not even the town’s oral historian, seventeen-year-old Shrike. And when a legendary knight is summoned to hunt down the latest beast to haunt their woods, Shrike has more reason than most to be concerned. Because that demon was her wife. And while Shrike is certain that May still recognizes her—that May is still human, somewhere beneath it all—she can’t prove it.
Determined to keep May safe, Shrike stalks the knight and his demon-hunting hawk through the recesses of the forest. But as they creep through toxic creeks and overgrown kudzu, Shrike realizes the knight has a secret of his own. And he’ll do anything to protect it.
Evenin’ brave bookworms!
I’ll be completely honest with you on this one, I had never read anything by Alix E. Harrow before I picked up this one on my Kindle. I don’t generally enjoy reading on my Kindle, however I thought I’d take a “boo” and see what was out there. I occasionally enjoy short stories and novellas and when I saw the cover of this one, well….I was hooked! I instantly downloaded and began my descent into the wonderful dystopian-fantasy crafted by Alix E. Harrow.
This is the kind you read when the house is quiet, no one is awake, and the shadows in the corners feel just a little bit darker than usual. That’s the mood I felt when I read The Knight and the Butcherbird.
And let me tell you something…..this one is strange in the best possible way. I couldn’t put it down!
From the very beginning, the story carries an eerie sense throughout, not overwhelming or in your face, but present enough to know it’s lurking there. The writing style feels almost like a folklore, as if the story itself has been passed down for generations, but in whispered hushed tones. The feeling that magic might still exist just beyond the edge of the path.
The author masterfully sets the scene, utilizing the desolate, remote wilderness to perfection in this dystopian-fantasy. The way the author combines the “old world” with the “new” is skillfully accomplished and it made a smile spread across my face every time I read those portions.
There are two main characters in this short story: the knight Sir John and the young town historian known as shrike.
Sir John is of the conclaves and he carries the weight of duty, expectation and a solitary existence for the most part. Even though he is considered legendary and privileged for being a knight of the conclaves, there is almost a worn strength and thoughtfulness about him. Just looking at him, you know that he has seen too many battles.
The Shrike, or otherwise named by Sir John as the butcherbird, is the polar opposite.
She is sharp, clever and a bit unsettling. There is an edge to her, almost feral and chaotic to be honest. She keeps you guessing with every decision she makes throughout the story. However, there is also a loyalty, protectiveness and hopefulness for those she loves.
The dynamic between the two is a palpable tension that you feel throughout the whole thing. It’s not a simple black and white tale or good versus evil or even hero versus villain. It’s more murky then you’d expect and I found that made the character dynamics interesting.
I also loved the authors take on “demons” in this story. It’s something I hadn’t read in a story like this before and I found it a breath of fresh air if I’m being truthful. I won’t spoil it, but when I read the climatic portion of this, I literally said out loud “So cool!” Maybe I’m just a nerd though!
I will say I enjoyed the fact that this short story doesn’t hold your hand, it trusts the reader to follow along without over-explaining everything. The plot, atmosphere and characters build naturally, which shows a strong confidence in the author’s writing.
I will be honest, this is definitely an atmospheric and character driven tale rather than a fast paced plot. Which for some, may not be your type of read.
The Knight and the Butcherbird is elegant and eerie at the same time. So, if you enjoy a dark folklore vibe, morally complicated characters and a story that feels like whispered legends in a dystopian world, then this one might be worth adding to your reading list.
Hope you enjoyed the review and until next time…
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