Delighted to include this title in the June edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer magazine. (see review at link)

How to be Eaten reimagines fairytale characters as modern New Yorkers haunted by their pasts -- the stories that made them infamous and the ensuing media coverage and relentless mass speculation. These harried women meet in group therapy to tell, in their own words, the stories that tabloids sensationalized. Though they are there to reclaim agency in their own narratives, the counselor facilitating the program isn't who he seems.
True to fairytale form, there are fantastical, gothic plot points that require generous suspension of disbelief. However, Maria Adelmann's novel ultimately defies convention, making explicit the misogyny and insensitivity latent in classic bedtime stories and viral true crime stories alike.

This book had me saying "what am I reading" multiple times. Sometimes in good ways and some in weirded out ways. This is such a dark dark modern fairytale retelling. This was unique, the only thing I can even compare it to is the original Grimms fairytales but adding urban moderninity to it.

I actually read a section that made me inwardly flinch because of the content to my husband and he was like "why, why did you read this to me. I'm gonna have nightmares now". A character in here has a skin suit and the description of him crawling out it is so visual, if this was a movie I'd be covering my eyes at the grotesque visual. Now for some readers reading this review that might be a selling point but for me it was a "wtf did I just read".

This edges on horror with body horror visuals so it does get intense. Definitely check up content warnings because whew there are a ton of graphic dark themes. I love fairytale retellings, it's a selling point for me but this one was a little too much for me. The storytelling itself was fine, but the long long chapters (I'm talking like 50 minutes long according to my kindle and I'm a fast reader) was so frustrating that I didn't want to pick it up. But I pushed through because I couldn't look away, I wanted to know what was going to happen at the end. However I finished it and the ending was so confusing, I'm still not sure what happened or why it ended like that.

Thank you for the eARC for my honest review.

Oh my, how I loved this book! I've always enjoyed a book that takes a fairy tale and turns it on its head and How to be Eaten does just that! Five women have joined a self-help group because they all have experienced some traumas in their pasts. And then it gets weird. And I loved it! I really enjoyed the stories that each fairy tale character has, all the traumas they have endured since being shoved into the media spotlight, and that twist at the end was amazing! I have been talking about this book to anyone who will listen because I loved it so much!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of How to be Eaten.

I have always loved a fairy tale retelling, so when I read the description knew I had to request it. I really enjoyed this book and the way that it was laid out. I thought that the therapist was a bit odd, but didn’t realize where it was going.

The characters were a little annoying in the beginning, but they got better and I liked the writing. I have mixed feelings about Raina's story and I predicted the "plot twist" at the end pretty early on. Overall, I liked it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Maria Adelmann reimagines the victims of classic fairy tales as modern-day heroines of their own stories in How to Be Eaten, a darkly comedic novel that explores the power of storytelling to shape--and reshape--individual lives.

An invitation is sent to a group of women with strange backstories, asking them to participate in experimental group narrative therapy. In walks Bluebeard's girlfriend, the only surviving lover of the tech billionaire-turned-serial killer; a newly empty-nester whose husband is known as a good, kind hero; a slightly deranged woman named Ruby, who wears the grungy pelt of a wolf for a coat; Gretel, "the one from the strange kidnapping story that captivated the nation more than two decades before"; and a young woman flashing an enormous engagement ring. Week by week, the women return to tell one another their stories--of being kidnapped and threatened, wooed and trapped, corralled and manipulated in any variety of ways. Beyond their true stories, however, they start to explore how they each came into the public eye and in so doing, reveal how each of their stories had been re-framed by the attention paid to it by outsiders.

How to Be Eaten sweeps readers up not in the details of each woman's backstory but in the ways those misconstrued details have been used against them. Adelmann invites readers to think about the power of stories and storytelling, and the often fine line between making space for others' stories and making entertainment (and profit) out of the same. This sardonic, poignant novel is a whip-smart invitation to reimagine familiar fairy tales in a modern age. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer

I’ve always loved reimagined or “fractured” fairy tales and How to Be Eaten was a super enjoyable and unique spin on that. I had such a fun time reading this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.

The book itself almost read like a collection of short stories with each chapter revealing the backstory of our main characters, with small interludes taking place in an unknown office. I loved this set up because it kept me engaged and motivated to reach the end of each (somewhat) long chapter. The characters were interesting and a nice mix of commonly thought of fairy tale stars (Red Riding Hood/Cinderella) and those you may not be as familiar with (Bluebeard). How to Be Eaten also offers a commentary on media and how we consume it/the people who entertain us through it. Just an added element that I thought was interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advanced copy.

How to Be Eaten is a cleverly subversive reimagining of five iconic fairytale heroines. The characters meet at a support group to speak about their traumas, but the reason they were brought there is a story in itself. I loved how the narrative separated and coalesced in waves, and while wickedly dark, there are laugh-out-loud moments. Maria Adelmann nailed her characters, down to each flick of hair and droplet of watery blood. Compulsively readable.

Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company and NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love something dark, and I love retellings. This was a dark retelling of a handful of fairy tales that started dark and became something else. It was nice to see them be dark again. I think it was a bit heavy-handed at times but reminded me of Grady's "The Final Girl Support Group" but less voyeuristic, which I appreciated.

3,5 stars.

Five fairy-tale heroines are reimagined as members of a trauma support group in modern New York City in this delightfully weird story that deftly examines the ways in which perception can hinder healing. . All five women have answered a request to come tell their stories in a grubby basement room while their facilitator, Will, tries to keep the peace. I won't say which characters are included in the story, because figuring it out is part of the fun but all of them are well known to any fairy tale reader and the ways in which they come to terms with their own stories is incredibly satisfying.

As a whole, this was an interesting read, particularly in dealing with trauma and how the survivor can question, not only their own perception of the traumatic event but the perception and opinions of others as well. The fact that these women are all pretty messed up makes total sense in context. I do wish the plot had taken the story a bit deeper into what happened after the group concluded, particularly with regard to how the women went about with their everyday lives. The ending felt pretty rushed but overall, I think readers will enjoy it for a darker take on fairytale heriones.

✨ 5 fairytale women enter therapy.

💜 The story follows a group of women who have had trauma who join a support group. These are modern day retellings of Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, a reality dating Cinderella, a girlfriend of Bluebird….and one more I can’t talk about due to major ending spoilers.

💥This is one of those books that stick with you. There is a ton of ambiguousness in this book where you are sometimes not sure if you read it right. Sometimes this is to limit the graphic scenes and sometimes it’s to provide you with a more enjoyable twist. I semi-guessed the ending. But their stories will compel you to keep reading.

My face at the end: 😱

🍪 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from @Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company.

💯 For more details on the books we read, be sure to follow me on TikTok (@zaineylaney). I will give you a list of reasons to read! Or join us on Youtube (@zaineylaney) for our monthly wrapups and snap book decisions.

This is a dark, bizarre, and inventive novel. There were some intangibles here that fell a little flat for me, including how it all tied up, but I did still really enjoy it. Lots of CWs here though, so don’t pick this one up if you’re a sensitive reader!

GOD this book is amazing!

It's so hard for me to put into words how much I enjoyed this, but let me attempt it at least.

The way this story is written perfectly aligns with the plot and the characters’ personalities. The juxtaposition of first person and third person really does the overall story and the characters’ individual plotlines justice.

The character development in the book is amazing! I loved how rough and unevolved they were in the beginning, it really makes the ending more satisfying.

I highly recommend this book! I am really looking forward to snagging a physical copy.

*This review can be seen on Goodreads*

This book is pretty much what I expected — a decent fractured fairy tale. Nothing was wow worthy, but it was still able to hold my interest. To start on a positive note, I really enjoyed how the fairy tale retellings were told from the perspective of each heroine. The Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood versions were my favorite! I also appreciated that Adelmann incorporated a modern day fairy tale in the form of a Bacheloresque reality TV show. In this section, she was able to highlight the toxic nature of these shows and reality TV in general. However, the book fell flat for me in a lot of places because the characters were one-dimensional, and there wasn’t a whole lot of plot to move the story forward. The long chapters also made it hard to get through parts of the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dark and twisted take on traditional fairy tales.

Out May 31, 2022 [Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!]

Rating: 3/5 stars

Bernice, Ruby, Ashlee, Gretel, and Raina are all women who have survived traumatic events very much in the public eye—but a novel new form of narrative group therapy might finally give them the chance to tell their stories on their own terms.

I adore a fairy tale retelling so I was exceptionally into this premise from the jump—five fairy tale heroines go to group therapy and tell their stories, which are darker and more twisted than they seem. I greatly enjoyed the structure, which is reminiscent of a short story collection, and the dark tone and feminist overlay was definitely a lot of fun.

On the less positive side, the stories themselves were very long (I am personally not a fan of long chapters) and occasionally a bit confusing—retold to the point of being unrecognizable in some cases, and deeply bizarre in others. I also didn’t particularly like the overarching framing device, which I can’t name here because of spoilers, but which I felt detracted from what could have been some really deep and meaningful themes.

All in all, I didn’t love this but I certainly didn’t hate it—rather, I’m glad I read it and will be interested to see what the author does next. Most of all, I think there are people out there who will love this style of writing and type of book, and definitely encourage you to check it out if this sounds like a fun premise to you!

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: literary fiction with a fantasy twist; feminist retellings; dark fairy tales.

CW: Violence/violence against women/intimate partner violence; manipulation/gaslighting; misogyny; child abduction/child abuse.

This book caught my eye from the cover, let's be honest. I'm also a huge fan of Grimm's retellings - especially those of Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf. The synopsis was also a huge eye catcher for me. I mean, come on:

"This darkly funny and provocative novel reimagines classic fairy tale characters as modern women in a support group for trauma.
In present-day New York City, five women meet in a basement support group to process their traumas."

For me- hook, line, and I had sunk. This book was everything I thought it was going to be and more. It was every bit as funny and unique as I expected it to be. It was also jaw dropping, disturbing and hooking. It made me squirm. It was every bit as disturbing as the original Grimm Tales but with just enough modern twist to make it even more horrifying. Imagine Grimm Fairytales meets a true crime podcast. If you enjoy either of those, and better yet, both...this is a great read to break up the fictional monotony.

Adelmann is truly imaginative. She took the characters we have known/heard about and gave them life. She gave them modern flesh and bone. Ever thought you might relate to Gretel (from Hansel and Gretel)? How about Bluebear's wife? No? Me either. Though, Adelmann was able to put a wonderful spin on these fairytale women in which you could. I've never felt these fairytale characters to be so realistic. Her writing style puts you right there in a seat next to them all. Listening to each of their stories with undeterred interest and compassion. I have not read anything like this. Incredibly unique and transformative.

Each character has her own story. That which is recognizable and that in which is their own. I felt most for Bernice (story of Bluebeard) as holy shit they made that creepy!! I also liked Gretel (Hansel and Gretel). Her story was probably the most touching. Although, I would've liked to see more of a conclusion to her and her brother. Ruby (Little Red) was probably the most disturbing character and story. She downright irked me. I couldn't stand Ashlee (Beauty and the Beast? Still not 100% sure on this one but its the closest I could get) but her story was probably the most mind boggling. Reality TV is very disturbing if even a single bead of it was accurately represented here. Reina was a story I couldn't see coming. I know a few other reviews said they did but I was pretty much blind sighted. Man, oh, man do these girls come with their baggage. Their dialogue among themselves was hysterical. Their stories give you the same goosebumps true crime give you and with every ounce of the same intrigue that keeps you watching (reading) in dismay and horrid morbid interest.

While I was incredibly impressed with the originality of this book, I'm not sure what holds me back from giving it a higher rating. Though, I will say that while writing this review, it deserves a change from 3.5 original rating to more of a 4. It could be its unrestrained bluntness of woman's traumas that is just too honest it makes me uncomfortable. I think it's mainly that at it's core its so disturbingly honest that it can't shine. It lacks that end-of-book luster...satisfaction It was an evilly disguised self-help, non-fiction and as a reader that reads for the sake of a dragged out, battered happy ending...we got none. Ah! there it is! It is the lack of a satisfying conclusion.

What happened with Gretel and Jade? Her brother? Yes, Ruby got some progress made but what of her ticks? Raina got doubly shafted with no sense of conclusion despite being the main mystery. Bernice was the only one we really got closure on. I don't think there is enough here at the end for a sequel - though I would LOVE to see her tackle a few more fairytales in therapy sessions. But there it is, it lacked higher rating for me for it's lack of adequate (or my own idea of adequate) conclusion. That being said, I would highly recommend to anyone who needs a change of pace but doesn't feel like reading smut, romance, or another fantasy. It's an excellent pallet cleanser. Loved it!

How To Be Eaten is a fairy tale retelling somewhat set in our ‘real’ world. Naturally, there is a fantastical aspect to it. There is a main plot to the story, but the main point and focus is on the character’s telling their stories in their own words. That is truly where the book caught my attention and held it. It is dark and gritty but also kind of funny and sometimes very cringe, but what fairy tale isn’t at least a little bit? I had a really good time with this one and definitely recommend.

I'd round up and give this a 3.5 rating. I'm always down for fairy-tale retelling. This one is definitely more modern than any in a unique way. The story is broken down into weeks of sessions by popular characters - with an "office" entry in between. These stories give just enough and not enough at the same time. Which keeps you hanging on but missing just enough - if that makes sense. I would definitely recommend it - in the it was unique and had an interesting enough story being told.

"Dark, edgy, and wickedly funny" - yes, yes, and yes. How to Be Eaten is a gorgeously written story about a modern-day support group comprised of five women who've survived so-called fairy tales, from the traditional (like Gretel, who - unsurprisingly - struggles with a deep mistrust of food and those who try to feed her) to the contemporary (like Ashlee, the 21-year-old 'winner' of the most recent Bachelor). It is TWISTED, and it is excellent.

In terms of plot, it of course reminded me of The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, which I enjoyed - but I'd put TFGSG squarely in the thriller category, whereas I think How To Be Eaten is more ambiguous. It has thriller-esque elements, particularly around the therapist and his motivations, but it's much more character-driven than your typical mystery, and there's magical realism too. I'd actually compare it most closely to Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic - both books expertly create a sense of creeping unease (and visceral shock!) as you move through them.

The one thing I didn't like about this book was the cover - I think it's misleading. It suggests that Ruby's (Little Red Riding Hood's) story will be the central one, but that's not the case. (The women get roughly equal 'page time', but if there's an argument to be made for one central character, I'd go with Bernice or maybe Raina.) I would have preferred a more abstract design, or one that managed to integrate elements of all five women's stories - I think that would have set a much stronger orientation.

That said, I loved this book. I loved it so much I had to force myself to stop reading when I was 70% of the way through so that I could savor it through more than one sitting. To put it in context, I read an absurd amount - I'm at 80+ books in 2022 so far - and I can already tell this will be a contender for one of my favorites.