Review: A dark and sensual reworking of the Hansel and Gretel tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 27, 2012
4 1/2 stars."Candy Houses" by Shiloh Walker is the first novella in her Grimm series, a very different take on familiar fairy tales and fables. Forget everything you remember about the story of Hansel and Gretel and allow yourself to be drawn into this mesmerizing tale of Greta, a woman who survived the torture inflicted upon her by her evil stepmother and stepbrother and became a Grimm. Those who become Grimm have their work cut out for them, to protect the mortals on earth from the monsters who seek to destroy them. As each joins the hunt, they are granted increased fighting and survival skills but they are also given individual special gifts that are unique to them as well as a silver medallion that has wings and letters engraved upon it. Traditionally, they tend to hunt alone but also have resources they can call upon when needed and they all have interacted with the mysterious Will who has guided them on their journey and who interferes as he deems necessary. Greta discovers a new potential victim who inexplicably has access to a demon tome which is full of invocations for summoning all sorts of demons. Unfortunately, destruction of the book is not going to solve the problems that have arisen and Greta inadvertently requires the assistance of her Grimm colleague, Rip, whether either is happy with the arrangement or not. The two must learn to work together and deal with their past and present attraction to one another while they each fulfill the task before them or each will fail.A imaginative twist on a traditional tale that reimagines familiar characters with a sensual and intriguing flair. The contrast between the action-packed fight scenes and the flowering relationships plus the mystique behind the Grimm make this an enthralling read. The gradual introduction of tidbits about the various characters and the reinterpretation of traditional tales makes this an intriguing start to the series and whets one's appetite for more. Night Owl Reviews