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campredwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
I was hooked immediately and felt so immersed, but it was also dark dark dark and I lost focus in the second half. For fans of fairy tale telling, who also like family trauma and body horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Abandonment
freedo8quigly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.75
An enjoyable story, though our MC is kind of dense. Of course he's the bear. How did you not see that coming? More sexual harassment/ violence against women than I thought was necessary. I didn't think the epilogue added anything.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
myskriss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A dazzling delight of a read which retells & continues the story of Hansel and Gretel while pulling inspiration from other Grimms' fairytales. The beautiful blend of nature and magic, along with vivid imagery and descriptions, gives a very ethereal vibe. There were a few issues with slow pacing, but nothing to detract me too badly from the story-I found them to be moments to truly appreciate the craftsmanship of Woods' voice. Very much recommend for anyone who enjoys magic, fairy tales, and wants a unique fantasy tale!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and War
lilybear3's review against another edition
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: Misogyny and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and War
madisongturner's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
This is a very dark novel. There is very graphic content, especially in Chapter 25-27.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, Blood, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Death, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
carrie915's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
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: Body horror, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
lyall_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Dark whimsy perfect for the Midwest winter! (and anyone who romances Halsin in BG3 😉)
*******
After the Forest is an adult fantasy following Greta (of Hansel and Gretel) years after the woods and the witch. Greta has a lot to love about her home, but with her brother falling into debt and accusations of witchcraft nipping at her heels, danger is always near. When suspicious visitors threaten her and her town, Greta is forced to embrace the magic she’s learned to conceal.
****
I think my favorite part of this story was how it grounded itself in the town and place of the Black Forest in the 1650s with the hardness of life, the threat of war, and the particular brand of misogyny Greta faces. My two complaints are 1) the pacing lagged for me near the end- I read the first 75% pretty quickly but then didn’t feel as caught up- and 2) my personal pet-peeve, only women friends are dead! It’s not entirely fair to put this critique on the book as Greta has few friends period and she gains a woman mentor figure in the story, but her being pursued romantically by multiple men (granted, most of them were unwanted) while only really interacting with townswomen who hate her hit right in that NLOG adjacent area that irks me. Again, I admit this isn’t quite fair for this book because it actually makes sense within the story, but it always annoys me!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
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, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment