thereadingbanshee's review
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.
(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.
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.
Spoiler
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.
Spoiler
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.
Spoiler
"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.
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
mirandaphodge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was… meh. I didn’t love some of the plot devices. I don’t know German enough to feel comfortable with the words she was using like everyone would know them - I was literally pulled out of the story when I had to google some words. Also, can we stop using SA as the reason a woman is evil?
I hated Hans. He made continual bad choices that endangered the people he supposedly loved. Some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out.
The only reason for the mid-star rating is that I did like the MC meet-cute and romance.
Spoiler
the main villain became evil when her sister was killed by the huntsman and then she was r*ped to death. Really?!I hated Hans. He made continual bad choices that endangered the people he supposedly loved. Some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out.
The only reason for the mid-star rating is that I did like the MC meet-cute and romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
candiabell's review against another edition
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape
ninjamuse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent
Minor: War, Rape, and Torture
meghan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Rape and Body horror
julesbarthe10's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Twenty years after Hans and Greta escaped the Woman's house in the forest and the death of their parents they are still spoke about in the small village. Hans is ruining them by delving farther and farther into debt leaving his sister to constantly pull them out using her delicious gingerbread men. But despite her delicious baked treats the whole village suspect her of witchery, which is deadly and hard to prove innocence. Her red hair, her bewitching treats, her being in the wrong place at the wrong time constantly drawing questions against her. Finally Hans has debted them too much and everything in the village and kingdom is changing. Including a mysterious bear, shapeshifting wolves, and a wonderfully exciting and beautiful man. For me this felt like a Hansel and Gretel retelling but with some snow white aspects as well. I truly love an enchanting fairytale that continues the story past what we all know and opens our eyes to new prospects to the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
readhaileyread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
shantastic_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What an enchanting read! I decided to request the audiobook from Netgalley after it was predicted to be Illumicrate's October selection. I like fairytale retellings, but I must admit that I wasn't sure if Hansel and Gretel was one that really interested me. But this book is a whole afterstory of the lives of Hansel and Gretel as adults, coping with their childhood trauma and economic hardship in their rural village struggling with the aftermath of war. This was a dark and compelling adult storyline I wasn't necessarily expecting, and I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself drawn in.
What I loved:
- Creative premise and storytelling that entwines multiple fairytales.
- The writing style is gorgeous and elegant.
- The setting made me feel I was immersed in this magical woodland.
- The audiobook narration by Esther Wane was on point! Melodic and captivating.
- That gorgeous cover and esthetic!
Some cautions:
- Violence against animals - essential to the story but be aware before you dive in because there are some gruesome scenes.
- There are some feminist themes but would have enjoyed if it was more subversive.
- You will be hungry and craving gingerbread!
What I loved:
- Creative premise and storytelling that entwines multiple fairytales.
- The writing style is gorgeous and elegant.
- The setting made me feel I was immersed in this magical woodland.
- The audiobook narration by Esther Wane was on point! Melodic and captivating.
- That gorgeous cover and esthetic!
Some cautions:
- Violence against animals - essential to the story but be aware before you dive in because there are some gruesome scenes.
- There are some feminist themes but would have enjoyed if it was more subversive.
- You will be hungry and craving gingerbread!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
loveinpanels's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, War, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Blood, Abandonment, Rape, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
melanie_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
I absolutely adored this historical fiction and fantasy romance mash up! There are so many things about this book that were done well: the two storylines that converged, the enmeshing of historical fiction and fantasy, and the writing itself which was thoroughly captivating. This book does not read like a debut novel. It’s so much better than I thought it would be and I will be shouting about it from the rooftops!
This book has some quite dark topics, so check the content warnings.
Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to review this advanced eBook copy of After The Forest. It’s much appreciated.
This book has some quite dark topics, so check the content warnings.
Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to review this advanced eBook copy of After The Forest. It’s much appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Vomit, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Ableism, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, War, Gaslighting, and Torture
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