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Hidden in the Woods: The Tragic Tale of the Mistress of All Evil
We all know the story of the Sleeping Beauty, the princess and the curse-breaking kiss of true love... But that is just how the fairy tale ends. The heart of this story lies deep in the woods, long before King Stefan's grand celebration. After so many years at war with his greatest foe, Pan finally seemed to claim the last victory by stealing the pirate's new-born child, but no one could have predicted the nightmare that would follow. With the mark of the raven upon her head, Pan is forced to deliver her to the one that held the blood debt- the ancient Wood Witch hidden in the Forbidden Forest. When the witch discovers that he has stolen the baby, she is furious. He is forbidden from ever coming near his trophy again, but when has Pan ever followed the rules? This tragic tale of the Mistress of all Evil is one of heartbreak, betrayal, love, and more magic than you can possibly imagine. If it your wish to uncover the heart of the story, you must travel back to the beginning, into the darkness of the witch's past. Peter Pan was born evil. Was Maleficent as well? She is one of the most beloved villains of them all. Do you wish to find out how she got that way? Who, or should I say what- created... The Mistress of all Evil? After suffering the wrath of the unforgiving Madam Mim, Pan must keep his visits with the Dark Fairy a secret. He comes to her in her dreams, offering friendship, gifts, promises, and even love over the years. The lonely half-ling falls for his charm, and is lured away from the cabin into the Nine Realms to meet the Snow Queen. When the queen reveals to Maleficent the truth of who her father is, and the massacre he unleashed upon the frosty realm, Maleficent is horrified. With an act of revenge, the Snow Queen threatens to destroy her love if she does not bring back the red spell book of the ancient witch so she can summon the transfer of souls upon the new-born princess of the Rose Kingdom- to become the vessel she needs to bring her daughter back from the realm of the dead. But Mim won't be giving up such power so easily. She tries to tell Maleficent the truth, that she is being tricked by those that seek revenge, but the Dark Fairy is blinded by love. In the end, Maleficent will have to decide how far she is willing to go for the man of her dreams. The journey, she finds, is full of lies and deception. When all of the truth is revealed with the help of those that truly do love her, will she be able to let the pain go... Or will the scorned Dark Fairy give in to the darkness that fights to consume her soul?
425 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2020
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 31, 2025
Kersh’s trilogy is nothing short of a magical rollercoaster through a dark fairytale multiverse, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
It began with Blood in the Water, where Neverland gets a sinister makeover, and Peter Pan is a MAJOR bully—the kind you can’t stop reading about. The vibe reminded me of Once Upon a Time, but edgier and more immersive, blending multiple storylines in wildly creative ways.
Hearts in the Looking Glass amped things up even more. This was Alice in Wonderland with attitude—full of tea (the gossip kind), chaos, and clever twists. Every chapter had me grinning, gasping, or both. I thought that was my favorite…
…until the final book, which was pure magic. With Pinocchio, Glenda the Good Witch, and a whole cast of reimagined legends, it brought the series to a wildly satisfying—and emotional—close. I finished it at 3:30 in the morning, totally wired. The twist? I had just told my book bestie at a church event the night before that I planned to message the author after I finished… I just didn’t expect it to be in the middle of the night, heart pounding, brain racing, and already grieving the end of this world.
This trilogy is the kind of ride you power through, fall in love with, and then obsessively recommend to anyone who will listen. If you’re into fairytales with teeth, tangled loyalties, magical mayhem, and bold storytelling—this series is it.
It began with Blood in the Water, where Neverland gets a sinister makeover, and Peter Pan is a MAJOR bully—the kind you can’t stop reading about. The vibe reminded me of Once Upon a Time, but edgier and more immersive, blending multiple storylines in wildly creative ways.
Hearts in the Looking Glass amped things up even more. This was Alice in Wonderland with attitude—full of tea (the gossip kind), chaos, and clever twists. Every chapter had me grinning, gasping, or both. I thought that was my favorite…
…until the final book, which was pure magic. With Pinocchio, Glenda the Good Witch, and a whole cast of reimagined legends, it brought the series to a wildly satisfying—and emotional—close. I finished it at 3:30 in the morning, totally wired. The twist? I had just told my book bestie at a church event the night before that I planned to message the author after I finished… I just didn’t expect it to be in the middle of the night, heart pounding, brain racing, and already grieving the end of this world.
This trilogy is the kind of ride you power through, fall in love with, and then obsessively recommend to anyone who will listen. If you’re into fairytales with teeth, tangled loyalties, magical mayhem, and bold storytelling—this series is it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2020
Wow! Just wow! I loved the first two books, but this one left me in complete awe! By the last page, I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks. Such a great read. This one was my favorite out of the three. For me, I hold endings to a much higher standard, and I couldn't have been happier with this one. Perfection. The only down side now is that it is over. I really hope Kersh writes more.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews