Review: The Grey Elk by Kevis Hendrickson

"The Grey Elk"
by Kevis Hendrickson

Available as: Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 10
Publisher: unknown
Publication date: December 12, 2011
Suggested tags: middle grade, fantasy



From Goodreads:

"A man of nature searching for wonders. A land of magic and splendour. A tale of love and hope and sorrow. The Grey Elk recounts the wondrous tale of the magical guardian of the woods."

{ The author kindly provided a Kindle edition of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. }


This is the second fairy tale/fantasy short story that I have read by Kevis Hendrickson ("The Tale of Liril" was the first - read my review here), and it won't be my last! I love Hendrickson's style - the narration is rich and detailed and the language is elegant, making you feel as if you're reading a classic fairy tale that's been told and retold for centuries.

"The Grey Elk" follows Naran Jasar, who travels through mythical lands, helping animals and people alike along the way. He finds a wife and starts a family, but he struggles to find a place to make their home. The ending is pure magic, and I mean that in the best way possible; while the story is definitely a fantasy all the way long, the ending takes on an even more beautiful and mystical feel.

The author recommends this tale for middle grade readers and up, and I would agree with that. There is nothing inappropriate in the story, but younger children may find it difficult to understand some of the more complicated vocabulary and sentence structure. Older children and adults would be able to best appreciate the lyrical style that Hendrickson uses to tell this imaginative tale.


Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars