Review: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

This is sort of a dark tale. And even a sort of a fairy tale. But, not a retelling. This is the story of Alice mostly. And to a lesser extent, Ella, Althea Proserpine, and Finch. This is also a story of stories with some embedded in the tale of Alice.

Once upon a time, Alice and her mother Ella lived in a perpetual state of almost homelessness sleeping on other people's couches and staying as guests here and there with the occasional hotel room sprinkled in. Everywhere they went they would leave as soon as bad luck caught up with them.

 Then one day, they get a letter telling them that Ella's mother is dead. Ella says, "We're free." But, she doesn't tell what they are free from. Alice pulls the note half burned out of the trash can and all she can read on it is her own name. The two of them establish a residence in Brooklyn and Ella meets someone and marries. Now Alice has a stepsister and goes to a private school. She works part-time in the afternoons/evenings at a coffee shop.

Then one day when Alice gets home from school she has the feeling that something has happened. And indeed it seems someone has been in the apartment and abducted her mother. Someone perhaps with something to do with her grandmother, Althea Proserpine and the book Tales of the Hinterland.

Eventually, Alice gets her mother's message to stay away from the Hazel Wood which was her grandmother's estate. Of course, that is the first place she will head looking for her. Alice feels she needs to rescue her mother from whatever/whoever has kidnapped her. She teams up reluctantly with a schoolmate and sort of rabid fan of her grandmother's, Finch. They go in search of Ella. Things get weird and twisted and obviously related to the Hinterland.

The character we get to know best is Alice. To a lesser extent, we become acquainted with Ella through flashbacks and with Finch when he agrees to help Alice.

I liked the way it was written. It kept my attention and made me read on to see what would happen next. It's definitely on the dark side. People are kidnapped; others killed. The Tales from the Hinterland that are in the book are dark as well.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, I enjoyed the book. According to Goodreads, there is an expected sequel as well as a collection of Tales from the Hinterland. This is a good read for people who enjoy fairy tales and don't mind a little darkness like the original Brothers Grimm type of tale.

First Chapter excerpt is available here on the Entertainment Weekly website.

The Hazel Wood was released January 30, 2018 from Flatiron Books.

I received a copy of this book from a giveaway on Goodreads.