The Forest Grimm

3/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads: Where fairy tales come to life with dark, deadly twists…

“Tell me again, Grandmère, the story of how I die.”

The Midnight Forest. The Fanged Creature. Two fortune-telling cards that spell an untimely death for 17-year-old Clara. Despite the ever-present warning from her fortune-teller grandmother, Clara embarks on a dangerous journey into the deadly Forest Grimm to procure a magical book – Sortes Fortunae , the Book of Fortunes – with the power to reverse the curse on her village and save her mother.

Years ago, when the villagers whispered their deepest desires to the book, its pages revealed how to obtain them. All was well until someone used the book for an evil purpose―to kill another person. Afterward, the branches of the Forest Grimm snatched the book away, the well water in Grimm’s Hollow turned rancid, and the crops died from disease. The villagers tried to make amends with the forest, but every time someone crossed its border, they never returned.

Now, left with no alternative, Clara and her close friend, Axel―who is fated never to be with her―have set their minds to defying fate and daring to accomplish what no one else has been able to before. But the forest―alive with dark, deadly twists on some of our most well-known fairy tales―has a mind of its own.

This book had so much promise. The premise was so cool and there were so many cool elements to it- the putting together of multiple fairy tales, the cursed forest, the fortune telling, the book- but it was written in such a one note, single level way. There were some things at the end that were supposed to be twists, but they didn’t feel like twists, so I wasn’t a huge fan of the way they were thrown in. Character wise, I liked Axel and the towns people of Grimm’s Hollow who were taken by forest. Clara was not my favorite character, but I could understand where she was coming from most of the time, so that made it easier to understand why she did things (even if I didn’t agree with them). Overall, I don’t know if I would tell y’all to read this one, but I’m going to read book 2, and if I really enjoy that one, then y’all should for sure read both of them.

Whew. If I ever see or hear about the s curve of someone's spine again... I can't even remember how many times I read this. The further into the book I got, the less it appeared. Nevertheless, it was terribly irritating. Just gotta tell me about a curved back once, and I've got it.
The Forest Grimm was a bunch of fairy tale ideas haphazardly thrown together. It seemed like the point was to include as many as possible with little to tie them together. In the end, they were connected, but it just seemed very unorganized before then.
I enjoy fairy tales and fantasy, but this one fell a bit flat for me.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

This is not well written. It is cliche and dull. I was disappointed because it sounded like it would be but it is not interesting at all. I love the cover but still would not suggest a library purchase it.

"The Forest Grimm" by Kathryn Purdie is an engaging young adult fantasy that intertwines classic fairy tales with a dark, immersive narrative. The story follows 17-year-old Clara, who ventures into the ominous Forest Grimm to retrieve the Sortes Fortunae—a magical book capable of lifting the curse plaguing her village and saving her mother.

Purdie's portrayal of the forest is reminiscent of the original Grimm fairy tales, which were far from child-friendly and often carried dark, mature themes. The novel captures this essence by presenting a setting where familiar stories take on sinister twists, reflecting the perilous and grim nature of the source material. The narrative is enriched by its atmospheric world-building and the integration of various fairy tale elements, creating a sense of nostalgia while maintaining originality. Clara's journey is compelling, and her determination adds depth to her character. The romantic subplot with her close friend, Axel, introduces an element of forbidden love, enhancing the story's emotional appeal.

However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain plot developments feeling rushed. Additionally, while the incorporation of multiple fairy tales adds complexity, it occasionally leads to a convoluted narrative that may be challenging to follow.

I quite enjoyed this twist on fairytale retellings. It seems to be a popular trope in fantasy right now, but this book managed to stand out from the crowd by incorporating more than a single fairytale and also taking a more Grimm take on it rather than anything too disney-fied. As someone who really likes fairytales, it was fun to see how the many stories wove together into something unique and refreshing. I enjoyed the darker take on certain stories and that it didn't shy away from the more horror aspects. I do wish the language used had been a bit more lush, as I tend to prefer my fairytales more descriptive, but this was still a compelling read with interesting characters. Looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marten's Press for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Kathhryn Purdy's "The Forest Grimm," with a publication date of September 19, 2023. Please forgive my delay in reading and reviewing this novel.

"The Forest Grimm" tells the story of Clara, whose grandmother foretells her demise at the novel's beginning. Clara ventures into the Forest Grimm with her close friend Axel to retrieve the Sortes Fortuna, an enchanted book that has the power to lift the curse plaguing Clara's village and possibly save her mother. As Clara and Axel travel through the forest, they find themselves pursued by a Wolf.

This saga is a fractured fairy tale where the forest's inhabitants include very dark versions of the characters in Grimm's renowned fairy tales (i.e., Hanzel and Gretel, as well as others). The love story between Clara and Axel, the twisted fairy tales, the gray Wolf's secret, and the search for her mother propels the story forward, creating an engaging atmosphere filled with suspense and intrigue.

The author takes the reader on a tortuous journey, filled with twists and turns galore and shocks, by dispersing heartbreaking revelations throughout the novel.

Will Clara and Axel survive the deadly Forest Grimm? "The Forest Grimm" is the first book of the duology, and I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.

3 out of 5 stars

The Forest Grimm was a new take on the dark fairytale theme that so many of us love today.
While I did have an enjoyable time with this novel, I think that we needed some more character development and some better world building.
All in all, I think if you are looking for a quick and easy read with a fairytale inspired fantasy world, then you might want to check this out!
I am interested to see what this author comes out with next!

I really was booked for scram. I enjoyed the story of the female and kind of a twist on red riding hood. I also liked the twist at the end with the mom and the grandma in the main male lead. I found that the end fit the book, but also left me wanting more. And the author just did a really good job with giving us a modern classic twist on red riding hood, but with a darker undertone.

Kathryn cannot write a bad book in my opinion. I am a long time fan of her work and will always read her books. I love her characters and plot always. Number one recommendation author on my list

Purdie’s world-building is one of the novel’s standout features. The forest itself is an enchanting yet terrifying setting, filled with eerie creatures, enchanted traps, and folklore that comes to life. Purdie masterfully blends familiar fairy tale tropes with a fresh, dark twist, creating an atmosphere that is both magical and unsettling. The descriptions of the forest and its dangers immerse the reader, making it easy to get lost in its twisted branches alongside the protagonist. Character development is another strong point, as the protagonist faces both external and internal challenges. Her journey is one of growth, courage, and sacrifice, as she navigates the blurred lines between good and evil. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with each character bringing their own motivations, secrets, and roles in the larger narrative.
For readers who enjoy fairy tales with a dark edge, The Forest Grimm is a compelling read that offers adventure, magic, and a deep exploration of love and destiny. However, some readers may find the familiar fairy tale elements a bit predictable, but the dark twists and unique setting more than make up for it.

I have read A LOT of fairytale retellings, or teisted tales and this one was just lacking something. I found myself putting the book down and walking away for a long time. I wish it had been more of many things and less of the blunt fairytale

I enjoyed this one. I thought the concept of a cursed forest that seems to enrapture some people and yet forcefully keeps others out was really intriguing. I also liked the way that the fairytales were twisted.

I thought Clara was a good character even though she was making dumb decisions. I liked that she believed in fate and magic, and her focus on finding the book and breaking the curse was one of the driving forces pushing her ahead. I liked her relationship with Axel, and I liked how it developed during their time in the forest.

I thought the pacing was good. The writing style was easy to follow, and the story moved along well. There was a good balance between the action and excitement and the quieter moments.

I’m excited for the second book, and I would definitely recommend this one.

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me a gifted copy of this book and for an eARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve always been a big fan of the brothers Grimm stories, so this story was great for me. I found the beginning slow compared to the rest of the book, so it didn’t pull me in instantly. However, once I was pulled in, I couldn’t put it down.

I switched back and forth between the audio version and the ereader. Both were great choices and made it easy to thoroughly enjoy the story.

This story is the first of two books in the series and does have a small cliffhanger ending.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Can’t say this one was a favorite of mine, but it was entertaining. The story didn’t feel original to me but that didn’t mean I could bear through it. As I was reading, I kept hoping for more and more and it just lacked in deliverance.

I do a lot of reader's advisory and book talking for YA books. It's always good to have a list of fantasy/romance titles! This one was a little formulaic for me, personally, but I definitely think there is an audience and I will be recommending.

The Forest Grimm was such a darkly enchanting multi fairytale retelling! Each fairytale character was unique and intriguing. The world building was very well done, and the cast of main characters I found to be very endearing. I enjoyed the twist with the Grabdmother, and the ending has me hooked for book two!

*The Forest Grimm* is an enchanting and atmospheric fantasy that intertwines folklore and dark magic. The novel features a richly developed world and a gripping narrative filled with intriguing twists. Kathryne’s evocative prose brings the mysterious forest and its inhabitants to life, creating a captivating reading experience. While the story's pacing might be slow at times, the immersive setting and compelling plot make it a must-read for fans of fairy-tale-inspired fantasy.

I enjoyed this read. Very neat retelling with twists and turns to keep you hooked and reading more. A daring twisted fairytale with a great dynamic between the characters.

Wanted to love this, but I think I’m just not the target audience for this book.
However, this book is a very age appropriate YA fairytale retelling and an overall interesting story.
Perfect for spooky season and a great book to recommend to the teen in your life.

Although a bit uneven, with occasional dark elements mixed with an unexpectedly sweet romance, young teens who enjoyed the Chronicles of Never After as middle grade readers may find The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie a good bridge into the more complex stories shelved in the young adult collection. This book blends characters and themes from a variety of fairy tales (some better known than others) and should appeal to younger teens who enjoy creepy but not disturbing fantasy and who prefer an action driven plot over a romantic one.