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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Based on some of the reviews I read, I wasn't sure if would like this book as much as Rosamond's first but I'm happy, I did!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had so much potential. The plot was fascinating. I found the romance felt quite contrived and detracted from the story. I liked it with the plot twists and the story itself it’s just the surrounding elements that felt like it ruined it for me. Rachel felt so immature at times especially regarding romance.
It took a little longer for me to get into this book than for Hodge's first novel, but this one is still fabulous. It's a lush blend of fairy tale, romance, and the ancient fear of the dark forest.
“In all your life, your only choice is the path of needles or the path of pins.”
Okay, so I've been seeing a lot of reviews comparing Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound , and many people who are huge fans with Rosamund Hodge's debut novel were not impressed by this book. Which I can understand, because although the books are written in the same flowery, impressive prose, they are both opposites in certain aspects.
If there is one thing that I loved about Cruel Beauty , it was the love. I was swept away with the chemistry between Nyx and Ignifex, and I often find myself sighing nostalgically at Nyx's wicked heart. Not to say that Cruel Beauty didn't have its flaws. The plot was rather lackluster, the world-building less than eloquent, and, well, the MC rarely did anything. Nevertheless, I adored that book, mainly for the romance (mm, Ignifex).
So imagine my surprise when I found that I wasn't entranced in the same way for Crimson Bound . It breaks my heart, because I really, really wanted to be convinced about the love in this book the same way I was with its predecessor, but I just couldn't. Rachelle spent about two thirds of the book hating or resenting the main love interest that I actually began to doubt anything would happen, and then when she suddenly proclaimed her undying love it felt like a slap to the face.
“I knew you lived," her mother said after a moment. "Any daughter of mine would be ruthless enough.”
That said, whilst Cruel Beauty focused heavily on the romance, Crimson Bound tried to develop the world-building and fantasy aspects. I found that Rachelle was doing a lot more in terms of plot and badassery compared to Nyx, and truthfully, I find that I admire both MC's equally. They both struggle with the darkness inside of them, and they both try everything in their power to make up for their sins.
“Do you think that doing the right thing will always be pretty?”
If there's one thing I can say confidently, it's that Hodge has a way with writing interesting, multifaceted characters. Erec D'Anjou reminded me of the Darkling from the Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, and I always have a soft spot for complex villains. Meanwhile, we have a saint in the form of Armand Vareilles, a boy with no hands and a soft heart. What I liked most about his character was that he called Rachelle out on her shit, even when he was afraid of her.
In the end, Crimson Bound is, in a lot of ways, better and worse than its predecessor. I still find Hodge's retellings some of the best in the genre, mainly because of the grim and unforgiving writing style. I've always liked my fantasy more on the twisted side, and this novel does not disappoint.
Okay, so I've been seeing a lot of reviews comparing Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound , and many people who are huge fans with Rosamund Hodge's debut novel were not impressed by this book. Which I can understand, because although the books are written in the same flowery, impressive prose, they are both opposites in certain aspects.
If there is one thing that I loved about Cruel Beauty , it was the love. I was swept away with the chemistry between Nyx and Ignifex, and I often find myself sighing nostalgically at Nyx's wicked heart. Not to say that Cruel Beauty didn't have its flaws. The plot was rather lackluster, the world-building less than eloquent, and, well, the MC rarely did anything. Nevertheless, I adored that book, mainly for the romance (mm, Ignifex).
So imagine my surprise when I found that I wasn't entranced in the same way for Crimson Bound . It breaks my heart, because I really, really wanted to be convinced about the love in this book the same way I was with its predecessor, but I just couldn't. Rachelle spent about two thirds of the book hating or resenting the main love interest that I actually began to doubt anything would happen, and then when she suddenly proclaimed her undying love it felt like a slap to the face.
“I knew you lived," her mother said after a moment. "Any daughter of mine would be ruthless enough.”
That said, whilst Cruel Beauty focused heavily on the romance, Crimson Bound tried to develop the world-building and fantasy aspects. I found that Rachelle was doing a lot more in terms of plot and badassery compared to Nyx, and truthfully, I find that I admire both MC's equally. They both struggle with the darkness inside of them, and they both try everything in their power to make up for their sins.
“Do you think that doing the right thing will always be pretty?”
If there's one thing I can say confidently, it's that Hodge has a way with writing interesting, multifaceted characters. Erec D'Anjou reminded me of the Darkling from the Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, and I always have a soft spot for complex villains. Meanwhile, we have a saint in the form of Armand Vareilles, a boy with no hands and a soft heart. What I liked most about his character was that he called Rachelle out on her shit, even when he was afraid of her.
In the end, Crimson Bound is, in a lot of ways, better and worse than its predecessor. I still find Hodge's retellings some of the best in the genre, mainly because of the grim and unforgiving writing style. I've always liked my fantasy more on the twisted side, and this novel does not disappoint.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked this book, but I preferred cruel beauty to it.
I loved the relationship between Amélie and Rachelle. I loved the relationship development between Rachelle and Armand. #ship
Erec annoyed me, but he was a developed character.
la Fountina annoyed me at first, but I came to like her.
I found the plot interesting and the foreshadowing and connection to earlier events was excellent.
B+, 4 stars, 80%
I loved the relationship between Amélie and Rachelle. I loved the relationship development between Rachelle and Armand. #ship
Erec annoyed me, but he was a developed character.
la Fountina annoyed me at first, but I came to like her.
I found the plot interesting and the foreshadowing and connection to earlier events was excellent.
B+, 4 stars, 80%
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
“Every day for the last three years, she had thought she deserved to die. She still didn’t want to. She wanted to live with every filthy desperate scrap of her heart.”
Coming into this book, after so many bad reviews, I honestly expect the worst. And while I definitely think Cruel Beauty was way better (4 stars from me), I surprisingly enjoyed reading this book as well. I wasn't quite (at all) as connected to the story and its characters as I was in Cruel Beauty, but I found many aspects of this story new and intriguing.
Rosamund Hodge has such a beautiful, fairy tale-like prose. The way she spins her retellings is enchanting, elegant and appealing. Weird and unusual. Some aspects of her stories remind me of old fairy tales but with new twists.
The author's world buildings are always something new and dark and twisted. I have to say I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Hodge's worlds, both in Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound. She has always such an intriguing ideas, the concepts of her fantasy worlds are fascinating and new in this genre, but I feel like the actual execution of her worlds could be much better. It has always such a potential - and I do still love her imaginative worlds - but I feel like the world building in her novels is more often than not confusing, the inner workings of it not explained enough. It's always such a wonderful idea, but the exacution could be a bit better.
“I think sometimes there is no right thing.”
I've also heard a lot about her books being boring, but I personally never had such problem with either of her books yet. Hodge's plotlines are rather slow paced, definitely, but it has just the right amount of darkness and intrigue and I was never once bored.
As for the characters, I 100% preferred the ones in Cruel Beauty. Hodge's Beauty and the Beast retelling was very much romance centered, obviously, while Crimson Bound is more centered on the MC herself, the romance takes secondary place in my opinion. I definitely loved Nyx (Cruel Beauty) better than Rachelle (Crimson Bound). I liked how dark Rachelle's character was - she could be twisted and cruel and messy - but I simply did not love her as much as Nyx. At the very beginning, she basically made one huge, naive mistake that got her into the whole mess in the first place. But all in all, I know that Rachelle is not supposed to be a likeable heroine, so despite some moments, she was quite fascinating, dark heroine nonetheless.
“Speechless?” asked Erec. “Don’t be ashamed. I bring all ladies to that state sooner or later.”
“Too bad for you,” she said, “I’m not a lady.”
Armand, the love interest, was likeable and nic and fun enough. And I definitely could see why the author paired Rachelle with him of all people - because she had enough of darkness in herself and needed some goodness in her life as well. But it just simply couldn't compare with my love of the sexy, dark and mischievous Ignifex (Cruel Beauty). I liked the romace in Crimson Bound all right, but never felt quite as compelled with it as in the previous novel.
It can be also said that there is a love triangle here of sorts, but I personally wouldn't call it that. There is love, and then there is lust and Hodge shows us that they are not the same thing at all.
All in all, though I can see why Crimson Bund wouldn't work for everyone, and though it's not quite as good as Cruel Beauty, I honestly liked it much more than I though I would. I very much enjoy the way Hodge spins her enchanting, dark and lovely retellings.
Coming into this book, after so many bad reviews, I honestly expect the worst. And while I definitely think Cruel Beauty was way better (4 stars from me), I surprisingly enjoyed reading this book as well. I wasn't quite (at all) as connected to the story and its characters as I was in Cruel Beauty, but I found many aspects of this story new and intriguing.
Rosamund Hodge has such a beautiful, fairy tale-like prose. The way she spins her retellings is enchanting, elegant and appealing. Weird and unusual. Some aspects of her stories remind me of old fairy tales but with new twists.
The author's world buildings are always something new and dark and twisted. I have to say I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Hodge's worlds, both in Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound. She has always such an intriguing ideas, the concepts of her fantasy worlds are fascinating and new in this genre, but I feel like the actual execution of her worlds could be much better. It has always such a potential - and I do still love her imaginative worlds - but I feel like the world building in her novels is more often than not confusing, the inner workings of it not explained enough. It's always such a wonderful idea, but the exacution could be a bit better.
“I think sometimes there is no right thing.”
I've also heard a lot about her books being boring, but I personally never had such problem with either of her books yet. Hodge's plotlines are rather slow paced, definitely, but it has just the right amount of darkness and intrigue and I was never once bored.
As for the characters, I 100% preferred the ones in Cruel Beauty. Hodge's Beauty and the Beast retelling was very much romance centered, obviously, while Crimson Bound is more centered on the MC herself, the romance takes secondary place in my opinion. I definitely loved Nyx (Cruel Beauty) better than Rachelle (Crimson Bound). I liked how dark Rachelle's character was - she could be twisted and cruel and messy - but I simply did not love her as much as Nyx. At the very beginning, she basically made one huge, naive mistake that got her into the whole mess in the first place. But all in all, I know that Rachelle is not supposed to be a likeable heroine, so despite some moments, she was quite fascinating, dark heroine nonetheless.
“Speechless?” asked Erec. “Don’t be ashamed. I bring all ladies to that state sooner or later.”
“Too bad for you,” she said, “I’m not a lady.”
Armand, the love interest, was likeable and nic and fun enough. And I definitely could see why the author paired Rachelle with him of all people - because she had enough of darkness in herself and needed some goodness in her life as well. But it just simply couldn't compare with my love of the sexy, dark and mischievous Ignifex (Cruel Beauty). I liked the romace in Crimson Bound all right, but never felt quite as compelled with it as in the previous novel.
It can be also said that there is a love triangle here of sorts, but I personally wouldn't call it that. There is love, and then there is lust and Hodge shows us that they are not the same thing at all.
All in all, though I can see why Crimson Bund wouldn't work for everyone, and though it's not quite as good as Cruel Beauty, I honestly liked it much more than I though I would. I very much enjoy the way Hodge spins her enchanting, dark and lovely retellings.
Well, this book was okay, but I was extraordinarily confused for about half of it.
I the last 170 pages of this book during Booktubeathon 2015.
I the last 170 pages of this book during Booktubeathon 2015.