Michaelbrent Collings

My daughter and I both read this book and enjoyed it so much. She and I each wrote reviews for the book, so you’ll get a little something from the both of us. First, me daughter’s review:

****
Grimmworld is a thrilling, exciting book, for all ages. It works great for sci-fi lovers and fantasy lovers. I loved seeing the connection to fairy tales and science all in one connected plot. Willow and Jake are really relatable; they’re just normal teenagers thrown into the unknown. The overall story kept surprising me, and the suspense was amazing. I loved the book.
5 stars
****

And mine: This book surprised me in the pleasantest of ways, and when I finished, I wished I had the next one on hand to read (it’s not even published, so…boo).

It had everything you could hope for in an exciting middle grade novel—action and excitement, good relationships and heart and character development, heart stopping moments and laugh out loud moments and sweet moments and crazy moments. I did not anticipate anything that happened (though I do have a theory about a certain Chet).

Jake and Willow were fantastic protagonists. I loved that they acted their ages. I loved that they thought the world of each other, that they helped and lifted each other. I love that they have a loving home life. And I loved that they had flaws and strengths, which were both put to use in this book.

This will definitely be a book I read to my children, and I’m sure my kids will read it over and over, because it was delightful. And we will be anxiously waiting for the second installment!

4.5 stars

**many thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts are mine and my teenage daughter’s.… (més)

A fun, fantastic twist on the Grimm fairytales, particularly Hansel and Gretel! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s my first book by Michaelbrent Collings and I can’t wait to read more.

The Witch in the Woods begins with two endearing 11 year old twins faced with leaving their friends and home in California for a small, mysterious town in Idaho. As they’re packed up and ready to leave, a strange man appears in their backyard looking like something out of a sci-fi movie and appears to be threatening them. Though they try to tell their parents, they don’t seem to believe them. Along the way, even stranger things happen and when they finally get to their new home in New Marburg, Idaho they discover they’re living in a Think Tank city with robots, cars that act like hoverboards, and a strange house with walls impervious to nails.

While their scientific parents are busy working on a secret project, Willow and Jake attend an advanced school with a mean teacher who seems to be out to get them from the first. When their already fantastic world is turned upside down after a terrible lightening storm, they suddenly find themselves in a fairytale world with a creepy forest, talking naked mole rat, and a terrible witch who’s captured their new friends. Can they solve the witch’s riddles to free themselves and their friends from her clutches?

I love middle grade books that are imaginative and well written. It’s also refreshing to read a book about siblings who truly love and support each other. Willow’s musical, loves to read, is smart, and social. Jake’s quiet, smart, kind, likes facts especially about animals and excels at remember them. I found myself on pins and needles cheering these kids on as they use logic and smarts to solve the witch’s clever riddles.

There’s also a sci-fi element with the parents working on a project that’s bringing about the collision of the fairytale world with our world. I loved that this story didn’t dumb things down for kids or use annoying potty humor. It’s intelligently written with scientific theories like string theory mentioned that might have kids googling to find more information. The book ends on a cliffhanger with a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.

I definitely think both middle grade boys and girls who like fantasy, sci-fi, or fairytale retellings will enjoy this! There are some scary elements with a witch who enjoys eating children, and some mild peril/violence which might be a bit frightening for younger readers. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4 1/2 stars!… (més)

This was the perfect mix of quirky and creepy, excellent for giving chills to middle grade readers. I might not be the target age, but I found it difficult to put this down once I started reading. At first, the story feels more odd than scary, but the deeper you go, the stranger and scarier things get. Collings did an excellent job of bringing the town of New Marburg and its inhabitants to life, and I loved getting to know Jake and Willow from the start. By the time the twins were thrust into a fairy tale world, I was already hooked, but the shift made it simply impossible to set down. I cannot recommend this enough for any avid readers in your life, or anyone you want to spark a love of reading in. It's certain to capture young imaginations!… (més)