The Deathly Grimm starts right where we left off. A village cursed, a murder unsolved, and a wish ungranted until they figure out whodunit. We join Clara and Axel on another adventure through the forest as we meet more Lost ones fated to live out strange and dark stories in the twisted magic of the cursed woods. Our couple faces dangers untold but the biggest test lies within. Can they unravel a cold case and save their town before the curse ends them all?
This duology is dark, twisty, creepy, and oh so much fun. I love how the familiar fairytales are changed by the curse and reimagined. But while we’re running for our lives from a special selection of horrors there’s still time for swoony and heartfelt moments. They all must learn the true meaning of power and the strength in acceptance. A must read if you love Grimm’s retellings and creepy magical forests.

This was such a fun conclusion to an interesting duology. I have been a huge fan of the Grimm fairytales for as long as I can remember, and to see the way that Kathryn plays with them in these books is really cool. I was a little meh over the miscommunication but they are teenagers, so I'm not shocked. And it was because of strong emotions so it is understandable. But I did knock the rating down a star for that reason. Loved this conclusion though, and cannot wait to read more by Kathryn.

I love duologies because you get a complete story in only 2 books, and when the second book is just as good as, if not better than, the first, that's a big win. Unsurprisingly, I consider The Deathly Grimm to be a huge win. The Deathly Grimm picks up where The Forest Grimm left off, so you come into it knowing what's going on. With the whole town counting on Clara and Axel to save them, the stakes are even higher here than in book 1, which adds to the tension and heightens the suspense. Every time you think things are going good, something happens to make it just a little bit more difficult. I think Kathryn Purdie does an excellent job tying everything together to give a satisfying ending to this story.

I highly recommend this book.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kathryn Purdie for the opportunity to read and review The Deathly Grimm.

Picking up right where The Forest Grimm ended, Kathryn Purdie places us back in the cursed woods and brings us back to the quest to find the lost pages of The Book of Fortunes and to help solve the mystery of who killed Brenn Zimmer. This was the perfect conclusion to this Fairy Tale inspired support and again is the perfect read for a YA reader. There is just the right amount of safe romance for a younger reader (think PG level smooching) and just a touch of appropriate language (read a few mild swears) and a pace that truly.any ages you in the storytelling. Where this book differs from the first book is that the pacing felt a little slower, maybe because I was so familiar with the world now, and romance was a little more angst than discovery driven, but this did not finish the story for me because the ending offered a wonderful aspect I had not expected.

This review is only for Book Two of The Forest Grimm Duology. Please see my review of The Forest Grimm for that review.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Kathryn Purdie for sharing this book with me.

The Deathly Grimm is the second book in The Forest Grimm duology, and you definitely have to read the books in order. There are spoilers ahead…

Like The Forest Grimm, The Deathly Grimm takes familiar fairy tales you know and turns them upside down. Jack and the Beanstalk, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and The Frog Prince all make a dark and twisted appearance. Unenchanted versions of Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Cinderella also return.

Clara’s first trip into the woods didn’t end the way she had hoped. The curse is only partially gone, Clara’s mother didn’t survive, and Clara’s grandmother is quickly fading. What Clara did exit with was a strong relationship with Axel. But re-entering the woods put that at risk, too.

Everything about The Deathly Grimm feels both familiar and new. Author Kathryn Purdie’s twists on what seem like innocent tales is delightfully creepy. Purdie’s world building is strong and her characters solid.

The Deathly Grimm is a driving narrative that holds interest throughout. The duology is perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales, fantasies, mysteries and adventures.

I was provided both an ARC and ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Forest Grimm duology, and don't feel this could be read as a standalone. You really do need to read The Forest Grimm first to understand what is going on and what is going on with the world and the characters. This installment drops you right back into the world where the first book leaves off and the characters pick up where they left off. With the curse on the village only partially broken, Clara and Axel must venture back into the Forest Grimm and Henni must go into hiding until they return with answers and the missing page from the Book of Fortunes. As they venture back into the forest Clara and Axel's relationship will be tested, and Clara will have to face many of her fears as they find more lost villagers and try to break the curse for good. They face

Once again the author does a great job leaning into the darker side of the fairy tales in this book and weaves them into the plot with her own reimagining. This is a bit of retelling and mystery. It has a nice twist when we finally get the full reveal of who the real villain of the story is and how the curse came to be.

Much like with the first book, I felt this read a bit young for my tastes, but the target audience is young adult so take that with a grain of salt. We do get more character development from Clara in this book, which was something I felt was lacking in the first book. In the last book I felt like everything she did was based on what the tarot cards told her was going to happen, where in this book she almost shunned the cards and what they foretold. She was able to think before she acted and solve some of the riddles without acting on impulse all the time. I would have like more character development overall, but I do appreciate the character development we did get.

Overall I felt like this was a satisfying conclusion to the duology.

The Deathly Grimm is an exciting and engaging follow-up to The Forest Grimm.

While the curse on Grimm's Hallow is breaking, it is not broken. Henni needs to make her wish, but the magic is fickle, and Clara knows she must solve the original murder and save the Lost in order to fully break the curse. Clara and Axel must return to the Forest Grimm, knowing they might not return. With her grandmother's life in the balance, and the Lost Love card hanging over them, can Clara and Axel make it through the forest once more?

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Forest Grimm. While this book still had the creepy, gothic feel of book 1, the stakes are higher, and the relationships are different. We see Clara and Axel's relationship be tested even further, as they must learn to trust and rely on one another. The character development is good too - our characters are young, and still figuring out who they are and how they fit into the world. We see this especially with Clara, who is questioning her role in the curse, and what her visions mean for her and Axel. I also loved the fairy tale spin as well - as the Lost take on characteristics of classic Grimm's tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, The Frog Prince, and the Pied Piper. While this book did not have the same kind of romantic tension with Axel and Clara, we see them navigate their relationship in this book. The end was exciting and I think wrapped things up nicely for this series. Overall, this was a fun and whimsical series, with some gothic elements and a darker spin on classic fairy tales.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press - Wednesday Books for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dark, twisty, and full of magic. I thoroughly devoured this story.

I was surprised at how caught off guard I was while reading Kathryn Purdie's sequel to The Forest Grimm. This story is much darker, the themes are more intricate, and showcase a much harder FMC than previously seen. There were times I had to stop and think if I was remembering the right story before this one. This isn't to say that the story wasn't good, it was! Just wholly different than what I was expecting when I started reading. My review for the first book in this duology said that it was fine for younger YA readers, I wouldn't give the same recommendation for this one.

"A curse is a riddle, One that doesn't forgive. Answer me this riddle, And I'll let you live."

Clara and those who emerged from the Forest Grimm are viewed not as heroes, but with suspicion and malcontent by the other villagers. Especially poor Henni, whose wish did not break the curse as expected. Clara's determination to break the curse and restore her friends and family hasn't changed, but she is a lot more wary of the forest and its inhabitants when she returns to the forest. And for good reason. The Lost are much more bloodthirsty and cunning, it will take all of Clara's power and insight to figure out what's real and what isn't.

I am still in awe of the author's ability to shift the Grimm fairytales we know and love into something new and, dare I say it, fun. Fun for me anyway, trying and figure out which character represented which tale! I loved the writing, the pace was on point, and I enjoyed the added layers of mystery in this book. The plot twists were soooo good! I definitely didn't see them coming! Perhaps my least favorite part of the book was the romance, but mainly because of the miscommunication trope, or one version of it anyway. I always struggle with characters not talking to the person they love because they're afraid of what the other person will say. But that's my own issue, and no fault of the author.

I'll wrap up with the ending because it was bittersweet. Yes, there is a happy ending, but not the one you may hope for. I was tearing up at the end multiple times, unable to stop reading the final chapters, wishing for different outcomes for certain characters. Especially Clara, who had fought so hard, and though not every wish was fulfilled, she discovered the strength and resilience within herself to keep loving and living, even when it hurts. I loved the message that the author wrote within this story, a reminder that even in darkness, there are big and small joys to be celebrated.

Ooh this follow-up fairy-tale story was just awesome! I loved finding the different fairy-tales within the story! I really enjoyed the characters and the forest was so crazy! I am not a huge fan of fantasy - but this author always takes me with her on her journey's and I am always there for it! Her writing is flawless and so easy to follow that I don't mind the mayhem that ensues! Enjoy!

Thanks to NetGalley for this book, the opinions and thoughts are all mine!

We return to the most mysterious Forest Grimm as our leads Clara and Axel have unfinished business with the cursed otherworld lurking at their doorstep, luring their neighbors into deadly twisted tales. Mysteries are to be solved, truths are to be unearthed, and curses are to be broken, or at least they need to be in order to finally achieve peace. And so we enter The Deathly Grimm for one final adventure. An adventure that arises chills, excitement, frights, triumphs, heartbreak, and romance.

Admittedly, I wasn’t convinced in the need of a sequel. I was a bit dismayed at the end of the first book because I felt everything could have been tied up nicely! So I definitely entered this one with trepidation, but that’s not at all how I left it. Rather, I left this one with delightful surprise. Surprise because I do consider this better than the first book. The second half especially rises the occasion and leaves its mark on the reader, closing this duology on a high.

Usually when sequels come along, I feel lost if I don’t reread the first book (and I rarely do), yet there was instant familiarity as I ventured back into the Forest Grimm— into this Deathly Grimm. I never felt I missed a beat, the narrative embraces the reader right into its heart. And it allows for easy engagement and ready immersion. The beginning is a bit slow but it steadily picks up its pace and by narrative’s end you will find yourself at the edge of your seat, biting your nails, nervously bouncing your knee, and shakily holding your breath. The suspense, its build up and execution, is quite done. I felt chills down my spine at times as our leads walked through that forest. There was also a shroud of sadness, notably with how vivid even the most ghostly and lost characters came to be. I cared for these characters. And this glided me through the tale with great ease.

The forest feels wonderfully expanded in this tale. I continue to love how the author takes the most unexpected twists with familiar fairytale characters. I find it so innovative and creative— this duology cleverly sets itself apart from the mass of fairytale retellings. It prickles the goosebumps on your skin, and tantalizes as it raises the stakes and ups the ante at each turn. Every step could be a character’s last. Every choice absolutely matters, and these characters themselves know it and it weighs so heavily upon them.

I did grow frustrated at times with the miscommunication between Clara and Axel. I do think allowing tension raises those stakes, so I was fine with the taut back-and-forth between the two when it came to truths and suspicions of certain mysteries, but the narrative lost me a bit when it lightly teased a love triangle. Now it's not a triangle that ever feels threatening to the core romance, but it is still a plot point I wish was done a bit differently. It may not have felt like a threat, but it did feel like an unnecessary distraction. Nonetheless, I am a romance reader who enjoys angst-- and there's definitely a good heaping of it in this one! So ultimately, it gets the job done, and I feel other readers will appreciate what I did not.

I also want to say that in today's Young Adult Fantasy genre, there seems to be a spectrum within it-- where some are very much meant for a younger audience, and others toe the line towards Adult. PG vs PG-13, if you will. I admittedly favor the latter, but I also hold deep respect reading a YA fantasy that is content to stay well within the margins of the core genre. This is the exact type of beloved stories I grew up with, it's the type of book I'd be obsessed with, in fact! I may be outside that target audience today, but I look at this duology with great appreciation and I think it's especially perfect for younger readers. And it's one that can bring a lot of comforting nostalgia to older readers like myself!

This is a duology I will always have a soft spot for, one that brings me nostalgia and comfort.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Thank you so much Kathryn Purdue, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the eARC of The Deathly Grimm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Forest Grimm was an enchanting journey through a dark wood full of twisted fairytale characters, magic, and mystery! I could hardly wait to begin the next installment in the duology, The Deathly Grimm. 🐺

This book is a bit different from The Forest Grimm and the characters’ quest to break a curse. At its heart, The Deathly Grimm is a high stakes murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. Throughout the story, I found myself questioning everyone and everything. After all, it’s nearly impossible to know who, or what, you can trust in the Forest Grimm.👀

Fans of no spice romance, this one is for you! Although there is some very light romance, the main focus of the story is found family and healing from past trauma/hurt. The Forest Grimm and it’s curse was the result of a lot of generational trauma for the village, so it was amazingly refreshing to see Clara, Axel, and their companions experience some much needed emotional healing on the page.

Additionally, I loved watching Clara grow up so much in this final installment. She went from a scared young woman trying to save everyone around her to a grown woman who understood the world around her and her place in it with stunning clarity. It’s not often that you get so much emotional growth in the page, and I was here for every word!

In the pages, you will find:

🌳An enchanted, cursed forest
🪄Magic
🏰Fairytale characters
👻A friendly ghost
🔍A murder mystery
🚫No spice romance
❤️‍🩹Emotional growth/healing
🤝Found family
📕The final installment in The Forest Grimm Duology

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This wrapped up the duology so well! It introduced new characters and reimagined more Grimm’s fairytales in twisted and unexpected ways, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Clara and Axel have to return to the forest to finish breaking the curse over their village, and this time, they need to solve a murder to do it. Clara has discovered that she has the power to see the past, and she’s beset with visions. She doesn’t know what’s real or who to trust, and the forest is dark, deadly, and full of monsters. I loved the direction that the plot took and the way that Kathryn wrapped up Clara’s story. If you love fairytale retellings with a dark twist, you should definitely read this duology. It’s eerie, romantic, and beautifully written, and I loved it. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced listener’s copy from Macmillan Audio, and I highly recommend the audiobook for this one. Sarah Ovens does an amazing job with the voices and accents, and truly brings the characters to life.
🌲
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌲
Read if you like:
▫️fairytale retellings
▫️YA fantasy
▫️dark enchanted forest and a curse
▫️murder mystery
▫️magic, visions, and prophecy
🌲
Thank you to Wednesday Books, Macmillan Audio, Kathryn Purdie, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. I received advanced copies for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a satisfying ending to the duology. This takes us back into the forest with our main characters Clara and Axel. They are on a new mission and trying to find more lost villagers. It is such a well done fairy tale world. It is a bit slow paced but very well told. If you are lover of fairy tales and adventure then this is for you!

A fitting conclusion to the Forest Grimm duology. Once again, Axel and Clara find themselves having to plummet back into the Forest Grimm in order to break the curse fully on the village. A perfect mix of using old Grimm fairytales to move this story along. Perfect for fans of the original Grimm stories.

*Special thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this digital e-arc.*

The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie is the exciting conclusion to The Forest Grimm which picks up not long after book one ended. Clara and her friends have returned from the Forest Grimm only to learn that they haven’t broken the curse completely. To break the curse, they must return to the forest and find the missing page of the Sortes Fortunae, Book of Fortunes, and solve the murder that started it all.

Clara is irrevocably changed after dying in the Forest Grimm, brought back to life by Axel and a spindle to the heart. She feels like she has cheated fate. Why her and not her mother? The question runs through her mind constantly. Add to that she is now exploring her magic, being able to see and divine the past, and Clara is overwhelmed. She feels out of place and lost.

Axel is her anchor. He reminds her of who she is and what she fights for. But after a vision shows her his father potentially alive, Axel begins putting pressure on her to look into his past causing a rift to grow between them. Untethered, the two enter the forest to find the missing page and the killer who started the curse.

Just like with book one, there is so much I can say and unpack, but I do not want to risk spoiling anything. I loved how the author brought in new Grimm fairytales and interwove them into this story. Half fantasy half murder mystery, the plot unfolds at a breakneck pace. I loved the addition of a few new characters and the tension it adds between Axel and Clara.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Deathly Grimm. It is a fantastic conclusion to the duology. Clara and Axel come full circle, find more Lost ones, and work to solve a murder. The mystery kept me guessing right to the end. I highly recommend this one for fans of fantasy and mystery.

I enjoyed this book much more than THE FOREST GRIMM, the first book in the duology. Clara and Axel have made their way home iwth the book, but the murderer's page is missing, so the curse is not broken. As these two brave hearts enter the forest again, their fear is greater but so is their consequences. They must either find the page and identify the killer or they will never find their way home. Kathryn Purdie left open enough plot lines to anchor another book. Will we find ourselves in Grimm again?

3.5 stars

Age rating: 12+

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Kathryn Purdie, and NetGalley for the e-book ARC!

This book picks up shortly after The Forest Grimm left off—in the village, after Henni, Clara, and Axel returned.
However, they are not greeted with the reception they expected. Even though they came back with four of the Lost (sanity restored) and made great progress in breaking the curse, the villagers are bitter that the curse wasn’t fully broken. Things escalate further when Henni’s wish is denied, once again, in front of the entire assembly. Fear fueling the fire, the villagers become angry and Henni is forced into hiding. The only way for her to be safe again is if Axel and Clara return to the forest and vanquish the curse. Unfortunately, this proves more difficult as time wears on. The Forest is far from sated by the efforts they are making; the curse is stretching further and further into the village by the day. Just like the villagers, it’s patience is wearing thin, quickly.
Also standing in their way are more of the Lost, and they are more aggressive than before. Finding out who murdered Bren Zimmer and then containing them are two jobs that seem impossible. Every time they think they’ve found a lead, it turns into a dead end.
Making things worse, Clara had her fortune read once more before their trip—and drew a card telling of Love Lost. When things become flinty between she and Axel, she wonders if this could be what it signified.
Will they succeed in their mission? Will their relationship last in the face of adversity?
And will the curse ever be broken?
I didn’t find this book to be incredibly moving or ground-breaking, but it was fast, fun, and had enough of a mystery element that it kept my brain engaged. And, let’s face it, I’m a sucker for any book that is able to weave together folklore and fairytales into a story so cleverly.
Happy reading!

A curse to be broken, a murder mystery to solve, and a fate to change. The sequel picks up immediately after the first book and now Clara and Axel have escaped the Forest Grimm, Axel and Clara have become a couple but questions from the forest still haunt them. Clara is haunted by the guilt of killing her mother while also dealing with the fact that the forest is luring more villagers into the forest and the villagers demand Clara go back in and break the curse. Clara's grandmother is also dying... and gives her an ominous last fate reading... that could spell the end of Clara's relationship with Axel if she isn't careful. Clara becomes plagued with visions she can't control and one of them involves Axel's missing father who could still be alive in the forest. Then there is the mystery of who is behind the murder of a particular villager... and it could be anyone including Clara's grandmother or Axel's father.... when entering into the deadly forest again, they don't know who they can trust and if they can make it out alive again. This was definitely an interesting sequel to the first book that played with a lot of different fairytales from Rumplestilsken, Snow White, the Pied Piper and more! I will say the romance had a very forced love triangle introduced and then there was the whole third act makeup, and it just didn't really feel all that necessary. Overall it's a fun fairytale series for fans of Grimm's Fairytales and retellings. I definitely think YA readers will have a fun time with this and if you enjoy unique fairytale spins, definitely give it a go.

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Loved this! Definitely worth the read!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie is a first person-POV conclusion to The Forest Grimm duology. Life seems to have gone back to normal for Clara, Axel, Henni, and Ella after returning from the forest, but when Henni makes a wish to end the curse once and for all, Clara learns that their business in the woods isn’t over. She and Axel head back into the woods to finally finish what they started and uncover who the murderer was that started it all.

All is not well for Axel and Clara’s relationship in this book. While they do fulfill the traditional romance structure and end up together, they have a lot of struggles before they can finally get the happily ever after. Axel was kicked out of Ella and Henni’s parents’ house as he is no longer Ella’s fiance and he wants to live with Clara as husband and wife but she’s not quite ready for that step. Axel isn’t disrespectful towards her at all for not being ready, but it is obvious he is a little disappointed. I think a lot of this is because he’s been aware of his feelings for Clara longer than Clara has been aware of her feelings for him. Once they are in the woods, there’s also someone else trying to get between them and it is frustrating but also makes sense that it would create an issue when there’s already this bit of tension going on.

The fairy tales featured this time include the Twelve Dancing Princesses, the Princess and the Frog, and Snow White as well as further expansion on Red Riding Hood. The way Snow White was integrated within the plot was really interesting and I appreciated how it used white, black, and red in repeating prophecies that slowly revealed the truth the more they were told. It felt like something I would read in an actual fairy tale as the Rule of Three and changing things ever so slightly every time they come up is something I have read in at least one collection.

The mystery elements continue with Axel and Clara needing to unravel who is who and what their motivations are. Clara’s grasp of the truth gets further and further obscured as she receives visions that don’t tell her everything but reveal bits and pieces. This contributes to her struggles with Axel as she becomes convinced that his father was the murderer who set everything in motion and Axel refuses to believe it. Nothing is quite what it seems and Clara will need to learn how to trust Axel’s instincts more.

I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy that mash-up fairy tales and readers who like a strong mystery element in their fantasy