Reviews

The Cottage in the Woods by Katherine Coville

crysdale's review

Go to review page

1.0

DNF at about 40%. I thought this would be a cute story of The Three Bears told from the bears’ point of view, but I just couldn’t get past all of the political mess. If I wanted to read about politics and prejudices, I’d just read the news!

froggylibrarian1's review

Go to review page

3.0

I actually love twisted, fractured, altered fairy tales so I was all set to lover this. But....the whole thing left me a bit confused. Yes it is the story of the 3 Bears with Goldilocks as well as other Enchanted animals and humans and lots of allusions. The story itself - when boiled down was pretty good. But...who is this for exactly. Looking at the cover and thinking 3 bears I would imagine 3rd and 4th graders maybe but whoa 389 pages and a pretty extensive vocabulary makes me think an older audience. Maybe there is a niche for this but most of the 6th graders and up I know are clamoring for romance, high fantasy, edgier stuff.... Not sure I get it.

britomarte's review

Go to review page

3.0

I was disappointed in her choice to have the main character be an Enchanted bear and not include enough bear strengths. Eating berries and honey is not quite enough.

Specifically, I'm disappointed that she didn't use a bear's sense of smell - that could have added a fascinating layer of nuance and interest to the book.

Without more beariness, this ended up as simply a Gothic romance with fairy-tale references. Close, but no cigar.

snazel's review

Go to review page

A Victorian gothic retelling of The Three Bears, plus other fairy tales. Read if you like gothic. Otherwise it may be a tad boring.

emilia_thereader's review

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

jillcd's review

Go to review page

3.0

I can see several of my fractured fairytale fans enjoying this book. It was ok, the word choice and idea was good, but it just dragged for me.

bethb3's review

Go to review page

3.0

I'm not sure who I would recommend this to. It was good, but too old for middle school and many teens wouldn't be interested in the story. That being said, I enjoyed it.

ktreadsnm's review

Go to review page

3.0

Take Jane Eyre and chop it up a bit, mix it with Nazi Germany, and you'll have this book.

mousehouse1897's review

Go to review page

4.0

It was very sweet but still was sensible and well-written. The ending was a bit rushed but everything tied together quite nicely by the time I reached the last page.

zahirahz's review

Go to review page

3.0

A bit skeptical when reading a book by a family member of a great author but I'm pleasantly surprised with this one. Delightful writing, never boring. However the plotline may be a bit flat with only little spikes of thrill here and there. But still enough to engage me till the end. Another beef that I have with this book is that there was no illustrations. According to the author's blurb she illustrated more than 30 books. Why can't she illustrate one of her own? We all know that any stories that involves fairy tale and enchanted creatures would need illustrations, right? Right? 🤔