Vicious, bold, and beautiful in its execution, Bardugo's short stories inspired by myth and folklore are nothing short of captivating. She pays homage to classics like The Velveteen Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, and Hansel and Gretel, and challenges the very unrealistic nature of happy endings, promises of grandeur and love by handsome monarchs, and that monsters are only found deep in the dark wood. Bardugo takes away every ounce of predictability in this dark, brutal, and aptly named collection. 
 I loved every moment of this collection, but my favorite stories were Ayama and the Thorn Wood, When Water Sang Fire, and The Witch of Duva. 
 Another important note - the hardcover edition of this book is physically stunning, with a different text color for each story, and illustrations done by Sara Kipin that change with every page. It is completely worth purchasing and adding to your collection.