Veris Thorn is trying to live an ordinary life with her elderly aunt and grandfather when she is dragged out of bed in the middle of the night, hauled in front of the Tyrant and told she must enter the North Woods, where no-one ever comes back from, to rescue his children.

If anyone had ever played the video game Bramble, this book reminded me a lot of it! The perfect short creepy adventure book encapsulated the most perfect creepy woods full of horrifying creatures that I feel a lot of authors try to do but not many achieve. And this author achieved it!

Veris is a brilliant character - very smart and able to look after herself and others. She is put in an impossible situation by a character who is pretty evil - either go into the woods and come back with the children, an impossible task, or her family will be killed. I really loved the creepy atmosphere and the tension as you wonder if they will get out, and knowing that hope is futile in many ways.

This is a novella and while I’d have loved an even bigger story about Veris and everything that happened, I also think Premee Mohamed was able to nail a short story that gave the reader just enough, left them feeling satisfied but also wanting so much more. This book ends in a way you could anticipate a novel of a grown up Eleanor and I’d be here for that.

I really enjoyed this one and continue to be impressed by Premee Mohamed's writing. This had a strong fairy tale vibe throughout, but was incredibly dark and horrifying in places, which I really appreciated. I thought Veris made a great protagonist and the notion of a forest within a forest was fascinating. The forest was filled with dangerous creatures and there was a real sense of dread throughout, which was most welcome. Also, the ending was unexpected. Overall, this was a great read and I would love to see more stories set in this world.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a very quick read. I enjoyed it and the premise, the idea I wish it was a little longer than what it is. I think if it was a longer book, there would be a greater chance for the world to be explained more, the story as well and for just everything to be a bit more fleshed out. Perhaps a slower pace, the pacing was odd for me, the start seemed slow but towards the end it felt like I was reading on fast forward. The ending left me wanting more in a good and bad way. It was good, with creepy fantasy woven in, just over too soon which lead empty wants. But overall I give it a 3 to 3.5 stars because the idea is actually something I would definitely read in a full book or even a series!

A dark fairy tale novella that has the power to completely captivate you right from the very first page. I do sometimes struggle to get on with novellas, but this was brilliant.

4.5 stars rounded up

This is a gorgeous dark fairytale novella with missing children and an atmospheric woods. It isn’t quite horror, but it’s nonetheless creepy as all hell. The most memorable element is the prose, which is luscious and poetic and evocative. It definitely leans more towards short story form than chunkier novella — the wider world is told by implication, a lot of the character work is told between the gaps of unspoken, there is a sense of the ‘snapshot’ about it. It leaves you with plenty of unanswered questions, even while the main story is resolved.

One thing I’m not sure about is why it’s called THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST. My best guess it that is refers to the protagonist, Veris, for actions she took against some corrupted animals, but that still feels like a stretch?? I’d be interested to know what it’s actually supposed to mean.

The forest is a staple setting for stories. Many a folk tale warns us of getting lost in those woods. It speaks to the days when forests could cover the land. There is a depth and weirdness to an true forest that speaks to something wilder than we in our cosy cities will really grasp anymore. More recently in fantasy RJ Barker with the Gods of Wyrdwood and Jen Williams with Talonsister have played with the concept of the mysterious wood on the borders. Now Premee Mohamed in the eerie and unsettling fantasy novella The Butcher of the Forest creates an adult tale that feels like the kind of tale you would not wish to tell children at night unless you want to create nightmares.

Varis is summoned unwillingly to the castle and brought before the ruler of the land; the man for whom all lives hang in the balance – the one they call The Tyrant. His two children have vanished in the night and after torturing all those who may know something no one knows where they are but the evidence points towards the North Woods. A place where no one who gets in too deep is ever seen again. But Varis did rescue a child (although a price was paid). Varis is commanded to find the Tyrant’s two children – failure will see not just her own life ended but her entire village will be destroyed. Varis prepares to go into the mysterious Elmever. The wood that is far more than a wood that hides within the North Woods – a place where reality is not what you think; where danger lurks in many forms and time is running out.

Two children lost I the woods is of the most classic of story shapes but Mohamed as is customary deliver a much more remarkable story. The key is that this is a story where threats lurk everywhere ands that makes the adult reader very quickly get wary of what each scene may be hiding in plain sight. While Varis is our main character, we know it is not just two kid’s lives at stake but Varis’ entire world. These are a conquered people who know already that merely speaking out of turn can get you executed – to be held in any way responsible for the death of the Tyrant’s heirs will result in annihilation. The Tyrant we meet is a traditional villain and Mohamed makes us feel his razor-sharp desire for death is lurking just under the surface.

Then with Varis we have a middle-aged woman who is not skilled in mighty magic but knows just enough about the Elmever woods to navigate it and potentially release children. She’s not snarky or a fighter but she is demonstrating compassion and caring for others – not just her own village but she doesn’t want two children who are not in her eyes responsible for their father’s actions. That Varis is prepared to do this and see the kids as kids really makes her quite a sympathetic character. Mohamed throws in elements of folklore – some will feel familiar – the power of three, magical bargains, the dangers of eating food and games with high prices but in this wood, nothing is a fairy tale but instead a disturbing dark fantasy tale.

The key attraction of the story though is the Elmever. This feels less enchanted wood and more a nightmarish portal world hiding within plain sight. Full of traps from corridors in the air, fruit looking too good to be true and various denizens who are not to be trusted. The forest is filled with various creatures Mohamed describes in biological detail – quite gruesomely! These creatures and some more sentient ones make us feel that Varis and her quarry are not in our world anymore but someone else’s and they do not play by our rules and are always looking for a chance to ensnare the unwary. There are a series of chilling scenes in the final sections of the book where hopes are raised and shattered again and again; and a higher and higher price is required of Varis that she has to ask if it is worth it. The finale is both gut-wrenching and returns to the idea of compassion and perhaps empathy that while no one wins outright there is just enough hope to possibly hint at some future light.

The Butcher of the Forest is a beautifully told dark weird folk tale that feels incredibly old and yet very modern with a lead character we cheer on and yet also are fearful of the final price she may have to pay. Premee Mohamed continues to be an author delivering constantly high-quality story across all the genres and this is no exception at all. Strongly recommended!

The Butcher of the Forest is reminiscent of the original fairytales of old with a touch of macabre whimsy you could perhaps expect if Edgar Allen Poe had written Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I adored every second of this novella and in particular the way Mohamed’s writing style was often whimsical and bordering lush that juxtaposed against the macabre of the woods and it’s magical inhabitants.

I was utterly taken by Veris and the other characters in the novel. They were believable and yet well rounded. Flawed. I particularly loved how the story comes full circle as it were with Veris and Eleanor. There is no doubt that the novella is extremely atmospheric, you feel claustrophobic at times, dark and dreary at others but always with a touch of enchantment as well. As someone who loves folklore, folk horror and of course the original Fairytales by the likes of the Brothers Grimm this utterly perfect. I will most certainly be looking into Premee Mohamed’s other work

Forests can be frightening places, especially as most people nowadays tend to never really have reason to go into them other than for personal enjoyment. They've evolved over our history from places that people would know well to things we tend to see from a distance, things we don't really know anymore. And, once we don't know much about something it becomes frightening. Stories are told that make it darker, more mysterious, and it begins to feel like some kind of primal horror. Premee Mohamed leans into this a lot in their new short novella, The Butcher of the Forest, which makes the woods a truly unsettling place.

The story follows Veris, a woman in her 40's, who is the only person to have ever entered the mysterious and frightening Elmever forest and returned. Many before her have gone into it, but no others have ever come out, lost to the dark and twisted forest and the monsters that call it home. However, when the children of the cruel Tyrant enter the forest Veris is recruited, without much choice, to go in and to bring them home. Not only will Veris have to contend with the horrors of the forest, but she will have only a day in which to succeed or she'll be lost forever too.

The Butcher of the Forest is not a long book, only 160 pages, and as such it jumps into the narrative very quickly, dropping the reader right into the middle of things. Despite there not being much time spent setting up this world or the characters, and much of the book being given over to what happens when Veris enters Elmever, Premee Mohamed somehow manages to make the book feel like that time is being taken. Mohamed uses long sentences, and beautifully flowing language to make the book feel longer than it actually is, and you come away from reading it surprised at the actual length of it as it feels like it should have been a lot more than 160 pages.

The book draws from fairy tale stories, but there are times that it also feels like you're slipping into cosmic horror, and the sense of unease that flows through the majority of the book plays wonderfully into these themes. It's violent and gruesome at times, and there are points that almost makes you want to put the book down because it goes to places you'd never have expected nor predicted.

I can see the ending dividing some readers, as it kind of divided me too. On the one hand I was very happy with how things ended, and was more than prepared to let things lie and never return to this character or world; but on the other hand I would devour an entire series if Mohamed decided to venture more into their creation. It's one of those dilemmas where you can say 'that ended perfectly, no more please' yet would also be first in line to get the next one. The perils of being a reader.

The Butcher of the Forest is a wonderful dark horror fairy tale with a beautiful writing style that is going to draw readers in very quickly, and make a lot more fans of Premee Mohamed by the time things are done.

I’m not sure what I expected but I was confused and perturbed and rather enjoyed it. Like Alice in wonderland only more macabre. Utterly delicious.

Whilst this is beautifully written, I think I can conclude that short stories aren't well suited for me, I prefer a longer book to really build a relationship with characters. That being said I felt the author really made every word count and the story was certainly eerie!

A dark and twisted fairytale about children lost in the woods and the woman sent in to save them. A harrowing Alice in Wonderland-esque journey through an enchanted forest that was by turns creepy, brutal and emotional. Perfect for fans of T Kingfisher and Nghi Vo.

This was pretty well written. I enjoyed quite a few aspects of it and I think the writer is talented. Definitely keen to read more by this author.

I’ve heard of Premee Mohamed’s work as clever, high-end science fiction. Their books have been on my TBR pile for a while, but this little novella appeared and I decided to randomly take a look.

Several hours later I surfaced, gasping.

The book takes its reader into the darkest of woods, where you absolutely should not go. I’m sure you think you know the rules: don’t stray from the path, don’t eat the food. But it’s really not that simple.

Veris Thorn has made the trip once, and returned; she’s the only one who ever has. Now she must return to find the lost children of a tyrant, or everyone she knows will die.

As readers, we believe we know better, reading casually in our spare time before putting a book down and returning to ‘real life’. This tale reminds us of the sheer power of what we call Fairy, of the importance of words (especially promises, even jests) and how it takes only one misstep to be lost in the woods.

Stories, like magical forests, cannot be tamed for long, and it’s a true skill to know the ways through the tree-words. Fortunately, our guide here is the wisest.

This book reminded me of ‘Labyrinth’, of ‘The Company of Wolves’, of Neil Gaiman’s dreams and Guillermo del Toro’s creatures. Far beyond the organisation and morality of the Grimm brothers.

We search for who we are, what we’ve lost, what comes after: powerful human emotions that also go deep, beyond control no matter how hard we try. Because they’re not civilised either, and each person’s experience/magic is very different.

This is a relatively short story that has stayed with me ever since that random opening of a page. I don’t think I want to go back to this world with any sequels, but this adventure is one I’d tell my children (including the adult type), because it’s important information they need to know.

Step into the trees, if you’re brave enough. Trust Premee. I will be walking with them again.

This was such an intriguing novella. It read like a very dark fairytale, with beautiful prose and truly horrifying elements. It tells the story of a woman, tasked by the tyrant conqueror of her country with rescuing his two children from the enchanted forest next to her village - a forest that many people have entered but only one has ever left alive again. That one being our protagonist Veris.

The world building surrounding the tyrant and his conquered nations is flimsy at best, but it's also not what this novella focuses on. This is about the horrors in these strange dark woods, the creatures lurking within and the consequences of humans going where they really should not go. The atmosphere captured by Premee Mohamed's (cleverly metaphorical) writing is phenomenal, the whole vibe is eerie and frightening and I was constantly on my toes. Add to that the high stakes of this mission (the tyrant will kill Veris's family if she doesn't succeed) and the strict time limit (if they stay in the forest for more than a day, they will be trapped forever), and this turned into a book you just have to devour in one sitting. I was stressed, I was fascinated, I was emotionally involved on each page, and the ending really packed a punch.

I did feel like the writing sometimes veered into very flowery territory which didn't quite fit the story it was telling, and I think I would have enjoyed this more as a slightly longer novel that fleshed out Veris and the world she lives in a little more. Also there is one reveal later on about our protagonist that I felt wasn't handled well at all. Without getting into spoilers, the way some things that happened to Veris in the past were revealed felt like they were added purely for shock value, and while I hope this isn't the case, it read like it and made me feel really uncomfortable. This book should come with trigger warnings.

All in all, this would have been a 4 star read if not for that aforementioned reveal, for now it's a 3,5 for me - still rounding up because I liked almost everything else.

The Butcher of the Forest is a very atmospheric novella. I really loved the main character Veris and getting lost in the dangerous and creepy Elmever, a forest that crosses between their world and one filled with magic and traps.

Veris is the only person to ever rescue a child from the Elmever and so when the Tyrant's children go into the forest she is ordered to rescue them. Whether she wants to or not is irrelevant, refusal means death.

The magic of the Elmever is very faerie. Deals, games and tricks alongside a visceral gory danger. The language of the novella reflects that, the often quite poetic descriptions really build the atmosphere, switching from beautiful to grisly and back.

I often find poetic prose a risk, in this case I think Premee Mohamed mostly got it right. A lot of the metaphors landed for me but a few did still throw me out of the story as I reread them trying to figure out what I was being told. That's obviously highly dependent on the reader's perspective.

If you want a quick, atmospheric read with a dark creepy forest and a compelling main character, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I'm looking forward to reading more by Premee Mohamed ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A dark and beautiful book. The genre is hard to classify - I don't think I'd call it horror but it certainly contains horrific creatures and events. Some of the book works by medieval rules - the local ruler is literally called the Tyrant, and you obey authority or you end up dead, and some of it works by dark fairy tale rules, where you can do everything right but one thing, and that one thing may still be enough to doom you.

It's a world full of grim consequences, and little forgiveness for making mistakes, yet overall the book is suspenseful but not depressing. Even when things went wrong, the protagonist's practicality and resourcefulness let me hope that the situation could still be salvaged. The ending is not completely happy, but it's not tragic either. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but it feels like there are more stories to be told in this world, and that some of the sadder elements of this story could be revisited or resolved.

The writing is well crafted, and I feel like this is a book that would work well when read aloud. However, it is not kind to a careless reader, and there were several times I had to re-read sentences as I had missed important details from reading too fast.

Recommended, assuming you can handle period appropriate violence, moderate quantities of horror, and children in danger.

Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation but make it Fae, The Butcher of the Forest is a dark, Grimm-esque faerytale set in the realm where fantasy meets reality.

Veris is wearing her pyjamas when she’s given a quest by the conqueror of her land. She needs to find his children. Or else.

“If you do not recover my children your village will be razed to the ground and burnt, and we will roast your people alive upon it and eat them.”

So, no pressure. I suppose they don’t call him the Tyrant for nothing.

It’s not like the north woods are dangerous or anything…

“They told us no one ever gets out.”

I appreciated that Veris isn’t a spring chicken when we meet her, not that pushing 40 is old by any stretch of the imagination. She’s already done the impossible so she’s bringing knowledge hard won by experience. She’s also bringing traumatic memories she didn’t have the last time she stepped into the woods.

I’m a huge fan of body horror so that sat well with me. I encountered a number of oddities in the north woods, my favourite of which were the guardians.

I enjoyed this read but I’m left wanting more. Details about Elmever: its history, its inhabitants, why it is the way it is. The full story of Veris’ first time there. The backstory of the Tyrant, because you know he has to have a backstory to become … that. I also wanted to get to know Eleonor and Aram better.

I’m sure I’ll get some of this in the sequel. There’s absolutely going to be a sequel. It’s been set up so there’s really no other option.

I’m keen to read it but part of me is frustrated too. I wish this had been a novel instead, one that fleshed this story out some more and provided a conclusion. My need to know is trumping my frustration, though, so I’ll definitely be there for the sequel.

“I’m ready to go back to … to the woods.”

Content warnings include mention of sexual assault.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this novella.

LOVED THIS!! I adore dark fairy tales, and Mohamed really managed to keep that fairy tale feel while conveying how horrifying some of these tales actually are. She expertly mixed horror and fantasy elements, making it an engaging story and exciting novella. Although I recommend not reading it while playing a horror game also centered on forests - you'll get scared :')

I liked that this novel mixes the genres of dark fantasy and horror. It kind of reminded me of Alice in Wonderland but in a even more creepy way. But I struggled a lot with how the book was written. It felt a bit unbalanced most of the time and was either paced super fast or extremely slow.