The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales tells the story of Jesse and his family. The book is set in a dystopion future where the earth has become uninhabitable, because humans destroyed the climate. For this reason, people now live underground. When Jesse's little sister, Olivia, runs away, Jesse meets a talking dog and decides to look above ground for his sister. Jesse is battling with illness and the climate during this adventure. Jesse tells fairy tales during his adventure.

Honestly, this book was just not for me. The story was okay and the world building was good, but the whole dystopian future with humans destroying the climate is just a bit too close to home for me. I usually enjoy dystopian settings, but for some reason this book just didn't really hook me. I was a bit lost on the plot too.

A very realistic and human account of society collapsing and moving underground following a climate apocalypse. Interspersed with nostalgia-inducing fairy tales that fit the novel so well.

Jesse Vanderchuck, his sister, and his mother have fled their farm in the rural areas outside of Toronto for a make-shift society in the Toronto underground. I was entirely wrapt until around 60% when you kind of get to the point where you're like, ok, we get it, it's the end of days - now what Jesse? But at the same time, Jesse is such a storyteller that I can't fully believe that he actually made it out of the underground and that the back 1/2 of the novel isn't just another one of Jesse's stories. That is something to be decided by each reader I imagine.

The fairy tales interspersed throughout are ones unique to the story and are perfectly timed. It's like - life is shit, hungry, sick, lonely - here's a nice fairy tale.

I don't think the average rating for this novel properly reflects within. This is a damn good post-apocalyptic book. I have to say for myself though - if I make it through the first wave, if something like this was to happen - I would definitely not move to an underground.

I could not finish this book. What I was able to read was interesting and well-written, but it's all too much right now. If the world were different at the end of 2020-beginning of 2021, I might have finished it and been able to give a better review, Unfortunately, right now is a bad time for post-apocalyptic fiction. Maybe I'll try again in a couple of years and be able to give it a true review.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This, unfortunately, was not for me. Which is a shame because the post-apocalyptic world and the fairytales made it sound exactly like it would be.

First of all, I would say this needs a content warning. I read the first half of the book in like a day, curious about where the author was going with it. I enjoyed the presence of the talking dog even if for some reason the author tried their hardest to make him as disgusting as possible (I mean, seriously). But then the thing happened and it took me two weeks to force myself to pick it up again.

But if that was my only issue with this story I would have forgiven it. My real problem was that nothing really seemed to lead to anything. The fairytales lacked any real substance and I thought at least they would be relevant to what was happening in some way, especially because there was a hint early on where the doctor seemed to resemble a character from the stories, but nothing came of it. Unless there was some hidden meaning that went right over my head for some reason, they were just there for Jesse to pass the time.

Thoughts on the ending have been included with a spoiler tag in the goodreads version of this review.

Honestly, there were so many interesting threads that were put in place that could have made for such a great story. I equally loved and was horrified by some of the things people did post-apoc to survive and I commend the creativity. It was why I was initially taken by this story. Unfortunately, the book as a whole was not a satisfying experience for me.

I got a copy of 'The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales Emily Brewes' from Netgalley in return of an honest opinion, and this is what I think about the book.
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The story is set in a world post the climate collapse. It is the story of a Jesse Vanderchuck who fled the growing climate disaster to live out her remaining days in the Underground with her mother and sister, Olivia. They survived by picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels, living but barely.
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Olivia, never being onboard with leaving their father behind, runs away leaving Jesse with her mother. But after the death of her mother and spending decades in the Underground, Jesse decides to leave. The lonely existence gets to her, and she decides to find out what happened to her sister out in the world which had collapsed. It is then that she meets a talking dog who becomes her only companion.
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They set out on a journey out of the Underground while along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from memory to pass the time and to ignore the gnawing hunger. Will she find Olivia, and what will she find when she leaves the Underground?
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What I liked about the tale was the setting and the way the author wove it around a few characters. You could feel the loneliness of Jesse. You got invested in her adventure and fairy tales. It was a different kind of a read, one that I found quite intriguing. It was also strange reading it during a pandemic.
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There was an uncanny feeling at the back of my mind while reading this, which kept making me feel that this could happen to us. Yes, even though the story was set in a dystopian future, somehow it felt very believable and real.
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It was good with an exciting premise. Check it out if you feel it's something you would like.

I loved the cover art and synopsis. Plus, the title is definitely intriguing. I started the book with high hopes but my initial enthusiasm started to wane. I found the pacing uneven and the story meandering and slightly unfocused. My immersion followed sinusoid. All told, a solid book, but not the one I will recommend to everyone.

DNF at 15%.

Just couldn't get into the writing unfortunately. Leaving an average rating as I this is just an issue of personal preference, and not a fault of the book itself.

I have read a lot of post apocalyptic fiction and The Doomsday Book of Fairytales certainly earns its place as a superb work of the genre.

It opens with Jesse Vanderchuck along with his mother and sister, Olivia, venturing to live Underground with a community if survivors escaping the pending downfall of humanity due to climate change. Years later, Jesse and his dog, Doggo, leave the community in search of his sister who had left some time earlier. Along the way, Jesse regales his dog with made of fairytales that loosely weave memories of his own life.

Brewes’ writing is both engaging and quick witted. This book was an absolute joy to read and a nice change from typical apocalyptic novels. Highly recommended for both fans of fairytales and apocalyptic/climate fiction alike.

The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is a melancholy little tale about a dystopian future. This story follows Jesse. He's been living underground for a long period of time and one day he finds a talking dog. This talking dog is named Doggo.

Jesse and Doggo's bond is adorable and their conversations and companionship throughout this story is so sweet. Doggo refers to Jesse as the food bringer, which is how my dog Alfie would probably refer to me. It really captures the character of a dog.

Jesse becomes poorly at some point and is banished from.the underground, forcing he and Doggo above ground. Jesse realises the weather is worse than he remembered. His only solace is to tell fairytales to himself and Doggo.

What he doesn't remember, he makes up and it's so sweet. He and Doggo have such a sweet bond and it's obvious they love one another and the ending actually had me tearing up.

This is a beautiful but sad tale and it left me feeling like hugging my own idiot dog.

I chose to DNF this book after reading about 10 to 15%.

I try to avoid reviews before I read a new book so that someone else's opinion doesn't sway my view and enjoyment of the book but as I was reading 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑜𝑜𝑚𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑦𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠, something didn't feel right with the book and I broke my cardinal rule and checked reviews.

I couldn't continue 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑜𝑜𝑚𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑦𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 after learning about certain events that occur further on in the book. There are character deaths that I would find too close to home along with events that occur that may cause me to trigger unpleasant memories of my own life. I had high hopes for the book and whilst post-apocalyptic books aren't something that I have read before, I had wanted to expand my reading pattern beyond the genres I do enjoy of which, as many who read my reviews and follow my bookstagram are aware.

I cannot give much insight into 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑜𝑜𝑚𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑦𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 as I didn't read that much of the book itself before stopping, I will say it seemed quite slow to get going and there is quite emotional moments from the first chapter.

I'm disappointed that I chose to DNF as I try my hardest to avoid doing that and go into every book with an open mind but 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑜𝑜𝑚𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑦𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 was just upsetting and not a novel I wished to lose myself in.

The Doomsday Book of Fairytales an original and haunting yet bleak shape-shifter of a novel.

It is set in a post-apocalyptic future Ontario (some Toronto, mostly Northern Ontario) in which humanity has moved underground. Climate change has resulted in volatile weather patterns, food shortages, and the rise of new diseases. The protagonist, Jesse, is one of the many people just trying to survive. At the beginning of the novel, we get some background on Jesse's past: their mother ran away with Jesse and their sister, Olivia, to the underground, leaving behind their father on their northern property. Jesse's sister, Olivia, left the underground as a young adult. Decades later Jesse makes the choice to leave the underground in search of Olivia along with their pet dog, Doggo. The bulk of the story follows this journey, but the story also includes flashbacks to significant moments in Jesse's life. Most importantly, the main narrative is interspersed with fairytales of Jesse's own creation. I use the pronouns "they/them" to describe Jesse because their gender is never specified: this is an element that I really liked.

Formally, I really enjoyed this novel and I think it is well done. The use of flashbacks and fairy tale interludes to break up the central narrative is effective. I also liked the use of magical realism throughout. All in all, it's a very original novel that combines dystopian fiction with magical realism and fairytales in a unique and skillful manner.

For some reason, however, the story didn't entirely land with me all the time, and I feel like the end drags a little bit. I don't think this is a problem with the novel itself so much as a matter of personal taste.

I also didn't feel personally connected to Jesse. At the end I was left wondering, okay, what did Jesse learn from this journey? What is the message? I don't know if there is one. The story definitely explores themes like connection and kinship, particularly between humans and non-humans. Further, being climate fiction, there is also an implicit exploration of climate issues and the structures that led to societal collapse. However, I wanted these elements to be explored a bit more or teased out more explicitly.

And also, when I say it is a bleak novel, I mean it is BLEAKKKK. And this is coming from someone who typically enjoys bleak things. But at times it felt like an onslaught of heaviness without much of a reprieve.

Overall, this is a very interesting story that combines genres in a novel way; however, there are some elements that I did not personally connect with. I would recommend this for people interested in dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction and dark fairytales.

“The trouble with stories is that they begin and they end.” The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales by Emily Brewes

Before we pack away the tree till the -ber months again, one last picture.

3.5 stars actually.

I enjoyed this book, the apocalyptic environment, the fairy tales Jesse told...hence the title. It was a bit short for me, and it could’ve gone on longer, but then Jesse was already alone and he needed to reach his mountain by himself.

I wish there were more fairy tales but this is ok. And by then, in this post apocalyptic works, paper and reading and writing is the least concern of people. So it is back to the oral traditions of our ancestors. Only Jesse had no one really to pass down the story to. People in his world are too focused on surviving.

It was also fascinating to see how this earth imploded. It half scared me. I can’t decide now whether to go get a farm or dig a series of tunnels under my house.

Thank you Dundum Press and NetGalley for the arc of this book. It was interesting!

I started this book expecting a dark humorous book about dystopian fairy tales being told to a talking dog. I sort of got that, but also commentary on the human condition and if that matters. Came for a good read and some lessons and I sure got it.

Suggest a stiff drink to help with any existential dread that creeps in while reading.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is set in a dystopian future in which the earth has been destroyed by people who have ruined the climate, resulting in extreme weather making it uninhabitable. Hence why people have started living underground. Jesse Vanderchuck moves underground with his little sister Olivia and his mother, but Olivia runs away at some point, leaving Jesse and his mom behind. Upon meeting a talking dog, Jesse decides to go above ground to look for his sister while battling illness and the hostile climate. During their journey, Jesse tells all sorts of fairy tales.

To be completely honest, I primarily requested this book for its beautiful cover art and its intriguing title. Even though it started off slow, I found myself not being able to stop reading once I had warmed up to the storyline. It definitely is not your typical dystopian novel.

This book is very interesting and somewhat chaotic at the same time. The fairytales were definitely my favourite bits to read, they were truly refreshing. I was very neutral about Jesse as a main character because they were not written in a way that would have you form a strong opinion about them. To be honest, I am unsure of whether Jesse is a boy or girl (not that it matters for the story).

Set on this gloomy version of earth, filled with anguish and despair, I really enjoyed the story. The tone of the story followed along accurately with Jesse's decline in health. Brewes' novel has a very interesting premise, and I think people should definitely give this book a go, even though I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea.

i have been a huge fan of books that leaned more towards genres like horror/mystery/thriller, and this book wasn't that bad at all. It provided an entertaining scope for me, but it wasn't the book that I was most looking forward to divulge in whilst wanting something more. It was still a solid read and would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales.

Most readers would not be interested in post-apocalyptic books as our country struggles through a global health crisis and infections continue to soar but I'm not that kind of reader.

I'm always up for a post-apocalyptic book whether it involves zombies, climate change, the end of the world.

Bring it on!

Jesse Vanderchuck is one of the remaining survivors of his family.

After climate change has turned the country into a desolate landscape and his mother dies, Jesse decides to leave the safe haven of his underground home in search of his sister, Olivia, who left over a decade ago.

As Jesse searches this new world for his sister, he meets an unlikely friend, a talking dog, and encounters kind people at a time when survival means hurting others, and worse.

To pass the time, Jesse concocts his own version of the fairy tales his father used to read to Olivia when their family was intact and the world hadn't ended.

When the siblings meet, truths are revealed and Jesse and Olivia must decide the next steps in their personal journeys.

If you're looking for suspense and drama and good old fashioned zombie whacking, this isn't it.

This is a thoughtful narrative about facing the truth; the truth of the world and the truth of your family.

The writing is good, introspective and thought-provoking.

Jesse spends most of his journey discussing his past and how much his life has changed since humanity was irrevocably altered by climate change.

His path and perspective on life is constantly shifted by the people he meets, mostly kind and helpful, and the support and care he gets from strangers boosts his spirits, and reminds him such kindness is rare.

I loved Doggo, but I'm biased because I love dogs. No surprise, Doggo was my favorite character.

He is loyal (as dogs are) and mostly preoccupied with having a full stomach.

But, his companionship is a comfort and solace for Jesse, and he soon realizes that he needs Doggo more than Doggo needs him.

The tone of the narrative is surreal, but not mystical or magical.

Why shouldn't a dog be able to talk during a catastrophic world event?

The world has gone topsy turvy. A talking dog is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

I also enjoyed the fairy tales Jesse told; a few of them were familiar with slight differences.

I began to understand that the tales reflected Jesse's (bleak) optimism and his hope for survival despite his current circumstances.

Happily, the fairy tales always end well, unlike the true endings of these tales.

I'm not going to lie: I was really upset about what happened to Doggo.

Why? I wanted to wail. Why?

When the siblings do finally meet, it's almost anti-climatic, not corny, no gushing or hugging.

There's no time for that when humanity struggles to survive.

Jesse and Olivia spend time together and as a result, come to terms with the unresolved issues that forced their mother to take her children, leave their father behind and seek refuge underground.

The ending is honest, not hopeless, positive in many ways.

Jesse has survived up to this point, and so has the people he has met, including his sister. And he and they will continue to survive.

This is not a typical dystopian novel, but if you enjoy those books and looking for something a little different, give this a try.

I look forward to the author's next book.

This book reminded me of John Dies in the End - meaning, this was one of the top 2 worst books I've ever read. There were some redeeming parts, where they discussed home life before the Underground. However, the fairy tales didn't fit, the characters were not very likeable, the references to "borking" was infuriating, etc. I finished in less than three hours, not because I couldn't put it down, but because it was one of those books to skim and still utterly dislike.

This book was a lot of fun. Reminded me of Arabian Nights in that you have a story in a story in a story. It’s a lot of fun, and I make an effort to never spoil anything. Definitely worth the read.

The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is the story of a boy and his talking dog in a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by the effects of humanity on the climate.

Sounds quaint, right?

The bigger aspect of the well-woven story is that our protagonist, Jesse Vanderchuck, is a very flawed individual and has let his life be swept by routine and happenstance until he does not.

At his breaking point, Jesse sets out to find the sister who ran away from him and his mother years ago as a way to possibly regain some sense of normalcy and stability in his life. With him, of course, is his talking dog, Doggo, who pretty much kick-starts Jesse into realizing that he has just been wasting away in the Underground waiting to age and die.

Along their voyage, Jesse spends some time crafting a series of fairy tales which he tells Doggo. These tales, typical in the standard format of child in distress or magical intervention, really were the highlight of this book for me. Some are very light while some are very not. As the book progresses, the reader begins to see how all the pieces fit together as reality and fable-dom become not too dissimilar.

I very much enjoyed the journey this book took me on. Yes, it’s definitely not a “rainbows and sunshine” story, but the aspects of true joy found throughout really do accentuate their intention.

In this tale, Ms. Brewes punctuates that there is no standard by which to live one’s life, and that obstacles are ever-present. Ultimately, it is how we choose to address and deal with said obstacles that defines who we are.

I so enjoys a good dystopian tale! In the age of covid, with shelter at home, ordering groceries online for delivery, it's almost like living in one of those stories. How awful to live in a subway station shanty. But with the world falling apart due to climate change, there aren't many safe places to live. Humans have been reduced to scavenging to survive. I felt so bad for Jesse and her family. Doggo was the best character I've encountered in a book in ages! Loved the talking dog! Emily Brewes has written a very engaging tale. I think older teens and adults would enjoy reading this book. Kudos Ms. Brewes! I think it would also make a terrific graphic novel.