Books & Audiobooks
When most of us think of fairytales, we picture princesses, fairy godmothers and happily-ever-afters. However, original fairytales written in the early 1800’s were not so cozy. They were often dark and bleak. They reflected the difficult times in which they were written. Winters were hard, people went hungry and fell ill. It wasn’t until Walt Disney came along and changed these classic stories into the light and cheery versions we have today.
The Forest Grimm duology by Kathryn Purdie brings back the dark, eeriness of an original Brothers Grimm fairytale. Although they contain all the main elements of a fairytale, it’s not a cozy story.
The Forest Grimm introduces us to Clara, a young girl who comes from one of the only bloodlines to carry magic. Her grandmere is a fortune-teller and able to show others a glimpse into their future. They live in a village called Grimm’s Hollow that is protected by an enchanted forest. One day, a curse falls upon Grimm’s Hollow. The crops wither and the water becomes poisoned. Frantic for answers, villagers turn to Sortes Fortunae, a magic book made by the forest itself with the power to grant wishes. However, they discover the book is lost, reclaimed by the forest. Clara sets on a journey into the dark woods to find it, but the forest turns out to be the most dangerous place of all.
The Deathly Grimm is the second part of Clara’s journey. After encountering many twisted characters in the dark woods, the curse is still not broken. The forest seeks justice and continues to twist and spread. More villagers are being lured passed its borders by some dark enchantment, never to be seen again. Clara uses her magic to see visions of the past to put together what set this chain of events in motion, but every day the village is closer to ruin.
It is as much of a mystery as it is a fantasy story. Piece by piece, vision by vision, the mastermind behind the curse is revealed. There are several different suspects, each with their own motive. Readers can compare clues and examine the evidence. But be prepared that not every character is a reliable narrator, and nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
What I liked best about the books is how seamlessly the elements from classic fairytales are woven into the overall plot. Echoes of Jack and the Beanstalk, The Frog Prince and Sleeping Beauty ripple through the story. They are not always the good protagonists we have come to recognize, nor do they have the same fates as their respective books. I would recommend the duology to anyone who loves dark fantasy, dark secrets and a good mystery.