This was full of cool stories. Loved the format of the questions around some famous fairytales and found the stories enjoyable and entertaining. In fact I was sad it wasn't longer

A delightfully twisted take on fairy tales that left me wondering if I should thank my fairy godmother or file a restraining order against her

Listen, I went into this collection expecting a casual Sunday afternoon read about some reimagined fairy tales. What I got was basically the literary equivalent of finding out your sweet grandmother has been running an underground poker ring this whole time – surprising, mildly concerning, but ultimately kind of impressive.

The Good Stuff:
Garg has clearly done her homework on the "what if your favorite childhood stories were actually way more complicated" assignment. The title story answers the burning question we've all had since childhood: "But seriously, why WAS the Wicked Witch of the East just hanging out in the road like that?" Turns out she wasn't just taking a leisurely evil stroll – there's actual backstory here, people! It's like getting the director's cut of your favorite movie, except instead of deleted scenes, you get psychological depth and character development.

The concept is genuinely clever. Taking familiar fairy tale characters and giving them the "extended universe" treatment? Chef's kiss It's like Marvel, but with more magic wands and fewer explosions (though honestly, about the same amount of family drama).

The "Hmm" Stuff:
Here's where things get a little wonky. While the ideas are absolutely there, the execution sometimes feels like it's wearing shoes that don't quite fit. You know when you're telling a really good joke but you stumble over the punchline? That's kind of what happens here. The stories have all the right ingredients for fairy tale magic, but sometimes they feel like they're still figuring out how to cast the spell properly.

It's not bad, exactly – it's more like watching a really enthusiastic community theater production of Hamilton. You can see the vision, you appreciate the effort, and there are definitely moments of "oh, that's clever!" but you also find yourself thinking, "This could be really something with a little more polish."

The Verdict:
This collection is like that friend who tells great stories at parties – entertaining, creative, and you're genuinely glad you listened, even if they sometimes go on a tangent about their cat in the middle of the best part. Garg has a clear talent for reimagining these classic tales, and when it works, it really works. When it doesn't quite land, well, at least you're still hanging out in a world where witches have apprentices and fairy tales have footnotes.

Would I recommend it? Sure! Especially if you're someone who watches Disney movies and finds yourself asking way too many questions about the logistics of magic mirrors and talking animals. Just go in expecting a fun, if occasionally bumpy, ride through some familiar-yet-unfamiliar territory.

Bottom Line: A solid 3.5 stars for creative concept and genuine charm, minus half a star for execution that sometimes feels like it's still learning its lines. Perfect for a cozy reading session when you want something that feels both nostalgic and new – kind of like your childhood bedroom, but with better Wi-Fi.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC – turns out fairy tale retellings are like pizza: even when they're not perfect, they're still pretty good.

The Witch’s Apprentice by Ekta R Garg is an inventive collection of six short stories that reimagine familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes through a fresh and thought-provoking lens. Within fewer than one hundred pages, Garg poses intriguing “what if” questions that challenge the boundaries of the original tales, offering readers both new perspectives and unexpected depth.

Each story begins with a central question that guides the narrative and often connects seamlessly to the next tale. For instance, when Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz, Garg asks: Why was the witch in the road in the first place? This seemingly simple query unfolds into a richly imagined backstory that reveals more of the witch’s character and introduces figures who go on to play important roles elsewhere in the collection.

The stories also incorporate a diverse array of well-known characters, including the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the swindlers from The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Jack and Jill—whose journey for a pail of water is reconsidered with fresh significance. Garg further demonstrates her creativity by blending elements of Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks into the closing tale, weaving the narratives together into a cohesive whole.

Much like the television series Once Upon a Time, this collection thrives on reinterpreting traditional stories, providing new backstories and motivations that challenge readers’ assumptions. Some stories resonate more strongly than others, particularly those rooted in tales with which readers are already familiar, but each offers a unique expansion on its source material. Unexpectedly, Garg also inspires empathy for characters who are not typically portrayed in a sympathetic light, highlighting her skill in reshaping reader expectations.

It should be noted that The Witch’s Apprentice is not intended as a children’s fairy tale collection. Rather, it is a sophisticated and engaging reimagining, well suited to adult readers who grew up with these stories and who continue to wonder about the unanswered questions they left behind.

Cleverly written, imaginative, and at times surprisingly poignant, Garg’s work invites readers to revisit beloved tales with fresh eyes. The Witch’s Apprentice is a compact yet rewarding volume for anyone who appreciates inventive retellings and the exploration of “what if” possibilities within classic narratives.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

A really enjoyable short story collection based on famous fairy tales.

I liked how the author prefaces each story with a "Why did this or that happen?" question, and then answers it through the story itself. The stories I enjoyed most were the ones about the Pied Piper and the con men from The Emperor's New Clothes.

This was a super interesting idea for short stories. I loved the way the author prefaced each one with the question they were trying to answer for common works of fiction. I could tell which stories the author was super passionate about since they had longer chapters. Some of the fables the stories were based on I had never heard before. My favorite was the one about the Wizard of Oz. I’m not used to reading short stories so I kept wanting more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with an eARC.

This was a fun collection of short stories. I really enjoyed reading this "why did that happen" spin on retellings. The author's perspective on why the situation was possibly set up in a certain way in childhood and fairy tales was nice to read. I especially enjoyed the way two or more stories were connected together coherently. I especially liked the Goldilocks × Sleeping Beauty one and the Jack and Jill one. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short story collection of childhood story retellings. It really takes you back to those days.

This was definitely a fun traipse back into fairy tales! The concept of combining certain tales and filling in gaps of others was very intriguing but the execution was a little lackluster to me.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for this Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked this book and I felt it was very well written. My favorite part of the book was Jack and Jill. Ekta R Garg is a very good author.