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hebberelle's review
3.0
Anyone who can’t figure out where this is going by 25% of the way in needs to pay more attention, but it was still a really cute mix of a few fairy tales.
cmitchell2781's review
4.0
Short and sweet
This was adorable. Short and sweet, it was well paced and well written. I like the thought of the wolf/shifter being from a different culture. I do feel that the author really just throws you into the middle of the story though. After reading the synopsis, I felt like I had missed a chapter or two in the beginning. Once you get past the abrupt beginning though, it's a very cute and unique retelling.
This was adorable. Short and sweet, it was well paced and well written. I like the thought of the wolf/shifter being from a different culture. I do feel that the author really just throws you into the middle of the story though. After reading the synopsis, I felt like I had missed a chapter or two in the beginning. Once you get past the abrupt beginning though, it's a very cute and unique retelling.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
When I was younger I never really loved the story of Little Red Riding Hood. It somehow lacked the touch of magic so present in other tales and therefore it kinda bore me as a kid. However, now I'm older I think Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most amazing fairytales to retell. It's filled with possibilities and you can change the story by simply tweaking a few things here and there. I was therefore quite excited to dive into this version of the tale.
This book never disappointed. The moment I started reading I finished the book in one sitting. Firstly because the story was very gripping and Stengl does an amazing job building everything up. Secondly because I was afraid that if I would put the book away I would walk to the fridge to get something sweet. All the descriptions of eclairs and other baked goods made me a little hungry, but once I finished the book it was luckily dinner time.
Stengl makes sure that all the important elements of the original tale are present. There is a wolf, there is a girl with a red hood, there is a grandmother living in the woods, there is a woodcutter and like already mentioned there are baked goods. But Stengl also adds a lot of elements of her own and while the original tale is still recognizable this new story is fresh and new and different in a lot of ways too. It's richer and therefore way more interesting.
The tale is also much more interesting because the characters present are well written. I especially could identify with our Little Red Riding Hood. A lot of things she said could have been my quotes. However, our Wolf has the most interesting tale and development. I liked how Stengl really made him someone with a dark past and with a lot of blood on his hands. I liked it even more that she showed us, and him, that even those people can be redeemed with the right help.
This book never disappointed. The moment I started reading I finished the book in one sitting. Firstly because the story was very gripping and Stengl does an amazing job building everything up. Secondly because I was afraid that if I would put the book away I would walk to the fridge to get something sweet. All the descriptions of eclairs and other baked goods made me a little hungry, but once I finished the book it was luckily dinner time.
Stengl makes sure that all the important elements of the original tale are present. There is a wolf, there is a girl with a red hood, there is a grandmother living in the woods, there is a woodcutter and like already mentioned there are baked goods. But Stengl also adds a lot of elements of her own and while the original tale is still recognizable this new story is fresh and new and different in a lot of ways too. It's richer and therefore way more interesting.
The tale is also much more interesting because the characters present are well written. I especially could identify with our Little Red Riding Hood. A lot of things she said could have been my quotes. However, our Wolf has the most interesting tale and development. I liked how Stengl really made him someone with a dark past and with a lot of blood on his hands. I liked it even more that she showed us, and him, that even those people can be redeemed with the right help.
ameserole's review
3.0
The Baker and the Wolf is the tenth installment within the A Villain's Ever After series. It has been a while since I've read a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. So, it was pretty interesting to see how the twists would come and go. It definitely helps that I enjoyed the characters but, again, I need something dark and sexy from these. Or maybe I just need another dark and sexy retelling series?
I will admit that the characters did have some swoon worthy moments. I may or may not have a favorite character within this as well. The only thing I really wanted out of this was a longer book. At times, it definitely felt like things were being rushed a bit here and there. Which is why I think a longer book would be more beneficial. Or maybe I just really want a longer book?
In the end, I'm so close to finishing out this series. So, I might as well dive into the next two books just to see what other retellings will show up. Then I will look into some darker ones.
I will admit that the characters did have some swoon worthy moments. I may or may not have a favorite character within this as well. The only thing I really wanted out of this was a longer book. At times, it definitely felt like things were being rushed a bit here and there. Which is why I think a longer book would be more beneficial. Or maybe I just really want a longer book?
In the end, I'm so close to finishing out this series. So, I might as well dive into the next two books just to see what other retellings will show up. Then I will look into some darker ones.
crystal_dark's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
5.0
This was a very enjoyable Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and had several characters that I enjoyed getting to know. This is the second book in the Villain's Ever After Series that I have read and I look forward to reading more from this series and exploring more new authors through it as well.
julianav's review
4.0
A different take on Red Riding Hood
That was an entertaining fairy tale retelling. I enjoyed the different view of how magic is treated and the seemingly easy way it incorporated into a similie of 17th century France
That was an entertaining fairy tale retelling. I enjoyed the different view of how magic is treated and the seemingly easy way it incorporated into a similie of 17th century France
melb876's review
5.0
A fairy tale story and mystery all in one
Though on the shorter side in the Villians series, this book is packed full of adventure.
The story starts off as a fairy tale retelling of Red Riding Hood, then quickly turns into a mystery that the main character, Cerise, is recruited to help solve. The flow was very well done, and the villian was as evil as they come.
This story fits within JM Stengl's Faraway Castle world, so if you enjoy those books, you'll love this one.
Though on the shorter side in the Villians series, this book is packed full of adventure.
The story starts off as a fairy tale retelling of Red Riding Hood, then quickly turns into a mystery that the main character, Cerise, is recruited to help solve. The flow was very well done, and the villian was as evil as they come.
This story fits within JM Stengl's Faraway Castle world, so if you enjoy those books, you'll love this one.
justcatherine's review
4.0
I've read other retellings by this author and enjoyed them, so I began this book with expectations high! This is a lovely young adult title and contains some nice details in how the familiar story is woven into a magical world. I liked how much showing instead of telling happened in revealing the way the world works and how the magic is implemented. Good humor incorporated, and while there's a bit of "insta-love" in how quickly the light romance develops, there was enough character shown in the short time the book covers that it seemed plausible. Neat HEA wrap-up.