A beautifully written short story continuing the tale of Xavier Bird, many long years after we leave him in Three Day Road. Boyden's masterful use of language brings the frozen northern landscape to life. Only rated at 4 stars due to its brevity. ( )

This is a short story showing a small snippet in Xavier Bird's life, written with the same simple and beautiful language of Three Day Road. Very little happens in the story though much is hinted at, almost as if he's preparing us for another extended tale (perhaps his new book later this year), but it's nonetheless memorable — a poignant moment of concern, then happiness and finally fear for the future. ( )