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The Woodcutter
Cinderella is dead and one of Odin's hellhounds has gone rogue. The Woodcutter, protector of peace between the Twelve Kingdoms of Man and the Realm of Faerie, is charged with finding the beast and returning him to the Wild Hunt. Unfortunately, it seems the forces of evil have other plans. It is a race against time as the Woodcutter travels east of the sun and west of the moon, up beanstalks and down to the bowels of the earth to unravel a mystery that can only be described as Grimm.
344 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
1771 people are currently reading
6736 people want to read
About the author
Kate Danley
57 books596 followersKate Danley began her writing career as an indie author in 2010. Since then, her books have been published by 47North, she spent five weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and she has been honored with various awards, including the Garcia Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year (The Woodcutter), McDougall Previews Award for Best Fantasy Book of the Year (Queen Mab), Best of 2014 by Suspense Magazine (M&K Tracking), and the 2017 Utopia Award for Best Anthology of the Year (Once Upon A Kiss - "Galatea & Pygmalion"). Her play Building Madness won the prestigious Panowski Playwriting Award and her play Bureaucrazy was a semi-finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her works have been produced in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada, and the UK. She has over 300+ film, television, and theatre credits to her name, and specializes in sketch, improv, and Shakespeare. She wrote sketch for a weekly show in Hollywood and has performed her original stand-up at various clubs in LA. She learned on-camera puppetry from the man who played Mr. Snuffleupagus and performed the head of a 20-foot dinosaur on an NBC pilot. She lost on Hollywood Squares.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,327 reviews
January 28, 2013
I don't understand why so many people were so taken by this book. I'm shocked this won awards and was very disappointed in the flow of her writing ability to tell the story with fluidity. I found it to be broken and rushed in areas and didn't give enough description of the characters as for who they were and what purpose they served in the story but rather was more concerned with the art of the sentence. Which is something that frustrates me when reading. I feel that some authors focus on how beautiful their sentences sound that they lose sight of what they are doing...telling a story.
I honestly thought this was going to be a creative fun read. I found it to be a collection of pulling every fairy tale character out of memory and throwing it into a book. The chapters were so short and didn't make sense how they would stop but the story would continue on the chapter as if it was a new paragraph.
When the Woodcutter dropped his ax in the river, I did not understand what was going on. The River God was strange and not well defined with purpose, then the three different axes didn't make any sense and I found it completely annoying but read on...
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to a spellbinding mystery and suspense combined in a fairy tale way and found it to be a group of mixed up fairy tales with some descriptive writing. Makes me wonder if this author truly has a following of readers or has a following of theater.
Basically the plot and characters needed to be more fully developed and a little more creative.
Unfortunately, I don't recommend this book and I was extremely disappointed.
I honestly thought this was going to be a creative fun read. I found it to be a collection of pulling every fairy tale character out of memory and throwing it into a book. The chapters were so short and didn't make sense how they would stop but the story would continue on the chapter as if it was a new paragraph.
When the Woodcutter dropped his ax in the river, I did not understand what was going on. The River God was strange and not well defined with purpose, then the three different axes didn't make any sense and I found it completely annoying but read on...
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to a spellbinding mystery and suspense combined in a fairy tale way and found it to be a group of mixed up fairy tales with some descriptive writing. Makes me wonder if this author truly has a following of readers or has a following of theater.
Basically the plot and characters needed to be more fully developed and a little more creative.
Unfortunately, I don't recommend this book and I was extremely disappointed.
January 18, 2013
I'm still not sure if I liked this book or not. I liked it enough to read it in a couple of sittings. I liked it enough to want to know what was going to happen and to care about some of the characters. But ultimately I came away feeling a bit cheated; as if I'd been given an old pair of shoes in a sparkly box and for a second I'd actually believed they were new.
The Woodcutter is a retelling of not just one fairy tale, but pretty much every fairy tale you can possibly imagine. All the standards are there - Snow White, Rumplestilskin, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood - plus Baba Yaga, Odin and Titania and Oberon for good measure. It's a tale that puts the Woodcutter of Little Red Riding Hood fame, at the centre of a quest to preserve the twelve respective kingdoms, the fairy world and the human world. It is a tale of pixies and iron, of trees that protect their own, and tragic women on quests to rescue their doomed lovers.
I really liked the Woodcutter character. He is well developed and complex and easy to empathise with. And perhaps that's where I feel torn. I wish it was a book about him, without all the other stories mashed in around him. Every time a Snow White, or Titania pops up it feels like the cheapening of an otherwise good tale. It takes the edge off the originality of the telling. Even a layer of subtlety would have helped; if the characters were all there but not named then you could guess at who was being alluded to.
Given that I bought this book through the Kindle Daily Deals, only cost me 1.99 and was a pretty quick read, on balance it's probably not too bad a deal. Should you read it? I don't know, I'm still not sure if I liked it or not...
The Woodcutter is a retelling of not just one fairy tale, but pretty much every fairy tale you can possibly imagine. All the standards are there - Snow White, Rumplestilskin, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood - plus Baba Yaga, Odin and Titania and Oberon for good measure. It's a tale that puts the Woodcutter of Little Red Riding Hood fame, at the centre of a quest to preserve the twelve respective kingdoms, the fairy world and the human world. It is a tale of pixies and iron, of trees that protect their own, and tragic women on quests to rescue their doomed lovers.
I really liked the Woodcutter character. He is well developed and complex and easy to empathise with. And perhaps that's where I feel torn. I wish it was a book about him, without all the other stories mashed in around him. Every time a Snow White, or Titania pops up it feels like the cheapening of an otherwise good tale. It takes the edge off the originality of the telling. Even a layer of subtlety would have helped; if the characters were all there but not named then you could guess at who was being alluded to.
Given that I bought this book through the Kindle Daily Deals, only cost me 1.99 and was a pretty quick read, on balance it's probably not too bad a deal. Should you read it? I don't know, I'm still not sure if I liked it or not...
October 3, 2023
I'm at work so I can't write too much...
This really seems to be a hit or miss with people. I remember when this book hit my radar a year or two ago. I immediately read the reviews which led me to mentally nixing this book from my TBR. This is partly why I stopped reading so many reviews: I actually really liked this story, and had I relied on reviews alone I probably wouldn't have picked it up.
Was it confusing at times? Um, yes. I had to stop the audio multiple times to search the book for information. I kept losing my place in the story mentally. You see, this is one of those that had one big arc with a bunch of little baby arcs underneath. Fairy tale after fairy tale was brought into play. Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, The 12 Dancing Princesses, along with Baba Yaga, King Oberon, Queen Titania, and Odin and The Wild Hunt (and more). I mean, there was SO MUCH GOING ON and ofttimes there was not enough information presented upfront. In order for things to make sense you had to keep reading...
But it worked for me.
I loved the way all the tales were brought together.
I thought she did a great job bringing them all to life, and I have to admit I'm a sucker for a creepy, sentient wood. The Woodcutter kind of reminded me of Hagrid, just kind of this lumbering dude who is steadfast and loyal to a fault. I appreciated that about him. He was called to duty, and though he didn't want to leave his wife, he still picked up his tools and left...but she was forever in his mind and heart. I thought it was incredibly sweet.
I don't know, I just enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty damn good. It even made me tear up at the end.
This really seems to be a hit or miss with people. I remember when this book hit my radar a year or two ago. I immediately read the reviews which led me to mentally nixing this book from my TBR. This is partly why I stopped reading so many reviews: I actually really liked this story, and had I relied on reviews alone I probably wouldn't have picked it up.
Was it confusing at times? Um, yes. I had to stop the audio multiple times to search the book for information. I kept losing my place in the story mentally. You see, this is one of those that had one big arc with a bunch of little baby arcs underneath. Fairy tale after fairy tale was brought into play. Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, The 12 Dancing Princesses, along with Baba Yaga, King Oberon, Queen Titania, and Odin and The Wild Hunt (and more). I mean, there was SO MUCH GOING ON and ofttimes there was not enough information presented upfront. In order for things to make sense you had to keep reading...
But it worked for me.
I loved the way all the tales were brought together.
I thought she did a great job bringing them all to life, and I have to admit I'm a sucker for a creepy, sentient wood. The Woodcutter kind of reminded me of Hagrid, just kind of this lumbering dude who is steadfast and loyal to a fault. I appreciated that about him. He was called to duty, and though he didn't want to leave his wife, he still picked up his tools and left...but she was forever in his mind and heart. I thought it was incredibly sweet.
I don't know, I just enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty damn good. It even made me tear up at the end.
July 29, 2014
It as been some time since a book was able to so utterly transport me to a different world. This was an absolutely enthralling read that I was scarcely able to put down. Kate Danley has a very interesting writing style that works for this type of genre. The Woodcutter's multi-dimensional character contrasts well with the decidedly one-dimensional evil of the Queen and the Gentleman. The emotions that run through this book made me cry with joy and sadness, made me angry, upset, and frustrated, and filled me with tender caring and contentment.
I had never heard of this book before I saw it on Kindle's Daily Deals (praise Amazon for that!) and yet I was instantly attracted to its premise after reading the summary. As a diehard fan of ABC's show Once Upon a Time (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843230/), which takes traditional fairy tales -- plus Wonderland and Neverland -- and puts them in a completely different context, I wanted to see how Kate Danley approached the same task. I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only do we see the quintessential fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rumpelstiltskin, but we also see characters from ethnic fairy tales, such as Baba Yaga and the Girl in Iron Sandals/Shoes . The characters' fundamental characteristics were the same, but Danley -- like the creators of Once Upon a Time -- used their stories as threads with which to weave a much bigger story. I had a lot of fun trying to guess each character, as their names don't usually appear right away and are only identified by their description. This was a very novel approach to what seems to be a re-emerging popular genre and it is a tremendous success.
I very much look forward to seeing what Kate Danley can create in the future and am only saddened by the fact that this book seems to be the first and last about the Woodcutter.
I had never heard of this book before I saw it on Kindle's Daily Deals (praise Amazon for that!) and yet I was instantly attracted to its premise after reading the summary. As a diehard fan of ABC's show Once Upon a Time (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843230/), which takes traditional fairy tales -- plus Wonderland and Neverland -- and puts them in a completely different context, I wanted to see how Kate Danley approached the same task. I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only do we see the quintessential fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rumpelstiltskin, but we also see characters from ethnic fairy tales, such as Baba Yaga and the Girl in Iron Sandals/Shoes . The characters' fundamental characteristics were the same, but Danley -- like the creators of Once Upon a Time -- used their stories as threads with which to weave a much bigger story. I had a lot of fun trying to guess each character, as their names don't usually appear right away and are only identified by their description. This was a very novel approach to what seems to be a re-emerging popular genre and it is a tremendous success.
I very much look forward to seeing what Kate Danley can create in the future and am only saddened by the fact that this book seems to be the first and last about the Woodcutter.
November 14, 2012
The Woodcutter was an interesting idea, I was sure I was going to love it because who doesn't like fairy tales? After reading it though, I honestly believe if it ain't broke don't fix it!
The Woodcutter is basically a Frankenstein monster of all the pretty tales you grew up with as a child. Practically every fairy tale you can think of has been dissected, and sown back together in an unattractive and messy way.
I really didn't like the narrative and flow of the book. I was only a few chapters in, and had to check the book was not part of a series. I felt that I was being dropped into a world I should have already known about, and should not have needed explaining. You are swapmed with an overload of information at once, which made the first part of the book feel very bogged down and clunky. The VERY short chapters also made for a jarring and disjointed feeling, and made it difficult to really get absorbed in the book.
To be honest the story became a little repetitive as it went on. At every challenge the Woodcutter faced he seemed to be defeated, only to find a predictable solution and carry on the next trial to do it all over again...
Not a book I would read again. I wasn't keen, but with so many familiar and well loved characters making an appearance, it will appeal to some people.
The Woodcutter is basically a Frankenstein monster of all the pretty tales you grew up with as a child. Practically every fairy tale you can think of has been dissected, and sown back together in an unattractive and messy way.
I really didn't like the narrative and flow of the book. I was only a few chapters in, and had to check the book was not part of a series. I felt that I was being dropped into a world I should have already known about, and should not have needed explaining. You are swapmed with an overload of information at once, which made the first part of the book feel very bogged down and clunky. The VERY short chapters also made for a jarring and disjointed feeling, and made it difficult to really get absorbed in the book.
To be honest the story became a little repetitive as it went on. At every challenge the Woodcutter faced he seemed to be defeated, only to find a predictable solution and carry on the next trial to do it all over again...
Not a book I would read again. I wasn't keen, but with so many familiar and well loved characters making an appearance, it will appeal to some people.
March 28, 2018
I am so happy I did not stop myself from reading this book because of the bad reviews here. It was so beautiful. I now understand why so many people not liked it. If you expect a modern fairy tale retelling, I have to dissapoint you. This piece is written in the old ways as the traditional original oooold fairytales like H.C. Andersen, I felt like a little child again when I listened to the story of Red Riding hood and and recalled as a child wanting to get under the blanket of the fear of the wolf wanting to eat everyone. I recalled as I met Snow White and the seven dwarves for the first time in an ilustrated book and how I watched an old czech fairy tale movie about Rumpelstiltskin.
It was haunting, it was nostalgic, it was lovely, it was weird. I really enjoyed this. Really, the problem here is that it is not written in todays modern ways of giving the character deep characteristic and backround story and explain all the details. Here it is the Woodcutter, the Snow White, the Iron Shoes, etc. and their old fairy tale stories. If the author would try to give everyone a space to tell the whole story with details instead of the brief appearing, it book would be 1000 and it would become boring. Like this it had the haunting mysterious feeling and magic of the old fairytales.
I really recommend this. But BE AWARE! This is not written in a modern way but if you love old traditional way of telling a fairy tale, if you were that child as I, then you might love it as I did.
It was haunting, it was nostalgic, it was lovely, it was weird. I really enjoyed this. Really, the problem here is that it is not written in todays modern ways of giving the character deep characteristic and backround story and explain all the details. Here it is the Woodcutter, the Snow White, the Iron Shoes, etc. and their old fairy tale stories. If the author would try to give everyone a space to tell the whole story with details instead of the brief appearing, it book would be 1000 and it would become boring. Like this it had the haunting mysterious feeling and magic of the old fairytales.
I really recommend this. But BE AWARE! This is not written in a modern way but if you love old traditional way of telling a fairy tale, if you were that child as I, then you might love it as I did.
January 11, 2013
A thoroughly enjoyable retelling and combining of fairy tales from various sources.The message the same, even if the meaning is a little different: True love conquers all.
In this case however, true love is not the romantic, Disneyfied stuff. It is love that comes without enchantment or disguise. It is the love that contains a willingness for sacrifice and the quiet, comfortable warmth of true understanding and acceptance of another.
There is so much of this book that I want to quote, but I don't want to give too much away. I can't resist these three though:
"She was who she was, no more, no less, and that was what made her so special."
"Some spoke gentle words; some remained silent. But he understood. Understood that the pain he endured thinking he was leaving them was nothing compared to the pain they endured knowing he was gone. So together they rejoiced in life."
"She held him and he held her, two souls that had known each other for ten years and ten years more. Two souls reunited ... He looked at the woman who held his heart safe as she whispered his name."
In this case however, true love is not the romantic, Disneyfied stuff. It is love that comes without enchantment or disguise. It is the love that contains a willingness for sacrifice and the quiet, comfortable warmth of true understanding and acceptance of another.
There is so much of this book that I want to quote, but I don't want to give too much away. I can't resist these three though:
"She was who she was, no more, no less, and that was what made her so special."
"Some spoke gentle words; some remained silent. But he understood. Understood that the pain he endured thinking he was leaving them was nothing compared to the pain they endured knowing he was gone. So together they rejoiced in life."
"She held him and he held her, two souls that had known each other for ten years and ten years more. Two souls reunited ... He looked at the woman who held his heart safe as she whispered his name."
July 12, 2013
No... I am sorry but no. I dont see how anyone can give this more then one star. It lacks the passion, action and adventure the author tries to portray in its description. Remember the clear eyes commercial guy? Yea monotone and bland but the words he says are meant to be exciting? Yea thats how I picture the woodcutter... wow. Its like pure vanilla sex when you were promised the ride of your life. Im sorry usually I try not to give a bad review and even if I didnt like the book that much I still give them a couple of stars but this.. I fell asleep while reading every chapter. Its a bad sign when a book naturally sedates me. If maybe she would have written the woodcutter with more character maybe it would have been better. I mean it is the main character he should captivate the reader not put them to sleep.
October 16, 2013
Way back in the day, I wrote a lot of fanfiction. Like, a lot a lot. Thousands and thousands of words of it and a few people really dug it. Having written way more fanfic than original anything, I am here to report that fanfic is fun because you can just tell a story. All the characterization and most of the setting is (usually, often) taken care of for you. So you pick a few phrases and a few tropes and then you just get to have a rollicking good time winging the wacky (or morose, or terribly dangerous or whatever) hijinx. It gives both the writer and the reader the chance to savor the best and favorite parts of the works without doing any work you don't really want to do.
So, that said, I bet you my bottom onion ring that this is a bit of fanfic that got a little bit big in some secret community and Danley got told this could be, like, a real book! And everything! And yes, I'm exaggerating. I'm sure it didn't happen like that. But it comes across like that. It's a tepid little exploration of a metanarrative that goes down the Aarne-Thompson list of types and tries to hit as many of the high points as coyly as possible. But what you're really left with is the idea that you're not getting the full story. You weren't in on the conversation that led to the story and so are left out of all the assumptions that go into it. She's just telling the story! Except she forgot that not everybody is in on the canon.
Further, it's just not that great a story.
Danley is clearly trying to write something entertaining and beautiful. But the plot is so loose and the characterization so very deeply reliant on a sophisticated and deep understanding of folklore that most people don't have that everything falls flat. I literally had to force myself to get through the last 10% of the book. If you get the urge to read it, just stop and go listen to "Into the Woods." Same ethos, better delivery.
So, that said, I bet you my bottom onion ring that this is a bit of fanfic that got a little bit big in some secret community and Danley got told this could be, like, a real book! And everything! And yes, I'm exaggerating. I'm sure it didn't happen like that. But it comes across like that. It's a tepid little exploration of a metanarrative that goes down the Aarne-Thompson list of types and tries to hit as many of the high points as coyly as possible. But what you're really left with is the idea that you're not getting the full story. You weren't in on the conversation that led to the story and so are left out of all the assumptions that go into it. She's just telling the story! Except she forgot that not everybody is in on the canon.
Further, it's just not that great a story.
Danley is clearly trying to write something entertaining and beautiful. But the plot is so loose and the characterization so very deeply reliant on a sophisticated and deep understanding of folklore that most people don't have that everything falls flat. I literally had to force myself to get through the last 10% of the book. If you get the urge to read it, just stop and go listen to "Into the Woods." Same ethos, better delivery.
February 9, 2013
Full review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: The Woodcutter by Kate Danley is a book that slipped me by when it was originally self-published by the author in 2010. I happened across it recently when it was rereleased by 47North. I was very much intrigued by the storyline as it reminded me of The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly which is one of my all time favorites.
The story is set in a realm wherein there are twelve kingdoms and all of them are either ruled by creatures of Faerie and humans. Surrounding all these kingdoms is the woods area, which is overseen by the Woodcutter. The Woodcutter is in a long line of woodcutters who have been adjudged to be the men who oversee the woods. He’s also tasked with keeping the peace between the twelve kingdoms however recently he’s been finding that events are taking a turn beyond gruesome. He finds a dead body of a girl who will be well known to readers of fairy tales. Tasked with finding the murderer and to stop the further division of the twelve kingdoms, the woodcutter will have to dig deep to stop the anarchy that is unfolding.
This book is a clever mix of fairy tales, classical fantasy and mystery. I enjoyed the author’s take on this world wherein fairy tale characters mingle with those from European mythology. The story really begins with a twisted opening and from then on we are constantly shunted from chapter to chapter with a new revelation about the world as well as the characters. I think the pace of the story helps quite a bit as well as the extremely short chapters. The story constantly keeps the readers on their toes with oodles of mystery in regards to what is actually happening as well who or what is the main protagonist’s role in the world.
The characterization is done very cleverly and gives the main character enough of a mysterious edge to be believable. The main plot thread is a very mystery laced one and has a slight noir-ish quality to it. The world building is rather strange and what I mean by strange is that the author combines various different elements into her story to make it a very different world. Lastly with all these dark elements to the story, I must say the story is kept on a YA level consistently and has some rather sweet moments to it as well.
Combining a fascinating story within a hybrid world of mythology, fairy tales and fantasy, Kate Danley showcases her superb skills and its no wonder this book has won so many awards. I enjoyed the quirky storyline and thoroughly enjoyed the story all the way to its poignant end. Very much recommended for those who like Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book and John Connolly’s The Book Of Lost Things. The Woodcutter is an odd book but one that cherishes its oddness and makes you fall in love with it.
January 20, 2018
I enjoyed listening to The Woodcutter. It’s not a hugely action packed story, more character led really. However, it is fun following The Woodcutter on his travels, as he encounters a number of very famous fairytale characters. At first it reminded me a little of Alice when she arrives in Wonderland and goes on a journey of meeting random quirky characters. My main criticism is that I think The Woodcutter met too many different characters, making the story feel a little repetitive and slightly confusing at times.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Kindle Unlimited, and it was well narrated.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Kindle Unlimited, and it was well narrated.
April 1, 2018
WOW. A brilliant mashup of Grimm’s fairy tales and the fae of legend, spun by a master storyteller. I loved, loved, LOVED this book. ♥️🙌🏻
December 27, 2012
A dark magical tale of faerie, folklore, fable and fantasy that is truly spellbinding!
This beautiful book has such a striking, exquisite cover that it certainly stands out on the bookshelf as something unique and not of this world. As one opens the pages it feels like ‘The Neverending Story’ where dreams become reality as you are swept away into a world of myth and legend, of magic and the extraordinary. The twelve kingdoms is a place that you can escape to, reminiscent of Alice exploring Wonderland, and which brings the classic fairytales to the modern age. Current, contemporary and fresh ‘The Woodcutter’ is a delightful story containing everything that one would expect within a traditional fairytale, such as romance, magic and an evil enemy.
Deep within a Wood, a young woman lies dead. Not a mark on her body. No trace of her murderer. Only her chipped glass slippers hint at her identity…
The Woodcutter, keeper of the peace between the Twelve Kingdoms of Man and the Realm of the Faerie, must find the maiden’s killer before others share her fate. Guided by the wind and aided by three charmed axes won from the River God, the Woodcutter begins his hunt, searching for clues in the whispering dominions of the enchanted unknown. But quickly he finds that one murdered maiden is not the only nefarious mystery afoot: one of Odin’s hellhounds has escaped, a sinister mansion appears where it shouldn’t, a pixie dust drug trade runs rampant, and more young girls go missing. Looming in the shadows is the malevolent, power-hungry queen, and she will stop at nothing to destroy the Twelve Kingdoms and annihilate the Royal Fae…unless the Woodcutter can outmanoeuvre her and save the gentle souls of the Wood.
Blending magic, heart-pounding suspense, and a dash of folklore, The Woodcutter is an extraordinary retelling of the realm of fairy tales.
This wonderfully absorbing and darkly thrilling read is just breathtaking, as you follow the Woodcutter in his endeavors to overcome the wicked Queen. His enduring love for his wife is admirable as too is his determination to defend the twelve kingdoms, whatever the cost may be. Kate Danley gives classic fairytales a fresh, contemporary twist which will appeal to a wide readership including readers both young and old. Fans of Phillip Pullman’s Grimm Tales or Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter, will love this take on classics with a twist that is totally inspired and cleverly crafted. The compelling narrative is so readable that you will find it hard to put this down, and so as a consequence I read this book in a single sitting; which I certainly feel is a great testimony to the author’s writing. Good VS evil is a theme that flows through all memorable fairytales, with this book being no exception, and which I can compare to television drama ‘Once Upon A Time’.
Complete with Norse mythology, legends of old, magic and warmongering this book is an exciting read that is very enjoyable hence I would highly recommend it. If you love Fae, Myths & legends, magic and YA fantasy then this is something to add to your to-read list!
This beautiful book has such a striking, exquisite cover that it certainly stands out on the bookshelf as something unique and not of this world. As one opens the pages it feels like ‘The Neverending Story’ where dreams become reality as you are swept away into a world of myth and legend, of magic and the extraordinary. The twelve kingdoms is a place that you can escape to, reminiscent of Alice exploring Wonderland, and which brings the classic fairytales to the modern age. Current, contemporary and fresh ‘The Woodcutter’ is a delightful story containing everything that one would expect within a traditional fairytale, such as romance, magic and an evil enemy.
Deep within a Wood, a young woman lies dead. Not a mark on her body. No trace of her murderer. Only her chipped glass slippers hint at her identity…
The Woodcutter, keeper of the peace between the Twelve Kingdoms of Man and the Realm of the Faerie, must find the maiden’s killer before others share her fate. Guided by the wind and aided by three charmed axes won from the River God, the Woodcutter begins his hunt, searching for clues in the whispering dominions of the enchanted unknown. But quickly he finds that one murdered maiden is not the only nefarious mystery afoot: one of Odin’s hellhounds has escaped, a sinister mansion appears where it shouldn’t, a pixie dust drug trade runs rampant, and more young girls go missing. Looming in the shadows is the malevolent, power-hungry queen, and she will stop at nothing to destroy the Twelve Kingdoms and annihilate the Royal Fae…unless the Woodcutter can outmanoeuvre her and save the gentle souls of the Wood.
Blending magic, heart-pounding suspense, and a dash of folklore, The Woodcutter is an extraordinary retelling of the realm of fairy tales.
This wonderfully absorbing and darkly thrilling read is just breathtaking, as you follow the Woodcutter in his endeavors to overcome the wicked Queen. His enduring love for his wife is admirable as too is his determination to defend the twelve kingdoms, whatever the cost may be. Kate Danley gives classic fairytales a fresh, contemporary twist which will appeal to a wide readership including readers both young and old. Fans of Phillip Pullman’s Grimm Tales or Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter, will love this take on classics with a twist that is totally inspired and cleverly crafted. The compelling narrative is so readable that you will find it hard to put this down, and so as a consequence I read this book in a single sitting; which I certainly feel is a great testimony to the author’s writing. Good VS evil is a theme that flows through all memorable fairytales, with this book being no exception, and which I can compare to television drama ‘Once Upon A Time’.
Complete with Norse mythology, legends of old, magic and warmongering this book is an exciting read that is very enjoyable hence I would highly recommend it. If you love Fae, Myths & legends, magic and YA fantasy then this is something to add to your to-read list!
April 28, 2018
The Woodcutter is a fairytale focusing on, you guessed it, the woodcutter of a magical forest that links 12 kingdoms together. The Woodcutter is a part of the forest itself but when he discovers a young girl with glass slippers dead, he knows all is not right in his world. As he goes to investigate, he ends up having to use his particular brand of magic to save himself, and others, on countless occasions.
This was a surprising but enjoyable read, and I was able to fly through it in one sitting.At first, the style of writing was a bit odd - it’s slightly whimsical and fairytale-like as can be expected, and I didn’t always know exactly what was going on but I really enjoyed how all the fairytales we know were brought into this story in such a unique way. I loved that the forest itself was more or less a creature on its own, and had its own special magic that also flowed through the Woodcutter. It reminded me a little bit of the forest in Uprooted by Naomi Novik, combined with the fairytale characters from Once Upon A Time.
I really enjoyed seeing how Snow White, Rapunzel and Jack were all brought into the story but we also had mentions of high fae like Oberon and Titania, as well as some Norse gods. I really loved the rules around the pixies and how they couldn’t touch the ground.
I really enjoyed this, though it wasn’t my favourite fairytale book ever. I would recommend it for people looking for something whimsical to read with fairytale connections.
This was a surprising but enjoyable read, and I was able to fly through it in one sitting.At first, the style of writing was a bit odd - it’s slightly whimsical and fairytale-like as can be expected, and I didn’t always know exactly what was going on but I really enjoyed how all the fairytales we know were brought into this story in such a unique way. I loved that the forest itself was more or less a creature on its own, and had its own special magic that also flowed through the Woodcutter. It reminded me a little bit of the forest in Uprooted by Naomi Novik, combined with the fairytale characters from Once Upon A Time.
I really enjoyed seeing how Snow White, Rapunzel and Jack were all brought into the story but we also had mentions of high fae like Oberon and Titania, as well as some Norse gods. I really loved the rules around the pixies and how they couldn’t touch the ground.
I really enjoyed this, though it wasn’t my favourite fairytale book ever. I would recommend it for people looking for something whimsical to read with fairytale connections.
October 10, 2017
OK. Ich gebs auf. Dass das Thema so leicht Grimm/Once Upon A Time mäßig ist, ist nicht jedermanns Sache, okay. Aber meine.
Nur dieses Buch ist einfach nur furchtbarst geschrieben. Eine sinnlose Aneinanderreihung von altbekannten Märchencharakteren und neuen. Allerdings lieblos aneinander geklatscht und an keiner Stelle macht man sich die Mühe, mal irgendwas zu erklären oder die Personen weiter vorzustellen.
Vielleicht soll es anmuten wie klassische Märchen, wo das ja auch nicht der Fall ist. Aber selbst da kommt aufgrund der Geschichte irgendwann Sympathie oder ähnliches auf. Man hat schließlich nur eine Geschichte auf die man sich konzertrieren muss. Hier aber wird alles durchgequirllt, was nicht schnell genug sterben kann.
Nein, definitiv nichts für mich. Habs auch nicht zu Ende gelesen. Das raubt mir zuviel Lebenszeit.
Nur dieses Buch ist einfach nur furchtbarst geschrieben. Eine sinnlose Aneinanderreihung von altbekannten Märchencharakteren und neuen. Allerdings lieblos aneinander geklatscht und an keiner Stelle macht man sich die Mühe, mal irgendwas zu erklären oder die Personen weiter vorzustellen.
Vielleicht soll es anmuten wie klassische Märchen, wo das ja auch nicht der Fall ist. Aber selbst da kommt aufgrund der Geschichte irgendwann Sympathie oder ähnliches auf. Man hat schließlich nur eine Geschichte auf die man sich konzertrieren muss. Hier aber wird alles durchgequirllt, was nicht schnell genug sterben kann.
Nein, definitiv nichts für mich. Habs auch nicht zu Ende gelesen. Das raubt mir zuviel Lebenszeit.
June 5, 2015
Honestly, this absolutely sucked and was a chore to finish. I've already forgotten what happened because it was so bad.
May 23, 2017
Not quite a 3, let's say 2.75
I wanted a fairytale and I got it. I also got really confused with princesses and princes and queens. And I wasn't even drinking when I read this 😉
I wanted a fairytale and I got it. I also got really confused with princesses and princes and queens. And I wasn't even drinking when I read this 😉
June 25, 2019
A whimsical look at fairy tale life, Danley took beloved characters and wove them into a tapestry of her own.
March 12, 2013
Originally posted at FanLit.
The Woodcutter lives in an enchanted wood. His job, which he inherited from his ancestors, is to maintain peace and the delicate balance of good and evil in the neighboring realms of humans and fairies. One day when he discovers Cinderella lying dead on the forest floor, he knows that something has gone wrong. Further investigation shows other fairytale characters are in danger, one of Odin’s hellhounds has escaped, and someone is murdering pixies so they can sell pixie dust on the black market. The Woodcutter must figure out who is behind these evil events and set things right again.
Kate Danley originally self-published The Woodcutter a couple of years ago and then, after glowing reviews and some awards, it was picked up by 47North, Amazon’s SFF label. Brilliance Audio produced it (read by Sarah Coomes) and sent me a copy. As I can see from reviews at Amazon and Goodreads, most readers like The Woodcutter. I’m not sure if there’s something wrong with me, but The Woodcutter bored me to nearly literal tears. My opinion seems to be the conspicuous minority, so this is one of those times where I urge you to try the book for yourself. You’re likely to be one of the majority who enjoys The Woodcutter. But in case you’re wondering, I’ll be happy to tell you why it didn’t work for me.
I like the premise of a forest where all fairytale characters live together, but I didn’t think it was highly original and it shortly began to feel gimmicky to me. There is a mystery plot that tries to bind everything together — and some of it, such as the pixie dust drug trade, is unique and entertaining — but as the Woodcutter walked through the forest and met a new fairytale character every few minutes, I felt like I was watching a parade. There goes Cinderella, and there’s Sleeping Beauty. Wave hello to Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin. Don’t forget Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. And, hey! It’s Odin, Titania, Oberon, and Baba Yaga, too! Perhaps this would have been more fun if Danley had not used their names and we’d been able to figure them out for ourselves, but this felt more like… well, what I said: a parade.
It’s possible that I would have liked The Woodcutter better in print than audio because I was irritated by Sarah Coomes’ narration. She reads it with a breathy sing-song voice that is regularly but indiscriminately passionate, almost groaning and straining in places (hear a sample). I think many readers will approve of Coomes’ interpretation, but I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that I was supposed to be taking this story seriously and oh-so-tragically when I really felt like I was eating popcorn at Disney World and that the characters would soon be tossing me candy as they passed.
Read the rest at FanLit.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The Woodcutter lives in an enchanted wood. His job, which he inherited from his ancestors, is to maintain peace and the delicate balance of good and evil in the neighboring realms of humans and fairies. One day when he discovers Cinderella lying dead on the forest floor, he knows that something has gone wrong. Further investigation shows other fairytale characters are in danger, one of Odin’s hellhounds has escaped, and someone is murdering pixies so they can sell pixie dust on the black market. The Woodcutter must figure out who is behind these evil events and set things right again.
Kate Danley originally self-published The Woodcutter a couple of years ago and then, after glowing reviews and some awards, it was picked up by 47North, Amazon’s SFF label. Brilliance Audio produced it (read by Sarah Coomes) and sent me a copy. As I can see from reviews at Amazon and Goodreads, most readers like The Woodcutter. I’m not sure if there’s something wrong with me, but The Woodcutter bored me to nearly literal tears. My opinion seems to be the conspicuous minority, so this is one of those times where I urge you to try the book for yourself. You’re likely to be one of the majority who enjoys The Woodcutter. But in case you’re wondering, I’ll be happy to tell you why it didn’t work for me.
I like the premise of a forest where all fairytale characters live together, but I didn’t think it was highly original and it shortly began to feel gimmicky to me. There is a mystery plot that tries to bind everything together — and some of it, such as the pixie dust drug trade, is unique and entertaining — but as the Woodcutter walked through the forest and met a new fairytale character every few minutes, I felt like I was watching a parade. There goes Cinderella, and there’s Sleeping Beauty. Wave hello to Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin. Don’t forget Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. And, hey! It’s Odin, Titania, Oberon, and Baba Yaga, too! Perhaps this would have been more fun if Danley had not used their names and we’d been able to figure them out for ourselves, but this felt more like… well, what I said: a parade.
It’s possible that I would have liked The Woodcutter better in print than audio because I was irritated by Sarah Coomes’ narration. She reads it with a breathy sing-song voice that is regularly but indiscriminately passionate, almost groaning and straining in places (hear a sample). I think many readers will approve of Coomes’ interpretation, but I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that I was supposed to be taking this story seriously and oh-so-tragically when I really felt like I was eating popcorn at Disney World and that the characters would soon be tossing me candy as they passed.
Read the rest at FanLit.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
November 13, 2015
At the start I though I was going to love this book, with it's interesting mystery involving characters I knew from childhood. Unfortunately I was left disappointed.
I found the writing to be very inconsistent, along with the plot. It was all over the place and didn't really make much sense. The amount of fairytale characters didn't really help either, they just made all the more confusing.
I feel this was very rushed and with more time and effort could have been shaped into a much better novel. The characters could have actually helped, and deepened the plot without being confused and frustrated.
I did like the idea of the fairytale aspect, but in this case there was too much and it didn't sit right with me. Unfortunately I can only give this two stars because there was a-lot of room for improvement.
I found the writing to be very inconsistent, along with the plot. It was all over the place and didn't really make much sense. The amount of fairytale characters didn't really help either, they just made all the more confusing.
I feel this was very rushed and with more time and effort could have been shaped into a much better novel. The characters could have actually helped, and deepened the plot without being confused and frustrated.
I did like the idea of the fairytale aspect, but in this case there was too much and it didn't sit right with me. Unfortunately I can only give this two stars because there was a-lot of room for improvement.
May 20, 2019
The Woodcutter brushed the dust from his beard and reflected on how sphinxes would live much longer if they just asked a different riddle.
The Woodcutter is a retelling of fairy tales both familiar and fantastical as it weaves a larger story that focuses on the fate of the Twelve Kingdoms. A protector of the fairy realms, the Woodcutter finds himself on an epic quest to save the future of these Kingdoms from the scheming machinations of the Queen and the Gentleman. There's true love, pixie dust, and glass slippers. There's shades of Tolkein and Lee, and lots and lots of the Grimms.
I believe I need more fantasy in my life.
The Woodcutter is a retelling of fairy tales both familiar and fantastical as it weaves a larger story that focuses on the fate of the Twelve Kingdoms. A protector of the fairy realms, the Woodcutter finds himself on an epic quest to save the future of these Kingdoms from the scheming machinations of the Queen and the Gentleman. There's true love, pixie dust, and glass slippers. There's shades of Tolkein and Lee, and lots and lots of the Grimms.
I believe I need more fantasy in my life.
Want to read
March 1, 20201 March 2020: $0.99 on Kindle
23 December 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
31 July 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
28 December 2014: $2.00 on Kindle
23 December 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
31 July 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
28 December 2014: $2.00 on Kindle
May 3, 2013
The writer mostly tries to evoke the simple evocative style of the Brothers Grimm, and sometimes attempts to portray the scarier, pagan aspects of the stories - as well as grittier elements of modern life. This is almost completely overwhelmed by the glowing tree spirits, cute pixies and true love at first sight. As fairy tale retellings go, its much more Disney than Angela Carter.
Fated love, true love, love at first sight is important to the story - and make me a bad fit as a reviewer, because I find it so far removed from the way love works for normal humans that it disconcerts me in stories. The woodcutter and his wife seem to have a relationship based on avoiding talking to each other, including him omitting filling her in on some very important details before their marriage - but true love is true love and can't be threatened by such petty problems as poor communication skills. However the author does try to do some interesting things with the concept, including extending it beyond the romantic love of fairytales, to families, friendship - perhaps even communities.
The author also tries to weave in traditional fairy tale stylings with non-traditional heroines. Most of the heroines are explicitly described as not the conventionally beautiful princesses of fairy tales. Maid Maleen is solid and muscly from work, Rapunzel passes for a boy, Iron Shoes has been epically heroic for her love and worn her hair grey with worry in the process. But the telling doesn't quite match the showing - the Woodcutter is the hero and so may be expected to bear the brunt of the heroics, but most of the heroines are surprisingly passive in their bit of the story. Iron Shoes especially so, given what she has supposed to have done all on her own initiative before we meet her. The only other character than the Woodsman who endangers himself to help another is Jack - a boy.
Some of the weaving in of disparate fairy tales into an overarching modern narrative is hit and miss. The spare characterisation of the originals doesn't quite work - you never quite engage with anyone but the Woodcutter. And some of the odd magical elements that work in fairy tales, the revealing verses, the visits to the four winds, don't quite weave well into a modern mystery. But there is a lot of experiments and ideas. The Woodcutter himself is a great character and it was quite refreshing to have a middle aged person the central character in a YA novel.
Fated love, true love, love at first sight is important to the story - and make me a bad fit as a reviewer, because I find it so far removed from the way love works for normal humans that it disconcerts me in stories. The woodcutter and his wife seem to have a relationship based on avoiding talking to each other, including him omitting filling her in on some very important details before their marriage - but true love is true love and can't be threatened by such petty problems as poor communication skills. However the author does try to do some interesting things with the concept, including extending it beyond the romantic love of fairytales, to families, friendship - perhaps even communities.
The author also tries to weave in traditional fairy tale stylings with non-traditional heroines. Most of the heroines are explicitly described as not the conventionally beautiful princesses of fairy tales. Maid Maleen is solid and muscly from work, Rapunzel passes for a boy, Iron Shoes has been epically heroic for her love and worn her hair grey with worry in the process. But the telling doesn't quite match the showing - the Woodcutter is the hero and so may be expected to bear the brunt of the heroics, but most of the heroines are surprisingly passive in their bit of the story. Iron Shoes especially so, given what she has supposed to have done all on her own initiative before we meet her. The only other character than the Woodsman who endangers himself to help another is Jack - a boy.
Some of the weaving in of disparate fairy tales into an overarching modern narrative is hit and miss. The spare characterisation of the originals doesn't quite work - you never quite engage with anyone but the Woodcutter. And some of the odd magical elements that work in fairy tales, the revealing verses, the visits to the four winds, don't quite weave well into a modern mystery. But there is a lot of experiments and ideas. The Woodcutter himself is a great character and it was quite refreshing to have a middle aged person the central character in a YA novel.
February 6, 2013
I'm not sure how to review this book.
For the first 90%, it's a dizzying and sometimes stretched tour of pretty much every western fairy tale you can think of. Baba Yaga and her house. Odin at the head of the Wild Hunt. 12 Dancing Princesses in a house that wanders. All that times a dozen.
The central character, the Woodcutter, is charged with maintaining order and balance in the 12 Kingdoms, and he is stalwart and tough about it, and I really enjoyed watching him problem-solve his way around fairytale troubles. He is deeply in love with his wife, and they are very happy together, except when he has to go out and keep the peace.
The chapters are tiny, but once I got used to that, I kind of enjoyed it. Like each one was a story-morsel. And I enjoyed the fantastic breadth of the fairy tales that got included.
And then it all kind of fell apart at some really clumsy Christian symbolism. I am not against Christian allegory in fantasy, but it has to be more subtle than this was, or better integrated. Or something. I think it's possible that someone less steeped in Christianity would not be troubled by two women preparing a body and the spirit waiting three days and the other tics, but I was.
Read if: You want to see a virtuosic review of western fairy tales. You love cop stories in all their varieties.
Skip if: You hate a clumsy ending.
Also read: A Sorcerer's Treason by Sarah Zettel. This is a trilogy that moves through several zones of fairy tales deftly and engagingly.
For the first 90%, it's a dizzying and sometimes stretched tour of pretty much every western fairy tale you can think of. Baba Yaga and her house. Odin at the head of the Wild Hunt. 12 Dancing Princesses in a house that wanders. All that times a dozen.
The central character, the Woodcutter, is charged with maintaining order and balance in the 12 Kingdoms, and he is stalwart and tough about it, and I really enjoyed watching him problem-solve his way around fairytale troubles. He is deeply in love with his wife, and they are very happy together, except when he has to go out and keep the peace.
The chapters are tiny, but once I got used to that, I kind of enjoyed it. Like each one was a story-morsel. And I enjoyed the fantastic breadth of the fairy tales that got included.
And then it all kind of fell apart at some really clumsy Christian symbolism. I am not against Christian allegory in fantasy, but it has to be more subtle than this was, or better integrated. Or something. I think it's possible that someone less steeped in Christianity would not be troubled by two women preparing a body and the spirit waiting three days and the other tics, but I was.
Read if: You want to see a virtuosic review of western fairy tales. You love cop stories in all their varieties.
Skip if: You hate a clumsy ending.
Also read: A Sorcerer's Treason by Sarah Zettel. This is a trilogy that moves through several zones of fairy tales deftly and engagingly.
March 6, 2013
I was interested in this book after reading a few reviews that said the author told a story referencing fairy tales, but in a way that made the tale itself something brand new ... yet faithful to fairy tales.
And this review pulled me in.
Having read it at lightning speed, I concur with those marveling at the newness, yet faithfulness, of this fairy tale. It is indeed something more. When the mansion and the Gentleman comes up, I suddenly felt a resonance with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell because that story is faithful to the old meaning of faery, rather than the Tinkerbell focus that is so seen today.
I'm supposed to receive the audiobook for review and I can't wait to reread this in that form. I really loved this book.
And this review pulled me in.
A thoroughly enjoyable retelling and combining of fairy tales from various sources.The message the same, even if the meaning is a little different: True love conquers all.Reading the Kindle sample sealed the deal and I began waiting for the new month to roll around so I could borrow it free from the Kindle library.
In this case however, true love is not the romantic, Disneyfied stuff. It is love that comes without enchantment or disguise. It is the love that contains a willingness for sacrifice and the quiet, comfortable warmth of true understanding and acceptance of another.
Having read it at lightning speed, I concur with those marveling at the newness, yet faithfulness, of this fairy tale. It is indeed something more. When the mansion and the Gentleman comes up, I suddenly felt a resonance with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell because that story is faithful to the old meaning of faery, rather than the Tinkerbell focus that is so seen today.
I'm supposed to receive the audiobook for review and I can't wait to reread this in that form. I really loved this book.
April 4, 2013
Kate Danley, in this book, is like one of those people at the self-serve frozen yogurt shop who have just completely lost focus: "I love cheesecake! I'll have some of that. Oooh, and pumpkin! Strawberry! MANGO! Can't forget cookies and cream. And double chocolate. And cappuccino!" And then they get to the toppings bar: "Blueberries! I can't NOT have gummi bears. I love gummi bears. And whipped cream! Chocolate sprinkles, of course. Some nuts. Also, hot fudge. Perhaps a kiwi slice. And those funky gelatin balls that I'm never quite sure what they are. And RAINBOW SPRINKLES ALL OVER IT!"
She threw in elements or characters from almost every myth, legend, or fairy tale into this book, weaving the stories loosely together. It's not particularly skillfully done (much like her frozen yogurt bowl). But it is a whole lot of fun, like a party for your imagination.
It's a self-indulgent romp. The writing style grated at times, the characters weren't well-developed, but it was fun nonetheless.
She threw in elements or characters from almost every myth, legend, or fairy tale into this book, weaving the stories loosely together. It's not particularly skillfully done (much like her frozen yogurt bowl). But it is a whole lot of fun, like a party for your imagination.
It's a self-indulgent romp. The writing style grated at times, the characters weren't well-developed, but it was fun nonetheless.
February 22, 2012
This book started out feeling a little clunky to me but somehow, once it got going, the writing style just started to make sense and feel natural - it seemed to switch from feeling clunky to feeling starkly lyrical. I would put this in the "comfort book" category because it's a reworking of fairy tales more in the "name dropping" (how many characters can pass through here) way than it is in the actual *re-working* of a fairy tale way (i.e., Daughter of the Forest, Into the Woods). I enjoyed it, though and it was the perfect read for an overly-tired night curled up in bed: interesting, familiar and somehow soothing.
June 11, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read any of the reviews or synopses and had no idea what the book was about. There was a challenge in my reading group earlier in the year to select a book for its cover art and this is the book I selected. The book, although somewhat macabre, was an enjoyable read. I had a delightful time in trying to determine which fairy tales were being referenced as each character and adventure was added to the storyline. There were a couple of characters I could not place so I need to do some research into those tales.
The reader was excellent.
The reader was excellent.
December 30, 2014
What happens.
When you mash together every fairy tale in history.
And write the story.
From the perspective of a Woodcutter.
In chapters that are no longer than a page long.
And full of sentences like this one.
It starts out really interesting.
But gets old.
Very. Quickly.
When you mash together every fairy tale in history.
And write the story.
From the perspective of a Woodcutter.
In chapters that are no longer than a page long.
And full of sentences like this one.
It starts out really interesting.
But gets old.
Very. Quickly.
April 7, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this, but I loved every moment of it. It is a fairy tale retelling, definitely a little dark, and the writing is amazing. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I wish there was a sequel to this.
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