After the Forest

In a fantasy retelling of Hansel and Gretel, Greta and Hans are struggling to get by twenty years after the witch in the gingerbread house. Greta has a secret recipe for the best gingerbread, but she is a source of gossip and suspicion. Dark magic is returning to the woods, and Greta's magic may be the only thing that can save her.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2024
Publisher: Titan Books Ltd

A captivating and enchanting fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey back in time to seventeenth-century Germany, "Gingerbread" is a must-read for fans of Brigid Kemmerer, Naomi Novik, and Marissa Meyer.

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a young girl named Greta. She was a kind and gentle soul, but life had not been easy for her. Her mother and stepmother had passed away, leaving her alone in the world. Hans, her father, was a gambler who had lost all their money, and the countryside was in ruins. People were starving, and the aftermath of a brutal war had left a deep scar on the land.

Despite these hardships, Greta had a secret. She had inherited the witch's grimoire, a mysterious book that contained the recipe for the most delicious gingerbread ever tasted. The witch had been her grandmother, and Greta had been secretly learning the recipe for the past two decades.

As long as she could bake, Greta could keep her small family afloat. She would sell her gingerbread to the villagers, and they would always come back for more. Greta's gingerbread was so good that it was known throughout the land, and people would travel far and wide just to taste it.

But Greta was not content with just selling her gingerbread. She wanted to learn more about the magic that was contained within the grimoire. She spent hours reading and studying, trying to understand the secrets of the witch's magic.

One day, while Greta was out in the woods, she stumbled upon a group of villagers who were performing a ritual. They were trying to summon the dark magic that had been lurking in the woods for years. Greta knew that she had to stop them.

She used her magic to create a barrier around the village, protecting it from the dark magic. The villagers were amazed, and they thanked Greta for her bravery. But Greta was not satisfied. She knew that the dark magic was still out there, and she was determined to find a way to defeat it.

Greta continued to study the grimoire, and she eventually discovered a way to use the magic to her advantage. She could create powerful spells that could protect the village from harm. But she also knew that the magic was dangerous, and she had to be careful not to use it too much.

As time went on, Greta became more and more powerful. She used her magic to help the villagers, and they in turn respected and admired her. But Greta was not content with just helping her village. She wanted to use her magic to help others, too.

One day, a group of travelers came to the village. They were lost and hungry, and they had no idea how to find their way back home. Greta used her magic to help them, and she led them back to their destination. The travelers were amazed by Greta's magic, and they thanked her for her kindness.

From that day on, Greta became known as the village's protector. She used her magic to help anyone who needed it, and she became a beloved figure in the community. But Greta knew that she could not keep using her magic forever. She had to find a way to use it for good, and to protect the world from the dark magic that was still lurking in the shadows.

In the end, Greta was able to use her magic to defeat the dark magic. She became a hero in the village, and people came from all over the world to seek her advice and guidance. Greta had finally found her purpose in life, and she knew that she would never forget the lessons that she had learned.

"Gingerbread" is a beautiful and inspiring story that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It teaches us that we should never give up on our dreams, and that we should always be willing to help others. It is a story that will stay with readers for years to come, and it is a testament to the power of magic and the human spirit.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803366074