I really liked the writing in this. It was dramatic, dark, and plot-driven. I'd recommend to anyone who liked fairytale retellings.

This was an interesting fairytale retelling. Mostly following along Little Red Riding Hood, but several others are mixed in there. The story went on a little bit longer than I think was necessary but it kept my attention throughout, even during the longer traveling parts. Overall a fun YA romantasy!

Kathryn Purdie weaves together a clever, gothic retelling of several fairytales - closer to the original Grimm versions than the Disney ones - in this atmospheric and haunting story about a young woman trying to find her mother and break the curse of her village.

I honestly couldn't put this book down - it was phenomenal! Brilliantly written and totally gripping, I would recommend it over and over again.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy

This was interesting. Lots of fairy tales mashed together or referenced in different ways. I think it’ll appeal to young people who enjoy a quest/adventure story with friendship and a dash of romance.

I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the chance to read The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.

GR rating: 4 ⭐'s
My rating: 4 ⭐'s

Creepy Fairytales, and horror. A winning combo in my books. I really enjoyed this read. It weaved in numerous different Fairytales with that traditional darkness of The Brother's Grimm.

It was such an adventurous ride throughout, and just when you think you know how something will turn out, it completely derails and goes into another direction.

All in all a fun, and easy fantasy read that I will be recommending!

Releasing September 19th, 2023

I really wanted to love this book, but I had a hard time staying engaged. I felt like every time it started getting good, it took a left turn and got sidetracked with redundant content. It kept beating down a repetitive plot line that got old.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Woow! What an adventurous rollercoaster!

It takes those classic fairytales and twists them in a haunting and horrifying way. I love seeing stories bring a unique take on a classic, and that is what this story did. This book definitely has some witchy elements so I think it would be a great book to read who deal with tarot cards.

The reason I did not give this more than three stars is I would have liked to be more connected a little more with the characters. Sometimes the story fast going but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy in exchange for my early and honest review of The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie.

Hey kids, don’t wander off into the woods by yourself! Everybody knows that, especially seventeen-year-old Clara Thurn, but that advice is not enough to keep her from seeking her mother and the other Lost Ones even it means sacrificing herself in the process.
But let’s back up. Clara and her family live in the magical village of Grimm Hollow where everyone over the age of sixteen has the option of making one heartfelt wish and the mysterious Book of Fortune that protects the town would reveal how to fulfill it. But as everyone knows, there are rules to magic and someone (we never find out who) has broken the rules, plunging the little town into despair. The magical book, Sortes Fortunae has disappeared in a huff and has taken the peoples’ good luck. Soon the wells turn rancid; the rains stop coming and crops won’t grow. As if the villagers hadn’t suffered enough, one by one or in pairs, villagers wander into the Grimm Woods in a trance never to return.
The first to enter and not return was Clara’s mother and now Clara is determined to enter the forbidden forest to rescue her. That’s the book’s basic premise. Now throw in a handsome village heartthrob, a scary grandma and a clueless female sidekick, and Clara’s off to meet the wizard!
Oh, wait, wrong story. That leads me to a bone I must pick with the author. I felt as if I was suffering from Deja vu the further I read. At every turn, I felt that the author had borrowed bits and pieces from other stories and movies. I found myself asking, “Wait, am I reading the Hunger Games?” and, “Isn’t that from such-and-such film?” But you know what, I’m ok with that as when you have a mishmash of fairy tales such as this, it’s going to seem familiar in certain spots. Regardless, I was still firmly invested in the characters by chapter three and could not put the book down. The story takes the readers down many dark paths with lots of twists and turns (almost as many as the ones in Clara’s back. Ugh, enough complaining Clara!). More than once I found myself saying, “Well, I didn’t see that coming.”
Even though the end was somewhat rushed and left readers a bit unfulfilled, it’s clear that book two is in the works, and I can’t wait to grab it. Give this YA book a try yourself or pick it up for your favorite teen. It’s a fun read that you’ll really devour faster than the Big Bad Wolf at a pig roast!

I love a good retelling, and none more than a Grimm style one: the more horror and creepiness the better. So I was excited to be able to read a book from a familar face with a premise in that vein. I wasn't diappointed, By far my favorite elements were when Purdie leaned into the scary sides of the story, fairrytales, and the magical forest setting.

What I don't normally like in stories is a friends to lovers trope (maybe I've read too many of them), but here I think it was excecuted well, and I can appreciate the romance as a whole. The pining and slow burn isn't bad, but it's for sure written for a younger set of the YA age category. It's not for me, but I'm glad to see a true YA book that younger ages can read, and not an NA book in disguise.

The plot is what I would describe as an Into the Woods like-story, and it is certainly a plot heavy book. It was wasn't groundbreaking, but I liked that it was easy to follow and wasn't a battle to understand what was going on, especially in a fantasy. I will say that I wasn't a fan of the larger setting: I personally *loathe* the Serpant & Dove style of having a fantasy world use a real world language and yet that place is erased behind fantasy worldbuilding, but that's my own outlook.

It was a good read: I wasn't struggling through it, and I know people who would resonate with it in its target audience. The only elements I didn't like were a result of personal opinion or not being the right, younger audience, so I say judge for yourself! 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Loved how imaginative this story was and how it weaves in so many different fairy tales. Engaging and fast moving plot that kept my attention. I also loved the epilogue and definitely plan on reading the sequel I believe must be coming.

I did really enjoy this! I love fairytale retellings to begin with but pair that with the romantic longing written in YA Lit, and it’s just something kinda beautiful!

Loved this creative new take on Grimm’s fairytales. In this book, Grimm is the forest and the people that have wandered off within have seemingly become Grimm Fairytale characters. (Because they’ve all gone cuckoo.) And our protagonists go into the forest to try to save (mainly) their loved ones. However, being within close radius to each other has two of the three feeling special feelings for each other which they shouldn’t be having. They need to focus on their mission! (That whole feeling gives me flashbacks of my entire youth. Lol) But oh how I love the longing. 😍🥰🥰

Now, I hate cliff hangers. I’m far too curious a person to be okay with them. They drive me half crazy for a while until I forget about the book, the the next comes around and I have to reread to remember because emotionally, I’ve moved onto something else. BUT I’m glad to know there’s another book to come. Potentially. So people need to buy this book so we can get that next one, for my own sanity and that of the others who can’t deal with cliff hangers. Lol
-.5⭐️
And second, while the story is interesting and I did thoroughly enjoy it, I hate the cover art. I know that’s not a nice thing to say, but it’s my honest opinion. I wouldn’t grab this in a shop because it’s not an attention grabber for me, and I do judge a book my it’s cover. Unfortunately. If it wasn’t provided by NetGalley, I’d never have come to know this story because what grabbed my attention was the mention of “Grimm” and the author. (I did like Bone Crier’s Moon.)
-.5⭐️

So, I’m off to preorder because I want a copy for my home library.

If you like fairytale retellings, this is a great spin on those stories so make sure to check this book out!😊💜

I only read the first 3 chapters, but I absolutely adored it! You can tell from the opening scene that the author knows how to tell an intriguing story and I can't wait to read the rest when it is published.

I was a bit skeptic going into this one because at this point I've read one too many Little Red Riding Hood/Grimm Fairytale adaptations. Thankfully, I was rewarded for giving this one a try.

First of all, I got sucked in quickly. The world building is wonderful and descriptive, the added touch of magic from the book that grants a wish to villagers, and I don't know why, but I didn't see what was coming in the forest.

The way Purdie wove the tales of those trapped in the forest is fantastic and did not in any way follow the typical formats of other Red Riding Hood/Grimm YA novels I've read. I loved how Grimm's dark tales were even darker in the book. Rapunzel's story pulled me in and from there I couldn't put it down. Characters were fantastic, just when I thought I knew how something was going to turn out Purdie pushed the train off the tracks. I love how creative this was and little nods to different fairly tales in small and significant ways. This is one I would definitely put on my shelves in the fall for students who are looking for a fantasy with a dollop of darkness.

A dark and engaging take on the Grimm fairytales that captures the horror of the originals while offering a unique twist. I wish the author had gone deeper and more nuanced, but within the parameters of Young Adult conventions, it worked well. If you're looking for a fun, easy fantasy, this is a pleasant way to spend a day.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I entered The Forest Grimm with trepidation. Not just due to it’s eerie atmosphere filled with danger creeping at every corner and magic thickening the air, I needed to know what I would find with every page turned.

I needed to know what my heart would declare about entering this world and walking its path to the end.

I declare I felt adventure, urgency, excitement, fear...I felt an adventure worth taking.

I am so glad I took it.

》The Leads《

Clara, our protagonist, owns my heart. I love heroines like her— soft, vulnerable, yet determined. Fierce not in brawn but in sheer will. Her greatest wish is to save her mother and she will face all the frights in the world to do so. Even with the chronic, physical pain she has following her, she never stops going. Her determination is her true strength.

Axel, what a perfect co-lead. While we do not get his POV, I think he’s a character easy to read— even better than Clara herself did. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a steadfast companion to Clara.

Henni. Ah Henni, sometimes she honestly felt in the way. I wanted less of her so I could see Clara and Axel without that third party watching in on them. So yes, she frustrated me, I can’t say I enjoyed her character— but I do think she helped progress the plot forward. Without her character I don’t think the plot would have been as nicely paced as it was.

》The Romance《

Oh gosh, how I desperately needed Clara and Axel’s romance! From the start I felt they were meant to be, and I rooted for them the entire way through.

I tend not to enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope, but for them, it fits perfectly. It’s heartbreaking to see Clara keep her distance due to the fear of her shortened future, not to mention her belief in who Axel’s true love is. How that plays out is predictable, but in a way that very much satisfies.

This is another reason I’m not a huge Henni fan, I felt we lacked more on-page romance due to her presence. Nevertheless, I’m content with what we did get.

》The World-building《

If you’r ever read The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford then you’re familiar with fantasy worlds that are more intimate, quieter, more contained in a way unlike a vast majority of other fantasy. This book’s world is very much like that.

There’s a subtlety there in the way magic works and in how the forest encompasses the characters. It doesn’t build out as much as it builds in— depicting how its world directly affects each character.
I enjoy this type of world-building very much.

》The Missteps《

A strength in this book is its plot, but at times it did feel it overwhelmed the character arcs, losing a bit of focus there. This is honestly a minor nitpick, I’m simply a romance reader at heart and always root for the love story to take the main stage.

I am not a fan of the set up for a sequel. This story was prime for a contained, quiet fantasy read that did not need to see Clara’s journey continue. I would have understood had Henni been postured as the next POV, allowing her to lead the next book. I just want Clara and Axel to having their happily ever after, so I’m a bit dismayed to see there could be more bumps along the way.

》The End《

I was not sure what to expect when I began this journey, but I'm so glad I took it. I don't know if I will continue onto the next book, but I will absolutely be purchasing this one.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank-you Netgalley for the eARC. This was an adventure of a girl trying to save her mother and her town. She enters Grimm Forest to save her mother and find a book that grants wishes after her town is cursed. It is a fast paced adventure that weaves into it different fairytales I’ve grown up with but they are darker than the ones I know. I enjoyed the darker aspects of the fairytales. It includes a beautiful slow burn romance. Really enjoyed this tale and can’t wait for the next one.

This is my favorite quote from the book. “Love is stronger than death, stronger than fate.”

The writing from the very first line marks it as YA. Stopping at 4% in. It has very little crossover potential for adults, so it won't be a good fit for our libraries. This could even be a good fit for middle grades, depending on how the rest of the book plays out.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC.

I'm sad to say that I had to DNF this book. I found the writing to be extremely basic and all over the place. The characters had no depth to them and the story didn't feel believable for a fantasy story. I liked the idea of this book, a forest capturing the lost when they try to find their love ones. A girl with a red hood to find them and save them and their town. The magic in the lore. All of it usually is right up my wheelhouse. Unfortunately, the lack of depth and thoughtoutness was just too much for me to want to keep reading.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was so excited to be approved for this ARC, as I adore fairytales and have enjoyed them for as long as I can remember. I thought the mixing of familiar storybook themes in “The Forest Grimm” was truly clever and the writing was positively engaging. However, I wasn’t as invested in this particular tale as I hoped to be. I do believe that there will be a dedicated fan base for this book, and think that anyone who watched “Once Upon A Time” should give it a read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. It had a strong start, however I felt as though there were too many elements competing for attention. It seemed like it was going to be a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, but then pieces from other fairy tales were included as well. I also did not expect it to be book one of a series. The FMC was overly focused on one thing throughout the story (which is a completely fine plot line) to the point where it made her feel one dimensional. Overall, not the book for me.