[Review] Red by Reese Reed
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booknookTitle: Red
Author: Reese Reed
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy
Review:
I am one of the classic bookworms who has always enjoyed the traditional fairy tales with a twist and forever held a soft spot for the purported "Big, Bad" Wolf in my heart. (On a side note, I absolutely ADORE Wolf from The 10th Kingdom and DEFINITELY recommend that to anyone and everyone willing to try a fantasy novel!) I was recommended this book by someone whose interests no longer often mesh well with my own, but she reads so little and it was a twist on the Little Red Riding Hood where I knew the Wolf would not be simply a blood-thirsty villain... I started with perhaps too big hopes.
I had made it almost halfway through the book and had actually come very close to laying it down. The writing is not bad, but there are a great many mistakes and a lot of cliche at the beginning. I remain uncertain if the author set out with the intentions of creating that into which she does end up breathing life for I can certainly see the story growing (as all the best do, granted) as she wrote. In many ways, it seems like a mediocrely written fan fiction. (And I am, mind you, an avid fanfic reader and writer.)
I did enjoy her take with the Dwarves from the start, but her Prince Charming left a great deal to be desired. The romance felt pushed (even to the end, unfortunately), but when she began to actually delve into the villains is when she captured me. I am going to choose my next words carefully, both so as to prevent any actual spoilers and to not place something here that may be uncomfortable for many to read. I am a victim of abuse. I was abused terribly as a child by my mother and that grew into a very unhealthy adult relationship that lasted throughout my young adulthood. I was 35 when I finally met the man who would become my husband and began to awaken to the truth of the relationship I was in.
The reason, in part at least, that the romance feels forced is because the heroine is placed underneath a wicked spell. I'll not say much more on this, because again, I do not wish to spoil the journey. This is definitely a unique tale and very well worth the reading! However, what resonated with me was the writer's very acute description of betrayal and entrapment. I have rarely, perhaps never, read an account so accurately describing the feelings that are evoked in the innocent in such cases and the steps that their abusers take to invoke these emotions in their victims. This may well be because I've never read a fictional accounting of such prior, but her tale resonated with me so deeply that I do believe that every fantasy fan who has had to deal with abuse of this nature owes it to herself, or himself, to give this story a try. You WILL resonate with the heroine, and regardless of anything else in the story (poor writing, grammatical mistakes, or other elements) you will find yourself rooting for the good guys to prevail.
Another thing that blew me away was the truth behind the Dwarves. I've read many, MANY takes on the Snow White classic, as I'm sure we all have, and I have NEVER encountered such a twist on the Dwarves! I'd actually love to see this revisited and am tempted to eventually work it into one of my stories -- but it is SO unique that, even in fanfic, I'm having trouble settling myself with the idea of writing the author's idea.
The writing may be on the poor side, again, but the originality and apt portrayal of emotions definitely makes this book a must read to me, for fantasy fans and, as mentioned, for those of us who have been "bewitched" by our abusers! The author is VERY small time, actually (shockingly) coming from around the area of my own hometown. I even recognize the name of the hospital she mentions towards the end of the book. It's ALMOST enough to make me want to track her down and try to converse with her -- but she's since moved on (can NOT blame her, I still want to get out of here myself!). She sadly only has two other tales underneath her name, and I believe I have one of them SOMEWHERE in my archives. I'd love to see more from her, especially in the fairy tale worlds, and I'm sure, as all writers do, and honestly anyone with any craft, she will grow and improve along the way.
I will also add that there was definitely some originality involved with her Wolf character, and I find the journey of his parents both sorrowful, tragic, and very romantic. Once more, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to take a "trip" down the forest lane with Little Red Riding Hood and who doesn't mind some definite twists and bumps along the way!
Author: Reese Reed
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy
Review:
I am one of the classic bookworms who has always enjoyed the traditional fairy tales with a twist and forever held a soft spot for the purported "Big, Bad" Wolf in my heart. (On a side note, I absolutely ADORE Wolf from The 10th Kingdom and DEFINITELY recommend that to anyone and everyone willing to try a fantasy novel!) I was recommended this book by someone whose interests no longer often mesh well with my own, but she reads so little and it was a twist on the Little Red Riding Hood where I knew the Wolf would not be simply a blood-thirsty villain... I started with perhaps too big hopes.
I had made it almost halfway through the book and had actually come very close to laying it down. The writing is not bad, but there are a great many mistakes and a lot of cliche at the beginning. I remain uncertain if the author set out with the intentions of creating that into which she does end up breathing life for I can certainly see the story growing (as all the best do, granted) as she wrote. In many ways, it seems like a mediocrely written fan fiction. (And I am, mind you, an avid fanfic reader and writer.)
I did enjoy her take with the Dwarves from the start, but her Prince Charming left a great deal to be desired. The romance felt pushed (even to the end, unfortunately), but when she began to actually delve into the villains is when she captured me. I am going to choose my next words carefully, both so as to prevent any actual spoilers and to not place something here that may be uncomfortable for many to read. I am a victim of abuse. I was abused terribly as a child by my mother and that grew into a very unhealthy adult relationship that lasted throughout my young adulthood. I was 35 when I finally met the man who would become my husband and began to awaken to the truth of the relationship I was in.
The reason, in part at least, that the romance feels forced is because the heroine is placed underneath a wicked spell. I'll not say much more on this, because again, I do not wish to spoil the journey. This is definitely a unique tale and very well worth the reading! However, what resonated with me was the writer's very acute description of betrayal and entrapment. I have rarely, perhaps never, read an account so accurately describing the feelings that are evoked in the innocent in such cases and the steps that their abusers take to invoke these emotions in their victims. This may well be because I've never read a fictional accounting of such prior, but her tale resonated with me so deeply that I do believe that every fantasy fan who has had to deal with abuse of this nature owes it to herself, or himself, to give this story a try. You WILL resonate with the heroine, and regardless of anything else in the story (poor writing, grammatical mistakes, or other elements) you will find yourself rooting for the good guys to prevail.
Another thing that blew me away was the truth behind the Dwarves. I've read many, MANY takes on the Snow White classic, as I'm sure we all have, and I have NEVER encountered such a twist on the Dwarves! I'd actually love to see this revisited and am tempted to eventually work it into one of my stories -- but it is SO unique that, even in fanfic, I'm having trouble settling myself with the idea of writing the author's idea.
The writing may be on the poor side, again, but the originality and apt portrayal of emotions definitely makes this book a must read to me, for fantasy fans and, as mentioned, for those of us who have been "bewitched" by our abusers! The author is VERY small time, actually (shockingly) coming from around the area of my own hometown. I even recognize the name of the hospital she mentions towards the end of the book. It's ALMOST enough to make me want to track her down and try to converse with her -- but she's since moved on (can NOT blame her, I still want to get out of here myself!). She sadly only has two other tales underneath her name, and I believe I have one of them SOMEWHERE in my archives. I'd love to see more from her, especially in the fairy tale worlds, and I'm sure, as all writers do, and honestly anyone with any craft, she will grow and improve along the way.
I will also add that there was definitely some originality involved with her Wolf character, and I find the journey of his parents both sorrowful, tragic, and very romantic. Once more, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to take a "trip" down the forest lane with Little Red Riding Hood and who doesn't mind some definite twists and bumps along the way!