I am a fan of living forests and the horror of nature. Seeing this done in a fairytale setting was something I was really interested in. The book started out strong but I think it started falling off near the end.

As much as I love a retelling this one definitely fell short for me. There was a lot of disconnect for me especially in the story overall. I do see what they were going for with it being a little read riding hood retelling but it just wasn't enough.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook. (This is actually my 2nd read, and there have been no changes with this new edition.)

The Forest Grimm pulls readers into a beautifully eerie and enchantingly dangerous world, where magic, curses, and twisted fairy tales live among the trees. Kathryn Purdie builds an atmosphere that is rich and immersive—lush with haunting magic and alive with danger at every turn. You can practically feel the forest breathing around you.

At the heart of the story is Clara, a 17-year-old determined to save her cursed village and her ailing mother by braving the infamous Forest Grimm in search of the legendary Book of Fortunes. Clara’s strength and resilience stand out, and her scoliosis diagnosis—something rarely seen in fantasy protagonists—was a refreshing surprise. It adds another layer to her character and makes her quiet grit even more admirable. I especially appreciated the detailed planning and physical preparation she goes through before entering the forest; it gave the journey more weight and realism.

The fairy tale elements are clever, and the idea of the forest twisting familiar stories into something sinister is super creative. However, I did feel like at times the story got a little too caught up in those fairy tale references. There were moments when the plot felt like it took a backseat to the aesthetic—like I was wading through too many stylized twists without much movement forward.

Still, for all that, the novel shines in its world-building, Clara's mindset, and its originality. The stakes feel high, the forest feels truly alive, and the themes of fate, choice, and sacrifice land well. The execution wasn’t perfect, but it’s definitely a story worth reading for fans of dark fairy tales and magical peril.

Thank you to Macmillian Publishing and Katherine Purdie for this ARC!!
I loved the concept of this book a lot, but it didn't vibe with me
I think this was YA, which is fine but the characters didn't have any substance or emotion for me, and I literally didn't care about anything until the book ended or from the beginning, where I thought the card readings were super cool
Also the writing style didn't work with me at all, it just felt super super bland
I also thought the wolf was the mom LOL, it was actually the grandmother which was kinda interesting
Overall, it just wasn't as enjoyable as I hoped :/

✨ Publication date: March 25, 2025✨

This is a refresh and republish of the YA dark fairytale retelling. This was released in advance of the launch of the second book in the series.

Clara Thurn has been waiting a long time to get her chance to enter the Forest Grimm in search of her lost mother. The people of Grimm’s Hallow have always benefited from the magic of the forest until someone broke the rules and the forest turned against them.

Clara’s mother was one of the fort who were lost and never returned from the forest. After a year of planning, Clara is ready to go in and bring her mother home.

Clara and her friends Axel and Henni work together to find their loved ones and run into many obstacles along the way.

This is an okay YA retelling. It took me a while to get into the world building and the characters. There are several fairytales woven into the story. There is a slow burn romance between two of the main characters which was well written. This is a 3 star read for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #kathrynpurdie #theforestgrimm

I love me a good fairytale retelling. And this one was so good! I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!

This is a wonderful read if you enjoy dark fairytales in the YA space. The author did a great job keeping to the vibes of the Grimm stories without making it feel like you have read this before. The world building and character development were top notch!

I always enjoy a good fairy tale retelling especially when there are bits and pieces of the original stories that we all know and love. This took me a little bit to get into at first, but once I started reading it, I enjoyed the story being woven. The slow-burn romance was a nicely added touch, something I wasn’t quite expecting to enjoy as much as I did. I also enjoyed how many different aspects of classic fairy tales were intertwined within this story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I’d recommend it to others.

The Forest Grimm is an enjoyable fairytale retelling. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the sequel!

This novel is a retelling of many fairytales! I love the twists in each of them! I did think that this story felt like many short stories combined into one but it was still a great read! I love how it ended with a cliffhanger! I can’t wait for a sequel! This novel is sure to please fans of Marissa Meyer!

Actual Rating: 2.25/5
The Forest Grimm has all the right ingredients for a dark fairy tale retelling—an enchanted forest, a cursed village, and a heroine determined to uncover the truth. It weaves together elements from multiple classic fairy tales, giving them a darker twist, which initially seemed promising.

The setup is intriguing, and the eerie atmosphere is well done. The journey into the forest feels like stepping into a haunted storybook, and I appreciated the effort to blend familiar tales in a new way. But as the story went on, it just didn’t bring anything particularly fresh to the table. The plot unfolds in a way that feels expected, and while there are some twists, most of them are easy to see coming.

The characters were fine but not particularly memorable, and the dialogue had some corny moments that took me out of the story. The romance especially felt over-the-top, which made it hard to invest in. The pacing was steady, but it never quite built the kind of tension or excitement that would have made the journey truly gripping.

By the end, I was left feeling a little indifferent. It wasn’t a bad book, but it didn’t stand out either. And knowing it’s the start of a series, I can’t say I’m eager to continue. If you’re a fan of dark fairy tale retellings, you might enjoy the atmosphere, but it’s not one that will stick with me.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for a free eArc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a fun ya fantasy retelling! I really enjoyed the dark fairytale vibes. There were definitely parts that dragged a little, but I felt like the twists were really good. I especially loved the romance. I actually really like where it ended and probably won’t read the next book despite it leaving off as a cliffhanger. I would’ve liked it as a standalone more.

I was excited for this book but it felt very disjointed to me. I wasn't sure where it was headed or what it's main goal was. There are a lot of different fairytales that are trying to weave together and I just don't think it works very well for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital arc

I enjoyed this book! It and the sequel are both good, clean reads for younger teenagers. The story is cleverly interlaced with fairytales of old, putting a new spin on folklore we’re all familiar with.
Happy reading!

A teenager braves the dangerous forest close to her village so she can try to save her mother and the other villagers who have gotten lost. As she does her best to fight the unlikeliest of monsters, she’ll also have to navigate complicated friendships and a budding romance even as the forest tries to keep its secrets to itself. Seasoned author Kathryn Purdie celebrates all things beloved about fairy tales while creating her own in the excellent book The Forest Grimm.

It's been three years since 17-year-old Clara Thurn has seen her mother. Three years of wondering whether she’s even alive. Despite the promise Clara made to her mother when she was a young girl to watch out for her, Clara was unable to do so. Her mother was the first of the Lost—the people from Grimm’s Hollow who went into the Forest Grimm and never came back out.

Knowing she’s not the only who has lost a family member to the forest almost makes things worse for Clara. She begs her grandmother to read her fortune through the mysteries cards Grandmere brought with her long ago from the old country, but Grandmere refuses. Once was enough—the one time that foretold Clara’s untimely death. Yet Clara is determined to bring her mother and the other villagers home.

Everything went wrong when someone whispered a murder wish into Sortes Fortunae, the village’s Book of Fortunes. Before the mysterious killing, people only used their single wishes for simple things. Then an unknown wish caused a death, for no apparent rhyme or reason. The next day, the Book of Fortunes disappeared, and the forest itself has claimed the villagers one by one ever since. Worse, Grimm’s Hollow itself is dying.

In an attempt to bring back the book and the lost villagers, the residents of Grimm’s Hollow have begun holding a monthly lottery of those still in the village. Every month a name is drawn, and the person chosen tries to enter the forest but the forest flat out refuses to let anyone in. When the chairman of the village council draws the name of Axel Furst, Clara is relieved and terrified. Axel is a friend; he was due to marry the older sister of Clara’s best friend, Henni. Since Ella’s disappearance the previous year, Axel has been despondent. If anyone’s force of will can match Clara’s in finding the Lost, it’s Axel’s. But Clara also wants to warn Axel not to go, not to subject himself to the forest’s horrors.

It's not just enough for Axel to promise Clara that he’ll look for her mother too, though. She knows that she really should go looking for her mother herself. A complication forces Axel and Clara to leave in the middle of the night on their quest with supplies in hand and determination in their hearts. Even if her grandmere foretold her death, Clara knows nothing can stop her until she finds her mother and Ella and everyone else the Forest Grimm has taken.

Author Kathryn Purdie uses a deft touch to build the world of Grimm’s Hollow. Readers will be delighted at all the fairy tale nods and downright mentions even before the famed retellings appear. Purdie finds ways to subvert the expectations of traditional fairy tale characters while also illuminating them in new and nuanced ways.

Some references might be obvious from the start; others are complete surprises. It’s clear that Purdie has taken considerable time and effort to delve into the most recognizable details of the fairy tales and highlight them in a brand new way. Doing so is impressive enough, yet Purdie also stays true to Clara’s story without jeopardizing the importance of her quest. The more famous fairy tale characters are truly supporting ones here, a writing juggling act that keeps all the balls in the air while the magician winks at the audience and then makes the pattern even more complicated in a lead-up to a breathtaking end.

Readers who love a good fairy tale retelling that is truly fresh and innovative will certainly enjoy this one.

The Forest Grimm is book one in the The Forest Grimm series by Kathryn Purdie.
And it’s quite the start to a atmospheric YA fantasy series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and feel like it’s an easy story to read in one sitting.
Not because it’s a simple story but because it’s addicting.
The world is unique and so is the magic system. I was blown away by the vivid details and storytelling.
I was pulled deep into Grimm’s Hollow and became fully invested in Clara and Axel’s journey. The characters are astoundingly well written.
Where fairy tales come to life with a dark, deadly twist!
The Forest Grimm is filled with action and adventure, magic, intrigue, fairy tales and a strong female character.
Easily five stars! Incredibly unputdownable!
I can't WAIT for the next book in this series!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Wednesday Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

If you are a fan of dark Grimm Brothers' Fairy tales, then this may be a duology for you to look into. I picked this up with the hope of Black Forest vibes, magic, supernatural, and the like, and that's exactly what I got. I was pleasantly surprised by this book though I could probably do without the love triangle situation where Clara is pining after Axel but Axel is pining after Ella who vanished into the forest.

The story starts with Clara wanting to know her fortune and to be able to find "The Lost Ones" who have been taken or wandered into the forest. Clara's mother disappeared and she was the first and many others have also disappeared since the forest became cursed. Overall, it's a mysterious romp through classic dark fairy tales with unique twists on each of them. Even if you feel you know them, they will be presented in a different way which, I personally, enjoyed.

This is a YA fantasy book, so the overall writing style is not perfect but I did find it entertaining and engaging. I do plan to pick up the next installment of the duology to see what happens next.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the different take on the Grimm tales and the creepy setting of the forest. I really enjoyed the slow burn romance happening on the side in this story. I'm not sure you could really call the end of this book a Happily Ever After, but it was still a satisfying ending that leads into the second book, which I cannot wait to read!

This author really knows how to spin a tale that is fantasical, but still resonates with the reader as honest and true-to-life.

I loved the world that this took place in. The new interpretations of Grimm’s tales were fantastic, and wove together really well. The overarching concept was really unique and had me hooked right away. Some of my predictions were correct, but many unpredictable things happened as well, which made the story far more addicting. The prose was quite sophisticated for a young adult novel, but still highly comprehensible for younger readers. The love story was very sweet and not unrealistic, which added to its charm. I will definitely check out the sequel. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this in exchange for my honest review.

This was an exciting fantasy read for lovers of fairy tales, especially some of the classics. The beginning reminded me a little bit of 'Hunger Games' but with a twist. There were a couple of surprises throughout and I did enjoy the FMC!