Title: Red Riding Hood
Author: Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
First published January 25, 2011
352 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780316176040 (ISBN10: 0316176044)
Rating: 3.48
Overview
The Black Tides of Heaven is a captivating introduction to JY Yang’s Tensorate Series. Twin siblings, Mokoya and Akeha, were raised by the Protector and sold to the Grand Monastery as children.
Mokoya’s prophetic gift develops, while Akeha sees the strings that manipulate the actions of adults. He realizes the corruption within the Protectorate and joins a growing rebellion against the Tensors.
Though Akeha seeks peace, he doesn’t want to sever the bond he shares with his sister Mokoya. Will he be able to find a balance between his loyalty to his sibling and his fight for justice?
If you want to dive deeper into the story, don’t forget to read The Red Threads of Fortune.
Editoral Review
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale that explores themes of identity, power, and revenge. Blakley-Cartwright is a screenwriter and novelist who has worked on various film and television projects, including the hit series The CW’s Supernatural.
This book was first published on January 25, 2011, and since then, it has captivated readers with its unique take on a familiar story. The genre of the book can be described as young adult fantasy, drawing in readers with a fascination for stories about mythical creatures and supernatural elements.
The author’s style is vivid and descriptive, placing readers in the eerie setting of a small medieval town plagued by a bloodthirsty beast. The plot revolves around Valerie, the teenage protagonist who is torn between two suitors, Peter and Henry, in a love triangle that connects with a series of horrifying murders that have been happening since the town’s early history.
As the story progresses, Valerie discovers dark secrets about her family and the village, leading to a final confrontation with the wolf that has been terrorizing her community. Blakley-Cartwright’s engaging story-telling takes us to a setting that is familiar from the original fairy tale but introduces us to a cast of fresh and interesting characters.
One of the book’s strengths is the author’s successful interpretation of the Red Riding Hood story into the modern era, making it more relevant to a younger generation. The characters are well-developed and complex, adding to the depth of the novel.
The pacing of the novel is well-done, making readers eager to move on to the next chapter to discover what will happen next. One of the weaknesses of Red Riding Hood is the lack of historical and cultural significance in the novel.
While the novel is set in a medieval village, there is no exploration of the era’s social and political contexts. Another issue with the book is the ease in which Valerie forgives Henry for his heinous acts towards her family, which undermines the character’s moral growth.
Despite its flaws, Red Riding Hood is an enjoyable read that will appeal to those who enjoy young adult fantasy novels. Blakley-Cartwright’s creative retelling of the classic fairy tale breathes new life into the story and provides an entertaining and compelling read for its target audience.
I give Red Riding Hood a rating of three stars out of five. While it is not a groundbreaking work of literature, it is a solid effort that is entertaining and worthwhile for readers who are looking for a fresh spin on the iconic fairy tale.
