The Witch of Duva & The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo.

Warning: Spoilers! (duh.)

There was a time when the woods near Duva ate girls...or so the story goes. But it’s just possible that the danger may be a little bit closer to home. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel, Shadow and Bone.

I had no idea what to expect from this short story. I have to admit I am glad that it is merely based in the world of Grisha rather than following the characters in there. This story started off as a very fairytale like in a village in which girls are being eaten by a mysterious force in the woods. It is basically a re-imagined version of Hansel and Gretel. I was not expecting that ending though, its incredible though because there were so many clues and I didn't even catch on, such wonderful writing.

The story follows Nadya (In 3rd person), after her mothers death, girls begin to get eaten in her village, soon her father remarries, to a woman she is convinced is evil and behind the attacks. A series of unfortunate events (ha) lead her straight to the door of the Witch of Duva. There is an incredible twist on who is killing the girls and I won't spoil it for you because that is the best part of this story. The thing about this is that it just shows that Leigh Bardugo can write, no matter what the length and even with new characters, she can still create exciting, touching stories that lead you somewhere then throw you on your ass halfway through. Just genius. 

In Ravka, just because you avoid one trap, it doesn't mean you'll escape the next. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s upcoming novel, Siege and Storm, the second book in the Grisha Trilogy.

The Two-Clever Fox is another rewritten fairy tale  short story from Bardugo, only this time is loosely based around Little Red Riding Hood. Bardugo is really good at plot twists, I cannot describe enough how I can never tell where the story is going and yet she drops clues and lays it out so it all makes sense. This time we find a hunter who is believed to have the power of a witch, in order to let him be silent through the trees and leave no tracks. The Too-Clever  Fox befriends the Hunters sister who is forced to wear a grotesque, patchwork, cloak of furs, and they plot to take him down. Once again I will not reveal the ending because as always that is part of the fun. I could read these forever. They are so ingeniously written and such an original take on the fairy tales that it just blows my mind.

I was however expecting a little bit of information on Nikolai as Alina does describe him as a Too-Clever Fox when she first meets him, but maybe there was something underlying I just didn't get. Anyway I highly recommend and on with more books.

Happy Reading