A dark fairytale that hinges on Valla's survival after being wedded to a sadistic count, YA horror fans will enjoy this book. It very much reminded me of an original Grimm fairytale, complete with a creature locked away, and people from the castle who aren't what they seem. If Valla is to escape, she will need to rescue herself. This isn't my usual genre, but I really enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook. I recommend it for schools and libraries.

A Girl Walks into the Forest and what comes after feels like it could've been apart of the original Grimm Fairytales. Written in such a classic and intentional way I felt the comfort of nostalgia while reading this story. Roux is able to capture so much detail in their writing while also sharing a new story full of old details readers know and love. This is not a love story, it is so much more.

I want to thank NetGalley, HarperAudio Children’s, Quill Tree Books, and Madeleine Roux for granting me early access to A Girl Walks into the Forest.

After finishing the novel, my immediate thought was, “This is my kind of fairytale.” It’s important to note that this book isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t shy away from brutality and, at times, is downright unsettling — which I absolutely loved. The atmosphere is richly gothic, and the characters are deeply compelling. Due to mature themes like suicide and infant loss, I recommend this book for high school readers and older, not younger audiences.

The story follows Valla, a young woman raised to believe her beauty would lead to a wonderful life — and at first, it seems true. Her beauty draws the attention of Count Leonid, but on her way to meet her betrothed, she is attacked, setting off a chain of events that unravel her life.

I appreciated how the author reimagines the classic trope of entering the forest as one person and emerging transformed — physically, emotionally, and mentally. Each time Valla returns to the forest, she changes in some profound way.

While this novel won’t appeal to everyone, fans of films like Midsommar or stories about personal empowerment will find much to enjoy here.
4.5/5