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alice_booksnooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
forloveoflit_'s review against another edition
3.0
I was not sure what to expect when I requested and received this ARC and I tried to keep an open mind but I’m really not sure how I felt about this book…
The story is a retelling of a handful of Grimm’s fairytales with the main thread being Little Red Riding Hood— it’s a romantasy that’s meant to have a creepy element to it and normally I love a retelling, love some chilling elements, love some romance, but in this case all of it was just very underwhelming.
The story was fine but I felt like both the characters and the plot were underdeveloped. I didn’t care for the main characters at all and honestly it was because I felt like I knew nothing about them. The languages and settings were random and the random plot elements thrown in at the end just further confused it all— like I’m sorry why are there shapeshifters and vampires in a Grimm’s fairytale retelling?
Soooo not the biggest fan but it wasn’t terrible?
Was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
The story is a retelling of a handful of Grimm’s fairytales with the main thread being Little Red Riding Hood— it’s a romantasy that’s meant to have a creepy element to it and normally I love a retelling, love some chilling elements, love some romance, but in this case all of it was just very underwhelming.
The story was fine but I felt like both the characters and the plot were underdeveloped. I didn’t care for the main characters at all and honestly it was because I felt like I knew nothing about them. The languages and settings were random and the random plot elements thrown in at the end just further confused it all— like I’m sorry why are there shapeshifters and vampires in a Grimm’s fairytale retelling?
Soooo not the biggest fan but it wasn’t terrible?
Was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
niftyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THE FOREST GRIMM is a book I got lost in and hoped I would never be found, but all good books must end. Thankfully, Kathryn Purdie has a sequel coming out. The storyline is fantastical with its twisted fairytale. The atmosphere and world-building are lush and vivid. Clara and Axel are characters I rooted for, fell in love with, and needed them to fall in love. It’s a fantasy book I adored.
The plot has a neat magic system for entering the forest, which has a mind of its own and is filled with twisted fairytales. As Clara and Axel journey through the forest, the magic unravels, fairytales come to light, and it becomes a story of good and evil. But what exactly is good, and what exactly is evil?
I loved the questions that THE FOREST GRIMM raised and the choices that the characters had to make through their journey in the forest. Every turn brought new obstacles and tested their faith in themselves and each other, but it also forged friendship and romance. It’s the type of fantasy book I love! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Contact warnings: familial death, abandonment, blood and knife wounds, poisoning, implied cannibalism, child abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, and Cannibalism
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this was such a fantastic read, loved these characters and their story, and I can't wait for more!
mweir710's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 stars (Note, I listened to the audiobook)
I was slightly disappointed by this book. I thought the premise of The Forest Grimm and weaving in old Grimm Brothers' tales (with their own twists) was a cool idea. However, the way the author "weaved" together the story felt disjointed and made the plot of the story disappear into details that just didn't connect. This next sentence is a definite spoiler so beware if you haven't yet read The Forest Grimm and plan to. I understood Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretal as stories and did enjoy the twists that Purdie used to make those retelling her own. However, vampires? Come on - that was a bit of a reach. As I thought more about it, I thought maybe her mom being the original lost and being the only vampire in the story was harkening back to something like the original sin or the original source of evil as portrayed in Dracula. But a reader shouldn't have to try to make themes and tropes work in a story - that's the author's job, and the vampire aspect totally lost me.
Overall, I honestly didn't hate reading this book and found parts of it interesting to listen to. I just wish there was more character development and a bit more time spent on creating a seamless weave in the various fairytale retellings. Thank you, NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Kathryn Purdie for allowing me access to an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!
I was slightly disappointed by this book. I thought the premise of The Forest Grimm and weaving in old Grimm Brothers' tales (with their own twists) was a cool idea. However, the way the author "weaved" together the story felt disjointed and made the plot of the story disappear into details that just didn't connect. This next sentence is a definite spoiler so beware if you haven't yet read The Forest Grimm and plan to. I understood Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretal as stories and did enjoy the twists that Purdie used to make those retelling her own. However, vampires? Come on - that was a bit of a reach. As I thought more about it, I thought maybe her mom being the original lost and being the only vampire in the story was harkening back to something like the original sin or the original source of evil as portrayed in Dracula. But a reader shouldn't have to try to make themes and tropes work in a story - that's the author's job, and the vampire aspect totally lost me.
Overall, I honestly didn't hate reading this book and found parts of it interesting to listen to. I just wish there was more character development and a bit more time spent on creating a seamless weave in the various fairytale retellings. Thank you, NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Kathryn Purdie for allowing me access to an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!
kinzyhale's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did and didn't like this at the same time. The mashup of fairy tales was interesting, and creepy. Clara's determination to find her mother was fierce. Her romance with Axel was cute. Not the best ending, but it was something different to read.
anaaa03's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
ready_4_the_read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
inferno4891's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Really fun book to read. The twisted fairytales inside are very creative and I really enjoyed them! The fantasy elements made me imagine them creatively, and I like the world-building. I love their playful banter between each other, and the side romance was very nice. Enjoyed this read A LOT!