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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
medium-paced
“We live in the shadow of a forest full of secrets haunted by footprints disappearing into freshly fallen leaves. There is no hope for us here, no hope but a woman in a cloak— scarlet, like blood yet to be spilled that somehow stains our hands already. We are bound by what is promised and cursed by what is taken.” – excerpt from the scripture of the Mother
This book reeled me in so fast and then I couldn’t put it down! Things slowed down for a bit about halfway through, but then picked up again. I loved the sister-like relationships between the maidens, and Cade was an interesting character. The spice was well done and heavy on consent which is so good. The magic is really unique and beautiful. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be checking out her others!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This kind of had similar vibes to One Dark Window with red riding hood & Hades and Persephone mixed in.
I thought the first half was really strong. I liked the tension between the Wolf and Rowan. I was interested by the dynamic of the red maiden and the way the magic worked. I liked Rowan - as the story progressed, her feminine rage & her growing into herself as a strong, confident fmc was really fun to read. I love that she never backed down and the end with her controlling the Dark Forest was so good. Like go off girl, show them no mercy bc they truly don’t deserve it. I liked Sarai, I would have liked to read more of her. I’m glad Cade got to play a redemption role at the end - which I also have questions about him as a demon that never got answered. I loved Aeoife, she was so sweet and I liked the juxtaposition between her and Rowan. Ofc who doesn’t like a dark, moody mmc on his knees for the fmc?!
I had questions about what made Rowan special to the Wolf (and I guess just her magic but also???? Was it the magic with the Dark Forest? Was it something else? Idk…) but by the end, I still have the same questions. I feel like after the devouring scene, everything kind of resolved itself happily/quickly. Also the loss of Aeoife? Was it necessary? I really don’t think it changed the story at all besides adding another tragic loss to Rowan’s life and I kind of wish we’d done without killing off a 10 year old child.
I thought the first half was really strong. I liked the tension between the Wolf and Rowan. I was interested by the dynamic of the red maiden and the way the magic worked. I liked Rowan - as the story progressed, her feminine rage & her growing into herself as a strong, confident fmc was really fun to read. I love that she never backed down and the end with her controlling the Dark Forest was so good. Like go off girl, show them no mercy bc they truly don’t deserve it. I liked Sarai, I would have liked to read more of her. I’m glad Cade got to play a redemption role at the end - which I also have questions about him as a demon that never got answered. I loved Aeoife, she was so sweet and I liked the juxtaposition between her and Rowan. Ofc who doesn’t like a dark, moody mmc on his knees for the fmc?!
I had questions about what made Rowan special to the Wolf (and I guess just her magic but also???? Was it the magic with the Dark Forest? Was it something else? Idk…) but by the end, I still have the same questions. I feel like after the devouring scene, everything kind of resolved itself happily/quickly. Also the loss of Aeoife? Was it necessary? I really don’t think it changed the story at all besides adding another tragic loss to Rowan’s life and I kind of wish we’d done without killing off a 10 year old child.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Felt a little off. I was confused at times. Loved the premise.
𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨.
If you’re looking for a standalone gothic romance to add to your Fall reading, I highly recommend Song of the Dark Wood (dark Red Riding Hood vibes).
𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘺. 𝘈 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵.
For centuries, Red Maidens have been sacrificed to the god of death to feed his power. Ripped from their families at a young age, forced to lead a sheltered life with no guaranteed future. But Rowan refuses to go down in history as another submissive Red Maiden devoured by the Wolf. Torn between her duty, protecting those she loves, and fighting for her survival, Rowan embraces her magic and finds the strength to fight for what’s right.
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬.
There was so much to love about this story! A magical/haunted forest 🌲, grumpy MMC who falls first and HARD 🫠, the steamy scenes were on point ❤️🔥, there was a musical twist 🎶 that I found quite unique, and the illustrations scattered throughout enhanced the reading experience.
I went into this thinking it was a shifter romance, so I think it’s important to mention that Conor stays in human form throughout. My understanding is that he’s called the Wolf because way back when he appeared to others in that form (part of his power is being able to mimic the worst fear of the beholder). This is why I think the description of Red Riding Hood “vibes” vs “retelling” is more accurate.
If you’re looking for a standalone gothic romance to add to your Fall reading, I highly recommend Song of the Dark Wood (dark Red Riding Hood vibes).
𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘺. 𝘈 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵.
For centuries, Red Maidens have been sacrificed to the god of death to feed his power. Ripped from their families at a young age, forced to lead a sheltered life with no guaranteed future. But Rowan refuses to go down in history as another submissive Red Maiden devoured by the Wolf. Torn between her duty, protecting those she loves, and fighting for her survival, Rowan embraces her magic and finds the strength to fight for what’s right.
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬.
There was so much to love about this story! A magical/haunted forest 🌲, grumpy MMC who falls first and HARD 🫠, the steamy scenes were on point ❤️🔥, there was a musical twist 🎶 that I found quite unique, and the illustrations scattered throughout enhanced the reading experience.
I went into this thinking it was a shifter romance, so I think it’s important to mention that Conor stays in human form throughout. My understanding is that he’s called the Wolf because way back when he appeared to others in that form (part of his power is being able to mimic the worst fear of the beholder). This is why I think the description of Red Riding Hood “vibes” vs “retelling” is more accurate.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a good romantasy book and good retelling of Red riding hood and the big bad wolf. I like the folk religion aspects of the novel, as well as the bond Rowan shared with the other red maidens. My main criticism was that the novel had some pacing issues that if remedied could have made the story a lot stronger. Although there were some plot points and concepts that could have been more fleshed out, the romance between Rowan and Conor was sweet and a nice read.
✨arc review✨ another magical masterpiece written by Sheila. The world building in this book had the perfect balance of magic and character building. Once I started reading it I knew I’d finish it within 48 hours. Strongly recommend for folks looking for a sexy, witchy, plant world.
This tale is a tale of feminine rage at its finest. I loved everything about this book. Sheila Masterson does a brilliant job of building this absolutely flawed world where people are willing to sacrifice one another to save themselves to tear through it in a blaze of rage and power. The world she builds is horrifying to watch, especially as you interact more with its so-called religious figures who are rife with hypocrisy.
The book follows the story of Rowan, a Red Maiden, chosen as a sacrifice to the God of Death. Filled with simmering rage at the lot she's been cast in life, Rowan challenges of the God at every step. But he enjoys (he does). Together, they will learn what it means to rely on each other and to forge a new path for themselves. Masterson's world is so lush and dark that it has you cringe right along with Rowan as she battles back against the elders, the town, and some many other forces. I loved watching the relationship between Rowan and Wolf grow.
I loved the themes of sacrifice, empowerment, and consent that are woven throughout this book. Masterson has brilliant story on her hands and I am hungry for more.
The book follows the story of Rowan, a Red Maiden, chosen as a sacrifice to the God of Death. Filled with simmering rage at the lot she's been cast in life, Rowan challenges of the God at every step. But he enjoys (he does). Together, they will learn what it means to rely on each other and to forge a new path for themselves. Masterson's world is so lush and dark that it has you cringe right along with Rowan as she battles back against the elders, the town, and some many other forces. I loved watching the relationship between Rowan and Wolf grow.
I loved the themes of sacrifice, empowerment, and consent that are woven throughout this book. Masterson has brilliant story on her hands and I am hungry for more.
I’ll start with what I liked: The setting of the village and the Dark Woods, the magic, the role of the Red Maiden as a ferry of souls between the Mother and Death.
Unfortunately I was just frustrated with the entire book. There are major pacing issues. So much that 90% of the book I’m frustrated and feeling like we’re not getting anywhere, and then the final 10% of the book was a total cluster eff. Like things escalated to the WTF point so quickly.
There were also some storytelling decisions that also frustrated me, like keeping us in the dark about certain things (and not in a good way, in a way that made me feel confused like I was missing something) and I can’t even tell you how many villains popped up throughout the story.
Finally, the author relied too much on exposition to spell out everythingggg for the reader. It was redundant and poorly executed when we were following one character’s POV but reading what the other character thought/felt.
Unfortunately I was just frustrated with the entire book. There are major pacing issues. So much that 90% of the book I’m frustrated and feeling like we’re not getting anywhere, and then the final 10% of the book was a total cluster eff. Like things escalated to the WTF point so quickly.
There were also some storytelling decisions that also frustrated me, like keeping us in the dark about certain things (and not in a good way, in a way that made me feel confused like I was missing something) and I can’t even tell you how many villains popped up throughout the story.
Finally, the author relied too much on exposition to spell out everythingggg for the reader. It was redundant and poorly executed when we were following one character’s POV but reading what the other character thought/felt.
I had high expectations after reading the blurb, but Masterson still managed to blow me away. I found myself instantly transported into Rowan's world, and wrapped up in her story. The world-building is top tier, and you're eased into everything at a good but not overwhelming pace. If you love strong FMCs who aren't afraid to challenge authority and stand up fir themselves and others, you'll love Rowan as much as I do. She's brilliant, and despite some (truly horrible) things she's seen and experienced, she follows what her heart deems right. Conor is absolutely fantastic, and a great match for her. The plot moves along at a good pace, and while there are some very dark moments that were well-written, they still might be a little difficult for some to read. There are also a few twists, and I can honestly say you won't see at least some of them coming. Perfect for anyone who enjoys FMCs who refuse to back down, no matter what society expects.