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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start this review with a few things: I'm one of those people who actually thought Damsel was a good book, even though it was a highly uncomfortable read. I'm also one of those people who like heavy feministic themes in books, even a little more extreme than my own views on most topics. I have experience with reading in the second person, both positive and negative. I basically knew what I started when I picked this book up. And I waited to pick it up until I was in the right mood for it.
Especially that last part was a really good call. I now read it when I wanted to read it, when I was ready for it, prepared for it and longing for it. It worked. The story managed to touch me the way I had wanted to and I was positively surprised that the tone of this book was quite different from Damsel. Even though this world, our own, is far from perfect, the book is far more about hope, about allies, about steps forward. It also shows positive examples of great guys and female friendships.
Of course, the symbolism is not that hard to get and understand. It's a quite in your face book. Compared to Damsel I'd say it's more nuanced, but it's far from subtle. However, I think that the symbolism works and that the story like this really works. A lot of statements, a lot of questions, a lot of actions, they work and were quite realistic. The small supernatural aspect to the story makes it a little more exciting, but it only enhances the messages to boys and girls in our world.
And although the second person point of view takes a little time to get into, I think it does work for the story and for the message it's delivering. I think, because it's written in second person, that the story becomes even more a message of empowerment to the girls reading it. Although, girls, I would advice the publisher to quit calling these books YA's. The first chapter had some explicit, consensual, content already and there was more in the rest of the book. I'm totally fine with it, but my 15 year old cousin isn't ready for it yet and she reads YA too.
But, I was very touched by this book. I shed a few tears and I think the message in the book is quite amazing and well done. I also think this is an amazing way to turn Little Red Riding Hood into a female empowering tale, and to discuss, and challenge, the victim blaming message the original has at times.
Especially that last part was a really good call. I now read it when I wanted to read it, when I was ready for it, prepared for it and longing for it. It worked. The story managed to touch me the way I had wanted to and I was positively surprised that the tone of this book was quite different from Damsel. Even though this world, our own, is far from perfect, the book is far more about hope, about allies, about steps forward. It also shows positive examples of great guys and female friendships.
Of course, the symbolism is not that hard to get and understand. It's a quite in your face book. Compared to Damsel I'd say it's more nuanced, but it's far from subtle. However, I think that the symbolism works and that the story like this really works. A lot of statements, a lot of questions, a lot of actions, they work and were quite realistic. The small supernatural aspect to the story makes it a little more exciting, but it only enhances the messages to boys and girls in our world.
And although the second person point of view takes a little time to get into, I think it does work for the story and for the message it's delivering. I think, because it's written in second person, that the story becomes even more a message of empowerment to the girls reading it. Although, girls, I would advice the publisher to quit calling these books YA's. The first chapter had some explicit, consensual, content already and there was more in the rest of the book. I'm totally fine with it, but my 15 year old cousin isn't ready for it yet and she reads YA too.
But, I was very touched by this book. I shed a few tears and I think the message in the book is quite amazing and well done. I also think this is an amazing way to turn Little Red Riding Hood into a female empowering tale, and to discuss, and challenge, the victim blaming message the original has at times.
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
Though this book was no perfect and I do have my issues, I am again impressed by Arnold using fairytale retellings in such a feminist way. There will never be enough words to describe my love for this book and the attachment to the main characters.
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
_blair_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ruinedbyreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jeyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don't think I can ever recover from reading this book. I cannot put the book down from the moments I started reading it; This was the fastest book I have read so far.
N’oublie Pas D‘oublier
shaunareads's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to settle at 4 stars for now. I need to process this book.
There were a lot of things I liked and didn't like at the same time, but I'm not exactly the target audience for this book. However, it is a very high end YA. There are graphic sex scenes and it's very gory, particularly about menstruation.
Things I liked/didn't like:
- gory talk about period blood, literally described a gelatinous glob on a tampon. Now why would I like this? Because as a teen coming into my first cycle this is something I would be embarrassed to ask about, and having a book discuss it when there is not enough taught about it, is a good thing.
- Feminist themes. I'm all about the "Yes, girl!" when I see women standing up on issues where we've been told it's not our place to speak up. Particularly rape. As a victim of sexual assault, I kept that in for a long time. However, this book almost took it too far. It glorifies the killing of the "wolves." Now I do see the side that it's trying to portray, the system is broken, we watched the police brush aside sexual harassment and these men were disgusting. They did horrible things. But idk, it felt like killing was glorified and the only way that we'll see justice and that didn't sit right with me.
Something I liked was the explicit sex scene (not in that way. Get your head out of the gutter!) At first, I will admit, I looked it up to see if this book was actually YA. But I think it's important for young adults to see healthy sexual relationships and this book did that.
One other thing I should note, is it is written in 2nd person, so if you don't like that, probably don't read it. It didn't bother me though.
There were a lot of things I liked and didn't like at the same time, but I'm not exactly the target audience for this book. However, it is a very high end YA. There are graphic sex scenes and it's very gory, particularly about menstruation.
Things I liked/didn't like:
- gory talk about period blood, literally described a gelatinous glob on a tampon. Now why would I like this? Because as a teen coming into my first cycle this is something I would be embarrassed to ask about, and having a book discuss it when there is not enough taught about it, is a good thing.
- Feminist themes. I'm all about the "Yes, girl!" when I see women standing up on issues where we've been told it's not our place to speak up. Particularly rape. As a victim of sexual assault, I kept that in for a long time. However, this book almost took it too far. It glorifies the killing of the "wolves." Now I do see the side that it's trying to portray, the system is broken, we watched the police brush aside sexual harassment and these men were disgusting. They did horrible things. But idk, it felt like killing was glorified and the only way that we'll see justice and that didn't sit right with me.
Something I liked was the explicit sex scene (not in that way. Get your head out of the gutter!) At first, I will admit, I looked it up to see if this book was actually YA. But I think it's important for young adults to see healthy sexual relationships and this book did that.
One other thing I should note, is it is written in 2nd person, so if you don't like that, probably don't read it. It didn't bother me though.
kaydawn's review against another edition
Hate 2nd person POV in most instances so then went to read reviews and just wasn’t impressed.
kaysbookgallery's review against another edition
1.0
This book just wasn't for me. It's a little odd and kind of slow, in my opinion.