This was an enjoyable dark twist on a fairy tale book. I like the darker feel without it being too scary. It was definitely atmospheric and held my attention the entire time. If you're a fan of different takes on fairy tales, definitely give this one a try! Easy characters to root for and a satisfying ending in my opinion.

I give this 3 1/2-4 Stars.

This reminded me of the movie, The Brothers Grimm, which took place in a village surrounded by a scary forest where all sorts of creepy fairytales came to life. In that aspect, I really liked the story as it gave the classic fairytales a different twist!

I think there was a bit too much traveling, which took away from the action and urgency of the story. I think some things came together a little too quickly or conveniently, especially for a supposedly dangerous forest and curse that literally kills villagers for stepping inside of it.

The ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I think it was in order to leave room for a second story. Overall, the story has a lot of positives going for it, but quite a few negatives pushing back against it—though I don’t think the negatives are enough to deter anyone from reading!

This is such a perfectly eerie and horrific fairytale romance. Full of body horror and creepy creeps, we have all of the lush and dangerous storytelling from the Brothers Grimm remixed into a fresh new story.

I’ve loved Kathryn’s previous duology and this one is shaping up to be just as delicious. I don’t want to give much away, but we have a unique world built around a forest that has captured a villages’s loved ones and our heroine(s) and hero who venture in to save their families.

They encounter the dead, and macabre as well as some of our fairytale favorites, but with the originally dark spin from Grimms Fairytales.

I highly recommend the audio if you get a change, as the narrator did an incredible job!

“You’re running out of time, Clara, I feel the ash telling me, unwilling to let me find comfort within the reach of its bad omens. And the rampion can’t protect you forever.”

Clara must venture out into Forest Grimm to find the lost villagers who were never seen again after entering the forest. Clara’s mother, who was one of the first lost.

Along with Axel, Clara’s closest friend, they must accomplish what must be done. To save the lost and retrieve the Book of Fortunes but they soon realize they aren’t the only ones in this dark forest, with deadly twist and sinister tales, what will become of this duo?




⭐️⭐️
I was super interested in reading this novel because I was going to receive this novel in my October 2023 book box and I got the opportunity from NetGalley, Kathryn Purdie, and St. Martin’s Press to arc read The Forest Grimm with an honest review. Thank you so much!

I was also very nervous coming into this novel after seeing quite a few reviews online but didn’t phase me out of reading this. When I first started reading this novel I was very intrigued with the story of the lost and how Clara losing her mother to the forest.

As a person with a disability, I really enjoyed how Kathryn Purdie portrayed Clara with Scoliosis, “I straighten my spine, at least as much as my S-curve will permit.” (pg.57).

Unfortunately I had to DNF at 50% I was having a hard time grasping this storyline. I thought it would be a retelling of red riding hood but it merged in multiple fairytales and twisted them into something more sinister like Rapunzel has medusa with long red hair that were alive and tangles their prey. As well as many others.

I never got to the other versions of the other fairytales because it was all a bit confusing and all over the place. I wished it focused on one or two fairytales than multiple and span on all of them with this novel being a series.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings that are more like horror stories, deadly twists and turns than this novel will be up your alley!

This was a wonderful, fun, fantasy read that I think many YA readers will love. The pace was exciting, and I absolutely adored how the author twisted the fairy tales to work with the story. I also appreciate the fantasy world she created and how the romance was a large part of the plot like most classic tales.

The fast-paced plot came back to hurt this book. The characters and romance needed more development for me and there were also many confusing sentences that took me out of the story. Also, the confrontation with the villain in the end was horribly rushed. If you love fairy tales, you want a fast-moving plot and are wanting to be entertained, then this is a great book to try.

"The Forest Grimm" by Kathryn Purdie left a distinct mark on me with its unique approach – a captivating spin on classic Grimm fairytales that takes on a haunting and eerie twist.

This young adult novel, while geared towards its intended audience, tends to lean slightly towards the younger spectrum, almost bridging the gap with middle-grade readers. Despite this, I found the narrative to be an effortless and enjoyable experience, perfectly suited for a relaxing read.

From the outset, the plot wastes no time in unfurling its events. The pacing is swift, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency. As the characters embark on their journeys filled with adventure and travel, the narrative maintains a simplicity that aids in easy comprehension, even as it unfurls across intricate landscapes.

Romance enthusiasts will appreciate the slow burn that permeates the tale, creating an anticipation that is both gratifying and fitting for the genre. Drama naturally weaves its way through the narrative, adding an extra layer of engagement that aligns with the overall tone of the story.

Thank you again St. Martin's Press and net gallery for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!

This is such a fun retelling/reimaging of the Grimm Fairytales. I loved the setting, the pacing, the magic and the characters! This is a perfect YA fantasy book to read this spooky season.

Oh. My. God. So, I absolutely adored this. It did not go in the direction that Iw as expecting but it did go in a direction that I absolutely adored. This Forest takes people from the village of Grimm's Hollow and warps their minds into twisted dark versions of fairy tale characters that we're rather familiar with. I love how things happen unexpectedly and the love story present in it unfolds in a way that works so perfectly. I can't wait to see what happens next in attempting to restore the book and break the curse on Grimm's Hollow. Who stole the book? What does the missing page say? And what will happen with our trio of heros now? I don't know. But I need to know.

If you like fairy tale retellings with a twist, magic in unexpected places, friends to lovers, mistaken identities, and the idea that yes, you can change your fate, or at least your fate isn't what you think it will be, then you need to pick up this book. I can't wait to get it on my bookshelf.

This book was really fun. I enjoyed following Clara's journey as she uncovered the secrets of Forest Grimm, and it was nostalgic to encounter so many Grimm's fairytales in this work. The dark twists made this book unputdownable, and I know that teens are going to love this fresh and unique take on classic fairytales.

I really appreciated the inclusion of disability rep and the character relationships were built with care and nuance. I will definitely pick-up the second book!

Kathryn Purdie weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of magic and danger in "The Book of Fortunes". This dark and enchanting YA fantasy follows 17-year-old Clara as she dares to challenge fate, venturing into the treacherous Midnight Forest to retrieve a powerful book that could save her village from a haunting curse. With echoes of twisted fairy tales and an undercurrent of suspense, Purdie's storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat as Clara navigates a world where every step could lead to her untimely demise or the redemption of her people.

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie is a captivating tale that skillfully embraces the haunting narrative arcs found in classic fairy tales. This satisfying story not only captivates readers but also pays homage to the enchanting yet mysterious essence of traditional folklore.

3.5⭐️

The Forest Grimm was bizarre tale that had me a quite intrigued from start to finish. A mashup of many fairytale retellings, like Red-Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Briar Rose, but make it a little more haunting.🫣 Sometimes I got Junji Ito vibes during a few scenes.

The book is YA with lots of adventure, action, a dash of romance, and very plot-driven. I would love to see more development with the characters in the next book because this story is only just getting started!

I was not sure what to expect when I requested and received this ARC and I tried to keep an open mind but I’m really not sure how I felt about this book…

The story is a retelling of a handful of Grimm’s fairytales with the main thread being Little Red Riding Hood— it’s a romantasy that’s meant to have a creepy element to it and normally I love a retelling, love some chilling elements, love some romance, but in this case all of it was just very underwhelming.

The story was fine but I felt like both the characters and the plot were underdeveloped. I didn’t care for the main characters at all and honestly it was because I felt like I knew nothing about them. The languages and settings were random and the random plot elements thrown in at the end just further confused it all— like I’m sorry why are there shapeshifters and vampires in a Grimm’s fairytale retelling? This especially bothered me when it turned out it wasn’t a standalone, felt very sloppy…
Soooo not the biggest fan but it wasn’t terrible?

4/5 ⭐️
This was such an interesting Red Riding Hood retelling, especially because it wove in a lot of the other classic fairytales likes Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Hansel & Gretel. But the reason I enjoyed it even more was because of the dark, sentient woods. Like the woods are spooky and you never know what they’ll do next. I loved it. It was so fascinating and full of plenty of twists and thrills to have me turning the page, especially with the romance. The romance was so well done.
I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone that are fans of fairytale retellings.
I think the only issue I had was how it would repeat certain details and in a way like it was the first time telling us. For example with her back.
Thank you to NetGalley & Wednesday Publishing for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

Struggled to get into this. The premise started interesting but by a third of the way into the story was already getting repetitive and disjointed. The characters were also too bland for me to connect with in any meaningful way.

Clara, who has always been destined to die, devotes herself this year to going into the Forest Grimm to find her missing mother. Once the town and the forest lived peacefully, but someone stole the Book of Fortunes. Now the forest is cursed. It dispels most who try to enter. When Clara finds a way to get in safely her and her friends, Axel and Ella, go to find the missing. The missing book, the missing villagers, a way to break the curse for good. The forest has warped reality and many oddities threaten to kill them in their journey. Will they find the book? Will they find all the villagers who are lost including Clara’s mother and Ella’s sister? Will Clara fulfill her destiny and be killed in order to fix the curse?

“The Forest Grimm” by Kathryn Purdie was absolutely fantastic. 5 out of 5 stars. I adore fairytale retellings and this book has such a unique twist on all the old tales. I loved the sweet romantic tension between Clara and Axel. It’s a perfect book for teens because even though a lot of really bad things happen the way Kathryn Purdie writes it didn’t feel overly graphic and atrocious in the descriptions. I liked the subtle information about Clara having a disability and it didn’t take over the story and didn’t hold Clara back from her mission. I can not wait for the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Are you a fairytale lover? This was such a fun story that combined some of the most beloved fairytales in ways that are actually fresh and new for 0nce! Retellings can be monotonous, but this was a story where there was a surprise and turn around every corner, and I adored piecing together the ways that each fairytale came into play and came to life in the forest!

The one complaint I had was that the romance fell a bit flat for me. It felt like we were told a lot about their deep connection, but we were never really shown it, and I just wanted more from it.

I absolutely loved the twists and turns, and I really thought I had it figured out, but I definitely did not. It left me wanting more the further I got into the story, and I love the way that it ended so that you're on your toes and needing to know what comes next!

If you're a fairytale lover, get your hands on this one!

This didn't need to be as long as it was and the plot definitely doesn't need to be dragged out into a series. It was repetitive and boring and I didn't care about the romance.

First off the main character had a weakness that was described at all the right times! The author must know someone who has suffered like this, because I have and the mention of the discomfort was perfectly executed. When I started reading I thought she would find love IN the forest not recognize love in the forest. It is well written. I was waiting for the next thing to be the moment the hero arrived. Read it. Maybe there can be more to the story. I'd read it.

The Forest Grimm follows Clara who is determined to save her village from a curse that has been placed on them. Clara and her friend Axel have to go into the forest to find a book that will reverse the curse. Many villagers have gone to the forest to try and reverse the curse. But they have not returned. Can Clara and Axel reverse the curse and save the village or will the forest win? 

This book was a bit out of my comfort zone because I am not a huge fantasy reader. But I love fairytales so I gave this one a try.  I liked this one enough. I do not like it enough to want to read the whole series. But I liked the Little Red Riding Hood vibes this book was inspired by. You can defiantly tell that this book was written for a younger audience. But over all not a bad book.