Book

Red Riding Hood

by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

📖 Overview

A young woman named Valerie lives in a medieval village plagued by a werewolf that terrorizes the residents during each full moon. The villagers maintain an uneasy truce with the beast through monthly animal sacrifices, until Valerie's sister becomes its latest human victim. A famous werewolf hunter arrives to help the village eliminate the threat once and for all. As the investigation progresses, Valerie discovers she shares a unique connection with the werewolf and becomes central to uncovering its identity. The story follows Valerie as she navigates between two romantic interests while grappling with mounting suspicion and paranoia in her village. The tension builds as she realizes the werewolf could be anyone she knows - even someone she loves. This reimagining of the classic fairy tale explores themes of trust, identity, and the complex relationship between fear and desire. The novel raises questions about the true nature of evil and the masks people wear in their communities.

👀 Reviews

Readers found this retelling more violent and mature than expected but criticized its lack of resolution and unsatisfying ending. Many noted it felt like a movie novelization rather than a standalone book. Liked: - Dark, gothic atmosphere - Complex relationships between characters - Details about village life and customs - Fresh take on the original fairy tale Disliked: - Ending requires reading bonus chapter online - Slow pacing in middle sections - Underdeveloped romance - Writing style called "choppy" and "amateurish" by multiple reviewers "The ending completely ruined what could have been a good book," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted "It reads like a rough draft that needed more editing." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 2.8/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3/5 (90+ ratings) The book received lower scores than the film adaptation it was based on, with many readers recommending watching the movie instead.

📚 Similar books

Sisters Red by Pearce Jackson A retelling of Little Red Riding Hood follows two sisters who hunt werewolves to avenge their grandmother's death.

The Wolf's Story by Forward Toby The wolf from Little Red Riding Hood tells his version of events in this dark reimagining of the classic tale.

Tiger Lily by Anderson Jodi Lynn A retelling of Peter Pan from Tiger Lily's perspective explores themes of love, betrayal, and growing up in a magical world.

Scarlet by Meyer Marissa A futuristic adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood combines fairy tales with science fiction as a young French girl searches for her missing grandmother.

Kill Me Softly by Cross Sarah A teenager discovers a town where fairy tale curses exist and descendants of classic characters live out their destined roles.

🤔 Interesting facts

🐺 The book was written alongside the 2011 film adaptation, with author Sarah Blakley-Cartwright working directly with director Catherine Hardwicke during the movie's production process. 📚 Originally, the book was published without its final chapter—readers had to wait until the movie's release date to read the ending online. 🎬 Sarah Blakley-Cartwright wrote this novel when she was just 22 years old, making it her debut into the literary world. 🌲 The story incorporates elements of medieval werewolf trials and witch hunts, drawing from historical European folklore beyond the traditional fairy tale. 🎭 Unlike the traditional fairy tale, this version focuses heavily on the romantic subplot between Valerie (Red) and Peter, transforming it into a gothic romance for young adult readers.