"Zappia nods at fairy-tale conventions before subverting and exceeding them. . . . The book's nonlinear structure allows effects to be introduced long before their causes, creating revelatory moments as dots connect and wider pictures emerge. . . . Deeply satisfying." -- BookPage.com (starred review)

"Death is at the door of Greymist Fair, a town deep in the woods on a road most travelers never find. . . . Zappia has crafted eight interconnected stories that take place in Greymist Fair, though at different points in time, painting a vivid picture of life in a town where magic is real, but mostly unwanted. Zappia's stories call back to the lessons classic fairy tales were meant to teach young children, while finding ways to subvert expectations and keep readers glued to the pages . . . Zappia's writing is sharp and accessible." -- School Library Journal

"Incorporating elements from several Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, Zappia (Katzenjammer) delivers a darkly enchanting collection of interconnected stories centering the insular village of Greymist Fair and the treacherous forest that surrounds it. . . . This skillfully written and thoroughly cohesive narrative gratifies as a mystery while illustrating the revolutionary power of love, kindness, and community." -- Publishers Weekly

"In this fairy-tale mashup, the witch's daughter protects her village from both human and nonhuman monsters. . . . In the spirit of the Brothers Grimm, there's rather a lot of death and suffering, but there's also an extremely wholesome climax at Yule that could be taken from a classic Christmas story. Darkly atmospheric full-page art contributes to the sense of place. . . . Fans of retellings will enjoy finding many hidden tropes in the warm, original fantasy." -- Kirkus Reviews