Thank you Wednesday Books @wednesdaybooks and Kathryn Purdie @kathrynpurdie for this free book!
“The Deathly Grimm” (Forest Grimm #2) by Kathryn Purdie⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: YA Dark Fantasy. Location: Where fairy tales come to life with deadly twists.
THE SERIES: Grimm Hollow villagers whisper desires to Sortes Fortunae (Book of Fortunes), and its magic reveals how to obtain them. But no one who goes into the Forest Grimm returns-they become the Lost. Clara’s mother entered the Forest Grimm to find her husband, and became the 1st of the Lost. Dark-haired, green-eyed Clara Thurn (17) and golden-haired, blue-eyed Axel Furst (19) must enter the deadly forest full of grim, twisted fairytale characters. Author Purdie twists Grimm’s fairy tales into her own enchanted stories: There’s Clara with her red rampion cape and Grandmère/Grimm Wolf, poisoner Cinderella, feral Rapunzel, cannabalistic Hansel and Gretel, vampiric Briar Rose, and more.

THIS BOOK: Clara and Axel return to the village from the Forest Grimm, bringing some of the Lost with them. Grandmère lies ill from injuries received when she was the Grimm Wolf. The villagers mistrust the returned and blame Clara and friends for the village curse. When 6 of the Sommers girls are lured into the forest, Clara and Axel realize they must reenter the forest to save the village. They meet a murderous, riddling Raggedy Man, moving trees, eternally dancing maidens, a frog boy, and others.

Book 1 was about adventuring through the Forest Grimm. This sequel is more about Clara’s visions. Author Purdie’s prose is still beautiful and evocative: (“He’s like a painting of a shipwrecked prince, beautiful and disheveled…”) (“I listen to the crunch of brittle autumn grass.”) Her story flows well, the characters are vivid, and tension escalates toward a dramatic fight to break or keep the curse. You’ll meet twisted versions of Rumplestiltskin, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Frog Prince, the 12 Dancing Princesses, and more. With a brave, determined heroine, an enchanted forest, life-changing choices, it’s a wonderful book for lovers of fairytales, and it’s 5 enchanted stars from me👩🏼‍🦳

I forgot that I read the first book and didn't care for it. I also overlooked the fact that this novel is part of a duology. And although I vaguely remembered events from the first book, it wasn't enough for me to grasp the events occurring in the second book.

Some parts of the novel were interesting. But there were a lot of missing pieces that made for a confusing read. That being said, you really need to read and enjoy the first book to truly appreciate the second. One star DNF for me.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

“The Deathly Grimm" by Kathryn Purdie is a spellbinding conclusion to “The Forest Grimm" duology. “The Forest Grimm" was one of my top books of 2024. The sequel exceeded the high expectations I already had going into this book. "The Deathly Grimm” is a continuation of the first book, so I highly recommend reading them in order. This book is a mashup of many fairy tales, with its own unique story that has a folktale/fairytale feel to it. Some of the fairy tales mentioned are “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “The Little Red Riding Hood,” “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Snow White.” There is a good summary and catch up from the first book in case you have forgotten some of what happened in “The Forest Grimm.” I love that the main character, Clara, deals with a disability (scoliosis) and chronic pain. The romance is so sweet, and I just love Clara and Axel. Some parts get a little weird and scary but did not cross the line into horror (in my opinion). If you are okay with the first book, I think you will be fine with this one. The author explores the question of fate and taking control of one’s own story. The book was hard to put down and things kept happening to surprise and shock me. I appreciate that the author kept the book closed door and portrayed the message of the couple wanting to respect one another by waiting. There is a great mystery that keeps the reader on their toes and my jaw dropped at a certain reveal. I did not see that coming! I love this series, and I am sad that it is over. I cannot wait to see what Ms. Purdie comes out with next!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: a character is a seer and fortune teller and a character tries to channel missing people; mention of illegitimate children and a couple were lovers; a character was physically abused in his past; mention of a drunkard and alcohol; children were cannibals in the past; a character curses, but the words aren’t actually written; the words “da*n” and “hell” are used; a woman does something like a spell; there are some ghosts; a character possibly hallucinates.
TW: past physical abuse
Spice: There is one scene where a couple makes out and contemplates going all the way but decides not to because they want to respect each other.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this!

What a great finish to this duology!!!!! I was so amazed and enjoyed this so much!!!!

The Deathly Grimm, written by Kathryn Purdie, is a captivating fairytale that shines brightly, sharp as teeth, and brimming with heart. The clever intertwining of classic stories like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood lays a strong groundwork for romance, while also incorporating chilling elements inspired by the Grimm Brothers' tales.

3.5 ⭐️

I liked this book much more of the first! I think for the duology overall, the retold fairytales felt too forced. The mystery that was being solved in the second book was so much more interesting and captivating to me.

I still wasn’t super impressed by the romance, maybe it’s just bc friends to lovers rarely entices me, I don’t know 😅 the intro of the love triangle trope grated on me too though 😕But! When we got to that twist, I was definitely having a lot more fun!

I think this story just would’ve worked so much better as a single book, with just the magical deadly forest and the mystery as the main plot, and then less focus on finding ways to reinvent the classic fairytales 🤷‍♀️

I love the fantasy world that Kathryn Purdie created for this book (and for the first book, The Grimm Forest). She does a great job of creating a fantasy world and integrating some of those fairy tails we know so well into it in their own unique way. I love hearing the story unfold further and kept wanting to know what was going to happen as I was reading. I felt like the book had different twist and turns along the way to keep you guessing what was going to happen. I highly recommend this set of books!

Well this was loads better than the first book. A high 3.5 stars

The pros:
-Enjoyable to see how the author incorporated new fairytales into the book
-I enjoyed the story more this time around. It felt less rushed and less sprawling.
-Characters felt more multi-dimesional. Especially our hero and heroine. I liked watching them try to work through conflict.
-Satisfying end to the duology

The cons:
-Twists were predictable. Though perhaps for younger readers this won't be such an issue.
-We were told in the first book we would get the history of Grimm Woods-especially the great war. And yet that never materialized.
-Felt like there was some retrograde rewriting to make certain plot points in this story work
-Romance scenes felt strangely sanitized. To the point it almost read like middle grade fiction.

First Thank you!

The story picks up right where The Forest Grimm leaves off, Clara and Axel complete their story in this book.
There were so many layers, plots, and twists, that I found myself almost enjoying it more than the first one. I am glad I requested this book because I was unsure if it was going to fall into the dreaded second book paradox.

I was happy with the book, happy with the outcome, and I felt so bad for Ollie goodness.

Despite my best efforts, I just couldn't get into it. The issue might stem from my lack of connection with the first book, which I didn’t love. As a result, I found myself struggling to engage with the characters and the storyline in this sequel.

a sequel, wasn't advertised as such though, loosely based on grimm fairy tales and plot line clearly stolen from the Grimm Brothers movie plot, this was gorey, supernatural thriller with some nudge nudge wink wink humor
clara and axel return to their childhood village after the events of the 1st novel? after claras mother is missing
the woods near their village have started to lure people to their deaths or turn them into supernatural beings(ghosts, zombies, undead)
clara uses her family magic of past and future visions to uncover the mystery and save the missing villagers
grimm characters: hansel & gretel, cinderella, red riding hood (clara), sleeping beauty/briar rose, rapunzel, jack & the beanstalk, snow white, 7 dancing princesses, deadly hunstman, wicked queen/ magical entity book that grants wishes to grimm character villagers? this books plot line is messy

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

3.5 Stars

The Deathly Grimm is a dark fantasy sequel to The Forest Grimm with more mystery, more dark fairy tale characters, and more intrigue as Clara and her friends race to save their village--and the forest--from an even darker fate.

I really love how Kathryn Purdie twists the original fairy tales into something even darker. The way she ties the different stories together was even better in this book than the first one. I still wish there was a little more internal logic for why certain characters became a fairy tale counterpart (like they call Clara Snow White but there isn’t any specific reason why other than to let the reader know this part is a twist on Snow White, which should be obvious anyway), but for the most part, I liked how Kathryn used the original elements to further the plot of the book.

The murder mystery plot was also compelling. The way Clara and her friends discover who was the murderer and how they set the curse into motion was fascinating. It also was cool to see Clara learn more about her memory ability.

I do wish that some of what they discovered in book two would have been set up better in book one because from what I recall most of the “new” characters who take the stage alongside Clara and Axel weren’t even mentioned in book one. But it was super interesting to see how everything actually unfolded and the ending is a pretty good “happily ever after” for the characters.

Clara reveals a deep, dark secret as she is helping Axel and herself to navigate through the forest. A variety of adventures sets them to conquer different spells throughout the forest. Many truths are discovered on their adventure.

"The Deathly Grimm" by Kathryn Purdie is a spellbinding journey that reimagines fairytales in a way that's neither Disney-sweet nor Grimm-dark, but a captivating blend of both. This YA fantasy had me hooked from the first page, and I couldn't put it down until I'd devoured every last word.

At the heart of the story is a race against time to break a curse, with our heroes navigating the treacherous Forest Grimm. This sentient woodland setting adds an extra layer of challenge and intrigue to their quest.

The characters are what truly bring this tale to life. Each one feels fully realized, with their own burdens and trials to overcome. I found myself rooting for them all, but especially for Clara, our main character. Her struggle with scoliosis adds a layer of authenticity to her journey, and her determination is truly inspiring. The bond between Clara and her grandmother is particularly touching, adding warmth to the often perilous adventure.

What sets "The Deathly Grimm" apart is how it weaves familiar fairytale elements into a fresh narrative. You'll spot beloved characters, but they're not quite as you remember them. This twist on the classic tales keeps you guessing and adds depth to the story's exploration of truth and lies.

I was surprised by how easily I fell into this world, considering I hadn't read the first book in the series. While your mileage may vary, I found it stood well on its own, pulling me into its enchanting narrative without missing a beat.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves their fairytales with a dash of danger and a sprinkle of heart.

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for my free E-book.

I was surprised with how much I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was looking forward to the second one. However, this book lacked the mystery that the first book had, and this book read significantly younger to me. The angst from the love interest got annoying enough that I couldn't finish the book - as a 32 year old, I can only handle YA to an extent. This book missed the creepiness of the first book, and there was little compelling me to want to know what would happen next. Sadly a miss for me.

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

Title: The Deathly Grimm   
Author: Kathryn Purdie        
Genre: YA, Fantasy   
Rating: 4.0 out of 5

The story hasn't ended yet.

After surviving the Forest Grimm and defeating the Wolf, Clara and Axel have made it back to their village, the one place they can be safe behind the forest's borders. But when the forest itself begins luring in more villagers, it's clear that Clara and Axel have only treated the symptoms of the forest's curse, not the cause—and it's getting worse.

Burdened with visions of the past and learning to navigate her fragile new relationship with Axel, Clara finds herself entering the forest with Axel yet again to discover the truth once and for all: the identity of the murderer who caused the curse. As they fight murderous woodsmen with incomprehensible riddles, ladies who will drag you into an eternal dance, and ghosts with the power to wield the forest against them, Clara and Axel realize the stakes are higher than ever. If they don't survive the dark, deadly twists of the forest once more, not only will they never escape, they may also no longer have a home to escape to.

I enjoyed this second book in The Forest Grimm duology. It was good seeing more of these familiar characters, and the quaint village they call home. I like the creepy fairy tale characters, too. The answer to who the murderer really was didn’t really come as a surprise to me, but I still enjoyed the story a lot and read the whole thing in one day.

Kathryn Purdie is a bestselling author. The Deathly Grimm is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 3/31.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this follow-up to The Forest Grimm. New fairytales were used in equally interesting ways, and everything was wrapped up with a perfect bow at the end. The characters were just as fun, and the love between Clara and Axel felt well deserved. It was a bit of a slower read than I'd have liked, but the audio made the book fly by, and the narrator did a wonderful job of differentiating between the different character's voices and making them all feel like distinct characters.

In The Forest Grimm Clara Thorn travels into the Grimm forest to find her mother and the other Lost Ones, and meets up with her friends Axel and Henni on her mission. The Deathly Grimm does an excellent job of wrapping up this duology. It kept me on my toes, and I think I actually enjoyed it more than the first book, which I often find unusual in a duology. I enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who started the curse, and as Clara continued to have visions it got more and more complicated. I really enjoyed Harlan's character throughout the book. I'd give this 3.5 stars, but rounding up to 4.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy for my honest review.

** spoiler alert ** Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars better then first book

To start of this is a second book that requires the first book to be read before or things just wont make sense. The book starts off where the first one ended with only half of the problem solved and just the surface scratched on what is really going on/ has gone on in this town.

Or characters must go back into the Forest Grimm this time knowing a bit more on whats is required to surviving not just the forest itself but also the Lost Ones inside it that have become living Grimm fairy tales. We got in a way less dangerous fairy tales this time.

I must admit the reminding of the "S-curve" of the characters spine mentioned multiple chapters in a row to get a break of like 6 chapters to only get reminded yet again for chapters in a row to then get a break again (repeat) very annoying like i did in the first book. The readers really dont need to be reminded over and over like it is the only thing about the character and we will forget it. The over use of it could have been replaced with just a mentioning of aching back or anything else just to make it seem like the character is more then just her disability during those chapters.

I liked the way things got wrapped up in the end almost too quickly in a way when it took so long to get there. I did how every love the ending very much since the whole first books and this one i was always thinking of Ollie's pennies.