In a nutshell, they're trying to stay alive. They decide they must choose their own fate and they're trying to locate caretakers that aren't dangerous and brutal toward them.

It's like the classic Hansel and Gretel except in addition to the witch, they deal with many other scary beings and they move through different fairy tales. I needed to read this book.įirstly, I thought the story was incredibly creative. So when I saw A Tale Dark and Grimm at the library a few weeks ago, I couldn't hesitate. YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat see this review and others please visit I have a thing for fairy tales, especially Hansel and Gretel. Read by Johnny Heller and it was great to listen to. I never knew what direction this book was going but the journey was a great adventure.

The stories did have a slight old-timey feel (ie lots of magic just happens without explanation) but the author balanced it well enough with the plot that I wasn't bothered by it too much. It was quite interesting to follow along on their adventures. Hansel and Gretel developed quite nicely from timid children into heroes. I did enjoy how Gidwitz took all the old tales and told them in a fresh and fabulous way. It was fun and funny, though at times it seemed to try too hard to insert humor by breaking the fourth wall. There is a time when a kingdom needs its children.Will they be able to save the entire kingdom in time? Or will they lose everything they've ever known? There is a wisdom in children, a kind of knowing, a kind of believing, that we, as adults, do not have.

They have a kingdom that needs saving and they are ready to do something about it. The moon can eat children, and fingers can open doors, and people's heads can be put back on.īut rain? Talk? Don't be ridiculous. 'You're being foolish,' Gretel told herself. There will be trials, tribulations and betrayal. Their story is not all gingerbread and breadcrumbs - there's vampires, werewolves and monsters galore. Once upon a time, fairy tales were AWESOME!Adam Gidwitz remembers the old tales - the ones with violence and blood - and truly regrets the watering down the modern times.Īnd so he decides to tell the true tale of Hansel and Gretel.

A tale dark and grimm author