Stories and ancient myths have long been masterfully crafted to stir our deepest emotions, serving as powerful cautionary tales and moral fables that resonate through the corridors of time. These narratives intricately weave a rich tapestry of human experience, delving into the labyrinth of our psychology while illuminating the core values that underpin society. It's essential to recognize that not every journey culminates in joy or resolution; some stories may linger in our hearts, laden with sorrow, urging us to reflect deeply on our existence and choices.
Across the globe, fairy tales flourish in myriad forms, each glimmering with its own cultural brilliance. Yet, amidst this treasure trove, many hidden gems remain cloaked in shadow, often overlooked and underappreciated. This thoughtfully curated collection unveils an enchanting array of stories that not only captivate but also educate, stretching from the cherished myths of Ireland and Wales, deeply rooted in Celtic traditions and folklore, to the rich, intricate narratives emerging from the sun-drenched deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, the lush, vibrant rainforests of Borneo, and the diverse and eclectic cultures of Papua New Guinea.
Not only is this book visually stunning, adorned with exquisite illustrations and artful designs that breathe life into each tale, but it is also meticulously organized by geographical origin. This thoughtful arrangement invites readers on a mesmerizing journey through the diverse landscapes that shape these storytelling traditions. Each tale offers a unique glimpse into the values, fears, and aspirations of the cultures from which they stem, encapsulating the spirit of the people and the essence of their shared history. This collection is a true treasure trove for both casual readers seeking to expand their horizons and avid mythology lovers longing for deeper insights. Prepare to be enchanted by stories that inspire, provoke thought, and ignite the imagination!

Does what it says on the tin. Fun collection of stories from all around and they're interesting throughout the whole collection.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

These are definitely dark fairy tales, but are they any worse than the original Grimm fairy tales? Probably not. Seriously, it wouldn't surprise me if Disney found some way to take one of these and make it into a new movie. They love taking the worst fairy tales and making them into cute children's stories. Not sure why.

Would recommend, just know that like the title lets you know, these are cute fairy tales. Don't want to read them to little kids.

First of all thanks to NetGalley and Prestel Publishing for the e-arc! Unfortunately this book was just not for me. Some stories were interesting, but I did not vibe with the writing style. The authors personal notes were sometimes intriguing and other times interruptive. The illustrations were very well done!

**Dark Fairy Tales** by Viktor Wynd is an eccentric, unsettling, and strangely cozy collection that feels like someone took the Grimm Brothers, poured in a few shots of absinthe, and let the stories ferment in the darker corners of world folklore.

What makes this collection stand out isn’t just the twisted tales themselves, but how Viktor Wynd introduces each one. His commentary is half historian, half mischief-maker—offering tidbits about the origin of each story, his own feelings about it, and the context in which he discovered it. It creates this personal, fireside-chat energy that makes even the most bizarre tales feel oddly intimate. You’re not just reading stories; you're being *told* them, as though Viktor has chosen to whisper his favorites just to you.

The stories themselves are bold, unapologetic, and often deeply bizarre—there are phallic trees, seductive ghosts, bloodthirsty brides, and kings with very questionable hobbies. Many come from traditions that haven't been sanitized by modern retellings, and that’s what makes them so refreshing. They’re messy, sensual, violent, weird, and deeply human. Some are laugh-out-loud funny, others are stomach-turning or skin-crawling, but all of them left a distinct impression.

That said, there is some repetition in the storytelling—especially in how men’s and women’s beauty is described (so many “beautiful babies” and “perfect male members”), which may tire some readers. Still, it’s true to the oral storytelling roots of these tales, where exaggeration and pattern are key features. The repetitive elements actually begin to feel like ritual, a rhythm to the madness.

The final section of the book—guidance on how to *retell* stories—is a beautiful surprise. It transforms the reader from passive consumer into future storyteller. I appreciated Viktor's candid advice, especially since I often struggle to retain and share stories. This felt like an unexpected gift at the end.

Luciana Nedelea’s illustrations are haunting, dreamy, and occasionally grotesque in all the right ways. They elevate the mood of the book, capturing its surreal atmosphere perfectly.

This is not your average fairy tale collection. It’s dark, campy, raw, and rooted in rich folkloric history from around the world. If you like your fairy tales with a side of nightmare fuel and a wink, this one’s for you.

Some highlights:

*The woman who falls in love with a severed head

*The witch whose curse has hilarious, unexpected consequences

*The many, many references to men so beautiful they bring kingdoms to ruin

That said, it’s not all laughs and shock value. Many stories are genuinely haunting or sad, and the cultural differences in storytelling are both fascinating and enlightening. I loved how different regions’ values—about gender, power, beauty, justice—shaped the structure and resolution of each tale.

The guide at the end of the book was an unexpected gem. Viktor offers practical tips on how to become a skilled oral storyteller. His advice is clear, encouraging, and rooted in the joy of performance—perfect for anyone who wants to revive the oral tradition or just become a more captivating speaker.

(3.75⭐ rounded off to 4.)

What a wild little treasure chest of spooky folklore! This book drew me in the more I read it. This collection of stories has range. More familiar myths coming from Ireland and Whales to more lesser known stories from Arabia, Borneo, Papa New Guinea

I was really looking forward to this book, it did not fail. It’s such a nice thought fairytales but this book is the original version of fairytales, which is frightening. The graphics were outstanding and the stories keep you engaged. I appreciate NetGalley for this ARC

DNF at 60-ish%

The author’s little quips etc got too grating for me to finish unfortunately. The ‘dark’ aspect also feels super overemphasized. They really are just traditional fairy tales.

Thank you to NetGalley and Prestel Publishing for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I was super excited to read this because I like reading fairy tales and I love that this was organized by country. Unfortunately, the writing was not the most readable in my opinion. I am not sure if Wynd rewrote the fairy tales for a bigger audience or what, but the writing just wasn't very good. The stories themselves were very bland and the little notes before did nothing to excite me for the story. I really wanted to like this, especially as someone who has studied folklore, myth, and fairy tales, but this collection was just not for me.

Illustrations were gorgeous though.

Not a fan of the bestiality portions. I tried. It's just weird. The illustrations are great. But I couldn't get past the second chapter.

This book drew me in the more I read it. It is not my usual genre, but it intrigued me. I felt that Viktor (the author), although loved the tales, felt embarrassed by them because of today's societal standards, and so his writing between each tale is apologetic and light hearted. It was fascinating to read so many interesting tales from around the world and how the culture/ society of each area really came through in the way the stories were told and the characters/ scenarios depicted.
I did find that some aspects of each story became repetitive (how beautiful the baby was, how attractive the man was, lots of similar descriptions of the er, male love truncheon!!), but that could well be because many of these stories originate from similar beginnings, just retold throughout the ages in different countries.

The guidance at the end of the book was very informative. I have always struggled to retain detail in a story (or a film, or even an actual event!), so the pointers Viktor gives here on how to retell a story will serve me well!

What a wild little treasure chest of spooky folklore! I am soooo here for it. It's like sitting around a campfire with someone who’s been everywhere and just casually starts telling you stories that get weirder and darker the longer you listen—except it’s all written down!

Every tale has that perfect mix of odd, grotesque, and oddly satisfying. Some are haunting, some are hilarious, and some are like… did that just happen?? I loved how each story started with a little background from the author about where or how he heard it. It made it feel intimate, like he was letting us in on secrets he picked up from some mysterious corner of the world. And the vibe? Totally old-world and eerie but with a cheeky wink. Love.

It also lowkey made me want to memorize at least one tale so I can casually drop it at a dinner party and be the most interesting person at the table. 😂

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

The physical special edition of this book sounds so pretty and delightful with all the art by Luciana Nedelea. I have an ebook copy and even being smaller and causing formatting hiccups, the art i still beautiful.

Fairy tales are everywhere, but there are so many that are not know world wide. This collection of stories has range. More familiar myths coming from Ireland and Whales to more lesser known stories from Arabia, Borneo, Papa New Guinea. The books is formatted by location which is very nice.

Stories and old myths are meant to bring strong emotions. They were used as warnings or lessons passed down in a more manageable way. Sometimes there are no happy endings and so read with caution.

My favorite story is between "The man whose wife was married to the moon" and "The lazy housewife's comeuppance"