Welcome to Elmever forest, where no one is supposed to go and no one ever gets to leave.

“The Butcher of the Forest” by Premee Mohamed is a haunting, atmospheric fairytale novella that plunges through ancient wood and never once takes a breath to make sure you’re going the right way. We are introduced to Veris, a woman with mysteries, who is summoned to the Tyrant’s court. As the only known person to have entered Elmever forest and returned alive she is tasked in rescuing the Tyran’ts two children who have gone missing. If she fails everyone she loves will die.

Rich and full of magic I loved every part of this novella. The forest is brutal and full of deadly rules and bargains and creatures from your nightmares. If you make the slightest error, you feel absolute dread that it will claim you if you don’t remain focused. Veris was a wonderful character and we slowly peel back the layers to unravel her mysteries. The ending only felt slightly rushed, and I would have loved to learn even more about the forest’s creation and the outer world we only got a peek at, but as a self-contained story everything was superb. If you like your fantasy dark and slightly sinister, this will be for you. Premee Mohamed’s writing is exquisite.

Thank you TOR and Netgalley for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️

This is beautifully written dark fairytale. Veris is the only person to enter the woods that has been capturing children and come out alive. Therefore the Tyrant of their village has forced her to re-enter to save his children. Since this book is very short we get glimpses of them man he is and what he is known for. It made me wondering were they really in the nightmare and the forest the salvation.

This book does read quickly because of its overall length but there are times that it does drag out and I found myself skimming some.

I see this book having a specific audience and it will be loved by this group. Readers who enjoyed The Last Tale of the Flowerbride I think will really enjoy this novella.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

Part fairy tale, part nightmare, Mohamed takes you by the hand into a topsy-turvy wonderland where the miraculous and menacing live side by side. She plots a tight path in and out of the woods, but you can't be sure you're really ever out. A fun journey. For certain values of "fun."

Genre: fantasy, dark fairy tale

Veris once rescued a child from the Forest, so when the Tyrant ruler's children go missing, he threatens her life and that of everyone in her village and forces her to go in after them. She faces challenges to get them back, because those who dwell in the forest are creatures of magic and power.

A dark tale of adventure, despair, trial, and heroism. Veris, our heroine, knows she is walking a fine line between life and death, but as we learn through the story, she’s already so far down the path of despair herself that she can look death in the eye and greet challenges head-on. Despite the fact that the story is both dark and bittersweet, there are many reflective moments which keep the reader engaged. Every challenge, every new creature faced, is a chance to pause and play a game of logic.

This slim novella is simplistic in its execution. It has no real chapter breaks (there are natural writing breaks however), and I found myself reading the entire story in one sitting, then spending several days reflecting afterwards.

The Butcher of the Forest is perfect for fans of T Kingfisher and Emily Tesh’s dark fairy tales. It’s not an “all vibes” book, because a tidy plot holds the narrative together.

The fluid boundary between mystery and puzzle

Veris lives near an enchanted forest, the Elmever. Children who get lost in the forest never come out. People of the villages have learned to mourn those who go lost in the wood as if they were dead, for those who enter the forest to search for their lost children also never come out. With one exception: Veris herself once went into the forest to search for a child and returned with the child. That was years ago.

The Tyrant who rules over the country where Veris lives has two children. Last night they snuck out of the castle and went into the forest, looking for adventure, probably. The Tyrant has Veris brought to him and tells her

“You are to go into the woods again, and recover my children.”*

He will kill her family and raze her village if she fails. He is a cruel man who has done such things for far less reason in the past.

Veris walks into the forest. This description intrigued me:

"Really, the problem was that people believed that there was some kind of . . . door, or gate, or at any rate some visible thing that let you enter the Elmever, and it was thought that this lured children in some way, tempted them with sparkle or song to step through it.

The truth was much more dangerous, Veris knew. For the world of those others was not at all through a doorway that alerted you to its presence, but was instead adjacent to the real one in a way that could not be perceived by human senses, and that was precisely why people went missing into it. At some point, you took a step, and you were simply there, and you would not see the difference between it and the true woods, and you would never take another step that led you back home."*

There are two kinds of questions that are hard to answer -- more, really, but we start with these two: mysteries and puzzles. It has been pointed out (by Malcolm Gladwell, among others) that these are different things. A puzzle has a right answer. A mystery does not -- it is an unknowable thing. But if you know anything of the history of ideas, you know that sometimes puzzles become mysteries and mysteries puzzles. Sometimes you have to find a different way of knowing. (The history of mathematics is full of examples.)

Here is the story as I saw it: to bring the children out, Veris must make puzzles of some of the mysteries of the Elmever. Although I doubt it is what Premee Mohamed had in mind, her description "At some point, you took a step, and you were simply there, and you would not see the difference between it and the true woods" felt to me like the imperceptible slip from puzzles -- things unknown -- to mysteries -- things unknowable. And to return Veris must do the opposite -- move from mystery to puzzle.

The actual story of what happens to Veris in the Elmever is far more concrete than that abstract question makes it sound. In fact, Veris meets things and fights things and talks to things and makes bargains. It becomes clear as the story progresses that we will not understand what Veris is doing unless we also know the story of her past foray into the forest, why she went, who she was pursuing, how she succeeded and how she failed. We do eventually learn these things.

I was left with a puzzle, and this is definitely a puzzle rather than a mystery: why is the book called Butcher of the Forest? Nothing that Veris encounters in the forest is referred to as a butcher, nor does anything obviously merit that description. I am left puzzled as to where the title of the book comes from. I am pretty sure Mohamed knows why she called it that, but I am clueless.

I really enjoyed this. It was not like anything I had read before. It is just the right kind of weird. Different readers will see different things in it.

I thank NetGalley and Tordotcom for an advance reader copy of Butcher of the Forest. This review expresses my honest opinions. Release date 27-Feb-2024.

*Quotes are from an advance reader copy of Butcher of the Forest and may change before publication. If necessary, this review will be corrected on the release date.

This book sounds so good, unfortunately I wasn’t able to get invested into the story when I picked it up. May be a moody thing and I’ll most likely give it another shot in the future.

The Butcher of the Forest is a haunting dark-fairytale with twist and turns that will have you second guessing what happens next. The story is fast paced and has you eager to read through it and find out where the story leads. The description of the forest and the beings that are native to it clings to the edges of your mind like whips of shadows, immersing you in a completely wistful reading experience. I greatly enjoyed reading this and seeing the strength and determination that the MC - Veris - exhibited throughout the book, her conviction and care towards securing the safety of Eleanor and Aram was heartwarming and real.

This book is definitely worth the read, although it is a novella, it’s brimming with emotions, well-built characters and a story that will last with you.

I would to thank the publishers, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! It was a wonderful reading experience!

Epically written dark fairy tale. Thanks for the arc as this novella was utterly beautifully done. High stakes and quick character growth. Thanks for the afc

I’m a sucker for “deep, dark woods” books. I see that pop up in a book summary and you’re already halfway to me requesting the book immediately! Add on top of that a creepy, fairytale-like cover, an adult leading lady, and the mention of “traps, riddles, and monsters,” and yeah, I didn’t hesitate to slot this one down for review. And man, it was both everything I expected and wanted, and yet somehow also much more.

There was so much that I loved about this book that I don’t even know where to start! I will say, this is a novella, so readers are plopped down fairly quickly into this world and left to piece together an understanding of its politics and dangers fairly quickly. To accomplish this, the book relies on fantasy readers’ knowledge of some of the tropes commonly found in this type of book: a deep, dark cursed forest that everyone know not to enter; a cruel, tyrannical lord who is as brutal as he is unpredictable; and, of course, a leading character with a particular set of skills and a mysterious past. But while all of these elements are familiar, the fantastic skill of the author deploying them raised it all to a new level, allowing me to not only easily orient myself but to also find myself quickly invested in Elmever’s story.

She’s the exact sort of character I love: brave, but not foolhardy; sad and worn down by a cruel world, but unwilling to forfeit all hope; willing to take action, but also capable of dealing with the blows dealt to her. I also loved the slow reveal of the mysteries in her past, with the final clincher coming late in the story in a way that completely took me by surprise. Not so much what the reveal was itself, but how it played into the current events unfolding on the page.

This book is also incredibly dark and would comfortably fit under the “horror” umbrella. And while “horror” isn’t my preferred genre, I do like seeing aspects of the genre pop up in books like this. There’s nothing more disappointing than a fantasy book with a cursed forest that turns out to be fairly…tame. This is not that. Scene after scene buffets the reader with gruesome creatures, terrible choices, and the inevitable feeling that there’s no way Elmever can possibly keep this up much longer. The stakes always feel high, and by the midpoint of the book, I was frantically reading at a pace that could almost be described as “frenzied.” And on top of these horror elements, this book is dark in the sense that it tackles some very tragic themes. These characters have not had easy lives, and no one is safe. I was honestly surprised by just how willing the author was to fully go there with some of these scenes.

It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this book per se, given how tragic and tense it was for much of the time. But I did love it and was incredibly impressed throughout the story. For such a short book, it packs a powerful punch. I never felt like a scene was wasted, unnecessary or not fully explored. Instead, the book felt succinct, sharp, and incredibly poignant at times. I highly recommend this one to readers who enjoy dark fantasy novels and are looking for a short, satisfying read.

Rating 9: Heart-breaking and fear-striking, this book will catch you up in its claws and wring you out, all in the best possible way!

(Review will go live February 7 on The Library Ladies)

The only thing wrong with this novel is that it's too short! The woods were so real that I felt as though I were right there with Veris. A real "Into the Woods" vibe like The Year of the Witching, or The Wolf and the Woodsman, but with more descriptive oomph when the forest atmosphere tilts to become more hopeful or more menacing or just more magical. A smattering of real gore and horror kept me riveted but not revolted. Unlike some forest fairytale novels, I had no inkling what would happen next, and the ending was not what I would have guessed at all. Would absolutely love a sequel and Mohamed has certainly paved the way for one with that ending.

Do you like scary fairy tales? Fae deals that are much more than you bargained for? Fairyland that is dark and ominous? Then The Butcher of the Forest is for you. It's set in a medieval-inspired fantasy land. We don't know much about it other than that "the Tyrant" subjugated the land years ago, and still rules with an iron fist. There's also a frightening Forest that serves as a border between the real world and an uncanny fairyland. Years ago, Veris managed to go into the Forest and rescue a child. Now, she's pressed into the service of the Tyrant, whose two children have disappeared.

The bulk of the novella follows Veris as she navigates "fairyland" while dealing with her own trauma, both from her previous time spent there and from her experiences under the Tyrant's rule. Her sense of self and her own hard-won principles in the face of so much adversity make this more of a character study than an adventure story. It packs a punch! It's not an easy read, but it's worth the journey.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the e-arc I received in exchange for review.

I will first say that while this story is short in length, it is not necessarily a quick read. The narration felt wordy at first when I was trying to read at my normal pace; when I slowed down and let myself absorb the prose, it flowed much better and really aided itself to the overall storytelling.

In the beginning, I knew that I was enjoying the mysterious setting, the dark atmosphere, and the jaded protagonist, but I wasn't sure if I would get truly hooked or not. This was admittedly a slow starter for me. However, around halfway through, it really grabbed me. Not only did the pacing pick up, but the themes regarding children and their innocence really shone through. Also, the ending definitely got me more emotional than I was anticipating. The whole story was beautifully written and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

Overall, this may not be for everyone, but I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys unique, dark, and atmospheric fantasy stories with strong prose and touching themes.

I really liked parts of this, and parts of it dragged a bit for me.

The Butcher of the Forest is a novella about a middle-aged woman who is tasked by a tyrant lord to go into an enchanted forest and rescue his children. She had previously survived this forest as it is explained that in the past she had rescued another child, but it is made clear this was an anomaly and that such behavior (interacting with the forest) is not something locals do.

It's quite a well-told story, however, my personal interest wasn't too interesting as it feels like a spin on the fairytale Hansel and Gretal, but with some twists and new characters. The word building, the horrors of the forest, and rules of enchantment are dark and such you in. Everything is a threat, and the creatures are warped and scary. It's a quick horror read and if you like zombie-esque creatures, fae lore and evil enchanted forests, definitely pick this up. It's a dark and suspenseful, but simple story and very reminiscent of the classic fairytale.

⋆⭒˚｡⋆₊ ⊹ the butcher of the forest by Premee Mohamed
★ ★ ★ ★/5
this novella will take you far away to the distant lands that are occupied by the Tyrant, a vicious and gruesome conquerer who has built a castle right outside of Veris’ village.

So when Veris Thorn is abruptly woken up one morning to guards forcing her to the castle, she is surprised to the reveal that she is desperately needed for a rescue with less than 24 hours left to do so; or else others will pay the price.

the dark fairytale includes an enticing atmosphere that changes quickly depending on Veris’s choices, keeping you glued to the story throughout one sitting. with mythical creatures, beasts, and monsters lurking at every corner, you never know what’s gonna happen.

Premee Mohamed paints a beautiful but haunting atmosphere that is untamed throughout the brief but packed 160 pages. And remember, do not be tricked by the others. ⋆⭒˚｡⋆₊ ⊹

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this before release! You can get your hands on this enticing novella on the 27th of February.

This is a well done and beautifully written novella about grief and loss within the setting of a very dark and grim fairy tale. I only wish that the story had been longer as I wanted to spend more time with the characters and learn more about the forest and the creatures that lived within it.

Veris is an amazingly well done character. You really feel by the end of the story that you know her well. She carries a burden of grief that also makes her strong and perfect for the job. I really appreciated that she was older and the burdens of her life weighed heavily on her. She is also very brave and smart and knows how to navigate the Elmever and manages to keep herself safe.

The children she tries to rescue are also well done and strangely likable. Eleanor and Aram are traumatized by their venture into the forest, but realize that Veris is their only hope so learn to trust her and follow her directions. They have a wonderful sibling bond as well.

The writing was beautiful and mesmerizing. The pacing wasn’t exactly fast but the story was so compelling that I had a hard time putting it down. The plot is simple in its complexity with an ending that will leave you satisfied but also hoping for more. Although I did not find the beasts particularly scary, I can see others seeing them that way. But they all have interesting roles to play in trying to keep the children in the forest.

Overall this was a lovely way to spend an afternoon reading this dark yet beautiful tale. If you are looking for something short to read and don’t mind a little bit of horror, this is a book I recommend you pick up.

This was just written so well. I don’t know what to say to avoid spoilers, so I shan’t say anything at all. But Premee Mohamed is a wonderful writer with gorgeous prose, who’s unparalleled in her ability to capture the sad, the eldritch, and the fantastic within the words she lays out like traps for them to come skitter to and be caught in.

Wow! This book is small, but packs a huge punch! I loved it! The ending left you speechless and I hope there will be more to this story. It gave me grimms fairytale vibes and a mix of Hansel and Gretel. It definitely reminded me of old school dark fairytales. I’m excited I stumbled across this book and can’t wait to recommend it!

This brief novella definitely packs a punch, though not as sharp a one as I was led to believe. It's got a bleak streak a mile wide, but that ending wasn't quite as despairing as I'd thought it would be, and weirdly I'm not sure how I feel about it. I do wonder if there will be a sequel, though. (Content warnings for child SA/sex work for food, death of many children, and miscellaneous other miseries.)

Okay, so I have mixed feelings about The Butcher of the Forest, but overall I think that I really enjoyed it. This is going to sound like a bit of a contradiction; the writing was gorgeous but the sentences got so long winded to the point where it got hard to focus. I think this could have benefited from being a little longer, too, since it is only 160 pages. It felt pretty rushed at times and I felt like a few things from inside the forest could have been expanded on. That being said…if atmospheric, dark, creepy, and strange fairytales are your vibe, this book ticked all those boxes. I think Mohamed did a wonderful job crafting this world, I genuinely felt like I was inside this terrifying forest with Veris. The creatures of the forest were truly made of nightmares. Veris was also a very well-crafted character. I really enjoyed learning more about her and the ending broke my heart. So even though I have my qualms with this one, it really was different from anything I have read and I did enjoy it for the most part.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eerie, dark, and twisty this Hansel and Gretel retelling captivated me. I read it in one sitting and it was so not what I expected. Very sad and tender at times I loved the imagery even when it was a little bit scary!