Magic is forbidden in Myrsina, along with various other abominations, such as girls doing maths. This is bad news for Gretel Mudd, who doesn’t perform magic, but does know a lot of maths. When the sinister masked Huntsmen accuse Gretel of witchcraft, she is forced to flee into the neighbouring Darkwood, where witches and monsters dwell.There, she happens upon Buttercup, a witch who can’t help … Buttercup, a witch who can’t help turning things into gingerbread, Jack Trott, who can make plants grow at will, the White Knight with her band of dwarves and a talking spider called Trevor. These aren’t the terrifying villains she’s been warned about all her life. They’re actually quite nice. Well… most of them.
With the Huntsmen on the warpath, Gretel must act fast to save both the Darkwood and her home village, while unravelling the rhetoric and lies that have demonised magical beings for far too long.
Take a journey into the Darkwood in this modern fairy tale that will bewitch adults and younger readers alike.
Praise for Gabby Hutchinson Crouch:
‘Gabby is one of the funniest writers I know.’ Sarah Millican
‘…very funny. If you like Terry Pratchett, or think gothic fairytales should have more LOLs, ’tis the book for ye.’ Greg Jenner
‘I have read this and it is great. Pratchetty fun for all the family.’ Lucy Porter
‘…magical, surprising and funny.’ Jan Ravens
What people are saying about the Darkwood series:
‘Clever and funny and so very very entertaining. I would encourage everyone of every age to go ahead and read Darkwood.’
‘Completely fabulous, can’t wait for the rest of the series.’
‘A fun, exciting, action-packed story that once I started reading I couldn’t put down.’
‘I loved the mix of humour and fantasy, the tongue in cheek style of writing and the quirky characters.’
‘I could go on and on about how much I love this book and why.’
‘A delightful new mashup of old familiar fairy tale characters and themes, with loads of originality and memorable characters. … I think this may well turn into one of my all-time favourites.’
‘…incredible! It made me laugh out loud in several places, but also managed to pull off some intricate themes around power and bigotry – I adored the characters and the fun, genre-savvy writing.’
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A brilliant twist on the original legend Hansel and Gretel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the magic surrounding it. Cannot wait to read more.
Hansel & Gretel Meet Snow White . . . and Jack in the Beanstalk and Unicorns and Centaurs and Ogres and other magical and mythical beings. Most fairy tales seem to exist in monarchies, but the King has been overthrown and the Princess has fled to the forest. Dystopia is ruled by masked creatures who, thinking magic is the venue of women, have restricted the education of girls (no maths allowed!) and condemn witches to death–or the forest. Written with a great deal of snarky humor, with interesting twists on the stories from our childhoods.
What caught my eye about this story was the fact that it had the feel of olden fairy tales (like Grimm’s) yet was modern and fresh. I loved the idea of a magical “forest” filled with darkness, beasts and witches. Gretel and her adventures called to me. I very much enjoyed this YA story and would love to read more in this world. A mixture of classic fairy tales mix together seamlessly, and they create a magical world for any reader to get lost in.
No one is safe in Deadwood, not even the dead, but Gretel thinks soon finds herself immersed into the life of Deadwood when she is accused of being a witch. Gretel (against her society’s beliefs) is smart; she uses math, engineering and all that related sciences to help her in the world (females are not to do math/science). I loved that she stayed who she was and would not form to expectations.
In Deadwood she meets the most interesting and fun/scary creatures. I loved this world and all that it inhabited. The creatures were so vivid and amazing to read about. These (I think) made the story for me. I would love to get to know these people/creatures and be a part of this amazing world. I don’t want to give away more as I truly think that this world is best experienced as you read, but it really enjoyed the adventure. Oh and if there was ever a creature/familiar that fit me this story has it! It’s a talking spider and yea, that would be my dream!
This story is so much more than just a modern retelling of some favorite fairy tales but if you just want to read it for the entertainment value, you won’t be disappointed! I highly recommend this story and I will be adding it to my “buy for friend’s children” list! I received an ARC via NetGallery and Farrago and I am leaving my honest review.
#NetGallery #Darkwood #FairyTales # MustReadYA #AdventureReading
What a wonderful book for middle grade readers! And I loved it, too (and I’m ancient). I’m sure the 6th and 7th grade students I used to teach (I’m in the U.S.) would enjoy this story. It’s funny, fast-paced with an interesting, witty mash-up of folklore/fairytales/mythology. And the message is a really fine one. I would definitely want this book in my child’s library, and public libraries. A real treat of a tale, can’t wait for book #2. Excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Farrago, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#Darkwood #NetGalley