Stunning photo by @bookish_archive!
Hello fairies!
Happy Tuesday and welcome to day 2 of our readalong of The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you all love it!
That was quite the exciting start yesterday, wasn’t it?
I hope you’re all having a fun time reading so far!
Today we’re reading from chapter 8 to the end of chapter 16. Let’s do this!
When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie from Chapter 8 to Chapter 16. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
!SPOILERS!
Okayyyyy so that was a very tense start to today’s reading! I really thought Clara was going to be lost and alone for a good chapter or two – very glad that wasn’t the case! When they reunited and ran to each-other and hugged? I just about lost it! I am SO rooting for them already.
They come to realise that they both woke up in a different place from where they went to sleep and agree that they will stay together from now on so they don’t get lost/separated from one another. Is the forest playing tricks on them? Honestly, I don’t think I would want to step foot in this forest, let alone sleep there.
As they continue to try and find their way back to the treehouse they begin to find it odd that they haven’t encountered any of the lost or any signs of them. It’s as if there is no one in the forest and they are the first. Where could they be?
After losing their bearings multiple times they give up on trying to find the treehouse and continue walking until they come across a bright red coloured path in the middle of the forest that feels soft, unlike how a forest path should be. As the night begins to approach they decide to follow it and see where it leads when there is a sudden gust of window followed by an animalistic howl. Twenty feet away is a wolf – a Grimm Wolf; bigger, faster and stronger than an average wolf. Honestly, I think I would cry if I was in their position.
Suddenly they hear a woman’s voice shout “Run!” and thinking it may be her mother, Clara begins to run towards the voice, Axel following closely behind. As she turns around, knife in hand to try and defend herself and Axel against the Grimm wolf, he collides with her and she stumbles back into the woman who turns out to be Henni. Whatttttt?! How did she end up in the forest and how did she find Clara? Henni wasn’t foretold in the cards so what will her purpose be in relation to Clara’s fate?
To escape the wolf the three of them climb up an oak tree and when I say I was on the edge of my seat! As they shuffle up the branches further the one Clara is standing on snaps and she falls into some kind of net which they decide to use as a bed for the night. How did that get there? Or more importantly, who made it if there are no signs of any of the lost?
The three of them share some food and Clara finally asks Henni why and how she is here. She is upset and tells her she doesn’t want to be left behind again like she was when her sister Ella became one of the lost. Henni questions whether her sister left on purpose. I wonder why she would think that. Was something going on with Ella and there is a different reason she ended up going into the woods when she went missing? I feel a plot twist coming relating to this later in the book… I’m also sensing there is more to her engagement with Axel.
The next morning Henni is suddenly attacked by the mysterious red path which turns out to be hair and is dragged away. They hear a woman singing and follow the voice which then leads them to a tower and the red hair which is dragging Henni up the tower towards a window. There appears to be a woman in the window who they recognise to be one of the lost from their village named Fiora. What is happening?!
Clara tells her that she is one of the Lost but the woman misunderstands and tells them that they can come into the tower if they know what she has lost. She also tells them her name is Rapunzel.
Whilst they are in Rapunzel’s tower trying to rescue Henni they learn that the forest moves, potentially explaining why they awoke in different places their first night.
Eventually, Clara talks Rapunzel into releasing Henni from the hair and tricks her, the three of them jumping from the tower window whilst using the hair.
After falling part of the way they scramble to grab their packs and run from the tower; Rapunzel’s hair chasing after them. They decide to try and make for the river when suddenly the Grimm Wolf appears in their path fangs bared in an attack stance. Clara runs and flings herself up onto a tree branch, the wolf chasing her when suddenly the branch cracks and she falls into the icy river. I swear Clara has incredibly bad luck. Getting chased by hair, a wolf and then falling into a river all in one day!
Henni thinks that the reason Fiora calls herself Rapunzel is because it means rampion in the old language. To save Fiora during pregnancy her mother went into the forest and ate rampion. Clara also remarks how that’s around the same time Fiora’s mother made her wish with the book; Sortes Fortunae. Is there a connection between people’s wishes using the book and those who are lost? 👀
Clara wakes the next day to find her head resting on Axel’s chest. Not going to lie, I’m almost swooning over this tiny little thing because it’s just so adorable! I ship them together already…
During the night the forest has moved again and Clara now realises her map is useless and that the changing forest is how all of the lost became lost.
Not axel giving her a forehead kiss?! I’m officially swooning now! Friends don’t give each other forehead kisses, he definitely likes her! What do you guys think?
Clara constantly convincing herself that the paired swans card is about Axel and Ella is my villain origin story.
The swooning continues when Axel calls her eyes beautiful and then kisses the top of each eyelid?! Did anyone else start kicking their feet and giggling when reading that? I think I’m blushing.
They are finally about to kiss when Clara spots a red wedding veil hanging from the tree above. It belonged to Ella! 👀
Does anyone else find Henni’s reaction to finding her sister’s veil suspicious? I don’t know why but I feel like we can’t trust her and there is something she’s not telling us…
After retrieving the veil Clara finds the Grimm Wolf behind her, Axel in-between and unaware. She runs to try and protect Axel when her red cape breaks free and the forest immediately attacks her as well as the wolf. She is then dragged away by the wolf into a hole under a tree.
Well, A LOT happened in today’s chapters?! And the ending of the last chapter? I am on the edge of my seat!
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
See you tomorrow for another day of reading!
Love,
Jodie
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What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
I am not sure but I wonder if what you said about the lost and the book being connected is true. Lost themselves with the wish they made? Or it was a shellfish wish and the ultimate selfish wish of murder finally made the book turn on the people? Maybe the woods lures people who have made a wish into it to take back something the book gave?
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
Not sure. She is acting odd but maybe the woods are influencing her or maybe she does know more. It was odd that she thought her sister went into the woods willingly and I want to know what Henni meant by that.
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
What if it is her mother and she is supposed to be little red riding hood? Maybe all the villagers turn into fairytale characters.
Hello!
I will say this book is very readable, which is nice. And I like the Disabled representation with Clara.
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
The visuals were really fun with Rapunzel and I like that the story is weaving in fairytale and folk tales (like the lucky spider Web thing). I do think it could do it with a bit more subtlety, not spell it out for us so hard so its more rewarding if we spot it ourself, but I still like that it’s there.
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
I think she does, but I also think maybe she didn’t just follow intentionally. I reckon red rampion is protecting people who enter the forest, yeah, but it’s also dragging people into the forest when they wear it. I’m all the more sure now we’ve seen Ella’s veil was red.
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
I think it’s her mum. I’m not sure HOW, but it feels true
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
– i enjoyed the rapunzel part of the story and I think as obviously she can’t remember being fiora that she has lost her memories but rapunzel doesn’t realise this she just knows subconsciously something within her is lost. I think maybe the book has taken the people who have made maybe selfish / bad wishes. I think maybe Ella’s wish was for Axel to love/ marry her and this is why she was taken.
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
-I think maybe the book has taken the people who have made maybe selfish / bad wishes. I think maybe Ella’s wish was for Axel to love/ marry her and this is why she was taken. I think Henni knows this but doesn’t wasn’t to say anything.
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
– I think the wolf is Grandmere given the plot of red riding hood – I don’t think she wants to hurt Clara but maybe try and warn her off? If not Grandmere then her mother.
First, can we just appreciate how good this summary is? The use of Dwight with the “Hmmm” meme and the sentence “Clara constantly convincing herself that the paired swans card is about Axel and Ella is my villain origin story” killed me! Hahaha
Secondly, I don’t know about Rapunzel, but I want to talk about the three kisses that have happened so far!!!
Shipping and ready to sail!
I believe the wolf is the mom. I know, crazy theory but there are people in the trees so…
And yet again we are left at another cliffhanger!!! But it seems every chapter ends with one and makes it so hard to stop.
Happy reading everyone!
Hehe happy you enjoyed it, can’t resist a good Dwight gif! 🤭 Yesss, I’m living for the small elements of romance!
I am absolutely loving all of these references to Grimm tales and how the book is using them so brilliantly! I would guess that the wolf is maybe some kind of Lost person, like Rapunzel– or maybe it’s actually trying to help her in some way? Maybe her mother? I’m really excited to figure out how this particular fairytale is twisted in the story!
I definitely think Henni knows more than she’s letting on– yesterday I guessed that Ella and Axel actually ended things before the wedding and I wonder if Henni seeing the veil brought back part of that for Henni and made her freeze up in the moment.
I definitely feel like we haven’t seen enough of Rapunzel yet and I can’t wait to keep going.
1) She felt drawn to Henni’s innocence and Clara and Axel’s love? Maybe she was betrayed by someone she loved? I have no idea. The forest is super creeping me out right now. I need something, anything, to start making sense please LOL.
2) I think she knows more about SOMETHING but what exactly I’m not sure.
3) I agree with the others. I think being Lost changes people and her mom changed into a wolf.
I also have SO many questions. There are so many mysterious elements woven into the story, it makes me excited to read more! And oooo I love that theory! 👀
This section was so packed! I feel like there’s a lot of different ways this could go…
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
I think it was probably spot on how it was said that she’d lost herself, maybe something to do with what the villagers wished for made them end up lost.
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
Definitely! I think the red rampion is drawing people into the forest as well as protecting them. I think the Grandma definitely knows something too and that’s why she never drew the red card before.
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
I’m thinking maybe something to do with the mother, I’m interested to see how that part of the story will work out. Surely it all has something to do with the book of fortunes too.
This book really has me on the edge of my seat, love the forest and the dark imagery so much. Axel and Clara!!! The scene where they almost kiss I was ahhhhh !!!!!!!!
I also love how CREEPY Rapunzel was written?! I HOPE she comes back!!
Something is up with Henni and Ella for sure, and I think Henni knows something and I’m dying to know what!!
Im so glad I’m not the only one who thinks the wolf is Clara’s mom. It definitely feels like that’s how it could be going and maybe she’s fighting to protect her somehow??
I kinda wish Clara wasn’t so obsessed with her fate, I’m hoping as more things change she grows and realizes it’s not 100% reliable
Yes, me too! The atmosphere is so eerie it has me utterly captivated!
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
Rapunzel is creepy! I love it! I think she’s definitely lost her sanity. But also it has to be something to do with innocence and love – at the time my first thought was a baby, and then there was the story about her mother nearly losing her pregnancy, I think it’s all to do with her being lost!
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
I’m not sure! Maybe she has a crush on Axel herself and was secretly glad Ella went missing? Or maybe she is worried she’s been hurt?
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
I think it’s her mother! Really dark and creepy theory but I just have a feeling!
I was totally surprised when Henni showed up. I expected the whole journey to be a kind of forced proximity romance trope thing and was surprised to have a third wheel added in. I definitely think there is more to Ella’s disappearance and that Henni knows about it.
I think the wolf has a significant connection to Clara—maybe it’s her mother?
Me too, that’s exactly what I thought but I feel like she adds so much more to the story! Yes I agree, I wonder if the Grimm Wolf is a person… 👀
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance? I’m not sure if she’ll make a reappearance and I feel like what she lost was her way out of the forest?
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods? I think so, it seems to me that she has some guilt surrounding Ella’s disappearance
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara? I’m feeling like maybe it’s her mother trying to protect her but also trying to get her to leave
What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
I hope she makes a reappearance! I think her character is quite interesting.
Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
Maybe… but I kind of hope she doesn’t…
Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
It was foretold by the cards… something is bound to happen with the wolf 🙁
Well… Rapunzel/Fiora is definitely creepy with all the moving hair, I wouldn’t want to be in that forest at all! Maybe she has lost herself (as Fiora) but is not able to remember and will constantly search for it until the curse is broken. I believe she’ll make a reappearance, either to be in the way again trying to stop the trio or when they’ll hopefully break the curse and she’ll be free as well.
It definitely seems like Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods. First of all, it seems so sketchy to me that she would even go into the forest to find Clara because in the beginning she was described as shy, laid-back. This is also confirmed with her being scared of Axel seeing her in a chemise. So why did she even go into the forest? She must have some kind of an agenda and it must have something to do with Ella.
I have no idea why the wolf is always targeting Clara. The only thought I had was that perhaps the wolf was Clara’s mother and she’s trying to protect her somehow or getting her to leave the forest but not sure about that either.
1. What do you think of Rapunzel and what she lost? Do we think she will make a reappearance?
I find it interesting those who have become lost somehow became fairytales from the Brother’s Grimm; like Ella being called Cinderella and Fiora becoming Rapunzel. I think she won’t return, but others will in similar situations. We might see her at the end if the curse is lifted and the lost return
2. Do you think Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance into the woods?
I think something happened between the sister’s. Henni mentioned something about it being her fault, so maybe they fought, leading Ella to leave the room and being thralled to go into the forest
3. Why do you think the Grimm Wolf is always targeting Clara?
I’m not sure, but it must be important somehow. Also, Clara is like Little Red Riding Hood with the cloak and the wolf is important in that story as well
Rapunzel/Fiora is definitely creepy with all the moving hair, while I loved the way it was incorporated in the story, I don’t think she will make a reappearance I think it was probably spot on how it was said that she’d lost herself, I’m not sure if Henni knows more about Ella’s disappearance but I have a feeling she may have to be involved in way. I think the wolf has a significant connection to Clara, maybe is her mother and the forest transformed her into the wolf.