Follow the candy filled road
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of Gingerbread Bones
Gingerbread Bones by Lindsay Lovise
4⭐️
This is a Grimm fairytale reimagined, a new take on Hansel and Gretel. We follow two siblings who are sent to be on this Forge in the Forest show. That their stepmom, influencer, Ashley who came up with the idea of the show….to get ride of them. Along with other delinquent teenagers they are sent off into the woods. That’s when things go horribly wrong. The teenagers now have to survive without any adults around and incoming rain and snowstorms. But they are not alone in these woods. A witch is hunting them down.
This was an interesting take on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel story. But also with a huge twist that is centered around REVENGE!!!! (Dun dun Daaaa!)
Add in features that feel like they were on Lord Of The Flies. Points for the originality. But this did drag a bit in the pacing. Also the relationship between the teens felt like it wasn’t needed for the most part. You are in the woods cold and afraid… you choose now to try to get with someone?!?
Overall it was a creepy read and not bad.
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Reading Gingerbread Bones felt like entering a distorted fairy tale where the familiar comfort of Hansel and Gretel is replaced by a modern, terrifying survival scenario. The setting—an isolated wilderness reality show—adds a contemporary and relatable twist, especially for fans of thriller and horror genres. During my read, I found the portrayal of the teens’ struggle compelling, not only because they face natural dangers like rain and snowstorms without adult guidance but also due to being hunted by a sinister witch-like figure. This dual-layered threat ramps up the suspense. What stood out for me was how the story captured the psychological tension reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies"; teenagers forced to navigate fear, mistrust, and their own dark secrets. While the pacing occasionally lagged, especially with the romantic subplots, the underlying theme of revenge offered a gripping motivational force that kept me invested. The concept of filming every moment for a reality show framed the narrative in a way that comments on modern social media culture, the influence of creators like the functionally villainous stepmom, Ashley, and the commodification of personal trauma. For readers interested in horror books featuring young adults confronting supernatural forces, this book offers an original, eerie atmosphere loaded with suspense. The palpable sense of danger and the characters’ fight for survival make this book a chilling yet thought-provoking read for those who appreciate a mix of classic fairy tales reimagined through a dark lens.