After the Forest

The stunning historical fantasy taking the world by storm

After the Forest is described as 'deliciously irresistible' by Natasha Lester, 'historical fantasy at its best' by Belinda Alexandra, and 'utterly enchanting' by Kate Forsyth. Publishers Weekly further praises it as 'bewitching ... Woods is a powerful new voice in speculative fiction,' while the Sydney Morning Herald calls it 'a clever merger of fantasy and historical fiction.'

Ginger. Honey. Cinnamon. Flour.

A drop of blood to bind its power.

In 1650, the Black Forest, Württemberg, fifteen years after the witch in the gingerbread house, Greta and Hans are struggling to get by. Their father and stepmother are long dead, Hans is deeply in debt from gambling, and the countryside lies in ruin, with its people recovering in the aftermath of a brutal war.

Greta has a secret: the witch's grimoire, hidden away and whispering in her ear, with a recipe that makes the most sinfully delicious—and addictive—gingerbread. As long as she can bake, Greta can keep her small family afloat.

However, in a village full of superstition, Greta and her intoxicating gingerbread are sources of ever-increasing suspicion and vicious gossip. With dark magic returning to the woods, Greta's own power—magic she is still trying to understand—may be the only thing that can save her, if it doesn't kill her first.

Praise for After the Forest

'Bewitching historical fantasy ... Woods is a powerful new voice in speculative fiction,' starred review, Publishers Weekly (US).

'A dark and wondrous tale. Utterly enchanting,' Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of The Crimson Thread.

'Deliciously irresistible ... A gorgeous debut that you'll consume in one gulp,' Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre.

'Evocative, vivid, and enchanting: Historical fantasy at its best,' Belinda Alexandra, bestselling author of The French Agent.

'Utterly captivating ... Dark as molasses and dripping with witchcraft, love, and magic gingerbread,' Lauren Chater, bestselling author of The Winter Dress.

'Woods enfolds a fairy tale within a fairy tale and sets them against a socially realistic portrayal of early modern Germany, in a clever merger of fantasy and historical fiction,' Sydney Morning Herald.

'A love song to fairy tales ... Sweet as gingerbread and bitterly dark as heart's blood,' Angela Slatter, award-winning author of The Path of Thorns.

'Woods is a born storyteller ... Sophisticated and intricately plotted,' Jo Riccioni, award-winning author of The Branded and The Rising.

'A dazzling debut rich in myth and laced with beautiful prose. Bewitching and clever, this book will cast a spell on readers,' Eleanor Limprecht, author of The Coast.

'Truly enchanting historical fantasy. Woods spins threads of gold in this delicious and vivid exploration of love, myth, and magic,' Meredith Jaffe, author of The Tricky Art of Forgiveness.

'Excellent historical fantasy ... Poetic, evocative, and most of all, addictive. An author to watch and a powerhouse debut,' Grimdark Magazine.

'I was hooked from start to end ... With magic, werewolves, gingerbread, and a beautiful love story, this Australian debut kept me coming back for more,' Cassie Landt, BorrowBox.

'Elegant ... Offer this lyrical, character-rich fantasy to fans of Mary McMyne's The Book of Gothel and Genevieve Gornichec's The Weaver and the Witch Queen,' Booklist, starred review.

'Readers will root for Greta to finally achieve her happily ever after while also relishing Woods' dark, folklore-infused story ... A tantalizing treat,' BookPage, starred review.

'[Woods'] mingling of this historical setting with the magical—shape-shifters, forest magic, unnaturally long lives—works beautifully ... A worthy addition to the world of fairy tale continuations,' Locus Magazine.