This is an excellent fairy tale continuation of Hansel and Gretel. Hansel remains as greedy and selfish as ever, and Gretel (whose real name is Marga) is just as clever, resourceful and good. Add in a too-clever duck, playful nixies, a handsome baker and you’ve got the recipe for a sweet, fun little romance story. I had fun reading this book, and hope you will, too.

I also want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for grinding me an advanced reader copy to read (and enjoy!)

The Gingerbread Queen by Carrie Anne Noble follows the story of Gretel, thirteen years after the events recounted by the Brothers Grimm.
Young Gretel, or Marga, as she prefers to be called, has led a life of abuse and contempt since she returned from the Igelwald Forest, her father is dead and Hansel is nothing more than a freeloader. Due to Hansel's gambling debts, she is forced to flee the town where they lived to return to the feared gingerbread house in search of the witch's treasure.
From that moment on, Marga's life takes an unexpected turn as she finds love and her new powers.
A charming story, a fairy tale for teenagers and adults that will leave the most demanding reader very satisfied with the ending.
I would have only liked an epilogue, something like "Thirteen years later..."
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

Thank you, Carrie Anne Noble and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

This is definitely different, and I love different things. It's part of a duology that's to come. What do you think would happen to Hansel and Gretel after hilling the witch? Read this book, and you'll find out. Of course, their lives could have gone many different ways. In my opinion, I thought for sure Hansel would have diabetes but alas not in this tale. There is romance, magic, betrayal, and so much in this twisted tale, but it certainly keeps you interested till the very end. You can only hope so much for your favorite characters.

Even if you don't get to meet many magical creatures, you certainly feel the magic and their presence throughout the book. The times you meet any, it's certainly fun and entertaining. Even those who seem like magical creature might turn out to be more than they appear.

Years after the death of the witch, Hansel and Gretel are living strange lives. They are completely different from one another, and one can say Gretel is the only one who seems to remember what happened to them in those woods. Things are changing, magic is stirring, and a new witch might be rising. What's going to happen? Read and find out.

As a lover of fairy tales, this Hansel and Gretel reimagining did everything I wanted it to! Compelling characters, fantastic magic, dark turns and twist, this is a must-read for any lovers of fairy tale adaptations! Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a rather cute and enchanting little fairytale story. I enjoyed my time and it is a good cozy book to pass the time in between heavier reads. 3 stars.

4.5

Super sweet take on Hansel and Gretel. The baker could have used a bit more personality, and less chapters in the ducks POV.
But overall I loved it.

This is such a lovely, whimsical twist on a classic fairytale, and I was glad to be along for the ride. Fair warning there are some characters in here that you will want to smack, repeatedly. If I could have reached through my kindle to smack them myself, I might have.

Carrie Anne Noble takes us back to the land where Hansel and Gretel live, only it’s thirteen years after Gretel pushed the witch in her own oven. Initially rich from the gems they took from the witch’s cottage, the money is almost all gone, and, unfortunately for Gretel (who now goes by Margarethe, or Marga), Hansel is addicted to both gambling and the brothel. The two are forced to flee back into the wild forest they left behind, back to the very place Marga hoped to never see again.

There’s a duck in here. He’s no ordinary duck. (Cue Monty Python reference: “LOOK AT THE BONES!! 🤣 There’s no bones here…I just have a pop culture reference kind of mind)

I digress.

This is a very cute and sweet story, with magic, fear, longing, danger, intrigue and hints of (clean) romance. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback. I am writing this review voluntarily.

Carrie Anne Noble’s The Gingerbread Queen offers a haunting and imaginative continuation of the classic Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Set in Germany in 1825, the story picks up thirteen years after Gretel and her brother Hansel’s escape from the infamous gingerbread cottage. Now living under an assumed name, Gretel tries to distance herself from her past, but fate has other plans.

The novel is steeped in a rich, dark atmosphere that captures the essence of a fairytale gone awry. Noble’s descriptive writing vividly brings to life both the quaint village and the eerie forest that surrounds it. The return to the gingerbread cottage, now a place of both dread and dark magic, is particularly well-crafted, evoking a sense of inevitable doom and curiosity.

Gretel is a well-developed protagonist whose internal struggles drive the narrative. Her fear of becoming the next witch-queen and her desire for a normal life create a poignant tension. The complexity of her character is one of the book’s strengths, making her journey through the forest and her encounters with the white duck compelling and emotionally resonant.

The white duck and the enchanted forest add layers of mystery and magical realism to the story. These elements enhance the dark fantasy vibe and keep the reader engaged with their unpredictable nature and hidden motives. The forest itself feels like a living, breathing entity, guiding and manipulating Gretel towards her fate.

In summary, The Gingerbread Queen is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of dark fairy tales and fantasy. While it struggles with pacing and character development in places, the novel excels in its atmospheric setting, intricate plot, and the depth of its protagonist. Noble’s continuation of the Hansel and Gretel tale is both familiar and refreshingly original, inviting readers to explore the shadows that linger long after the last breadcrumb has been left behind.

Carrie Anne Noble’s The Gingerbread Queen transports readers back to a fantastical reimagining of the classic Hansel and Gretel tale, picking up thirteen years after the siblings' daring escape from the witch's gingerbread cottage. Set in Germany in 1825, the novel follows Gretel, who now lives under an assumed name, desperately trying to leave her haunting past behind. Yet, small-town whispers and her brother Hansel’s reckless behavior force her to confront the remnants of the witch's legacy.

Noble's prose is richly atmospheric, painting vivid pictures of both the quaint town and the ominous forest. The narrative deftly intertwines elements of dark fantasy with the familiar fairytale, creating a story that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The author excels at building tension and suspense, particularly as Gretel revisits the gingerbread cottage, a place that harbors not only her traumatic memories but also latent, dark magic.

Gretel emerges as a complex, sympathetic character. Her struggle with her identity and destiny is compelling, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates a path fraught with peril and self-doubt. The enchanted forest and the enigmatic white duck serve as intriguing, mystical elements that guide her journey, adding layers of mystery and enchantment to the plot.

In conclusion, The Gingerbread Queen is a captivating read for fans of dark fairy tales and fantasy. While it has its pacing issues and some underdeveloped characters, the novel's evocative setting, intricate plot, and the depth of Gretel's character make it a worthwhile journey. Noble's imaginative continuation of the Hansel and Gretel saga invites readers to ponder what happens after "happily ever after," and whether Gretel can carve out a new destiny or succumb to the shadows of her history.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before publication on Jun 11 2024. The Gingerbread Queen by Carrie Anne Noble.

Following the story of Hansel and Gretel 13 years after they killed the witch who tried to eat them! They are older and wiser than when they were children (well Gretel is!) Hansel has turned into a greedy gambling oaf and because of this, the pair have to flee into the woods back to the old witch's gingerbread cottage. Her brother who has been cursed by another witch due to his debts, has to take some of the old witch's jewels to pay off his debt but does not come back to save his sister! She stays in the old broken-down gingerbread house and tries to survive with the help of a magical duck she starts to feel magic in herself! What has the old witch done? Cursed her!?

Definitely a good read, was very well written and I'd recommend this extended German fairy tale of the original Brothers Grimm.

This book was so descriptive and lush! I could practically feel the pinecones crunching under my feet, and smell the spiced gingerbread baking. I feel like this is one of the most descriptive books I’ve ever read. This was such a cozy read, and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I gave this book 5 stars. This was such an immersive experience. So good. So amazing. I loved everything about it. 5 stars!

Well, this was delicious! A delightful fairy-tale retelling that was both lyrical, poetic, and unputdownable, I can see why Ms. Noble was an award-winner! The originality was absolutely refreshing, and I loved the setting the tone of the book. I highly recommend this and cannot wait to get my hands on a paper copy!