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The Snow Owl
Ben thinks his son’s talk of the magical kingdom of Lukana is just typical childhood imagination. But one winter day, when seven year-old Eric sculpts a snow owl in his backyard, he seems to set in motion events that cannot be anything but magical. Now Ben faces the terrifying prospect of losing his only child to a wintry spirit… a spirit that just might be the boy’s true father.
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2011
172 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
Jon Hartling
6 books9 followersJon Hartling had been writing aimlessly for many years before the stars aligned and he discovered his muse in the classic stories of H.P. Lovecraft. With the invaluable help of his wife Heather in an editorial and technical capacity, he began writing short stories of weird fiction. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and children and dreams of one day owning a plush Cthulhu doll that’s wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey and helmet. His demented cat Nikki may or may not be head-butting him at this very moment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 7, 2012
What a nice short story! I loved it!
Synopsis: A loving couple. She dies during child birth but not before she asks him for forgiveness. As soon as he sees the baby he realizes that she asked for forgiveness because the child is not his. He makes the heart wrenching decision to raise this child as his own. At seven this child sculpts a snow owl and sets in motion a series of magical events where he confirms that he is Prince of Lukana and he will be traveling there soon.
Again, this story was AWESOME! The writing was on point. The author did a really great job in creating the ambiance, the intrigue and even a better job at wrapping this story up. It really left me wanting more. In fact I started to look up other books this author wrote.
I will definitely read Jon Hartling's other stories as well as re-read this one.
I recommend you pick this FREEBIE up on Amazon for Kindle!!
Synopsis: A loving couple. She dies during child birth but not before she asks him for forgiveness. As soon as he sees the baby he realizes that she asked for forgiveness because the child is not his. He makes the heart wrenching decision to raise this child as his own. At seven this child sculpts a snow owl and sets in motion a series of magical events where he confirms that he is Prince of Lukana and he will be traveling there soon.
Again, this story was AWESOME! The writing was on point. The author did a really great job in creating the ambiance, the intrigue and even a better job at wrapping this story up. It really left me wanting more. In fact I started to look up other books this author wrote.
I will definitely read Jon Hartling's other stories as well as re-read this one.
I recommend you pick this FREEBIE up on Amazon for Kindle!!
January 6, 2012
Short story for the Kindle.
Jamie gives birth then suffers cardiac arrest. Her last words to Ben are, "I'm sorry." Ben is confused until he sees the baby. Eric is almost white-blond while Ben and Jamie are both dark.
Jamie loved winter and snow sports. Ben loves the summer. The couple often took vacations alone. Perhaps Jamie had an affair.
Eric loves the winter, too. He builds a snow owl in the backyard which seems to get more lifelike each night. Eric tells his father that when the owl is finished it will come to life and take him to his kingdom of Lukana.
Then the weather turns unseasonably warm.
Jamie gives birth then suffers cardiac arrest. Her last words to Ben are, "I'm sorry." Ben is confused until he sees the baby. Eric is almost white-blond while Ben and Jamie are both dark.
Jamie loved winter and snow sports. Ben loves the summer. The couple often took vacations alone. Perhaps Jamie had an affair.
Eric loves the winter, too. He builds a snow owl in the backyard which seems to get more lifelike each night. Eric tells his father that when the owl is finished it will come to life and take him to his kingdom of Lukana.
Then the weather turns unseasonably warm.
May 25, 2013
This book really made me think and wonder. I already knew for sure that kids see things that us adults have become too "old" and too skeptical to see (well, you adults, because me, I might be weird, but I'm glad that I still see some of these things), but this book made me even more sure than I already was.
For those of you who have children or work with children - you know the ones that have the really huge imaginations. What if they weren't just telling stories? What if they were telling the truth?
Don't let the length (11 pages) or the beginning cloud your judgment. It is worth the read (and it is another that is currently free on Amazon).
For those of you who have children or work with children - you know the ones that have the really huge imaginations. What if they weren't just telling stories? What if they were telling the truth?
Don't let the length (11 pages) or the beginning cloud your judgment. It is worth the read (and it is another that is currently free on Amazon).
December 15, 2012
This story is very short, and painfully so. The writer manages to capture perfectly the emotions of the story though.
I feel bad for the father, but understand his love and devotion. I feel bad for the son, and love his youthful vibrancy.
I'm amazed by the amount of story told in so few words, and can safely say, that in this particular story, the author has perfected what many authors can only dream of achieving...damn fine story Mr.
I feel bad for the father, but understand his love and devotion. I feel bad for the son, and love his youthful vibrancy.
I'm amazed by the amount of story told in so few words, and can safely say, that in this particular story, the author has perfected what many authors can only dream of achieving...damn fine story Mr.
September 30, 2011
Sorry. Although the concept was a good one, the story fell way short for me. There was little to no character development. I wanted more...a lot more!
December 26, 2012
This was kind of a disappointing story. I didn't realize it was so short. From the blurb I really expected it to go somewhere.
July 29, 2014
This was better than I thought it was going to be. I wasn't so sure about the owl part for a few minutes and the ending seems to be a little quick, but I like it. For a short story it is pretty dang good.
April 12, 2012
What to say, what to say.....
A very short story that felt more like a legend / fable / myth being retold. It wasn't bad but it wasnt riveting either.
Thank Goodness for Kindle dictionary because the author uses several words that you don't hear everday. Such as deleterious, loquacious,preternatural just to name a few. So I guess if I learned a few new words that must account for something :)
A very short story that felt more like a legend / fable / myth being retold. It wasn't bad but it wasnt riveting either.
Thank Goodness for Kindle dictionary because the author uses several words that you don't hear everday. Such as deleterious, loquacious,preternatural just to name a few. So I guess if I learned a few new words that must account for something :)
December 5, 2011
An amateur fantasy short story.
January 27, 2014
This is a short story, not a novel. It is very poorly written. It reads like an assignment for a community center "just for fun" creative writing class.
December 6, 2019
The Snow Owl
The Snow Owl by Jon Hartling just ended too soon. It is a great story about a couple and the wife becomes pregnant. When the boy is born she asks her husband for forgiveness just as she dies giving birth and he wonders why. At seven years old Eric goes out into the snow. His dad comes out and admires his snowman but Eric says it's a snow owl. For the next several nights dad stays up and watches actual snow owls swoop down to shape the snow structure in more detail. Eric says they doing that so it will come alive to carry him to Lukana because he is the lost Prince. When it's almost done the weather starts warming up. You will have to read the book to find out what happens.
The Snow Owl by Jon Hartling just ended too soon. It is a great story about a couple and the wife becomes pregnant. When the boy is born she asks her husband for forgiveness just as she dies giving birth and he wonders why. At seven years old Eric goes out into the snow. His dad comes out and admires his snowman but Eric says it's a snow owl. For the next several nights dad stays up and watches actual snow owls swoop down to shape the snow structure in more detail. Eric says they doing that so it will come alive to carry him to Lukana because he is the lost Prince. When it's almost done the weather starts warming up. You will have to read the book to find out what happens.
September 5, 2017
Great idea but...
Like some reviewers have said, the story has a strong beginning, but...it suddenly ends. For me as a reader, there were many unanswered questions.
I think it would have been much stronger and more interesting if the author had spent more time developing the story after the owl leaves.
I found the story disappointing but clearly many other readers enjoyed it given the many positive 4- or 5-star reviews.
Like some reviewers have said, the story has a strong beginning, but...it suddenly ends. For me as a reader, there were many unanswered questions.
I think it would have been much stronger and more interesting if the author had spent more time developing the story after the owl leaves.
I found the story disappointing but clearly many other readers enjoyed it given the many positive 4- or 5-star reviews.
December 29, 2021
Great read
This was a great short story that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I read them. I liked the fact that it was long but short enough to read in one sitting A+ to the author.
This was a great short story that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I read them. I liked the fact that it was long but short enough to read in one sitting A+ to the author.
December 6, 2016
Bleh
This was kind of a sad book and it was a very quick read. It should be read by 10yr olds to 12yr olds
This was kind of a sad book and it was a very quick read. It should be read by 10yr olds to 12yr olds
January 1, 2018
Quick read
Interesting short story about the birth of a son. It’s a very quick read, but I missed the point of the story.
Interesting short story about the birth of a son. It’s a very quick read, but I missed the point of the story.
July 25, 2022
Strange read, but refreshing.
January 20, 2023
???
It was a good story... the beginning of a good story anyway. I want to read more about what happens to Eric.
It was a good story... the beginning of a good story anyway. I want to read more about what happens to Eric.
November 16, 2017
This was my second read for #hohohorat
This is a warm holiday story that speaks of unselfish love. There is pain and fear but love threads throughout. I really enjoyed the charming aspect of what I would call a fairy tale.
I will look for other work by Jon Hartling as I enjoyed the writing style and imagination.
This is a warm holiday story that speaks of unselfish love. There is pain and fear but love threads throughout. I really enjoyed the charming aspect of what I would call a fairy tale.
I will look for other work by Jon Hartling as I enjoyed the writing style and imagination.
March 2, 2017
Almost crystalline elegance
This is a beautifully written tale, elegantly crafted to touch and warm the heart despite its frigid crystalline setting.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
This is a beautifully written tale, elegantly crafted to touch and warm the heart despite its frigid crystalline setting.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
January 9, 2014
Seven-year-old Eric has always had an active imagination and a fascination with snow and cold weather. Initially, his father Ben doesn't think that his son's talk of a magical kingdom known as Lukana is anything more than a little boy's typical childhood imagination. Ben, himself, prefers the summer, while his late wife Jamie - Eric's mother - loved the winter. Jamie died giving birth to Eric, but her final act in life was to apologize to Ben.
Ben never knew exactly why Jamie apologized to him, although he vowed to himself that as his son grew, Eric would always be loved. Then, one winter day, Eric sculpts a snow owl in the backyard. With such a simple and childish act, Eric unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that cannot possibly be anything but magical. Now Ben faces the terrifying prospect of losing his only child to a wintry spirit...a spirit that just might be the boy's true father.
I must say that I chose this book because I liked the cover. I also enjoy reading fantasy, and was curious to see how the story would eventually pan out. I give this story an A! - It was a quick and engaging read, and I look forward to reading more from Jon Hartling in the future.
Ben never knew exactly why Jamie apologized to him, although he vowed to himself that as his son grew, Eric would always be loved. Then, one winter day, Eric sculpts a snow owl in the backyard. With such a simple and childish act, Eric unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that cannot possibly be anything but magical. Now Ben faces the terrifying prospect of losing his only child to a wintry spirit...a spirit that just might be the boy's true father.
I must say that I chose this book because I liked the cover. I also enjoy reading fantasy, and was curious to see how the story would eventually pan out. I give this story an A! - It was a quick and engaging read, and I look forward to reading more from Jon Hartling in the future.
February 6, 2014
(reposted from Amazon.ca)
This story has a special meaning to me, despite my never having heard of it nor the author before downloading and reading it. My son was born in January, during a particularly cold winter. A few weeks before his arrival, I was driving down a lonely country side-road, when I came upon an "harfang des neiges," known in English as a "great snowy owl." It was the first time I had seen one in the Ottawa valley, despite regular sightings of falcons and eagles signifying an abundance of prey. He was enourmous, dwarfing the roadside mailbox he sat upon, with great white feathers covering talons the size of a human hand. As I approcached, we locked eyes, and, as I drove by, we both turned our heads until I could not. I almost drove off the road! In my rearview mirror I watched him watch me as I regained control and drove away, and, after several long seconds, he took flight and flew off towards the North.
I won't spoil the story, but I will highly recommend it. My only complaint, and the reason I rated it four stars instead of five, is that I wish it had been longer. Read "The Snow Owl", you won't regret it.
This story has a special meaning to me, despite my never having heard of it nor the author before downloading and reading it. My son was born in January, during a particularly cold winter. A few weeks before his arrival, I was driving down a lonely country side-road, when I came upon an "harfang des neiges," known in English as a "great snowy owl." It was the first time I had seen one in the Ottawa valley, despite regular sightings of falcons and eagles signifying an abundance of prey. He was enourmous, dwarfing the roadside mailbox he sat upon, with great white feathers covering talons the size of a human hand. As I approcached, we locked eyes, and, as I drove by, we both turned our heads until I could not. I almost drove off the road! In my rearview mirror I watched him watch me as I regained control and drove away, and, after several long seconds, he took flight and flew off towards the North.
I won't spoil the story, but I will highly recommend it. My only complaint, and the reason I rated it four stars instead of five, is that I wish it had been longer. Read "The Snow Owl", you won't regret it.
April 28, 2014
At first, I was disappointed that this is actually a short story, when I was anticipating a novel. That said, the story itself did not disappoint me, although it could easily have been made into a much longer story. I was left at the end feeling unsatisfied with the outcome.
This is a fantasy about a man with a remarkable son. At the beginning, we find out that this seemingly perfect marriage has its secret, and the son, Eric, is at the heart of that secret. I won't spoil the rest of the story.
Jon Hartling draws a beautiful picture of winter, and Eric's deep-rooted love of winter. The Snow Owls are Eric's "power animals", and they play a pivotal role in the outcome of Eric's life.
I will read more of Jon Hartling's work, because his idea was so beautiful, and his writing is clear and compelling. I only hope he will develop those ideas more, and give us enough of his wonderful characters' lives to leave us feeling satisfied when we reach the last page.
This is a fantasy about a man with a remarkable son. At the beginning, we find out that this seemingly perfect marriage has its secret, and the son, Eric, is at the heart of that secret. I won't spoil the rest of the story.
Jon Hartling draws a beautiful picture of winter, and Eric's deep-rooted love of winter. The Snow Owls are Eric's "power animals", and they play a pivotal role in the outcome of Eric's life.
I will read more of Jon Hartling's work, because his idea was so beautiful, and his writing is clear and compelling. I only hope he will develop those ideas more, and give us enough of his wonderful characters' lives to leave us feeling satisfied when we reach the last page.
January 3, 2012
A young mother dies in childbirth and begs her husband to forgive her and accept the child. He looks down at a child that can't possibly be his, and decides that he loved his wife enough to raise her child even if she was unfaithful once. The boy is a sunny, bright child with an unusual preference for cold weather and a great imagination that insists he can talk to owls .The young child tells his father that the owls are coming for him and that he is a long lost prince.
Despite the initial thoughts of non belief running through Eric's fathers head I liked how he listen to the boy and what he had to say and how the father set out to prove if what the boy was saying was true. It was a short but moving story with a magical flair and enjoyable this book could have ended with several different endings.
Despite the initial thoughts of non belief running through Eric's fathers head I liked how he listen to the boy and what he had to say and how the father set out to prove if what the boy was saying was true. It was a short but moving story with a magical flair and enjoyable this book could have ended with several different endings.
February 8, 2017
I got this for free on Amazon back in April of 2014 and kind of forgot about it, not gonna lie. Then a random power outage happened, and I got this one read. I was fascinated by the story and really wanted to have more. It felt like there was so much more to learn about Lukana.
January 4, 2012
If author Jon Hartling's presentation seems a bit puzzling, it's because he's a Lovecraft fan and is drawing his writing style from the 1920s. Although this clever short story doesn't have the more in-depth, personal perspective favored by modern writers, that doesn't detract from his realistic characters and smooth, subtle plotline. [SPOILER ALERT] I'd love to know what would have happened if the boy HAD been taken by the snow owl to Lukana, but that's a story for a longer book. [END SPOILER ALERT]
This short story is well edited and formatted, and contains few grammatical errors. There's little here to irritate the most nitpicky of readers.
This short story is well edited and formatted, and contains few grammatical errors. There's little here to irritate the most nitpicky of readers.
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January 27, 2016I thought this book was amazing! I am an ten and a half year old and I love this book. I told my friends about it and they all said 'What ever'. I thought they liked fantasy books like me but apparently they don't. This book explains my life so well when I heard about Jon Heartling I was so amazed by him. His books are actually inspireing me to make books as well based of all his books that I have read I really enjoy his personality and all the effort he put into his books he has amazing expressions in theses books. I really want him to make more books based off his feelings when he decides to write them they are amazing! Keep up the great work! 1/26/16 8:22 finished Morgan Paige Shreaves
March 6, 2013
La lectura fue entretenida, ligera, pero algo complicada, pues no domino del todo el inglés. La trama es realmente interesante, muy original, la verdad. Las emociones son reales, lógicas y con mucha fuerza en las descripciones.
Me hubiera gustado, ahora que terminé de leerlo, que fuese un poco más largo, pues realmente disfruté de la lectura. Podría estar mejor, pero creo que está bien así como está.
Me hubiera gustado, ahora que terminé de leerlo, que fuese un poco más largo, pues realmente disfruté de la lectura. Podría estar mejor, pero creo que está bien así como está.
February 12, 2014
Thought this was a chapter book?
This book was very good. Although I thought it would be a chapter book and not only about twenty pages it was an enjoyable quick read.I chose this rating because it was a great book but the shortness of it.I really wish it wasn't as much of a cliffhanger and more of the book. I suggest this book for a quick read for a needed 20 minute break. This book was great! and for free $$$
This book was very good. Although I thought it would be a chapter book and not only about twenty pages it was an enjoyable quick read.I chose this rating because it was a great book but the shortness of it.I really wish it wasn't as much of a cliffhanger and more of the book. I suggest this book for a quick read for a needed 20 minute break. This book was great! and for free $$$
August 18, 2014
"Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind? Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind..."
I had no idea when I downloaded this short that this would be my favourite Romantic art song in a short story. Just as Franz Schubert put Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Der Erlkönig" to music, so has this story has very nicely modernized it. In a way, I wish there was more, but just like the original poem, less is more. Thank you, Mr. Hartling. Nicely done.
I had no idea when I downloaded this short that this would be my favourite Romantic art song in a short story. Just as Franz Schubert put Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Der Erlkönig" to music, so has this story has very nicely modernized it. In a way, I wish there was more, but just like the original poem, less is more. Thank you, Mr. Hartling. Nicely done.
December 17, 2015
What the hell? Sure, I know this is a short story and a quick read, but to me it felt as if this is an unfinished project. You get the feeling that the writer just got tired of writing and developing the story and gave it the most random ending he could just to get it over with.
If this was a two chapter story I guess it would be ok as it is, but to end it right there you are no doubt left wondering about the future of the main character and asking yourself what the hell have you just read.
If this was a two chapter story I guess it would be ok as it is, but to end it right there you are no doubt left wondering about the future of the main character and asking yourself what the hell have you just read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews