Book 11/30.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was an easy-to-read take on the classic fairytale, and I loved that the FMC was called Valerie as I can count on one hand the number of times I have read a book with a character, main or side, that has the same name as me.
That said, this read like a draft and not a finished product by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright as the writing was quite juvenile and the characterisation, plot and pacing were all terrible. There was also a distinct lack of individuality in the characters as their actions and decisions were often written as one, like a sort of hive mentality, which was also incredibly juvenile or lazy. Or both 🤷♀️
This first edition rendition of Red Riding Hood is based on a screenplay written by David Leslie Johnson and turns out it was some sort of promo for the movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke because this book does not end. Really. After the final page there is a message to the reader: “Is this truly the end of Valerie’s story?” with a website provided (www.redridinghoodbook.com) to find out if it was truly the end. Turns out the final bonus chapter was only made available after the film’s release in 2011, but now in 2024 the website no longer exists and I ended up wasting precious time looking for the final chapter 🙄😤
View all my reviews
** A guide to ratings **
1 star – did not like it
2 stars – it was okay
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing
Lwile the Leo 