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The Bird
Another nail-biting horror novella from the Queen of Scream
Everyone's nightmare
When five-year-old Winnie finds a little bird that is hurt, she wants to take it in and take care of it. Her mother is reluctant. She is terrified of birds. As she rightfully should be...
The Bird is a short story from The Queen of Scream. A quick and scary read, as only Willow Rose can deliver it.
Everyone's nightmare
When five-year-old Winnie finds a little bird that is hurt, she wants to take it in and take care of it. Her mother is reluctant. She is terrified of birds. As she rightfully should be...
The Bird is a short story from The Queen of Scream. A quick and scary read, as only Willow Rose can deliver it.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2017
752 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Willow Rose
232 books2,713 followersWillow Rose is a multi-million-copy best-selling Author and an Amazon ALL-star Author of more than 100 novels.
Several of her books have reached the top 10 of ALL books on Amazon in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than three million books all over the world.
She writes Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Horror, Supernatural thrillers, and Fantasy.
Willow's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming. That's why her fans call her The Queen of Scream.
Willow lives on Florida's Space Coast. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watch the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Connect with Willow online:
http://www.facebook.com/willowredrose
https://twitter.com/madamwillowrose
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willo...
Sign up for Willow's VIP email list, and you'll automatically be notified as soon as her next book is released: www.willow-rose.net
Inbox already stuffed? Send the word: “ebooks” to 31996 to get a text alert with news about new releases, giveaways, and bargains from Willow.
Several of her books have reached the top 10 of ALL books on Amazon in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than three million books all over the world.
She writes Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Horror, Supernatural thrillers, and Fantasy.
Willow's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming. That's why her fans call her The Queen of Scream.
Willow lives on Florida's Space Coast. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watch the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Connect with Willow online:
http://www.facebook.com/willowredrose
https://twitter.com/madamwillowrose
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willo...
Sign up for Willow's VIP email list, and you'll automatically be notified as soon as her next book is released: www.willow-rose.net
Inbox already stuffed? Send the word: “ebooks” to 31996 to get a text alert with news about new releases, giveaways, and bargains from Willow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
December 30, 2022
I really like Willow Rose. She used to write a lot of short horror stuff. She has a tendency of taking established horror tropes and attempting to make them her own. I read these 130 pages in one sitting and found it quite enjoyable. This very well might have fallen right out of an Alfred Hitchcock / Edgar Allan Poe nightmare reminiscent of 'the Birds' or 'The Raven.' You have an ornithophobic main character and a something MacGuffin that causes birds to go a little crazy and you have the makings of a fun story. It feels like chewing bubble gum when you're hungry. Not very filling (because it was short), but still a fun quick-punch read.
September 4, 2025
Entertaining horror listening 😯
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account
They are living on an island when a bird attacks their daughter. The daughter is OK. Then the next day she is attack. Then birds are back in droves. They escaped from the island where the birds are beginning destroyed. 🌇
I would recommend this novella and author to readers of horror stories adventure novels 🤗👒 2025 🌜😊
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account
They are living on an island when a bird attacks their daughter. The daughter is OK. Then the next day she is attack. Then birds are back in droves. They escaped from the island where the birds are beginning destroyed. 🌇
I would recommend this novella and author to readers of horror stories adventure novels 🤗👒 2025 🌜😊
March 26, 2021
From the book blurb "When five-year-old Winnie finds a little bird that is hurt, she wants to take it in and take care of it. Her mother is reluctant. She is terrified of birds. As she rightfully should be..."
"The Bird" by Willow Rose is a short terrifying store in the vain of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds".
The story starts innocently enough as we are introduced to Winnie whom tells her mother (Sally) about the small white bird that has found it's way into the house. We also find out that due to an event in her childhood involving a bird, Sally has a phobia towards birds.
I know what you are thinking that a phobia is an unreasonable, irrational fear and you would be right if ... this wasn't a Willow Rose story.
The action is furious and fast paced as the author hurls us through a nightmare that feels all too real. The characters are well written and I found them behaving very much the way I imagine one would under similar circumstances.
At about 130 pages Ms Rose makes it a priority to keep the reader turning pages at a furious pace without confusing or losing you along the way. Including an ending that surprised me.
An excellent read that will not fail to entertain and promises to make your hairs stand on end every time you come near a bird.
"The Bird" by Willow Rose is a short terrifying store in the vain of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds".
The story starts innocently enough as we are introduced to Winnie whom tells her mother (Sally) about the small white bird that has found it's way into the house. We also find out that due to an event in her childhood involving a bird, Sally has a phobia towards birds.
I know what you are thinking that a phobia is an unreasonable, irrational fear and you would be right if ... this wasn't a Willow Rose story.
The action is furious and fast paced as the author hurls us through a nightmare that feels all too real. The characters are well written and I found them behaving very much the way I imagine one would under similar circumstances.
At about 130 pages Ms Rose makes it a priority to keep the reader turning pages at a furious pace without confusing or losing you along the way. Including an ending that surprised me.
An excellent read that will not fail to entertain and promises to make your hairs stand on end every time you come near a bird.
February 10, 2022
Although this was an interesting tale, it was heavily influenced by The Birds. It was a quick read at 67 pages. I would read something from this author again.
January 26, 2019
If you have a phobia about birds, then you'll get spooked by this short story. It was a fast read. It would have been better for me if the personalities were more developed, and if the author allowed the reader to see the back story of the dynamics of this family. As it was, I didn't care for any of them really. It was riveting in places, but the scenes felt rushed. But if you have an extra 45-minutes, then it's a good read to fill in that time.
December 23, 2017
I was in the mood for a dark read that might push my buttons. Given I'm terrified of birds, I thought I was brave one clicking this book! Unfortunately, due to the narration, I was completing unmoved.
In fairness, third person, present tense rarely works for me. It always comes across as telling and emotionless, as was the case with this story.
OH and lastly, this 'story' ends at the 56% mark, the rest is topped up with teasers from the authors other books.
FOOTNOTE - If an authors writing's not for me, ramming his/her other books down my throat won't help. Quite the opposite.
In fairness, third person, present tense rarely works for me. It always comes across as telling and emotionless, as was the case with this story.
OH and lastly, this 'story' ends at the 56% mark, the rest is topped up with teasers from the authors other books.
FOOTNOTE - If an authors writing's not for me, ramming his/her other books down my throat won't help. Quite the opposite.
May 26, 2020
Love it
Willow Rose can even make birds into something terrifying. I wish this was a longer story but it packs such a scare as a short story that I'm not sure how it could be expanded. Loved it
Willow Rose can even make birds into something terrifying. I wish this was a longer story but it packs such a scare as a short story that I'm not sure how it could be expanded. Loved it
August 21, 2017
This short story took me 70 minutes to read. You certainly can't read a horror story about crazed birds and not compare it to the almighty Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie, which is the first horror movie I ever watched, at definitely too young an age. It's made me flinch every time I see a group of birds, even 40 years later. So this book definitely scared me a lot. It starts off so innocently, with just a sweet little girl wanting to help a cute, tiny bird. But by the end of the book, you'll flinch too when you see a group of birds hanging around outside your home. I love this author's little bites of horror, and this little novella is another great one for a quick, read in the dark, horror novella.
February 19, 2018
Well-written, but not scary to me
This story was written well, but didn't really give me any thrills or chills, as this author's stories usually do. It might bother those who have a fear of birds. It was really too brief for me to build any connection with the characters.
This story was written well, but didn't really give me any thrills or chills, as this author's stories usually do. It might bother those who have a fear of birds. It was really too brief for me to build any connection with the characters.
January 2, 2023
Great concept, but filled with cheesy one-liners, first person-ish(?) and weak structure. Super disappointing to finish as it feels like a super rough draft still.
A bird described as the size of a hummingbird tore scar-worthy wounds into a little girl's face? Now suddenly it's actually a raven (surprise! but still smaller than its friends for... plot reasons?) that caw like crows instead of warbling like a raven.
AFTERWORD
"I don't think they attack people either, but you never know, do you?"
Ugh.
A quick coffee break and Google search could have been a lifesaver in building believability.
I would have loved to have seen some (any!) half-assed research and follow-through with sticking to a concept in this short story.
A bird described as the size of a hummingbird tore scar-worthy wounds into a little girl's face? Now suddenly it's actually a raven (surprise! but still smaller than its friends for... plot reasons?) that caw like crows instead of warbling like a raven.
AFTERWORD
"I don't think they attack people either, but you never know, do you?"
Ugh.
A quick coffee break and Google search could have been a lifesaver in building believability.
I would have loved to have seen some (any!) half-assed research and follow-through with sticking to a concept in this short story.
June 21, 2019
This quick read left a lasting memory as these green-eyed birds were brutal with their attacks on the island. Eerie scenes as those birds became more dangerous as the story progressed. Like the Hitchcock movie, this story has me looking at birds differently
February 11, 2021
Wow
Such a great, interesting story. It was a quick read and very entertaining. This could make me worry more about all the birds that hang out in my yard.
Such a great, interesting story. It was a quick read and very entertaining. This could make me worry more about all the birds that hang out in my yard.
October 27, 2017
This story moves quickly and turns dark fats.
A little girl rescues a baby bird. Her mother has a phobia for the the creatures but eventaully relents and lets her nurse the bird back to health. But before long, the little bird begins to terrorize them and it brought friends. A bunch of them.
For a short story, it packed a lot of punch. I remember the movie The Birds and it helped me picture scenes from when the birds attack this family. You wouldn’t think a bird could do much damage, but hundreds of them sure can.
Lots of action and a twist at the end made this a twisted good read.
A little girl rescues a baby bird. Her mother has a phobia for the the creatures but eventaully relents and lets her nurse the bird back to health. But before long, the little bird begins to terrorize them and it brought friends. A bunch of them.
For a short story, it packed a lot of punch. I remember the movie The Birds and it helped me picture scenes from when the birds attack this family. You wouldn’t think a bird could do much damage, but hundreds of them sure can.
Lots of action and a twist at the end made this a twisted good read.
October 21, 2020
Alfred Hitchcock
If you have ever seen the movie "The Birds" by Alfred Hitchcock, then you don't need to read this book. It is a most identical to the movie. I call this book plagiarism. As a rule I like reading Willow Rose but this book really turned me off. Not up to her standards
If you have ever seen the movie "The Birds" by Alfred Hitchcock, then you don't need to read this book. It is a most identical to the movie. I call this book plagiarism. As a rule I like reading Willow Rose but this book really turned me off. Not up to her standards
October 29, 2017
Great for a short story!
I have a fear of birds...especially being pecked in the eyes by them. This was a great short story that made my heart race as I read. Good fun!
I have a fear of birds...especially being pecked in the eyes by them. This was a great short story that made my heart race as I read. Good fun!
July 7, 2018
The Bird - a review by Rosemary Kenny
This sweet little novella is not as sweet as the initial blurb might indicate - in fact 'sweet' is about the furthest possible adjective one could apply to a seemingly simple tale of a young girl rescuing an abandoned baby bird, as the truth of the matter is horrifyingly revealed, in this tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, by Willow Rose.
Winnie is the young girl in question; when she finds the tiny creature and brings it into her home, her mother Sally is terrified...she had a bad experience with a bird in her formative years and it's left her mentally scarred ever since. Nevertheless, not wanting Winnie to inherit her phobia, Sally steels herself, (feeling guilty that the bird survived her whacking it with a broom) and allows Winnie to continue to nurse the fledgling albino raven, as her daughter loves the bird's sparkling green eyes,
Resisting Winnie's request to take it to a vet's and undermined by her husband James, who sides with Winnie in keeping it at least overnight, Sally rises early after a sleep-deprived, worried night and takes the bird outside in its shoebox haven, hoping to get rid of it and bury the evidence before Winnie wakes up.
What happens next will shock and terrify you - and ensure you never let your child act as Good Samaritan to a green-eyed albino raven!!
This sweet little novella is not as sweet as the initial blurb might indicate - in fact 'sweet' is about the furthest possible adjective one could apply to a seemingly simple tale of a young girl rescuing an abandoned baby bird, as the truth of the matter is horrifyingly revealed, in this tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, by Willow Rose.
Winnie is the young girl in question; when she finds the tiny creature and brings it into her home, her mother Sally is terrified...she had a bad experience with a bird in her formative years and it's left her mentally scarred ever since. Nevertheless, not wanting Winnie to inherit her phobia, Sally steels herself, (feeling guilty that the bird survived her whacking it with a broom) and allows Winnie to continue to nurse the fledgling albino raven, as her daughter loves the bird's sparkling green eyes,
Resisting Winnie's request to take it to a vet's and undermined by her husband James, who sides with Winnie in keeping it at least overnight, Sally rises early after a sleep-deprived, worried night and takes the bird outside in its shoebox haven, hoping to get rid of it and bury the evidence before Winnie wakes up.
What happens next will shock and terrify you - and ensure you never let your child act as Good Samaritan to a green-eyed albino raven!!
August 22, 2017
What a nice creepy short story! Yes, like many I too have an aversion to birds (not all really, like birds from the wild don't really bother me, it is the domestic ones....parrots, macaws, etc. its like they are really pissed for being caged and they let you know it, they should just be enjoyed from afar I think). This was just the right amount of darkness and creepy to go with my morning coffee. Willow always writes so well, she spins a very fine story each time I have read her stuff. It doesn't matter if it is a serial killer or birds she just seems to know what buttons to push to give you the perfect amount of goosebump factor. For a short story the characters (like so many of her books) were well defined and you knew just enough to be invested in them. The story had the perfect launching off point and climactic point to make it feel like a full and complete story. Heck, it would even make a decent movie if done right. Kudos Willow Rose for another story well done. I recommend anyone that likes a bit of horror to pick up their copy and settle in for a bumpy ride!
March 8, 2020
Disappointing
I usually enjoy Willow Rose’s work, but unfortunately I couldn’t get behind the premise for this short story. I understand that many people have a fear or dislike of birds, but never being one of those people, I needed an extra dimension to this tale. I enjoyed the beginning, detailing the bird, Sally’s phobia, Winnie’s problems, James’ hiding his emotions from his wife. It was a great set up, which unfortunately didn’t develop the concept of the birds, what they were or wanted, or the promise of the dysfunctional family beyond the fact that killing birds brought them closer together. I was reminded of the classic movie, Birdemic, while reading this, and I’m afraid that Birdemic was done better. However, it was a quick read and, if you are afraid of birds, you might get a thrill.
I usually enjoy Willow Rose’s work, but unfortunately I couldn’t get behind the premise for this short story. I understand that many people have a fear or dislike of birds, but never being one of those people, I needed an extra dimension to this tale. I enjoyed the beginning, detailing the bird, Sally’s phobia, Winnie’s problems, James’ hiding his emotions from his wife. It was a great set up, which unfortunately didn’t develop the concept of the birds, what they were or wanted, or the promise of the dysfunctional family beyond the fact that killing birds brought them closer together. I was reminded of the classic movie, Birdemic, while reading this, and I’m afraid that Birdemic was done better. However, it was a quick read and, if you are afraid of birds, you might get a thrill.
February 22, 2021
My second Willow Rose novel and this one was really good. It also made a person think as to how nature is evolving and how truly scary it could be... I always read before I go to bed and yes, this is more of a short story to me but I did finish it in two nights. It totally had my attention.
Willow Rose is very vivid in detail as to injuries and such so these are not for the faint at heart. She does a good job at it. She also describes most of her characters in great detail which helps me to envision them in my mind. Her writing takes me to the location of what she is writing about. Great escapes for the horror loving reader.
If you love horror and have not read any Willow Rose, I would suggest this as a first intro to get to know this author. Truly keeps you reading to see what happens next.
Willow Rose is very vivid in detail as to injuries and such so these are not for the faint at heart. She does a good job at it. She also describes most of her characters in great detail which helps me to envision them in my mind. Her writing takes me to the location of what she is writing about. Great escapes for the horror loving reader.
If you love horror and have not read any Willow Rose, I would suggest this as a first intro to get to know this author. Truly keeps you reading to see what happens next.
December 2, 2019
No spoilers. Although this short story had no character development at all, I enjoyed it. The style is also minimally descriptive of the location and surroundings. I'm surprised that with this lack of attributes I still enjoyed it. There was one glaring inconsistency when it came to the size of the birds but I found that not too distracting. It wasn't intensely frightening although it had some mild horror elements. I guess the bare bones telling had it's certain charm. For those who would be distressed by lack of the above qualities, it may be best not to read this one. I'm not sure who I would recommend it to but for some reason, that I can't even begin to understand, I liked this short story.
April 15, 2023
I have read other stories by Willow Rose. Some I have liked and some just didn't do it for me. This is in the didn't do it for me category. I felt the story was not really fully developed. Sally's past experience with bird was kind of thrown out there when needed. There was not really much character development and not enough time to really care about them anyway. Maybe if it was a longer story or even a full-length novel with back story and where are they now, it might have been better. Maybe have the bird gradually appear on the island. Show neighbors getting worried about so many and gradually kick up the suspense. I'm glad it was short and a quick read.
August 30, 2017
Birds and more birds!!!
A compelling story of how birds think and act as a family when one of their own is hurt!! Imaginative descriptions are almost believable of revenge and unity of how this bird family comes together for revenge when one of their own is hurt! Wouldn't want to mess with this bird family. Also the love and strength of the people coming together to save themselves is heartrending.
A compelling story of how birds think and act as a family when one of their own is hurt!! Imaginative descriptions are almost believable of revenge and unity of how this bird family comes together for revenge when one of their own is hurt! Wouldn't want to mess with this bird family. Also the love and strength of the people coming together to save themselves is heartrending.
September 1, 2017
The Bird
Okay, so I have to admit that I'm not a fan of birds -- thanks to Alfred Hitchcock. Oh, birds are okay from a distance ... say, with them on the OUTSIDE and me inside.
This story just completely creeped me out! My chest tightened, and I actually gasped -- gasped! -- a couple of times!!
Let me just say that I'm glad I live with ELEVEN cats -- and yes, I'm happy to be a crazy cat lady ... especially now.
Okay, so I have to admit that I'm not a fan of birds -- thanks to Alfred Hitchcock. Oh, birds are okay from a distance ... say, with them on the OUTSIDE and me inside.
This story just completely creeped me out! My chest tightened, and I actually gasped -- gasped! -- a couple of times!!
Let me just say that I'm glad I live with ELEVEN cats -- and yes, I'm happy to be a crazy cat lady ... especially now.
September 20, 2017
Good story, but way too short
The page count is deceiving. It's only a 69 page story. The rest of the book is full of a list of the authors other stories. I really would not have wasted my time time downloading it had i known this as I don't like reading books that don't at least full up a day. Personal preference though.
The actual story itself is a good one, reminiscent of the Hitchcock classic.
The page count is deceiving. It's only a 69 page story. The rest of the book is full of a list of the authors other stories. I really would not have wasted my time time downloading it had i known this as I don't like reading books that don't at least full up a day. Personal preference though.
The actual story itself is a good one, reminiscent of the Hitchcock classic.
September 25, 2017
Creepy
I really appreciate Willow Rose's vast imagination. I've read a lot of her books and she never disappoints. Some are better than others. Some seem very rushed. This one was short on pages, but the pages were filled with fully developed characters and a great little story. Reminded me of an old movie. I loved that movie, which may be why I really liked this novella. Keep em coming Willow Rose 🌹
I really appreciate Willow Rose's vast imagination. I've read a lot of her books and she never disappoints. Some are better than others. Some seem very rushed. This one was short on pages, but the pages were filled with fully developed characters and a great little story. Reminded me of an old movie. I loved that movie, which may be why I really liked this novella. Keep em coming Willow Rose 🌹
October 23, 2017
i currently have four parakeets and a cockatiel, and also had a canary, so needless to say i love birds. this book however is quite the opposite of a cute pet birdie story. it kind of reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, but it wasn't exactly the same. even though i love all of my birds, it was definitely a creepy story that held my interest enough that it was a quick easy read i finished before i knew it.
October 9, 2019
Short, entertaining read
This won't ever be considered a masterpiece but it entertained me for an hour. Doesn't hurt that I got it for free. Not really scary, but at least it was fast paced.
The kid character was annoying. There were a lot of details about James that were there for no reason and ended up being missed opportunities. Not the best character work... But not the absolute worst either, and it was a short story so that's fine.
This won't ever be considered a masterpiece but it entertained me for an hour. Doesn't hurt that I got it for free. Not really scary, but at least it was fast paced.
The kid character was annoying. There were a lot of details about James that were there for no reason and ended up being missed opportunities. Not the best character work... But not the absolute worst either, and it was a short story so that's fine.
April 18, 2020
I know you can't pack a ton into a story this short, but I was still hoping for something redeeming here. It started out with a bit of potential, but lost me really really fast. The only reason I finished this was because it was so short and filled a prompt for a reading challenge.
The characters were annoying and felt totally unrealistic. Writing was lackluster.
Definitely wasn't my cup of tea.
The characters were annoying and felt totally unrealistic. Writing was lackluster.
Definitely wasn't my cup of tea.
Read
January 14, 2022A good, short, easy read from Willow Rose. Quite scarey. I enjoyed it but the ending is not the best. It leaves you hanging. I wanted to know why and what happens next. It felt like the story wasn't quite complete.
********************
When five-year-old Winnie finds a little bird that is hurt, she wants to take it in and take care of it. Her mother is reluctant. She is terrified of birds. As she rightfully should be... Everyone's nightmare.
********************
When five-year-old Winnie finds a little bird that is hurt, she wants to take it in and take care of it. Her mother is reluctant. She is terrified of birds. As she rightfully should be... Everyone's nightmare.
August 26, 2017
Fast read.
This book was a short read but that's what I was looking for at the time. Definitely not a book for someone who is afraid of birds. This was a fast read that kept your attention. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because of the ending, just didn't sit well with me. It's not a big enough reason tho not to read any more of her books.
This book was a short read but that's what I was looking for at the time. Definitely not a book for someone who is afraid of birds. This was a fast read that kept your attention. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because of the ending, just didn't sit well with me. It's not a big enough reason tho not to read any more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews