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lilybear3's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this up because one of the 5th graders in my outreach suggested it to me, it's like their favorite book. First off, this book is considered adult fantasy (not spicy and the fact that I have to add that, because people will wonder, is discourse for another day). I don't think it was overly explicit, a few swear words here & there, a few sexually suggestive moments, some violence, but nothing crazy. I don't know why I'm adding all this, but that is my context.
I loved the idea of retelling/adding onto the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. I felt the additional characters added more depth to the story and helped bring the village to life. The story was also kind of like a mystery in that you and Greta are given bits of information over time and are figuring out how it all fits together. The bits of a second story are at the beginning of each chapter in italics give a little more depth. Our MC is Greta, but (hot take) I wished for more of Hans even though he's a mess. I thought the story was intricate and interesting. That being said, the first like 60% of the book was slow paced, lots of discussions happening, not so much plot-driven. There was some world building involved, but it wasn't heavy so that made it hard to get into. Past that, the story picks up and it was good. Some people found reveals to be obvious, but I never pick up on those so it was a surprise to me!
Beautiful cover by the way! I could see this being adapted into a tv show or movie.
I loved the idea of retelling/adding onto the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. I felt the additional characters added more depth to the story and helped bring the village to life. The story was also kind of like a mystery in that you and Greta are given bits of information over time and are figuring out how it all fits together. The bits of a second story are at the beginning of each chapter in italics give a little more depth. Our MC is Greta, but (hot take) I wished for more of Hans even though he's a mess. I thought the story was intricate and interesting. That being said, the first like 60% of the book was slow paced, lots of discussions happening, not so much plot-driven. There was some world building involved, but it wasn't heavy so that made it hard to get into. Past that, the story picks up and it was good. Some people found reveals to be obvious, but I never pick up on those so it was a surprise to me!
Beautiful cover by the way! I could see this being adapted into a tv show or movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Torture, Death, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, War, Child death, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Child abuse
amberreadsgood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this as a fairytale retelling, but I can't help but feel like it could have been more than that. There were some interesting and fun fantasy concepts that I wish had been explored more, but because it was within the structure of a fairytale retelling, other plot points/concepts had to take priority.
Even so, this was still more than a lovely read. I'm not hugely familiar with the original Hansel and Gretel, but I liked how the author portrayed and developed the characters. Greta is certainly not the worst character POV I've been forced to read, and in fact I liked for the most part where her head was at and appreciated how she tried to keep everything running as smoothly as possible for her little family. I just wished she wanted to focus on the things I also wanted to focus on haha, again this is the downside of writing within the confines of a retelling: any new thing you introduce has to somewhat fit into an existing context, otherwise you may as well have written your own story "inspired by XYZ" rather than a "XYZ retelling."
Anyway, the magic was cool, especially theshapechanging (this is what I wanted more of), the romance was fast but sweet in a way I didn't have much of an issue with (Baldur's Gate 3 reference, intentional or otherwise, was fun and yeah I'd go there lmao), and the ending, while maybe left a bit open-ended for a fairytale (like, where's the explicit happy ending a lot of fairytales are known for?? A lot of classics are dark, sure, but Hansel and Gretel at least ended with returning home with riches for them all to live happily ever after together), was satisfactory. The writing quality itself was also very nice, a touch of whimsy in the descriptions, and easy to read.
I'd like to read more of this author, and I hope she decides to try her hand at original writing soon! It's a lot more work, for sure, but I think she can do it given time and effort 😎👍🏼
Even so, this was still more than a lovely read. I'm not hugely familiar with the original Hansel and Gretel, but I liked how the author portrayed and developed the characters. Greta is certainly not the worst character POV I've been forced to read, and in fact I liked for the most part where her head was at and appreciated how she tried to keep everything running as smoothly as possible for her little family. I just wished she wanted to focus on the things I also wanted to focus on haha, again this is the downside of writing within the confines of a retelling: any new thing you introduce has to somewhat fit into an existing context, otherwise you may as well have written your own story "inspired by XYZ" rather than a "XYZ retelling."
Anyway, the magic was cool, especially the
I'd like to read more of this author, and I hope she decides to try her hand at original writing soon! It's a lot more work, for sure, but I think she can do it given time and effort 😎👍🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment and Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape
ceruleanheather's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After the Forest is not so much a retelling as it is a sequel. Quite literally, what happens after Hansel (Hans) and Gretel (Greta) escape the witch in the forest.
Greta makes money to support her and her brother through baking gingerbread (ironic), and Hans gets drunk and gambles as he tries to forget the past. Hans is quite frustrating, but his PTSD is understandable. Greta using the witch's book to help her make the gingerbread is so odd, but I guess it is needed for the story to work.
The book starts out slowly, explaining how Hans and Greta got to this point and their daily troubles. We get introduced to characters that are important, but not always fleshed out. Matthias is interesting and mysterious, but the insta love trope annoys me. The story picks up about a third of the way through.
I did like the atmosphere of the book. The magic, the setting, the realism of the town and their struggles. I also liked the bear and wolf storylines, and the smattering of other fairy tales that were referenced and reused. The author has a descriptive style that is enjoyable to read.
The story ended up being quite predictable. I figured out the *big reveal* many chapters before Greta made the connection. The characters are also a little flat. They exist for the plot, but don't seem to have much agency. Things that should have been questioned or investigated are just believed and people who are supposed to be smart do not seem to be so. Rob was the best character, and he was a side character!
*CW* chapter 25 has a fairly graphic scene involving animal cruelty. You can skip the scene honestly, and it does not affect the story. You can glean what happens.
*TW* chapter 27 has a scene involving relations without consent. It isn't very detailed, but still graphic in content. Again you can glean what happens, just skip page 447.
Greta makes money to support her and her brother through baking gingerbread (ironic), and Hans gets drunk and gambles as he tries to forget the past. Hans is quite frustrating, but his PTSD is understandable. Greta using the witch's book to help her make the gingerbread is so odd, but I guess it is needed for the story to work.
The book starts out slowly, explaining how Hans and Greta got to this point and their daily troubles. We get introduced to characters that are important, but not always fleshed out. Matthias is interesting and mysterious, but the insta love trope annoys me. The story picks up about a third of the way through.
I did like the atmosphere of the book. The magic, the setting, the realism of the town and their struggles. I also liked the bear and wolf storylines, and the smattering of other fairy tales that were referenced and reused. The author has a descriptive style that is enjoyable to read.
The story ended up being quite predictable. I figured out the *big reveal* many chapters before Greta made the connection. The characters are also a little flat. They exist for the plot, but don't seem to have much agency. Things that should have been questioned or investigated are just believed and people who are supposed to be smart do not seem to be so. Rob was the best character, and he was a side character!
*CW* chapter 25 has a fairly graphic scene involving animal cruelty. You can skip the scene honestly, and it does not affect the story. You can glean what happens.
*TW* chapter 27 has a scene involving relations without consent. It isn't very detailed, but still graphic in content. Again you can glean what happens, just skip page 447.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Abandonment, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Pregnancy, and Death
aj_langley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
bee12345's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, War, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
chris_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was so atmospheric and magical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, and Violence
Minor: Torture, Gore, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
thereadingbanshee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
2.5, i obviously have mixed feelings.
I really love the first part of this book.
It focused on characters, our MC mostly, took its time in a very pleasant way. The writing itself is lovely, and really set the scene and the atmosphere of the story. And i loved every part of these first 150-200 or so pages, the atmosphere was immeculate to me.
Then, the middle part was confusing me a bit, and I slowly (and much to my dismay) started to slowly lose interest.
The plot was moving along, but the pacing was a bit off, and i didn't enjoy some parts of the developments. The romance scenes were interwoven in an awkward way with the other scenes? and some of the language used in the dialogues lost its kind of old time sense, and was getting derigatory.
(Also, the issues that bothered me so much in the last part of the book that i mention below were starting to appear.)
And the last part... well the last 100 pages or so i skimmed so that is telling.
But even before then, the pacing just was completely off. We went from having all the detail of the MC's feelings and thoughts, to not having them when they were crucial for the developments to make sense.
One example that really made me mad were the conviently ignored facts that would have got the MC out of the trials and also out of the carriage to Hornberg. Before she goes to her house to bake gingerbread (and so uses tattermagic and gets caught), the very last scene mind you, is Mira telling her to use her magic through the forest! And she goes and does the total opposite. And we don't get a sliver of explanation for that course of action. Greta also doesn't use here forest magic during the carriage ride, because i guess it wouldn't be convinient for the plot? Made me mad.
The biggest issue for me was the "big" twist. I saw it coming miles away, and this could have not bothered me if the elements letting you know of this weren't so obvious but completely ignored by the MC.
AND i hate the kind of trope that twist was based on, and hoped it would at least be done in a original way and was sorely disappointed.
"Bad woman who seduces poor innocent men who clearly don't deserve it" trope? Really ? Your villain is a woman out of nowhere? Oh yes, no, it's actually even worse and unoriginal and done without any depth : it's because of SA. I'm tired.
In short, i think the premise and a ton of element of this book were very interesting, but sadly didn't get the execution they deserved.
I really love the first part of this book.
It focused on characters, our MC mostly, took its time in a very pleasant way. The writing itself is lovely, and really set the scene and the atmosphere of the story. And i loved every part of these first 150-200 or so pages, the atmosphere was immeculate to me.
Then, the middle part was confusing me a bit, and I slowly (and much to my dismay) started to slowly lose interest.
The plot was moving along, but the pacing was a bit off, and i didn't enjoy some parts of the developments.
(Also, the issues that bothered me so much in the last part of the book that i mention below were starting to appear.)
And the last part... well the last 100 pages or so i skimmed so that is telling.
But even before then, the pacing just was completely off. We went from having all the detail of the MC's feelings and thoughts, to not having them when they were crucial for the developments to make sense.
The biggest issue for me was the "big" twist. I saw it coming miles away, and this could have not bothered me if the elements letting you know of this weren't so obvious but completely ignored by the MC.
AND i hate the kind of trope that twist was based on, and hoped it would at least be done in a original way and was sorely disappointed.
In short, i think the premise and a ton of element of this book were very interesting, but sadly didn't get the execution they deserved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Gore
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy
gondorgirl's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Grief
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