Witchkiller

Gr 9 Up–It’s been five months since Gretel Henoth killed the Wood Witch to save her brother Hansel, which turned them into nobles. Unfortunately, she is having nightmares day and night. Now, Hansel is becoming more and more like their greedy, despicable father. He is trying to force her to marry a much older man to increase their wealth even further. But, one day, Gretel runs into the quiet Prince Wilfried, literally, and they concoct a plan to rid themselves of the pressure of marriage by faking an engagement of their own. This still isn’t enough for Gretel, so she goes into the woods one night where she meets Katharina and a witch community full of healers. Soon, more plots come to light and Gretel starts to wonder if the witch really was the evil one. In this Hansel and Gretel retelling, tropes like fake relationships, found family, and a new sapphic romance are intertwined with a fast-paced fairy tale. The worldbuilding is enjoyable, especially for lovers of fantasy and folklore. The age change from the classic story and the inclusion of romance are refreshing twists. The idea of Hansel and their father being greedy gives some Disney villain vibes.