The Deathly Grimm

by Kathryn Purdie

Overview

“A luminous fairy tale, sharp as teeth and full of heart.” —Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows

In this spellbinding sequel to Kathryn Purdie's bestselling dark fairy tale, Clara and Axel must return to the forest—and its monsters—if they have any hope of finally breaking the curse on their village.

Emerging from the shadows of the Forest Grimm, Clara and Axel return to their village, the one place they can be safe behind the forest's border. But when the woods begin luring villagers into the forest, it becomes clear that the darkness they battled was merely a whisper of the true horror lurking there.

Burdened by unsettling visions and bound by a love as perilous as the cursed woods that call to them, Clara and Axel must once again enter the forest to unearth the sinister secret at its heart. As they fight murderous woodsmen wielding riddles sharp as blades, spectral maidens who threaten to drag them into an eternal dance, and phantoms able to use the very essence of the forest against them, Clara and Axel realize the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t break the curse once and for all, they may not have a home to return to…

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250372598
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/25/2025
Series:	The Forest Grimm duology , #2
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

KATHRYN PURDIE is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Burning Glass series and the Bone Crier's Moon duology. Trained in classical acting, she studied in England and met her husband when they were cast opposite each other in a Shakespeare play. They now live in Utah with their children and a tiny dog. Kathryn also writes songs on her guitar for each of her stories and shares them on her website.

Editorial Reviews

Girl Who Reads, "6 Fantastic Fantasy Novels You Don't Want to Miss"

Reactor, "All the New Young Adult SFF Books Arriving in March 2025"

Publishers Weekly, "Noteworthy Picture Books and Novel Sequels"

"A thrilling and satisfying dark fantasy merging a murder mystery with eerie fairy tales." - Kirkus

Praise for The Forest Grimm:

Book Riot, "Summer 2023 YA Books to Add to Your TBR"

The Nerd Daily, "Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2023 Book Releases"

"The Forest Grimm is a delicious combination of sinister and sweet." - Paste, "The Best New YA of September 2023"

"Purdie blends a variety of Grimm’s fairy tales—including “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel,” and “Hansel and Gretel”—into a sumptuous tale of love and survival in this beguiling journey." - Publishers Weekly

"A satisfying story that pays homage to the dark narrative arcs of traditional fairy tales." - Kirkus

"Clever mixing-and-matching of stories such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood provide a solid foundation for romance and some Grimm-inspired flashes of horror." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Purdie pulls from many original fairy tales to create this twisty yet enchanting romantasy." - School Library Journal

"I’ve covered a handful of fairy tale retellings over the years, but I’ve never come across one quite like Kathryn Purdie’s The Forest Grimm...my favorite new release of 2023....I always say the best books are the ones that sneak up on you and exceed any and all expectations, and The Forest Grimm meets that standard and then some." - Twin Cities Geek

"If you like YA fantasy with a hint of survival and twists, pick up Kathryn Purdie’s The Forest Grimm. Especially if you enjoy fractured fairy-tales!" - In Between Drafts, "The Best New Books of September"

"Recommend to readers likely to appreciate scary scenes balanced by a sweet, sensual romance and a happy ending." - Booklist

"Kathryn Purdie has bewitched us with another absolutely gorgeous read. Her prose is lovely, evocative, and snaring, and the gripping story of danger enraptures both heart and mind. She takes well-known fairy tales and puts clever, dark twists to them, all amid a real and enchanting setting. I'll go mad waiting for the sequel!" —Charlie N. Holmberg, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Spellbreaker and The Paper Magician

"With an immersive world and rich magic, Kathryn Purdie has written a story that will change everything you thought you knew about fairy tales. Prepare to enter the Forest Grimm—and never leave." —Tricia Levenseller, New York Times bestselling author of Blade of Secrets

"Fast-paced and romantic, Kathryn Purdie lured me into a thrilling world where familiar fairytales are turned inside out and nothing is at seems. Once I entered the dark heart of the Forest Grimm, I never wanted to leave.” —Mara Rutherford, author of The Poison Season

“Within its first lines, The Forest Grimm promises an adventure with a clever trail of breadcrumbs to guide you. A brave and resolute heroine, an enchanted forest rooted in danger, and a slow-burning friends-to-lovers romance…Kathryn Purdie has written a luminous fairytale, sharp as teeth and full of heart. I devoured every word of this magical tale.” —Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals

From the Publisher

2024-11-23
Following their adventure inThe Forest Grimm (2023), Clara and Axel journey again into the woods, hoping to complete their mission and lift the curse plaguing their village.

To succeed, they’ll need to bring a murderer to justice and recover the missing page of the magical Book of Fortunes, a powerful artifact that grants each villager a single wish. As the forest creeps closer to the line of ashes that marks the borders of Grimm’s Hollow, luring more residents into its dangerous depths, Clara, who has scoliosis, relies on her ability to see visions of the past to unravel the mystery. Navigating the forest proves treacherous when twisted versions of fairy tales—such as “Rumpelstiltskin,” “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” and “Jack and the Beanstalk”—stand in their way. But the most difficult obstacle Clara and Axel face is learning to trust one another when Clara’s visions suggest that their loved ones may be hiding dark, possibly deadly, secrets. Clara’s visions introduce multiple red herrings, complicating the narrative’s timeline but adding intrigue along with numerous suspects. The tension between the leads escalates as their diverging intentions spark conflict, adding emotional stakes to their quest in this duology closer. Most characters are cued white.

A thrilling and satisfying dark fantasy merging a murder mystery with eerie fairy tales.(Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews