Creepy but good! I've told our teen librarians about this and they are looking forward to it.

3.5 STARS IF I COULD

The beginning of this book had me so mesmerized, I seriously couldn't think of doing anything else but read it. The suspense and creepy tone of the story attracted me right from the start. I really liked the main character, Alice, because the way she handled everything that happened was different from what I had expected. She was snarky and witty, but not in a way that made me hate her. Finch, her sidekick, had my heart from the get go. I expected him to be in the story a bit more than he was though and I was saddened we didn't get more from his character. The book really had me going, wondering what was real or fake. What had to do with the Hinterland and what didn't. It was all really intense in a good way.

Theeeeeeen, about 65-70% through, when all the magic and truth starts happening and the story starts to try to explain itself, I got a little lost. It felt rushed and not super well thought out. There were times I had to re-read an entire page because I wan't fully grasping what exactly was happening or being described. I wish the beginning and back story were a bit shorter so then we could have had more depth with the magical elements.

I will say I enjoyed this very much still and THAT COVER THO, but there was a lot I'd personally change to make it even more magical. Also, I'm normally really good and guessing endings to stories, but I only was about 50% right with this one which was a nice surprise.

I understand this is a stand alone, but I think a separate book of just the Tales of the Hinterland would be so amazing. The stories were to die for. So creepy, spooky, and original. I'd love to read all of them.

4.5 Stars. Pardon my French, but … what the hell did I just read?? Seriously, this was gory (at times) and weird and mysterious and so utterly awesome my head is about to explode! I loved every single moment of this book and it twists the whole idea of fairy tales and storytelling upside down turning it into something completely new and innovative. Additionally, I think what I appreciated most about this book was that the stories themselves were original, making this book all the more unique. Alice is also a fantastic protagonist, one who is easier to understand and empathize with as her own story unfolds. It’s not to say that this book is completely flawless, there were, at times, some pacing issues and things that could have used a bit more explanation, however, these are small criticisms and completely forgivable in the face of a story that is so imaginative. Overall this is a book that definitely surprised me and I’m looking forward to seeing what Melissa Albert has in store for us in the future.

This book is fantastic!!

Alice and her mom, Ella, are drifters. They move from state to state, couch-surfing, leaving on a whim. So when Ella finally settles down and gets married, It seems like life might finally get normal. Alice has a new step-sister, a part time job, and even someone she might call a friend. But then Ella is abducted, and Alice realizes that a book of fairy tales, one that her grandmother wrote years before, might have something to do with it.

I am a big fan of dark fairy tales and the fantastical, and this novel does a helluva time of weaving the two together. All the characters are very real and well-developed, and as the walls between reality and the Hinterlands collapse, I felt right in the middle of all the action.

And then the twist!!!!! Wow. Just wow.

I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales or just a very well told, compelling, creepy story.

Thank you to Flat Iron Books and Netgalley for an ARC.

This book started off very strong with the mystery of a mother’s disappearance and her daughter’s quest to find her. The story within a story was very interesting and engaging but began to drag and lost my interest. Picking it back up again to finish it took longer than I’d hope but it did have a satisfying conclusion.

I love books about fairy tales and this did not disappoint! The books has action, intrigue and a dark twist on fairy tales. Great for YA readers!

I so love the premise of this book and will always jump to read a book about lost/hidden fairy tales. Great start and strong finish, but the middle got a bit thick and sticky for a bit. Overall a recommendation, especially for those who love stories within stories.

I first heard that this was kinda a Harry Potter-esque book, and I can see where people can get that vibe, but it is a definite Alice in Wonderland story to me-A pretty twisted version though.

When I first started reading, I was a bit bored with it. Although that was more of the because of the story set up and not the writing itself. About quarter of the way into the pick it really picked up and I'm glad I stuck to it.

I loved the blending of the worlds and the way the author brings the Hinterlands to life. It wasn't totally different from Earth, but there was enough differences to make it a world I could actually envision in my mind and not feel lost.

The characters were believable and I felt I really could put myself in their place and know what they feeling.

I would recommend this book if you love the other world stories such as Alice and Narnia.

Not really being a fan of the more light-hearted fairy tales, I found this book description very appealing.  I came to the rapid conclusion that The Hazel Wood is wildly creative, and fans of dark fairy tales will adore it.  Writers in particular will enjoy the plot and character creation aspects mentioned.

With its heightened sense of mystery, ominous cast of characters, and detailed descriptions, this book enthralled me.  Twists, surprises, wonder - it's all here.  Some readers may not enjoy the pop culture references, but I did.  Alice is well-read, and it seemed right for her character.

Hinterland is both magical and threatening, and it's easy to fall down the rabbit hole with this book.   

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

This was one of my most anticipated of 2018 and I honestly don’t know where to start with it, it almost feels like I read three books wrapped into one to the point that I should break it down in that fashion.

The beginning was like your typical introduction into the genre with a girl thrown into a world of magic with little knowledge of how it works and with a trusty sidekick who is able to fill in the blanks and even though it’s been done I really enjoyed the addition of the twisted tales filtered in to help create the feel that this is not your average Disney fairy tale.

The next bit was everything I could have hopped for, it had elements of whimsical fantasy with a darkness to it while beautifully weaving elements of horror and surrealism into an exposition that answered some of the questions but left room for more to be discovered.

The last chunk was an absolute mess for me. It was such a sharp decline that it almost hurt to read and I am so sad that it couldn’t keep the momentum the earlier 2/3 had and instead lost me with a weird sort of “Once Upon a Time” arc that took multiple seasons to achieve whereas this book had only a handful of chapters and it did not work for me at all.

As much as my experience with the book was a bit of a let down, I do look forward to reading what else this author may write, this was one of the most original ideas for a novel I’ve read in awhile and I am hopeful to see what comes next.

**thank you again to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

The Hazel Woods is a very dark and twisty story about family, fairy tales, and things that go bump in the night. The story is full of mystery and the author did a good job of creating suspense and misdirection which definitely kept me guessing right up until the end.

I enjoyed The Hazel Woods, however, there were a few things that kept me from giving it a higher rating. I found parts of the story, especially the first quarter of the book, to be overwritten. While the writing is good, I felt like many sentences were stuffed with figurative language which, in this case, took away from my reading experience rather then enhanced it. I also found that I never really connected to any of the characters; while I was invested in what happened in the story, I was only mildly interested in what happened to any of the characters.

That being said, I think many people are going to really enjoy this book, especially fans of Holly Black, Ransom Riggs, and Neil Gaiman.

This was SO, SO GOOD. Wow. I'd heard so much about it, and it completely lived up to my very high expectations! What a delight! Everything about it was just perfect.

While this book was too eerie for me, it will be great for those looking for a darker take on the ever popular YA fantasy series. Even if the novel was a bit too heavy for me, I greatly appreciate the author's unique perspective and really haunting, interesting style. I am excited to see what everyone thinks once this book comes out more widely.

This was a fantastic read. The prose was beautiful, and really made you feel like you were apart of the world. Most importantly, the premise was original and really engaging. Initially I thought that I would want to know more about the various stories (especially how they ended) but after finishing The Hazel Wood, I'm content. It really impresses me when an author can tie up a story so succinctly and wholly.

“There are no lessons in it. There's just this harsh, horrible world touched with beautiful magic, where shity things happen. And they don't happen for a reason, or in threes, or in a way that looks like justice. They're set in a place that has no rules and doesn't want any...”

...and now this place lives inside of me.

Once upon a time I read a book called One Hundred Years of Solitude, and was introduced to the ambrosial world of magical realism. It changed the way I read, and contemplated, and imagined. It provoked within me a hunger that demanded more from every literary thing I consumed. In those warm, summer days of halcyon youth, Gabo's book changed my reading life forever.

Taking up the mantle is Melissa Albert's debut novel, The Hazel Wood. It is a ferocious fairy tale so richly told that it pulses with its own anima as it demands a little piece of your own. It is a cleverly crafted powerhouse, the caliber of writing is phenomenal, the world-building is extraordinary, and the main character, Alice, is gritty, sharp, and fierce AF.

There is no way you can read this book and it not change you in some way. There's no way to read this book again and have even it be the same.

There are very few writers this day and age who can get you to discern magic, and Albert weaves an articulate trance, atmospheric enough to carry over into your every day. It is gripping, nightmarish, sets your nerves on edge, kicks you in the chest, and the whole thing just clamors with a vibrancy that keeps you revved till the very end...and beyond...I'm still having palpitations...

Melissa Albert's The Hazel Wood is astounding! Absolutely, 100%, hands-down, one of the best books I have ever read.

I would like to thank Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I was immediately drawn in by the cover and didn't know if the story would keep me entertained, but I did. It felt like watching a noir film on the page, a supernatural mystery I wanted to solve. It had a very eerie and suspenseful feel to it, which kept my attention. The characters could have had more depth. Unfortunately, Alice does feel like a special snowflake and Finch her encyclopedia sidekick. But, is a good book I would recommend to people who like dark fantasy.

First, the cover of this book is gorgeous. This was a very strange book, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. It kept me captivated. It was unlike anything I have read in a while!

I didn't finish this. It just didn't hold my attention.

It began well with the mysterious grandmother and the strange disappearance of Alice's step family but it soon became convoluted.