The Forest Grimm is a creative fairy tale filled with twisted secrets. Clara lives on the outskirts of the Forest Grimm, a magical forest that sealed itself off from her town after dark magic was used. People who enter the forest now become Lost and are unable to leave. Clara is determined to enter the forest and save her mother. With her friends Axel and Henni, Clara embarks on a quest to break the curse and save those who have been Lost. Once in the forest, she realizes that the time away has taken a terrible toll on the people who remained inside. Will Clara be able to rescue her mother or has the forest claimed her for good? 

The Forest Grimm is influenced by several fairy tales, but especially by Little Red Riding Hood. I really liked how Kathryn Purdie experimented with darker interpretations of classic fairy tales. Clara is a very determined and caring character. The forest has many dangers and traps that require Clara and her friends to work together to survive. Clara also has a physical disability, which makes her journey into the forest more difficult and requires her to wear a shoe with a special lift in it. Axel and Clara have a very sweet romance, which I’m excited to see explored more! The ending of the book made it seem like there’s more stories to be told in this world. I’m looking forward to returning to the Forest Grimm! Readers who enjoy Isabel Ibañez, Elizabeth Lim, and Rebecca Ross should check this book out! 

Thank you to Kathryn Purdie, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.