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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I liked the parallels between old France, the palace of Versailles and the story. I also liked the cover. That is about all I liked of this novel. It was boring and could not hold my attention. Also why the love triangle?
“I am Rachelle Brinon. I didn’t listen to my aunt when she told me to stay on the path and save my own life. Damned if I’ll listen to the Forest now.”
Yaaaaas honey! As per usual, with Rosamund Hodge’s books, we have a kick-ass heroine, an ingenious world and characters that feel real and make it impossible to choose between love or hate.
Rachelle must kill to stay alive, but what does that make her? A killer, a murderer, a desperate little girl?
Oh man, let me tell you: none of them.
Join Hodge in this dark, twisted travel through moral challenging decision, love that looks like hate and hate that pretends to be love, the road to self knowledge and acceptance and the glory of finally being yourself (however horrible that might be).
Am I too vague? Well, read it.
Yaaaaas honey! As per usual, with Rosamund Hodge’s books, we have a kick-ass heroine, an ingenious world and characters that feel real and make it impossible to choose between love or hate.
Rachelle must kill to stay alive, but what does that make her? A killer, a murderer, a desperate little girl?
Oh man, let me tell you: none of them.
Join Hodge in this dark, twisted travel through moral challenging decision, love that looks like hate and hate that pretends to be love, the road to self knowledge and acceptance and the glory of finally being yourself (however horrible that might be).
Am I too vague? Well, read it.
A love triangle that works?! How is that possible?!
It's not entirely on your face, that is how!
This Red Riding Hood retelling does a very good job at offering a solid fantasy setting with specific powers and with focus on human relationships. Albeit the realization of love comes a bit abrupt just like in [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371652590l/15839984._SY75_.jpg|21580669], the steady development of the story with Rachelle being the focal point of everything is simply great.
You have Rachelle, a hoodwinked young woman who is surviving day by day hoping to put an end to the evil that lurks in the Great Forest and even though the trope of being of a special someone that saves the day is very common in all such books, Rachelle sets the tone much better. Her background and the 3 year gap from her fall to the current time show that she was always striving and searching for the weapon that would end the Devourer. Even after the book started, she still failed in her search and things did not just come out of the sky to help her. Everything was just flowing completely natural.
Then you have the other 2 love interests; Erec, the playful, yet arrogant person who helped her stand back on her feet and shares the same fate as hers and Armand, the King's nephew who is rumoured to have insidious plans of overthrowing his uncle and the person Rachelle has to protect. The mysteries and secrets surrounding this trio are too many and often things come up too late in a situation, which makes this an even more interesting read. Add to the mix Amelie, who is Rachelle's one and only friend; la Fontaine, the king's mistress; the bishop and his retainer, who are against the king; the whole Great Forest that lurks and you have a solid fantasy book.
Even if the romance is a bit awkward, I love that Rachelle is not afraid to go through mud and make mistakes. She has very relatable thoughts and is being very honest to herself as she knows she has made huge mistakes but does not hide from the fact that she still wants to live. She is humn through and through!
In general, a great read with a few flaws here and there, but the concept and execution of various ideas were great. A tad predictable sometimes, but a thorough enjoyable time!
It's not entirely on your face, that is how!
This Red Riding Hood retelling does a very good job at offering a solid fantasy setting with specific powers and with focus on human relationships. Albeit the realization of love comes a bit abrupt just like in [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371652590l/15839984._SY75_.jpg|21580669], the steady development of the story with Rachelle being the focal point of everything is simply great.
You have Rachelle, a hoodwinked young woman who is surviving day by day hoping to put an end to the evil that lurks in the Great Forest and even though the trope of being of a special someone that saves the day is very common in all such books, Rachelle sets the tone much better. Her background and the 3 year gap from her fall to the current time show that she was always striving and searching for the weapon that would end the Devourer. Even after the book started, she still failed in her search and things did not just come out of the sky to help her. Everything was just flowing completely natural.
Then you have the other 2 love interests; Erec, the playful, yet arrogant person who helped her stand back on her feet and shares the same fate as hers and Armand, the King's nephew who is rumoured to have insidious plans of overthrowing his uncle and the person Rachelle has to protect. The mysteries and secrets surrounding this trio are too many and often things come up too late in a situation, which makes this an even more interesting read. Add to the mix Amelie, who is Rachelle's one and only friend; la Fontaine, the king's mistress; the bishop and his retainer, who are against the king; the whole Great Forest that lurks and you have a solid fantasy book.
Even if the romance is a bit awkward, I love that Rachelle is not afraid to go through mud and make mistakes. She has very relatable thoughts and is being very honest to herself as she knows she has made huge mistakes but does not hide from the fact that she still wants to live. She is humn through and through!
In general, a great read with a few flaws here and there, but the concept and execution of various ideas were great. A tad predictable sometimes, but a thorough enjoyable time!
4.5
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
Mother said,
"Come what may,
Follow the path
And never stray."
[WOLF]
Just so, little girl-
Any path.
So many worth exploring.
Just one would be so boring.
And look what you're ignoring…
Rachelle strayed off the forest path when she was fifteen. She thought she could outsmart the monster she met, but instead she ended up marked, bloodbound to serve the Devourer of the sun and moon. Rachelle pledges her service to the king instead, fighting the monsters that cross over from the Devourer’s realm, the Great Forest that exists alongside her world. She knows she’s destined to end up a forestborn, the same as her maker, and thus beyond redemption, but when she finds out the Devourer is going to return by summer’s end, she’s willing to try to do one good thing in the world.
Instead, she’s assigned to play babysitter to a false saint, the king’s bastard, Armand, who supposedly met a forestborn and survived marked but not bound. This is hogwash, of course, as Rachelle knows what it means to be marked. Armand lost his hands to the Forest, becoming a saint and martyr to the common people. As rebellion swirls, it’s Rachelle’s job to keep him from being assassinated or raised up.
Like Hodge’s first book, Crimson Bound is a lot more than a fairy tale retelling. Rachelle’s story starts very similarly to Red Riding Hood, true, but it ends with far more in common with Persephone. While Armand is a spin on The Girl Without Hands, there’s also a healthy dose of Hansel and Gretel in Tyr and Zisa, legendary twins who trapped the Devourer. Instead of feeling disjointed or derivative, Hodge’s world building and magic system blend them all into something new and surprising.
Unfortunately, also like Cruel Beauty, there are some plot holes that are hard to overlook, particularly in regards to the difference between the bloodbound and the forestborn they become. There’s also a love triangle that I found less than effective.
Hodge’s writes amazing, complex and unlikeable women that I can’t help falling in love with, and Rachelle is no exception. While the love interest is no Ignifex, the world is tighter, the magic more focused, and the action well integrated. The influences are diverse and blend together to build a truly one of a kind experience. Cruel Beauty was one of my best books of last year, but Hodge has outdone herself in her sophomore effort.
4/20/15:
What if we mixed Red Riding Hood with The Girl Without Hands and added a dash of Hansel and Gretel and Persephone, just for kicks, and then set the whole thing in Versailles?
Hodge is a mad scientist, and this mixture is giving me life.
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
Mother said,
"Come what may,
Follow the path
And never stray."
[WOLF]
Just so, little girl-
Any path.
So many worth exploring.
Just one would be so boring.
And look what you're ignoring…
Rachelle strayed off the forest path when she was fifteen. She thought she could outsmart the monster she met, but instead she ended up marked, bloodbound to serve the Devourer of the sun and moon. Rachelle pledges her service to the king instead, fighting the monsters that cross over from the Devourer’s realm, the Great Forest that exists alongside her world. She knows she’s destined to end up a forestborn, the same as her maker, and thus beyond redemption, but when she finds out the Devourer is going to return by summer’s end, she’s willing to try to do one good thing in the world.
Instead, she’s assigned to play babysitter to a false saint, the king’s bastard, Armand, who supposedly met a forestborn and survived marked but not bound. This is hogwash, of course, as Rachelle knows what it means to be marked. Armand lost his hands to the Forest, becoming a saint and martyr to the common people. As rebellion swirls, it’s Rachelle’s job to keep him from being assassinated or raised up.
Like Hodge’s first book, Crimson Bound is a lot more than a fairy tale retelling. Rachelle’s story starts very similarly to Red Riding Hood, true, but it ends with far more in common with Persephone. While Armand is a spin on The Girl Without Hands, there’s also a healthy dose of Hansel and Gretel in Tyr and Zisa, legendary twins who trapped the Devourer. Instead of feeling disjointed or derivative, Hodge’s world building and magic system blend them all into something new and surprising.
Unfortunately, also like Cruel Beauty, there are some plot holes that are hard to overlook, particularly in regards to the difference between the bloodbound and the forestborn they become. There’s also a love triangle that I found less than effective.
Hodge’s writes amazing, complex and unlikeable women that I can’t help falling in love with, and Rachelle is no exception. While the love interest is no Ignifex, the world is tighter, the magic more focused, and the action well integrated. The influences are diverse and blend together to build a truly one of a kind experience. Cruel Beauty was one of my best books of last year, but Hodge has outdone herself in her sophomore effort.
4/20/15:
What if we mixed Red Riding Hood with The Girl Without Hands and added a dash of Hansel and Gretel and Persephone, just for kicks, and then set the whole thing in Versailles?
Hodge is a mad scientist, and this mixture is giving me life.
This is going to be a short review. Because I’ve already written this review three times. This is my fourth. And my laptop loves being uncooperative. The first time, my laptop died, the second time, I forgot to save changes, and the third time I lost internet connection.
Anyway, I expected to really love this book. I didn’t, unfortunately. I really wasn’t feeling this book a lot. I do remember enjoying Cruel Beauty a lot.
I guess as a main character, Rachelle was okay. She was quite complex and sometimes she made decisions that made no sense to me just because she was feeling angry or betrayed over stupid issues. She wasn’t a bad character, but overall, she was kind of frustrating and too complex.
And the love triangle. Don’t get me started on this. I hated it. It was not a love triangle. UGH.
The mythology and the narrating was pretty fun to read about though! I didn’t mind that! I love the way Rosamund Hodge can tell a story! :D This story isn’t all Little Red Riding Hood, but I did enjoy it!
Overall, Crimson Bound is a book I liked, but there were certain points that kind of annoyed me. I liked the world, thought it was creative, but I felt like it could've been executed better.
Anyway, I expected to really love this book. I didn’t, unfortunately. I really wasn’t feeling this book a lot. I do remember enjoying Cruel Beauty a lot.
I guess as a main character, Rachelle was okay. She was quite complex and sometimes she made decisions that made no sense to me just because she was feeling angry or betrayed over stupid issues. She wasn’t a bad character, but overall, she was kind of frustrating and too complex.
And the love triangle. Don’t get me started on this. I hated it. It was not a love triangle. UGH.
The mythology and the narrating was pretty fun to read about though! I didn’t mind that! I love the way Rosamund Hodge can tell a story! :D This story isn’t all Little Red Riding Hood, but I did enjoy it!
Overall, Crimson Bound is a book I liked, but there were certain points that kind of annoyed me. I liked the world, thought it was creative, but I felt like it could've been executed better.
Meh!
Non mi ha convinta, poteva essere molto meglio. Sembra scritto un po' troppo frettolosamente, come se la scrittrice non avesse idee o non avesse la voglia e la pazienza di sviluppare meglio la trama.
Non mi sento di consigliarlo.
Non mi ha convinta, poteva essere molto meglio. Sembra scritto un po' troppo frettolosamente, come se la scrittrice non avesse idee o non avesse la voglia e la pazienza di sviluppare meglio la trama.
Non mi sento di consigliarlo.
Crimson Bound was a pleasant surprise for me. I expected to enjoy it, but I didn't expect to love the world, its intricacies and the characters.
Rachelle, the main character, is a flawed and fully realized character. She is jaded by her actions and resigned to what she believes to be her fate of damnation. Yet, she is so hopeful and determined to save the world and atone for all the she's done and been unable to do.
Each relationship we see, be it platonic or romantic, is unique to the relationship. They don't feel like carbon copies of each other. Each relationship reflects the individuals that compose it and make you feel for each of them. The characters are all well-defined, with personal motivations and point of views, as well.
I also really enjoyed the mythology interludes in the story. We see how the story of Tyre and Zisa comes full-circle with Armand and Rachelle in the present day.
I would recommend Crimson Bound to lovers of fantasy and fairy tale who want a high stakes and surprising plot with dynamic characters and relationships.
Rachelle, the main character, is a flawed and fully realized character. She is jaded by her actions and resigned to what she believes to be her fate of damnation. Yet, she is so hopeful and determined to save the world and atone for all the she's done and been unable to do.
Each relationship we see, be it platonic or romantic, is unique to the relationship. They don't feel like carbon copies of each other. Each relationship reflects the individuals that compose it and make you feel for each of them. The characters are all well-defined, with personal motivations and point of views, as well.
I also really enjoyed the mythology interludes in the story. We see how the story of Tyre and Zisa
Spoiler
binding the DevourerI would recommend Crimson Bound to lovers of fantasy and fairy tale who want a high stakes and surprising plot with dynamic characters and relationships.
This book was great. Cruel beauty was also great. Rosamund Hodge is worming her way into my little black heart. Her writing, story lines, characters, world building- all of it is improving the more and more she writes.
Crimson bound is not a book that can simply be described as a variation of Little Red Riding Hood. It's a book that has weaved together bits of folklore from all over the world. The two stories that ring the strongest, however, are the Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretal. Rachelle is wandering in the dangerous woods wearing a red hood when she meets the forestborn and tricked into becoming marked bloodbound. Those who are marked have three days to either kill someone else or die themselves. Rachelle chose to live and since then has had to live with those consequences daily. Rachelle, Rachelle; here is the strong female lead that I have looked for for ages. She's pretty badass with a blade and there are plenty of fighting scenes to prove it. And guess what? She doesn't need a male to save her- in fact, they might need her to save them. They might need her to save everyone from one of the darkest characters ever (literally- he eats the moon and the sun and leaves everyone in the dark). She has a quick tongue and is really quite witty.
Alongside the "present day" story of Rachelle, an italicized voice tells the story of a brother and sister that are sacrificed and left to the house of "Old Mother Hunger". The house is made of bones and inside the girl slaves for the Old Mother and feeds her brother in a cage- sounds familiar? All this ties in with the main story, and it's done so artfully well I can't help but gush at it. And remember how I said it's lore is pretty worldly? Chinese people believe that two people fated to be together are always linked by a red thread tied to the pinky finger. A little similarity to the red thread tied to Rachelle's finger (although a little less romantic, I think).
We're all tired of love triangles- I see that. However, the two boys in the story are just so vastly different and have such interesting complex characters that somehow, it's okay. There were annoying parts in the book where you were like- agh! Really? But overall, I liked it. I liked that Hodge wrote in an attractive male lead with a disability and didn't hide it in the writing. He struggles, but perseveres and is pretty great in my opinion- I like him a lot!
This was good.
Hodge I'm looking forward to more!
Crimson bound is not a book that can simply be described as a variation of Little Red Riding Hood. It's a book that has weaved together bits of folklore from all over the world. The two stories that ring the strongest, however, are the Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretal. Rachelle is wandering in the dangerous woods wearing a red hood when she meets the forestborn and tricked into becoming marked bloodbound. Those who are marked have three days to either kill someone else or die themselves. Rachelle chose to live and since then has had to live with those consequences daily. Rachelle, Rachelle; here is the strong female lead that I have looked for for ages. She's pretty badass with a blade and there are plenty of fighting scenes to prove it. And guess what? She doesn't need a male to save her- in fact, they might need her to save them. They might need her to save everyone from one of the darkest characters ever (literally- he eats the moon and the sun and leaves everyone in the dark). She has a quick tongue and is really quite witty.
Alongside the "present day" story of Rachelle, an italicized voice tells the story of a brother and sister that are sacrificed and left to the house of "Old Mother Hunger". The house is made of bones and inside the girl slaves for the Old Mother and feeds her brother in a cage- sounds familiar? All this ties in with the main story, and it's done so artfully well I can't help but gush at it. And remember how I said it's lore is pretty worldly? Chinese people believe that two people fated to be together are always linked by a red thread tied to the pinky finger. A little similarity to the red thread tied to Rachelle's finger (although a little less romantic, I think).
We're all tired of love triangles- I see that. However, the two boys in the story are just so vastly different and have such interesting complex characters that somehow, it's okay. There were annoying parts in the book where you were like- agh! Really? But overall, I liked it. I liked that Hodge wrote in an attractive male lead with a disability and didn't hide it in the writing. He struggles, but perseveres and is pretty great in my opinion- I like him a lot!
This was good.
Hodge I'm looking forward to more!
SO GOOD.
SO REALLY FUCKING GOOD.
OH MY GOD.
Like, Cruel Beauty was good, but this had romance AND action. Oh my god. We've got this brilliant, selfish, brash, selfless heroine who I really couldn't help but love. She was so strong, and she made mistakes, and she doubted herself, and it was just so adkjnsafsafbjskafnksfnkasjfnkasfnalf
The plot was sooo interesting, a mix between Little Red Riding Hood and the wild Fae. And the Devourer? What a clever take on the Big Bad Wolf. And I love the concept of this alternate-universe pre-revolution France. Très chic et magnifique.
The ending was good, in a lovely, ambiguous way, though I do wish there was a bigger battle scene, but I do understand this is a retelling and a romance book at it's core. I love how there was a love triangle, but in the less holier-than-thou-I'mso-pure way and more lust vs. love.
And Armand, you are a man after my own heart (but not with your hands lolol)
SO REALLY FUCKING GOOD.
OH MY GOD.
Like, Cruel Beauty was good, but this had romance AND action. Oh my god. We've got this brilliant, selfish, brash, selfless heroine who I really couldn't help but love. She was so strong, and she made mistakes, and she doubted herself, and it was just so adkjnsafsafbjskafnksfnkasjfnkasfnalf
The plot was sooo interesting, a mix between Little Red Riding Hood and the wild Fae. And the Devourer? What a clever take on the Big Bad Wolf. And I love the concept of this alternate-universe pre-revolution France. Très chic et magnifique.
The ending was good, in a lovely, ambiguous way, though I do wish there was a bigger battle scene, but I do understand this is a retelling and a romance book at it's core. I love how there was a love triangle, but in the less holier-than-thou-I'mso-pure way and more lust vs. love.
Spoiler
the fact that she had sex with a guy other than the main love interest got extra points for realism.And Armand, you are a man after my own heart (but not with your hands lolol)