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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Loved it
Kenley's reimaginings are wonderful and unexpected. She uses familiar fairy tales as outlines for her spectacularly original stories. This little Red riding hood was no exception.
Kenley's reimaginings are wonderful and unexpected. She uses familiar fairy tales as outlines for her spectacularly original stories. This little Red riding hood was no exception.
This whole series is like the literary equivalent of a bowl of pasta -- empty calories, but tasty comfort food nonetheless. It's got a little bit of everything: adventure, magic, romance, intrigue, and a sappy happily-ever-after.
This one was a very loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood... but since that story is actually quite short, the author had a lot of gaps to fill in. The role of Red Riding Hood is played by Batrice, a sarcastic former actress who thinks she'd like to become a spy for the Andari crown. But before she could do so, a letter from her hypochondriacal grandmother diverts her course, demanding that she come and attend her bedside before her demise. Batrice cannot understand why her spy mentor not only sends her, but sends her with two guards who behave quite strangely, and with a basket containing a poorly behaved puppy and an aspiring novelist who pretends to be her maid. Along the way, they encounter an injured traveler whom they take in, multiple small personal items go missing, the carriage is vandalized, and Batrice generally wonders what's really going on. The mysterious injured traveler, Jamie, becomes the love interest--but is he also the "wolf"? (At least that's what I was wondering for most of the book.)
The climax of every book in this series is always a little chaotic and topsy-turvy, with so many reveals coming so fast and furious that I'm not sure if Davidson planted seeds for them earlier in the story, or if she's just making up whatever comes into her head at the time. This book's climax was even more that way than most, introducing an entire conspiracy and characters of which Batrice was entirely ignorant. But I didn't really mind, because I wasn't all that invested in the mystery anyway. While I enjoyed every book in this series, I also never felt that I couldn't put it down or had to know what happened next. They're great for light bedtime reading.
This one was a very loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood... but since that story is actually quite short, the author had a lot of gaps to fill in. The role of Red Riding Hood is played by Batrice, a sarcastic former actress who thinks she'd like to become a spy for the Andari crown. But before she could do so, a letter from her hypochondriacal grandmother diverts her course, demanding that she come and attend her bedside before her demise. Batrice cannot understand why her spy mentor not only sends her, but sends her with two guards who behave quite strangely, and with a basket containing a poorly behaved puppy and an aspiring novelist who pretends to be her maid. Along the way, they encounter an injured traveler whom they take in, multiple small personal items go missing, the carriage is vandalized, and Batrice generally wonders what's really going on. The mysterious injured traveler, Jamie, becomes the love interest--but is he also the "wolf"? (At least that's what I was wondering for most of the book.)
The climax of every book in this series is always a little chaotic and topsy-turvy, with so many reveals coming so fast and furious that I'm not sure if Davidson planted seeds for them earlier in the story, or if she's just making up whatever comes into her head at the time. This book's climax was even more that way than most, introducing an entire conspiracy and characters of which Batrice was entirely ignorant. But I didn't really mind, because I wasn't all that invested in the mystery anyway. While I enjoyed every book in this series, I also never felt that I couldn't put it down or had to know what happened next. They're great for light bedtime reading.
Path of Secrets was a great title for this entry, because this was one wild journey! Although I did pick up the gist of what was going on fairly quickly - and quite a bit faster than poor Batrice - it was entertaining to follow along. The big reveal still packed a couple of fun twists, which was enjoyable, and I loved Batrice and Coralynne's relationship, not to mention the amazing Goblin. I certainly hope the series continues!
Right off the bat the heroine annoyed me. She was so Not Like Other Girls in her abhorrence of embroidery (which the author clearly doesn’t know from regular sewing—hint: embroidery stitches would not hold to fix a carriage cushion) and all things traditionally feminine. She even says, “I knew [other girl] was smart because she shared my distaste for embroidery” as if that is any indicator of brains. There were other instances that annoyed me, but this all happened in the first chapter and really stuck with me the rest of the book. I will say I liked how the character’s background was used throughout the story.
As far as the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, there wasn’t much to suggest it was the inspiration except a basket and a trip to grandmother’s house. This is probably the least inspired by the traditional story of all the books in the series.
The mystery was very intriguing, though. If I hadn’t spent most of the book annoyed by the main character, this would likely have been one of my favourites. The layers and clues and red herrings throughout were well placed and well executed.
As far as the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, there wasn’t much to suggest it was the inspiration except a basket and a trip to grandmother’s house. This is probably the least inspired by the traditional story of all the books in the series.
The mystery was very intriguing, though. If I hadn’t spent most of the book annoyed by the main character, this would likely have been one of my favourites. The layers and clues and red herrings throughout were well placed and well executed.
I enjoyed this story. I hope there are more stories in the future in this series.
Content: clean- a couple swear words, some mild violence
Content: clean- a couple swear words, some mild violence
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
TLDR: A light read and unique take on the Little Red Riding Hood story.
Overall I was rather underwhelmed by books 4 and 5 in this series and unfortunately this one was no different.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, thought it was rather dragged out and slow until about 2/3 of the way through. Unfortunately it didn’t build suspense for me, just started annoying me because the logic behind the puzzle was so impossible to follow. I think it would have been better if the narrator had had a bigger view of the whole picture, but as the rest of the series is equally constrained, I can completely understand why Davidson wrote this one from this POV.
I liked the new take on the wolf and the ending made me happy. The love interest definitely had my attention as well.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me. A pretty average book and not on the same level as the original 3 books of the series, but still a satisfying read in the end.
Overall I was rather underwhelmed by books 4 and 5 in this series and unfortunately this one was no different.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, thought it was rather dragged out and slow until about 2/3 of the way through. Unfortunately it didn’t build suspense for me, just started annoying me because the logic behind the puzzle was so impossible to follow. I think it would have been better if the narrator had had a bigger view of the whole picture, but as the rest of the series is equally constrained, I can completely understand why Davidson wrote this one from this POV.
I liked the new take on the wolf and the ending made me happy. The love interest definitely had my attention as well.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me. A pretty average book and not on the same level as the original 3 books of the series, but still a satisfying read in the end.
Path of Secrets by Kenley Davidson is the last (so far) book in the Andari Chronicles and a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I am really hoping for another book! There are SO many characters that Kenley Davidson could explore! We met Batrice Reyard in the previous book who became fast friends with the spy, Brenna. She left her normal life for a life as an actress and acrobat. But now she is in training to be a spy. When a letter from her grandmother comes in saying that she is ill, her mentor sends her on her way. What should have been an easy trip, turns dangerous. There are several people that keep turning up and someone is on their tail. Who can she trust? Everyone seems to have secrets…
Batrice is so much fun! This journey really makes her think about what she wants for her life. Women don’t have many options and she wants her freedom but is she really up for being a spy? The novel does a great job at keeping the reader guessing on who is the culprit. And honestly, I did not think the ending was predictable! There are some moments that I didn’t feel were completely necessary to the story and slowed the pace just a tad. But then the next moment, the pace would take off like a roller coaster!
One of the best aspects of this story is the humor. There is sarcasm aplenty–which kept the read very entertaining! As always, Esther Wane does a fabulous job narrating! I am really hoping that more books are coming to this series! I have come to adore Kenley Davidson’s Andari World-Building! I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. But 5 out of 5 for the whole series!
Batrice is so much fun! This journey really makes her think about what she wants for her life. Women don’t have many options and she wants her freedom but is she really up for being a spy? The novel does a great job at keeping the reader guessing on who is the culprit. And honestly, I did not think the ending was predictable! There are some moments that I didn’t feel were completely necessary to the story and slowed the pace just a tad. But then the next moment, the pace would take off like a roller coaster!
One of the best aspects of this story is the humor. There is sarcasm aplenty–which kept the read very entertaining! As always, Esther Wane does a fabulous job narrating! I am really hoping that more books are coming to this series! I have come to adore Kenley Davidson’s Andari World-Building! I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. But 5 out of 5 for the whole series!
This one was my least favorite in the series. The premise was good and a nice twist on the fairy tale but the actually story needed more development.