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The Knight and the Butcherbird

A Short Story

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The Knight and the Butcherbird

By: Alix E. Harrow
Narrated by: Aida Reluzco
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About this listen

In this dystopian fairy tale from the New York Times bestselling author of Starling House, a small town’s storyteller struggles to protect a local demon from the knight hired to kill it.

Hundreds of years after the end of the world, the Appalachian community of Iron Hollow finds itself beset by demons. Such horrors are common these days in the outlands, where most folks die young—if they don’t turn into monsters first.

When a legendary knight is summoned to hunt down the latest unearthly beast to haunt their woods, the town’s new oral historian, 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 herself, 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.

©2025 Alix Heintzman. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Dark Fantasy Dystopian Fantasy Science Fiction Scary

Critic reviews

“Aida Reluzco narrates a postapocalyptic tale of knights, shape-shifting demons, and a woman who is willing to do anything to protect her wife. Reluzco conveys Shrike's grim determination when she discovers that the knight who has come to slay the demon plaguing her village is none other than Sir John of Cincinnati, a legendary demon killer.… Reluzco does an excellent job portraying wily Shrike and noble John, who has his own secrets. Listeners will be drawn into this captivating short story about love, survival, and desperation in a deadly Appalachian forest.”—AudioFile Magazine
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No matter how many wonderful short stories I read, I'm always pleasantly surprised at how impactful they can be for such few pages. This was no exception, covering a lot of ideas and conveying strong emotions.

I would highly recommend the audiobook, as the narration was lovely to listen to.

A well written short story

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Alix E Harrow never fails to amaze me. Another amazing journey told in detail succinctly and full of emotion.

A great journey in such a short space of time

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loved every minute. incoherent wirh praise for the magic, vision and delight this tale brings

stunning

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Alix has done it again! Such excellent storytelling with so many underlying messages weaving in our present trajectory and the fantasies of where it could lead, mixed with the magic of imagination! The love stories here are also 10/10!

Absolutely Captivating!!

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