The Witch in the Woods
- Downloads：3658
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2024-03-08 07:22:15
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Michaelbrent Collings
- ISBN：B0CMYGNBZD
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
✧˚ · jade * ˚ ✦
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The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings is both magical as it is strange in this middle-grade brand new take of Grimm's Fairy Tale。 ✨️The Grimm twins are off to an odd beginning when the whole family decided to move to a particular place that has a sci-fi feel to it （robots， hoverboards， you name it）。 Although， none of those actually prepared them from what's about to happen next after a lightning strikes their house。This story follows an epic whirlwind of an adventure。 I was enraptured The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings is both magical as it is strange in this middle-grade brand new take of Grimm's Fairy Tale。 ✨️The Grimm twins are off to an odd beginning when the whole family decided to move to a particular place that has a sci-fi feel to it （robots， hoverboards， you name it）。 Although， none of those actually prepared them from what's about to happen next after a lightning strikes their house。This story follows an epic whirlwind of an adventure。 I was enraptured by this book the whole time I was reading it， honestly。 Can't stop thinking as to how could I even resist these quirky yet fun tale？ 。。。more
Terry
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An excellent fantasy， taking you on a journey of mishap， adventure and danger， with a different take on a fairy tale thrown into the mix。 A fun read。 I received an advance review copy for free， and I am leaving this review voluntarily。
Cathy
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There is something great about finding a book you can read with your middle grade reader。 And that you both enjoy。 My 10 year old and I both loved reading this book。 We both wanted to know what would happen next to Willow and Jake。I loved that you see the story from both Willow and Jake's perspective。 That becomes extremely important during one scene。 But it really makes the story more full。 I loved that the reader is just as confused as Willow and Jake as to what is happening to them and why as There is something great about finding a book you can read with your middle grade reader。 And that you both enjoy。 My 10 year old and I both loved reading this book。 We both wanted to know what would happen next to Willow and Jake。I loved that you see the story from both Willow and Jake's perspective。 That becomes extremely important during one scene。 But it really makes the story more full。 I loved that the reader is just as confused as Willow and Jake as to what is happening to them and why as they move from California to Idaho。 And especially during their school scenes。 I really loved the way that the author incorporated a few fairytales into this book。 And the way Jake and Willow stepped into them。 And changed them in their world。 This book is so great！ I highly recommend it！I was sent a copy of The Witch in the Woods by the publisher。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Jackie
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Outstanding book that takes you away to a strange place。 People turning into characters from the Grimm fairytale book。 Intriguing and definitely different than anything I ‘ve read。 Loved it。 Don’t miss out。
Phthon
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I absolutely freaking LOVED this book！ I loved the mashup of magic， sci-fi， and fairytales。 It made for an exciting yet terrifying adventure。 I also enjoyed the relationship between the twins。 They discovered their strength while trying to save each other。 I truly hope there will be more adventures！
Therearenobadbooks
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I was drawn to this cover。 It's very pretty。This is a fun portal adventure with a lot of Grimm fairy tale influences。 It has a slow pace for me and sometimes the dialogue slows the action even more but I guess it's because the goal is to add some humor。 I appreciate the main characters are twins， a girl， and a boy and they have their individual personalities。 This novel also addresses the fact they move to a new home and school， different from what they were used to on top of that they learn mor I was drawn to this cover。 It's very pretty。This is a fun portal adventure with a lot of Grimm fairy tale influences。 It has a slow pace for me and sometimes the dialogue slows the action even more but I guess it's because the goal is to add some humor。 I appreciate the main characters are twins， a girl， and a boy and they have their individual personalities。 This novel also addresses the fact they move to a new home and school， different from what they were used to on top of that they learn more about who they are。 The constant references to pop culture and learning from Jake and his insights are also fun。My favorite thing was the three trials。 That helped towards the end。 Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC。 。。。more
Shirley
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I love this book。 It is a fantastic blend of twist and turns chills and thrills in a fairytale setting。 Every part was weird fun。 I recommend this book you won't be disappointed。 I love this book。 It is a fantastic blend of twist and turns chills and thrills in a fairytale setting。 Every part was weird fun。 I recommend this book you won't be disappointed。 。。。more
Steph Warren
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*I received a free copy of this book， with thanks to the author。 The decision to review and my opinions are my own。*What a great middle-grade fantasy adventure story！I’ve read and enjoyed previous， adult works by Michaelbrent Collings but this has jumped straight into my favourites spot。 The main character， twins Jake and Willow， are really engaging with their love of science and fantasy respectively and it was easy to immediately empathise with their struggles of a new town， new school， distrac *I received a free copy of this book， with thanks to the author。 The decision to review and my opinions are my own。*What a great middle-grade fantasy adventure story！I’ve read and enjoyed previous， adult works by Michaelbrent Collings but this has jumped straight into my favourites spot。 The main character， twins Jake and Willow， are really engaging with their love of science and fantasy respectively and it was easy to immediately empathise with their struggles of a new town， new school， distracted parents and a horrible Trunchbull-esque bully of a new teacher。 And that’s before things start getting weird and fantastical。The blend between familiar fairytale tropes， characters and tales and the new Grimmworld slant created here is just perfect and had me completely hooked on wanting to read more about both New Marburg （laser battles， odd pets and hover-cars） and the fictional reality bleeding into it。My personal favourite parts of the story were the witch’s challenges to the twins and how they tackled them in their own unique and resourceful ways， conquering their personal inner struggles alongside the ones presented by their enemy。Nothing is ‘dumbed down’ here and there is no silliness or potty humour like some authors use when appealing to children – just an exciting story， interesting worldbuilding and characters you can really identify with and root for。 And excitingly， this is only the introduction to a new， hopefully long-running， series。I plan on picking up a paper copy to share with Minishine （11） and Babybows （8） and highly recommend you do the same， whether for your own children or for yourself！Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows bloghttps://bookshineandreadbows。wordpres。。。 。。。more
Mindy
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This is my first book from Michaelbrent Collings， but I’ve seen his books around for years。 I love love middle grade fantasy and this book has it all。 The pacing is fast and furious。 The plot is exciting and page turning。 And I love retellings。 This book was perfect for me。 Willow and Jake just moved to the town of New Marburg and right away they are noticing things are not right。 Without spoilers， weird stuff is going on and going on fast。 Then bang！ I loved the combining of the real world and This is my first book from Michaelbrent Collings， but I’ve seen his books around for years。 I love love middle grade fantasy and this book has it all。 The pacing is fast and furious。 The plot is exciting and page turning。 And I love retellings。 This book was perfect for me。 Willow and Jake just moved to the town of New Marburg and right away they are noticing things are not right。 Without spoilers， weird stuff is going on and going on fast。 Then bang！ I loved the combining of the real world and the fairytale world and the “science” behind it， very clever。 Jake and Willow are amazing in their own ways and strengthen each other。 The author does a great job of making them the heroes of the story。 And， wow what an ending！ Loved the twists and turns。I received a paperback ARC from the publisher and a Netgalley link。 All views and opinions expressed are my own。 。。。more
Charlie_Bharlie
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*thank you to NetGalley for giving me access*3。5 starsIt seems like the older I get， the more I struggle with reading middle grade; they really are a hit or miss for me。 I love fairytales and I loved that aspect of the book but it wasn't giving me everything I wanted from it。The book did end on a cliffhanger and if I ever find the sequel at the library or as an ebook I'll read it *thank you to NetGalley for giving me access*3。5 starsIt seems like the older I get， the more I struggle with reading middle grade; they really are a hit or miss for me。 I love fairytales and I loved that aspect of the book but it wasn't giving me everything I wanted from it。The book did end on a cliffhanger and if I ever find the sequel at the library or as an ebook I'll read it 。。。more
Cat B。
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Fairy tales were my go to books as a kid。 I read all of them including the writings of the brothers Grimm。 Then I graduated to the books of Lewis Carroll， C。S。 Lewis and Edward Eager。 This is where I would place MichaelBrent Collings newest release。 Known mostly for his thriller/horror books this was certainly a departure from those， almost。 As in all fairy tales， there is a dark underside to the tellings。 I enjoyed The Witch in the Woods as an adult， but my 12/14 year old self would have DEVOUR Fairy tales were my go to books as a kid。 I read all of them including the writings of the brothers Grimm。 Then I graduated to the books of Lewis Carroll， C。S。 Lewis and Edward Eager。 This is where I would place MichaelBrent Collings newest release。 Known mostly for his thriller/horror books this was certainly a departure from those， almost。 As in all fairy tales， there is a dark underside to the tellings。 I enjoyed The Witch in the Woods as an adult， but my 12/14 year old self would have DEVOURED this。 I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more
Jan farnworth
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The Witch in the Woods is the first book in The Grimmworld series。 It is a quirky tale that takes a family who moves to a new town for the parent's jobs and mixes the children up in a Grimm fairy tale that is tossed on its head。 The children are twins， and each brings their uniqueness to the team that takes on the strange new world they have been thrown into。 I love this kind of tales that take a story we know; in this case， it is the Grimm Fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel， and then the author pl The Witch in the Woods is the first book in The Grimmworld series。 It is a quirky tale that takes a family who moves to a new town for the parent's jobs and mixes the children up in a Grimm fairy tale that is tossed on its head。 The children are twins， and each brings their uniqueness to the team that takes on the strange new world they have been thrown into。 I love this kind of tales that take a story we know; in this case， it is the Grimm Fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel， and then the author plunks it in the center of a mass plot line that involves kids who have no idea what is going on。 The kids are stuck in a new school where things are beyond weird; the parents have new jobs that they won't talk about， and odd things keep happening to them。 The target audience will love the twist the author puts on the Hansel and Gretel tale and may even pique their curiosity about the original tales。 。。。more
Melissa’s Bookshelf
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A fun， fantastic twist on the Grimm fairytales， particularly Hansel and Gretel！ I thoroughly enjoyed this book。 It’s my first book by Michaelbrent Collings and I can’t wait to read more。The Witch in the Woods begins with two endearing 11 year old twins faced with leaving their friends and home in California for a small， mysterious town in Idaho。 As they’re packed up and ready to leave， a strange man appears in their backyard looking like something out of a sci-fi movie and appears to be threaten A fun， fantastic twist on the Grimm fairytales， particularly Hansel and Gretel！ I thoroughly enjoyed this book。 It’s my first book by Michaelbrent Collings and I can’t wait to read more。The Witch in the Woods begins with two endearing 11 year old twins faced with leaving their friends and home in California for a small， mysterious town in Idaho。 As they’re packed up and ready to leave， a strange man appears in their backyard looking like something out of a sci-fi movie and appears to be threatening them。 Though they try to tell their parents， they don’t seem to believe them。 Along the way， even stranger things happen and when they finally get to their new home in New Marburg， Idaho they discover they’re living in a Think Tank city with robots， cars that act like hoverboards， and a strange house with walls impervious to nails。While their scientific parents are busy working on a secret project， Willow and Jake attend an advanced school with a mean teacher who seems to be out to get them from the first。 When their already fantastic world is turned upside down after a terrible lightening storm， they suddenly find themselves in a fairytale world with a creepy forest， talking naked mole rat， and a terrible witch who’s captured their new friends。 Can they solve the witch’s riddles to free themselves and their friends from her clutches？I love middle grade books that are imaginative and well written。 It’s also refreshing to read a book about siblings who truly love and support each other。 Willow’s musical， loves to read， is smart， and social。 Jake’s quiet， smart， kind， likes facts especially about animals and excels at remember them。 I found myself on pins and needles cheering these kids on as they use logic and smarts to solve the witch’s clever riddles。There’s also a sci-fi element with the parents working on a project that’s bringing about the collision of the fairytale world with our world。 I loved that this story didn’t dumb things down for kids or use annoying potty humor。 It’s intelligently written with scientific theories like string theory mentioned that might have kids googling to find more information。 The book ends on a cliffhanger with a couple of twists I didn’t see coming。 I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book。I definitely think both middle grade boys and girls who like fantasy， sci-fi， or fairytale retellings will enjoy this！ There are some scary elements with a witch who enjoys eating children， and some mild peril/violence which might be a bit frightening for younger readers。 I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher。 All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided。 4 1/2 stars！ 。。。more
April
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This is not a tale for the faint of heart。 Jake and Willow face moving across states， a new school， bullying by a teacher， fairytales come to life and danger to their family and the world。 This tale is an ambitious undertaking in crafting a world at once familiar and fantastical。One lesson from the tale is that kindness opens doors。I think this book would be better for an older middle grade reader。 There are some rather adult issues for Willow and Jake to grasp and I don’t think a younger reader This is not a tale for the faint of heart。 Jake and Willow face moving across states， a new school， bullying by a teacher， fairytales come to life and danger to their family and the world。 This tale is an ambitious undertaking in crafting a world at once familiar and fantastical。One lesson from the tale is that kindness opens doors。I think this book would be better for an older middle grade reader。 There are some rather adult issues for Willow and Jake to grasp and I don’t think a younger reader would be the best audience due to some rather scary things in this tale。I wasn’t sure part way in whether I would recommend this book or not， but by the time I finished I felt strongly that this first book in a series has lessons to teach and it’s entertaining along the way。Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read this book。 。。。more
Karen Hammond
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The children had mixed feelings about this book， some loved it ，others thought it was ok but not so great。 I liked the way the Grimm stories were used in a new way。 Would like to read more in the same series。
Chris
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Michaelbrent Collings is one of my all-time favorite authors and he didn't disappoint with this book。 It was amazing。 The story kept me intrigued the entire time。 It was hard to walk away from it。 He gives a great take on a classic Fairy Tale and makes it so much more relatable。 This book is very different from what I am used to reading by him， but it still hit me in all of the feels。 He brought all of the characters to life， especially Chet the Hairless Mole Rat！！ Willow and Jake are awesome an Michaelbrent Collings is one of my all-time favorite authors and he didn't disappoint with this book。 It was amazing。 The story kept me intrigued the entire time。 It was hard to walk away from it。 He gives a great take on a classic Fairy Tale and makes it so much more relatable。 This book is very different from what I am used to reading by him， but it still hit me in all of the feels。 He brought all of the characters to life， especially Chet the Hairless Mole Rat！！ Willow and Jake are awesome and so very brave and wise beyond their years。I can't recommend this book enough。 This is a must read！！ 。。。more
Courtney
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Absolutely loved this book！ My daughter saw how much I was enjoying it and sneaked off with it to read it also。 Lol！ I would tell you my favorite part， but I've always hated people giving spoilers。 I can say that I love how Willow and Jake have each other's back。 They have their tiffs， but still are there for each other。 Grimmworld is full of magic， mystery and science。 All the things that can make an epic story。 I look forward to the next book。 Absolutely loved this book！ My daughter saw how much I was enjoying it and sneaked off with it to read it also。 Lol！ I would tell you my favorite part， but I've always hated people giving spoilers。 I can say that I love how Willow and Jake have each other's back。 They have their tiffs， but still are there for each other。 Grimmworld is full of magic， mystery and science。 All the things that can make an epic story。 I look forward to the next book。 。。。more
Laura
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DNF - the tone was uneven， and I've read too many like this before （town filled with weird technology， mean teachers， lots of secrets， etc。）。 It wasn't doing anything new。eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss。 DNF - the tone was uneven， and I've read too many like this before （town filled with weird technology， mean teachers， lots of secrets， etc。）。 It wasn't doing anything new。eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss。 。。。more
Audrey
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Twins Jacob and Willow Grimm are moving to a town that sounds like Eureka—full of nerdy science people。 But their new teacher is a witch—literally。 We get a very strong mash-up of hard-core sci fi and old-school fantasy。 The fairy tale element pulls mainly from Hansel and Gretel， and it definitely had some creepy moments。 Additionally， there were lots of riddles/challenges/puzzles to solve; very clever and creative。I received a free ARC from the author for review。Language: CleanSexual Content: N Twins Jacob and Willow Grimm are moving to a town that sounds like Eureka—full of nerdy science people。 But their new teacher is a witch—literally。 We get a very strong mash-up of hard-core sci fi and old-school fantasy。 The fairy tale element pulls mainly from Hansel and Gretel， and it definitely had some creepy moments。 Additionally， there were lots of riddles/challenges/puzzles to solve; very clever and creative。I received a free ARC from the author for review。Language: CleanSexual Content: NoneViolence/Gore: Monster violence; cannibal witchHarm to Animals: （view spoiler）[None （hide spoiler）]Harm to Children: （view spoiler）[bullying; mention of witch eating children （hide spoiler）]Other （Triggers）: （view spoiler）[description of heights; teacher mean and unfair to students; witch eats fairies and tries to eat children; misandry; new school/job stress （hide spoiler）]["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]> 。。。more
Tales Untangled
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My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing。 I'm voluntarily leaving a review。Genre and Age: Middle Grade Fantasy， Fairy Tales （ages 8-14）There are so many exciting things in this book that start in chapter one。 It takes until about 25% through before the reader gets to the woods to meet the witch。 But I don't think this will upset the kids because there is so much else going on。 You've got a castle， Star Wars like swords， fairies， unfair teachers， mysterious companies My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing。 I'm voluntarily leaving a review。Genre and Age: Middle Grade Fantasy， Fairy Tales （ages 8-14）There are so many exciting things in this book that start in chapter one。 It takes until about 25% through before the reader gets to the woods to meet the witch。 But I don't think this will upset the kids because there is so much else going on。 You've got a castle， Star Wars like swords， fairies， unfair teachers， mysterious companies and conspiracies， and MORE！I think kids will gobble it up。 The contrast between the main characters is great！ Kids will relate to one or the other。 Using some STEM skills to solve problems is a bonus。 It's a colorful splash of a book。 One conflict is solved in this book， but there is more on the horizon。Happy reading！ 。。。more
Riann
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I really enjoyed this amazing， harrowing， suspenseful and fun read！ I loved how it changed a familiar fairy tale into something unique。 You won't be able to put this book down。 I really enjoyed this amazing， harrowing， suspenseful and fun read！ I loved how it changed a familiar fairy tale into something unique。 You won't be able to put this book down。 。。。more
booksandcakes
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I have not read anything by this author previously。 I am a fan of fairytale， folklore， story evolution。 This book did not fail in that area。 I found it easy to connect with the characters。 I very much look forward to finding out how these children save the worlds and Fri with family and friends。 I think this book is good for ages as young as 10， a mature 8 maybe。 There are some heavier topics and fear moments a younger child might not be able to process。I can see ways of integrating this book in I have not read anything by this author previously。 I am a fan of fairytale， folklore， story evolution。 This book did not fail in that area。 I found it easy to connect with the characters。 I very much look forward to finding out how these children save the worlds and Fri with family and friends。 I think this book is good for ages as young as 10， a mature 8 maybe。 There are some heavier topics and fear moments a younger child might not be able to process。I can see ways of integrating this book into science， logic puzzles， and literature - all sorts of STEAM j this novel。The discussion questions are very helpful。One more thing， an audiobook of this series could be a fabulous listen！ 。。。more
Trisha
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Willow and Jake are not thrilled about the move to New Marburg， and all its secrets。 But when they get there it is pretty cool to see seniors not just doing Thai chi but fighting with laser swords while flying overhead with jet packs。 But when their dad spends more and more time at work and when he is at home， he is totally oblivious to everything around him。 When a big storm comes and lightening transforms their school into a castle and sends it up a beanstalk the kids find themselves in a alte Willow and Jake are not thrilled about the move to New Marburg， and all its secrets。 But when they get there it is pretty cool to see seniors not just doing Thai chi but fighting with laser swords while flying overhead with jet packs。 But when their dad spends more and more time at work and when he is at home， he is totally oblivious to everything around him。 When a big storm comes and lightening transforms their school into a castle and sends it up a beanstalk the kids find themselves in a alternate reality and that their ancestors are really the brothers Grimm， and they were much more than story tellers。 Before the twins can go back to their reality they must save their only friends Hank and Pearl then save the world。This is such a wonderful action packed， suspenseful book it will have you reading past your bedtime。 I love the weaving of the Grimm fairy tales into the storyline and can’t wait for more stories to see what Willow and Jake Grimm are doing next。 I enjoyed the characters as they were exactly what you would expect from kids their age。 I really enjoyed this book and think people of all ages will too。 。。。more
Reading Adventures
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I was intrigued to read this story because I love the Brothers Grimm fairy tales。 I was so excited to receive this as an ARC。 The story was not what I expected at all， but not in a bad way。 This was different and I absolutely loved it。 When strange things happen to the Grimm twins in their new home and town they soon learn there was more to the Brothers Grimm then they have ever imagined。 As Grimmwalkers they they traveled from our world to Grimmworld where all fairy tales are born。 Now they are I was intrigued to read this story because I love the Brothers Grimm fairy tales。 I was so excited to receive this as an ARC。 The story was not what I expected at all， but not in a bad way。 This was different and I absolutely loved it。 When strange things happen to the Grimm twins in their new home and town they soon learn there was more to the Brothers Grimm then they have ever imagined。 As Grimmwalkers they they traveled from our world to Grimmworld where all fairy tales are born。 Now they are tuck in this world and they must save their friends who have been captured in the fairy tale world。， get help from a mysterious wizard， learn to trust and learn to face their fears together。 I love how creative and detailed the story is 。 I love that it lets my imagination run wild。 It was a mix between the fairy tales we love and science I never thought of。 I know the story is written for kids but as an adult I am in love with this book。 You are going to love this adventure。 I am so amazed by the writing of this author and how Collings made me fall in love with a children’s story。 。。。more
Riella Cristobal
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What a fun and exciting book！ This was my first book from Mr。 Collings and it was such a magical adventure！tWillow and Jake were fun narrators。 I enjoyed their different perspectives and their dynamic。 They were very different， but stuck by one another。 I really appreciate sibling dynamics where they appreciate each other while still recognizing the faults of the other the way only someone so close can。 They grew throughout the story， learning about themselves and others。 tThe story was so inter What a fun and exciting book！ This was my first book from Mr。 Collings and it was such a magical adventure！tWillow and Jake were fun narrators。 I enjoyed their different perspectives and their dynamic。 They were very different， but stuck by one another。 I really appreciate sibling dynamics where they appreciate each other while still recognizing the faults of the other the way only someone so close can。 They grew throughout the story， learning about themselves and others。 tThe story was so interesting to watch unfold。 I love fairytales and how they inspire stories。 I loved the way the stories were brought to life in this unique world。 Willow and Jake were so fun to follow as they learned the mysteries of their new town and what it meant for them。 I also liked how their family was together。 They cared for each other， even through changes and misunderstandings。 It felt like things were unfolding at a good pace with an obvious arc for the book， as well as setup for future books。 There was a nice mix of fantasy and adventure elements。 There were also many fun side characters！ I hope to see more of their friends and the cast of characters within both New Marburg and Grimmworld。 This was an enjoyable middle grade fantasy adventure。 I liked how different character qualities were celebrated， intelligence， conviction， kindness， and a willingness to seek help。 There is magic， action， and some more graphic adventure。 It definitely had some darker elements and is likely best for upper middle grade and up。 I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley。 All views expressed are only my honest opinion， a positive review was not required。 。。。more
Kimberly
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This was a fun and action-packed fantasy that I’m sure my students will love！ Fantasy and sci-fi are not my favorite genres， but kids who do like it will love this book！
Erica Baxter
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This book had potential， but it just didn't deliver。 I hate giving bad reviews， since I know how much time and effort go into writing， so it is with much trepidation that I say that， for me， this book was all over the place—a long， boring ramble。 The characters were flat， hence， I never felt invested in them。 And without caring about the characters， it's hard to care about the story。 And the story。。。 There was a ton of action， action for days， but there was sooooo much going on that I couldn't i This book had potential， but it just didn't deliver。 I hate giving bad reviews， since I know how much time and effort go into writing， so it is with much trepidation that I say that， for me， this book was all over the place—a long， boring ramble。 The characters were flat， hence， I never felt invested in them。 And without caring about the characters， it's hard to care about the story。 And the story。。。 There was a ton of action， action for days， but there was sooooo much going on that I couldn't invest in the plot either。 It was like watching a ping pong match consisting of ten different tables。 Keep your eye on the ball—all of them！ Nope， lost interest early and never got it back。 。。。more
Julie
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This book is so interesting。 It is what I expected， yet not what I expected。 It is thrilling， intriguing， and some moments had me laughing out loud。 It is very clever。 I loved the characters and the wit。 The riddles are fun to try and figure out。 I love the growth that Jack and Willow make throughout the book。 I love how they discover not only their own strengths but more of each other's strengths as well。 I am very interested in reading the next book in what I hope and expect will be a fantasti This book is so interesting。 It is what I expected， yet not what I expected。 It is thrilling， intriguing， and some moments had me laughing out loud。 It is very clever。 I loved the characters and the wit。 The riddles are fun to try and figure out。 I love the growth that Jack and Willow make throughout the book。 I love how they discover not only their own strengths but more of each other's strengths as well。 I am very interested in reading the next book in what I hope and expect will be a fantastic series。 Thank you to NetGalley and ShadowMountain for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Menion
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Michaelbrent Collings does two things: writes good thrillers， and writes them fast， his pace has always been Dean Koontz-like。 Add genre-jumping to the list。 Grimmworld is his first attempt at a young adult fantasy-style novel， and not surprisingly， it’s very good。 Collings has no trouble shifting his high-octane writing to fantasy of sorts， kids and adults will love this。The book is a nifty new way to use Grimm’s Fairy Tales for backdrop。 The first 90 pages are a bit slower， but it’s just the s Michaelbrent Collings does two things: writes good thrillers， and writes them fast， his pace has always been Dean Koontz-like。 Add genre-jumping to the list。 Grimmworld is his first attempt at a young adult fantasy-style novel， and not surprisingly， it’s very good。 Collings has no trouble shifting his high-octane writing to fantasy of sorts， kids and adults will love this。The book is a nifty new way to use Grimm’s Fairy Tales for backdrop。 The first 90 pages are a bit slower， but it’s just the setup for the real story。 Twins Jake and Willow Grimm are living in a new town， where their parents are involved in top secret research。 Through a collision of multi-verses， the twins wind up in Grimmworld， where all the old fairy tales actually happen， for real。 However， the endings are very different in Grimmworld， and not happy ones， either-the original Brothers Grimm changed the endings when they wrote them。 Once the story shifts to Grimmworld， high gear kicks in and the story takes off。 Jake and Willow do get some scientific explanation for the different worlds from a friend and wizard， Old Eli。 Collings does a nice job here， balancing a plausible scientific theory with making it understandable to young readers， most of them will comprehend it。 The ‘bubble’ analogy the author used really helps tie this section together。 The lovable， enigmatic mole-rat， Chet， also helps the twins， although his Cheshire-cat style of talking does drive the twins somewhat nuts。 The last half of the book is fantastic， with Jake and Willow attempting to save Hansel and Gretel from the witch’s oven。 There are a lot of outstanding riddles and puzzles in this section， riddling hasn’t been this much fun since Bilbo went toe to toe with Gollum all those years ago。 The magic tree and ‘slow camel’ race show real planning on the author’s part， but they aren’t too complex for readers to follow。 It’s the perfect wrap-up to a very good story。 Thankfully， this isn’t the end， the author has already promised another if he gets a good response from readers。 Based on this， he won’t have any trouble getting it。This does what a good YA fantasy should do: thrill younger and older readers alike。 Schools should have this， to help kids see that reading has a LOT more to offer than staring at cell phones。 As for the author， who knows what else he has in his trick bag？ He can write thrillers， horror， now YA fantasy， what’s next？ A romantic summer beach read， a la Elin Hildebrand？ Heck， he could probably do it！ 。。。more
Melissa Hamilton
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