After the Forest

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Set in seventeenth-century Germany, this lush fantasy retelling of Hansel and Gretel unfolds almost twenty years after Greta and her brother Hans escaped the old woman's cottage. Their lives have been far from a fairytale; the ravages of war have left their homeland impoverished and devastated. With the local Baron's death, his young and cruel widow imposes harsh taxes and a Blood Tithe, forcing those unable to pay into servitude. As wolves circle the village and mercenaries roam the streets, a mysterious black bear appears in the forest, leaving Greta bewildered by its gentle nature. Meanwhile, chilling discoveries of bodies with missing hearts spark rumors of witchcraft among the desperate villagers. Hans's gambling debts compel him to accept the Blood Tithe, but Greta's only hope lies in her irresistibly delicious gingerbread, made using a recipe from a stolen book. This magical creation, tied to a dangerous blood skill known as Tattermagic, comes at a steep price that could cost Greta everything. As she grapples with her past and seeks a new path through the darkness, the story weaves together elements of love, magic, and history, captivating fans of fantasy and fairy tales alike.