I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewing short story anthologies is difficult since there's always a wide range of quality, so I've broken my feedback down into summaries for each story and based my overall rating on the averages.

Overall Rating = 2 stars
Like many of us in the post-Bardugo, post-Arden world, I've become a big fan of fantasy inspired by Russian and Slavic folklore. Baba Yaga is a fascinating character from this mythological/folkloric tradition, so I was stoked when I was approved for an ARC. Unfortunately, this was pretty weak right from the jump, with a Preface that makes no sense. Christina Henry is rad and her Foreward was solid, but I wish she'd contributed a story. Also, I don't know if this was advertised as YA but, even though some stories are more mature and/or feature older characters, I would definitely say this is written for a YA audience.

Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga = 3 stars
This was actually a poem, which was a pleasant surprise. It was pretty solid, and I liked the creepy-crawly vibes it invoked. I actually wish they'd included more poems, as it would've broken up the stories, which are somewhat repetitive just by the nature of the prompt.

Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight = 1 star
Written in the style of a sub-development marketing tool, this was more of a prose poem than a short story, told in 2nd-person POV. It was pretty vague, full of stereotypes, and ill-defined in its setting. I think the author was going for a timeless feel, but I was left confused as to what time period this took place in.

The Story of a House = 4 stars and my favorite story in the collection
Focusing on the baby chick who becomes the house, this story was whimsical and creepy, though the end did lose me a bit.

Of Moonlight and Moss = DNF
The "not like other girls" vibe was too strong and I just couldn't do it.

Wormwood = 1 star
Sooooo vague. I really have nothing else to say.

Mama Yaga = 3.5 stars
A fun, pseudo-origin story for Baby Yaga, and was one of the few stories in the collection where she's a villain, as opposed to a "misunderstood anti-hero who battles for the rights of women" (insert trademark here). Not that there's anything wrong with that interpretation, but so many of the included stories took that view that it got really boring to read. "Mama Yaga" was a breath of fresh air, though references to folktales from other cultures (like leprechauns and Hansel & Gretel) did make the story feel a bit muddled.

Flood Zone = 2 stars
I liked the idea of a narrator who was born as a snake before becoming human (or human-ish, anyway), but I couldn't suspend my disbelief for a lot of the elements.

The Peddler's Promise = 3 stars
A grim fairy tale that had a strong start, but the ending was a bit anti-climactic.

The Space Between the Trees = 3 stars
An entertaining story, but mostly just vibes.

Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch's Price = DNF
This one lost me when the MC fantasized about pouring boiling water on her toddler. Call it a trigger if you must, but that's just not something I care to read about. Which is, admittedly, an odd line to draw, given some of the twisted stories I love, but here we are.

Birds of a Feather = 2.5 stars
This had elements of Netflix's The Babysitter, which I adore, but the story didn't feel cohesive as a whole. There was also a line where one of the Yagas says that the world "has become an especially cruel place in recent years," which is an odd take from someone who lived through like, Ghengis Khan and WWII, etc. I did like getting to see how narcissistic the MC becomes over the course of the story, as the arrogance of thinking you know how the world should be is an element of witchcraft that I don't see explored often.

Water Like Broken Glass = 1 star
It was cool to see additional Slavic elements included - the MC is a rusalka - but the rest of the story felt all over the place.

Herald the Knight = 2 stars
I appreciated the attempt to write a love story for Baba Yaga, though it didn't really work. This also had some highly anachronistic language and almost no internal logic.

All Bitterness Burned Away = 4 stars
A creepy little fable that honors the traditional tales, while keeping an open mind. This was probably my second favorite story included.

A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood = DNF
Made no sense and I gave up.

Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows Into Her Own = 1 star
SO PREACHY and had strong woman-hating vibes, which I admittedly think was the opposite of the intent.

Fair Trade = 4 stars
Pretty disturbing, with vivid depictions and alarmingly relatable motivations.

Stork Bites = 1 star
Sooo much commentary on modern issues that the Baba Yaga elements felt totally out of place.

Chicken Foot = 3 stars
The bare bones of a story....which is actually pretty fitting....but I really enjoyed the clinical, lab-notes-style structure.

Where the Horizon Meets the Sky = 2.25 stars
Well-written and had a "deal with the devil" trope, which I typically enjoy, but it was just SO BORING. The mid-life crisis element was cool though and set this story apart from the rest of the anthology.

MawMaw Yaga and the Hunter = 3 stars
The eco-warrior take on Baba Yaga was interesting and made sense in the context of the existing lore, but I didn't find the actual story that engagin.

Baba Yaga in Repose = 2 stars
I appreciate the vignette the author tried to create, but the prose was too purple for my taste.

Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies = 4 stars
This was almost more of a creative nonfiction essay on the meaning of the folktales, and it was beautifully written.

Also, this is really nit-picky but there are a lot of italicized words in this anthology and their display was weird AF. Like, it looked like an entirely different font was used and I couldn't un-see it. This may be specific to the ARC, so I didn't factor it into the rating, though. There were also a few indicators that this anthology needed another round of editing, like the phrase "chomping at the bit," which should've been changed to "champing at the bit."

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A women-in-horror anthology all about Baba Yaga is right up my alley. Some of the stories were exceptional, others just didn't mesh for me. If you're interested in fairy tales, mythology, Russian folklore, etc. I would highly recommend this.

Based on my individual rating of the short stories, I'm rounding the collection as a whole to 3 stars.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from 0the publisher through NetGalley.**

Lindy Ryan presents a collection of 23 stories surrounding the lore and legacy of Baba Yaga with foreword by Christina Henry. The collection explores many aspects of the Baba Yaga mythos from varied perspectives and with various representations spanning historic to modernity.

As with all anthologies, I tend to favor some stories and dislike others. This held true once more in this case. Some highlights (4 stars) were the following stories:

Mama Yaga
Water Like Broken Glass
Herald the Knight
Chicken Foot

I found myself enjoying the various interpretations of the story of Baba Yaga and am eager to read more works surrounding her representation in media.

Into the Forest is an incredible book of short stories by various artists ALL ABOUT BABA YAGA! Can you ask for more? A mysterious cottage that has the foundation of a chicken's feet is the home setting of Baba Yaga and there are some gorgeous interpretations about what her terror and magic inspires!

This women-in-horror anthology about the Baba Yaga was such an interesting read! It was not what I expected and was a very "female empowerment" kinda vibe and I was here for it. As with most anthologies the stories were either hit or miss but the majority were definitely hits. I highlighted and saved so much in this book. The twists some of these authors put on the stories of Baba Yaga were entertaining, interesting and sometimes even inspiring. A few times things were a bit dark and disturbing (that is to be expected though) but I loved the direction this whole book went overall. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Baba Yaga is a figure who wears as many faces in folklore as she does in stories. The old woman of the woods in Russian and Slavic mythology, Baba Yaga can be helpful or malevolent. Kind or cruel. She can assist someone in return for their kindness, test them to ensure their worthiness, or lead them to ruin for their foolishness. Old witches are a dime a dozen in fairy tales, but the Baba Yaga has an identity that can be molded to suit almost any tale.

And these women absolutely mold her to suit their own.

Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga leads the pack with a fresh collection by absolute luminaries. Sara Tantlinger’s “Of Moonlight and Moss” is a beautiful fantasy, buoyed by Tantlinger’s dreamy prose. Tantlinger’s piece draws inspiration from the famous Russian fable “Vasilisa the Beautiful,” though it is told through the eyes of Vasilisa’s sister Daria, who must meet the Baba Yaga and face her future. The story is exemplary, chilling and memorable.

“Water like Broken Glass” by Carina Bissett is another standout. Bissett is a folklorist and it shows, as she skillfully mixes history with myth. This is a narrative set in World War 2, narrated by a being of folklore known as a Rusalka. It is tragic, grim and sorrowful, dealing with the brutalities of war and how a figure like Baba Yaga adapts. The writing is fantastic, harrowing and haunting.

“Stork Bites” by EV Knight is a particularly grim example of the witch as the villain. To make deals with Baba Yaga is dangerous, especially when children are involved. The ending is perhaps the most horrific in the collection, showcasing what happens to those foolhardy enough to think they are beyond the witch’s power.

These stories are about horror, perseverance, romance and more. Several tales in the collection are weaker than others, but each attempts to craft a new spin on the old witch of the woods and each is worth reading.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

Into the Forest is an anthology of Baba Yaga stories completed by female horror writers. The stories vary in setting and tone, featuring a variety of Baba Yagas - some old, some young, some helpful, some sinister.

As someone who knows only a little about Baba Yaga, I really enjoyed the interpretation of folklore in this collection. I felt that all of the stories did a great job at establishing Baba Yaga in terms of what was most important for readers to know so they would not be lost. Each story was different from the next, varying in tone, time period, etc. However, there were certain themes that carried through most of the stories such as finding your strength and power. Each story was strong enough to stand on its own, but my top two favorites were Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch's Price and of Moonlight and Moss.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Into the Forest is a marvelous collection of 23 short stories all centered around the tales of Baba Yaga. Each of these 23 short stories is written by a different Author.

Each story is beautifully written, each unique to the different authors but similar enough to make the stories creepy but hold their own. It's a great feeling when you come across a book about Baba Yaga and all the Authors of the stories are female.

This is the best book to have around this time of year. You can read it all in one sitting or break it down to read one here and there. I would recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Authors for the quick read.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

I love Baba Yaga stories, so this was a treat for me! So many good ones in here. I would definitely recommend!

Into The Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga is a horror anthology about our favorite witch of the woods, Baba Yaga! The book includes 23 short stories, each written by a different author.

As a witch who works closely with Baba Yaga, I was excited to see this book pop up on NetGalley! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology, and it was the perfect way to kick off a spooky season.

Each story within the book had its unique interpretation of Baba Yaga, and I loved diving into each one as I made my way through it. Each story was gritty and dark, making it the perfect read for spooky fans who love stories rich in folklore.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was that the foundation for each story (and the anthology as a whole) was feminism. Baba Yaga, for so many, is the perfect example of the freedom and wildness we crave. She is the old witch of the woods who provides wisdom and courage for all those who seek it. And the authors portrayed all of these ideas and themes in each story.

I found the book read fast, with each story more interesting than the last. I also loved that each chapter was its own story; it made finding a breaking point easy so that each time I picked up the book, I was starting a fresh new story.
Overall, if you're a fan of Slavic folklore or are in the mood for an immersive horror book, this anthology is the perfect read on a chilly autumn day!

Amazing, I am always a sucker for a book full of short stories, when you throw in folklore and female writers it become a top of the list must read. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. Some stories left me wanting. For more but I have found that is fairly normal with books of this type. With all that being said, I really enjoyed this read. Each story brought out emotions and made you feel exactly how you want a good book to make you feel.

Very interesting collection of short stories based on the Baba Yaga folktales. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who are interested in folklore with horror and/or fantasy elements.

The stories are beautifully written but none of them blew me away. Tbh it seemed like we’re more focused on poetic use of language than actual story telling. The folklore of baba yaga could make for some really creepy great tales but they were a few that were kind of similar and it made it hard for any to stand out.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which has not altered my opinion of this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Black Spot Books for the ARC copy.

There are so many things about this series that is to like and it's basically each story. Each and every one was different but also similar in the way that it was creepy and held a certain power in it that came with the infamous being known as Baba Yaga. As someone who didn't grow up on the stories, I went in with the knowledge one gets from reading the myths later on in life and I can honestly say that these stories below in the household of any who enjoy horror and don't mind a bit of gross ness and who revel in the power a female can hold, especially an eternal who keeps the land and beings safe. This series was simultaneously empowering and made me rethink my life, grossed me out and left me smiling, they were creepy, heartwarming, terrifying, and enjoyable.

There isn't a good way to talk about them all individually because there were just so many, but I highly recommend this. It isn't a 5 because there were a few that just didn't work for me, but the majority I would read again without a doubt! 4.5 out of 5 from me!

Into the Forest is a truly marvelous collection of female Horror authors centering around the ultimate female character. Baba Yaga embodies mystery, as she is not always the villain and rarely the hero. Instead Baba Yaga is represented by these authors as a woman who is unapologetic for her sharp teeth, electric wit and the claws that she will use with zero compunction. The editor did a good job of cataloging the short stories in their current order as well. The first few stories do a good job of getting the reader interested in the anthology; however, some of the stories are a bit slower to read and dive into by the end of the anthology. It would have been exciting to end the anthology with a bit more action.
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu, Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley, and Stork Bites by EV Knight were my absolute favorites.

Into the Forest, edited by Lindy Ryan. This book was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. I must start out by relating I had never heard of the Baba Yaga, which this anthology is based upon. That being said, I do enjoy shorter, creepy stories and this book satisfied that. Each story was different, by different women authors, most of which were new to me. Several were too slow for me, but on the flip side, many thoroughly entranced me. All were well-crafted. This is a book that should be kept on a bookshelf and re-read or passed on to those you may wish to turn on to reading. Maybe during the holiday season, you could share it.
This late in the year, this is one of the better anthologies I have read.

4 Stars

(I received an ARC of this book through netgalley)
This was a very enjoyable anthology focusing on modern women authors taking their shot at interpretations of the Baba Yaga legends. I was very excited about this book, since I'm very much a fan of unsettling folklore that crosses into horror (such as Grimm's fairytales, Japanese Yokai stories, and the like) and this book did not disappoint.

The quality of the short stories were generally very good and most held my interest for the duration of their short lengths. Some played out more like old fashioned fairytales, while others took a much more modern spin on Baba Yaga. My favorites were the ones where the exact time period was uncertain and the story could have taken place on the fringes of civilization in the twelfth century or the twenty-first.

Baba Yaga is of course a central figure in all of these stories and each approaches her in a unique fashion that still fits with the general character's archetype. In some stories she is generous and benevolent, in others hard and cruel, but there is always an element of both compassion and danger to her. A few stories venture into more visceral horror, and most at least bring up the cannibal aspect but nothing was particularly rough for me to read through.

I would like to highlight a few of my favorites from the collection:
-THE STORY OF A HOUSE by YI IZZY YU: An interesting macabre take on the story of the house itself, and how Baba Yaga melded chicken and house to make her iconic abode.

-FLOOD ZONE by DONNA LYNCH: This story focuses on Baba Yaga and a "daughter" she crafted from a snake and mixes both Baba Yaga's compassion and barbarity in a fashion I enjoyed immensely.

-WATER LIKE BROKEN GLASS by CARINA BISSETT: Big shocker, the guy who has read military history since middle school liked the story set in the Second World War. Still, it was a beautiful story centered around a river spirit and a resistance fighter and the changes that time and the war place on their relationship. It was only tangentially connected to Baba Yaga but I thought the themes of dual compassion and barbarism fit very well with the rest of the collection.

Overall, I enjoyed this anthology and it lived up to the type I had placed on it. A couple of the stories struggled to really draw me in but none were badly written or particularly uninteresting. I am left looking forward to delving into other works written by these authors, which I feel is one of the best things an anthology can spur in its readers.

I believe this is the first anthology I have actually actively sat down and read from start to finish. I didn't LOVE all of the stories, but enjoyed over 90% and highly recommend if you are a fan of Baba Yaga, or if you have never heard of her, it's fun to see the different interpretations of her story. I personally grew up with a children's book with her story in it and have always held her in a spooky place in my heart and this didn't disappoint! I enjoyed the spooky woodsy atmosphere in each of these stories. Very fun, and I know I will go back and reread some of my favorites!

This book satisfied my craving for creepy fairytale retellings. Each story was unique and well-crafted to unsettle and entrance the reader. This is a storybook I could re-read many times over, and pairs well with other fairytale retellings.