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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
2.5 stars.
I don't really know what to make of this book, other than to say I only enjoyed the last third or so. That's not to say others won't but... I think it would take someone with very specific tastes.
I understand the feminism and the criticism of the 'incel movement,' and how most of the issues that crop up are adjacent to that. But... I guess the 'men are wolves' metaphor was a little obvious. It makes me wonder if that choice was made so this could be touted as a 'Red Riding Hood' retelling or... what? And the 2nd person POV was another odd choice that didn't appeal to me.
The writing itself wasn't bad and I don't mind the social issues Arnold is tackling. Even the graphic description of menstruation and sex didn't bother me. The format just wasn't for me.
I don't really know what to make of this book, other than to say I only enjoyed the last third or so. That's not to say others won't but... I think it would take someone with very specific tastes.
I understand the feminism and the criticism of the 'incel movement,' and how most of the issues that crop up are adjacent to that. But... I guess the 'men are wolves' metaphor was a little obvious. It makes me wonder if that choice was made so this could be touted as a 'Red Riding Hood' retelling or... what? And the 2nd person POV was another odd choice that didn't appeal to me.
The writing itself wasn't bad and I don't mind the social issues Arnold is tackling. Even the graphic description of menstruation and sex didn't bother me. The format just wasn't for me.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and kind of wish it was a series! Very descriptive menstrual cycle content but other than that, it felt like a very unique read.
Intriguing and engrossing, this book was an adjustment (2nd person perspective was very jarring at first), but it ended so satisfyingly. I appreciated that Arnold drew a clear line between predators and other male characters in the story, showing that men can be allies in the fight as well. Additionally, it had one of my new all time favorite quotes, the exact lines of which I can't find and I've long since lent the book to several friends, but in essence, it pondered whether, instead of being made the lesser for its division, perhaps love was like sourdough, it grows and rises to fill the space. It was much more poetic in the book, but that quote just really touched me (and not just because I love bread more than any other food group).
4.5 stars. Intense and unflinching. I liked it a billion times more than Infandous.
Here’s the thing: I feel like this book’s heart was in the right place...but oh boy...did it miss the mark. A lot of good points were made about toxic masculinity and rape culture. BUT the explicit nature of the content was a bit much for me...and I read romance novels...so take that for what it’s worth.
Also, do we want to send the message that to end toxic masculinity, we must meet violence with violence? I don’t know. I feel like our girls need a message of hope and empowerment that doesn’t turn them into killers. To me, telling a girl that the only solution is to be violent right back is just as bad as telling a girl to dress differently to avoid harassment. Girls shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of ending toxic masculinity, whether it be by dressing differently or dealing out vigilante justice. I just am not here for that message.
Also, do we want to send the message that to end toxic masculinity, we must meet violence with violence? I don’t know. I feel like our girls need a message of hope and empowerment that doesn’t turn them into killers. To me, telling a girl that the only solution is to be violent right back is just as bad as telling a girl to dress differently to avoid harassment. Girls shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of ending toxic masculinity, whether it be by dressing differently or dealing out vigilante justice. I just am not here for that message.
I don't think I was the target audience, so I'm not going to recommend or dissuade anyone from reading this.
I did not expect this Little Red Riding Hood retelling to go down like this. This one was definitely progressive. I’ve never read about women’s menstrual cycles or the hunger of a vulva in such explicit detail in YA before. While the teenage sex did make me uncomfortable, I do appreciate that sex was talked about as a normal, consensual thing. It also discussed stigmas, so it was very realistic. And I enjoyed the parent figure in this having a frank conversation about it- including if Bisou was being safe and that she could change her mind anytime, even after consenting once.
I also enjoyed the boys turning into wolves plot, I thought it was a clever way to discuss the terrible things boys/men can do and brings some power back to women who might otherwise be in these situations. Tw for sexual assault and other sexually implied “boys will be boys” activities.
That being said, I didn’t care for the “you” narration. Was it about me? Or was it about Bisou? I think it’s aboutut Bisou and the story would have been better served in a different narrative style. While I felt the story got a little muddled when it reached it’s peak, ultimately causing an ending that felt like it fell apart and yet was also unexpected, I did enjoy this book.
Librarian’s note: Recommend this to your 15+ teens. While it is a fairy tale retelling and while I think the honest conversations about periods would be okay for the younger ages, the conversations about sex and sexual deviance aren’t suitable for younger readers. Though very appreciated that the author included these topics.
I also enjoyed the boys turning into wolves plot, I thought it was a clever way to discuss the terrible things boys/men can do and brings some power back to women who might otherwise be in these situations. Tw for sexual assault and other sexually implied “boys will be boys” activities.
That being said, I didn’t care for the “you” narration. Was it about me? Or was it about Bisou? I think it’s aboutut Bisou and the story would have been better served in a different narrative style. While I felt the story got a little muddled when it reached it’s peak, ultimately causing an ending that felt like it fell apart and yet was also unexpected, I did enjoy this book.
Librarian’s note: Recommend this to your 15+ teens. While it is a fairy tale retelling and while I think the honest conversations about periods would be okay for the younger ages, the conversations about sex and sexual deviance aren’t suitable for younger readers. Though very appreciated that the author included these topics.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a blood-soaked book. I have not read Damsel, although I've heard it's controversial. I'm not sure if it would have prepared me for this or not? It also has some of the more graphic sex scenes I've read in a YA book. The tense is second person. To me, a lot of these things should somehow combine to make a book that is hard to read and absorb. And at times, it is. And at times, the period talk is so frank that you are surprised, and then feel disappointment that something that happens to roughly 51% of the population is so shrouded in mystery. There was something about this book that reminded me of Rory Power's work, so I think those would be interesting to read in conjunction.