I enjoyed The Deathly Grimm, but like many sequels, it lacked a certain "something". It was a good book, but it never quite got as good as the first one; I'm not sure why. Maybe it was because some of the fairy tale tie-ins seemed a bit more forced in this volume than in the first one - but it was fun looking for the references to fairy tales and seeing how they were modified to fit into this volume. For anyone who enjoyed The Forest Grimm, this volume clears up the plot points left hanging on the the story very well.

Clara and Axel once again enter the forest voluntarily, looking for missing people from their village, and seeking the missing page from the Book of Secrets so they can break the curse and free the village from the menace of its magic. But there's a twist - the page is being sought by others as well. New characters, with reference to different fairy tales, join the story as it progresses. This novel is appropriate for ages middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdue is exactly why I enjoy fantasy, particularly dark fantasy. This book was filled with many turns and twists and excited from page to page.

The Deathly Grimm by Katheyn Purdie

I absolutely loved being back in this world and seeing these characters again. At times it did feel repetitive to the first story though.

We're back in the woods, meeting creepy fairytales, trying to break a curse.

If you loved the first book and just want more definitely pick this book up. If you're hoping to continue the story, you night be disappointed.

Clara had thought she'd broken the curse on her town and returned a savior, but the curse is only partially broken and the townspeople blame her and her friends. When a large group of girls dances off into the forest and the curse seems to be coming back, Clara and Axel must enter the forest to fulfill the magical book's prophesy and find the murderer who caused the curse to fall upon the town.

I'm giving this one 3.5 stars but rounding it up to 4 because it does some things very well but it's mostly full of unnecessary elements. The spark from the first book that made you need to know what would happen next to the characters is missing, even as the excellent repurposing of Grimm's Fairy Tales continues to be phenomenal. Clara and Axel seem to be going through the motions even as the things that are happening to them are as magical as ever. The introduction of new characters and their motives adds a nice twist to differentiate from their first foray into the forest, but there's so much emphasis on the drama brewing between Clara and Axel that the plot sometimes feels disjointed.

It's still quite an adventure and has some of the most creative use of characters and motifs from Grimm's Fairy Tales, it's just not as impactful as the first book. It's not an excellent conclusion that lives up to what the first volume set up, but still solid.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the chance to read the conclusion to this series.

A decent conclusion to this duology.
However, I feel like this book is missing something (not sure what 😂), the pacing just felt off, and honestly wasn’t as good as the first one.
Side note: Definitely read, reread or skim through the first book before picking this one (it picks off right where the last book left off).

The Deathly Grimm is the sequel to The Forest Grimm, a young adult fantasy about a cursed village and the girl who vows to break it.

This conclusion to The Forest Grimm duology picks up where the first book left off. Clara, Axel, and their friends have survived the cursed forest, but it’s not done with their village yet. Desperate to break the curse, they re-enter the forest, hoping that solving the murder case that set everything in motion will finally end it. But to uncover the truth, they must outwit the “lost” villagers who are still trapped in twisted fairy tales and have forgotten who they once were.

Although this was an engaging story, and I like Clara and Axel as characters, I found the murder mystery and the origins of the curse convoluted and difficult to follow. It felt overly complicated, with too many players and motives.

An absolutely stunning, memorable and mesmerizing sequel to The Forest Grimm with high stakes, eerie, hauntingly beautiful forest and a dark setting. It’s the perfect gothic fairytale vibe you can ever wish for, adding layers of love, found family and emotions to the mix!

El nuevo capítulo de la historia de Clara y Axel está mucho más desarrollado y pulido que el anterior, con un estilo que encanta desde la primera página. Hay varios detalles que te llaman la atención, cada uno un misterio más pequeño relacionado con la pregunta millonaria de qué pasó realmente en Grimm's Hollow para que cayera la maldición.

The new chapter in Clara and Axel's story is much more developed and polished than the previous one, with a style that captivates from the first page. Several details catch your attention, each a smaller mystery related to the millionaire question of what really happened in Grimm's Hollow to cause the curse.

Full review published in my blog on Monday, March 31: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-deathly-grimm.html

More twisted fairytales! More Scary forest! And more romantic tension! This book delivered all of the things I wanted more of after reading the first one in the duology. One of my favorite things about the first book was the appearance of familiar fairytales twisted into something new and more like a curse rather than a sweet story that promises a happily-ever-after.

The only thing that I struggled with was the miscommunication between Axel and Clara. Like, I understood that his fixation with finding his dad didn’t mesh well with Clara’s mission to undo the curse on the village. I found it frustrating that the divergent goals went on for so much of the story. However, I can see how that tension worked to isolate Clara and make space for some of the story’s other elements.

I also appreciated the disability representation. Clara describes a spine issue that sounds a bit like scoliosis. She wears a lift in one shoe to make it easier to walk, and someone gives her a corset that operates like a back brace. I love Clara as a character, and I appreciate the representation even more after reading Disfigured: On Fairytales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda LeDuc, which examines how disabled characters appear in classic fairytales.

Even despite the miscommunication between Clara and Axel, I devoured this book. I think I read two-thirds of it in one evening. It’s a wild ride of a story that cleverly weaves together scenes featuring familiar fairytales. The satisfying conclusion made me want to go back and start the duology all over again.

I will say, I wish I had reread the first book again just so that it was easier to get back into. However, I stil ldid really enjoy it and I like the twists that it took. I think the only thing for me, really, is that the Grimm characters kind of felt a bit forced into the story and didn't feel as natural? It kind of made them feel like they stood out a little too much.

Kathryn Purdie delivers another darkly enchanting tale in The Deathly Grimm, the spellbinding sequel to The Forest Grimm. This book masterfully blends eerie fairy tale elements with heart-pounding adventure, as Clara and Axel are once again forced to face the dangers lurking in the cursed woods.

The novel wastes no time in re-establishing its haunting atmosphere, pulling readers back into the eerie embrace of the forest. Purdie's prose is lush and immersive, painting vivid imagery of the spectral horrors that await Clara and Axel. From riddling woodsmen to ghostly maidens, every new threat adds to the novel’s relentless tension. The stakes feel higher than ever as the forest’s malevolent forces creep closer to their home, making the mission to break the curse all the more urgent.

Clara and Axel's relationship remains a highlight, balancing their deep connection with the dangers that test them at every turn. Their love story is as tangled and perilous as the forest itself, adding emotional weight to their journey. Clara's unsettling visions heighten the suspense, keeping readers on edge as she navigates the fine line between premonition and reality.

While the novel excels in atmosphere and tension, the pacing occasionally falters. Some scenes feel drawn out, and certain riddles or challenges could have been tighter to maintain momentum. However, the eerie world-building and high-stakes adventure more than make up for these lulls.

Overall, The Deathly Grimm is a chilling and mesmerizing sequel that deepens the lore of its dark fairy tale world. Fans of the first book will find plenty to love, while newcomers should prepare for a beautifully twisted journey into the depths of the Forest Grimm.

Would you survive its riddles?

Deathly Grimm is the second book in the Forest Grimm Duology. While I really liked the first book, this second installment was not as fun for me. There were still a lot of things I enjoyed. The world of the forest is still fascinating and the mash up of familiar fairy tale characters is a creative take well worth your time, especially if you enjoy retellings. This is indeed one of the better retellings I have read. However, unlike the first book that keeps the tension and the character growth throughout, I felt this book stretched things out a bit too much at the expense of that growth. Much of the plot depends on both Clara and Axel making the same mistakes over and over again as each doesn't want to believe their relative may be more evil than they want to accept. Overall the mystery and the way in which Purdie adds layers to the story by giving Clara visons through different POV's is done quite well, But for me, by the last act of the story I felt it went on over too many cycles that simply made the story longer. I also felt some of the twists were easy to see from early on, which made Clara and Axel seem to be less perceptive than they should be by this point.

The Deathly Grimm does provide a satisfying ending to the story, but for me, it takes a bit too long to get there.

'The Deathly Grimm' concludes the duology started in 'The Forest Grimm.' Clara and Axel return to the forest in the hopes of getting rid of the curse, once and for all. Another set of darker fairy tales are found within the forest. Once again, love, trust and loyalty battle evil and win. 4 stars.

Rating: 5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

This book picks up where The Forest Grimm left off, you will see that life has gone back to somewhat normal after Clara, Axel, and Ella. However, when it’s Henni’s turn to make her wish, and she wants to wish the curse away forever, but that is when Clara finds out that she is the key to ending the curse or she might be the one that makes it permanent. Determined to make sure that it’s not permanent Clara and Axel gear up to head into the forest and find the murderer who started the curse, but we all know nothing is ever simple, in this fairytale land.

Wow! Just wow, I loved the way that this author ended this book. I loved all the different mashed-up fairy tales that were written in this book and how they all played a part in ending this curse. You will find a lot of twists and turns throughout the plot but in a great way, I loved that I would start to figure out who it was then boom it changed, and I was like, what is that the murderer or is it this person… or this person. You will find answers to questions that you might have had in the first book answered in this one, and I enjoyed all the new questions that were brought up in this book and I liked the fact that we got pieces of the answers then of course at the end you have it wrapped up nicely. I liked the pace of the book; it would pick up fast and then go right back to steady but for the most part it was fast paced.

The characters are what really make this book shine. I love Clara and how determined she is to find out the truth and end the curse. I found her strength to carry on no matter what, even with her scoliosis adding pain to her, she overcame the physical pain, but it was also the mental pain that she would endure while trying to have visions to help all the people in the village and of course her loved ones as well. I loved how Clara and Axel's relationship was put to the test when someone else comes around once they get to the forest, and as they try to uncover the truths. I loved seeing how Axel didn’t push Clara but allowed her time to understand everything that she was feeling.

I received the audio for this book as well and let me tell you that the narrator does a fantastic job. I listened to the book as I was reading it and with the mood changing throughout the book Sarah Ovens just knows how to give the readers the right emotions that they should be feeling.

I would like to say more, and I would, but I don’t want to spoil the book for other readers. So, what I will end with is this, the world building is amazing, the author’s style of writing will draw you in, the plot with the twists and turns will keep you on your toes, and the challenges that the characters must overcome will leave you on the edge of your seat.

If you like fairy tales that are mashed up perfectly, suspense, mystery and so much more you need to read these duology books.

I want to thank NetGalley and SMP/Macmillan for the opportunity to review this book.

"I still didn't let you go. All the love you showed a creature, all the vulnerability, you made a mark. Somehow, you became a part of me, Clara. I won't ever let you go. Not unless you want me to, and if you do, I understand.""Don't ever think that. You are my home. You are a part of me too. ...
You're my family, Axel, you're my forever."

The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie

Wow! This one took me on a ride!
Filled with magic, fortune telling, suspense, mystery, and fairy tales retold, this conclusion to this duology kept me on the edge of my seat.
The author blends a variety of fairy tales together which I loved! This felt like a medieval version of Once Upon a Time, with so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming at all, and I was here for it!
The main character, Clara, can see visions to help her understand the past. This is part of her heritage, since her grandmother is a seer of some kind and can predict people's fates with her cards. I enjoyed seeing Clara's growth throughout both books, as she learned to put aside her debilitating pain for the needs of others. Speaking of, I liked that the author included character with scoliosis in these books.
I loved the closure that the characters receive by the end of this book. The author does a great job wrapping everything up that has gone on throughout the story, including any side stories.
There were some parts that were a bit dark for me-like tasting of blood, character wiping blood into symbols on their face (done by a character who lost his/her mind and is evil). So that part grossed me out and was on the verge of horror. I did appreciate the fact that even though the two love interests talked about having s3x, they decided to respect each other and wait until it was the proper  time.
I liked how the author ends the book. No spoilers here.

Overall, I felt this one was well-written, with the descriptions being beautifully done, painting a vivid picture in my mind of my surroundings within the story. The characters and plot were unique to me.

Favorite Parts:
Fairytale retellings, mystery and suspense, sweet romance, brave female main character, respecting boundaries

Content Guide:
Language: Mild-d*mn and h*ll used a few times
Romance/Sexual Content: Closed-door-passionate kissing, thoughts and discussion of s3x, mild innuendos, sensuality and seduction including a kiss with tongue
Violence/gore: Moderate: Fantasy violence, Quite a lot of blood, including tasting of blood, murder, physical abuse (nondescriptive, happens in the past)
Substance Use: mild-character drinks and is drunk in the past
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: none
Other: poisoning, mention of cannibalism, magic and spells, fortune telling-visions and tarot cards, infidelity (discussed as something that happened), illegitimate children, death, possible hallucinations

Thank you to the author and publisher on Netgalley for the audiobook review copy. All thoughts are my own.

KATHRYN HOW DARE YOU

This book was amazing. Everything was amazing. I loved the depth of exploration between the characters. The new fairytales we got to see twisted and told. THE NEW VILLAIN?

I am so grateful that this is how the series ends, even though I didn't want it to end. I really loved the way Purdie is able to honor the original Grimm fairytales with the creepy horror aspect, but doing so in a fantasy setting. Seriously, I loved all of it.

No notes.

Thanks St. Martins Press and Macmillian Audio for the ARCS!

The Deathly Grimm picks up a few months after book one and wraps up this duology nicely. With the curse partly broken it is finally turning to autumn and Clara is trying to enjoy her time with her grandmother, but the riddle presented at the end of The Forest Grimm is hanging over her and Axel's heads. She has been trying to learn more about how to control her visions but with Grandmere sick she doesn't have a teacher. Finally she and Axel are forced to return and try to break the curse.

You can expect -
YA Romantic Fantasy
Fairytale Reimaginings
Malevolent Forest
Warping Magic
Curses & Riddles
Murder Mystery
Visions & Sleepwalking
Late-Teens MCs
Single, 1stP POV
Complete Duology

This still has a lot of teenage angst and naivety, which makes sense in a YA novel. This leans toward mid- to younger-YA range, good for those transitioning from middle grade into young adult. There is kissing but most of the book is spent working through miscommunication and trust issues, and trying to balance loyalty with family. It was a little harder to get through as an adult as the narrative over-explains many points, but I was still surprised by the twist at the end and by how dark it got. I appreciated how the book touched on her scoliosis and how she is able to work through the chronic pain but it does realistically stay at the forefront of her thoughts.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC for my honest thoughts.

I loved book one The Forest Grimm.
So I I had to read book two.
The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie did not disappoint either.
This duology is just freaking phenomenal.
The outstanding atmosphere and worldbuilding were absolutely splendid, I was immediately sucked in by the mysterious detail of the magic occurring in the story.
I loved the fairy tale aspect of it, the writing is beautiful.
Kathryn Purdie does a fantastic job of taking images from our collective imagination and giving it just the right spin to make it feel more real.

I had a good time with this conclusion.

My review of the first book mentioned really striking scenes that didn’t quite fit together to create a fully satisfying story arc. This one definitely felt more cohesive — the story had me hooked and built nicely throughout.

Thanks to Wednesday Books for providing an arc through NetGalley for me to review!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I loved the first in the series, so I was so excited when I got this copy of the second one.

This book was good. It just felt like it dragged on and there was a lot of unnecessary filler. I did enjoy it. It just seemed a lot longer than necessary.

After getting back to their village Clara and Axel find that they have go back into the forest to find the missing person and the missing pages. This one does have more fairy tale characters in it so that kept it interesting but not enough action in my opinion.

3/5 stars…I would recommend this but with the warning that it’s a bit slow.