Title: The Deathly GrimmAuthor: Kathryn Purdie
Series: The Forest Grimm #2
Pages: 400
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
The story hasn’t ended yet.
After surviving the Forest Grimm and defeating the Wolf, Clara and Axel have made it back to their village, the one place they can be safe behind the forest’s borders. But when the forest itself begins luring in more villagers, it’s clear that Clara and Axel have only treated the symptoms of the forest’s curse, not the cause—and it’s getting worse.
Burdened with visions of the past and learning to navigate her fragile new relationship with Axel, Clara finds herself entering the forest with Axel yet again to discover the truth once and for all: the identity of the murderer who caused the curse. As they fight murderous woodsmen with incomprehensible riddles, ladies who will drag you into an eternal dance, and ghosts with the power to wield the forest against them, Clara and Axel realize the stakes are higher than ever. If they don’t survive the dark, deadly twists of the forest once more, not only will they never escape, they may also no longer have a home to escape to.
Romantic, eerie, and beautiful, The Deathly Grimm is the triumphant conclusion to Kathryn Purdie’s bestselling Forest Grimm duology.
This blog uses affiliate links for some book recommendations, and if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting this little bookish corner of the internet!
My Thoughts on The Deathly Grimm:
The Deathly Grimm is such a fabulous conclusion to The Forest Grimm duology! From the very first page, it pulled me right back into its dark, enchanting, and dangerous world, and I loved every minute of it!
The story picks up with Clara and Axel navigating all of the consequences of the curse and what happened at the end of The Forest Grimm. A sinister force tied to the dark magic of the forest threatens their village, their friends, and their own lives. And when Clara’s visions grow more intense, the line between past and present begins to blur, revealing secrets that could be the key to breaking the curse. With the forest luring in more people than before, Clara knows she must act, even if it means going back in. It’s an intense journey filled with danger, intrigue, and a few mysteries that took me by surprise more than once.
The atmosphere throughout the story was rich and vivid, much like the first book, and the forest felt alive and almost like a character itself. Purdie’s writing is dark and atmospheric and sets the tone for the story and for Clara and Axel’s perilous journey. I love her writing style. It’s so easy to get pulled into the story with such fantastic dialogue, character development, and imagery.
Clara and Axel’s experiences in this sequel felt even more intense than in the first book, and I liked how their relationship grew under the weight of the curse and the secrets unraveling around them. Their feelings for each other and the strength of their bond are really put to the test, and there were times when I wondered if they would make it, not only as a couple but just physically out of the forest. I have to say, I think I liked Axel even more in this book than I did in the first one. He’s loyal and strong and caring, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Clara, which he proves over and over again.
The plot unfolded like a dark fairytale, full of riddles, ghostly figures, and heart-pounding moments. And Clara’s visions add a fascinating layer to the mystery. I loved how those glimpses into the past revealed new pieces of the puzzle while raising the stakes for what they faced in the present. There were definitely a few twists I did not see coming. I think the blending of familiar fairytale elements with the darker twists was intriguing and gave the story a sense of familiarity while still feeling wholly original.
The author’s use of juxtaposition is also worth mentioning, especially how the setting and tone often contrasted the character’s emotions. Axel’s loyalty and steadfastness, for example, contrasted the unpredictability of the forest and their journey. The love story between Axel and Clara is a great contrast to the heavy and cursed situation that surrounds them. Many of the characters also contrast each other well in disposition and motives. And the ending was fabulous! It tied everything together beautifully in a way that felt wholly satisfying.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Live life so fully that your joy shines as bright as your sorrows weigh heavy.
You were not made to restrain your heart. Embrace the pain that finds everyone in life, and live fiercely in spite of it.
- twisted fairy tale
- love triangle
- found family
About Kathryn Purdie:
Kathryn is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the BURNING GLASS series, the BONE CRIER’S MOON duology, and the THE FOREST GRIMM duology. Her love of storytelling began as a young girl when her dad told her about someone named Boo Radley while they listened to the film score of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Kathryn is a trained classical actress who studied at the Oxford School of Drama. She also writes songs on her guitar for each of her stories and shares them on her website. Kathryn lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.
Kathryn is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the BURNING GLASS series, the BONE CRIER’S MOON duology, and the THE FOREST GRIMM duology. Her love of storytelling began as a young girl when her dad told her about someone named Boo Radley while they listened to the film score of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Kathryn is a trained classical actress who studied at the Oxford School of Drama. She also writes songs on her guitar for each of her stories and shares them on her website. Kathryn lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.
One thought on “Book Review: The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie”