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Grimmworld #1
Grimmworld, Vol. 1: The Witch in the Woods
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.
Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins' house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school's overly aggressive hall monitor.
Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to the universe where all fairy tales dare born.
Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.
Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world.
Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins' house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school's overly aggressive hall monitor.
Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to the universe where all fairy tales dare born.
Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.
Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2024
58 people are currently reading
4045 people want to read
About the author
Michaelbrent Collings
92 books660 followersOne of the most versatile writers around, Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he has also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
April 13, 2024
In a Nutshell: A middle-grade fantasy that combines the modern with the medieval, with a smattering of fairy tale components as well. A bit cluttered in its approach but has some amazing moments. Gets a bit dark, so not for sensitive kids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🍦 The twins: Contrasting characters, with Willow being an art and sports lover and Jake being a science and video game nerd. So between the two of them, they cover all the skillset needed by fantasy characters. Loved their sibling bond as well.
🍦 The other characters are also a mix of interesting and complicated. The twins’ dad with his “punny” jokes was hilarous. The fantasy characters seem to pay an ode to various beloved children’s stories even beyond fairy tales. The wicked teacher reminded me of Miss Trunchbull from Matilda while ‘Old Eli’ was like Doc from the ‘Back to the Future’ movies.
🍦 The story can be called a ‘fantasy for the nerds’, with many geeky scenes that delighted the inner nerd in me. The multiverse angle also is appealing. At the same time, I love how the book doesn’t elevate the nerds while criticising the “cool” kids such as musicians or sports lovers.
🍦 There are a few life lessons incorporated into the storyline. Some are subtle; the rest are direct. Almost all offer good advice.
🍦 The Grimm connection, as evident in the title and the siblings’ last name, is strong. I enjoyed the inclusion of the Grimm fairy tale elements, especially as these are as dark as the original tales and clearly dismiss the sanitised Disney versions.
🍦 The worldbuilding is fabulous. A bit too much for a single book, but still, very creative.
🍦 As someone who loves riddles, my favourite part of the story was the *challenge*. It was creative, thrilling, and the main reason my rating is rounded up.
🍦 The author's note is sweet and amusing. Enjoyed reading it!
🍦 A shoutout to that fabulous cover art!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍬 The title tells you that there is a “witch in the woods”. But to encounter this witch, you need to have a lot of patience because she doesn’t pop up until about 40% into the story.
🍬 The first half is a bit slow. Once the big reveal happens, the action amps up.
🍬 The darkness was great for me but some of the content might be too scary for younger or sensitive kids. Those comfortable with books such as Neil Gaiman’s Coraline will be able to manage this one easily.
🍬 The story feels somewhat cluttered and disjointed because of the number of varied plot points it tries to include. There is futuristic scifi, a nightmarish teacher, a medieval castle, a wicked witch, a riddle-based challenge, a talking animal, a multiverse, fairies, a time-jumping weirdo,… While some of these are handled well, having all in the same book is an overkill. The jump from sci-fi to medieval takes the most time to adjust to as it is almost instantaneous.
🍬 There is some foreshadowing in the initial part of the story, but I am not sure how I feel about it. It creates suspense but it also reveals major plot elements. I prefer foreshadowing to be softer in approach.
Bookish Nays:
🍭 Many plot points are left unexplained. This might be because this book is the first of a planned series, but the number of incomplete arcs is too many to be satisfactory. The ending is not exactly a cliffhanger, but it does tell us where the next book will take us. I hope it resolves the unanswered questions as well.
🍭 Personal preference: I don’t like MG books to talk about attractions and crushes. It is relatively minor in this book, but it is still annoying,
🍭 Why are there no illustrations in this book? MG fantasy books work so well with illustrations, and this one has plenty of illustrative opportunities because of that plotline.
All in all, a semi-satisfying experience. The first half was way too chaotic for my liking, but the second half, especially the challenge scenes, saved the book. I am still interested in reading the next volume of this series, mainly to answer my curiosity about how the incomplete tracks are resolved.
3.5 stars. (3 stars for the first half, 4 stars for the second half. Averaging the two and rounding up because a good ending is always better than a good beginning.)
My thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Witch in the Woods”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Twins Jake and Willow Grimm, almost 11, are moving to an isolated town called New Marburg as their parents have found a new “top-secret” job with a tech company known as “Think Tank.” They are stunned to see that the town, disconnected from all other places and not even on the map, is a futuristic place, with robots working as traffic cops and senior citizens indulging in lightning-sword battles for fitness.
However, the one place in New Marburg that is not at all modern is their new school, where, for some mysterious reason, their teacher hates them and does her best to make their lives miserable. Just as they wonder how to tackle this situation, there is a freak lightning storm, and their world changes… literally. The twins find themselves in a medieval castle, and their friends have been transformed into fairy tale characters, not necessarily good ones.
Now Jake and Willow have to figure out not just how to get home, but also how to rescue their best friends, who are Hansel and Gretel in this new world, and in the captivity of the wicked witch. Will Jake and Willow be able to navigate the Cursed Forest and save their friends? Will they be able to return home safely to their parents? What caused this upheaval of the universes?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspectives of the twins.
Bookish Yays:
🍦 The twins: Contrasting characters, with Willow being an art and sports lover and Jake being a science and video game nerd. So between the two of them, they cover all the skillset needed by fantasy characters. Loved their sibling bond as well.
🍦 The other characters are also a mix of interesting and complicated. The twins’ dad with his “punny” jokes was hilarous. The fantasy characters seem to pay an ode to various beloved children’s stories even beyond fairy tales. The wicked teacher reminded me of Miss Trunchbull from Matilda while ‘Old Eli’ was like Doc from the ‘Back to the Future’ movies.
🍦 The story can be called a ‘fantasy for the nerds’, with many geeky scenes that delighted the inner nerd in me. The multiverse angle also is appealing. At the same time, I love how the book doesn’t elevate the nerds while criticising the “cool” kids such as musicians or sports lovers.
🍦 There are a few life lessons incorporated into the storyline. Some are subtle; the rest are direct. Almost all offer good advice.
🍦 The Grimm connection, as evident in the title and the siblings’ last name, is strong. I enjoyed the inclusion of the Grimm fairy tale elements, especially as these are as dark as the original tales and clearly dismiss the sanitised Disney versions.
🍦 The worldbuilding is fabulous. A bit too much for a single book, but still, very creative.
🍦 As someone who loves riddles, my favourite part of the story was the *challenge*. It was creative, thrilling, and the main reason my rating is rounded up.
🍦 The author's note is sweet and amusing. Enjoyed reading it!
🍦 A shoutout to that fabulous cover art!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍬 The title tells you that there is a “witch in the woods”. But to encounter this witch, you need to have a lot of patience because she doesn’t pop up until about 40% into the story.
🍬 The first half is a bit slow. Once the big reveal happens, the action amps up.
🍬 The darkness was great for me but some of the content might be too scary for younger or sensitive kids. Those comfortable with books such as Neil Gaiman’s Coraline will be able to manage this one easily.
🍬 The story feels somewhat cluttered and disjointed because of the number of varied plot points it tries to include. There is futuristic scifi, a nightmarish teacher, a medieval castle, a wicked witch, a riddle-based challenge, a talking animal, a multiverse, fairies, a time-jumping weirdo,… While some of these are handled well, having all in the same book is an overkill. The jump from sci-fi to medieval takes the most time to adjust to as it is almost instantaneous.
🍬 There is some foreshadowing in the initial part of the story, but I am not sure how I feel about it. It creates suspense but it also reveals major plot elements. I prefer foreshadowing to be softer in approach.
Bookish Nays:
🍭 Many plot points are left unexplained. This might be because this book is the first of a planned series, but the number of incomplete arcs is too many to be satisfactory. The ending is not exactly a cliffhanger, but it does tell us where the next book will take us. I hope it resolves the unanswered questions as well.
🍭 Personal preference: I don’t like MG books to talk about attractions and crushes. It is relatively minor in this book, but it is still annoying,
🍭 Why are there no illustrations in this book? MG fantasy books work so well with illustrations, and this one has plenty of illustrative opportunities because of that plotline.
All in all, a semi-satisfying experience. The first half was way too chaotic for my liking, but the second half, especially the challenge scenes, saved the book. I am still interested in reading the next volume of this series, mainly to answer my curiosity about how the incomplete tracks are resolved.
3.5 stars. (3 stars for the first half, 4 stars for the second half. Averaging the two and rounding up because a good ending is always better than a good beginning.)
My thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Witch in the Woods”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
September 14, 2023
What a great tale! "The Witch in the Woods: Volume 1" by Michaelbrent Collings is a wonderful middle-grade fantasy story corresponding with the Grimm's stories. I love the Grimm's stories, so I was sold on the premise of this book. This is the first book in the series and a great start to it.
The book follows the adventures of the almost eleven-year-old twins, Willow and Jake Grimm, in the Grimmworld. When the twins' parents are offered a job at the Think Tank Company based in New Marburg, Idaho, they relocate there, but the kids aren't happy with the move. Meet the family:
* Pun-loving father named Phil, a quantum physicist.
* The mom, Dorothy, is a mechanical engineer and a genius inventor.
* Willow - a social kid. She loves to read fantasy and Sci-fi, easygoing, smart, athletic, artistic, and advantageous to boot.
* Jake - the quiet one and lacks confidence. He is kind, full of book smarts and science smarts, and has a good memory.
Even before they start the long drive to their new home, odd things start to occur. The twins are attacked by a weird man spitting garbage words. When they try to tell their parents, their parents ignore them. There are bizarre things in the new town as well, such as flying cars, talking robots, and other wonderful inventions they haven't seen before.
The twins start a new school and have to deal with a mean teacher who hates them for reasons unknown (at first) and makes their life a living hell. They befriend two kids, Hank and Pearl, and try to make the best of a worse situation. The plot thickens when their school turns into a medieval castle, the horrible hall monitor turns into a giant, and they are whisked into the world of tales, Grimmworld, into the story of Hansel and Gretel, no less. Thus starts a fantastic adventure featuring neat tidbits, a mysterious wizard, an evil witch, and a talking naked mole rat.
This book is the perfect example of why I love children's novels so much. It is creative and full of imagination, and, as with all fables, there is a moral at the end. I loved the puns and riddles and the twist the author took on the original tales. I also enjoyed the way the main characters grew and developed as the tale unfolded.
It is a beautifully written book with great world-building that captures the imagination of the reader from the first chapter. The technical explanation of the worlds slows up the pace a bit and should be shortened, as it interrupts the flow of the story. That was my only issue with the book.
Although written for children, it is also a delightful read for adults who are young at heart. The author certainly knows how to capture your imagination. I loved the book although I am not the target audience. The author ties most of the loose ends, but he ends the book with a cliffhanger. I would love to read the second book in the series when it is out. Anyone who loves fairy tales with a twist or fantasy adventure will enjoy reading this book.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
The book follows the adventures of the almost eleven-year-old twins, Willow and Jake Grimm, in the Grimmworld. When the twins' parents are offered a job at the Think Tank Company based in New Marburg, Idaho, they relocate there, but the kids aren't happy with the move. Meet the family:
* Pun-loving father named Phil, a quantum physicist.
* The mom, Dorothy, is a mechanical engineer and a genius inventor.
* Willow - a social kid. She loves to read fantasy and Sci-fi, easygoing, smart, athletic, artistic, and advantageous to boot.
* Jake - the quiet one and lacks confidence. He is kind, full of book smarts and science smarts, and has a good memory.
Even before they start the long drive to their new home, odd things start to occur. The twins are attacked by a weird man spitting garbage words. When they try to tell their parents, their parents ignore them. There are bizarre things in the new town as well, such as flying cars, talking robots, and other wonderful inventions they haven't seen before.
The twins start a new school and have to deal with a mean teacher who hates them for reasons unknown (at first) and makes their life a living hell. They befriend two kids, Hank and Pearl, and try to make the best of a worse situation. The plot thickens when their school turns into a medieval castle, the horrible hall monitor turns into a giant, and they are whisked into the world of tales, Grimmworld, into the story of Hansel and Gretel, no less. Thus starts a fantastic adventure featuring neat tidbits, a mysterious wizard, an evil witch, and a talking naked mole rat.
This book is the perfect example of why I love children's novels so much. It is creative and full of imagination, and, as with all fables, there is a moral at the end. I loved the puns and riddles and the twist the author took on the original tales. I also enjoyed the way the main characters grew and developed as the tale unfolded.
It is a beautifully written book with great world-building that captures the imagination of the reader from the first chapter. The technical explanation of the worlds slows up the pace a bit and should be shortened, as it interrupts the flow of the story. That was my only issue with the book.
Although written for children, it is also a delightful read for adults who are young at heart. The author certainly knows how to capture your imagination. I loved the book although I am not the target audience. The author ties most of the loose ends, but he ends the book with a cliffhanger. I would love to read the second book in the series when it is out. Anyone who loves fairy tales with a twist or fantasy adventure will enjoy reading this book.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
March 3, 2024
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: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Monster violence; cannibal witch
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
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: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Monster violence; cannibal witch
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
November 9, 2023
What a splendid book for readers of all ages! I loved the mix of modern-day science and old-school fairy tale magic which intertwine in this fantastic tale of two siblings who have to combine their individual strengths to overcome the evil witch in this retelling of the classic fairy tale.
It was heart-warming to see how Willow and Jake stood up for and believed in one another, giving each other the strength to go through with the mad challenges they have to face.
The plot is so complex I don't even know where to begin with describing it, but let me say I was amazed at the amount of crazy (the good kind of crazy, of course) ideas that build this new universe, where the real world collides with a parallel magic one called Grimm world. It is obvious that the author spend a lot of time figuring out the intricate details, making up a believable background history for the Grimm family and their well-known heritage. Some of the complex explanations seemed a bit challenging to understand, which I very much appreciated - kids are far more clever than a lot of people may think, so it's good to see there are books out there which challenge their minds and expand their imagination.
Instead of my usual bottom line, I dare to make three wishes: first, I wish this book to become a word-wide success, complete with movie rights and all. Second, which should be the logical conclusion: I wish for a sequel, or rather: lots of sequels! Third: I wish for a translation, so I can let my kid enjoy the book as well.
It was heart-warming to see how Willow and Jake stood up for and believed in one another, giving each other the strength to go through with the mad challenges they have to face.
The plot is so complex I don't even know where to begin with describing it, but let me say I was amazed at the amount of crazy (the good kind of crazy, of course) ideas that build this new universe, where the real world collides with a parallel magic one called Grimm world. It is obvious that the author spend a lot of time figuring out the intricate details, making up a believable background history for the Grimm family and their well-known heritage. Some of the complex explanations seemed a bit challenging to understand, which I very much appreciated - kids are far more clever than a lot of people may think, so it's good to see there are books out there which challenge their minds and expand their imagination.
Instead of my usual bottom line, I dare to make three wishes: first, I wish this book to become a word-wide success, complete with movie rights and all. Second, which should be the logical conclusion: I wish for a sequel, or rather: lots of sequels! Third: I wish for a translation, so I can let my kid enjoy the book as well.
March 4, 2024
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!
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!
October 21, 2023
The Witch in the Woods is the first book in the Grimmworld series by Michaelbrent Collings. The Witch in the Woods is unlike anything that Michaelbrent Collings has written before or at least anything that I have read. The Witch in the Woods grabbed my attention from the first page and never let up. There was not a dull moment to be had anywhere in the story.
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm grabbed my heart right away. I loved their personalities. When The Witch in the Woods begins Willow and Jake and their parents are on their way to a new life in a new town. Their troubles start before they even get out of their old home and start on the road to their new life.
Willow and Jake try their best to tell their parents about the man who was bothering them at their home but their parents either don’t hear them, aren’t listening, or ignoring them.
Willow and Jake have to move because their parents got a new job working at the top-secret Think Tank in New Marburg. Their parents are scientists. Willow and Jake are both very smart themselves.
Willow and Jake meet some new friends, Hank and Pearl, at their new school. Not long after they arrive at their new school strange and bizarre things start to happen all around them. Like their school turning into a castle. Wait, what?
Willow and Jake’s world has been turned upside down. What is happening? The world as they know it is no more. They have stepped into the world of fairy tales. Their new friends Hank and Pearl are now Hansel and Gretel. They have been captured by the evil witch who has locked them in a cage.
Can Willow and Jake save themselves and their friends not to mention the world before it is too late?
Grab a copy of The Witch in the Woods today to find out if they can beat the evil witch plus what is waiting for them in the Cursed Forest.
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm grabbed my heart right away. I loved their personalities. When The Witch in the Woods begins Willow and Jake and their parents are on their way to a new life in a new town. Their troubles start before they even get out of their old home and start on the road to their new life.
Willow and Jake try their best to tell their parents about the man who was bothering them at their home but their parents either don’t hear them, aren’t listening, or ignoring them.
Willow and Jake have to move because their parents got a new job working at the top-secret Think Tank in New Marburg. Their parents are scientists. Willow and Jake are both very smart themselves.
Willow and Jake meet some new friends, Hank and Pearl, at their new school. Not long after they arrive at their new school strange and bizarre things start to happen all around them. Like their school turning into a castle. Wait, what?
Willow and Jake’s world has been turned upside down. What is happening? The world as they know it is no more. They have stepped into the world of fairy tales. Their new friends Hank and Pearl are now Hansel and Gretel. They have been captured by the evil witch who has locked them in a cage.
Can Willow and Jake save themselves and their friends not to mention the world before it is too late?
Grab a copy of The Witch in the Woods today to find out if they can beat the evil witch plus what is waiting for them in the Cursed Forest.
October 10, 2023
This new book series is geared for the "young adult" reader, and the plot reminded my old self of a movie from 2005. I still enjoyed this book and will read any subsequent volumes. Read all the way through past the acknowledgments. The last section of the book will make you think, no matter your age.
October 20, 2023
I have read enough books by Michaelbrent Collings by now that it would be an understatement to call me a fan. A follower would be a better term, but those of us in the know - the ones that are blessed to recieved these ARCs - preffer to be called minions. That being said, I had some reservations about Grimmworld. The previous books that I have read by Michaelbrent have been adult oriented and verging on the edge of being Horror, which is my preferred genre. Books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Spiderwick Chronicles have never done anything for me. Thankfully though, it didn't take long for me to realize that Grimmworld was different. It had something to offer everyone, even an old Curmudgeon like myself.
Grimmworld is a real page-turner, and if I could get this enthused about it, I can only imagine how much fun someone from it's target audience would get out of it. I could easily see it in school libraries and on the big screen. And these days, everyone loves a series!
Grimmworld is available on March 5th. Do be a dear and pre-order it from Amozon today. It would be a shame to get all excited about it now, only to forget about it 5 months later! I have read enough books by Michaelbrent Collings by now that it would be an understatement to call me a fan. A follower would be a better term, but those of us in the know - the ones that are blessed to recieved these ARCs - preffer to be called minions. That being said, I had some reservations about Grimmworld. The previous books that I have read by Michaelbrent have been adult oriented and verging on the edge of being Horror, which is my preferred genre. Books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Spiderwick Chronicles have never done anything for me. Thankfully though, it didn't take long for me to realize that Grimmworld was different. It had something to offer everyone, even an old Curmudgeon like myself.
Grimmworld is a real page-turner, and if I could get this enthused about it, I can only imagine how much fun someone from it's target audience would get out of it. I could easily see it in school libraries and on the big screen. And these days, everyone loves a series!
Grimmworld is available on March 5th. Do be a dear and pre-order it from Amozon today. It would be a shame to get all excited about it now, only to forget about it 5 months later!
Grimmworld is a real page-turner, and if I could get this enthused about it, I can only imagine how much fun someone from it's target audience would get out of it. I could easily see it in school libraries and on the big screen. And these days, everyone loves a series!
Grimmworld is available on March 5th. Do be a dear and pre-order it from Amozon today. It would be a shame to get all excited about it now, only to forget about it 5 months later! I have read enough books by Michaelbrent Collings by now that it would be an understatement to call me a fan. A follower would be a better term, but those of us in the know - the ones that are blessed to recieved these ARCs - preffer to be called minions. That being said, I had some reservations about Grimmworld. The previous books that I have read by Michaelbrent have been adult oriented and verging on the edge of being Horror, which is my preferred genre. Books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Spiderwick Chronicles have never done anything for me. Thankfully though, it didn't take long for me to realize that Grimmworld was different. It had something to offer everyone, even an old Curmudgeon like myself.
Grimmworld is a real page-turner, and if I could get this enthused about it, I can only imagine how much fun someone from it's target audience would get out of it. I could easily see it in school libraries and on the big screen. And these days, everyone loves a series!
Grimmworld is available on March 5th. Do be a dear and pre-order it from Amozon today. It would be a shame to get all excited about it now, only to forget about it 5 months later!
December 31, 2023
Modern science meets old school magic in this fun middle grade adventure centering on 11-year-old twins Willow and Jake Grimm. Their parents are both scientists who get new jobs in a town called New Marburg in Idaho. The twins are not happy about being uprooted, and even less happy when weird things start happening like their car tire being slashed on the way there or not being able to put a nail in the wall of their new house to hang pictures. Even taping the pictures up doesn't work - the paint is impervious to everything.
But the worst part of New Marburg is school! The twins are stuck sitting off to the side in rickety old chairs while the rest of the class sits in normal desks. Their teacher, Mrs. Houseman, seems to hate them for no apparent reason, and the hall monitor is huge and picks Willow and Jake out for special harassment.
Then, one night there's a terrible storm and lightning strikes their house. The next day everything around them is transformed and the twins find themselves in Grimmworld, the source of all the old fairy tales. The only problem is, apparently the Grimm Brothers whitewashed everything and their really are no happily-ever-afters! The fairy tale characters just keep reliving the nightmares over and over again.
Lost and alone in the Cursed Forest, Willow and Jake just want to find their friends Hank and Pearl, who have somehow been transformed into Hansel and Gretel, and get back home. But their are scary creatures everywhere, unfamiliar magic all around them, and a scary witch who has it out for the twins. Is it really as impossible as it seems to rescue their friends? Will they be able to stay alive, let alone make it home to their family?
The world building and character development are excellent, as is the pacing. This book was a fun adventure story, with just enough action and suspense for the middle grade crowd. 5 enthusiastic stars!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
But the worst part of New Marburg is school! The twins are stuck sitting off to the side in rickety old chairs while the rest of the class sits in normal desks. Their teacher, Mrs. Houseman, seems to hate them for no apparent reason, and the hall monitor is huge and picks Willow and Jake out for special harassment.
Then, one night there's a terrible storm and lightning strikes their house. The next day everything around them is transformed and the twins find themselves in Grimmworld, the source of all the old fairy tales. The only problem is, apparently the Grimm Brothers whitewashed everything and their really are no happily-ever-afters! The fairy tale characters just keep reliving the nightmares over and over again.
Lost and alone in the Cursed Forest, Willow and Jake just want to find their friends Hank and Pearl, who have somehow been transformed into Hansel and Gretel, and get back home. But their are scary creatures everywhere, unfamiliar magic all around them, and a scary witch who has it out for the twins. Is it really as impossible as it seems to rescue their friends? Will they be able to stay alive, let alone make it home to their family?
The world building and character development are excellent, as is the pacing. This book was a fun adventure story, with just enough action and suspense for the middle grade crowd. 5 enthusiastic stars!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 10, 2024
The gorgeous cover of this novel immediately caught my eye, which will draw readers into the enchanting world of Grimmworld. Twins Willow and Jake Grimm, both 11 years old, are forced to relocate to a new state due to their parents' new job opportunities. As soon as they enter New Marburg, strange things begin to happen.
This fast-paced middle-grade story follows their journey as they discover new friends, terrifying monsters, and various magical beings. Their school undergoes an astonishing shift into a castle, all while they fend off creatures pursuing them.
The twins are descendants of the original Brothers Grimm. Willow and Jake are transported to Grimmworld, where fairy tales come to life. The siblings clash with sinister figures and need to work as a team to keep them safe, protect their friends, and possibly save the world. Through physical and mental challenges, they develop confidence, and bravery to help them overcome past struggles in their lives.
Filled with action, strange things, and suspense, the story keeps readers on edge, and excited to uncover what unfolds next. Ending with a cliffhanger, the story leaves you craving the sequel immediately. Middle-grade audiences will enjoy the fantastic blend of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Fairy Tales wonderfully crafted by Author Michaelbrent Collings in "The Witch in the Woods."
This fast-paced middle-grade story follows their journey as they discover new friends, terrifying monsters, and various magical beings. Their school undergoes an astonishing shift into a castle, all while they fend off creatures pursuing them.
The twins are descendants of the original Brothers Grimm. Willow and Jake are transported to Grimmworld, where fairy tales come to life. The siblings clash with sinister figures and need to work as a team to keep them safe, protect their friends, and possibly save the world. Through physical and mental challenges, they develop confidence, and bravery to help them overcome past struggles in their lives.
Filled with action, strange things, and suspense, the story keeps readers on edge, and excited to uncover what unfolds next. Ending with a cliffhanger, the story leaves you craving the sequel immediately. Middle-grade audiences will enjoy the fantastic blend of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Fairy Tales wonderfully crafted by Author Michaelbrent Collings in "The Witch in the Woods."
October 2, 2023
This had a feel of 'Coraline' in which two kids move to a new and odd town with their scientist parents. I loved the mystery ANF strangeness. It was fun and so intriguing. There were parts that slowed the story and were unnecessary.
April 5, 2024
Book Review for Grimmworld The Witch in the Woods
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Grimm fairy tales meet Fablehaven meet The Land of Stories
After accepting a job in a town in Idaho, the Grimm family moves there from LA. But this isn’t any ordinary town in Idaho. Flying cars, policebots, and a wicked teacher just to name a few. And people are disappearing and changing into characters from the Grimm fairy tales.
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are hated by said evil teacher, who fails them in every subject, test, and assignment for the silliest and dumbest reasons. Things continue to become stranger and stranger and when their school transforms into a castle and their friends and family disappear and are threatened by evil forces, can the twins save them?
What I loved:
Silly dad puns
Imaginative world building
Unique characters
Fun and engaging plot
Magic
Grimm fairy tale world crossover with real world
Looking for a fun fantasy read for your kids or yourself? Look no further! This middle grade fantasy was such a fun listen. I enjoyed the characters, the dad jokes were silly, the plot and magical world were unique, and the crossover between the real world and grimm’s fairy tale world was thrilling and intriguing. I couldn’t stop listening until the very end!
CW: mild violence, creature blood, no romance, a bit dark but with happy ending
TW: kidnapping
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Grimm fairy tales meet Fablehaven meet The Land of Stories
After accepting a job in a town in Idaho, the Grimm family moves there from LA. But this isn’t any ordinary town in Idaho. Flying cars, policebots, and a wicked teacher just to name a few. And people are disappearing and changing into characters from the Grimm fairy tales.
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are hated by said evil teacher, who fails them in every subject, test, and assignment for the silliest and dumbest reasons. Things continue to become stranger and stranger and when their school transforms into a castle and their friends and family disappear and are threatened by evil forces, can the twins save them?
What I loved:
Silly dad puns
Imaginative world building
Unique characters
Fun and engaging plot
Magic
Grimm fairy tale world crossover with real world
Looking for a fun fantasy read for your kids or yourself? Look no further! This middle grade fantasy was such a fun listen. I enjoyed the characters, the dad jokes were silly, the plot and magical world were unique, and the crossover between the real world and grimm’s fairy tale world was thrilling and intriguing. I couldn’t stop listening until the very end!
CW: mild violence, creature blood, no romance, a bit dark but with happy ending
TW: kidnapping
August 20, 2024
This is geared towards a younger audience but older folks will enjoy it too. You just have to manage expectations when it comes to things the characters say and do. Remember, they are kids. There are some tense moments so not for the super young. This is the first in a series and I will watch for the next book and likely read that too.
July 25, 2025
Fairy-tale Multiverse
Michaelbrent Collings' Grimmworld, Vol. 1: The Witch in the Woods is about twin brother and sister Jake and Willow Grimm. When the book begins they're unhappy because their parents have decided, against Jake and Willow's wishes, to move from Los Angeles to New Marburg, Idaho. Said parents are an engineer (Mom) and a quantum physicist from the Novelist's Catalog of Standard Characters (Dad). In New Marburg they stumble into Grimmworld, a kind of multiverse collision, in which fairy tales (like those collected by the Grimm brothers -- get it?) are real. It is, of course, not coincidence that Jake and Willow's family name is Grimm.
I'm sorry to say I didn't love it, but I have hope that subsequent installments in the series may be better. There were two things I didn't like. The first is that the first 60% of the book is spent introducing us to the world, and it is confusing and chaotic. I wish Collings had saved some of the world-building for subsequent books. The second is that Jake and Willow's relationship felt inauthentic to me. For instance, here's a conversation they have
In summary, I was disappointed by The Witch in the Woods, but I hope the next installment will be better -- the world-building is mostly done now -- and I plan to read it.
Blog review.
Michaelbrent Collings' Grimmworld, Vol. 1: The Witch in the Woods is about twin brother and sister Jake and Willow Grimm. When the book begins they're unhappy because their parents have decided, against Jake and Willow's wishes, to move from Los Angeles to New Marburg, Idaho. Said parents are an engineer (Mom) and a quantum physicist from the Novelist's Catalog of Standard Characters (Dad). In New Marburg they stumble into Grimmworld, a kind of multiverse collision, in which fairy tales (like those collected by the Grimm brothers -- get it?) are real. It is, of course, not coincidence that Jake and Willow's family name is Grimm.
I'm sorry to say I didn't love it, but I have hope that subsequent installments in the series may be better. There were two things I didn't like. The first is that the first 60% of the book is spent introducing us to the world, and it is confusing and chaotic. I wish Collings had saved some of the world-building for subsequent books. The second is that Jake and Willow's relationship felt inauthentic to me. For instance, here's a conversation they have
Jake looked genuinely confused, like he wasn’t sure how to answer the question. “I know I’m smart. But so are you. And you’re strong and funny and cool. People like you, Will.” Jake shook his head. “I’ve never had that, and never understood it. But I do envy it.”Now here, for comparison is a brother/sister conversation as imagined by James Thurber
Willow’s gaze bored into him. “You know, I changed my mind. I don’t want a wand that lets you see yourself through my eyes. I want one that lets you see yourself through everyone’s eyes. Everyone who thinks you’re amazing, who wishes they had one-tenth of your smarts, or one-hundredth of your kindness.”
Sister, who is twenty-one, and who goes around with a number of young men whom her brother frankly regards as pussycats, is sitting by the fire one evening reading André Gide, or Photoplay, or something. Brother, who is eighteen, enters. “Where’s Mom?” he asks. “How should I know?” she snaps. “Thought you might know that, Stupid. Y’ought to know something,” he snaps back. Sister continues to read, but she is obviously annoyed by the presence of her brother; he is chewing gum, making a strange, cracking noise every fifth chew, and this gets on her nerves. “Why don’t you spit out that damn gum?” she asks, finally.I leave it to those of you have have brothers and sisters to decide which of these conversations sounds more like a real conversation a brother and sister might have.
-- "Pythagoras and the Ladder", James Thurber
In summary, I was disappointed by The Witch in the Woods, but I hope the next installment will be better -- the world-building is mostly done now -- and I plan to read it.
Blog review.
February 25, 2025
Fun middle grade book that starts a series about a brother and sister, their parents and a fantastically wild adventure that they enter into when the parents move them to a small unknown town for work. They have to be quick to adjust to what their minds are telling them isn't real, otherwise they might not survive!
I think this will be a hit with middle grade readers or late elementary aged readers. I had a fun time listening to the audiobook of it! Then I jumped right into the second book (I had an early copy).
If you enjoy fantasy, fairytale retellings, humorous characters, a little fun suspense and riddles and puzzles, this will be one you won't want to miss.
Content: Some mild suspenseful moments but nothing overly graphic.
I listened to the audiobook on a subscription platform that I have.
Happy Reading!!!
I think this will be a hit with middle grade readers or late elementary aged readers. I had a fun time listening to the audiobook of it! Then I jumped right into the second book (I had an early copy).
If you enjoy fantasy, fairytale retellings, humorous characters, a little fun suspense and riddles and puzzles, this will be one you won't want to miss.
Content: Some mild suspenseful moments but nothing overly graphic.
I listened to the audiobook on a subscription platform that I have.
Happy Reading!!!
March 4, 2024
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.
September 24, 2023
This was a fun fantasy story. It had a simplicity about it that I enjoyed - nothing elaborate or fancy, just an entertaining story. I really liked the general design of the book too - the fonts, and the striking cover. This did remind me a little bit of a Neil Gaiman book, so I wonder if fans of his books would like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
September 17, 2023
Fun and interesting read! I loved reading this with my daughter who really got into the plot line and characters.
I just reviewed The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings. #TheWitchintheWoods #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
I just reviewed The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings. #TheWitchintheWoods #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
March 4, 2024
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.
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2023
Fairytale meets horror in this epic middle-grade novel. You can tell that Michaelbrent Collins has experience in the horror genre because the witch was a thing of nightmares. But first things first.
Blurb:
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.
Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins' house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle--complete with a moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school's overly aggressive hall monitor.
Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born.
Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well.
But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.
Now, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe--just maybe--save the world.
Mindexplosion! But not at first. Initially, I was confused about the focus on science in this book. I thought: “How can this story turn into the tale of fighting a witch?” But then lightning struck and everything changed. This story was an epic tale, wonderfully and scarily told by Michaelbrent Collins. I loved the twin dynamic, the love-hate between the two of them. Although sometimes I thought Jake went a bit overboard with his affirmation for his sister. They had each other’s backs and couldn’t have survived a second without each other in Grimmworld. The story was packed with suspense and riddles, that made me turn page after page till late into the night. I can’t wait for the Grimms to continue their tale in book two.
Blurb:
Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.
Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins' house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle--complete with a moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school's overly aggressive hall monitor.
Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born.
Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well.
But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.
Now, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe--just maybe--save the world.
Mindexplosion! But not at first. Initially, I was confused about the focus on science in this book. I thought: “How can this story turn into the tale of fighting a witch?” But then lightning struck and everything changed. This story was an epic tale, wonderfully and scarily told by Michaelbrent Collins. I loved the twin dynamic, the love-hate between the two of them. Although sometimes I thought Jake went a bit overboard with his affirmation for his sister. They had each other’s backs and couldn’t have survived a second without each other in Grimmworld. The story was packed with suspense and riddles, that made me turn page after page till late into the night. I can’t wait for the Grimms to continue their tale in book two.
September 30, 2024
We picked this book with my boys to listen during our long commute.
The book is brilliant. Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this middle school book so much. Somewhat dark, fairytale interpretation, challenges and brilliant world of stories. All of us really enjoyed it .
Looking forward to the next one …
The book is brilliant. Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this middle school book so much. Somewhat dark, fairytale interpretation, challenges and brilliant world of stories. All of us really enjoyed it .
Looking forward to the next one …
April 27, 2025
More for a teenage / YA reader but not a bad story
March 5, 2024
*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 blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
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 blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
May 17, 2024
I felt like I was visiting worlds like Grimm (the TV show), Harry Potter (that speaks for itself), and Stephen Henning’s Class Heroes series. So much fun for me, so I feel middle graders would love to go on fantasy adventures with the twins, Willow and Jake. And, how about that amazing cover created by Alexander Jansson. I have an affinity to trees, so it speaks to me.
I am very familiar with Michaelbrent Collings’ thrillers, and I am a huge fan of his. This is a step outside his normal genre, but all I had to do was read the blurb to put a smile on my face. With his ability to spin fantastic stories, I anticipate an entertaining read. Good writing is good writing, so the fact this is middle grade fantasy instead of a dark and dangerous thriller, doesn’t put me off in the slightest. I feel Grimmworld will be easy to read, so I can relax and enjoy the fun.
Willow and Jack Grimm are twins, living in Los Angeles and they are happy with their lives. Their parents tell them they will be moving to New Marburg, Idaho. What? From glitzy glamorous Los Angeles, their friends, the beach, the library, to a town only a select few have ever heard of, will be a huge adjustment.
Their parents are scientists and will be working at the Tank. It’s all very hush hush.
I love that Willow and Jack are friends as well as siblings. They are opposites, that complement their abilities, which they will need when they enter their new world. The combination of their skills will allow them to overcome the obstacles put in their path. Their teacher seems to have it out for them. What a way to start their new life.
Things and people are not always what they appear to be and first impressions and assumptions can be misleading, as with Mr Eli.
Of course, we have the age old question, just because you can do it, should you?
I love that Willow and Jack are Grimmwalkers. I have been watching Grimm on TV and it allowed me to let Michaelbrent Collings stretch my imagination and travel to Grimmworld with him and the kids. We have monsters of every persuasion, fairies and witches and more.
“The Brothers Grimm weren’t ‘fairy tale guys.’ They were Grimmwalkers like me…People who see the truth…”
You will never look at mushrooms the same way.
Instead of a chip on her shoulder, Willow has a cricket. LOL
I love a book that allows me to let my imagination run wild and be there in the moment. I love to let an author take me wherever they want me to go, see what they want me to see and Michaelbrent Collings has that ability. I loved being in his magical world as he brought it and the characters to life with his mad writing skills. The impossible becomes possible in The Witch in the Woods of Grimmworld.
The first adventure into Grimmworld, The Witch In The Woods by Michaelbrent Collings, may be over, but Willow and Jack have a new reason to return…….
At the end of the book is a Reading Guide and Discussion Questions.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
I am very familiar with Michaelbrent Collings’ thrillers, and I am a huge fan of his. This is a step outside his normal genre, but all I had to do was read the blurb to put a smile on my face. With his ability to spin fantastic stories, I anticipate an entertaining read. Good writing is good writing, so the fact this is middle grade fantasy instead of a dark and dangerous thriller, doesn’t put me off in the slightest. I feel Grimmworld will be easy to read, so I can relax and enjoy the fun.
Willow and Jack Grimm are twins, living in Los Angeles and they are happy with their lives. Their parents tell them they will be moving to New Marburg, Idaho. What? From glitzy glamorous Los Angeles, their friends, the beach, the library, to a town only a select few have ever heard of, will be a huge adjustment.
Their parents are scientists and will be working at the Tank. It’s all very hush hush.
I love that Willow and Jack are friends as well as siblings. They are opposites, that complement their abilities, which they will need when they enter their new world. The combination of their skills will allow them to overcome the obstacles put in their path. Their teacher seems to have it out for them. What a way to start their new life.
Things and people are not always what they appear to be and first impressions and assumptions can be misleading, as with Mr Eli.
Of course, we have the age old question, just because you can do it, should you?
I love that Willow and Jack are Grimmwalkers. I have been watching Grimm on TV and it allowed me to let Michaelbrent Collings stretch my imagination and travel to Grimmworld with him and the kids. We have monsters of every persuasion, fairies and witches and more.
“The Brothers Grimm weren’t ‘fairy tale guys.’ They were Grimmwalkers like me…People who see the truth…”
You will never look at mushrooms the same way.
Instead of a chip on her shoulder, Willow has a cricket. LOL
I love a book that allows me to let my imagination run wild and be there in the moment. I love to let an author take me wherever they want me to go, see what they want me to see and Michaelbrent Collings has that ability. I loved being in his magical world as he brought it and the characters to life with his mad writing skills. The impossible becomes possible in The Witch in the Woods of Grimmworld.
The first adventure into Grimmworld, The Witch In The Woods by Michaelbrent Collings, may be over, but Willow and Jack have a new reason to return…….
At the end of the book is a Reading Guide and Discussion Questions.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
March 7, 2024
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and ShadowMountain for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2024
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.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
November 26, 2023
This middle grade fairytale story is full of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. It’s a little bit of everything that I enjoy reading. I will say that this leans more toward dark horror than I thought it would, so it would be more suitable for middle graders and up, not elementary kids, in my opinion. It got pretty creepy and eerie for a kid’s book. The kids face danger around every corner, and they constantly have to work together to defeat the evil witch.
Overall, I found the story very creative and imaginative, dark yet hopeful, and suspenseful yet heartwarming. I’ll admit, it took me until about 25-30% before I fully committed to this story and could get into it. But, then it really took off and was quite the action-packed, magical adventure. The writing is rich with details and really immerses you in the different worlds.
When Jake, Willow, and their parents moved to New Marburg, I was shocked to see how sci-fi the town is (reminded me a little of the old cartoon, The Jetsons), but it was fun to see the weird and bizarre scenes and people. It made me curious about this place and I wanted to know and see more. I wished they explored the town a bit more.
The first part of the book is in our world, and it kept me guessing the whole time. I was very curious to know more about this strange new town as well as what was going on because there was a lot of strange behavior happening with most of the adults, including their parents. It was definitely a page-turner once I got into it.
Then, in the second part of the book, we’re in Grimmworld, which is a very magical and fantastical place. However, the explanations about the different universes and all the science talk were a bit of a brain teaser. It was a little confusing and hard to understand for me as an adult, so I could see a child having a bit of a difficult time with those scenes. But it was still very intriguing and creative.
I enjoyed learning how the two main kids were descendants of the Brothers Grimm and how it turned into a family adventure. There is a lot of care and love between the two siblings. The character development goes pretty deep into their feelings and struggles in their daily lives, but then we see how much they both look up to each other and focus on each other’s strengths when they both focus on their own weaknesses. There were some very touching moments between brother and sister that tugged at my heartstrings. There is definitely familial bonding during this adventure. I loved seeing their relationship grow stronger.
While in GrimmWorld, we see a unique take on the fairytale, Hansel and Gretel. We meet the witch, who keeps the children as prisoners in her candy house. The challenges the witch puts the kids through are interesting, but I wish there was more to them. I wish they were bigger and more action-packed. But I enjoyed the puzzles, riddles, and games they had to play. They really made you think. In fact, this entire book really makes you think!
I also wish we explored the forest and GrimmWorld more, but hopefully, there will be more adventures in this universe. I had a good time with this book. It looks like it’s the first book in a series. I would be interested in reading book two if it comes out. Definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
Overall, I found the story very creative and imaginative, dark yet hopeful, and suspenseful yet heartwarming. I’ll admit, it took me until about 25-30% before I fully committed to this story and could get into it. But, then it really took off and was quite the action-packed, magical adventure. The writing is rich with details and really immerses you in the different worlds.
When Jake, Willow, and their parents moved to New Marburg, I was shocked to see how sci-fi the town is (reminded me a little of the old cartoon, The Jetsons), but it was fun to see the weird and bizarre scenes and people. It made me curious about this place and I wanted to know and see more. I wished they explored the town a bit more.
The first part of the book is in our world, and it kept me guessing the whole time. I was very curious to know more about this strange new town as well as what was going on because there was a lot of strange behavior happening with most of the adults, including their parents. It was definitely a page-turner once I got into it.
Then, in the second part of the book, we’re in Grimmworld, which is a very magical and fantastical place. However, the explanations about the different universes and all the science talk were a bit of a brain teaser. It was a little confusing and hard to understand for me as an adult, so I could see a child having a bit of a difficult time with those scenes. But it was still very intriguing and creative.
I enjoyed learning how the two main kids were descendants of the Brothers Grimm and how it turned into a family adventure. There is a lot of care and love between the two siblings. The character development goes pretty deep into their feelings and struggles in their daily lives, but then we see how much they both look up to each other and focus on each other’s strengths when they both focus on their own weaknesses. There were some very touching moments between brother and sister that tugged at my heartstrings. There is definitely familial bonding during this adventure. I loved seeing their relationship grow stronger.
While in GrimmWorld, we see a unique take on the fairytale, Hansel and Gretel. We meet the witch, who keeps the children as prisoners in her candy house. The challenges the witch puts the kids through are interesting, but I wish there was more to them. I wish they were bigger and more action-packed. But I enjoyed the puzzles, riddles, and games they had to play. They really made you think. In fact, this entire book really makes you think!
I also wish we explored the forest and GrimmWorld more, but hopefully, there will be more adventures in this universe. I had a good time with this book. It looks like it’s the first book in a series. I would be interested in reading book two if it comes out. Definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
November 21, 2023
I recently read Grimmworld The Witch in the Woods by Michaelbrent Collings. What if things that you thought were just childhood stories were actually true? That is the premise for this book. Willow and Jake Grimm are twins. Their lives were thrust into turmoil when they move to a new area as their parents accept jobs at a top secret Think Tank. The town, New Marburg, is far different from anything they've experienced. The police are charming robots, older people fight with swords made of lasers, their car parks itself, their house walls won't hold pictures and terrible storms with lightning abounds. When they go to their new school, they are surprised to find it all very low tech; except for the cafeteria which moves between floors. Their class is taught by a horrible woman who detests them and treats them terribly. Willow and Jack count themselves as lucky to make two friends, a boy and girl, who they are surprised to learn are the children of their disliked teacher. One day, after a particularly violent storm, the twins find their school has been transformed into a castle and they and their friends have been transported to another world. Grimmworld is the place from which Grimm's fairy tales originate; where they are real. While exploring this bizarre place, they discover that their friends have become Hansel and Gretel! Willow and Jack must save them from being eaten by the witch and find a way back home.
I usually don't read fantasy, but I couldn't resist this storyline. I was enraptured by this book. The writing is absolutely wonderful. This is a children's/young adult's book, recommended for 8-11 year old readers. Forget that! This is a wonderful novel for adults too...a creative thriller about children. Besides the stellar writing, the story pulls you in, rich in details and description. You will feel transported to each setting; so vivid you will feel the darkness of the woods, smell the cinnamon of the witch's house and see the children as they experience it all. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book. It will leave you wanting more. Amazon lists this as volume one, I will be the first to buy each additional book, anxious to rekindle the deep affection I already feel for the Grimm twins.
Now for the bad news, this novel isn't available until March 5, 2024. I strongly suggest you preorder it for your children and yourself. In case you forget, I'll remind you in a couple of months. The enchanting Grimmworld The Witch in the Woods is spellbinding and should not be missed!
Many thanks to the author Michaelbrent Collings and Cameron, his assistant. This book was the highlight of my week and I am in awe. Thank you!
I usually don't read fantasy, but I couldn't resist this storyline. I was enraptured by this book. The writing is absolutely wonderful. This is a children's/young adult's book, recommended for 8-11 year old readers. Forget that! This is a wonderful novel for adults too...a creative thriller about children. Besides the stellar writing, the story pulls you in, rich in details and description. You will feel transported to each setting; so vivid you will feel the darkness of the woods, smell the cinnamon of the witch's house and see the children as they experience it all. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book. It will leave you wanting more. Amazon lists this as volume one, I will be the first to buy each additional book, anxious to rekindle the deep affection I already feel for the Grimm twins.
Now for the bad news, this novel isn't available until March 5, 2024. I strongly suggest you preorder it for your children and yourself. In case you forget, I'll remind you in a couple of months. The enchanting Grimmworld The Witch in the Woods is spellbinding and should not be missed!
Many thanks to the author Michaelbrent Collings and Cameron, his assistant. This book was the highlight of my week and I am in awe. Thank you!
Read
December 1, 2025I know there are supposed to be lessons in children’s’ fiction but phew!
TL; DR: A futuristic/anti futuristic reimagining of the Brothers Grimm tales that relies heavily on its darker aspects thrives in its interpretation of the source material, but forgets about some sillier, less important things like plot and characters.
I like Grimm retellings, they’re rather a weakness of mine ever since I was a child, and series like Sisters Grimm really bring that to the forefront for me. This does a great job of adapting the darker aspects of the stories and putting them into the story of these twins. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do the rest of the story justice and novelty, or rather anti-novelty, can only take you so far.
Characters: I didn’t enjoy them; this had what I would say is the cardinal sin of a lot of children’s books, what I call Saturday morning cartoon syndrome. In a lot of children’s cartoons, you have a half an hour to make someone learn a lesson; that’s not much time when you’re also supposed to have a conflict, an intro, and likely other characters introduced, so there’s a lot of emotional whiplash that goes on in those. There, I can forgive it due to time constraints. Here, not so much. It’s a three hundred page book, you had plenty of time to get each and every cog turning and I still felt strained to believe the rapid mood changes. That was a huge hurdle for me and, while my grade and opinion has gone up since I started the book, this is the biggest gripe I had with characters. Otherwise, I just wish there were more of other side characters; they were fun and interesting, but I didn’t get enough of them. I’m sure they’ll show up in future novels.
Setting: The town is neat, but I’m not sure I was fully sold on it; the Grimmworlds were ok, but same as I said before. The MINOR SPOILER multiverse idea is one I am just so dang sick of.
Story: It’s ok; not as fleshed out as I like, but I’m sure it will be expanded in the future. I just couldn’t bring myself to care too much, which is hard because I can usually sell myself at least a little bit in children’s stories, but I just couldn’t here.
Writing: Everything was so dang dramatic, especially the dad joke scenes. Good grief, I know kids are dramatic too, but I think even they would have a hard time with this.
If you couldn’t tell, not my favorite book; I don’t think I’ll continue the series, but it’s always nice to have people bringing the Grimm fairy tales back to the forefront in all their glory. I see this as an Illumination Entertainment book: nothing of substance, but flashy and clippable enough that the kids will absorb it just fine.
2.2 🌟
TL; DR: A futuristic/anti futuristic reimagining of the Brothers Grimm tales that relies heavily on its darker aspects thrives in its interpretation of the source material, but forgets about some sillier, less important things like plot and characters.
I like Grimm retellings, they’re rather a weakness of mine ever since I was a child, and series like Sisters Grimm really bring that to the forefront for me. This does a great job of adapting the darker aspects of the stories and putting them into the story of these twins. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do the rest of the story justice and novelty, or rather anti-novelty, can only take you so far.
Characters: I didn’t enjoy them; this had what I would say is the cardinal sin of a lot of children’s books, what I call Saturday morning cartoon syndrome. In a lot of children’s cartoons, you have a half an hour to make someone learn a lesson; that’s not much time when you’re also supposed to have a conflict, an intro, and likely other characters introduced, so there’s a lot of emotional whiplash that goes on in those. There, I can forgive it due to time constraints. Here, not so much. It’s a three hundred page book, you had plenty of time to get each and every cog turning and I still felt strained to believe the rapid mood changes. That was a huge hurdle for me and, while my grade and opinion has gone up since I started the book, this is the biggest gripe I had with characters. Otherwise, I just wish there were more of other side characters; they were fun and interesting, but I didn’t get enough of them. I’m sure they’ll show up in future novels.
Setting: The town is neat, but I’m not sure I was fully sold on it; the Grimmworlds were ok, but same as I said before. The MINOR SPOILER multiverse idea is one I am just so dang sick of.
Story: It’s ok; not as fleshed out as I like, but I’m sure it will be expanded in the future. I just couldn’t bring myself to care too much, which is hard because I can usually sell myself at least a little bit in children’s stories, but I just couldn’t here.
Writing: Everything was so dang dramatic, especially the dad joke scenes. Good grief, I know kids are dramatic too, but I think even they would have a hard time with this.
If you couldn’t tell, not my favorite book; I don’t think I’ll continue the series, but it’s always nice to have people bringing the Grimm fairy tales back to the forefront in all their glory. I see this as an Illumination Entertainment book: nothing of substance, but flashy and clippable enough that the kids will absorb it just fine.
2.2 🌟
January 25, 2024
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!
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!
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