Thank you, Net Gallery, for the advanced copy of this book. The Forest Grimm is a mishmash of different fairy tales rolled into one. It kind of works but kind of not as people who wander into the forest turn into what the book was so opposed to in the first place. Then all the murder is forgiven except for the first one which is still not explained.

Hands down one of my favorite reads this year!

If you prefer the dark, fanged fairytales of The Brothers Grimm rather than the sanitized Disney versions, this book is for you. The gorgeous prose, the haunting atmosphere, the delightful twists on the folklore were all perfectly executed, and don’t get me started about that friends-to-lovers romance. Clara, Axel, and Henni were a fabulous team, and I loved the ‘journey’ dynamic.

THE FOREST GRIMM was everything I hoped it’d be, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. And that ENDING was absolutely perfect, in all ways.

ALL THE GRATEFULNESS to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc, and to Kathryn Purdie for blowing me away. I can’t wait for Book 2.

So much of me wanted to like this book. I love fairytale inspired stories/retellings - especially ones with a dark vibe - but The Forest Grimm really fell short in all ways that count. I found the book to be very repetitive and severely annoyed by the romance set up. I feel like the author could not decide if the MC was aware of her feelings or not, but the straight up eye oogling every other scene while stating Axel was only a friend got grating (especially given Axel's circumstances). I also felt like the fairytales that are woven into this story are very forced and don't make sense. Cinderella's story doesn't even happen to Cinderella. Rapunzel is Rapunzel in hair only, but is also some how the witch in another story. And don't even get me started on Briar Rose.

I also found it super weird that someone can get murdered in a small town using this magical book and no one has any idea who did the murdering? Nor does it seem like any one seems to care about figuring out who did it or why.

Overall, The Forest Grimm had SO much potential but despite the fairytale elements, I didn't enjoy the journey. I gave it +0.25 stars for disability rep because its nice to see that in a MC, however, the way the disability was written felt clumsy. Almost like the author wanted to include it but didn't really know how to.

2.75 stars

I won't be continuing on to the next book, especially since its gonna be centered around Henni and I really disliked Henni.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book - I went into it obviously expecting fairytale references given the title but it was so much more fun than I anticipated. It reminded me a lot of the tv show “Once Upon a Time” with how all of the traditional fairy tale characters are intertwined and introduced. Some of it was a little on the nose but also that’s kinda the point of fairy tales in my opinion.

The characters were likable and I was rooting for them the entire time. The pacing was solid and I felt interested the entire time.

Overall I’m happy and can’t wait to get my Fairyloot special edition!

The Forest Grimm begins with an evocative phrase: “Tell me again, Grandmere, the story of how I die.”
Kathryn Purdie’s prologue opens when the novel’s narrator, Clara, is only nine. Her grandmother has already foreseen her future, which includes a premature death, in a deck of cards, and Clara longs to change her fate. When she learns her mother, Rosamund, has been given the same reading, she is willing to sacrifice her own life to ensure her mother lives to old age.

The novel then leaps ahead seven years where an adolescent Clara is haunted by her mother, who is not dead, but is one of 66 people lost in the Forest Grimm. The residents of Grimm Hollow, a village at the edge of the forest, were once blessed with a book that allowed them to make their wishes and dreams come true, but have now been cursed by someone who used the book for nefarious purposes. Each Devotion Day a hero is chosen to enter the forest and find the Lost Ones, locate the Book of Fortunes, and lift the curse on the town. Clara longs to be the hero who can save her mother’s life.

The Forest Grimm is a Young Adult adventure filled with fairy tale references. There are red capes, rampion, wolves, stone towers, castles, and spinning wheels. The protagonists come across Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel as they travel through the Forest Grimm. The book explores life, death, fate, love, loss, and time, ending with a promise of more to come. This is a fun read for fairy tale fans and those who love a coming of age story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

This book was just… not good. I hated how obvious everything felt. It felt very… done. I liked certain parts, like the wish granting book and magic forest… but everything else was just embarrassingly awkward. This book did give my eyes a work out based on how often I rolled them (for various reasons)

I actually really liked this book. Where some people thought the numerous fairy tale retelling in one book was tedious, I found it really interesting. It kept my attention. And maybe it was the writing but this was a very vivid book to read. I could picture everything while reading. It was also delightfully gruesome at times. The disability rep was also nice to see.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy to review.

The Forest Grimm brings together all your favorite fairy tales with a dark twist in this new YA Fantasy.

I have been anxiously waiting for this book since the beginning of the year when it was announced. I always love Kathryn Purdie’s books and this one was no different.

Years ago, villagers would make their deepest wish in the Sortes Fortunae until someone used their wish to murder another villager. Now the Forest Grimm has hidden the book and along with it, several villagers known as the Lost. Clara’s mother was the first villager to go missing three years ago. Clara has tried to figure out a way into the Forrest to rescue her mother, but when she discovers the key to entering in the forest, she soon discovers the forest has dangers behind every corner.

There are many aspects of this book i enjoyed. The first is the relationship with Clara and Axel. Axel is the boy Clara is fated to never have and the slow burn romance throughout this book made me invested in their relationship. Will Axel be with Clara or will he continue to look for the girl he was supposed to marry before she became one of the lost?

Another aspect was the fairy tales found throughout the forest. I loved how they were not the fairy tales that we grew up with but closer to the Brothers Grimm stories which added another danger to the forest. I am curious to see what new fairy tales lie within the Forest Grim in book 2.

Of course this book ended on cliffhanger and I will be anxiously waiting until I can get me hands on book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read the Forest Grimm. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!

The Forest Grimm is the perfect adventure for lovers of the Brothers Grimm fairytales and YA Fantasy. Starting with Little Red Riding Hood, tarot, and a selection of chance to see which villager has to go into the forest in an attempt to save the village, we follow Clara’s journey to save her missing mother, and ultimately, everyone she knows. There are a lot of dark fairy tails jam-packed into this winding story, and there’s also a little romance! This was an enjoyable listen and a great addition to a Fall TBR.

Okay, so this was unexpected. I enjoyed this, but not in an excited way. I felt like this dragged at parts simply because there were so many different pieces involved. I loved the mash-up of fairytales, though, especially with the evil twist. So I'm definitely glad I got to read this even if it's not my favorite.

I had some issues understanding the main characters. Clara and Henni are best friends, so I thought they would be close in age, but Henni is constantly described as being childish. I also didn't completely connect with Axel and Clara's romance because it just seemed a bit out of place to me.

However, if a story full of creepy fairytale retellings sounds good to you, then I hope you give this a go!

Out September 19, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The Forest Grimm is a YA fantasy novel based on many different Grimm Brothers' fairytales, which you can see through all the various references throughout the book.

I love a good fairytale retelling so I was very excited to get to read this one. Sadly, I didn't enjoy this book as much I thought I was going to. While the concept was cool, I feel like the book may have been too young for me. First, the worldbuilding felt too ambiguous and lacking with both French and Germanic type references. Additionally, there was just too much going on at once as the author tried to fit too many fairytales into one story. In my opinion, this book would be much better with just a bit of trimming.

While I personally wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I can say acknowledge that The Forest Grimm is fast paced, has a comfy, cozy fairytale atmosphere, and a fun twist cliffhanger ending; So while it may not have worked for me, I would still recommend it to younger fantasy readers who are looking for more fairytale-based novels.

Read if you like:
- classic fairytales
- quick pacing
- atmospheric reads
- twists and turns

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew from the first chapter of this book that it was going to be something special! It was fast-paced and full of action. I loved all of the fairytales that were woven into this story. The friendships, family bonds, and romantic feelings were so well done in this book. I loved the characters so much! The book leaves some things unresolved, which is great since it’s the first of a series. I love series that take more than one book to solve the whole mystery. Definitely a book I recommend and will definitely have to check out the next book!

3.5 stars!

I really enjoyed the eerie fairytale retellings in this book. It was kind of difficult to picture the Forest Grimm in regards to how it connected physically with the village, but the author does a good job creating a mysterious and unpredictable space within the forest. It was interesting to see how the characters would journey through the forest while meeting the Lost people from their village. However, I did get a little frustrated with the characters because of how senseless the main character was. After all the dangers they encounter in the forest, you'd think they would be more aware of not trusting everyone they meet so easily; this was something I struggled with Clara and Henni throughout the whole book. Speaking of Henni, I personally thought she was quite selfish and inconsiderate (even though she's supposedly Clara's best friend). Also, Henni just seemed quite burdensome for the majority of the book and her constantly straying from Axel and Clara was quite predictable.

I didn't feel strongly about any of the characters in this book but I enjoyed the little twists and turns at the end. The plot was done well and it kept me very immersed in the story. I do wish there was a greater focus on the fairytale retelling aspect but I loved how the world was built and how the cards came into play at the end. This book was fast-paced and there wasn't really any moment in the book where I felt bored. I do think there could have been a greater focus on developing the characters' growth (especially the relationship between Clara and Axel) but I'm excited to see what happens in the next book as Clara journeys back into the forest.

Ever since I was little, I have always loved reading fairy tales. Some of my favorites were Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast, and to this day, I still enjoy their stories. As I have gotten back into reading more over the last few years, I have found myself being drawn to read fairy tale retellings, especially dark or twisted retellings!

There were a lot of things that I enjoyed while I was reading this book, mainly being able to see twisted versions of different fairy tales come alive during Clara Thurn’s (FMC) journey into the Forest Grimm to try and save her mother who was Lost. I will never look at Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel’s stories in the same way again, that’s for sure! (Think Cinderella if she was a deranged jilted bride and Hansel/Gretel as cannabalistic little munchkins if you need a little push to read this book). This is a YA fantasy so nothing gets too dark/graphic, but it definitely gives slightly creepy vibes with the menacing, ever-changing forest and the fairytale characters that we all know and love but with a dark twist.

Overall, I did enjoy the plot of this book but like some YA books, I felt that the characters fell flat in places and I even put this book down for a few weeks because the pace was slow in parts and it seemed like it took a while to get to the conclusion. I am also not as big on friends-to-lovers, which is definitely Clara and Axel’s relationship, and while their romance/feelings for each other were very warm and sweet, it didn’t have that chemistry and tension that I personally enjoy reading about (but that’s entirely my own preferences). The ending leads you to believe there will be a second book, which I might enjoy reading and possibly getting to see even more twisted fairytale characters!

Themes/Tropes (as I see them): dark/twisted fairytale retelling, evil forest, friends to lovers, journey/quest, family secrets

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the digital galley in return for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Forest Grimm on September 19, 2023.

This book was SO atmospheric! It's perfect for the fall/spooky season, especially if you're a fairytale retelling fan. I loved how Kathryn Purdie switched up the classic fairytales to make a unique and riveting plot. Some moments surprised me with how spooky they got, but it also felt like the perfect balance of creepy atmosphere and comfortable for YA readers.

The main character was definitely more on the naive side, which grated at times. But it was also a perfect representation of a 16-17-year-old who thinks they have the world figured out only for their entire perception to change. I also wish this had been multi-POV so we could see more from Axel's perspective!

The writing overall was great, and I loved the disability rep! Excited to see where this story goes int the future, especially after that cliffhanger ending.

Younger me may have liked this
Current me just went to goodreads to see if it gets better and learned it was the first of a duology. Nope. I don't care enough to wait for a conclusion

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In The Forest Grimm, Kathryn Purdie tries to reimagine how the Grimm fairy tales came to be. Clara Thurn's fortunetelling grandmother has read her fate of death since childhood. Her village has been cursed by the magical forest surrounding her village. Part of this curse includes the loss of villagers to the woods, the first of which to be taken being her mother. Clara and her friends venture into the forest to find their lost loved ones and recover a magical book that will grant one wish to each villager... in hopes of breaking the curse.

The story is quite simplistic, and the writing is young. I think Kathryn has some creative ideas, and there were some funny lines that made me smirk, but the overall execution lacked polish.
Repetition of concepts that were already explained. Just a few examples: <spoiler>How the lottery worked was explained multiple times in the same chapter.</spoiler> and <spoiler>The concept of "Take my luck," their village's way of wishing someone good fortune, was explained the first time it was used and again near the end.</spoiler>
Ironically, there was an issue with lack of explanation. Characters would know some information without us knowing how they came to this conclusion. For example: <spoiler>Clara somehow knew the Grimm wolf was a "she" even though there was no indication of gender, especially since the wolf was described to be larger than regular wolves. This made predicting one of the twists on who the wolf is quite easy.</spoiler> and <spoiler>When Clara and Axel meet Hansel and Gretel, the twins don't tell them their names. However, a few paragraphs later, Clara refers to them by name. It seems like Henni got their name, but there wasn't any time for her to share this information.</spoiler>
Not necessarily a flaw, but the verses from the magical book felt too literal. The prose was quite simple and (spoiler for how I felt at the end)<spoiler>I wish there was a nice plot twist on what they interpreted the verses to mean vs what they actually meant</spoiler>.
Another personal opinion, but I didn't like how the fairy tale characters they met were named exactly as they are in the Grimm fairy tales. This made them feel forced in, and worse, easy to predict how the episode would go down. Maybe it would be more interesting if our expectations were subverted, but they stayed quite faithful to the original tales, just with the author's personal dark twist. I personally would've preferred if the names were not so exact and we had more of an if-you-know-you-know delivery. I know that the author wanted to explore how these tales came to be, but the current delivery makes things too predictable. I guess it could be fun in the way horror movies are, where the audience knows that the characters are in trouble while they are oblivious?
Spoiler-y side-question about the naming: <spoiler>Why were the twins' names actually Hansel and Gretel then? I thought the Lost also lost their identities (though we didn't really get an answer as to how they got their new names), including their real names?</spoiler>

I wonder how much will change between the ARC and the final copy?

The characters were fleshed out fine, if not a bit generic. For example, Axel's description fit the typical YA attractive male protagonist. Clara fit the role of the heroine who wants to save their loved one and their village, to the point of self-sacrifice. I did appreciate the disability rep, although I cannot say anything about the accuracy. She has a condition in her spine that causes it to be misaligned, and it was interesting to see how the pain made the journey even harder. Finally, Henni... really did get on my nerves many times. On one hand, she was a realistic portrayal of someone who grew up under an older sibling's shadow yet was sheltered in other ways. As a group, they did have some cute, wholesome moments. I liked how Axel supported Clara and kept an optimistic energy when she was spiraling into hopelessness. However, they also acted in illogical ways that made me want to scream through the screen. For example, they all slept together at the same time... when they probably should've taken turns watching for danger. They also ignored many suspicious signals and sometimes... just didn't have their survival priorities straight.

This book is the start of a series, and while I appreciate a standalone, I don't think this would've been wrapped up well in this one novel. There is still so much that is unresolved in the novel. The unpolished writing means the story would meander a lot more, or it would end too abruptly with many unresolved threads. Having this break allows the author more time to develop a solid conclusion.

Just as a final note, I found it interesting that Clara's grandmother comes from a French-speaking country while Clara is in a German-speaking one. A lot of the Grimm fairy tales are based on tales written by French author, Charles Perrault, who wrote a version of Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe this is a small Easter egg?

I love a good Fairy Tale retelling and Kathryn Purdie gives us a new world of fairy tale retellings….and she doesn’t shy away from twisting them back into the darkness from whence they came. And I’m becoming a sucker for the way she writes the romance in her books; it sucks me in!

The Forest Grimm is what could be expected from a Little Red Riding Hood-esque story, filled with magical forests and creatures that hunt them. Clara comes into knowledge of her impending death, and embarks on an adventure in the hopes of removing a curse that has plagued her village. While the magic is there, the story not so much. It's full of easter eggs that pay homage to some of the most well-known fairy tales, but ultimately I feel as if the story falls.. flat. Maybe if this book had been condensed it could have not seemed so lacking in certain areas, but overall Clara is not the most personable character. Axel, her love interest was in my opinion the only saving grace, and I really can't see myself continuing on with this story.

In "The Forest Grimm," Kathryn Purdie weaves a tapestry of enchantment and darkness, crafting a tale that merges magic, curses, and the power of destiny. The novel introduces us to Clara Thurngood, a young woman burdened by the awareness of her imminent death. This prophecy is revealed through her grandmother's fortune-telling magic and the drawing of two cards.

Within the village is a tradition in which every villager, on their 16th birthday, enters a secret wish into the SortesFortunas, or Book of Fortunes. The story takes a sinister turn when an evil wish is cast, plunging the village into a curse that sets the forest against them and compels the villagers to become Lost Ones, wandering into the forest searching for relief and loved ones.

The narrative builds its intrigue with the concept of Monthly Devotion Days, during which names are entered into a lottery. The chosen individual is granted the opportunity to venture into the forest and confront the curse to save the Lost Ones. This uphill battle has proved impossible for all previous participants until Clara's close friend Axel's name is drawn. Fueled by an unyielding determination to rescue her mother and reverse the village's misfortune, Clara aligns herself with Axel. Joined by Henni, the sister of Axel's lost fiancée, the trio's journey is laden with challenges as they navigate a forest whose ever-shifting movements add complexity to their quest.

Purdie's storytelling prowess emerges in her adept interweaving of this dark tale with elements from the original Grimm fairy tales. Timeless characters like Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are seamlessly integrated, unveiling a unique and unexpected twist. This narrative choice propels readers into a realm of gothic intrigue, dispelling the sanitized versions of these stories in favor of their grittier, more primal origins. Through this lens, the story acquires an extra layer of depth, evoking the haunting darkness that often accompanies classic folklore.
"The Forest Grimm" offers quick pacing and a strong narrative. Purdie's prose is polished, guiding readers through a world rich in magic and danger. The novel thrives on its foundation of secrets—Clara, Axel, and Henni each hide their truths, enticing readers with their complexities.

The first installment in a series, "The Forest Grimm," sets a compelling stage for further exploration. The intricacies of the world, its history, and its characters are all poised for further development, promising an enthralling continuation of the journey within a world that is both hauntingly familiar and remarkably fresh.