Tag: balzer + bray

You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Your hands are empty. You are nearly naked.

And the wolf is angry.

Since her grandmother became her caretaker when she was four years old, Bisou Martel has lived a quiet life in a little house in Seattle. She’s kept mostly to herself. She’s been good. But then comes the night of homecoming, when she finds herself running for her life over roots and between trees, a fury of claws and teeth behind her. A wolf attacks. Bisou fights back. A new moon rises. And with it, questions. About the blood in Bisou’s past and on her hands as she stumbles home. About broken boys and vicious wolves. About girls lost in the woods—frightened, but not alone.

– Goodreads

Before we get into this review, I just want to point out Words and Whimsy is speaking with Elana K Arnold THIS SUNDAY at 8PM EST! Come join us here! It’s bound to be a great discussion!

Red Hood was the first book by Elana K Arnold that I have read, but now I have to go back and read Damsel! Red Hood was SO GOOD!

I don’t think I’ve ever eyeball-read a 2nd Person POV before. The only other one I can think of is You by Caroline Kepnes and I did the audio for that one. I know in the discussion, some were turned off my the 2nd POV, but I felt it put me more into the story. I was so immersed. It makes me want to look for other 2nd POV books!

The story follows Bisou, who gets her period and things get weird. Both for her, and the book. Like, the end of the first chapter is CRAZY. I’m not going to go into it, because spoilers, but omg. Never read anything like it and don’t think I will again. It’s WILD.

I was so immersed in the story. I loved learning about Bisou’s heritage. There’s a POV shift in part two, and it was like being told a bedtime story, albeit a very messed up one. It was so interesting to me.

Bisou has been through a LOT, and she handles it so well. She’s vulnerable, but strong. I loved following her. The side characters were great, too. Meme was my absoloute favorite.

This is a very feminist story. I loved the girl power, that girls are strong, and we can overcome the wolves. We’ve all met a wolf. We’ve all been victimized by one. Bisou handles them with such ferocity you’re left wondering who is really the predator, and who is the prey. This is also the only Little Red Riding Hood retelling I’ve ever read, and I loved it!

I recommend this to anyone who loves YA retellings, feminist novels, or books with super strong female protagonists. You won’t be disappointed!

Have you read Red Hood? Is it on your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…