[Originally posted on Goodreads on May 23, 2022]

I ought to have written this much, MUCH sooner, but alas, I'm a chronic procrastinator. I was lucky enough to snag an e-arc of this wonderful book a bit before release and even managed to read it more or less on time (it was a delight! I just happen to be a mess and reading about a dozen books at once).

I tried my best to go into this story as blindly as possible, but the characters were already familiar from some insta posts. (There are some truly lovely graphics that go with the MC profiles, in case you are as bad at imagining faces as I am.) So, fair warning, or alternately, good news! This book is NOT A STANDALONE. I was convinced it was, until the last couple pages. (Yeah that's on me, really should have looked.)

The Grimrose Girls is not exactly a retelling. Yes, the main characters reference famous fairy tale princesses (and occasionally I had trouble separating Nani's image from her Disney name sake, even though they have almost nothing to do with each other), and we have a serious ensemble cast of supporting characters from other genres, but this story is more meta than that. Slowly, they each start to see the resemblance and that opens up a lot of possibilities. (Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "foregone conclusions" took a sharp left turn. I'm looking at you, Yuki.)

I loved that for the first 3 quarters of the book I couldn't tell if I was reading a thriller with a serial killer/cult that got their inspiration from reading a story book, or if there was real magic going on in the background. (Now I know, but I'm still wondering if perhaps there's some intersectionality.) Book 1 builds up several mysteries and budding relationships, and leaves a lot of questions unanswered, thank god. There's a lot to look forward to in the next installment, so much so that I'm gonna be sitting here drumming my fingers until November.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones
, and Amazon

Sapphic mystery and friendship !! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

The Grimrose Girls didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

I had a mixed experience with the story. The characters felt lukewarm and the plot didn't pull me in and that affected the overall enjoyment. Fairytales often thrive on charm and whimsy, so it’s disappointing when those elements are missing from the story (in my eyes). 2.5

Gorgeous cover and a good addition to the murder mystery at boarding schools trope. There was a lot of good and interesting rep in this story and I liked the anxiety talk and even the fibromyalgia. Although it bogged down in parts, fell into the typical "no one gets along with their parents" ya trope, I did enjoy it for the entertainment value. The idea of the story being tied to fairytales was unique and I found that fun!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

"The Grimrose Girls" by Laura Pohl is a captivating blend of dark academia and fairy tale reimaginings that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story centers around four girls at the elite Grimrose Académie, who become entangled in a series of mysterious deaths that mirror the tragic endings of classic fairy tales. As they unravel the secrets hidden within the school, they must confront their own stories, fears, and the haunting legacies that threaten to consume them.

Pohl masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, fantasy, and psychological drama, creating a world that is both eerie and enchanting. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own demons and desires, making them relatable and complex. The narrative's exploration of fate, free will, and the power of storytelling adds depth to what could have been a straightforward mystery.

The book's pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with introspective character development. Pohl's writing style is lyrical and atmospheric, drawing readers into the gothic ambiance of Grimrose Académie. The inclusion of diverse characters and themes of identity and self-discovery further enrich the narrative, making it a standout in the young adult genre.

*"The Grimrose Girls"* is a must-read for fans of dark fairy tales and thrillers. It's a story that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for the next installment.

I was really excited to read this book. I love the idea of dark academia meeting fairytales. I figured it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately the pacing was so slow that even though there were elements I liked, I had a hard time being engaged. The final part was fun and exciting, but it didn't really make up for the struggle of the first parts of the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and fairytale characters in this. I loved guessing who was who and can't wait to read the next one. This book had me in a chokehold and I couldn't guess the mystery either, which is infrequent.
I did feel quite put off that the trans character was 'the beast'. I feel like they could have been characterised better.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review. I enjoyed the time I spent reading this book but I wouldn’t necessarily read it again. The pacing sometimes felt slow and I didn’t always feel connected to the characters.

I loved the setting of this book - it's exactly my type of setting. I did struggle to keep up with the amount of characters and I didn't find it as fast paced as i've seen others say. I don't see myself continuing on with the series but it's one I will recommend to people who are interested in it!

I loved this book and the series that Laura Pohl has made with the girls and mixing fairytales with mystery it is fantastic and so well done I loved every second of it

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I was not sure if I was going to like this book at first. As I kept reading, and noticed the dark original Fairy Tales are twisted into the story, I was hooked! I love how some of the characters in the book were all so diverse. As soon as I finished reading this book, it left me wanting more!
Full review on YouTube

I loved reading these books! I loved these story about this group of friends, who are dealing with their circumstances, learning more about what was going on, and investigating this mystery, it was all so great to read!

We did rotate around with all the girls' perspectives, which was both good and bad in helping to distinguish each one from the other, of which details went with which girl. That it turns out that they're modern day versions of these various fairy tales, that helped solidify each girl separately in my mind.

These are the darker versions of the tales, given that their friend, the one who had Ariel's story, died, was a pretty good indication, as well as the atmosphere. I couldn't get enough, and I had to know what was going to happen next!

And with all that they learned in the first book, they still had to deal with the curse that the were under in the second. And I had a really great time watching them deal with it in their own ways, and how things eventually wrapped up!

These were both really fantastic reads, and I can't wait to read more by Laura Pohl!

The Grimrose Girls was a surprise joy for me; I usually avoid darker murder stories, but this was really engrossing, horrifying, and amazing. It takes place at a boarding school/castle! SUPER odd! A sinister murder mystery! A really original perspective on fairytale retellings!

This book was so good! I was weary of it at first because I thought it would lean more towards fantasy but it didn’t. I love the original fairy tales and the type of “fairy tales gone wrong” stories, so this one was right up my alley, with the added murder mystery aspect. I also loved the female friendships in this book and how they all loved each other in the end, even though things aren’t completely fixed. I read it in one sitting. Definitely have to pick up the sequel.

A murder mystery that takes place at a boarding school + classic fairy tale curses! It’s about learning to control your own story, which I loved. It’s also multi-POV, and each of the narrators was interesting in her own right. After the death of a friend, Rory, Ella, and Yuki join with new girl Nani to investigate. I loved the Dark academia combined with fairy tale vibes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

I remember my dad allowing me to watch The Craft when I was a kid and absolutely fell head over heels for that genre of film and now having read Grimrose Girls, it was like a wave of nostalgia. I lived the characters and felt that all were paid attention to during the course of the plot and their build of character. The descriptions were easy to imagine and I thoroughly enjoyed it in a single evening. The prose is easy for someone who is at the level of a Freshmen, or someone at 30 like me who just wanted a good read with not too much world building. I would highly recommend.