Amazing photo by @debis_books!
Hello bookworms!
Happy Thursday and welcome to day 4 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!
Wow, there was a lot of tension and action in yesterday’s chapters!
Today we’re reading from chapter 25 to the end of chapter 32. 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 25 to Chapter 32. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
!SPOILERS!
So today’s reading started off with a very grim atmosphere. After spending three days without any food, aimlessly wandering around and the book of Sortes Fortunae nowhere in sight. I have to say, being stuck in a moving forest without a map or food would probably have me on the floor sobbing.
As Clara is drifting off to sleep looking up at the tree above and thinking of her mother “Will you truly come for me? I don’t believe you anymore Clara.” Her eyes fly open and she sees a face protruding from the tree above that looks like her mother.
Is Clara going mad like Rapunzel and Ella? Is this some wicked magic from the forest? Or something else entirely, what do you think?
Suddenly she hears a howl and spots the Grimm Wolf not far away-it has found her again. I feel like the wolf has something to do with her mother. If it wanted her dead surely it would have killed her by now. I’m growing suspicious…
Clara then realises Henni is gone but her pack still remains and fears the worst. They find an unnatural path of white pebbles and decide to follow them hoping they can find her.
They come towards the end of the pebble trail and a figure then slips out from amongst the trees -it’s Ollie. Clara realises that only she can see him. It’s kind of unexpected and creepy that Clara can see ghosts…
Ollie reveals that the ‘Woman In Red’ believes Clara was born with gifts and that it’s in her blood; she can see the past. Hmmm I wonder if ‘it’s in her blood’ is because maybe her mother has the same gifts and the ‘Woman In Red’ is her? I have SO many questions and theories!
Whilst Clara and Axel seek shelter under a tree they see two figures up ahead that they don’t recognise from their village; a boy and a girl. Clara tells them they are looking for their friend Henni. The boy then says “Henni. Yes” and beckons them to follow him. I have a bad feeling about this, I’m screaming “It’s a trap!” at my book.
They follow the pair and end up at a strange house beneath a tree with vegetables and fruits everywhere. Not easy to resist temptation when they haven’t eaten for days.
Henni is also there and tells them the pair are called Hansel and Grettle and they all begin feasting on the food. I’m literally shouting “STOPPPP have you learned nothing!” cough cough being tricked by Ella’s hospitality.
Clara notices small bones on the floor and Grettle keeps repeating the word “Meat”. Yeahhh they’re definitely cannibals. This has taken a darker turn. I’d be like byeeeee.
As they try to leave they end up blocked from the exit by a tree root and put into a cage.
Whilst stuck in the cage Henni reveals she is the reason Ella became on of the lost – she found a letter in Axel’s room the night before their wedding that he’d tried to burn and read it. But not only that, she told Ella what was in the letter. Nottttt good. The letter contained his confession of not loving Ella and calling the wedding off. She found out from Henni rather than Axel himself.
Oh but the plot thickens! There was also a confession of him loving someone else… any guesses? Yep, Clara. And she realises it too.
Still stuck in the cage Clara tells them about the abilities Ollie/The Woman In Red claim she has. She decides to try and use this ability somehow to trick Hansel and Grettle into letting them out of the cage.
Clara asks the pair about their mother to which Grettle replies “Witch” and she figures out that the witch in question is Fiora. To try to bait them into opening the cage she begins humming Fiora’s melody and eventually in anger they dismantle the cage to kill them.
A struggle ensues and Henni tries a new tactic when she hears the Grimm Wolf howl outside. She tells them that the wolf is here for them. In a panic they release them and the three escape.
Another plot twist! It turns out the Grimm Wolf has been protecting them all along. It stood between them and Hansel and Grettle growling. When they arrive back at camp the wolf had left three fish for them to eat. I’m definitely suspecting the Grimm Wolf is someone very close to Clara!
The next day Clara and Axel awaken to find Henni gone in search of Ella along with the red veil, a letter left in their place. They decide to go after her once more. The Grimm Wolf is also following them.
Whilst looking for Henni (again) they stumble upon a good omen but as they look closer the ground opens up beneath them sending them into a sinkhole that leads to a cave.
Clara finally tells Axel about her fate and that she will die in the forest.
Axel replies with the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard:
“I will not let you die, do you hear me? Love is stronger than deaht, stronger than fate. And I love you, Clara Thurn. I’m always going to love you.”
We won!! I am screamingggg. I love the friends to lovers trope in this book, it’s adorable!
Clara notices a particular flower in the cave known to be a symbol of luck and protection from evil. Behind the flowers she finds the book Sortes Fortunae. To test it she decides she will use her one wish.
Well that was an action packed few chapters today wasn’t it? So many plot twists and exciting new developments!
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel?
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
I’m so excited to see what will happen in tomorrow’s chapters, see you there fairies!
Love,
Jodie
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel? I like them together, usually I’m not a fan of friends to lovers but I really like how it was gradual and that they kind of have a similar back story to connect with
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is? I’m pretty sure it’s Clara’s grandma, I thought it was her mom at first but now I think her mom is the lady in red and I don’t think she can be two things at once.
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’? I’m 99% sure it’s Clara’s mother
Well, Hansel and Gretel were scary! I’ve never read the original fairy tales, but I know they were meant to frighten children, I just never imagined them to involve people eating people! I actually get to study the three main fairy tale books at university next year, and this book has made me look even more forwards to that!
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel?
I’m glad Clara is finally allowing herself to be happy! I still think she needs to get over herself a bit. I couldn’t imagine losing my mother, but as a mum myself I would never want my children to die for me, and I can’t imagine Clara’s mother feels any differently! Her mother would want her to be happy!
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
I think its her mother! Although if she’s protecting them then she must still be fairly sane – maybe she made some kind of deal to become a wolf if she could keep her wits? I think this would be another reason why Clara should accept that she can’t change her mother’s fate, I’m not sure the book could turn a wolf back into a human, as it seems to just give the villagers instructions on how to do things, like the ritual of Ella’s veil. I’m not sure magic would work very well outside of the forest.
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
I think it could have been a past version of Clara’s mother, before the forest was cursed. Ollie died years ago and I think that’s the reason that only Clara can see him – she can see the past! I think her mother had some kind of magic to do with the future: she knew that Clara would enter the forest and that’s why she made the cape and prewarned Ollie about it. It’s highly possible that she was wearing red rampion, even before the forest was cursed, because it’s her favourite colour!
Can’t wait to read the last section but I’m a little concerned that I still have so many unanswered questions and there’s not many pages left to answer them all! I have a feeling I’ll have to wait for book two to get some of my answers!!
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel?
Mmm, given how fun the setting and story are I have to confess they’re my least favourite part. I’m not feeling a ton of on-page chemistry between them tbh, we haven’t had many scenes of them just enjoying each others company or anything. We just keep getting reminded that they delivered some lambs together years ago.
Also, Henni is missing, everything’s going wrong, you just fell down a sink hole… probably not the time to be rolling about in the mulch laughing and saying the quest can wait, guys. Lmao.
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
For sure think it’s Clara’s mum! Though I did briefly consider maybe it’d be grandma…
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
I’m thinking also Clara’s mum, and she can turn between wolf and woman or else used to be a woman.
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel? I love them 😍 I agree with Axel about him not liking fate determining the future I believe we can chose for ourselves.
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
I still think it’s Grandmere even though nothing has suggested this 😂 . My reasoning being the grandma / wolf in little red riding hood.
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
I still think this is Clara’s mother – it will be interesting to see if she has any type of backstory along with grandmere as not much has been mentioned about either of them.
Looking forward to the end hope it doesn’t leave us on a cliffhanger as I’ve read it’s a duology!
Yes, I feel like this attitude gives Clara a new perspective which is good. Oooo I like that theory. Yes, I can’t wait to learn more about her mother there is still so much mystery!
1) FINALLY. And it’s so good to know the complete story of what happened with Ella and the aborted wedding.
2) Still think it’s her mom.
3) I’m so confused about that one. I thought it would be Clara but how could it be? Maybe her grandmother?
Yes, I am glad we got to learn more about exactly what happened to Ella. A good theory! I wonder who it could be.. 💜
Oh my GOSHHHH what a CLIFFHANGER!!!! I am so excited to see where the book ends and I’m so sad it’s almost over cause I am loving it!
I will say though, this was probably the most frustrating section so far. The characters being so tired and hungry and arguing was so frustrating, and I really felt how awful the situation was along with them!
I was so frustrated that they fell for Hansel and Gretel as well like… guys please?! Have you learned nothing?!? Though, I’m happy they seem to have realized the wolf is on their side!
Not surprised Henni left, given how she’s been acting, I think it was time but I want them to find her and save her
The scene in the Hot springs!!!!! Ahhhhh !!!! It was so cute!!!! I loved the descriptions of their kisses and just the whole scene was so lovely! I’m so thrilled about this development between them!
As for the wolf and woman in red… my guess is the wolf is her mother and the woman in red is someone evil? Ollie hasn’t steered Clara wrong yet so I’m inclined to believe he’s being honest that it wouldn’t be helpful for her to meet Clara haha
I am LIVING for the hot springs scene! So cute! Oooo that’s a very good theory! 💜
I’m so excited to see where the book goes now that Clara has found the Book of Fortunes! I think we all know what she Is going to wish for but I want to see how that leads to the next part of the story.
I think it was easy to guess that things between Clara and Axel would develop romantically and I’m glad we got the backstory of what happened with Ella and Axel. The scene in the hot springs was cute but not sure about them just straight abandoning the quest when Henni is missing..
I’m pretty certain the Grimm Wolf is the Grandma. I feel like the description of the violet eyes was also mentioned during the card reading at the start, maybe, this book has a lot of info.
The ‘Woman In Red’ I don’t know at this point it could even be Henni lmao
Can’t wait for the end!
Well, I have nothing else to say about the new developments between Clara and Axel that they are just so sweet. It was predictable but still sweet nonetheless. The hot springs scene couldn’t have been better honestly! They have known each other for such a long time so it felt natural to me that they developed deeper feelings for each other over time, just not telling the other about that.
In the beginning I thought that the Grimm Wolf must be Clara’s mother but then there were mentions of the woman in red which made me reconsider. I feel like the Grimm Wolf must be someone close to Clara because she is protecting her so perhaps her grandmother?
I still think the woman in red is Clara’s mother but I have no other theories so far… but I am anxious because Ollie said that Clara doesn’t really need to know more about the woman in red and if it is her mother then perhaps she is not savable at all?
What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel?
I love it! I was hoping it would turn out that way from the beginning.
Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
Clara’s mom. She’s trying to help them and specifically Clara.
What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
If the wolf is not her mom then maybe this woman is.
Hehe me too, I love a good friends to lovers trope! Interesting theories! 👀
1. What do you guys think of the new developments between Clara and Axel?
Now we know that he broke it off with Ella beforehand, I’m not as against the two, but I still feel a bit hesitant to fully support them.
2. Who do you think the Grimm Wolf is?
A manifestation of herself?
3. What are your theories about the ‘Woman In Red’?
I still believe she is the woman in red because of the red cloak she has been wearing
I was guessing his engagement to Ella wasn’t quite how it seemed and I’m so glad to have it confirmed! Their friends to lovers journey has been so sweet!
I’m guessing the Grimm wolf is her mother but the woman in red also seems to be her mother so I’m not sure! One of them is!
I love the new developments between Clara and Axel. I’m glad we got the backstory of what happened with Ella and Axel. I like the way they did the friends to lovers trope, I don’t read a lot of books with that trope but I like how the author did it here, is cute to read. In the beginning I thought that the Grimm Wolf must be Clara’s mother but now I’m not sure who it is. Maybe the Grimm Wolf must be someone close to Clara, like a family member o friend. I do thinks think the woman in red is Clara’s mother, she’s the first person to disappeared and the woman in red is the scariest in the forest so it makes sense that she will be the woman in red.