Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Crimson Bound
by Rosamund Hodge
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Publication Date: May 5th 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9780062224767
Genre: Young Adult | FairyTale Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss

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When Rachelle was fifteen, she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption. (Goodreads)

As soon as I heard that Crimson Bound was a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, I knew I would have to read the book. I enjoyed reading Cruel Beauty last year, so I was super curious to see what Rosamund Hodge had come up with this retelling. As much as I enjoyed Cruel Beauty because it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I think I enjoyed Crimson Bound even more!

The main character in the story, Rachelle, was one of those really awesome heroines that I always love. The girl can kick some bad guy butt, but she also has a seldom seen soft heart that proves how much she cares about people. I love that about her. There was a bit of romance going on for Rachelle in the book, and it comes off as a bit of a love triangle. I honestly really didn’t buy one side of the triangle at all. But the other side was sweet, and that’s definitely the team I was rooting for.

The thing about Crimson Bound, much like Cruel Beauty, is that the worlds that Hodge creates in these books are SO very unique and creative. It’s insane how in depth she gets with these stories. The characters, the setting, the storyline – it’s all so very well thought out and written.  There are lots of twists and turns throughout the story that will have you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. I’m pleased to say that the end of the book comes together nicely as well.

Overall; fans of Hodge’s Cruel Beauty will definitely enjoy Crimson Bound!! I really enjoyed this Little Red Riding Hood retelling, and I can’t wait to see what Rosamund Hodge comes up with next!

Review: Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Tear You Apart
(Beau Rivage #2)
by Sarah Cross
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Publication Date: January 27th 2015
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781606845912
Genre: Young Adult | FairyTales | Retellings
Source: Netgalley

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An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrficing the love that might kill her? (Goodreads)

Tear You Apart, the second book in the Beau Rivage series, is an edgy, modern fairytale retelling that follows along the Snow White curse. I read the first book in the series, Kill Me Softly, when it first came out, and I really enjoyed the story. I was really glad to see series continue on and I was also excited to see where the author would go next with this storyline.

The main character in the story is Vivian who has the Snow White curse. Since she knows every detail on how the curse plays out, she has major trust issues, especially with her step-mom and the Huntsman. And who can blame her, honestly? Viv’s step-mom, Regina, is young, hot, and pretty much the definition of evil, and doesn’t mind letting Viv know exactly how she feels about her. She will do anything she has to do to get Viv out of the picture, including turning Viv’s best friend, Hensley, against her.

Viv has two love interests in the story; one being with the Hensley, the Huntsman, who she has known and loved pretty much her whole life, and also with the ‘prince’ from her storyline, Jasper, who lives in the underworld. While she loves Hensley, she doesn’t know if she can trust him not to kill her when the time comes. And even though Jasper claims that he can protect her as long as she stays in the underworld, she has to wonder if she can trust him as well.  What’s a girl to do??

I have to say that I absolutely love the fairytale storyline for these books. I am a pretty big fan of retellings, and I love that this book pretty much has them all in one. And sometimes it’s not the ‘Disney’ version of the retellings that the story follows, but the horrible ones that were made long, long ago. Also, the world-building for the book was totally engrossing, not just the fairytale town in which they live, but also the underworld as well. This, along with the characters, will have you completely hooked as you turn the pages.

Overall; If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings, you’re definitely going to want to check out Tear You Apart, and Kill Me Softly! These books will take you on an adventure that you won’t soon forget.

Cover Reveal: Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius

ANNE & HENRY

A love worth losing your head over

ANNE

Wild, brazen, mischievous, bewitching

HENRY

Driven, haunted, charming, magnetic

ANNE & HENRY

Apart they are bound to destroy themselves. Together, they are bound to destroy each other.

HENRY TUDOR’S LIFE HAS BEEN mapped out since the day he was born: student president, valedictorian, Harvard Law School, and a stunning political career just like his father’s.

But ever since the death of Henry’s brother—perfect, high-achieving Arthur—his family has been twice as demanding. And now Henry’s trapped: forbidden from pursuing a life as an artist or dating any girl who’s not Tudor-approved.

Then Anne Boleyn crashes into his life.

Anne is wild, brash, and outspoken. She is everything Henry is not allowed to be—or to want. But soon Anne is all he can think about. His mother, his friends, and even his girlfriend warn him away, yet his desire for Anne consumes him. Henry is willing to do anything to be with her. But once he has her, their romance could destroy them both.

Inspired by the true story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, ANNE & HENRY reimagines the intensity, love, and betrayal between one of the most infamous couples of all time.

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About the Author

DAWN IUS is a short-story author, novelist, screenwriter, professional editor, and communications specialist. She is an active member of the International Thriller Writers association, co-founder and senior editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the author of nine educational graphic novels published by the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. When she’s not slaying fictional monsters, she’s geeking out over fairy tales, Jack Bauer, Halloween, sports cars, and all things that go bump in the night. Dawn lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Jeff, and their giant English Mastiff, Roarke.

Connect with Dawn:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordawnius

Twitter: @dawnmius

Blog: www.dawn-ius.blogspot.com

Email: dawnmius@gmail.com

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