Warlocks with deadly spells, hunters with deadly aim, and bakers with ovens retrofitted for cooking children lurk within these pages.

Definitely not for younger kids though too bloody! Though it is a scary book, it is a great read.

Marshmallow’s quick take: This is the story of Hansel and Gretel but not the version we are accustomed to. Marshmallow reviews A Tale Dark & Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz. This post contains affiliate links and I receive a small percentage of sales made through these links.In her third review Marshmallow shares her thoughts on A Tale Dark & Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz. Overall, it was a wonderfully written snarky retelling of Grimm fairy tales that doesn’t shy away from the scary things in life and what they can teach us.Ĭontent Rating: Mild, for some very mild violence and gore. – Adam Gidwitz, A Tale Dark and Grimm (Prologue) I loved this quote about how even when we don’t deserve it sometimes bad things happen to us and there can be some good in that.įor, in life, it is in the darkest zones one finds the brightest beauty and the most luminous wisdom. Learning about the evils of life is best done in a story where kids can learn from the mistakes of others and realize that there is true evil out there. It reminded me of The Tales of Beedle the Bard where Dumbledore talks about how fairy tales are too watered down now and they fail to teach kids anymore by covering up anything bad or scary. There are definitely morals and cautionary tales that add depth to these tales.

If you’ve ever wanted to read a fairy tale with snarky commentary then you need to read this book.Ī Tale Dark & Grimm doesn’t glamorize violence though. I’m pretty sure that would make any kid on the planet keep reading. The narrator even suggests that maybe little kids should stop reading because there are some gross scenes coming up. The humor comes in a wonderfully written voice from the narrator that acts like the best audio commentary you’ve ever heard about these fairy tales. A Tale Dark & Grimm retells and weaves together fairy tales but adds humor to balance out the violence. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.įairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.Ī Tale Dark & Grimm stays true to the spirit of the original Grimm fairy tales which were stark, disturbing, and usually tragic with characters who acted like idiots. In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales.

A tale dark and grimm book