avakristine17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
abira's review against another edition
5.0
Rosamund Hodge does it again. I loved Cruel Beauty and I still love the characters from that book. Although these characters were less lovable, the story is so well executed that I have to appraise the author. Brilliant !
ricottae's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half stars. The story was really interesting but I feel like it was a little rushed. Because of that I didn't fall in love with the characters; every time I thought a scene was going to take my breath away it ended, which was very frustrating. That being said it was still a quick, enjoyable read.
taechwita_tangerines's review against another edition
4.0
4.25
This was absolutely stunning. The descriptions were magical and dark and light and bloody and it was so good.
The plot was really interesting and that ending....
The characters and the drama were addictive. However, the endgame couple felt a bit insta-lovey so that's why this isn't 5 stars
This was absolutely stunning. The descriptions were magical and dark and light and bloody and it was so good.
The plot was really interesting and that ending....
The characters and the drama were addictive. However, the endgame couple felt a bit insta-lovey so that's why this isn't 5 stars
gabrielavmarques's review against another edition
2.0
After loving Rosamund's previous novel, I'm sorry to say this was a disappointment.
The premise is interesting and we're of to a great start: creepy lore, twisted fairy-tale and an eerie prophecy. Unfortunately it crashes and burns. The story isn't as epicly well crafted, the plot was too dragged out and uneventful, didn't engage me despite my best affords and the characters don't inspire any type of feeling to the reader.
One of those books that has every aspect right, but doesn't work in it's execution and as a whole.
The premise is interesting and we're of to a great start: creepy lore, twisted fairy-tale and an eerie prophecy. Unfortunately it crashes and burns. The story isn't as epicly well crafted, the plot was too dragged out and uneventful, didn't engage me despite my best affords and the characters don't inspire any type of feeling to the reader.
One of those books that has every aspect right, but doesn't work in it's execution and as a whole.
brooklyn3399's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story, but it was slow. Constantly saying the same thing over and never changing until the end
danicapage's review against another edition
4.0
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
An Overview of the Novel: Rachelle wants to save her world, no matter what the cost. And so when a forestborn comes to her and tells her it's possible, she's willing to do anything to fin out how.
And that was what cost her everything. Now Rachelle is a bloodhound, destined to become the very thing she vowed to hunt and to serve the master she wants dead.
But Rachelle isn't ready to give up hoping. She's going to find a way to save her world. When she receives the assignment to protect Armand, suddenly it seems possible. But with unknown dangers lurking in the shadows, Rachelle might just be in over her head.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: What a delightful novel. I adored this book. A retelling of Little Red Riding Hood? I was hooked the second I read that.
I haven't read Cruel Beauty, but I probably will after reading this one. Hodge did an excellent job of creating a world that suck me in right away. Her world building was incredible.
I adored the characters. None of them were one dimensional. They all had many different facets and I loved that. None of the characters were easy to love or hate.
The actual story was addicting and I found myself racing to finish it. In a world of paranormal/fantasy, it's hard to come up with an original plot. Hodge did just that. She created a book unlike anything I've ever read.
A fantastic read that I recommend to readers of all ages, especially fans to paranormal, fairy tale retellings, and just anybody looking for an epic read.
So why 4 stars? It was incredible. I adored it. A book that definitely stood out in my mind.
Warnings/Side-notes: None appropriate for readers of any age.
The Wrap-up: Don't miss out on this one. It's an incredible novel that I absolutely adored. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Love,
Danica Page
Disclaimers: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
An Overview of the Novel: Rachelle wants to save her world, no matter what the cost. And so when a forestborn comes to her and tells her it's possible, she's willing to do anything to fin out how.
And that was what cost her everything. Now Rachelle is a bloodhound, destined to become the very thing she vowed to hunt and to serve the master she wants dead.
But Rachelle isn't ready to give up hoping. She's going to find a way to save her world. When she receives the assignment to protect Armand, suddenly it seems possible. But with unknown dangers lurking in the shadows, Rachelle might just be in over her head.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: What a delightful novel. I adored this book. A retelling of Little Red Riding Hood? I was hooked the second I read that.
I haven't read Cruel Beauty, but I probably will after reading this one. Hodge did an excellent job of creating a world that suck me in right away. Her world building was incredible.
I adored the characters. None of them were one dimensional. They all had many different facets and I loved that. None of the characters were easy to love or hate.
The actual story was addicting and I found myself racing to finish it. In a world of paranormal/fantasy, it's hard to come up with an original plot. Hodge did just that. She created a book unlike anything I've ever read.
A fantastic read that I recommend to readers of all ages, especially fans to paranormal, fairy tale retellings, and just anybody looking for an epic read.
So why 4 stars? It was incredible. I adored it. A book that definitely stood out in my mind.
Warnings/Side-notes: None appropriate for readers of any age.
The Wrap-up: Don't miss out on this one. It's an incredible novel that I absolutely adored. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Love,
Danica Page
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
5.0
I have a lot of feelings. This book is super interested in what happens when you give into temptation and the sinful nature and how do you come back from that? Can you? And I’m super into it. Three years ago Rachelle made a foolish, prideful mistake and turned into a being she was supposed to fight. Now she isn’t sure if she can ever be forgiven. I would say that plotting, character, theme, etc are all nearly perfect. A true gem of a book.
katieejayne's review against another edition
5.0
What a book. I've had this on my TBR for ages and it being a Red Riding Hood retelling finally pushed me to read it. After all, I'm doing my dissertation on Red Riding Hood...
I adored this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat, has a swoon-worthy angsty romance and amazing folklore. All the things I look for and love in a book.
I really enjoyed how the story looks at peoples moral compasses. The entire folklore is based on the Forest Born. Beings that have a kind of magic and mark humans to become a forest born. Once marked the human has three days to kill someone and become a Bloodbound or resist and die. Eventually, a Bloodbound becomes a Forest Born. Rachelle did not want to kill, she simply had to, like a compulsion. But now she uses her powers to keep others safe. So is she bad or not? Personally, I believe not. She was such a wonderful character, utterly imperfect, impulsive but caring and strong. Her relationships with the other characters were one of the most interesting parts of the novel. It was difficult to ascertain who was a friend and who was foe which made the story all the more exciting. I particularly loved her interactions with Armand. A character that weaves in some of the Girl without Hands tale from the Brother's Grimm...though Armand is a man.
Interspersed throughout the novel were snippets of the folklore in this world that together made up the tale that made the backbone of the plot. How the devourer was one bound and can it be done again. This really made the novel feel real like it was a place that once existed. One I'd love to visit as well! The description really demonstrated how well the world-building was. I could read more novels in this world and I really hope we get that one day.
A heartstopping plot that you will never be able to guess. I can't wait to read more from Rosamund Hodge.
I adored this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat, has a swoon-worthy angsty romance and amazing folklore. All the things I look for and love in a book.
I really enjoyed how the story looks at peoples moral compasses. The entire folklore is based on the Forest Born. Beings that have a kind of magic and mark humans to become a forest born. Once marked the human has three days to kill someone and become a Bloodbound or resist and die. Eventually, a Bloodbound becomes a Forest Born. Rachelle did not want to kill, she simply had to, like a compulsion. But now she uses her powers to keep others safe. So is she bad or not? Personally, I believe not. She was such a wonderful character, utterly imperfect, impulsive but caring and strong. Her relationships with the other characters were one of the most interesting parts of the novel. It was difficult to ascertain who was a friend and who was foe which made the story all the more exciting. I particularly loved her interactions with Armand. A character that weaves in some of the Girl without Hands tale from the Brother's Grimm...though Armand is a man.
Interspersed throughout the novel were snippets of the folklore in this world that together made up the tale that made the backbone of the plot. How the devourer was one bound and can it be done again. This really made the novel feel real like it was a place that once existed. One I'd love to visit as well! The description really demonstrated how well the world-building was. I could read more novels in this world and I really hope we get that one day.
A heartstopping plot that you will never be able to guess. I can't wait to read more from Rosamund Hodge.