zachedwards89's review against another edition
2.0
The 3 pages in the middle trying to figure out the kids' genders was so forced. it was really poorly executed... sooo heavy handed. The constant condescension on the use of firearms is pretty contrary when your main character is a know-it-all who is looking for any advantage to survive. It's not like she did literally anything except kill people with her ax, so the whole "guns are only made to kill" fell flat for me. Actually okay maybe she broke open one window the entire book with it.
Keeping all the info on the monsters and disease "classified" seems like a cop out that lets the author avoid having to come up with a believable reason why all this is happening.
I would've preferred a more satisfying answer to all my questions instead of the hamfisted juxtaposition of the authors viewpoints on social issues at every available opportunity.
3 stars for what the story does right, the author should've done more of what worked and then wrote an article on the side about all the hot button social issues shes interested about.
Keeping all the info on the monsters and disease "classified" seems like a cop out that lets the author avoid having to come up with a believable reason why all this is happening.
I would've preferred a more satisfying answer to all my questions instead of the hamfisted juxtaposition of the authors viewpoints on social issues at every available opportunity.
3 stars for what the story does right, the author should've done more of what worked and then wrote an article on the side about all the hot button social issues shes interested about.
clouded_jasper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is incredible. The setting, the characters, the story, it's all amazing.
Having a disabled POC woman part of the LGBTQ community is wonderful representation and perhaps whats most important: SHE HAS FLAWS! SHE FEELS LIKE A REAL PERSON! YAY!
I love Red sm
I can see what other people are getting at when they say the ending was rushed. Sure, I get that. But it's not necessarily a bad ending, and every other part of the book easily makes up for it.
I personally think it would've been nice to see a scene (maybe at Grandmas house) where Red finally just- breaks down. Because losing your entire family deserves more than a couple of sentences, in my opinion.
She just lets it all out and realizes what she's been holding in and the damage it's done to her, now she can fully trust, except, and love these new people who have come into her life. Idk, just a personal opinion combined with my writer brain lol
Having a disabled POC woman part of the LGBTQ community is wonderful representation and perhaps whats most important: SHE HAS FLAWS! SHE FEELS LIKE A REAL PERSON! YAY!
I love Red sm
I can see what other people are getting at when they say the ending was rushed. Sure, I get that. But it's not necessarily a bad ending, and every other part of the book easily makes up for it.
Spoiler
One small, Tiny nitpick is Reds character arc feels incomplete. She goes through the entire story without shedding a single tear, without letting herself grieve for her dead family. She pushes it all away partly because she's on survival mode, partly because she blames herself, etc. At the very end we do see her telling herself Adams death wasn't her fault, but that's it.I personally think it would've been nice to see a scene (maybe at Grandmas house) where Red finally just- breaks down. Because losing your entire family deserves more than a couple of sentences, in my opinion.
She just lets it all out and realizes what she's been holding in and the damage it's done to her, now she can fully trust, except, and love these new people who have come into her life. Idk, just a personal opinion combined with my writer brain lol
kerrisbooks13's review against another edition
4.0
This was way different than I thought it would be. A dystopian (about a global pandemic with an airborne virus no less, LOL) that turns the idea that the main character has to solve the world’s problems. Sometimes heroines aren’t chosen ones. This story followed someone who is really just an “extra”: she doesn’t fond out what causes the virus, she doesn’t find a cure, she doesn’t save the world from the terrible things humans do to each other. She just survives
miraclesnow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Soooooo meh. Not dissapointing because I wasn’t expecting it to wow me, it was a free arc, but still pretty average to just slightly less-than average. The writing style and the pop culture references were not my thing, and none of the impactful moments hit.
daniellehines's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
blok_sera_szwajcarskiego's review
3.0
Well, just by looking at the title and the cover I thought it would be more horrorish, more connected to the original story of Red Riding Hood plot. It could go many ways from that, but the one I absolutely did not expect was pandemic story similar to Telltales' The Walking Dead Games - and that's what it actually is.
But I admit it was very enjoyable, pleasant read. Not the best one, but the deeper I went the more I was invested. The weird think is that this book feels like part one of the series, looking at so many not-ended side plots and characters, but in the same time this strange, cutted piece of the bigger story had something charming. "The girl in red" is nothing you would expect after it, but it serves great time while meeting it. More positive than negative note.
But I admit it was very enjoyable, pleasant read. Not the best one, but the deeper I went the more I was invested. The weird think is that this book feels like part one of the series, looking at so many not-ended side plots and characters, but in the same time this strange, cutted piece of the bigger story had something charming. "The girl in red" is nothing you would expect after it, but it serves great time while meeting it. More positive than negative note.
holley_cornetto's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading Christina Henry, and I will be back to read more.
Inclusive cast of characters - check
Dynamic female protagonist - check
The story is well written and interesting. It is reminiscent of other post apocalyptic style books without ripping them off or being cliche. I like that Red is up to date on popular culture's obsession with the end of the world as we know, and she knows what to do about it (even if no one else wants to listen to her).
If you've ever watched the walking dead, or read other books in this genre, nothing here is going to come as a surprise. This blends the fairy tale retelling type of literature which has been very popular lately with dystopia (also popular recently) to good effect.
My one complaint, and why the book is 4 rather than 5 stars is that it ends so abruptly.I don't understand. I felt cheated by this.
In the end, I recommend the book despite the lackluster ending. I will also be reading more by this author, and hope that not all of her books have the same abrupt "skip to the ending" ending.
**I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**
Inclusive cast of characters - check
Dynamic female protagonist - check
The story is well written and interesting. It is reminiscent of other post apocalyptic style books without ripping them off or being cliche. I like that Red is up to date on popular culture's obsession with the end of the world as we know, and she knows what to do about it (even if no one else wants to listen to her).
If you've ever watched the walking dead, or read other books in this genre, nothing here is going to come as a surprise. This blends the fairy tale retelling type of literature which has been very popular lately with dystopia (also popular recently) to good effect.
My one complaint, and why the book is 4 rather than 5 stars is that it ends so abruptly.
Spoiler
The book follows Red and fills in details of her story and her journey, but then at the end, you get a line to the effect of "25 days later..." Seriously? Why? We've followed so closely for so long, and now it is okay to skip almost a month of the trip?In the end, I recommend the book despite the lackluster ending. I will also be reading more by this author, and hope that not all of her books have the same abrupt "skip to the ending" ending.
**I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**