In "Crimson Bound," Rachelle, the main character, is a flawed and fully realized character who is determined to save the world and atone for her past actions. The book is a dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a unique spin that intertwines multiple fairy tales. The story is filled with plots, betrayals, and twists, keeping readers engaged with its high-stakes and surprising plot.

Characters:

Characters are well-defined and complex, particularly Rachelle, who is driven by guilt, while Erec and Armand demonstrate contrasting traits that affect the romantic dynamics.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by rich, descriptive prose that often feels poetic, creating a fairytale atmosphere while offering strong world-building.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a unique combination of fairy tales, primarily focusing on a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, with elements of guilt and redemption as the protagonist battles a looming darkness.

Setting:

The setting is a whimsical world filled with magical elements and dark creatures, rooted in the folklore of Little Red Riding Hood.

Pacing:

The pacing features a fast start and conclusion but tends to drag in the middle, often feeling repetitive.

Wind gusted down the twisting nighttime streets of Rocamadour, whipping up the soft rain into a lash. Crouched atop the house’s gable, Rachelle slitted her eyes against the sting and looked across the...

Notes:

Crimson Bound is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

The protagonist, Rachelle, becomes a bloodhound for the King after a tragic choice at age 15.

Rachelle deals with guilt from killing someone to save her own life.

There is a love triangle involving Rachelle, Armand (the King's illegitimate son), and Erec (her trainer).

Readers found Rachelle to be a strong yet troubled character with admirable qualities.

The romance between Rachelle and Armand feels rushed and lacks chemistry for some readers.

Erec, on the other hand, is more charming and mysterious, appealing to some readers more than Armand.

World-building is praised as one of the highlights of the story, integrating myth and folklore.

The book explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the battle against evil.

Some readers felt the novel dragged in the middle but enjoyed the fast-paced conclusion.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Contains themes of guilt, death, violence, and emotional trauma.

Has Romance?

The romance aspect is present but not the primary focus, characterized by a love triangle.

From The Publisher:

An exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption inspired by the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood," from the author of Cruel Beauty.

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good-apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village. But she was also reckless-straying from the forest path in pursuit 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 a vain effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand-the man she hates most-Rachelle forces Armand to help her hunt for the legendary sword that might save their world. Together, they navigate the opulent world of the courtly elite, where beauty and power reign and no one can be trusted. And as they become unexpected allies, they discover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. Within a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Ratings (4)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (8):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (2)

What can you read after
Crimson Bound?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Crimson Bound

Rosamund Hodge

Book 3 in the series:Fairy Tales