Hansel & Gretel by Bethan Woollvin

I’ve made no secret about how much I love Bethan Woollvin’s dark, deliciously twisted retellings of classic fairy tales (see my reviews for Little Red and Rapunzel) — but her latest, Hansel & Gretel, may be my favorite one yet.

In this version of the story, the witch is a very good witch, but the bratty Hansel & Gretel are really trying her patience — and as a reader, honestly, I’m amazed she puts up with as much as she does. They make a mess, they eat her home, they mess up her spell books … but all the while, the witch puts up with it. Because she is a good witch.

Until she isn’t, at which point you’re definitely rooting for the witch anyway, so the dark twisted ending feels truly like justice. (I screamed in delight at the last page, straight up.)

This book is hilarious and fantastic, and will surely delight readers both young and old. I love it so much.

Look for Hansel & Gretel by Bethan Woollvin in stores October 1st. Here is the official synopsis:

Deep in the forest lives a witch named Willow. She is a good witch, who only uses good magic–until she meets Hansel and Gretel.

Willow never used to worry about messy breadcrumb trails. Or entire portions of her gingerbread house being devoured. Or anyone fiddling with her spells and magic books and causing a ruckus.

But Hansel and Gretel are two very naughty and very rude children, and they are trying Willow’s patience.

This subversive and deliciously wicked retelling of Hansel & Gretel from Bethan Woollvin, creator of Little Red and Rapunzel, features her signature striking and humorous visuals, and a twist ending that is sure to surprise and delight.