“Fairy tales are real, and they’re trying to kill us.”
Stranded at a mysterious castle deep in Germany’s infamous Black Forest, 10 high school seniors must solve riddles and fight through the Grimm Brothers' darkest fairy tales if they’re going to make it out of the forest alive.
Sadie Reyes and Jenny Bell had been best friends most of their lives, until a traumatic event tore them apart. Sadie can’t forgive Jenny for her role in what happened, and Jenny can’t forgive herself. Now they’re trapped together inside a castle where terrifying things happen at night and the people that work at the castle aren’t at all what they seem to be.
As their friends begin to disappear one by one, Sadie and Jenny will have to put aside their past if any of them are going to have a future.
With complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and just the right amount of magic, Black Forest Bound is a unique twist on the fairy tale genre and an exciting adventure that will keep you up at night.
Books in the Black Forest Duology:
- Black Forest Bound
- Black Forest Burning (Coming January 1st, 2023)
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The concept of switching between two protagonists who are at odds with one another is a sound one. Initially, though, the plot introduces multiple characters from differing perspectives in such rapid succession that it can leave the reader feeling disoriented.
Prose: The prose does well evoking the fairy tale setting, especially when describing creepy imagery; the dialogue is solid, but doesn't quite captivate.
Originality: The Grimm's Fairy Tales basis for this story will be a familiar one for many fantasy fans. The author's restaging of the rustic German tales is intriguing and well-executed.
Character Development/Execution: Protagonist Sadie and supporting character Charlotte are stand-out characters that have clearly defined virtues, flaws, and quirks that will make readers fall in love with them. The women are strongly characterized across the board. The male chaaracters are less so, sometimes feeling a tad one-dimensional.
Date Submitted: August 06, 2022
A creative page-turner, great for young adults (and older ones too)
I devoured this book in just a few days. Part teen drama, part mystery, the story cleverly turns the stereotypical fairy tale on its head. I appreciated the depth given to the main characters in both their internal dialogues and interpersonal relationships, and the vivid depictions of the castle and forest. This is a great first installment from Lorelei Gray; I'm already looking forward to part two and whatever comes next.
Exciting read with some twists
This was a very good book. I found it exciting, and even though it is a lengthy book, I finished it quickly because it felt like every chapter had something attention-grabbing. I don't want to give too much away, but my favorite characters are definitely Charlotte and then probably Cameron. I also enjoyed the narration style, which switches back and forth between 2 girls, Jenny and Sadie. I'm looking forward to reading the next part of this series whenever it is published.
Complex characters, exciting twists, & deep cut fairy tales
Fairy tale aficionados will love this book. It has some of the well known stories, but it also includes many of the lesser known Grimm Fairy Tales. It's refreshing for anyone who loves fairy tale retellings but gets bored of the same Cinderella or Snow White story over and over. The characters, especially the two protagonists Jenny and Sadie, are fully developed with intriguing backstories and conflicts. The book has a lot of twists and turns and of course ends on a cliffhanger - can't wait to get book 2 when it comes out!
Wow! I really did not know what to expect from this YA mystery/thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised by the way this tale unfolded. A dark, twisted story about a high school trip gone wrong. I am really glad this will have a sequel because the end left me like, "OKAY? Then what happened!" A super fun read that I would recommend to anyone who is a sucker for YA novels, or anyone who likes a thriller with a dash or two or horror. I was scared... but not TOO scared.
I am personally not familiar with the original tales the Grimm Brother's wrote, but it was very fun to see bits and pieces from stories that stemmed from theirs, like "Little Red Riding Hood", or the "Twelve Dancing Princesses." I am excited to see what stories I will recognize in part two!
"This is a refreshing and beautifully written fairytale retelling. The building of the world and characters was done fantastically, making connecting to the characters very easy. The depth to them as well as the story really make this read quite enjoyable. There’s drama, and mystery, and the storyline grips you and holds on, making you excited to continue on with this story into the next book. The author did a wonderful job."
"Lorelei Gray has taken the somber tales of the Brothers Grimm and woven them into a compelling young adult novel. What starts as a study trip to a German castle soon turns sinister. Students begin finding themselves caught in the grips of fairy tales that upend their expectations and draw them into harrowing situations. Some mysteries are resolved before the book ends, but Gray definitely set out to ensure her readers would stay with her as the series unfolds. Hang on for an enchanting and unsettling ride." - Cathryn Wellner
"This book easily stole my heart with the mere mention of their being elements of fairy tales in it. As anything involving the brothers Grimm, is a win in my book. But the way Gray blends the mystical elements of a classic fairy tale and the thrill of an adventure, made this book utterly amazing. I certainly can't wait to read more of Sadie and Jenny's adventure in book two, Black Forest Burning." - Katelyn McCall, Staff Reviewer, YA Books Central
