
Member Reviews

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 2nd half of the Grimm Forest duology and I actually think I preferred this book to the first (which I also really enjoyed).
Part murder mystery, part fetch quest, this book sees Clara and Axel return to the Forest to find the missing page from The Book and also reveal the killer who brought about the curse on their village.
It's woven with characters loosely based on Grimm Fairytales (although not as many this time) and although the final reveal was a little predictable, getting there was a lot of fun!
My only gripe (and it was the same as the first book!) is the overuse of S-curve for Clara's back. I think disabled representation is fantastic and I love the adaptions to her clothing to accommodate it, but it just felt like a weird modern medical way to describe it. It's a silly little thing though and overall the book is immersive and very enjoyable.

This is a great sequel to the The forest Grimm. We follow Clara and Axel as they return to the forest Grimm, navigate their new relationship, continue to try to lift the curse on grimms hollow and come to terms with what happened in book one.
We meet new characters along the way and learn more about the characters we came to love in The forest Grimm.
I love the way the author weaves parts of the Grimm fairytales we have come to know and love into the story in her own unique way and the murder mystery element of this story.
The ending is a beautiful and satisfying conclusion to the duology. I would highly recommend these books to anyone who loves YA fairytale inspired stories.
Thank you HarperCollins uk/magpie and NetGalley for a copy of this Arc.

Having read book one I was intrigued to see where book two would go.
When they realise they haven’t actually broken the curse, Clara and Axel must return to the forest to try and finish what they started. They need to find the murderer that initiated the curse.
“Romantic, eerie, and beautiful, The Deathly Grimm is the triumphant conclusion to Kathryn Purdie's bestselling Forest Grimm duology.”
I loved the side characters introduced in this one! I don’t want to give spoilers but their ‘companion’ in the forest was far more likeable than Henni in book one! That character was so interesting and really made the book for me.
As with book one they meet a variety of ‘fairytale’ character within the forest, all with a darker twist - this time, however, they’re on a time limited quest. They must find the murderer before the forest takes over the village forever. These added stakes increased the tension in the narrative, as you could sense the clock ticking away.
Axel and Clara are so cute together - I loved that this novel developed their relationship from book one. With all the angst you’d expect in a young adult novel!
It was clear from around the 50% mark who the murderer was - I was very intrigued to see how the plot would play out and how the characters would resolve the issues to bring the novel to its conclusion.
Overall I really enjoyed this conclusion to the duology and would recommend!
ARC copy provided by Harper Collis UK/Magpie & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you thought The Forest Grimm was wild, just wait until you dive into The Deathly Grimm! This sequel is packed with eerie vibes, high stakes, and the perfect dose of romance to keep you hooked from start to finish. Kathryn Purdie really brought her A-game for the conclusion to this duology.
The forest is creepier than ever, and just when you think Clara and Axel can catch a break, surprise—the curse isn’t done with them. I loved the new twists and turns as Clara and Axel head back into the woods. The riddles, deadly creatures, and hauntingly magical beings they encounter kept me on edge the whole time. It’s like every fairy tale nightmare came alive, but in the best, most terrifying way.
What I really appreciated was how much Clara grew in this book. She’s finally embracing her visions, and her strength and determination are next level. Plus, the tension between her and Axel? So good. Their relationship is tested in some pretty heartbreaking ways, and you can’t help but root for them as they fight to save their home—and each other. The ending was bittersweet, but honestly, it felt just right for this story. Not everyone gets a fairy tale happy ending, but it’s all the more powerful because of that.
If you’re a fan of dark fairytales, mysterious forests, or stories that keep you guessing, this one’s for you. It’s like Once Upon a Time meets The Brothers Grimm with a pinch of romance and a whole lot of danger. Highly recommend this series—it’s the kind of duology you’ll want to reread just to soak in all the details!

The deathly Grimm was fantastic! I just Loved reading it. I suppose all you need to know is that it’s a cracking action-packed story with a highly satisfactory ending – I really do recommend it.

The Deathly Grimm was such a captivating, eerie adventure - I couldn’t put it down. The dark fairytale vibes were absolutely on point, and I loved diving back into the cursed forest with Clara and Axel. The tension between them, both romantic and emotional, gave the story so much heart, and watching Clara grow into her abilities while they unraveled the truth behind the curse kept me hooked. The creepy forest creatures and sinister riddles made the stakes feel higher than ever, and I found myself holding my breath more than once.
What I really appreciated was how the story didn’t shy away from its darker elements - it embraced the danger, loss, and haunting beauty of the forest while still offering hope and redemption. The ending felt satisfying and bittersweet, giving just the right mix of closure and wonder. If you love fairytales with a sharp edge, a touch of romance, and a world that feels both magical and menacing, this duology delivers. I already know I’ll be thinking about that forest for a long time!

This book was everything I could've ever wanted and more. It was a great sequel to book 1 of the series, as well as a great way to end the story.

This book is a masterpiece! I rated it 5 stars. So so good. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.