samantha_89's review
4.0
I'm keeping this review short. Sweetly is a very good book. I have, so far, read all of Jackson's books and in her last two particularly I have noticed that she handles teen romance very well. I liked the story, but I thought "retelling of Hansel and Gretel" was a bit of a stretch. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has the same girl power feel as Sisters Red but even more so because with Sisters Red Scarlett and Rosie always had power, Gretchen goes out and earns hers.
kpeerman1's review
3.0
It was an interesting retelling. Nothing really grabbed me, though. Simple story and easy to follow. Characters were pretty likeable for the most part. The climax got a little chaotic and a little word vomit-y. A fun story, overall.
alle_kat97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
caliesha's review
3.0
Quick read, enjoyable.
The plot a little confusing at parts and some loose ends weren't tied up at the end. Recommended for someone needing a quick enjoyable retelling. Don't expect a new favourite from it though.
The plot a little confusing at parts and some loose ends weren't tied up at the end. Recommended for someone needing a quick enjoyable retelling. Don't expect a new favourite from it though.
everthereader's review
3.0
This was the companion novel to Sisters Red. I would probably say it was better than the first book. I actually like Gretchen because she was willing to step up and defend herself rather then be scared her whole life. Samuel is a different type of love interest. Instead of being a normal guy he's an outcast in the town which creates a different relationship. I really was hoping that Gretchen and Samuel's relationship would just be an alliance and a friendship rather than a romantic relationship. Ansel wasn't as much of an important character. I saw him as her overprotective older brother who went through the loss of his other sister. Sophia was kind of a strange. There were times where I like her and then didn't trust then trusted her then hated her then felt bad, it was all over the place. In the beginning, I knew that she was up to something. I mean come on, Hansel and Gretel fairytale retelling, the "supposed" nice old lady who makes candy turns out to be an evil old lady who tries to bake two siblings in an oven for dinner. However, I knew that was pretty cliche so I was pretty suspicious. Turns out she wasn't trying to poison Gretchen and Ansel. She was a pretty sad character, to be honest. She was always sad but trying to cover it up by being very happy and bright (which I admit found to be creepy). But in the inside she was a sad mourning character, grieving for her father and sister. I did find her to be pretty weak. Instead of trying to save her sister she put other lives in jeopardy, desperate to get Naida back. Which is sacrificing a lot but honestly, I would be full of guilt, giving away so many girls lived for what? Just a slim chance that the Fenrirs would give back my own sister. There could have been so many better other ways. She could have got evidence that the Fenrirs were real and get help from someone. In the end, she was the real witch, but I was glad Gretchen forgave her. Because in the end, you should just forgive and forget and not hold grudges. :)
-Sue ☺☻♥
-Sue ☺☻♥
thegreatpike27's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
zenithharpink's review
4.0
Perhaps this is more fantasy horror than straight fantasy? There's a definite darkness in this story, which I was surprised how much I enjoyed! I really didn't like the first book, but this was pretty good.
This wasn't actually a linear sequel to the first book, but it's definitely related, in a subtle sort of way. I didn't realize the books would be so related - I thought they would be just different fairytale retellings, and that would be all that tied them together, so it was a really nice surprise.
My only complaint about this book was Gretchen, she felt a little fuzzy around the edges, and generally lost. She also didn't feel like a Gretchen to me, which is a minor point of contention, but it bugged me when her name was mentioned - it was like there was another character I was supposed to notice, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
Overall, I recommend this book - it's a fun retelling, dark and compelling, the story overall was pretty engaging - it featured a far better mystery than the first book. I'm really looking forward to the next!
This wasn't actually a linear sequel to the first book, but it's definitely related, in a subtle sort of way. I didn't realize the books would be so related - I thought they would be just different fairytale retellings, and that would be all that tied them together, so it was a really nice surprise.
My only complaint about this book was Gretchen, she felt a little fuzzy around the edges, and generally lost. She also didn't feel like a Gretchen to me, which is a minor point of contention, but it bugged me when her name was mentioned - it was like there was another character I was supposed to notice, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
Overall, I recommend this book - it's a fun retelling, dark and compelling, the story overall was pretty engaging - it featured a far better mystery than the first book. I'm really looking forward to the next!
biblio_lore's review
4.0
Once again, I'm in love with another fairytale revamp and this time it's tackling Hansel and Gretel or Ansel and Gretchen as they have been renamed in the book Sweetly. I loved this revamp because it takes the tale out of the realm of "Once upon a time" and gives it a home in the oddly appropriate American South. The story is told from Gretchen's perspective as she and her brother continue to try to get out of the shadow of the witch that they were a victim of as children. Gretchen longs for a setting of sand and ocean with significantly fewer trees and as you might think, she is less than impressed when she and brother dear end up stranded in a place called Live Oak which is surrounded by trees. Gretchen as a character is likable as the shy sort but she quickly gains her footing and her interest in her male lead for all the right reasons. Her journey from meek little girl to a lady on the hunt is fun and exciting.
As far as technical aspects go, I would say that this is a really solid read. The writing is incredibly visual and the pacing is fantastic. Pearce has a great voice to her writing and she has some genuinely scary moments mixed in with some great laughs too. I love the characters and I think that the way that she plays with the familiar story is fantastic. One of the other elements that stood out was the amount of action this story has to it. Don't think that because she starts out as a shrinking violet that Gretchen is staying behind big brother for the rest of the book because she really holds her own and the way she challenges her enemies and even her love interest is really a treat. If you like fairytales, this one should be on your list.
As far as technical aspects go, I would say that this is a really solid read. The writing is incredibly visual and the pacing is fantastic. Pearce has a great voice to her writing and she has some genuinely scary moments mixed in with some great laughs too. I love the characters and I think that the way that she plays with the familiar story is fantastic. One of the other elements that stood out was the amount of action this story has to it. Don't think that because she starts out as a shrinking violet that Gretchen is staying behind big brother for the rest of the book because she really holds her own and the way she challenges her enemies and even her love interest is really a treat. If you like fairytales, this one should be on your list.
lacheri's review
3.0
I enjoyed this twist on Hansel and Gretel, and like the first book, it held on to the same villains. It a good read, not phenomenal by any means. Then again, that's just my opinion; you should check it out for yourself!