Reviews
"Death is at the door of Greymist Fair, a town deep in the woods on a road most travelers never find. . . . Zappia has crafted eight interconnected stories that take place in Greymist Fair, though at different points in time, painting a vivid picture of life in a town where magic is real, but mostly unwanted. Zappia's stories call back to the lessons classic fairy tales were meant to teach young children, while finding ways to subvert expectations and keep readers glued to the pages . . . Zappia's writing is sharp and accessible." -- School Library Journal "Incorporating elements from several Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, Zappia (Katzenjammer) delivers a darkly enchanting collection of interconnected stories centering the insular village of Greymist Fair and the treacherous forest that surrounds it. . . . This skillfully written and thoroughly cohesive narrative gratifies as a mystery while illustrating the revolutionary power of love, kindness, and community." -- Publishers Weekly "In this fairy-tale mashup, the witch's daughter protects her village from both human and nonhuman monsters. . . . In the spirit of the Brothers Grimm, there's rather a lot of death and suffering, but there's also an extremely wholesome climax at Yule that could be taken from a classic Christmas story. Darkly atmospheric full-page art contributes to the sense of place. . . . Fans of retellings will enjoy finding many hidden tropes in the warm, original fantasy." -- Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
"Sharp and accessible." --School Library Journal "Illustrates the revolutionary power of love, kindness, and community." --Publishers Weekly "Fans of retellings will enjoy finding many hidden tropes in the warm, original fantasy." --Kirkus Reviews The villagers of Greymist Fair know that the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and that they should never set foot off the road. But when a young tailor discovers a body, her search for the culprit reveals even more strange and dark happenings around her town. From acclaimed author Francesca Zappia, Greymist Fair is a suspenseful and inventive murder mystery infused with magic and inspired by the lesser-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Two roads lead into a dark forest. They meet at Greymist Fair, the village hidden in the trees, a place kept alive by the families that never leave. The people of Greymist Fair know the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and to set foot off the road is to invite trouble. When Heike, the village's young tailor, discovers a body on the road, she goes looking for who is responsible. But her quest only leads to more strange happenings around Greymist Fair. Inspired by the original, bloody, lesser-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, acclaimed author Francesca Zappia crafts an enthralling murder mystery that will keep readers turning the pages. Told from multiple points of view, with each narrative building on the crime discovered by Heike, Greymist Fair examines the themes of childhood fears, growing into adult responsibilities, and finding a place to call home amid the trials of life and death. Features chapter decorations by the author throughout, as well as a map., "Sharp and accessible." -- School Library Journal "Illustrates the revolutionary power of love, kindness, and community." -- Publishers Weekly " Fans of retellings will enjoy finding many hidden tropes in the warm, original fantasy." -- Kirkus Reviews The villagers of Greymist Fair know that the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and that they should never set foot off the road. But when a young tailor discovers a body, her search for the culprit reveals even more strange and dark happenings around her town. From acclaimed author Francesca Zappia, Greymist Fair is a suspenseful and inventive murder mystery infused with magic and inspired by the lesser-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Two roads lead into a dark forest. They meet at Greymist Fair, the village hidden in the trees, a place kept alive by the families that never leave. The people of Greymist Fair know the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and to set foot off the road is to invite trouble. When Heike, the village's young tailor, discovers a body on the road, she goes looking for who is responsible. But her quest only leads to more strange happenings around Greymist Fair. Inspired by the original, bloody, lesser-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, acclaimed author Francesca Zappia crafts an enthralling murder mystery that will keep readers turning the pages. Told from multiple points of view, with each narrative building on the crime discovered by Heike, Greymist Fair examines the themes of childhood fears, growing into adult responsibilities, and finding a place to call home amid the trials of life and death. Features chapter decorations by the author throughout, as well as a map.
