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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Crimson Bound was a fantastic fantasy novel. It's dark and magical and oh so deliciously beautiful.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this Little Red retelling, but the twist Hodge puts on the story beats many other retellings, simply because it was not at all predictable with a very unique take on old familiar characters. And I loved it.
The writing and the world building is what made me love the book the most. This medieval France like world is rich and vivid with detail, full of it's own history, folklore, and of course magic that's about to bring their world to an end.
I liked the characters well enough, although Rachelle was sometimes a little too indecisive for me. But overall, she was an intriguing character who was dealing with trauma of what she has done and at the same time not sorry for having done what it took to survive. She did not attempt to excuse her actions and was quiet adamant at rejecting pity.
I did not enjoy the love triangle. I know Rachelle never had any romantic feelings for Erec, whom she kept at arm's length and was determined to remain friends. Erec was a great character, but I was honestly shocked by his final decision. Armand was just okay to me, a little too simpering, but it not often that you meet a character with a disability where it's simply part of the plot but is not being exploited. He handles it with dignity as he learns to live with it. I didn't quiet buy their romance either, although Rachelle very slowly beings to like him after so thoroughly hating him.
Overall, this is a fantastic fantasy novel. Much better than Cruel Beauty in the way it's written and in terms of characters. I recommend it greatly.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this Little Red retelling, but the twist Hodge puts on the story beats many other retellings, simply because it was not at all predictable with a very unique take on old familiar characters. And I loved it.
The writing and the world building is what made me love the book the most. This medieval France like world is rich and vivid with detail, full of it's own history, folklore, and of course magic that's about to bring their world to an end.
I liked the characters well enough, although Rachelle was sometimes a little too indecisive for me. But overall, she was an intriguing character who was dealing with trauma of what she has done and at the same time not sorry for having done what it took to survive. She did not attempt to excuse her actions and was quiet adamant at rejecting pity.
I did not enjoy the love triangle. I know Rachelle never had any romantic feelings for Erec, whom she kept at arm's length and was determined to remain friends. Erec was a great character, but I was honestly shocked by his final decision. Armand was just okay to me, a little too simpering, but it not often that you meet a character with a disability where it's simply part of the plot but is not being exploited. He handles it with dignity as he learns to live with it. I didn't quiet buy their romance either, although Rachelle very slowly beings to like him after so thoroughly hating him.
Overall, this is a fantastic fantasy novel. Much better than Cruel Beauty in the way it's written and in terms of characters. I recommend it greatly.
Rosamund Hodge is quickly rising to become one of my favorite authors, up there with Laini Taylor, Kristin Cashore and Leigh Bardugo. The world building was beautiful and unique. I devoured this book, and I cannot wait until Hodge creates a new story for me to delve into.
A Red Riding Hood retelling! These are pretty rare to come by, aren't they? Crimson Bound follows Rachelle, a girl originally destined to be a wood wife, weaving spells and charms to protect the world from the foreboding Devourer's return. After a disastrous friendship with one of the Devourer's followers, Rachelle is marked as a Bloodborne assassin and enrolls in service to the king, doing the duty of the damned until she can find a way to resurrect a pair of swords that may thwart the Devourer's return and his desire to plunge the world into darkness.
REP: amputee SC.
TW's: sexual assault (prologue).
PROS:
- World building. I understand that a lot of reviewers were incensed by the inaccuracy involved in Hodge's use of French fairytales and folklore, but I think for people who are reading this book without prior knowledge of that lore, this isn't really an issue. Hodge isn't trying to write historical fiction; this is a fantasy novel, and I think she can use fairytales and folklore however she pleases so long as it's not exploitative nor capitalizing on misrepresentation of a minority. The world she builds is lush and complex and tantalizing but also easy to absorb and understand. I kept reading because it was all so interesting to learn about.
- Rachelle's relationship with Amalie. This was pretty much the highlight of the book for me. I'm honestly surprised the romance wasn't between these two, because their relationship had the most history, felt the most believable, and carried the highest degree of mutual concern, worry, and care. They shared so few scenes with each other, but each scene felt like a light against the bleak backdrop of the rest of the book. They clearly brought out the best in each other and made each other hope despite the surrounding, impending darkness, and I loved that.
- Rachelle's relationship with Eric. This was also a huge highlight for me! I really love how complicated their relationship was, and how despite all of his tricky mannerisms, Rachelle did find it in herself to care about Eric because he'd helped her find purpose where she thought all was lost. I wasn't unsatisfied with where their relationship ultimately went, and I think it was fitting that,. The tragedy and complexity of their relationship was enrapturing to watch unfold, and I want to see more appreciation for tragedies like it! Sometimes, relationships don't work out, and it's for the best!
CONS:
- Lack of addressing trauma. There is a scene in the prologue where Rachelle is told by a Forestborn (the Devourer's followers) to shed her protections, after which he kisses (bites?) her forcefully, thereby marking her as a Bloodbound. The experience is incredibly traumatic for her, and it follows her throughout her mental-emotional journey in the book. What I was unsatisfied with was the lack of follow-up when the Forestborn's identity was finally revealed towards the end;. There was plenty of reflection on the sense of betrayal and anger over being made into a Bloodbound by someone she'd come to befriend, but I really wish the actual nature of the assault itself has been addressed more, too.
- The central romance with Armand. I really loved how Rachelle and Armand's friendship developed in the first half of the book. Her qualms against him felt believable, and his vague banter with her was entertaining and induced curiosity from the reader. What really took me off guard was Hodge having Rochelle admit that she had been secretly wary of and watchful over Armand the entire time because she. . . loved him? It didn't match up at all with her internal thought process or character arc from the start of the book. I think it would have been more believable had Rachelle realized towards the end that she'd grown to love Armand, but as it was developed in the book, it felt really poorly paced. Rachelle's relationships with Amalie and Eric felt far more realistic.
- Lack of follow through after the day is saved. This is pretty much a standard complaint I have for most fantasy novels. The end of the novel was neatly wrapped up in a matter of minutes, with all problems and cliffhangers left conveniently solved by existing side players or circumstances. I wish more fantasy novels took the time to marinate in the aftermath and realize that solutions are works in progress. They don't wrap up that easily.
FINAL RATING: 4.25
REP: amputee SC.
TW's: sexual assault (prologue).
PROS:
- World building. I understand that a lot of reviewers were incensed by the inaccuracy involved in Hodge's use of French fairytales and folklore, but I think for people who are reading this book without prior knowledge of that lore, this isn't really an issue. Hodge isn't trying to write historical fiction; this is a fantasy novel, and I think she can use fairytales and folklore however she pleases so long as it's not exploitative nor capitalizing on misrepresentation of a minority. The world she builds is lush and complex and tantalizing but also easy to absorb and understand. I kept reading because it was all so interesting to learn about.
- Rachelle's relationship with Amalie. This was pretty much the highlight of the book for me. I'm honestly surprised the romance wasn't between these two, because their relationship had the most history, felt the most believable, and carried the highest degree of mutual concern, worry, and care. They shared so few scenes with each other, but each scene felt like a light against the bleak backdrop of the rest of the book. They clearly brought out the best in each other and made each other hope despite the surrounding, impending darkness, and I loved that.
- Rachelle's relationship with Eric. This was also a huge highlight for me! I really love how complicated their relationship was, and how despite all of his tricky mannerisms, Rachelle did find it in herself to care about Eric because he'd helped her find purpose where she thought all was lost. I wasn't unsatisfied with where their relationship ultimately went, and I think it was fitting that,
Spoiler
despite how much Rachelle may have cared for Eric and maybe even have wanted better for him, she accepted him for what he was when he revealed himself as her Forestborn, and she didn't allow her feelings to cloud her judgment or prevent her from taking him down when she knew it was what she had to doCONS:
- Lack of addressing trauma. There is a scene in the prologue where Rachelle is told by a Forestborn (the Devourer's followers) to shed her protections, after which he kisses (bites?) her forcefully, thereby marking her as a Bloodbound. The experience is incredibly traumatic for her, and it follows her throughout her mental-emotional journey in the book. What I was unsatisfied with was the lack of follow-up when the Forestborn's identity was finally revealed towards the end;
Spoiler
given Rachelle's developing relationship with Eric, I'm surprised there wasn't more commentary on how sickened she felt knowing the person she lost her virginity to was also the person who originally sexually assaulted her- The central romance with Armand. I really loved how Rachelle and Armand's friendship developed in the first half of the book. Her qualms against him felt believable, and his vague banter with her was entertaining and induced curiosity from the reader. What really took me off guard was Hodge having Rochelle admit that she had been secretly wary of and watchful over Armand the entire time because she. . . loved him? It didn't match up at all with her internal thought process or character arc from the start of the book. I think it would have been more believable had Rachelle realized towards the end that she'd grown to love Armand, but as it was developed in the book, it felt really poorly paced. Rachelle's relationships with Amalie and Eric felt far more realistic.
- Lack of follow through after the day is saved. This is pretty much a standard complaint I have for most fantasy novels. The end of the novel was neatly wrapped up in a matter of minutes, with all problems and cliffhangers left conveniently solved by existing side players or circumstances. I wish more fantasy novels took the time to marinate in the aftermath and realize that solutions are works in progress. They don't wrap up that easily.
FINAL RATING: 4.25
I struggled between 3.5 and 4 for this one. The story is absolutely brilliant, but I found the characters difficult to connect with. Still, fantastic.
This is not a bad book - it’s full of amazing writing, an interesting idea and a fairytale vibe. But at the same time, the pace of the plot is a bit off, I didn’t feel anything for the characters and there’s a weird love-triangle going on. I didn’t care for any of the two love interests, although both had a lot of potential. Rachelle, the main protagonist, only grew on me in the very last chapters. Nothing about this book is particularly bad - I just didn’t care enough about either the plot or the characters. I am still a huge fan of Rosamund Hodge because her books are full of interesting ideas and beautiful writing - this one didn’t really work for me, though.
Crimson Bound is entertaining, but you are not missing out on anything if you don’t read it.
4.5-ish? This book was SO GOOD, but I almost wish it had been a duology instead because there's just so much there.
Esta historia ha estado bien, aunque me ha parecido un tanto simplona. Qué pena que pase desapercibida porque su predecesora, Cruel Beauty. (No es necesario leerse Cruel Beauty para leerse este, para nada).
Tenemos a nuestra protagonista, Rachelle, que se ha criado con su tía. Ella la ha tenido como aprendiz para combatir contra la oscuridad que rodea el pueblo. Un día, las cosas salen mal, y Rachelle tiene que tomar una decisión que le cuesta la vida a su tía.
Año después, Rachelle trabaja para la realeza, protegiendo el reino. Un día, el rey le encomienda la misión de proteger a su hija Armand, a quien ella odia. Ambos llegan a un acuerdo y se convierten en aliados para encontrar una espada que destruirá esa gran amenaza que se cierne desde hace años en el reino.
Ah, y es un retelling de Caperucita Roja.
La historia es muy original y diferente a lo que me esperaba. Las referencias a Caperucita Roja no son tan obvias, sino que son bastantes sutiles, pero en cuanto las ves, te sorprende muchísimo.
Hay muchas cosas que me han chirriado, y por eso no se ha llevado más nota. No voy a entrar en mucho porque algunas cosas son spoiler, pero EL TRIANGULO AMOROSO ES INNECESARIO.
La historia es entretenida, con bastantes momentos de acción seguidos por otros algo más calmados y tranquilos. Los personajes tienen cierta evolución, pero no como a mí me gustaría. Se nota su tiempo, y ahora mismo hay libros de fantasía muchísimo más interesantes y con una evolución más notoria de los personajes.
¿Lo recomiendo? Sí, a mí me ha gustado bastante, aunque hay cosas mucho mejores.
Tenemos a nuestra protagonista, Rachelle, que se ha criado con su tía. Ella la ha tenido como aprendiz para combatir contra la oscuridad que rodea el pueblo. Un día, las cosas salen mal, y Rachelle tiene que tomar una decisión que le cuesta la vida a su tía.
Año después, Rachelle trabaja para la realeza, protegiendo el reino. Un día, el rey le encomienda la misión de proteger a su hija Armand, a quien ella odia. Ambos llegan a un acuerdo y se convierten en aliados para encontrar una espada que destruirá esa gran amenaza que se cierne desde hace años en el reino.
Ah, y es un retelling de Caperucita Roja.
La historia es muy original y diferente a lo que me esperaba. Las referencias a Caperucita Roja no son tan obvias, sino que son bastantes sutiles, pero en cuanto las ves, te sorprende muchísimo.
Hay muchas cosas que me han chirriado, y por eso no se ha llevado más nota. No voy a entrar en mucho porque algunas cosas son spoiler, pero EL TRIANGULO AMOROSO ES INNECESARIO.
La historia es entretenida, con bastantes momentos de acción seguidos por otros algo más calmados y tranquilos. Los personajes tienen cierta evolución, pero no como a mí me gustaría. Se nota su tiempo, y ahora mismo hay libros de fantasía muchísimo más interesantes y con una evolución más notoria de los personajes.
¿Lo recomiendo? Sí, a mí me ha gustado bastante, aunque hay cosas mucho mejores.
I'm convinced that what bothered me wouldn't be a problem for most readers. It still spoiled my read, though, that's why I couldn't finish.
What's my problem, you ask? Let's call that "too much misuses of references". This is not a world-building, this is a soup : Basically [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1553467184p2/6474354.jpg] used TONS of French folklore/history/literature references which isn't a problem per se but which became one when I couldn't connect with the story anymore because I was too busy trying to make sense of the world-building. Also, she's not French. Also, she misused them.
See, references aren't gratuitous : they create expectations and when none of them is fulfilled, it gets annoying and above that, distracting. Wouldn't you feel confused if a character was named Abraham Lincoln but wait - not that Abraham Lincoln? If the city was named after where you live but wait - not that city? If the kingdom was named after a very famous legend you know but wait - not that legend? If the magical objects were called the exact same name as really, really important other magical objects from medieval folklore but wait - not these objects?
No? I guess I have a shorter attention span, then.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining because [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1553467184p2/6474354.jpg] didn't follow the original stories : this is Fantasy, she can do what she wants and I'm really okay with that. However, to me it was a core to read because I constantly needed to readjust my knowledge and it got really confusing. I'm not complaining about historical inaccuracies, because that would be ridiculous, given the genre. But in my eyes all these misused references seemed lazy, messy and I can't help how I feel. Moreover, she *forgot* to quote all her sources in her acknowledgments and I do have a problem with that (but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps her sources talked about the legends I'm referencing here).
About Durandal and Joyeuse, the magical swords : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Roland
About Rocamadour : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocamadour
About Gévaudan : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9vaudan and its horrible beast : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_G%C3%A9vaudan
Not to mention the King who shares a name with a 12th Century King but whose château de Lune is basically Versailles (salon de mars, anyone?) and his rites thoses of Louis XIV (the levée, for one). Oh, and whose mistress is named after one of the most famous poet and fabulist from the 17th Century, La Fontaine.
I'm really, really sorry about that and you can call me unfair. But this book is making my head spin. What can I say, I'm a History/French Lit nerd. I can live with that.
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