Once Was Willem

I'm so glad to see Once Was Willem mentioned, and you described it perfectly. It's just not quite like any other book and it's so good.

Once Was Willem is part medieval horror, part dark fairy tale, part found-family adventure. If you like your fantasy a little twisted, your heroes a little ugly, and your villains really vile, Once Was Willem is absolutely worth your time.

Once Was Willem by MR Carey: a bit of grotesqueness, an evil wizard, and a great interpretation of Hell. This book is a bit different and I enjoyed it a lot.

If you're looking for a similar vibe, might I recommend "Once Was Willem" by M.R. Carey?

Once Was Willem by M.R Carey is very good. Not a lot of horror, but medieval fantasy horror adjacent.

I like this book a lot; it’s vivid and a little weird, and rolls along like a fairy tale.

Once Was Willem is my favorite 2025 release so far but it might have a bit too much stylized prose if that's what you're not in the mood for right now. I didn't find it too hard to follow once I got used to it after a chapter, but it is stylistically inspired by medieval writing.

I read the ARC in January and it's still at the top of my Best Books of the Year list (along with The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and The Starving Saints). It's a medieval fable, and I think that's why the simple "Good vs. Evil" didn't strike me as being cliche - it was an ingrained aspect of the genre.

I loved this, thought Mike absolutely smashed it. Cannot recommend enough.

It’s one of my favorite reads of 2025. Not the favorite, but I’m pretty sure it’ll end up in my Top 10 for the year. I loved the tone, the monster found family dynamics, and Carey’s clear, punchy writing.