Dark Fairy Tales: Stories from Around the World

by Viktor Wynd, Luciana Nedelea (Illustrator)

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Viktor Wynd is an artist, author, lecturer, impresario and committee member of The London Institute of 'Pataphysics.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

These are definitely dark fairy tales, but are they any worse than the original Grimm fairy tales? Probably not. Seriously, it wouldn't surprise me if Disney found some way to take one of these and make it into a new movie. They love taking the worst fairy tales and making them into cute children's stories. Not sure why.

Would recommend, just know that like the title lets you know, these are cute fairy tales. Don't want to read them to little kids.

[lfthndofdrknss · Rating 3 out of 5]

received as a NetGalley arc in exchange for an honest review

This was a good mix of stories from around the world. I liked learning about magic systems, mythology, and religions I'm not familiar with. However, I was hoping for more from this anthology. Although the stories are dark, they're presented in a quiet silly and cursory manner. I know this style of writing will hit for some but I was hoping for something a little darker or with the depth of stories like the Stinky Cheese Man.

The illustrations are beautiful, placed well, and extremely detailed. I'm glad they're included and found they drew attention to certain aspects of each story.

[Valpopress Bookstore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gather round, adults, for there are stories to be told. There are terrifying, magical, enlightening feats to be had. Grab your finest shroud or blankets, huddle close, and as we begin to delve into this delicious book of fairy tales that are definitely not suitable for children. This book is extremely well written and deserves to be read aloud over and over to audiences for years to come.