Okay, so this was unexpected. I enjoyed this, but not in an excited way. I felt like this dragged at parts simply because there were so many different pieces involved. I loved the mash-up of fairytales, though, especially with the evil twist. So I'm definitely glad I got to read this even if it's not my favorite.

I had some issues understanding the main characters. Clara and Henni are best friends, so I thought they would be close in age, but Henni is constantly described as being childish. I also didn't completely connect with Axel and Clara's romance because it just seemed a bit out of place to me.

However, if a story full of creepy fairytale retellings sounds good to you, then I hope you give this a go!

Out September 19, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The Forest Grimm is a YA fantasy novel based on many different Grimm Brothers' fairytales, which you can see through all the various references throughout the book.

I love a good fairytale retelling so I was very excited to get to read this one. Sadly, I didn't enjoy this book as much I thought I was going to. While the concept was cool, I feel like the book may have been too young for me. First, the worldbuilding felt too ambiguous and lacking with both French and Germanic type references. Additionally, there was just too much going on at once as the author tried to fit too many fairytales into one story. In my opinion, this book would be much better with just a bit of trimming.

While I personally wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I can say acknowledge that The Forest Grimm is fast paced, has a comfy, cozy fairytale atmosphere, and a fun twist cliffhanger ending; So while it may not have worked for me, I would still recommend it to younger fantasy readers who are looking for more fairytale-based novels.

Read if you like:
- classic fairytales
- quick pacing
- atmospheric reads
- twists and turns

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew from the first chapter of this book that it was going to be something special! It was fast-paced and full of action. I loved all of the fairytales that were woven into this story. The friendships, family bonds, and romantic feelings were so well done in this book. I loved the characters so much! The book leaves some things unresolved, which is great since it’s the first of a series. I love series that take more than one book to solve the whole mystery. Definitely a book I recommend and will definitely have to check out the next book!

3.5 stars!

I really enjoyed the eerie fairytale retellings in this book. It was kind of difficult to picture the Forest Grimm in regards to how it connected physically with the village, but the author does a good job creating a mysterious and unpredictable space within the forest. It was interesting to see how the characters would journey through the forest while meeting the Lost people from their village. However, I did get a little frustrated with the characters because of how senseless the main character was. After all the dangers they encounter in the forest, you'd think they would be more aware of not trusting everyone they meet so easily; this was something I struggled with Clara and Henni throughout the whole book. Speaking of Henni, I personally thought she was quite selfish and inconsiderate (even though she's supposedly Clara's best friend). Also, Henni just seemed quite burdensome for the majority of the book and her constantly straying from Axel and Clara was quite predictable.

I didn't feel strongly about any of the characters in this book but I enjoyed the little twists and turns at the end. The plot was done well and it kept me very immersed in the story. I do wish there was a greater focus on the fairytale retelling aspect but I loved how the world was built and how the cards came into play at the end. This book was fast-paced and there wasn't really any moment in the book where I felt bored. I do think there could have been a greater focus on developing the characters' growth (especially the relationship between Clara and Axel) but I'm excited to see what happens in the next book as Clara journeys back into the forest.

Ever since I was little, I have always loved reading fairy tales. Some of my favorites were Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast, and to this day, I still enjoy their stories. As I have gotten back into reading more over the last few years, I have found myself being drawn to read fairy tale retellings, especially dark or twisted retellings!

There were a lot of things that I enjoyed while I was reading this book, mainly being able to see twisted versions of different fairy tales come alive during Clara Thurn’s (FMC) journey into the Forest Grimm to try and save her mother who was Lost. I will never look at Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel’s stories in the same way again, that’s for sure! (Think Cinderella if she was a deranged jilted bride and Hansel/Gretel as cannabalistic little munchkins if you need a little push to read this book). This is a YA fantasy so nothing gets too dark/graphic, but it definitely gives slightly creepy vibes with the menacing, ever-changing forest and the fairytale characters that we all know and love but with a dark twist.

Overall, I did enjoy the plot of this book but like some YA books, I felt that the characters fell flat in places and I even put this book down for a few weeks because the pace was slow in parts and it seemed like it took a while to get to the conclusion. I am also not as big on friends-to-lovers, which is definitely Clara and Axel’s relationship, and while their romance/feelings for each other were very warm and sweet, it didn’t have that chemistry and tension that I personally enjoy reading about (but that’s entirely my own preferences). The ending leads you to believe there will be a second book, which I might enjoy reading and possibly getting to see even more twisted fairytale characters!

Themes/Tropes (as I see them): dark/twisted fairytale retelling, evil forest, friends to lovers, journey/quest, family secrets

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the digital galley in return for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Forest Grimm on September 19, 2023.

This book was SO atmospheric! It's perfect for the fall/spooky season, especially if you're a fairytale retelling fan. I loved how Kathryn Purdie switched up the classic fairytales to make a unique and riveting plot. Some moments surprised me with how spooky they got, but it also felt like the perfect balance of creepy atmosphere and comfortable for YA readers.

The main character was definitely more on the naive side, which grated at times. But it was also a perfect representation of a 16-17-year-old who thinks they have the world figured out only for their entire perception to change. I also wish this had been multi-POV so we could see more from Axel's perspective!

The writing overall was great, and I loved the disability rep! Excited to see where this story goes int the future, especially after that cliffhanger ending.

Younger me may have liked this
Current me just went to goodreads to see if it gets better and learned it was the first of a duology. Nope. I don't care enough to wait for a conclusion

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In The Forest Grimm, Kathryn Purdie tries to reimagine how the Grimm fairy tales came to be. Clara Thurn's fortunetelling grandmother has read her fate of death since childhood. Her village has been cursed by the magical forest surrounding her village. Part of this curse includes the loss of villagers to the woods, the first of which to be taken being her mother. Clara and her friends venture into the forest to find their lost loved ones and recover a magical book that will grant one wish to each villager... in hopes of breaking the curse.

The story is quite simplistic, and the writing is young. I think Kathryn has some creative ideas, and there were some funny lines that made me smirk, but the overall execution lacked polish.
Repetition of concepts that were already explained. Just a few examples: <spoiler>How the lottery worked was explained multiple times in the same chapter.</spoiler> and <spoiler>The concept of "Take my luck," their village's way of wishing someone good fortune, was explained the first time it was used and again near the end.</spoiler>
Ironically, there was an issue with lack of explanation. Characters would know some information without us knowing how they came to this conclusion. For example: <spoiler>Clara somehow knew the Grimm wolf was a "she" even though there was no indication of gender, especially since the wolf was described to be larger than regular wolves. This made predicting one of the twists on who the wolf is quite easy.</spoiler> and <spoiler>When Clara and Axel meet Hansel and Gretel, the twins don't tell them their names. However, a few paragraphs later, Clara refers to them by name. It seems like Henni got their name, but there wasn't any time for her to share this information.</spoiler>
Not necessarily a flaw, but the verses from the magical book felt too literal. The prose was quite simple and (spoiler for how I felt at the end)<spoiler>I wish there was a nice plot twist on what they interpreted the verses to mean vs what they actually meant</spoiler>.
Another personal opinion, but I didn't like how the fairy tale characters they met were named exactly as they are in the Grimm fairy tales. This made them feel forced in, and worse, easy to predict how the episode would go down. Maybe it would be more interesting if our expectations were subverted, but they stayed quite faithful to the original tales, just with the author's personal dark twist. I personally would've preferred if the names were not so exact and we had more of an if-you-know-you-know delivery. I know that the author wanted to explore how these tales came to be, but the current delivery makes things too predictable. I guess it could be fun in the way horror movies are, where the audience knows that the characters are in trouble while they are oblivious?
Spoiler-y side-question about the naming: <spoiler>Why were the twins' names actually Hansel and Gretel then? I thought the Lost also lost their identities (though we didn't really get an answer as to how they got their new names), including their real names?</spoiler>

I wonder how much will change between the ARC and the final copy?

The characters were fleshed out fine, if not a bit generic. For example, Axel's description fit the typical YA attractive male protagonist. Clara fit the role of the heroine who wants to save their loved one and their village, to the point of self-sacrifice. I did appreciate the disability rep, although I cannot say anything about the accuracy. She has a condition in her spine that causes it to be misaligned, and it was interesting to see how the pain made the journey even harder. Finally, Henni... really did get on my nerves many times. On one hand, she was a realistic portrayal of someone who grew up under an older sibling's shadow yet was sheltered in other ways. As a group, they did have some cute, wholesome moments. I liked how Axel supported Clara and kept an optimistic energy when she was spiraling into hopelessness. However, they also acted in illogical ways that made me want to scream through the screen. For example, they all slept together at the same time... when they probably should've taken turns watching for danger. They also ignored many suspicious signals and sometimes... just didn't have their survival priorities straight.

This book is the start of a series, and while I appreciate a standalone, I don't think this would've been wrapped up well in this one novel. There is still so much that is unresolved in the novel. The unpolished writing means the story would meander a lot more, or it would end too abruptly with many unresolved threads. Having this break allows the author more time to develop a solid conclusion.

Just as a final note, I found it interesting that Clara's grandmother comes from a French-speaking country while Clara is in a German-speaking one. A lot of the Grimm fairy tales are based on tales written by French author, Charles Perrault, who wrote a version of Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe this is a small Easter egg?

I love a good Fairy Tale retelling and Kathryn Purdie gives us a new world of fairy tale retellings….and she doesn’t shy away from twisting them back into the darkness from whence they came. And I’m becoming a sucker for the way she writes the romance in her books; it sucks me in!

The Forest Grimm is what could be expected from a Little Red Riding Hood-esque story, filled with magical forests and creatures that hunt them. Clara comes into knowledge of her impending death, and embarks on an adventure in the hopes of removing a curse that has plagued her village. While the magic is there, the story not so much. It's full of easter eggs that pay homage to some of the most well-known fairy tales, but ultimately I feel as if the story falls.. flat. Maybe if this book had been condensed it could have not seemed so lacking in certain areas, but overall Clara is not the most personable character. Axel, her love interest was in my opinion the only saving grace, and I really can't see myself continuing on with this story.

In "The Forest Grimm," Kathryn Purdie weaves a tapestry of enchantment and darkness, crafting a tale that merges magic, curses, and the power of destiny. The novel introduces us to Clara Thurngood, a young woman burdened by the awareness of her imminent death. This prophecy is revealed through her grandmother's fortune-telling magic and the drawing of two cards.

Within the village is a tradition in which every villager, on their 16th birthday, enters a secret wish into the SortesFortunas, or Book of Fortunes. The story takes a sinister turn when an evil wish is cast, plunging the village into a curse that sets the forest against them and compels the villagers to become Lost Ones, wandering into the forest searching for relief and loved ones.

The narrative builds its intrigue with the concept of Monthly Devotion Days, during which names are entered into a lottery. The chosen individual is granted the opportunity to venture into the forest and confront the curse to save the Lost Ones. This uphill battle has proved impossible for all previous participants until Clara's close friend Axel's name is drawn. Fueled by an unyielding determination to rescue her mother and reverse the village's misfortune, Clara aligns herself with Axel. Joined by Henni, the sister of Axel's lost fiancée, the trio's journey is laden with challenges as they navigate a forest whose ever-shifting movements add complexity to their quest.

Purdie's storytelling prowess emerges in her adept interweaving of this dark tale with elements from the original Grimm fairy tales. Timeless characters like Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are seamlessly integrated, unveiling a unique and unexpected twist. This narrative choice propels readers into a realm of gothic intrigue, dispelling the sanitized versions of these stories in favor of their grittier, more primal origins. Through this lens, the story acquires an extra layer of depth, evoking the haunting darkness that often accompanies classic folklore.
"The Forest Grimm" offers quick pacing and a strong narrative. Purdie's prose is polished, guiding readers through a world rich in magic and danger. The novel thrives on its foundation of secrets—Clara, Axel, and Henni each hide their truths, enticing readers with their complexities.

The first installment in a series, "The Forest Grimm," sets a compelling stage for further exploration. The intricacies of the world, its history, and its characters are all poised for further development, promising an enthralling continuation of the journey within a world that is both hauntingly familiar and remarkably fresh.

This was an enjoyable dark twist on a fairy tale book. I like the darker feel without it being too scary. It was definitely atmospheric and held my attention the entire time. If you're a fan of different takes on fairy tales, definitely give this one a try! Easy characters to root for and a satisfying ending in my opinion.

I give this 3 1/2-4 Stars.

This reminded me of the movie, The Brothers Grimm, which took place in a village surrounded by a scary forest where all sorts of creepy fairytales came to life. In that aspect, I really liked the story as it gave the classic fairytales a different twist!

I think there was a bit too much traveling, which took away from the action and urgency of the story. I think some things came together a little too quickly or conveniently, especially for a supposedly dangerous forest and curse that literally kills villagers for stepping inside of it.

The ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I think it was in order to leave room for a second story. Overall, the story has a lot of positives going for it, but quite a few negatives pushing back against it—though I don’t think the negatives are enough to deter anyone from reading!

This is such a perfectly eerie and horrific fairytale romance. Full of body horror and creepy creeps, we have all of the lush and dangerous storytelling from the Brothers Grimm remixed into a fresh new story.

I’ve loved Kathryn’s previous duology and this one is shaping up to be just as delicious. I don’t want to give much away, but we have a unique world built around a forest that has captured a villages’s loved ones and our heroine(s) and hero who venture in to save their families.

They encounter the dead, and macabre as well as some of our fairytale favorites, but with the originally dark spin from Grimms Fairytales.

I highly recommend the audio if you get a change, as the narrator did an incredible job!

“You’re running out of time, Clara, I feel the ash telling me, unwilling to let me find comfort within the reach of its bad omens. And the rampion can’t protect you forever.”

Clara must venture out into Forest Grimm to find the lost villagers who were never seen again after entering the forest. Clara’s mother, who was one of the first lost.

Along with Axel, Clara’s closest friend, they must accomplish what must be done. To save the lost and retrieve the Book of Fortunes but they soon realize they aren’t the only ones in this dark forest, with deadly twist and sinister tales, what will become of this duo?




⭐️⭐️
I was super interested in reading this novel because I was going to receive this novel in my October 2023 book box and I got the opportunity from NetGalley, Kathryn Purdie, and St. Martin’s Press to arc read The Forest Grimm with an honest review. Thank you so much!

I was also very nervous coming into this novel after seeing quite a few reviews online but didn’t phase me out of reading this. When I first started reading this novel I was very intrigued with the story of the lost and how Clara losing her mother to the forest.

As a person with a disability, I really enjoyed how Kathryn Purdie portrayed Clara with Scoliosis, “I straighten my spine, at least as much as my S-curve will permit.” (pg.57).

Unfortunately I had to DNF at 50% I was having a hard time grasping this storyline. I thought it would be a retelling of red riding hood but it merged in multiple fairytales and twisted them into something more sinister like Rapunzel has medusa with long red hair that were alive and tangles their prey. As well as many others.

I never got to the other versions of the other fairytales because it was all a bit confusing and all over the place. I wished it focused on one or two fairytales than multiple and span on all of them with this novel being a series.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings that are more like horror stories, deadly twists and turns than this novel will be up your alley!

This was a wonderful, fun, fantasy read that I think many YA readers will love. The pace was exciting, and I absolutely adored how the author twisted the fairy tales to work with the story. I also appreciate the fantasy world she created and how the romance was a large part of the plot like most classic tales.

The fast-paced plot came back to hurt this book. The characters and romance needed more development for me and there were also many confusing sentences that took me out of the story. Also, the confrontation with the villain in the end was horribly rushed. If you love fairy tales, you want a fast-moving plot and are wanting to be entertained, then this is a great book to try.

"The Forest Grimm" by Kathryn Purdie left a distinct mark on me with its unique approach – a captivating spin on classic Grimm fairytales that takes on a haunting and eerie twist.

This young adult novel, while geared towards its intended audience, tends to lean slightly towards the younger spectrum, almost bridging the gap with middle-grade readers. Despite this, I found the narrative to be an effortless and enjoyable experience, perfectly suited for a relaxing read.

From the outset, the plot wastes no time in unfurling its events. The pacing is swift, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency. As the characters embark on their journeys filled with adventure and travel, the narrative maintains a simplicity that aids in easy comprehension, even as it unfurls across intricate landscapes.

Romance enthusiasts will appreciate the slow burn that permeates the tale, creating an anticipation that is both gratifying and fitting for the genre. Drama naturally weaves its way through the narrative, adding an extra layer of engagement that aligns with the overall tone of the story.

Thank you again St. Martin's Press and net gallery for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!

This is such a fun retelling/reimaging of the Grimm Fairytales. I loved the setting, the pacing, the magic and the characters! This is a perfect YA fantasy book to read this spooky season.

Oh. My. God. So, I absolutely adored this. It did not go in the direction that Iw as expecting but it did go in a direction that I absolutely adored. This Forest takes people from the village of Grimm's Hollow and warps their minds into twisted dark versions of fairy tale characters that we're rather familiar with. I love how things happen unexpectedly and the love story present in it unfolds in a way that works so perfectly. I can't wait to see what happens next in attempting to restore the book and break the curse on Grimm's Hollow. Who stole the book? What does the missing page say? And what will happen with our trio of heros now? I don't know. But I need to know.

If you like fairy tale retellings with a twist, magic in unexpected places, friends to lovers, mistaken identities, and the idea that yes, you can change your fate, or at least your fate isn't what you think it will be, then you need to pick up this book. I can't wait to get it on my bookshelf.

This book was really fun. I enjoyed following Clara's journey as she uncovered the secrets of Forest Grimm, and it was nostalgic to encounter so many Grimm's fairytales in this work. The dark twists made this book unputdownable, and I know that teens are going to love this fresh and unique take on classic fairytales.

I really appreciated the inclusion of disability rep and the character relationships were built with care and nuance. I will definitely pick-up the second book!