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The Doll & The Crow
Deep in the heart of Weligast Graveyard, sits a most curious headstone: a dollhouse made of glass and stone. Inside lives a beautiful porcelain doll, created to resemble to girl whose grave above which she has been installed, and enchanted to hold her memories. Trapped with no way to leave, the doll is left alone, surrounded by a world she can never truly know.
Until one day, a crow alights upon a nearby tombstone, and a friendship quickly blossoms between the two. As they spend their evenings together, he notices her unhappiness and vows to find a way to free her.
Until one day, a crow alights upon a nearby tombstone, and a friendship quickly blossoms between the two. As they spend their evenings together, he notices her unhappiness and vows to find a way to free her.
37 pages, ebook
Published September 5, 2026
About the author
A.W. Saint
3 books8 followersA.W. Saint is an independent writer from the south of England, who primarily likes to write gothic, fantasy, and sometimes horror fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 29, 2026
I sat to read TD&TC one afternoon, excited to have the ARC, and read it well before its release day. It took me an hour to finish it, but the emotional damage and the bittersweet devastation of it has stayed with me for days. I sobbed, I cried, I had to hold up my phone above my head so that I can see the words on the screen through the tears. Even writing this review and picking up my favourite quotes, has me tearing up, ceased by the avalanche of emotions. And all over a story about a little doll in her glass dollhouse and her friend, Sir Crow.
TD&TC is a short and bittersweet, beautifully written fairytale, exploring themes of friendship, found family, loss and the hardships of achieving your dreams. The descriptions and setting are Gothic and eerie in an almost endearing way, paired with the wholesome—and at times heartbreaking—dialogue between the Doll and the Crow. It's a dark fairytale that can stand on equal footing with the tales of the Brothers Grimm, Oscar Wilde and Hans Christian Andersen. Soul wrenching and unforgettable. But the biggest gift has to be the fact that I'm exceptionally lucky to be alive at the same time as so many talented contemporary writers and get to experience their work in real time, and A. W. Saint is among those writers and creatives. Thank you for making me sob like a child over words.
TD&TC is a short and bittersweet, beautifully written fairytale, exploring themes of friendship, found family, loss and the hardships of achieving your dreams. The descriptions and setting are Gothic and eerie in an almost endearing way, paired with the wholesome—and at times heartbreaking—dialogue between the Doll and the Crow. It's a dark fairytale that can stand on equal footing with the tales of the Brothers Grimm, Oscar Wilde and Hans Christian Andersen. Soul wrenching and unforgettable. But the biggest gift has to be the fact that I'm exceptionally lucky to be alive at the same time as so many talented contemporary writers and get to experience their work in real time, and A. W. Saint is among those writers and creatives. Thank you for making me sob like a child over words.
September 7, 2026
this was so incredibly special. honestly, everything saint writes is special. she is such a lovely writer. her prose is elegant and thoughtful and so incredibly beautiful. i was thoroughly impressed with the recreation of a soul. five stars and the best short story i’ve read this year.
the doll & the crow felt so much like a fairytale. dark and melancholic. sweet and tender. heartbreaking!!! truly storytelling at it’s finest. i don’t cry easily but i was incredibly emotional upon finishing this. it felt like a balm for my heart and gave me a perspective on grief i didn’t even know i needed.
i will think about this for a very long time <3
☆ thank you to the author for my gifted advanced book copy. all my reviews are my own opinion.
the doll & the crow felt so much like a fairytale. dark and melancholic. sweet and tender. heartbreaking!!! truly storytelling at it’s finest. i don’t cry easily but i was incredibly emotional upon finishing this. it felt like a balm for my heart and gave me a perspective on grief i didn’t even know i needed.
i will think about this for a very long time <3
☆ thank you to the author for my gifted advanced book copy. all my reviews are my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
thanks to the author for an e-arc.
this made me cry in a cafe which had the staff asking if i was okay and i had to explain “oh it’s a book!”
this made me cry in a cafe which had the staff asking if i was okay and i had to explain “oh it’s a book!”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I genuinely don't know how a book this short managed to make me feel this much.
The writing was absolutely gorgeous. It had this soft, haunting, almost dreamlike quality to it that pulled me in from the very beginning, and I honestly couldn't stop reading. The atmosphere was beautiful and eerie at the same time. I loved how much emotion was woven into such a small story. It felt like reading a dark little fairytale that I didn't want to leave.
I also really loved Claudia and Sir Crow's relationship. There was something so unexpectedly sweet about their friendship, especially considering the darker world they were surrounded by. I got attached to them so quickly, which was probably my first mistake.
And then came the last 10%.
I SOBBED. Like, genuinely sobbed so hard that I had to put my book down because everything was blurry and I literally couldn't read anymore. I needed an actual break before I could continue. I don't think I was prepared for how emotional the ending would make me, especially after how quickly I'd fallen in love with these characters.
For such a short book, The Doll & The Crow left a surprisingly huge impression on me. It's eerie, tender, heartbreaking, beautifully written, and I know I'm going to be thinking about it for a while.
If you love gothic fairytales, bittersweet stories, unusual friendships, and books that will emotionally destroy you in the best way possible, please give this one a try.
Thank you again to the author for trusting me with this ARC. I'm very glad I got the chance to read it.
I genuinely don't know how a book this short managed to make me feel this much.
The writing was absolutely gorgeous. It had this soft, haunting, almost dreamlike quality to it that pulled me in from the very beginning, and I honestly couldn't stop reading. The atmosphere was beautiful and eerie at the same time. I loved how much emotion was woven into such a small story. It felt like reading a dark little fairytale that I didn't want to leave.
I also really loved Claudia and Sir Crow's relationship. There was something so unexpectedly sweet about their friendship, especially considering the darker world they were surrounded by. I got attached to them so quickly, which was probably my first mistake.
And then came the last 10%.
I SOBBED. Like, genuinely sobbed so hard that I had to put my book down because everything was blurry and I literally couldn't read anymore. I needed an actual break before I could continue. I don't think I was prepared for how emotional the ending would make me, especially after how quickly I'd fallen in love with these characters.
For such a short book, The Doll & The Crow left a surprisingly huge impression on me. It's eerie, tender, heartbreaking, beautifully written, and I know I'm going to be thinking about it for a while.
If you love gothic fairytales, bittersweet stories, unusual friendships, and books that will emotionally destroy you in the best way possible, please give this one a try.
Thank you again to the author for trusting me with this ARC. I'm very glad I got the chance to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to A.W. Saint for providing an ARC copy!
“The Doll & The Crow” is a petite little fairy tale lets the reader experience the budding friendship between a living doll and a trinket-loving crow. Reading this, I was reminded of Oscar Wilde’s fairytales, specifically “The Nightingale and the Rose” and “The Happy Prince” which was wonderful as I adore those tales. This truly honoured the term fairy tale as it felt magical and whimsical while maintaining an air of gothic mystery. I was surprised by the way the dialogue between Claudia and Sir Crow reads, pleasantly so and am impressed how Saint manages to make the reader care so much about these characters in just a few dozen pages. It was unexpected but fit both characters extremely well while being an absolute joy to read. They were also entirely believable. You could tell, these were a doll and a crow talking, not just pocket-sized humans. The attention to detail really sold the premise of the characters and setting.
The concept and execution of this tale are truly unique, wonderfully bittersweet and brought a tear to my eye at marvellous conclusion of this story.
This is a feast for fans of dark fairy tales, gothic atmospheres and unique characters.
“The Doll & The Crow” is a petite little fairy tale lets the reader experience the budding friendship between a living doll and a trinket-loving crow. Reading this, I was reminded of Oscar Wilde’s fairytales, specifically “The Nightingale and the Rose” and “The Happy Prince” which was wonderful as I adore those tales. This truly honoured the term fairy tale as it felt magical and whimsical while maintaining an air of gothic mystery. I was surprised by the way the dialogue between Claudia and Sir Crow reads, pleasantly so and am impressed how Saint manages to make the reader care so much about these characters in just a few dozen pages. It was unexpected but fit both characters extremely well while being an absolute joy to read. They were also entirely believable. You could tell, these were a doll and a crow talking, not just pocket-sized humans. The attention to detail really sold the premise of the characters and setting.
The concept and execution of this tale are truly unique, wonderfully bittersweet and brought a tear to my eye at marvellous conclusion of this story.
This is a feast for fans of dark fairy tales, gothic atmospheres and unique characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author A.W Saint for the early copy of this devastatingly beautiful little story.
‘The Doll & The Crow’ is a short story about a porcelain doll who is trapped inside of a glass dollhouse above the grave of a young girl that she was created to resemble. In a dark and desolate graveyard in the middle of winter, the little doll has nothing but her books, her loneliness and memories from a life that was never hers, until one day, she meets a crow and the two form an unlikely friendship.
My fave part of this story was, without a doubt, the relationship between the two characters and how much it blossoms in such few pages. There was something so moving about watching them find comfort and companionship in one another, and yes, I did absolutely cry.
The entire story takes place within a graveyard and the atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The prose is dark & beautiful and I could picture the setting so vividly that it almost becomes a character in itself. The story itself is very unique and emotional and unlike anything I’ve read before.
It was such an honour to read this early and I can’t recommend this little dark fairy tail enough for anyone who loves gothic & tragic stories with found family.
‘The Doll & The Crow’ is a short story about a porcelain doll who is trapped inside of a glass dollhouse above the grave of a young girl that she was created to resemble. In a dark and desolate graveyard in the middle of winter, the little doll has nothing but her books, her loneliness and memories from a life that was never hers, until one day, she meets a crow and the two form an unlikely friendship.
My fave part of this story was, without a doubt, the relationship between the two characters and how much it blossoms in such few pages. There was something so moving about watching them find comfort and companionship in one another, and yes, I did absolutely cry.
The entire story takes place within a graveyard and the atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The prose is dark & beautiful and I could picture the setting so vividly that it almost becomes a character in itself. The story itself is very unique and emotional and unlike anything I’ve read before.
It was such an honour to read this early and I can’t recommend this little dark fairy tail enough for anyone who loves gothic & tragic stories with found family.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
When I shared on my stories that this book was both cute and heartbreaking at the same time, I had no idea just how true that would be. That ending completely devastated me! Now all I want is a full-length story based on this novella—a reimagining, a continuation, anything that lets me spend more time with these characters.
This was my first experience with the author's writing and the first of her works that I've read. I know she has another book waiting on my Kindle, and after this experience, I can't wait to pick it up.
It's incredible how, in just 30 pages, I became so attached to such a delicate, ethereal story. The characters are absolutely lovable, and even though it's a short read, it left a lasting impact on me long after I turned the final page.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys delicate, emotional stories that leave a lasting impression despite their short length.
When I shared on my stories that this book was both cute and heartbreaking at the same time, I had no idea just how true that would be. That ending completely devastated me! Now all I want is a full-length story based on this novella—a reimagining, a continuation, anything that lets me spend more time with these characters.
This was my first experience with the author's writing and the first of her works that I've read. I know she has another book waiting on my Kindle, and after this experience, I can't wait to pick it up.
It's incredible how, in just 30 pages, I became so attached to such a delicate, ethereal story. The characters are absolutely lovable, and even though it's a short read, it left a lasting impact on me long after I turned the final page.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys delicate, emotional stories that leave a lasting impression despite their short length.
Review of advance copy received from Author
okay so TD&TC is a short gothic fairy tale but seriously do NOT underestimate those 30ish pages. aw.saint managed to pack the most impeccable, haunting story onto those pages and I am literally still sitting here in silence.
I loved almost everything about this. set in the graveyard named Weligast, following an enchanted porcelain doll trapped inside a glass dollhouse and the crow who vows to find a way to set her free… like bro don’t even ask me about the crow. I need a Sir Crow in my life right now. the way he takes that oath to free her? bringing her the blue flower?? I was SOBBING.
no spoilers but that ending was DEVASTATING. absolute emotional destruction in under 33 pages.
if you love atmospheric gothic vibes, enchanted talking dolls, devotion, consequences of magick, and dark graveyards as the setting… you need to read this immediately. 5/5 stars 🖤
I loved almost everything about this. set in the graveyard named Weligast, following an enchanted porcelain doll trapped inside a glass dollhouse and the crow who vows to find a way to set her free… like bro don’t even ask me about the crow. I need a Sir Crow in my life right now. the way he takes that oath to free her? bringing her the blue flower?? I was SOBBING.
no spoilers but that ending was DEVASTATING. absolute emotional destruction in under 33 pages.
if you love atmospheric gothic vibes, enchanted talking dolls, devotion, consequences of magick, and dark graveyards as the setting… you need to read this immediately. 5/5 stars 🖤
August 19, 2026
Infinite thanks to A.W. Saint for giving me the opportunity to read this masterpiece! Receiving this ARC was a magnificent surprise.
The author delivers a gothic, dark fairytale that is, at the same time, deeply endearing. It's remarkable how, in just thirty pages, she builds such a genuine connection with the characters. Even though I predicted the ending, I kept reading with a racing heart, desperately holding onto the hope that I was wrong... AND I SUFFERED SO MUCH! By the time I finished the story, tears were real.
I must highlight A.W. Saint's writing: her impeccable prose transported me immediately to the cemetery where the story takes place. Claudia and Sir Crow felt so close that it was impossible not to grow attached to them as if they were old friends. Thank you for such an intense experience; I will undoubtedly be keeping an eye out for the author's future releases.
The author delivers a gothic, dark fairytale that is, at the same time, deeply endearing. It's remarkable how, in just thirty pages, she builds such a genuine connection with the characters. Even though I predicted the ending, I kept reading with a racing heart, desperately holding onto the hope that I was wrong... AND I SUFFERED SO MUCH! By the time I finished the story, tears were real.
I must highlight A.W. Saint's writing: her impeccable prose transported me immediately to the cemetery where the story takes place. Claudia and Sir Crow felt so close that it was impossible not to grow attached to them as if they were old friends. Thank you for such an intense experience; I will undoubtedly be keeping an eye out for the author's future releases.
September 5, 2026
I was blessed enough to be able to read an advanced copy of The Doll & The Crow earlier this month.
From start to finish this was one of my favorite short stories. Not because of friendship or kinship with the author but because of how well written the story was.
The imagery early on was beautiful. Without even trying, I could imagine the world through the eyes of the little doll. The world, despite the bleakness of it, was full of whimsy and magic. The talking crow and the little porcelain doll were two characters straight out of a fairytale. Each interaction deepened their dynamic and strengthened my feelings for the two of them with each page.
I’m genuinely excited to get to buy a copy myself :)
From start to finish this was one of my favorite short stories. Not because of friendship or kinship with the author but because of how well written the story was.
The imagery early on was beautiful. Without even trying, I could imagine the world through the eyes of the little doll. The world, despite the bleakness of it, was full of whimsy and magic. The talking crow and the little porcelain doll were two characters straight out of a fairytale. Each interaction deepened their dynamic and strengthened my feelings for the two of them with each page.
I’m genuinely excited to get to buy a copy myself :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This was truly a fairytale: a dark, gothic and melancholic one. It was my first experience with the author’s writing and I was not disappointed: in just a few pages, I was completely invested in this beautiful tale. It reminded me of those folklore’s stories that are passed from a generation to another, full of hidden meanings behind such peculiar characters. The atmosphere, the dialogues– I didn’t want it to end so soon and slowed my reading because of this!
Even though the ending one could say was “predictable”, it still hit HARD thanks to how the author lets you care for these characters!
Grab a copy as soon as the book comes out!
This was truly a fairytale: a dark, gothic and melancholic one. It was my first experience with the author’s writing and I was not disappointed: in just a few pages, I was completely invested in this beautiful tale. It reminded me of those folklore’s stories that are passed from a generation to another, full of hidden meanings behind such peculiar characters. The atmosphere, the dialogues– I didn’t want it to end so soon and slowed my reading because of this!
Even though the ending one could say was “predictable”, it still hit HARD thanks to how the author lets you care for these characters!
Grab a copy as soon as the book comes out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Literally screaming. THIS WAS INCREDIBLE.
Oh my dear... such a hauntingly beautiful short story. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I read something that managed to unsettle me this much while still completely captivating me with its elegance. It reminded me exactly why I love gothic fiction in the first place like the beauty found in the rotten etc. the grotesque, and the decaying... I honestly wish this were a full-length novel because the characters had such distinct, fascinating voices. I got a little bit of Fran Bow vibes from it, but this felt like its more Victorian Gothic counterpart, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Absolutely gorgeous. I need more!!
Oh my dear... such a hauntingly beautiful short story. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I read something that managed to unsettle me this much while still completely captivating me with its elegance. It reminded me exactly why I love gothic fiction in the first place like the beauty found in the rotten etc. the grotesque, and the decaying... I honestly wish this were a full-length novel because the characters had such distinct, fascinating voices. I got a little bit of Fran Bow vibes from it, but this felt like its more Victorian Gothic counterpart, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Absolutely gorgeous. I need more!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What can you expect from A. W. Saint, if it's not just gorgeous storytelling?
The language in this was phenomenal, truly had to read sentences more than once to take in the vocabulary and imagery. It is a tale cloaked in melancholy and hope.
In 30 pages, I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I developed homicidal feelings towards a particular bird- it really shows how, despite being so so so short for its worth, the characters are alive. They breathe through every page through their own personalities: their own voice. I related to them in juxtapositions where a simple 'fairy tale' was touching on subjects far beyond the label.
Freedom, friendship, trust, dreams. Truly a masterpiece.
The language in this was phenomenal, truly had to read sentences more than once to take in the vocabulary and imagery. It is a tale cloaked in melancholy and hope.
In 30 pages, I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I developed homicidal feelings towards a particular bird- it really shows how, despite being so so so short for its worth, the characters are alive. They breathe through every page through their own personalities: their own voice. I related to them in juxtapositions where a simple 'fairy tale' was touching on subjects far beyond the label.
Freedom, friendship, trust, dreams. Truly a masterpiece.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5
Set in a graveyard, The Doll & The Crow is a gothic fairytale exploring friendship and loneliness.
With a fluid and atmospheric writing, in just a handful of pages, A.W. Saint brings to life the sweet friendship between a living doll caged in a dollhouse, eager to know the world, and a crow that promises to set her free. They were both adorable and heart-warming in their tale of endurance, and with a grim atmosphere tinged with hope, we're lured to an emotional ending.
Perfectly paced and balanced between melancholy and the beauty of love, this is a dark fairytale done right. I loved it.
Thank you to the author sending me an ARC <3
Set in a graveyard, The Doll & The Crow is a gothic fairytale exploring friendship and loneliness.
With a fluid and atmospheric writing, in just a handful of pages, A.W. Saint brings to life the sweet friendship between a living doll caged in a dollhouse, eager to know the world, and a crow that promises to set her free. They were both adorable and heart-warming in their tale of endurance, and with a grim atmosphere tinged with hope, we're lured to an emotional ending.
Perfectly paced and balanced between melancholy and the beauty of love, this is a dark fairytale done right. I loved it.
Thank you to the author sending me an ARC <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think that writing short stories can, in some ways, be even harder than writing a novel. It can be difficult to get a reader invested in something that's only 30-40 pages. But OMG that was not a problem here!
This felt like both a gothic classic and a fairy tale. The writing was beautiful, and I was in genuine distress the further into the story we got.
I read this in two sittings (because I started it at 1AM and got too tired to keep my eyes open), and thank God for that because otherwise I would've 100% ugly cried.
This is one of my new favorite short stories - I highly recommend!
This felt like both a gothic classic and a fairy tale. The writing was beautiful, and I was in genuine distress the further into the story we got.
I read this in two sittings (because I started it at 1AM and got too tired to keep my eyes open), and thank God for that because otherwise I would've 100% ugly cried.
This is one of my new favorite short stories - I highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Doll & The Crow is a 30pg novella following Claudia, a doll who has the soul of a deceased little girl, and her newfound friendship with a crow that discovered her in her tombstone - a glass dollhouse with no door. This was heartbreaking beautiful. Even though it's very short, I almost cried. The ending tore my heart out, but was also such a good way to close off their story together. I love how their friendship formed and maintained, they always kept their promises to one another. I would love to see a full-length version of this, because my heart can't handle that conclusion!
August 21, 2026
This is such a unique story—a living doll locked in a graveyard with a crow as a best friend. It was sad and uplifting at the same time. I loved the vibes that were a little gothic and a a little whimsical.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a sweet, charming story. It reminded me of a fairy tale or a story book. I loved both the doll and the crow, and the prose was beautiful. And that ending! Bravo! I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2026
The Doll & the Crow is the perfect gothic fable to read in one setting. With their lush prose, A.W. Saint recombines gothic iconography to tell an original fairy tale of dark yearning. Tragic, hopeful and uncanny. Recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A.W. Saint has done it again!!!!
September 8, 2026
Short, sweet, and captivatingly whimsical. Not sure what more you could ask for from a fairy tale.
September 10, 2026
So beatiful!!!
Read
August 18, 2026‘Twas the cutest, sweetest and saddest thing I’ve read! My heart sank and died for her.. and him. Beautiful short story!
Review of advance copy
Filled with melancholy, warm love and crushing loss - in just a few pages, A.W. Saint crafts a beautiful tale of friendship, trust, grief and purpose between the main characters, the doll & the crow. The gothic imagery, the heartfelt moments, the longing for freedom and the mourning & the sharp heartache captured my heart and mind.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews