Premee Mohammad writes with such a sense of wonder. I will keep searching out work from this author. Highly recommend.

This was a decent fantasy novel. It wasn't my favorite one i have ever read however there wasn't anything i felt was wrong with it, it just wasn't for me.

I would recommend this to others who like this style of writing.

I really liked the atmosphere in this book, and the idea it self was great. The sentences were really long which made me have a hard time focusing on multiple occasions. As I said, the vibe and concept in general was great but I really feel like it needed something more.

This was short and sweet but so atmospheric and engrossing. The writing was so beautiful from the first page I could tell this was some of my favorite things. Just like a dark fairy tale with adventure, the story was interesting, the mystery full of tension and puzzles reveling many a metaphor. But the writing is what captured my attention. Can’t wait to look through this author’s other titles

Dark, moving, and riveting. I would say that I felt haunted by this book after I read it. We will be ordering for our library.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for e-arc!
It is a dark and twisting fairytale with ominous forests and missing children. Veris is the only survivor of the deadly forest and is forced back in. Forced to find the tyrant's missing children with only one day, Veris must survive the ancient and evil forces that wait inside the forest.
This a fantastic selection for someone who wants a great blend of horror and fantasy. I don't love most horror, but this focused mainly on fantasy's dark and ominous parts. It is the perfect amount to create an eerie and brutal story without petrifying me. This is what I want when I think of creepy magic forests.
The story itself is immaculate. The pacing is extremely fast and I finished the book in two days because I simply couldn't put it down. There is so much more to this story than what you expect when you start. Definitely worth a read!

Reading The Butcher of the Forest felt like moving through a forested nightmare. It has the accordion pace and geography of a dream, both contracting and expanding throughout the story, and the plot, imagery, and characters of a horrific fairy tale. I loved it.

In the book, orphaned village woman Veris is forced by the Tyrant to recover his children from The Wood. Nobody has ever gone into The Wood and returned, you see, except Veris. The bulk of this novella follows Verís as she navigates the maze of the forest trying to find and rescue the children. She encounters many types of beast and fae, and must use her strength and cleverness to endure all kinds of horrors and survive various bargains. It’s dark (heed the content warnings), it’s wandering, and it’s delicious.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the arc!

A heavy read content wise for such a short novella, but important none-the-less! Please be aware that there are numerous triggers throughout, and it isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you can stomach the intensity of the trauma laid bare on the page, you’ll find a beautifully written dark tale that is easy to see as an allegory for real life.

The Butcher of the Forest is a dark, deeply rich fantasy that engrosses you from the beginning. The cover of it almost perfectly enmeshes the feel of the book.

It's full of magical mythical creatures, danger, fantasy, and a forest that makes you feel like you're actively walking in it. A fantastic read!

I really enjoyed this dark and twisty story. For me it was very reminiscent of Pans Labyrinth which is one of my favorite movies. I enjoyed the world building, especially once Veris entered the North Woods. The author did a wonderful job of setting an ominous tone, as well as keeping you holding your breath. As someone who enjoys a bit of fantasy horror I liked the guardians in all their splendid rotten glory. Mix in some riddles and mayhem and this made for a really fast paced exciting read. I will say that I was surprised by the ending and have some really mixed feelings as to the events at the conclusion. I don't know if this book will have a second installment or if it is something that I will forever be milling about in my head. Either way really enjoyable peculiar story!

So, look… I somehow got the impression that this book was horror and I was a little apprehensive about it because (so I keep saying) horror just isn’t my thing. Nevermind that when it’s done like this? Baby, if this is horror you can keep it coming.

This dark fantasy story felt raw and harrowing and it was so, so beautiful. From the outset, I was hooked. Veris is dragged in front of the Tyrant who demands she return to the North Woods to rescue his missing children. The same place that nobody has ever returned from, except her - one time, a lifetime ago. She goes, reluctant but determined. She knows more, better now and knows the sooner she gets it done, the sooner she goes home. The magic, the creatures, the world of the North Woods demand a careful consideration of our words, our bargains and our intentions. There’s trickery and danger and hard choices. All the good stuff.

This story is short and aching, in the best way. It made me think of how much exploitation and colonization cost us all. Every single one of us paying a horrific price, whether we see it or not, when it doesn’t have to be this way. You know it’s good when you’re completely captivated and then thinking expansively about the meaning of life after.

I absolutely loved it. Absolutely loved it. I hope you read it.

Thank you to the author, B2Weird BookClub, Tor and Netgalley for this terrifyingly tender book. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this quick fantasy read. The writing was lush and had the perfect pace.

Overall, enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author!

excellent book. was so excited to receive this ARC. it became one of my top favorite reads. cannot wait to read more from this author.

A dark, twisty fairy tale that mixes fantasy and horror. Darker than your usual fantasy. Unnerving, grim and macabre.

I was not able to provide feedback for The Butcher of the Forest by the publish date but now that I have read it I gave it four stars.

The Butcher of the Forest feels very similar in multiple ways to a classic Grimms' Fairytale, and Mohamed crafted a dynamic, vast world that was easy to get lost in. While I didn't always understand Veris, I found her to be easy to identify with and root for! This was a quick, enthralling read that I thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Tordotcom, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

In this haunting and atmospheric dark fairytale, we find ourselves in a land oppressed by a foreign tyrant. At the northern edge of this realm lies a wild, forbidden forest—a place of ancient magic and peril. Veris Thorn, the only person to have entered the forest and survived, is now forced to return inside to retrieve the tyrant's missing children. But time is not on her side; she has only one day to navigate traps, trickery, and the haunting remnants of the past. One misstep could cost everything.

Mohamed's prose weaves a spellbinding tapestry, drawing readers into a dimension where wicked shape-shifting beings, undead deer, and other monstrosities lurk. Yet it's the endearing characters and their struggles that truly make this novella powerful. Veris Thorn's world-weariness and determination resonate, and the forest itself becomes a character—an entity both beautiful and treacherous.

"The Butcher of the Forest" is a perfect blend of horror and fantasy, showcasing why Premee Mohamed is one of the rising stars in the genre. If you enjoy dark fairytales, magical forests, and characters who grapple with forces beyond their control, this novella is a must-read.

Remember, within the pages of this book, you'll encounter more than just words; you'll step into a realm where danger and wonder intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on your imagination. Happy reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Written in a highly intelligent, yet accessible way. What a weird but delightful short story. I found myself staying up to finish it in 1 sitting

i honestly did not connect to the writing at all. the best way i can describe it is trying too hard. it was a quick read but it felt endless. I am just not sure i am the best audience for this read.

I just finished reading The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed. This was a dark and magical novella that grips you from the beginning and doesn’t let go.
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The story follows Veris Thorn, the only person to enter the north woods, or Elmever, and return. The north woods are a dangerous place and when people enter them it means a certain death. Veris went in after a child once, and was able to return.
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Years later the Tyrant that has taken over Veris’s homeland, enlists Veris to enter the woods again. This time to find his two children. Veris must take on this challenge even though she never wanted to return to the Elmever, or the Tyrant will kill her family.
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This was such an interesting read. A perfect blend of fantasy and horror. Veris is a remarkable character who will do anything to save the ones she loves. Even if it means facing her worst fears for a second time. This book reminded me a little of Fairy Tale by Stephen King, mostly the tone and vibe felt similar.