Greymist Fair

by Francesca Zappia

Book Overview

"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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0063161699
• ISBN13: 9780063161696
• Release Date: March 2023
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Dark tales with hope

This was a nice collection of dark fairy tales linked by the town of Greymist Fair, a village in the middle of a vast forest ruled by Death. Now, as this takes inspiration from some of the tales by the Brothers Grimm, I knew it would be fairly dark. And I enjoyed it a lot as the tales ranged from the current time to the past (alternating) it was done in such a way as to keep it all connected and provide additional answers to why certain people died and why Death is so determined to make all the village victims and not just ones that stray off the path. I was sad to learn why certain people had to die (Heiki's mother for one) but it was also cool to see how some people (the prince) were able to learn from their unwise decisions and grow and not die. Though there was also satisfaction in the deaths of other despicable villagers. This was a fun version of older fairy tales and I enjoyed reading it all and how it ended with hope, even in dark times with Death coming for all in the end and how you should be able to greet Death as an old friend when they come for you.