Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marten's Press for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Kathhryn Purdy's "The Forest Grimm," with a publication date of September 19, 2023. Please forgive my delay in reading and reviewing this novel.

"The Forest Grimm" tells the story of Clara, whose grandmother foretells her demise at the novel's beginning. Clara ventures into the Forest Grimm with her close friend Axel to retrieve the Sortes Fortuna, an enchanted book that has the power to lift the curse plaguing Clara's village and possibly save her mother. As Clara and Axel travel through the forest, they find themselves pursued by a Wolf.

This saga is a fractured fairy tale where the forest's inhabitants include very dark versions of the characters in Grimm's renowned fairy tales (i.e., Hanzel and Gretel, as well as others). The love story between Clara and Axel, the twisted fairy tales, the gray Wolf's secret, and the search for her mother propels the story forward, creating an engaging atmosphere filled with suspense and intrigue.

The author takes the reader on a tortuous journey, filled with twists and turns galore and shocks, by dispersing heartbreaking revelations throughout the novel.

Will Clara and Axel survive the deadly Forest Grimm? "The Forest Grimm" is the first book of the duology, and I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.

3 out of 5 stars

The Forest Grimm was a new take on the dark fairytale theme that so many of us love today.
While I did have an enjoyable time with this novel, I think that we needed some more character development and some better world building.
All in all, I think if you are looking for a quick and easy read with a fairytale inspired fantasy world, then you might want to check this out!
I am interested to see what this author comes out with next!

I really was booked for scram. I enjoyed the story of the female and kind of a twist on red riding hood. I also liked the twist at the end with the mom and the grandma in the main male lead. I found that the end fit the book, but also left me wanting more. And the author just did a really good job with giving us a modern classic twist on red riding hood, but with a darker undertone.

Kathryn cannot write a bad book in my opinion. I am a long time fan of her work and will always read her books. I love her characters and plot always. Number one recommendation author on my list

Purdie’s world-building is one of the novel’s standout features. The forest itself is an enchanting yet terrifying setting, filled with eerie creatures, enchanted traps, and folklore that comes to life. Purdie masterfully blends familiar fairy tale tropes with a fresh, dark twist, creating an atmosphere that is both magical and unsettling. The descriptions of the forest and its dangers immerse the reader, making it easy to get lost in its twisted branches alongside the protagonist. Character development is another strong point, as the protagonist faces both external and internal challenges. Her journey is one of growth, courage, and sacrifice, as she navigates the blurred lines between good and evil. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with each character bringing their own motivations, secrets, and roles in the larger narrative.
For readers who enjoy fairy tales with a dark edge, The Forest Grimm is a compelling read that offers adventure, magic, and a deep exploration of love and destiny. However, some readers may find the familiar fairy tale elements a bit predictable, but the dark twists and unique setting more than make up for it.

I have read A LOT of fairytale retellings, or teisted tales and this one was just lacking something. I found myself putting the book down and walking away for a long time. I wish it had been more of many things and less of the blunt fairytale

I enjoyed this one. I thought the concept of a cursed forest that seems to enrapture some people and yet forcefully keeps others out was really intriguing. I also liked the way that the fairytales were twisted.

I thought Clara was a good character even though she was making dumb decisions. I liked that she believed in fate and magic, and her focus on finding the book and breaking the curse was one of the driving forces pushing her ahead. I liked her relationship with Axel, and I liked how it developed during their time in the forest.

I thought the pacing was good. The writing style was easy to follow, and the story moved along well. There was a good balance between the action and excitement and the quieter moments.

I’m excited for the second book, and I would definitely recommend this one.

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me a gifted copy of this book and for an eARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve always been a big fan of the brothers Grimm stories, so this story was great for me. I found the beginning slow compared to the rest of the book, so it didn’t pull me in instantly. However, once I was pulled in, I couldn’t put it down.

I switched back and forth between the audio version and the ereader. Both were great choices and made it easy to thoroughly enjoy the story.

This story is the first of two books in the series and does have a small cliffhanger ending.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Can’t say this one was a favorite of mine, but it was entertaining. The story didn’t feel original to me but that didn’t mean I could bear through it. As I was reading, I kept hoping for more and more and it just lacked in deliverance.

I do a lot of reader's advisory and book talking for YA books. It's always good to have a list of fantasy/romance titles! This one was a little formulaic for me, personally, but I definitely think there is an audience and I will be recommending.

The Forest Grimm was such a darkly enchanting multi fairytale retelling! Each fairytale character was unique and intriguing. The world building was very well done, and the cast of main characters I found to be very endearing. I enjoyed the twist with the Grabdmother, and the ending has me hooked for book two!

*The Forest Grimm* is an enchanting and atmospheric fantasy that intertwines folklore and dark magic. The novel features a richly developed world and a gripping narrative filled with intriguing twists. Kathryne’s evocative prose brings the mysterious forest and its inhabitants to life, creating a captivating reading experience. While the story's pacing might be slow at times, the immersive setting and compelling plot make it a must-read for fans of fairy-tale-inspired fantasy.

I enjoyed this read. Very neat retelling with twists and turns to keep you hooked and reading more. A daring twisted fairytale with a great dynamic between the characters.

Wanted to love this, but I think I’m just not the target audience for this book.
However, this book is a very age appropriate YA fairytale retelling and an overall interesting story.
Perfect for spooky season and a great book to recommend to the teen in your life.

Although a bit uneven, with occasional dark elements mixed with an unexpectedly sweet romance, young teens who enjoyed the Chronicles of Never After as middle grade readers may find The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie a good bridge into the more complex stories shelved in the young adult collection. This book blends characters and themes from a variety of fairy tales (some better known than others) and should appeal to younger teens who enjoy creepy but not disturbing fantasy and who prefer an action driven plot over a romantic one.

I loved this twisted fairy tale! Not only was the writing style amazing but the fairy tales chosen to include and the twists given to each was unique and so much fun to see. I loved the interaction between the main characters, they are easy to love and very realistic in their emotions and devotions to those they care about. I can not wait for the next book to come out and for this story to continue. I will absolutely be reading this one again!

I love a good fairy tale inspired story, so of course I was very intrigued by this premise. While I found the story compelling, there were several times where I felt like the whole "dark fairy tale" schtick crossed over the line into goofy.

The idea of the book is interesting. However, the execution wasn't perfect. Overall, a it was a decent read. If you're a fan of fairytales, I suggest you try it out for yourself.

I grew up reading Grimm Fairy Tales, so I'm always a sucker for a book that is a retelling or reimagination of those fairy tales and this book did not disappoint. Once I started reading this book, I had such a hard time putting it down and couldn't stop until I had it completed.

I first received this book for review ebook format but thankfully I also got the audiobook. I love this story and all the retelling aspects of it. The pacing was even and the narrator sis a great job! I need it for my book shelves.