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bookdust's review
4.0
More accurately, I think I'd give this 3 and a half stars.
I know this book received a lot of mixed reviews. Still, it was my perfect cup of tea. And I don't even like tea. Rosamund Hodge knows how to weave together a dark and eerie story with a whimsical feel trailing behind. The concept was absolutely amazing. The Great Forest is this everlasting forest from the beginning before humans. It sometimes slips through reality and terrifying things follow behind it. The Devourer comes from within it. He's an ancient and cruel creature that once consumed the sun and the moon. Rachelle, our MC, has lived her entire life battling her destiny to become a Forestborn which are the supernatural followers of the Devourer in the Great Forest. And there is just so so so much more I'm not going to spoil.
Ack! It was just an amazing concept. I love eerie forests and creepy but alluring dark destinies that characters can either accept or fight off. One thing I really enjoy about Hodge's characters in her books is that they are unapologetic to who they are. They recognize the dark and wickedness inside themselves and they use it to their will.
I only wish this could have been a double POV story with Rachelle and Armand. Armand was such a quiet and introspective character, but he was TOO quiet. I barely grasped his personality so I didn't care for him as much as I wanted to--which made me love the book less. And then there was Eric. Oh Eric. I really really liked him. I so desperately wanted this redemption plot to happen for him to knock him off his cocky ass. No spoilers though, the book did take a really interesting turn even if it wasn't the one I wanted.
Another thing I love about Hodge is the mythology she builds for her worlds. There was this epic story about the Devourer and how the sun and moon were first rescued from his stomach. Just so so good. This book receives five stars for concept, that's for sure!
I can't wait for Rosamund Hodge's newest book. I think it's releasing at the end of this year. She writes so beautifully and I love the worlds and characters she creates. Yes yes yes.
I know this book received a lot of mixed reviews. Still, it was my perfect cup of tea. And I don't even like tea. Rosamund Hodge knows how to weave together a dark and eerie story with a whimsical feel trailing behind. The concept was absolutely amazing. The Great Forest is this everlasting forest from the beginning before humans. It sometimes slips through reality and terrifying things follow behind it. The Devourer comes from within it. He's an ancient and cruel creature that once consumed the sun and the moon. Rachelle, our MC, has lived her entire life battling her destiny to become a Forestborn which are the supernatural followers of the Devourer in the Great Forest. And there is just so so so much more I'm not going to spoil.
Ack! It was just an amazing concept. I love eerie forests and creepy but alluring dark destinies that characters can either accept or fight off. One thing I really enjoy about Hodge's characters in her books is that they are unapologetic to who they are. They recognize the dark and wickedness inside themselves and they use it to their will.
I only wish this could have been a double POV story with Rachelle and Armand. Armand was such a quiet and introspective character, but he was TOO quiet. I barely grasped his personality so I didn't care for him as much as I wanted to--which made me love the book less. And then there was Eric. Oh Eric. I really really liked him. I so desperately wanted this redemption plot to happen for him to knock him off his cocky ass. No spoilers though, the book did take a really interesting turn even if it wasn't the one I wanted.
Another thing I love about Hodge is the mythology she builds for her worlds. There was this epic story about the Devourer and how the sun and moon were first rescued from his stomach. Just so so good. This book receives five stars for concept, that's for sure!
I can't wait for Rosamund Hodge's newest book. I think it's releasing at the end of this year. She writes so beautifully and I love the worlds and characters she creates. Yes yes yes.
klaireparavel's review
3.0
2.5 stars.
I really wanted to love this book. The background story and the folklore it was wrapped in was highly enjoyable but the characters themselves were just..there. The writing was entertaining but the characters were not. They were part of the plot but neither interesting nor uninteresting. But because I enjoyed Cruel Beauty, I would definitely read another retelling of a fairy tale by this author.
I really wanted to love this book. The background story and the folklore it was wrapped in was highly enjoyable but the characters themselves were just..there. The writing was entertaining but the characters were not. They were part of the plot but neither interesting nor uninteresting. But because I enjoyed Cruel Beauty, I would definitely read another retelling of a fairy tale by this author.
blurrypetals's review
3.0
Even though I am legitimately crushed that this wasn't as good as Cruel Beauty, this was still a fairly solid read.
My biggest issue with this was its pacing. There would be long stretches of what seemed like little to nothing happened, and then very quick, explosive bursts of actions or events that made things advance haltingly, as if the book wasn't quite sure it was allowed to have a progressing plotline.
I also didn't find the characters nearly as charming as anyone from Cruel Beauty, which is a damn shame! I did like Eric, actually, and in my twisted Ignifex- and Darkling-loving brain, I kept expecting him to be the main love interest, so when he wasn't, I was legitimately disappointed!
Even though I liked Armand, I had a really hard time becoming fond of him until very deep into the book, which is not a short or breezy read. I don't mind a slow burn, but I didn't really even feel like I knew him enough to have an opinion on him until the story had begun to draw to a close.
Don't even get me started on Rachelle. She was the very stereotypical "badass female heroine" archetype and almost anything to do with her and her development felt very stale and overdone. She is easily the least likable character here, which is a shame, considering she's our main character.
The prose was still very sharp and lovely as far as descriptions and imagery went, I just would have liked a much tighter storyline with a clearer through line and more interesting and likable characters.
However, this hasn't turned me off Hodge's writing at all, so I really hope to get around to Bright Smoke and Cold Fire sometime soon, hopefully before the end of 2020!
My biggest issue with this was its pacing. There would be long stretches of what seemed like little to nothing happened, and then very quick, explosive bursts of actions or events that made things advance haltingly, as if the book wasn't quite sure it was allowed to have a progressing plotline.
I also didn't find the characters nearly as charming as anyone from Cruel Beauty, which is a damn shame! I did like Eric, actually, and in my twisted Ignifex- and Darkling-loving brain, I kept expecting him to be the main love interest, so when he wasn't, I was legitimately disappointed!
Spoiler
He did make a pretty splendid villain, though.Even though I liked Armand, I had a really hard time becoming fond of him until very deep into the book, which is not a short or breezy read. I don't mind a slow burn, but I didn't really even feel like I knew him enough to have an opinion on him until the story had begun to draw to a close.
Don't even get me started on Rachelle. She was the very stereotypical "badass female heroine" archetype and almost anything to do with her and her development felt very stale and overdone. She is easily the least likable character here, which is a shame, considering she's our main character.
The prose was still very sharp and lovely as far as descriptions and imagery went, I just would have liked a much tighter storyline with a clearer through line and more interesting and likable characters.
However, this hasn't turned me off Hodge's writing at all, so I really hope to get around to Bright Smoke and Cold Fire sometime soon, hopefully before the end of 2020!
carlisajc's review
First, let me start by saying this: I rarely don’t finish books. Even if I don’t like a book, I’ll usually stick through it to the end, albeit sometimes with severe eye-rolling. That being said, this book isn’t awful. I’ve read and finished many books that I disliked much more than this one. I just was not feeling it and this book was putting me in a reading slump…so I moved on. At about 50%, mind you. So, let’s talk about it.
I really wanted to like this book. I started reading it thinking I was really going to like this book. I really enjoyed Hodge’s take on Beauty and the Beast in Cruel Beauty But this one just didn’t do it for me.
I think the biggest reason was that the mythology was confusing. In CB, there are aspects of Greek mythology used which I thought was a really interesting combination with the fairy tale, fantasy, and mythology. But that mythology was somewhat familiar to me so I was able to comprehend it and keep moving forward in the story. In Crimson Bound, however, it was a new mythology, unique to its world. A mythology that Hodge made up completely. Which was so unique, don’t get me wrong. And I don’t know if it wasn’t explained thoroughly enough or if I just didn’t fully grasp the exposition…but I just didn’t get the mythology behind their world. And that was something vital to understanding what was going on. There’s a capital-f Forest that just starts materializing everywhere and something evil called the Devourer and I. Just. Don’t. Understand. Why. If you’ve read it, please help me understand!
Besides the mythology, there was an obvious love triangle forming, with an obvious ending. I didn’t have to look anywhere or Google anything to know who she’s going to end up with…from the first moment of meeting the character, I knew.
And everything seemed very forced between Armand and Rachelle. Of course, I didn’t read the entire thing so that could have changed.
Most of all, this book was putting me in a slump. I put it down and didn’t read for almost two days. Two. Days. And that might not seem like a lot to you but it is to me! It just made me lose all desire to pick it up…and that’s when I decided just to take out the bookmark and move on.
Sooooo, I’ll just take my unpopular opinion and skedaddle.
I really wanted to like this book. I started reading it thinking I was really going to like this book. I really enjoyed Hodge’s take on Beauty and the Beast in Cruel Beauty But this one just didn’t do it for me.
I think the biggest reason was that the mythology was confusing. In CB, there are aspects of Greek mythology used which I thought was a really interesting combination with the fairy tale, fantasy, and mythology. But that mythology was somewhat familiar to me so I was able to comprehend it and keep moving forward in the story. In Crimson Bound, however, it was a new mythology, unique to its world. A mythology that Hodge made up completely. Which was so unique, don’t get me wrong. And I don’t know if it wasn’t explained thoroughly enough or if I just didn’t fully grasp the exposition…but I just didn’t get the mythology behind their world. And that was something vital to understanding what was going on. There’s a capital-f Forest that just starts materializing everywhere and something evil called the Devourer and I. Just. Don’t. Understand. Why. If you’ve read it, please help me understand!
Besides the mythology, there was an obvious love triangle forming, with an obvious ending. I didn’t have to look anywhere or Google anything to know who she’s going to end up with…from the first moment of meeting the character, I knew.
Spoiler
OBVIOUSLY when there is the hunky, bad boy guy + the he-seems-innocence-but-she-doesnt-believe-it-so-she-hates-him guy…there’s going to be a love triangle. But it was SO obvious to me that she was going to end up with Armand, the guy she hates and thinks is lying about his innocence. And obviously he’s not going to be lying about his innocence. Because, yeah. That’s what happens.And everything seemed very forced between Armand and Rachelle. Of course, I didn’t read the entire thing so that could have changed.
Most of all, this book was putting me in a slump. I put it down and didn’t read for almost two days. Two. Days. And that might not seem like a lot to you but it is to me! It just made me lose all desire to pick it up…and that’s when I decided just to take out the bookmark and move on.
Sooooo, I’ll just take my unpopular opinion and skedaddle.
crafti_kate's review
1.0
I got to 40% and just wasn't interested anymore. Not in the characters, the storyline, it was just boring. :/ The start was intriguing and I was hoping that this book would be a lot better than it actually was, I did admittedly read this one straight after 'Uprooted' so maybe I'm overly judgemental but this didn't compare at all. Uprooted was excellent whilst this was extremely lacking.
phoenix2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Crimson Bound is a retelling involving many fairytales, bounding them together with a dark twist.
First of all, the author does an amazing job creating a luscious, dark atmosphere that elevates the story, which, on paper sounds interesting, but it falls short in the end.
Still, the characters were strong and the mythology created was amazing.
First of all, the author does an amazing job creating a luscious, dark atmosphere that elevates the story, which, on paper sounds interesting, but it falls short in the end.
Still, the characters were strong and the mythology created was amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gore
sherbear182's review against another edition
5.0
When i originally found out that this book was coming out i couldn't wait. Firstly because Cruel Beauty was so amazing. Secondly Hodge is an amazing author. And Thirdly, i've always been into mythology as well as the fairy tales. I just always wanted a version i could actually believe. And i have to say this is it. She makes the character's come alive and she really hits the nail on the head with trust issues. I didn't want to put this book down, and as excited as i was to finally reach the end i was also heartbroken. Simply because it meant that book had ended. I already want to read it again. Can't wait to see if there is another similar.
dingadine's review
adventurous
dark
tense
3.0
Dark, intense fantasy novel with religious undertones (very) loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood… overall enjoyed the concepts (forestborn, Great Forest, woodwives, etc.) but the relationship building (or lack thereof) is where this book got stuck at 3 stars for me. None of Rachelle’s relationships (except maybe Erec and Aunt Léonie) felt believable to me. Her friendship with Amélie felt out of nowhere and lacking depth even though it was supposedly this girl she felt so strongly about. Her love for Armand was very sudden for me as well, it went from “okay she’s starting to have feelings for him/be into him” to all of a sudden professing this deep & undying love. The hot & cold with Erec got kind of old as well. Just overall the connections felt rushed and the descriptions of how she was supposedly feeling about these people seemed over-dramatized. Also, while obviously I’m happy she got a semblance of a happily ever after… getting to just come back to life seems like it’s cheating a little. 😂 I did like that the author was self-aware in that with Rachelle’s dialog with Aunt Léonie about it not being fair that she can just be alive again.
Overall, interesting story and I’m not mad I read it, but stays at just good/ok for me!
jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
This is another fairytale retelling. This time it's an original take on Little Red Riding Hood. I always really liked this fairy tale, because it wasn't really a romance and Little Red Riding Hood had a great deal of agency in terms of fairy tales. It was also a lot darker than most.
This particular story follows Rachelle, who's chosen by her Aunt to protect the forest. Unfortunately, Rachelle is too reckless and forced to make a choice that binds her to the evil she hoped to defeat. Three years later she is fighting to protect the realm and the king forces her to protect her least favourite prince. Together the two become unlikely allies and work to find the mystical sword, that will kill the evil.
This is pretty far from the original tale, with just the general idea and the occasional nods to the original fairytale. This has a lot more medieval royalty elements than the original tale. I liked the changes though and think it made for a richer novel. I'm a sucker for mystical forests, and I think this novel did a great job with that. The whole world building was great. Rachelle as a protagonist was really good I though. I also didn't mind the romance in the novel. I mean we all knew it was going to happen, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this novel.
4/5 stars.
I recommend this novel to anyone who likes Little Red Riding Hood or fairy tale retellings. Or YA fantasies in general. It's a very well done novel. If you like retellings to be close, this probably isn't for you.
This particular story follows Rachelle, who's chosen by her Aunt to protect the forest. Unfortunately, Rachelle is too reckless and forced to make a choice that binds her to the evil she hoped to defeat. Three years later she is fighting to protect the realm and the king forces her to protect her least favourite prince. Together the two become unlikely allies and work to find the mystical sword, that will kill the evil.
This is pretty far from the original tale, with just the general idea and the occasional nods to the original fairytale. This has a lot more medieval royalty elements than the original tale. I liked the changes though and think it made for a richer novel. I'm a sucker for mystical forests, and I think this novel did a great job with that. The whole world building was great. Rachelle as a protagonist was really good I though. I also didn't mind the romance in the novel. I mean we all knew it was going to happen, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this novel.
4/5 stars.
I recommend this novel to anyone who likes Little Red Riding Hood or fairy tale retellings. Or YA fantasies in general. It's a very well done novel. If you like retellings to be close, this probably isn't for you.