Saturday, February 13, 2016

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff

 Today on WinterHaven Books I am participating in the blog tour for Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff!  For my stop today I am sharing my thoughts on this fun book and I also have a giveaway to share!

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Purchase: Amazon
Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. She’s not afraid of anything . . . except magic.
But when Red’s granny falls ill, it seems that only magic can save her, and fearless Red is forced to confront her one weakness.

With the help of a blond, porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red goes on a quest to cure Granny. Her journey takes her through dwarves’ caverns to a haunted well and a beast’s castle. All the while, Red and Goldie are followed by a wolf and a huntsman—two mortal enemies who seek the girls’ help to defeat each other. And one of them just might have the magical solution Red is looking for. . . .

My Thoughts:
I'm usually not a fan of fairy tale retellings, but when this book came across my lap I just couldn't pass it up!  I had never seen a retelling of Red Riding Hood and I can say now after reading that the bar has been set high for all others!

I really enjoyed this story!  I've started to read quite a few middle grade books as of late, and I am telling these authors are hitting these stories out of the park!  This story is no exception!  I truly loved falling into this very creative world that Shurtliff has created and I have to give her major credit for taking a story I loved as a child and turning it upside down in the best way possible.  I often think it takes true guts to retell a tale that everyone knows and Ms.Shurtliff definitely has guts!

I think my favorite part of this though was Red. She was beyond fierce and could honestly give quite a few YA characters a run for their money.  She seemed wise beyond her years and I really enjoyed falling into her story and getting to learn about hew new world filled with magic and adventure.

I also really enjoyed seeing all kinds of characters pop up from other fairy tales!  Such a fun idea!  I would one day love to read the rest of this series because it has truly captured my heart!

If you are looking for a great retelling this is for you!  Ms.Shurtliff does a wonderful job at creating something new while still being true to the roots of the story.  I know this will not be my last title by her!

5 snowflakes
About the Author:
Liesl Shurtliff was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the mountains for her playground. Just like Rump, Liesl was shy about her name, growing up. Not only did it rhyme with weasel, she could never find it on any of those personalized key chains in gift shops. But over the years she’s grown to love having an unusual name—and today she wouldn’t change it for the world!
Before she became a writer, Liesl graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in music, dance, and theater. She now lives in Chicago with her husband and three young children, where she still dreams of the mountains. Rump is her first novel.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Giveaway time! 







5 comments:

  1. This looks so cool! I'm really glad you liked it. Retellings can be hit or miss so it's super good news to me that you enjoyed it! I'd have to say my favorite fairytale is either Red Riding Hood or Cinderella. I haven't really read many Red Riding Hood retellings (unless you count Scarlet from the Lunar Chronicles) or Cinderella actually so I'm making it a goal this year to read more retellings. Lovely review!

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

    ReplyDelete
  2. I recently read Crimson Bound, which is a much darker retelling of Red Riding Hood. I liked it very much, and I'm looking to read many more retellings in the future. My favorite fairy tale of all time is the Goose Girl, which I have read 2 retellings of in the last couple of years.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite is Beauty and the Beast.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well a MG retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is definitely unlike anything I've ever heard of before^^ Thanks for bringing it to my attention and I'm really liking the way you described Red :D Lovely review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much with this fantastic new web site. I’m very fired up to show it to anyone. It makes me so satisfied your vast understanding and wisdom have a new channel for trying into the world.
    Jaya Liga
    Jayaliga.com
    www.jayaliga.com
    Jaya Liga
    Jayaliga.com

    ReplyDelete