Fairy-Tale Freak-Out

This was a book I read looking for escapism...and it worked. I have always loved fantasy and fairy tales. This novel fullifilled that love. The story is based on all the various traditional fairy tales, red riding hood, Hasel and Gretal; but they are much darker than what most may remember. I started out the book thinking it was a young adult book. But it was not long before Connolly demonstrated how adult this book really is. I was delightfully surprised by the dark turns the story took. I was, in particular, surprised, and moved by the scenes with the huntress and the woodsman. They were disturbing and moving, in that order. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite my prejudices against it when I started reading. In fact it passed a test that i have started with books that I read. I ride the bus to and from work every day, and during this time I read. I was reading this book on my way home from work. I was so wrapped up in it that I missed my stop and had to get off on the next stop and walk a bit more to get home. This started a new test for me. A book that can engross me to the point that I miss my stop, has to be a good book.