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Just Off The Path
Hansel never asked to be a hero. He never wanted to fall in love with Rapunzel, Queen of the East. He didn’t ask to be raised by Gothel the Wretch, and he certainly never wanted to be credited for her arrest. But more than any of that, Hansel never wanted to lie: but he did. He lied about everything. He thought that he was done with it all when he and his sister Gretel retreated into the woods to reclaim their land, but he should have known better.
Years later, Rapunzel’s guards knock at his door, and they say the words he hoped that he would never hear: Gothel has escaped. As he and Gretel take refuge inside Rapunzel’s castle in the eastern capitol of Hildebrand, Hansel is thrust back into everything he never wanted in the first place: his lies, his legend, and his lust. In the wake of it all, he knows that Gothel has escaped to finish what she started. She is out to make sure that the Sleeping Beauty never wakes, and that Grimm suffocates under her blanket of thorn and vine. In order to find Gothel and save the kingdom, Hansel and Gretel must look for fact in a land of fairy-tale by following a trail of grisly murders, a girl in a red cape, and a powerful little man who can’t stand the sound of his own name.
As they search for answers, Hansel finds that he isn’t the only liar in Grimm, and that there may be a traitor among them of royal proportion.
Will be available later this year.
Years later, Rapunzel’s guards knock at his door, and they say the words he hoped that he would never hear: Gothel has escaped. As he and Gretel take refuge inside Rapunzel’s castle in the eastern capitol of Hildebrand, Hansel is thrust back into everything he never wanted in the first place: his lies, his legend, and his lust. In the wake of it all, he knows that Gothel has escaped to finish what she started. She is out to make sure that the Sleeping Beauty never wakes, and that Grimm suffocates under her blanket of thorn and vine. In order to find Gothel and save the kingdom, Hansel and Gretel must look for fact in a land of fairy-tale by following a trail of grisly murders, a girl in a red cape, and a powerful little man who can’t stand the sound of his own name.
As they search for answers, Hansel finds that he isn’t the only liar in Grimm, and that there may be a traitor among them of royal proportion.
Will be available later this year.
Unknown Binding
First published May 22, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 15, 2017
Many thanks to Weston Sullivan, Fire Quill Publishing, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I admit it; I'm a Lost Boy. I've never really grown up. And I LOVE anything to do with fairy tales. But Sullivan's book did not settle well with me. It's a personal issue I'm having with the premise, not anything that is inherently wrong with the story, although the author does seem to have a raging case of comma-itis. The plot was just so mirthless, so sinister, and so malignant that I was depressed the entire time I read it. Nothing positive happens. I realize that true Grimm fairy tales were rather grim lessons, but come on, lighten up just a little. I was never so glad to finish a book in my whole life.
Objectively it's a very well constructed story. Character development is strong. Plot is easy to follow and isn't strung out. Resolution is acceptable and some may not see it coming. But I just finished the tale feeling quite unsatisfied. Sorry
Summer Fantasy Fest read #17
I admit it; I'm a Lost Boy. I've never really grown up. And I LOVE anything to do with fairy tales. But Sullivan's book did not settle well with me. It's a personal issue I'm having with the premise, not anything that is inherently wrong with the story, although the author does seem to have a raging case of comma-itis. The plot was just so mirthless, so sinister, and so malignant that I was depressed the entire time I read it. Nothing positive happens. I realize that true Grimm fairy tales were rather grim lessons, but come on, lighten up just a little. I was never so glad to finish a book in my whole life.
Objectively it's a very well constructed story. Character development is strong. Plot is easy to follow and isn't strung out. Resolution is acceptable and some may not see it coming. But I just finished the tale feeling quite unsatisfied. Sorry
Summer Fantasy Fest read #17
September 22, 2017
#8 on my TBR for #ARCAugust tag.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to the world of Grimm, and the far-off realms of Camelot, and Neverland.
If you ever wanted a book that included all of your favorite fairy tale characters, this just may be the read for you!
There are sightings of: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Cap (or Riding Hood) AKA Ceara and The Wolf, (as disgusting as ever), Rapunzel, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and so many more! There's just one...hitch--not every character in this tale is how we have all come to know and love them.
The story starts out with an enticing backstory, rich in its imagery to set the stage for the rest of the tale.
We follow the story of Hansel and Gretel, who are a part of a world steeped in the "folkloric" history of their nation. While the rightful ruler of Grimm, sleeping beauty Briar Rose, has been cursed and asleep for one hundred years, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Cinderella have been designated as rulers of their own individual realms. When an enemy from the past reappears after being locked away, all havoc breaks loose; friends become traitors, truth-tellers become liars, selfless characters become swayed by their own personal agendas. In an attempt to fight against the evil force, the three queens attempt to join forces to vanquish Gothel, but without avail. The turmoils of their own relationships, nations, and scheming get in the way of building an alliance together.
The way that this book started out, I knew I was in for a dark retelling. After reading so many retellings from a female perspective, it was interesting to see it from the other side of the coin. However, Hansel's musing of a female counterpart were a bit graphic and, for lack of a better term, foreign. Other than that, he really didn't have much else to think or say. He was naked a lot and always had to make sure that the reader knew when he was naked.
Nearly all of the characters could have used more dimension. While some stayed true to their character, others tried to derail their stereotypical traits to change the tides of the story--and it didn't work out as planned. Had the characters had more substance to them, it would have added so much more to the plot and each person so that they wouldn't be so transparent in their plans.
I felt that the book itself was broken up into three sections that weren't able to come together. There is this haunting, lyrical backstory about the mirror, but it is never really given a chance to shine again. The body of the text is a mishmash of things happening which...kept happening...and the characters are still running around not figuring out who's behind the scheming...when it is downright obvious. Thanks, Hansel, for being a boy who thinks that a pretty girl cannot do something against her better judgement. Really?
The ending was rushed and definitely didn't flow as well as the previous "sections".
With all of that said, I thought that the premise itself was brilliant, it just needed better execution and more detail. I felt this book was scratching at the surface of a brilliant. plot beneath.
Vulgarity: None that I recall?
Sexual content: Moderate. This may be towards the New Adult spectrum.
Violence: Some.
2 stars.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Now, the mirror couldn't sleep. It was left alone, halved, and halved, and halved again by her jealousy. It sat awake for years, predicting nothing, repeating everything. It was broken, and it awaited the awakening, the reckoning, the punishment--the world is in pieces, the man is in pieces, and the mirror? She is in pieces.
Welcome to the world of Grimm, and the far-off realms of Camelot, and Neverland.
If you ever wanted a book that included all of your favorite fairy tale characters, this just may be the read for you!
There are sightings of: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Cap (or Riding Hood) AKA Ceara and The Wolf, (as disgusting as ever), Rapunzel, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and so many more! There's just one...hitch--not every character in this tale is how we have all come to know and love them.
The story starts out with an enticing backstory, rich in its imagery to set the stage for the rest of the tale.
We follow the story of Hansel and Gretel, who are a part of a world steeped in the "folkloric" history of their nation. While the rightful ruler of Grimm, sleeping beauty Briar Rose, has been cursed and asleep for one hundred years, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Cinderella have been designated as rulers of their own individual realms. When an enemy from the past reappears after being locked away, all havoc breaks loose; friends become traitors, truth-tellers become liars, selfless characters become swayed by their own personal agendas. In an attempt to fight against the evil force, the three queens attempt to join forces to vanquish Gothel, but without avail. The turmoils of their own relationships, nations, and scheming get in the way of building an alliance together.
Grimm runs rampant with fairytales. But that's what makes Gothel evil--the fact that she is the only one out of all of us who is willing to tell the truth. She is a villain because she is honest. Isn't that ironic?
The way that this book started out, I knew I was in for a dark retelling. After reading so many retellings from a female perspective, it was interesting to see it from the other side of the coin. However, Hansel's musing of a female counterpart were a bit graphic and, for lack of a better term, foreign. Other than that, he really didn't have much else to think or say. He was naked a lot and always had to make sure that the reader knew when he was naked.
Nearly all of the characters could have used more dimension. While some stayed true to their character, others tried to derail their stereotypical traits to change the tides of the story--and it didn't work out as planned. Had the characters had more substance to them, it would have added so much more to the plot and each person so that they wouldn't be so transparent in their plans.
I felt that the book itself was broken up into three sections that weren't able to come together. There is this haunting, lyrical backstory about the mirror, but it is never really given a chance to shine again. The body of the text is a mishmash of things happening which...kept happening...and the characters are still running around not figuring out who's behind the scheming...when it is downright obvious. Thanks, Hansel, for being a boy who thinks that a pretty girl cannot do something against her better judgement. Really?
The ending was rushed and definitely didn't flow as well as the previous "sections".
With all of that said, I thought that the premise itself was brilliant, it just needed better execution and more detail. I felt this book was scratching at the surface of a brilliant. plot beneath.
Vulgarity: None that I recall?
Sexual content: Moderate. This may be towards the New Adult spectrum.
Violence: Some.
2 stars.
June 13, 2017
This book was ok. It held my interest well most of the way through and I enjoyed reading it, but there were a few annoying things that keep me from giving it a better rating.
Firstly, and this hopefully won't be a problem in the published edition (I was reading a NetGalley ARC), it was edited really poorly. Spelling mistakes all over the place, repetition, extra words, and more seriously the occasional line clearly referencing a scene that was no longer in the book. I had to keep flipping back to see if I was going crazy or I'd missed a spot. I'm sure these things will be cleared up in the final version, but it did make it difficult for me to get into the book, and so probably unfairly coloured my opinion.
The biggest issues I had with this were the characters and the plot.
The main character is Hansel, and he's an absolute moron. He just believes whatever the last person said to him, and he's really, really passive. I can't recall him ever taking the initiative at any point through the whole book.
The other characters include Gretel, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood (called Ceara for some reason ... how do you even say that?), and a random character called Sabine who's not from any fairytale I've heard of. All of these characters are extremely flat. All the characters are flat, really. Possibly it's because we're looking through the eyes of Hansel The Extremely Dull (he literally spends his days staring out the window at the snow). We also have Cinderella, and Rapunzel, and Snow White on the fringes, and the classic Wicked Witch. They all suffered from similar bland characterisation, except perhaps Cinderella, who has maybe two scenes.
Still, they're familiar fairytale characters so it didn't disturb me too much. It was the plot that bothered me most. It's very, very soapy. The whole thing could be cleared up by people telling the truth right at the start ... or even just asking a couple of questions. Instead the characters stumble around scheming ineptly and internally freaking out and accusing others. At no point does anyone analyse any of the information in an intelligent way.
It's super annoying, because the basic plot is actually really good. The Wicked Witch has been released from her prison at the top of Rapunzel's tower, and they have to find out who let her out, where she is, and what her plan is. The unravelling of it all at the end make perfect sense, but I can't help but think they should've done it after like, 100 pages instead.
Anyway, if you really like fairytale retellings, this is on the surface quite interesting, even if it's not technically pulled off well. You might like it. It's a quick, fun read.
Firstly, and this hopefully won't be a problem in the published edition (I was reading a NetGalley ARC), it was edited really poorly. Spelling mistakes all over the place, repetition, extra words, and more seriously the occasional line clearly referencing a scene that was no longer in the book. I had to keep flipping back to see if I was going crazy or I'd missed a spot. I'm sure these things will be cleared up in the final version, but it did make it difficult for me to get into the book, and so probably unfairly coloured my opinion.
The biggest issues I had with this were the characters and the plot.
The main character is Hansel, and he's an absolute moron. He just believes whatever the last person said to him, and he's really, really passive. I can't recall him ever taking the initiative at any point through the whole book.
The other characters include Gretel, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood (called Ceara for some reason ... how do you even say that?), and a random character called Sabine who's not from any fairytale I've heard of. All of these characters are extremely flat. All the characters are flat, really. Possibly it's because we're looking through the eyes of Hansel The Extremely Dull (he literally spends his days staring out the window at the snow). We also have Cinderella, and Rapunzel, and Snow White on the fringes, and the classic Wicked Witch. They all suffered from similar bland characterisation, except perhaps Cinderella, who has maybe two scenes.
Still, they're familiar fairytale characters so it didn't disturb me too much. It was the plot that bothered me most. It's very, very soapy. The whole thing could be cleared up by people telling the truth right at the start ... or even just asking a couple of questions. Instead the characters stumble around scheming ineptly and internally freaking out and accusing others. At no point does anyone analyse any of the information in an intelligent way.
It's super annoying, because the basic plot is actually really good. The Wicked Witch has been released from her prison at the top of Rapunzel's tower, and they have to find out who let her out, where she is, and what her plan is. The unravelling of it all at the end make perfect sense, but I can't help but think they should've done it after like, 100 pages instead.
Anyway, if you really like fairytale retellings, this is on the surface quite interesting, even if it's not technically pulled off well. You might like it. It's a quick, fun read.
October 2, 2017
I had won this book on a Goodreads giveaway and was absolutely surprised when it showed up at my door! Needless to say I instantly fell in love with the story bringing so many memories from my childhood back to the present. I love how there's more details to the characters than just the one you grew up on giving more depth to the characters and their ties in how things unfolded or came to be. Oh how I cherished the heroism, the fears, and the suspense!!! Definitely recommending this to everyone!
August 23, 2017
A variety of fairy tale characters lived in an interconnected world. Their backgrounds were the classic fairy tales you know. Their personalities and current stations in life were not what you'd expect. The plot was okay but nothing riveting. This book did not hold my attention. I wouldn't have finished it if it weren't an ARC.
The writing style did not work for me. Some scenes did not flow smoothly. Too much information was given about the wrong things. A lot more could have been explored with the world building. A lot of time was spent on Hansel's rambling and incredibly boring thoughts.
All of the characters were one dimensional. I didn't particularly care for any of them. The main character was Hansel. He wasn't very proactive. The only thing particularly notable about him was his obsession with Rapunzel. She was so high handed and cold. IDK what it was he saw in her. Gretel would have made a much better main character. She was a rule breaker who was willing to stand up for what was right. There were several other characters but they're not even worth mentioning.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The writing style did not work for me. Some scenes did not flow smoothly. Too much information was given about the wrong things. A lot more could have been explored with the world building. A lot of time was spent on Hansel's rambling and incredibly boring thoughts.
All of the characters were one dimensional. I didn't particularly care for any of them. The main character was Hansel. He wasn't very proactive. The only thing particularly notable about him was his obsession with Rapunzel. She was so high handed and cold. IDK what it was he saw in her. Gretel would have made a much better main character. She was a rule breaker who was willing to stand up for what was right. There were several other characters but they're not even worth mentioning.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This started off okay but I quickly lost all interest in it. I think one of the reasons is that out of all the characters the author could have chosen to be the narrator he picks Hansel, who is just incredibly dull and never really does anything proactive and changes his mind about everything twenty times depending on the opinion of the last person he talked to.
Oh yeah, and he has a crush on like every single woman in this book and it's super annoying. I was ignoring it for the most part but then about a quarter of the way through he's staring longingly at a portrait of Rapunzel and comments on how it brings out her "feminine vulnerability". This was about the time that my eyes rolled clean out of my head and I started skimming the rest of the book.
Also I felt like the plot was convoluted and drawn out. Really the whole thing was convoluted. I do have some amount of respect that the author managed to take like every single fairy tale character and put them in the same kingdom at the same time and give them all familial ties and make it more or less make sense, but it just became too much for me after awhile. I'm sure this will be a selling point for some people but I felt like it was better in theory than in practice.
Add to that the fact that 90% of the women in this book seem to hate all the other women around for literally no reason other than the 'oh women are always jealous of each other' trope and I was just not a fan of this book.
This started off okay but I quickly lost all interest in it. I think one of the reasons is that out of all the characters the author could have chosen to be the narrator he picks Hansel, who is just incredibly dull and never really does anything proactive and changes his mind about everything twenty times depending on the opinion of the last person he talked to.
Oh yeah, and he has a crush on like every single woman in this book and it's super annoying. I was ignoring it for the most part but then about a quarter of the way through he's staring longingly at a portrait of Rapunzel and comments on how it brings out her "feminine vulnerability". This was about the time that my eyes rolled clean out of my head and I started skimming the rest of the book.
Also I felt like the plot was convoluted and drawn out. Really the whole thing was convoluted. I do have some amount of respect that the author managed to take like every single fairy tale character and put them in the same kingdom at the same time and give them all familial ties and make it more or less make sense, but it just became too much for me after awhile. I'm sure this will be a selling point for some people but I felt like it was better in theory than in practice.
Add to that the fact that 90% of the women in this book seem to hate all the other women around for literally no reason other than the 'oh women are always jealous of each other' trope and I was just not a fan of this book.
Want to read
June 12, 2017GIMME GIMME!!!
October 15, 2018
This was a fun, creative take on the fairy tales we all grew up with: Rapunzel, Snow White and Cinderella are all queens of different regions of a land called Grimm. Sleeping Beauty is set to wake up any day now, and there's an avenging witch - and a homicidal, wolf-faced madman - on the loose. Hansel and Gretel are on a mission to save the world, with the help of Little Red Cap, Rumpelstiltskin, and a magic-wielding chambermaid. This book had fun characters, lots of action, and some funny moments that made me chuckle. Sometimes the writing was a little juvenile and there were some inconsistencies in the story, but overall this was a fun read.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2021
I loved the premise of this but struggled with it. It's very dark and a little too dark for me so it's more a personal taste rather than anything onerous on the writers part. I didn't mind the characters and they did grow on me as the story progressed but overall I was left cold. This might be one of those books I go back to when my mood is higher to better able cope with the dark tone.
June 12, 2025
This original and imaginative adaptation was well-written and engaging. It’s difficult to compose an alternative Grimm universe without blundering into excessive camp and silliness. The author did a commendable job of keeping the story refreshing while leaving breadcrumbs toward the original tales. Highly recommended!
May 25, 2017
Just one of those stories I've waited to read for a long, long time. Absolutely loved it. Fabulously written, and one of my favourites.
July 15, 2017
Weston Sullivan has an interesting approach to the world of fairy tales. Unlike the well known series Fable, fairy tale characters reside in a fantasy world. All of their stories overlap and merge. With Briar Rose and the rightful rulers of Grimm asleep for 100 years, other kingdoms have emerged. Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White (who we don't meet) are queens ruling various parts of Grimm. The one unifying factor is fear of the Uninvited Thirteenth, the wicked witch who held Rapunzel captive, blinded her prince, and put Briar Rose under a curse. Hansel and Gretel were also seen as her victims, though their story is not quite as history recorded. Throughout Grimm, people are being murdered, their hands stolen for some nefarious purpose. Brought to Rapunzel’s castle, ostensibly for their own protection, Hansel and Gretel discover that Gothel, the uninvited thirteenth, has escaped her prison and intends to get revenge. Hansel and Gretel fear her wrath and the implications for Grimm - with Spring comes the end of Briar Rose’s enchanted sleep. Unwittingly, Hansel and his sister are drawn into an adventure where they are forced to face the nature of their own story and that of Gothel in order to save Grimm.
Just Off the Path blends the fairy tales well, making the stories work together. Although it's clear that Gothel has a softer side, she is still too one dimensional. She never has a chance to be more than a wicked witch, despite Sullivan implying there is more to her. I enjoyed the novel, but it is one I'm unlikely to pick up again. It’s good, but not exceptional. Still, it is a debut novel and Weston Sullivan shows promise as a writer.
3.5 rounded up 4 / 5
I received a copy of Just Off the Path from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
July 31, 2017
I'm so very disappointed in this book. I was very much looking forward to a magical, yet intelligible retelling of the classic Hansel and Gretel story. Instead I feel like I've read the nonsensical ramblings of a tween who suddenly gets the idea to write a book one day!
I'm not sure if the copy I received on Netgalley was an uncorrected ARC or what, but it was rife with errors. And not grammatical ones, either. These were errors as if the author had forgotten they told you one detail previously, only to change it shortly after. For example (there were three errors I caught all within the first third of the book), all in one paragraph Rapunzel went from walking up the stairs to meet Hansel and Gretel to stepping "down into the room" to meet them. Eh??? And Hansel remarks about the luxurious "peacock feather-stuffed pillows" in the castle to later saying they were so luxurious, they must be stuffed with quail. The book is full of these little idiosyncrasies and they're so very distracting. Again, maybe this is an uncorrected proof and they'll get these ironed out before the release. If so, my apologies.
Anyway, even if the above is taken care of before release, the writing is rather unimaginative. There are also several lude scenes that just don't mesh with the rest of the book. And the characters are flat. Overall, this could've been great but it was very very poorly executed. Perhaps I'll give it another chance when the final copy is released.
I received an e-copy of this book via Netgalley.
I'm not sure if the copy I received on Netgalley was an uncorrected ARC or what, but it was rife with errors. And not grammatical ones, either. These were errors as if the author had forgotten they told you one detail previously, only to change it shortly after. For example (there were three errors I caught all within the first third of the book), all in one paragraph Rapunzel went from walking up the stairs to meet Hansel and Gretel to stepping "down into the room" to meet them. Eh??? And Hansel remarks about the luxurious "peacock feather-stuffed pillows" in the castle to later saying they were so luxurious, they must be stuffed with quail. The book is full of these little idiosyncrasies and they're so very distracting. Again, maybe this is an uncorrected proof and they'll get these ironed out before the release. If so, my apologies.
Anyway, even if the above is taken care of before release, the writing is rather unimaginative. There are also several lude scenes that just don't mesh with the rest of the book. And the characters are flat. Overall, this could've been great but it was very very poorly executed. Perhaps I'll give it another chance when the final copy is released.
I received an e-copy of this book via Netgalley.
August 18, 2017
Rating: 2/5 Stars
I received a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited and intrigued to see what came of Weston Sullivan's novel. As a big fan of fairy tales, retellings and the television show Once Upon a Time I was eager to see how Sullivan rehashed and combined the story of Hansel & Gretel with the other works of the Grimm brothers. I'll start with what I enjoyed, and then I'll move on to what I didn't.
Firstly, I think Sullivan did a pretty good job at shaping the world of Grimm. The rules of the world are set up quickly, characters establish their relationships to one another early on and its easy to envision a country ravaged by a harsh and unforgiving winter. I think that the plot was interesting, but had a lot more potential;what could have been an interesting to and fro of vengeance and discovery was a lot of sitting around reading books and staring out of windows. There were a lot of convenient excuses for exposition and I wanted to see more of the world itself - we spend a lot of time stuck in one place.
Read The Rest Here: https://www.missbriony.com/single-post/justoffthepath
I received a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited and intrigued to see what came of Weston Sullivan's novel. As a big fan of fairy tales, retellings and the television show Once Upon a Time I was eager to see how Sullivan rehashed and combined the story of Hansel & Gretel with the other works of the Grimm brothers. I'll start with what I enjoyed, and then I'll move on to what I didn't.
Firstly, I think Sullivan did a pretty good job at shaping the world of Grimm. The rules of the world are set up quickly, characters establish their relationships to one another early on and its easy to envision a country ravaged by a harsh and unforgiving winter. I think that the plot was interesting, but had a lot more potential;what could have been an interesting to and fro of vengeance and discovery was a lot of sitting around reading books and staring out of windows. There were a lot of convenient excuses for exposition and I wanted to see more of the world itself - we spend a lot of time stuck in one place.
Read The Rest Here: https://www.missbriony.com/single-post/justoffthepath
September 7, 2017
This is a really clever retelling in a dystopian world where the famous curse on sleeping beauty has riven Grimm into a series of small squabbling states. Rapunzel, the Queen, is clearly out of her depth and I found her the most fascinating of all the characters. I enjoyed the way in which nothing is as it first seems. And the way Sullivan plays with established fairytale characters is both smart and intriguing.
However, for some reason while there was never any risk of not completing this book, I didn’t love it as much as I had expected. I didn’t bond with Hansel, finding his constant negativity a real problem. Neither did I like Gretel very much. And as these were the two main characters who were at risk throughout, I wasn’t as heavily invested in the story as the stakes were raised and they were increasingly at risk.
That said, I’m aware this is the personal preference and the other reviewers have loved this one. If I have found Hansel more appealing doubtless. I too would have been caught up in the story, which is accomplished and clever. Recommended for fans of fairytale retellings.
While I obtained the arc of Just Off the Path from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
7/10
However, for some reason while there was never any risk of not completing this book, I didn’t love it as much as I had expected. I didn’t bond with Hansel, finding his constant negativity a real problem. Neither did I like Gretel very much. And as these were the two main characters who were at risk throughout, I wasn’t as heavily invested in the story as the stakes were raised and they were increasingly at risk.
That said, I’m aware this is the personal preference and the other reviewers have loved this one. If I have found Hansel more appealing doubtless. I too would have been caught up in the story, which is accomplished and clever. Recommended for fans of fairytale retellings.
While I obtained the arc of Just Off the Path from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
7/10
September 23, 2017
I had just finished two deep emotionally involving books when I started Just Off the Path by Weston Sullivan. I had it waiting on my TBR list for quite some time, so I had completely forgotten what it was about or why I had chosen to read it.
As soon as I started reading the prologue about the looking glass on the wall, I realized it was a story based around the Grimm fairy tales. The prologue sets the scene with Rose pricking her finger and falling asleep, along with everyone in her castle.
Next we meet Hansel and Gretel as they are trying to prepare themselves for the long winter ahead with some hunting for food in the forest. They hear a scream and find a girl in the woods in a red cape. She is being chased by a large man, who turns out to be a wolf.
And so it begins. All of your favorite characters are here: Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin to name a few. Hansel and Gretel are the main characters and the story is told through Hansel.
i enjoyed this book. It held my interest, there were even some twists and turns as Hansel found out that not all princesses are as they seem.
I received an ARC of the book.
As soon as I started reading the prologue about the looking glass on the wall, I realized it was a story based around the Grimm fairy tales. The prologue sets the scene with Rose pricking her finger and falling asleep, along with everyone in her castle.
Next we meet Hansel and Gretel as they are trying to prepare themselves for the long winter ahead with some hunting for food in the forest. They hear a scream and find a girl in the woods in a red cape. She is being chased by a large man, who turns out to be a wolf.
And so it begins. All of your favorite characters are here: Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin to name a few. Hansel and Gretel are the main characters and the story is told through Hansel.
i enjoyed this book. It held my interest, there were even some twists and turns as Hansel found out that not all princesses are as they seem.
I received an ARC of the book.
May 26, 2017
I actually entered this one into the Goodreads Choice awards as I do feel it's that good. The folklore theme is one of my favorites and although everyone is saying but it's been done so many times. There is a reason for it, as the old classic tales will never die. So deal with it.
Just off the Path follows a grown up Hansel and his sister Gretel.
All the other fantasy characters are there but all of them have really amazing human features of struggling etc, it reminds me a lot of the T.V Hit Once Upon a Time, but so different.
Snow is there, Rapunsel, but the original Rapunsel, not the one where they live happily after and let me tell you, she is not as sweet as you think.
The twists and turns is something you do NOT SEE COMING. Weston is a new author but man did he do Just Off The Path justice.
I hope everyone will love it and please go vote for him on the goodreads choice list. He truly deserve a spot on there.
Just off the Path follows a grown up Hansel and his sister Gretel.
All the other fantasy characters are there but all of them have really amazing human features of struggling etc, it reminds me a lot of the T.V Hit Once Upon a Time, but so different.
Snow is there, Rapunsel, but the original Rapunsel, not the one where they live happily after and let me tell you, she is not as sweet as you think.
The twists and turns is something you do NOT SEE COMING. Weston is a new author but man did he do Just Off The Path justice.
I hope everyone will love it and please go vote for him on the goodreads choice list. He truly deserve a spot on there.
June 6, 2017
Danger Lurks Just Off the Path
Just Off the Path is the next in a long line of fairy tale reimaginings. I love this type of book and the different approaches authors take from realism to pushing the darkness of the original stories. Weston Sullivan's novel centers on the original Grimm tales and takes a look at what happens after the stories we know have happened.
Hansel and Gretel still live in the woods together after they were captives of Gothel - who was also the wicked witch that stole Rapunzel away. Now, many years later, Rapunzel has called for the two to return to her castle after Gothel has escaped her prison. But what is the real relationship between the two children and Gothel? Is Rapunzel the beneficent queen she tries to be? Once the sleeping beauty wakes, what will happen to the kingdom?
Full of twists, this is a must-read for people who love fairy tale reimaginings. While some of the writing was a bit dense at the beginning, I got used to the style of writing and enjoyed it.
I'm providing this review in return for an ARC through NetGalley.
Just Off the Path is the next in a long line of fairy tale reimaginings. I love this type of book and the different approaches authors take from realism to pushing the darkness of the original stories. Weston Sullivan's novel centers on the original Grimm tales and takes a look at what happens after the stories we know have happened.
Hansel and Gretel still live in the woods together after they were captives of Gothel - who was also the wicked witch that stole Rapunzel away. Now, many years later, Rapunzel has called for the two to return to her castle after Gothel has escaped her prison. But what is the real relationship between the two children and Gothel? Is Rapunzel the beneficent queen she tries to be? Once the sleeping beauty wakes, what will happen to the kingdom?
Full of twists, this is a must-read for people who love fairy tale reimaginings. While some of the writing was a bit dense at the beginning, I got used to the style of writing and enjoyed it.
I'm providing this review in return for an ARC through NetGalley.
November 1, 2017
I love fairy tales and always have. It's never been about the happy ending, more the overcoming an obstacle.
Just Off The Path takes the familiar tales of Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella and more and mashes this into one magical land. Queens rule different parts of the land, there's a murderer on the loose and Hansel and Gretel are called upon to save everyone.
The idea behind this story and book is great! However, Hansel comes off like an a$$ and kind of a pushover in every instance. While he was the main character of the book, the women are the clear stars. They come together in a spectacular finish and Hansel sits back and somehow still comes off the hero. Still, the idea of all the 'magical kingdoms' mashed into one was great.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Just Off The Path takes the familiar tales of Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella and more and mashes this into one magical land. Queens rule different parts of the land, there's a murderer on the loose and Hansel and Gretel are called upon to save everyone.
The idea behind this story and book is great! However, Hansel comes off like an a$$ and kind of a pushover in every instance. While he was the main character of the book, the women are the clear stars. They come together in a spectacular finish and Hansel sits back and somehow still comes off the hero. Still, the idea of all the 'magical kingdoms' mashed into one was great.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 6, 2019
I enjoy reading the new takes on old tales that have been coming out in recent years. They aren't are great, but it's still fun to read them! I'm a big fan of all fairy tales and this one was is a new one to add to my collection! It's a fun take on all the Grimm's ladies and Hansel, that I think many readers will enjoy. Fun story!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
May 25, 2017
Well I know this book is not out. but just have to say this book was so good it gives you a totally different point of view of Hansel and Grettal This was just so fun to read and would recommend this book to Anyone who wants so read it. Well done Weston.
June 15, 2017
How many lies can you tell to protect yourself before it's time to tell the truth? Who will you harm by keeping your secrets? In true Grimm style this fairytale mash up is magic mixed with darkness.
October 5, 2017
Can't wait for the movie
August 9, 2023
I love fairytale retellings. You have a delightful menagerie of characters that come with inbuilt origin stories that authors can play with. It's an awesome mashup of fanfiction and building lego without following the instructions. Sometimes the final product is a plastic-brick work of art, and sometimes it isn't.
This one isn't.
It's a quick and easy read. It has a great premise - although there seems to be a disconnect between the book summary and the delivery. Maybe the ARC I was reading was an older version and the editing and writing has since been improved. That would be great because there were some weird inconsistencies like Red Cap's cloak being from the East and then North, but it was just boring.
There were some great concepts. I loved the Uninvited Thirteen. Frau Totenkinder and Maleficient (the original - not the Jolie version) are 2 of my fairytale heroes, and Gothel was a nice mix of them without too much of the tragic villain trope. It does have the best Cinderella entrance I've ever read., but overall it was just a snoozefest.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one isn't.
It's a quick and easy read. It has a great premise - although there seems to be a disconnect between the book summary and the delivery. Maybe the ARC I was reading was an older version and the editing and writing has since been improved. That would be great because there were some weird inconsistencies like Red Cap's cloak being from the East and then North, but it was just boring.
There were some great concepts. I loved the Uninvited Thirteen. Frau Totenkinder and Maleficient (the original - not the Jolie version) are 2 of my fairytale heroes, and Gothel was a nice mix of them without too much of the tragic villain trope. It does have the best Cinderella entrance I've ever read., but overall it was just a snoozefest.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2017
This was an interesting story linking characters from well known fairy tales. It acknowledges the fact that the stories we know today are not the originals. The author did a good job of capturing the sadness with Hansel, and touching on the darkness with Gothel from the original tales. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Twenty years ago, I took a class exploring the origins of these fairy tales, their evolutions, and their impact on society when written. I hope that this story encourages readers to consider reading the original tales.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Twenty years ago, I took a class exploring the origins of these fairy tales, their evolutions, and their impact on society when written. I hope that this story encourages readers to consider reading the original tales.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 23, 2018
This book is based off the Grimm tales, with many of their classic characters make an appearance, but Hansel and Gretel are the two main characters. I enjoyed this story with all the fun twists and the author's take on these classics.
Want to read
July 30, 2017I am super excited that I've won this book in the giveaways on here!!! Can't wait to read it once it gets here! Will update soon!!!!
October 2, 2017
I am about half way through the book and I am enjoying it very much. Twists and turns that I didn't expect. Looking forward to finishing it.
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