Crimson Bound

Crimson Bound is the new novel by Rosamund Hodge.

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 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 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?

The Breakdown:
1. Hodge puts a new spin on both Little Red Riding Hood and The Girl Without Hands (which I totally had to look up what the original tale was) fairy tales in this story, plus a setting heavily influences by 17th century France. The tales weaves interesting magic with some serious conspiracies.  It is amazing the twist and turns that occur during the story. It kept me guessing until the end on how things would work out and whose side everyone was on.

2. As much as I liked the story itself.  I had a hard time liking Rachelle, especially at the beginning.  She is very closed off, and bitter about her lot in life.  As the story progresses, she does get better, but because she is bitter at times, she misses opportunities to learn the truth about what is going on around her.

3. I did really like Armand.  He is a reluctant saint to the populace, and bears it for the greater good.  As the story continues, it is easy to see that he really wants what is best for the people.  He and Rachelle are very much alike at times on that, even if neither realizes it.

4. I did very much like the concept of the Great Forest, a magical forest hidden to most eyes.  There was something both terrifying and beautiful about it.  Plus the Forestborn, the once human creatures, that have lost their heart to the forest. I really thought that their legend and that of the Endless night were fantastic.

To Read or Not to Read:
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