Review: A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
A Tale Dark and Grimm #1
Release Date: November 11th, 2010 by Puffin
Details: 252 pages, hardcover
Genre: Middle Grade > Re-telling > Fairy Tales
Source: Bought
Summary (Goodreads):

In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches. Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.

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A Tale Dark and Grimm is a middle grade book I've been looking forward to reading since its release but just never really got around to picking it up. It went on sale (or maybe I was just impatient, I don't remember) on Amazon awhile back and gave in and got it.

A Tale Dark and Grimm consists of Hansel and Gretel's journey and adventures through a series over very unfortunate events. It starts off with a curse and a really odd way to break the curse. This sort of puts Hansel and Gretel off and they decide to run away from home where they soon find out that maybe home wasn't such a bad place compared to the real world (oh how true that is Hansel and Gretel)! Besides Hansel and Gretel, the author takes time to narrate (or warn) you about the upcoming scenes or events. At first I was kinda digging in but by the time I finished the book, I was a bit annoyed with the whole thing. I get that this book is meant for younger kids, but I just found it to be a little excessive. Especially since for a good portion of the book it's pretty redundant. There are also the three crows (who started the whole curse mess) who pop in and out of chapters. Apparently they can tell the future, or something.

A Tale Dark and Grimm was much darker (and at times a little disgusting) than any other fairy tale-ish book I've ever read. There was a lot of blood. Not so much violence but blood. And chaos. This book would be perfect for a young boy! I'm sure the places Hansel and Gretel find themselves in all have to do with fairy tales I'm not very familiar with but now I'm curious to look up (I have not read the original Brother's Grimm).

All in all, while this has been a book I've been looking forward to for awhile, it wasn't one I can say I really enjoyed. It was interesting enough to keep going since I wanted to see if Hansel and Gretel would ever under-stand their parents and the situation. Also, I'm glad I stuck with it because figuring out who the dragon was with Gretel was pretty exciting.