ALEK

The Children of Crow Cove quartet comes to a natural conclusion in this stately, careful finale.

Tiny Crow Cove has grown strong since its founding so many years ago (Crow-Girl, 2004). Now Alek, formerly known as Doup, wishes to see how his beloved, jilted older brother Ravnar is faring in a place called Last Harbor. After traveling there, Alek stays on with Ravnar, finding work in the local inn. A chance sighting of a murder on the beach near his new home brings him into contact with a shipwrecked girl and a crew of murderous thieves. By helping to catch the villains and bring them to justice, Alek is able to find the means to persuade Ravnar to return to Crow Cove at long last. As with previous novels in the series, most recently Tink (2011), a knowledge of the full history of the cove is a must for readers to derive any pleasure from this conclusion. This Danish import is steeped in quiet dignity, never going any faster than the story demands. Some children will find this pace inexorably slow, but for those invested in the characters, Bredsdorff knows how to fulfill the previous novels’ promise, turning her wayward individuals into a vigorous, vibrant community. 

A strong conclusion best suited for those willing to read it as part of a whole.