Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
Published by Balzer + Bray
Published on: May 5, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 448
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.
Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?
Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.
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I stumbled upon this novel while visiting Kim’s blog (Book Swoon), and I have 0 willpower vis-à-vis wolves, so the LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD retelling aspect intrigued me, and honestly, who could say no to that cover!? Rosamund Hodge dazzled me with her creativity, writing, and whimsy, although I did find the story rather busy because as a stand-alone a lot needed to be packed into one volume. I could have done without the love triangle, and the Devourer’s defeat at the hands of a knitting needle set a new record for the lamest killing tool in all of Fantasy.
The author’s world-building and lore were the highlights of CRIMSON BOUND. I enjoyed untangling the unknowns of Rachelle’s universe, and what it meant to be a woodwife, bloodbound and forestborn. There were flashbacks of how Zisa & Tyr held the Great Forest at bay the first time as well as several different versions of their legendary triumph which is where the riddle of Joyeuse & Durendal—the two swords capable of slaying the Big Bad Wolf—originated. It was quite exquisite how all of the fragments came together, and many of the characters had poker faces that would fool their own mothers.
The Rachelle / Erec / Armand romance was completely unnecessary, and gave me the impression that it was included simply because a book can’t truly be considered Young Adult without a triangle which is so not true by the way. The heroine seemingly realized that she loved two guys overnight, and both were kooky choices. I liked d’Anjou & Vareilles as individuals, but as suitors neither really lit my fire. One was evil while as the other was a saint which made the options too radical for my tastes; I’m a boy next door kind of girl, however perhaps fans of the good/bad trope will be ok with it.
The threads coalesced nicely as the story came to a close, and there were plenty of surprises that made me say “Ooh!” The barriers that Rachelle had to surmount were varied, and came from within as well as without. After the protagonist’s two part stand-off with the lindenworm; I was salivating in anticipation of the bloodshed that would surely ensue when she faced the Devourer. I’ll admit that it was clever, although after a novel-long search for a sword, I would have preferred an epic battle that ended with decapitation or evisceration as opposed to the tidy reality of Hodge’s conclusion. It was too easy.
CRIMSON BOUND had big teeth, but its bite was a kinda weak; recommended with reservations.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I wasn’t impressed with this authors first book (Cruel Beauty) as others were but I was drawn in by the aspects of Little Red Riding Hood with this one and will be reviewing it this month so I am glad it’s not a complete dud. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Book Review: Magic on the Line by Devon Monk
I’m very excited about this book. I have thing for little red riding hood retellings. I’ll have to go tentatively into this one for the issues you bring up about it. Thanks for the review!
I’ve heard that this one isn’t as fabulous as Cruel Beauty so I’m definitely doing to go into this one with much lower expectations. I do love the concept though! So refreshing and fun.
Lovely review, Carmel <33
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads) recently posted…Review: In a World Just Right by Jen Brooks
While I enjoyed the first book in this series it didn’t blow me away, I was hoping this one would (I guess we hope that every time we pick up book…lol)
By your review I don’t like my chances that it will 🙁
I’ll still listen, but now I can wait a bit longer.
Thank Carmel.
Lupdilup recently posted…The Audiobook Salad Edition Three (Audiobook Reviews)
Great review. I’m intrigued by this one. Been seeing it all over the place. Love the retelling aspect and the fact that it seems so adventurous. Glad you enjoyed it for the most part.
Shane recently posted…Review: Black Iris by Leah Raeder
*high fives you* Review twins!
I felt very similar about this. It wasn’t my favorite from her but her writing is so beautiful that it is so hard not to be sucked in by it.
Have a wonderful weekend Carmel!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
Thanks for the review. I was intrigued by this book, but I avoid triangles like the plague. A good menage is no problem, but I’ve never found a love triangle I liked or even thought was done well.
Erin Burns recently posted…2nd Shelly Laurenston Sale
There’s just something about the authors writing that has the ability to take me away with her descriptive and almost lyrical writing that keeps me turning the pages. Rochelle, as a heroine, was dark and gritty and walked a gray line which I thought was a nice and unexpected change for ya. I was hoping for more, epic battle time too though in this one. And what? You did not like the knitting needles part? Great review, Carmel 🙂
Kim { Book Swoon } recently posted…The Waterborne Blade by Susan Murray
Well, it does sound like there were some things to enjoy but not the first I have heard that said it was disappointing in some ways as well
I think maybe not the book for me then
blodeuedd recently posted…Author Interview and Giveaway: Melanie Hudson
Hi Carmel! visiting your blog for the first time per Kim @ caffeinated book reviewer suggestions. She mentioned you in her interview http://www.danielaark.com/in-the-spotlight-1-kimberly-caffeinated-book-reviewer/. and I see why! Absolutely love your blog and its shape-shifter theme. 🙂 Following the blog now everywhere.
Daniela Ark recently posted…In the Spotlight [2]: author interview – J.G. Alt (Too Many White Men)
AH, I am seeing so much love for this book but I just cannot get into it! I made it to 50% and haven’t picked it up in a week!
I must not have hit the point with the love triangle, and that is really disappointing that it’s there at all. 🙁 Honestly, when Erec was first introduced I thought he was the only love interest. haha
Glad you see you liked this one, overall!
tonyalee recently posted…Mini Reviews | April 2015
It’s irritating when romance happens overnight, especially if a triangle is involved. Speaking of which, surely there aren’t still people who believe this to be a YA must? Lol 🙂 But if the world is expertly built, which I think is the case, I’ll try it anyway. It’s a dang compulsion! 😀
Ramona recently posted…Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
Nice review! Seeing mixed feedback on this one. But since I loved Cruel Beauty I still plan to read this! Though the idea of a love triangle for the sake of having a love triangle does annoy me. Getting tired of that, especially when it’s so forced. There are so few good love triangles that actually make sense. But oh well. That’s an ages long discussion for another day! LOL! Great review! Glad to hear that despite a few mishaps this was an enjoyable read! Great review!
Jessica recently posted…Follow Friday
At first I completely avoided Cruel Beauty. It just didn’t seem like something I would enjoy all that much but I do love the sounds of this one since everyone keeps raving about it during this blog tour. Although I’ve heard mixed things about which book is better (Cruel Beauty or this one) i’m intrigued enough to finally start them! Fabulous review Carmel 🙂
Lily recently posted…The Summer After You and Me: Review
I was waiting to read some reviews about this book to decide if to read it or not… Now I have decided… Next. 🙂
BookaholicCat recently posted…Review: Love in a Time of Monsters by Teresa Yea
I wanted to read this one because I enjoyed her other retelling. I’m still curious about this world. It also seems that she loves the triangle. Will be aware of that now. :p Still, might have to try this one!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Review and Giveaway: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
I’m not particularly pleased to hear about a love triangle but I am quite excited because it seems like the author has created an unique mythology!
Great review Carmel!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: Chantress Alchemy by Amy Butler Greenfield!!
Bummer. She had a sort of) triangle in the first book too. It wasn’t an awful one but yeah – why do they always have to have one.
Ah crap! Pardon my french, but c’mon love triangle really. Agrr I’m pulling my hair out. I was so expecting this one as I knew that Rosamound is amazing with retellings and all, but why love triangle. I’ll have to sleep on it and probably read it later on. Great review.
Tanja recently posted…Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover
I was wondering if this was somehow connected to Hodge’s debut novel, but apparently they’re only similar in covers and in being a fairy tale retelling. While I haven’t read any of her works, I heard the first one was really good. And maybe this wasn’t as good as it should be. That ending does sound disappointing. But since I love fairy tale retellings, I think I would definitely read Hodge’s books. In fact, I have the first one so I should be able to read that some time soon.
Francine Soleil recently posted…Musings: Looking Back at Old Reviews
Yup, definitely big shoes to fill here! I’ve seen so many of those “too easy” plots, but it really does depend on if the rest of the book convinced me. Another love triangle? I’m starting to get ambivalent about it and just dismiss those parts, because every book seems to have them. Wonderful review Carmel!
Jeann recently posted…Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes Review: Diverse & light thriller
Have you read Cruel Beauty? There is a completely unnecessary love triangle in that one, but it makes a lot more sense than what’s going on here.
AND YES, death by knitting needles – not the coolest way for a baddie to go out! Glad you enjoyed it least, I wish there were more wolves though. ):
Amber Elise recently posted…Book Review: Crimson Bound
The cover of this book is what initially caught my eye. I liked the idea of the Little Read retelling as well. It’s just too bad that although Hodge did well with the lore, she added in gratuitous YA elements and finished up an epic search with an un-epic ending. Knitting needles? Really?
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Release Blitz ~ Getting Lucky Number Seven ~ Cindi Madsen
The world-building and lore sounds like it was done very well, I enjoyed the first book in this series so I’m quite eager to read this too; it’s a shame about the unnecessary love-triangle, I’m pleased to see you enjoyed this overall.
A great review! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: The Cage by Megan Shepherd
Why on earth must a love-triangle exist in every single YA book!? The world building sounds pretty good. But, you’ve sort of put me off the end of the book. I enjoy a good epic battle! Great review Carmel! :]
I liked this one, it made me think on many aspects of Cruel Beauty but it was an interesting read and I liked to see the ideas of the author too. I think I had a bit the same feeling about it. Nice review!
I’m reading this one now – I’m about halfway through. (You might want to put a spoiler tag on the weapon used – now every time I see one in the book, I’m thinking I know what’s going to happen!) I agree that it is a lot to be stuffed into one book. I’m interested to see that there’s a bit of a love triangle – so far I haven’t felt a HUGE connection between her and either of the guys, so we’ll see how that pans out. 🙂
Nicole recently posted…Top Ten Books I’ll (Probably) Never Read
I agree that this was pretty busy, although I actually thought the knitting needle was pretty cool! Maybe more so because of its backstory though, and less as a killing weapon. The Zisa and Tyr flashbacks were my favourite part of the whole book; Hodge’s writing in those sections was absolutely beautiful.
Danya recently posted…Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge