because this is where things start to get, well... awesome

Once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.


So begins A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz. The author takes the story of Hansel and Gretel and morphs it into something gruesome and dangerous and creepy and fascinating... and with dragons.


But that's not the best part. The best part is the narrator. The narrator keeps the story humorous and witty in a pseudonymous bosh or Lemony Snicket sort of way. The narrator warns you when the bloody parts are coming; he warns you to remove young children from the room.


For example: 
Read on if you dare...
As for the next story, it is really dark. Frightening things happen. You may feel upset - I'm talking to the big kids now.
As for the little ones, if they are still around, I warn you, I plead with you: Make them go away. Don't let them hear this story. They may have nightmares. No, they will have nightmares.
At least read it yourself first. Then, if you think they can take it, maybe, maybe you can read it to them. And then you have only yourself to blame if they can't sleep for a week.