After studying fairytales on the university level, it’s safe to say that I enjoy fairytales in their many forms and versions. In part to celebrate Tell a Fairytale Day on February 26th, here’s a book review for a fairytale retelling of Hansel and Gretel.

I’ve been anticipating this book for a few months now. Not only because I anticipate any book from Michaelbrent Collings, but after self-publishing 50 books, this is his first traditionally published book through Shadow Mountain Publishing (publisher of Fablehaven/Dragonwatch, Wizard for Hire, and Mustaches for Maddie to name some of my reviewed favorites).

After reading several books by Mr. Collings and several books published by Shadow Mountain…I have to say The Witch in the Woods feels more like a Shadow Mountain book than a Collings book. Yes, it has his typical outlandish humor and creativity, but the traditional editing and standard formatting removed his unique narrative and formatting style.
Yes, his interjectory thoughts in their own paragraphs always threw me off whenever starting a new Collings book, but the juxtaposition and contrast of thoughts vs narrative was part of the fun.
Also, The Witch in the Woods had a much slower start than other Collings’ books…but maybe that’s because there’s so much going on.

Let me explain…

Let’s start with the main characters; Jake and Willow Grimm. These fifth-grade twins start in Los Angelos, California, but their parents are hired at the Think Tank in New Marburg, Idaho. And New Marburg isn’t any normal Idaho town. I’m sad to say it’s fictional, because the Think Tank is full of mad scientists/inventors, making New Marburg into a tech town of jet-packs, jello-dogs, and cop-bots.

Jake and Willow have a bit of a Harry Potter experience as they go to school in this crazy technologically advanced town and immediately become victims of their teacher. They also become fast friends with Hank and Pearl (another pair of twins in their class, step-children of their wicked teacher).

As if New Marburg wasn’t crazy enough, the Tank becomes unstable, throwing Jake and Willow into an alternate dimension where their friends become Hansel and Gretel, and their wicked step-mother becomes the witch who wants to eat them.

So, yes, it’s a Hansel and Gretel retelling, but…

In the fairy-tale world, stories begin with tragedy and end with horror.

Witch in the Woods, by Michaelbrent Collings, pg. 123

I mean…what do you expect when a best-selling horror author retells a Brothers Grimm fairytale?

Cleanliness

But, remember this is a story about kids and written for kids. This isn’t Mr. Collings’ first middle-reader series (check out his Billy: Powers Saga on Amazon). There are some scary moments where the characters honestly believe they’ve seen their sibling die before their eyes, and there are regular threats on their lives, but otherwise, it’s a tame middle-reader. There may be a couple of “disturbing” descriptions (like a man with coins for eyes, fairies being turned into candy, and children locked in cages), but there’s no swearing and no sexual references. (The closest thing to romance is Jake blushing when Pearl compliments him.)
There are about 5 full-page pictures (of less scary moments). Honestly, that kind of disappointed me. I wanted more pictures.

Overall

While in Grimmworld, the twins face several physically taxing tasks and cleverly written riddles that seem impossible to beat. (Honestly, if I’d been given the same tasks, I would have died–save for the last one that I figured out first.)
Since I resonate with sibling relationships in stories, I really appreciated the uplifting and healthy friendship between Jake and Willow. The story as a whole fits with Mr. Collings’ style of going 6-feet under to emerge with hope, and I anticipate the story’s progression as a series.
I give it a solid ****4 Stars**** for its fun twist on fairytales, creative puzzles, and wild storytelling…despite its pacing.

Rating: 4 out of 5.The Witch in the Woods: Grimmworld #1, by Michaelbrent Collings will be available March 5th.