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sammishivener's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
bridge_enginerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
I almost didn’t pick this book up because of the middling reviews, but I am SO glad I did anyway! This book is VIBES! All the green/kitchen witch, shapeshifting, and soft romance you could ask for. I adored the characters and couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Cannibalism
kassielovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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
4.75
This book was excellent. After the Forest is an enchanting read filled with witches, wolves, seemingly unbreakable curses and a great mystery tying it all together. And at the center of it all is one young woman with the power to either succumb to the darkness or save the world. The perfect book to add to your fall TBR if you so choose to! I got this edition in a Illumicrate box and I'm struggling not to smack myself for waiting this long to read it.
It was so easy to lose myself in this standalone. The author does a fantastic job of immersing the reader with classic storybook-like writing style. Which was incredibly fitting given the inspiration behind this tale! I loved Greta as a FMC; she was steadfast in her resolves, even in the face of so much trauma, loneliness, and justified anger. She was filled with so much compassion and empathy despite all the wrongs done to her; you just can't help but root for someone with such a pure heart.Greta's character arc was interesting to read, because you'd think initially she wouldn't be tempted by such dark and unstable magic. Her morals shifted and her allegiance was questioned more times than I could count. It was entertaining watching Greta test the boundaries of what she was willing to do. I respected it!
If I could change one thing however, it would be the pacing of this story or at the very least cut down on the page length. Overall I do believe every detail included in this book was worth reading, but I can imagine a ton of people who probably couldn't/wouldn't stick with the book due to the slow pacing or page count. I do think this book is one of those sleeper hits that requires you to stick with it in order to get a worthwhile conclusion. I get that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea! It certainly was mine though.
It was so easy to lose myself in this standalone. The author does a fantastic job of immersing the reader with classic storybook-like writing style. Which was incredibly fitting given the inspiration behind this tale! I loved Greta as a FMC; she was steadfast in her resolves, even in the face of so much trauma, loneliness, and justified anger. She was filled with so much compassion and empathy despite all the wrongs done to her; you just can't help but root for someone with such a pure heart.
If I could change one thing however, it would be the pacing of this story or at the very least cut down on the page length. Overall I do believe every detail included in this book was worth reading, but I can imagine a ton of people who probably couldn't/wouldn't stick with the book due to the slow pacing or page count. I do think this book is one of those sleeper hits that requires you to stick with it in order to get a worthwhile conclusion. I get that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea! It certainly was mine though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual assault
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
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
joliebean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bamamelereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
This was so good! Just like a real Grimm's fairy tale it's dark and bloody and atmospheric.
I loved the way so many different fairy tales had pieces from them woven into the story. I will say, while I loved the audiobook narration, the one thing that was difficult to separate out was the vignettes at the beginning of each chapter. I think that would have been clearer in a physical copy.
Greta and Mattias's relationship was a highlight of the book. I liked the development and how they helped each other.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend for fans of dark fairy tale retellings.
I loved the way so many different fairy tales had pieces from them woven into the story. I will say, while I loved the audiobook narration, the one thing that was difficult to separate out was the vignettes at the beginning of each chapter. I think that would have been clearer in a physical copy.
Greta and Mattias's relationship was a highlight of the book. I liked the development and how they helped each other.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend for fans of dark fairy tale retellings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, and Blood
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage
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