Red [Kindle Edition]

So this was a retelling of little red riding hood, i have to say there wasn't much that reminded of the fairy tale. I think the idea was used as a selling point but apart from werewolves I couldn't relate the two to be honest.
However, Elodie and Sawyer were a good pairing, I wanted to see them together and I liked that Elodie grew a spine and all that. The plot was pretty exciting, with hunters after her (I didn't expect it to be who it was...) and the curse developing etc. I did find this an interesting enough read, but there was nothing else to this novel apart from their relationship building (which was very quick) and the werewolve curse. I was a bit disappointed, I thought this book would be better but it was all a bit predictable, although the genre "Red" is set in doesn't exactly see many brillant new reads. If you want a quick, easy read I do recommend this but I wouldn't pay more than the £3.30 for it.

17 year old Elodie Rose is on the cusp of becoming a werewolf. She and her dad have spent the last few years preparing for this inevitability, ever since they received the sinister note left by her dead mother explaining Elodie's hereditary curse. The note made it clear that having sex would finalise the transition from human to monster. Elodie desperately wants to remain human and has led a solitary life, keeping away from friends and boys, following her mother's advice to the letter. So what's a girl to do when she meets the strong and gorgeous Sawyer?

Why five stars? I've always favoured vampires far above werewolves until I read Red. Kait Nolan's reimagining of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale has awakened an interest in the werewolf genre. Elodie is quite shy and introverted but she has an inner core of steely strength. When push comes to serve she can stand up for herself and those she loves. Sawyer is the masculine, heroic young man all teenage girls dream of, a true gent, strong and forceful but gentle, kind and devoted. Of course this is fiction. Most 17 year old guys do not find the `one' or in this case their mate at such a young age but Sawyer's loyalty to Elodie never wavers.

Many YA novels I've read of late have shied away from sex and even talking about sex. Red doesn't. While there are no explicit scenes, the reality of raging teen hormones is acknowledged. Teenagers kiss and touch, and passion can lead to young lovers getting carried away, something that almost happens to Edodie and Sawyer while skinny-dipping. Elodie is a product of her parents' lack of precaution. She doesn't want to make the same mistake as her mother but her physical attraction towards Sawyer is undeniable. I also like the normal dialogue. Teens curse, and so do Elodie and Sawyer. The topic of suicide is often taboo when it comes to YA books but not in Red where thoughts of suicide have plagued Elodie her whole life.

Above all, Red is a well written book; it's clear this book was edited well, something I always appreciate The readers are also treated to both Elodie's and Sawyer's perspectives. I enjoy hearing from the male point of view. One thing I did find over the top was the constant underlining thread of sex=bad. Have sex and you will become a werewolf, i.e. a monster who kills people. Sex in horror has always led to catastrophe. Remember Buffy? She slept with Angel and he lost his soul, Bella lost her virginity to Edward in Twilight, became pregnant and almost died, in horror movies only virgins are safe from the murderer's clutches. I understand the need to urge caution when it comes to teens exploring their sexuality but I would like, just once for a YA story to allow characters who are mature, in love and committed to one another to have sex without the threat of nasty repercussions.

Excellent story and a fantastic read

I read my first book by Kait Nolan a couple of months ago and was spellbound by her vivid storytelling and original worldbuilding, so when I heard that her new story to be released soon was an urban fantasy retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood I was excited and curious and my excitement wasn't even tempered by the fact that Red is a YA novel. If you know me you know I'm not a fan of YA novels, the immaturity and whining of the characters irritate me, but having already had a first taste of Kait Nolan's writing I knew that I was in for a treat and had no qualms about reading a YA story written by her, and I was proven right.

Red is Elodie's story. Elodie is about to turn seventeen and has lived in fear for the past 4 years: because on her 13th birthday she read a letter left for her by her deceased mother revealing to her the curse of the family: that just as all her female ancestors she will turn into a werewolf and be a danger to others and herself. Elodie subordinated all her life since that revelation to trying to prevent the change and come to terms of ending her life if/when it happens. Due to this she lives a pretty isolated life and tries to stay under the radar. She keeps herself away from others, she doesn't have friends and there is an emotional gulf between her and her dad.

Elodie's emotional suffering is heartbreaking. She lives each day of her life not knowing if the thing she's the most terrified of will happen that day or not but she knows that when it happens she will have to die. She accepted this fate with such sad resignation that it touched my heart.

Enter Sawyer, the new boy in town and our irresistible hero. He has his own grief and demons to wrestle, but he is intrigued by Elodie and wants to help her. The more he sees and gets to know her his interest starts to become much more, until his whole world is centered around Elodie.

It was very easy and natural to come to love both main characters. Elodie is an exceptionally mature and serious young woman, her fears and pain grabbed at my heart. And I instantly became a fan of Sawyer seeing what a deeply protective, warmhearted and thoughtful guy he is. His humour also endeared him to me:

"After my questionable rescue of the girl in the woods yesterday, I'd trailed her home. It's not like I was turning into some sparkly, blood-sucker wannabe, who hung out staring into her room while she slept or something. Give me some credit."

Can you just say: LOL? :-D

"Give me your reasons, I'll give you my silence," he said.
I grit my teeth, bit back a growl. "That's blackmail."
"I call it curiosity, but hey, potato, potahtoh."

Ditto :-D

"Have you been having headaches? Body chills? Super sensitive hearing and smell? I know just the diagnosis for you. Please dial 1-800-456-WOLF."

Though there is an immediate chemistry and connection between them, I loved how slow Elodie and Sawyer took things, they let things develop gradually and even put on the brakes several times when instinct and attraction would have taken them further and deeper. I rooted for them because their relationship was based on so much more than a physical and superficial attraction, it had substance and depth. Sawyer was attentive to Elodie's wellbeing, her peace of mind and serenity were the most important to him.

"Elodie..." He snagged my arm, turning me toward him, tipping my chin up so I had to meet his eyes. He looked grave and intense and . . . I don't know . . . purposeful in a way that made my mouth go dry and my stomach drop somewhere around my feet.
"You are amazing," he said in a measured voice. "You're smart, funny, beautiful, and any guy would be lucky to have you in his life. You have no idea how lucky I am to have you in mine."

But that doesn't mean the air doesn't sizzle between them:

"You stopped being afraid of me," he said softly.
"I was never afraid of you specifically. I'm terrified of how you make me feel."
"And how is that?" he asked.
"Electrified," I said breathlessly. "When I'm with you I want--" Needs and desires tangled my tongue, and my skin, where he touched it, was on fire.
"What do you want?" he asked, lips against my throat.
"You," I whispered, closing my eyes to ride the sensation. "Just you."

Red is an amazing story, I remember I started reading it and when I looked up noticed that several hours have passed without me even noticing! Kait Nolan's evocative storytelling will grip you and suck you in, the characters are fleshed out so well they step off the pages, and the emotional intensity is brilliantly highlighted throughout the story irrespective of whose POV you are reading. Because Red is told from both the hero and the heroine's point of view, and that way the reader is able to see and understand the thoughts and feelings behind the acts and dialogues, giving them a deeper meaning.

Verdict: There is everything you might wish for in Red: heartrate speeding up mystery, tingle inducing romance and chuckle out loud humour which alleviates the heartbreaking/heartwarming emotional tangles of Elodie's and Sawyer's relationships with each other and their respective dads.

Though Red is categorized as a YA novel, it is a wonderfully written exciting urban fantasy tale, one I would recommend to everyone irrespective of age, it deserves 4.5 stars!