Juniper Bird: A Novella

by Patricia Correll

Ten-year-old Brenna has a terrible secret. Her stepbrother Magnus has gone missing. No one in her rural village has any idea where the quiet, bookish boy could be. Almost no one. Only Brenna and her mother know what really happened to Magnus. And they won’t tell anybody. Then a strange bird appears, unlike any Brenna has ever seen before. It charms the villagers and brings comfort to Brenna’s distraught stepfather. Brenna doesn’t trust it. She suspects it has come to reveal the truth. But that truth is more painful than even she knows—and the retribution it demands more horrible than she can imagine. ‘Juniper Bird’ is a dark retelling of a gruesome fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

Genres: Short Stories

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2020

About the author

Patricia Correll believes that all humans are natural storytellers. She’s been telling tales since she could string words together, but in the last thirty years or so has graduated from My Little Pony stories to the unholy trinity of fantasy, SF, and horror.

She lives with her husband and sons in Alabama.

Reviews

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable and thrilling story with the feel of a classic horror tale. Ten-year-old Brenna is carrying a terrible burden. Her beloved stepbrother, Magnus, has gone missing and only she and her mother know the truth of what happened to him. Or does she? As the story unfolds, Brenna slowly comes to realize there is more to the disappearance of her brother than she could ever have imagined. The appearance of a juniper-colored bird, its sinister songs, and magical behavior are the beginnings of the unraveling of the mystery. Will it lead to further tragedy or Brenna's salvation? I was turning the pages as fast as I could as the story reached its climax to find out! Expertly written, this will appeal to any reader who loves dark fairy tales like the original Grimm stories but with a touch of redemption and sweetness that leave you feeling very satisfied.

[Carolyn Breckinridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is marketed as a gruesome retelling of a dark, fairly-unknown tale of the Brothers Grimm. Normally I'm not one to read gruesome plots. But I'm very familiar with this prolific author's works and I've learned that her writing never disappoints. While the beginning of this novella is indeed 'gruesome,' the story moves past this and into a world of strong characterization and plot tension. Author Patricia Correll possesses a clean, hard-hitting, suspense-building writing style that sets her apart. Juniper Bird is a story of love, wickedness, secrets, guilt, retribution and redemption. As with all of this author's novellas and novels, it is definitely one not to be missed.

[William Aicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, dark rendition of a lesser-known fairy tale. Kept me riveted from start to finish. Patricia Correll has gained a new fan with this one. Can't wait to read more.

Absolutely recommended!

[Peter Talley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbingly Dark and Delightfully Written

Juniper Bird by Patricia Cornell was a short and enjoyable novella. It was a perfect read for a stormy afternoon. The author did a fine job of retelling this lesser known story by the Brothers Grimm. I was particularly impressed with how Correll depicted the tragic characters through her descriptions and dialogue. I’m excited to read more from this author.

[M.H. Thaung]

It's been a while since I read anything by the Brothers Grimm, and so I was probably over halfway through this novella before I cottoned on to which story it was based on.

It took me a little while to get into the story. I think it was because 1. I got hung up on certain logistical/technical aspects of dead bodies (I'm a pathologist, after all) and 2. although I knew Brenna was ten years old from the blurb, her thoughts and actions seemed to drift away from that age at times. However, the author gives us a really immersive feel for Brenna's environment, and for all the people around her. There was a certain sense of inevitability, but we expect that with a fairy tale retelling.

Overall, a great read if you enjoy fairy tales with a macabre touch.

[Tanweer Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a darkly powerful retelling of a Grimm fairy tale that I didn't really know.

Patricia Correll is such a gifted storyteller, and with 'Juniper Bird' she has created a truly moving novella which had me enraptured from beginning to end.

The rustic setting, the broken family and the enigmatic Juniper Bird itself are woven together in a seamless and unforgettable tapestry of a story. If you want to read a Grimm fairy tale for grown-ups, and written exquisitely yet accessibly, then this is the book for you!

[Naomi Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and Disgusting

This story reminds me of a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, only darker. The beginning seemed gruesome, yet at the same time, childlike as a fairy tale. The setting in some unspecified past also evoked this genre. The magical bird became the protagonist’s ally. It was all quite disgusting, yet delightful.

[Suzanne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It was engaging from the beginning and kept me interested throughout. The protagonist is developed well, and it's very satisfying to see her finally piece together the truth about what happened to her stepbrother. This is a story that will stick with me.

[John Ryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read with character depth and originality. Would recommend to anyone.