First of all a big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

“‘We have to stop listening to the stories telling us to fear what’s in the Darkwood. We are the Darkwood.’” 🗡️

So it took a while but I finally managed to get to Such Big Teeth and I absolutely loved it. So much so that I am currently reading the third and final book. The vibes are perfect for Halloween🎃. I really did love this, all the characters are so well rounded and I love them all.

As soon as I’ve finished sinking my claws into Glass Coffin I will pick my next book from the ARC Jar✨✨.

“She points to a different poster. ‘But this one looks like he’d be even worse.’ ‘Worse? It can get worse?’ ‘It can always get worse.’”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is beyond refreshing to read a retelling packed full of wit and humour. Gabby writes such fun and exciting characters - even when there are may who you already know in essence. I can not wait to read some of her other work.

This was a cute story for middle-grade but it didn't pack much emotional punch. The adventures were exciting though and I can see a child growing very attached to the characters. All in all, this was a fun read but not likely one I would pick up again.

The witches and beasties of Darkwood continue their crusade against the blind-sighted Hunstman to save the Darkwood and gain equality among the people of Myrsina. Their journey gains them new allies, but new enemies with friendly faces also arise. I loved this second installment so much more than the first! I can’t wait to read the third.

This retelling is so fun. And it is always a great accomplishment when the second book is even better than the first! Would recommend

Modern times require modern fairytales and Such Big teeth continues the series with more magic. A journey through Darkwood and the need for allies before disaster strikes creates an unforgettable tale for Gretel and her friends.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an Advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series and every bit as good as the first. Plenty of wise-cracking jokes and fairytale references to make this one of the most entertaining middle grade series I have ever read.
My kids are aged 9 and 11 and both really enjoyed it. We can't wait for the next one!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Such Big Teeth

4 stars

What I like

I enjoyed this story immensely. This fairytale with a twist with such a fun story to read! I read Darkwood and Such Big Teeth back to back and have to say that I cannot necessarily remember where one left off and the other began. And I think that this is actually a very positive thing. This book takes the story that began in Darkwood and builds upon it beautifully and cohesively. And in a fairytale fantasy where it is easy for the story to feel like it should hardly ever drag on beyond one book, this continuation felt like a beautiful necessity. I did not feel bored or catch any inkling of a middle book lull. I continue to adore the world and the characters and will definitely be picking up book 3 when it is released. Although this book seems to veer more in the direction of a middle grade read, all of the elements of this story especially the humor are easy to enjoy at any age.

What I did not like

There is nothing in particular that I did not like about this story. It was a whimsical, funny and enjoyable middle grade story.

In Conclusion

A fun easy fairytale that I would recommend especially for middle grade or even for children who are not easily frightened by stories that take place in the dark woods at night.

If you haven’t already read Darkwood, the first in this series, then make sure you do that first! The characters and storyline pick up here from where that book left off, and without the context you just won’t get the full flavour of this deliciously clever fairytale re-imagining.

Hansel and Gretel are back, but not together. Gretel is firmly stranded in the Darkwood with the ‘witches’ and other things that go bump in the night, while Jack is still in Nearby Village, trying to make sense of what happened with the Huntsmen while he was temporarily indisposed. Luckily they both have their trusty allies – Daisy, Buttercup, Snow and the dwarfs (Yummy!), Trevor, Patience and Jack – to help them out as they set out on very different paths.

Gretel is heading for the outskirts of the kingdom, looking for some animal-witches (think of fairytales involving wolves, ravens and bears) to help them fight the Huntsmen. Meanwhile, Hansel and Daisy head straight for the heart of the kingdom, to try to find out what the Huntsmen are really up to. With one sibling facing claws, teeth and unfamiliar magic and the other dealing with politicians and campaign rallies, it’s really hard to say who has it worse!

Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch takes good, old-fashioned fairytales, shakes them out, dusts them down and then with a quick sleight of hand produces a glorious patchwork quilt of a story that blends old and new, pathos and humour, action and intrigue, and even a touch of sweet romance. I raved about her first book but, if anything, this second one is even better!

Ideal for children and adult readers alike, this series would make a great Christmas gift for fans of clever, light-hearted, whimsical fantasy adventures. I can’t wait for the next instalment!



Hansel casts another glance at the hundred or so baskets stacked high onto the laden cart. It doesn’t look particularly inconspicuous.
‘We’re going to look just like basket merchants, come to sell Mum’s wares at the craft market.’
‘Pretty sure at this point we are actually basket merchants, here to sell your Mum’s stuff at the craft market.’
‘Exactly! It’s making Mum some money and it’s a cast-iron disguise.’
‘I thought your main disguise was that bonnet?’
Daisy grins proudly from the edge of her straw bonnet. As Mrs Wicker warned, it really does draw attention to her more than it hides her.
‘They’re both cast-iron disguises,’ she says. ‘Or, one’s iron, one’s carbon, and together they make for a steel disguise.’
They trundle the cart along some more.
‘Because steel’s an iron-carbon alloy,’ she adds.
‘Yes.’
‘And it’s stronger than iron. Oh, listen to me, rattling on about the relative tensile strengths of different metals and alloys, like me and Gretel used to do in the old days.’
Hansel shoots her a fond glance. ‘It’s fine. I like it. It’s as if she’s still around.’

– Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Such Big Teeth

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

This fun and engaging sequel is one I have been looking forward to ever since I read the first book in this new series. Fairy tales, magic, humor, and some dark twists make this a sold choice for fans of fantasy.

the cover is what drew me in and I'm very glad I was able to read this, the characters were great and I had a good time from beginning to end.

An enjoyable continuation of the series. The characters are well developed and the story moves along nicely. I recommend if you enjoy fairy tales, and want a different look at them. Well done!

It wasn’t until I started reading that I realized this was the second book in the series. Normally this would normally leave me lost and disinterested, but that couldn’t be further from the case. I was immediately drawn into the world Gabby Hutchinson Crouch has created. There were just enough throwbacks to the previous book to remind or inform without feeling redundant.

The use of characters we all know and grew up with in a brand new world makes you look at the source material in a completely different way.

The story is fast paced and at no point does it drag. I found myself barreling through it not wanting to put it down, but also trying to pace myself knowing I would reach the end. To me, that’s the sign of a great read. The humour was unexpected and hit with pinpoint accuracy. It was smart, it was dry, it was perfect.

I look forward to reading the original, along with anything else Gabby writes. She has definitely found a new fan.

Such Big Teeth is the second book within The Darkwood series and if you know me at all, just by reading the summary, you would know the story is exactly what I look for in my books. I was so excited that I was able to get my hands on an early copy of this book because of that reason but also, I loved the first installment so I didn’t really have any doubts that this would be the same.

This series twists around many traditional fantasy tropes in ways that feel fresh and fun. I liked the characters from the beginning! They each had their own weaknesses, faults, and strengths and there were moments when I wanted them to move forward more, but these more difficult parts also felt realistic. Their different abilities and how they tied into different fairy tales was impeccably done.

I know I’m being fairly vague but that’s because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. In the end, was it what I wished for? I literally could not put this one down! It held my interest from beginning to end. If you like stories that are a balance between character and plot driven, and enjoy new love, complex relationships, and fantasy then this is definitely one I'd recommend.

This book is a magical ride from start to finish. The author does a great job of seamlessly blending the different fairy tales she takes inspiration from. The world building feels like a well-worn sweater that wraps you in warmth and familiarity. And this book has some LGBTQ+ rep!
I love how descriptive the author is, it doesn’t take much to see the places and characters and actions that happen in the story. One particular event was so well described that I felt shivers run down my spine as I experienced what the characters did.
I didn’t love book 2 quite as much as I did book 1 but I really hope that the author continues this series as I want book 3. I can’t stop recommending this series to anyone and everyone.
4.5 stars
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I think I have just worn myself out a little bit on fairy tale retellings in the past year because I read a few chapters of this and just couldn't get into it. Still giving it 3 stars because it is funny and cleverly written just like the first book and I think that other people will definitely enjoy it, it's just a case of me reading too many books that are very similar in a short period of time.

This series is pretty good. I really like all the witchy magic. This book feels takes me back to the my childhood reading old fairytales. I really liked the writing style it was easy to read and so quick to get absorbed in. I wasn’t a huge fan of the talking spider but that’s just a personal thing. Well written and good fairytale story

I had formulated a sensible review for this book then I happened to look at my review for the first. I realised that I had not put that much thought into what I was going to write down this time, and therefore scrapped it all to start again.

Firstly, I would not recommend reading this as a standalone since it starts almost as if we never left the characters of Darkwood and the border town – Nearby. None of the subtle or even the in-your-face humour will make much sense if one has no prior knowledge of the magical and non-magical beings.
When we last left the siblings Hansel and Gretel, they had achieved the impossible with their friends and established a form of independence in Nearby. That is not enough for Gretel who is trying to convince Snow(yes, of the Dwarves) to take a broader view of the problem at hand. As the title and cover page suggest, we are to meet the characters of a few more fairy tales, those related to Bears as well as wolves. They are unique and maintain a distinct appeal than those people we already know. There is more of the things I liked in the first book with the random tangents in the conversations or discussions of trust and acceptance – the two opposite ends of a storytellers spectrum. It is a very entertaining addition to the existing story, and we get to know more intricate details of the world that we are only given a peek of each time. It is only when more information is provided that I realised how little I knew earlier. The ending was ominous (in its own fashion), and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I highly recommend this series for the tolerant and experimental reader who likes a bit of randomness and whimsical writing amidst real and heartful instances being used as the foundation. Prior knowledge of Fairy tales is also a bonus. I cannot personally comment on how it would make sense to read it without knowing how these characters were previously depicted through several retellings. It is a highly enjoyable tale that draws the reader further into the murky workings of the inhabitants of Darkwoods and the people who seek to keep them there(if anywhere at all).

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this book, it’s preceding one as well as prior knowledge of fairy tales.

Such Big Teeth is the sequel to Darkwood by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch.
Darkwood deals with a small town and a forest that the villagers fear as it‘s said to be full of monsters. We follow Gretel who is believed to be a witch and therefore has to flee into the Darkwood.
Darkwood was a fun and enjoyable read last year and I was interested in the sequel, hence why I requested it from NetGalley. However, I was planning to read this for the reading rush but found myself forcing my way through the book. It wasn’t gripping enough for me and I therefore decided to put it aside for now. Nevertheless, I’m planning to get to it again once this readathon it over.

An incredibly engaging take on the fairytale we all grew up learning. It was both familiar and yet new at the same time. It was a birthday gift for our niece in early July.