From the first page, I knew that this would be a book to devour. I really love fairy tale adaptations, and while those who love to categorize books into an age group will put this in middle school range, I would encourage everyone of every age to go ahead and read Darkwood. It is clever and funny and so very very entertaining. I love the creation of the characters, the dialogue is funny and natural. Darkwood truly is a joy to read.

Be aware, this is the first book in a series, so please do not be disappointed to be left hanging! Be prepared and look forward to the next one - you will be counting down the days...I am!

Darkwood is a re-telling of well-known fairytales, with a twist. Gretel and her twin brother Hansel live in Nearby Village, in a land where the Huntsmen rule, magic is forbidden and deviation from the plot is heartily discouraged - including the horror of being clever. Darkwood looms over the village, occasionally threatening creatures like Ogres escape and are beaten back by the villagers, using Gretel's inventions. Her crime of being clever leads to her having to flee the village after Huntsmen come to seek out the "witch", and she flees into the Darkwood, despite the horrors within.

Part an inversion of fairy tale tropes, part a story about totalitarianism, this owes a lot to Terry Pratchett and in a good way. It's clever and it's enjoyable, with a much wider appeal than just a teenage audience. Adults with a sense of humour and a fondness for fairytales will enjoy it too! The only flaw is that it was an advance from NetGalley, so I'll have to wait ages for the next in the series.

Didn't realize this was for middle grade kids, should have been noted somewhere. Didn't find it interesting. Didn't finish reading.

<i>A copy has been provided to me by Farrago through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I started this one evening over my cup of tea, and then stayed up until well past my bedtime to finish it, and now to write this review. I’d also like to point out that I’m <i> totally </i> counting this for my adaptation quest for the Magical Read-a-Thon OWLS - since this was definitely an adaptation of Snow White and the Huntsmen - because folklore adaptations for sure still count as adaptations in my book!.

I will also say that I had no idea that this was middle grades until I started, almost stopped, but then was just having too much fun with the story. Sometimes you need a good fairy tale romp! And what a romp it was: fairy tale creatures, witches, knights in shining armor, and evil huntsmen all await you in this short little novel. The narration style in the aggressively present tense and the very third person omniscient narration started to bug me a little bit at parts, but I could see how it would work well for a middle schooler in my life.

Of course, it sets up well for a sequel, but I went in knowing that it was the first in a series, so I’m not too offended by that.

Recommended for fans of The Hazel Wood, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and of course, Terry Pratchett. Pratchett’s influence is all over this book - from the folklore to the humor, and I loved every second of it.

This is a book for middle grade kids. That does not mean that adults cant read it. In fact, the plot and the storyline was great and overall it was an enjoyable read. Every middle schooler can read it alone or with parents!
A lot of paranormal aspects and fabulous storyline adventure!
Recommended!

I didn't realise this was a middle grade book when I requested it but that didn't stop me really enjoying it. Darkwood is fun and quirky, reminding a little of a less gruesome Robin Jarvis book. Parts of it are very funny - maths being banned for girls and the way that is handled for instance. All in all a quick, enjoyable read.

I don't read middle grade books very often, but this one was actually quite a fun read. I did have some issues which I'll get into in a bit. I'm mostly rating this more as overall enjoyment and not so much the actual plot, as it's a bit weird to describe.

Darkwood is a place that no mortal should enter due to monsters and witches. Living in her village with her brother Hansel and stepparents, they learn literacy and defend the village folk from any monsters that emerge from the Darkwood. Witchcraft is outlawed in the land, and apparently so is math (for girls at least). Gretel has no choice but to run away into Darkwood when she's accidently ousted as knowing how to do math.

We get a fun quirky story, and actually pretty humorous for middle grade, and some fun fantasy elements thrown throughout. I found it easy to go along with the story and enjoy the book for what it was. Over just 300 pages, but it goes by like a breeze once you start to get into the quirkiness of it all.

Main problem I have about this is the actual writing. I'm used to 3rd person POV, but the way this is narrated is just...off. I didn't like the writing style used, and it was a bit weird to get used to. Reading for about the first 10 chapters, I remember thinking to myself that it was weird, or an odd choice of descriptions. I was able to brush it off though. Also, can we just recognize the fact that girls knowing math is just as bad as witchcraft in this world? I found that so hilarious and I can't describe it any other way lol.

But yeah, fun little book and I'd probably recommend it if you want a simple quirky read. I wouldn't go out of my way to actually read this over other books on my shelf though. But for middle grade, I think it's just fine.

ARC provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.