Helpful Score: 3
This book was everything I was hoping. The suspense, the backstory, it really is a wonderful new take on the classic story. I was thankful that it was... and wasn't a predictable version, the balance was done well. My ONLY complaint is that the last chapter was not included with the book - it was located online. Although they called it a Bonus Chapter, it really was the ending of the story. I bought the book, why make me print the ending as well? Not cool.
Helpful Score: 2
Did not like this book at all. It did not even make alot of sense to me, couldnt get past chapter 10. Finally, just gave up on it. Hopefully who ever gets this will like it better than me. Hated I wasted the money to purchase it.
Helpful Score: 2
Loved the book did not like the movie
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this easy to read, young adult novel that retells the classic "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf". Catherine Hardwicke, the movie's director (and director of the original Twilight movie), explains in the introduction how she chose her friend, Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, to write this novel based upon the film. But be prepared to be be-fuzzled by the lack of a solution to the identity of the werewolf--- An end page says "Is this truly the end of Valerie's story? Visit www.redridinghoodbook.com to find out." Uhhhhhhh!
When I first heard of Red Riding Hood, the movie, I thought it sounded interesting. In fact, I thought it might be based on a book I'd read not too long ago called Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce since the timing seemed relevant. However, once I saw the movie trailer, I knew it was a different take on the Little Red Riding Hood story, not Pearce's story. The trailer looked interesting, so when I saw Red Riding Hood in Target I picked it up thinking I'd like to read it before seeing the movie since, for me, the book is usually better.
I was surprised to find that this is a book based on the movie and not the other way around. As Catherine Hardwicke, the movie's director, explains in the introduction. The original idea belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio and was the basis for the script written by David Leslie Johnson. However, Hardwicke felt that there was so much to the story, beyond the scope of the movie, that she brought Sarah Blakley-Cartwright to the film set in Vancouver. Once there, she was immersed in the world of Red Riding Hood and found the characters and the voices to tell more of the story.
Red Riding Hood is the story of Valerie, a wood cutter's daughter. She lives in a world that is terrorized by a wolf. Once a month, the villagers take turns leaving an animal sacrifice on the altar, appeasing the wolf on the full moon and ensuring another month of safety for the village. However, during Valerie's first harvest as a village woman, things change. There is a Blood Moon and the Wolf starts killing the townspeople. It touches Valerie's family and the families of her friends. The villagers call for a wolf hunt and Father Auguste sends for the famous Father Solomon, who informs the village that their troubles stem not from a wolf, but from a werewolf.
Valerie is also facing some major inner turmoil. She finds that she is betrothed to Henry, without anyone consulting her, on the same day that Peter, her childhood friend and first love, returns to the village. As the Wolf's killing begins to tear her family apart, the villagers start to turn on each other as Father Solomon convinces them that the werewolf lives amongst them. Valerie is caught up in the frenzy as she finds that she has an interesting connection with the Wolf.
In the end, we are left with uncertainty. The story could end where the book does, but a final page directing us to the book's website informs us that Valerie's story continues with a bonus chapter on March 14th, a few days after the movie opens. While this is a very clever means of keeping the movie's ending a secret, especially since the movie was conceived first, it is a little frustrating to know that the end is not the end. And, while I don't have to wait another year to know what happens next, as is the case with books in a series, I'm still left wanting to know how the story ends. It's difficult to rate a book without knowing if the end is well-written. However, based on the rest of the book, I'd venture a guess and say that Red Riding Hood the book will be an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the upcoming movie or is just a fan of paranormal fiction.
I was surprised to find that this is a book based on the movie and not the other way around. As Catherine Hardwicke, the movie's director, explains in the introduction. The original idea belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio and was the basis for the script written by David Leslie Johnson. However, Hardwicke felt that there was so much to the story, beyond the scope of the movie, that she brought Sarah Blakley-Cartwright to the film set in Vancouver. Once there, she was immersed in the world of Red Riding Hood and found the characters and the voices to tell more of the story.
Red Riding Hood is the story of Valerie, a wood cutter's daughter. She lives in a world that is terrorized by a wolf. Once a month, the villagers take turns leaving an animal sacrifice on the altar, appeasing the wolf on the full moon and ensuring another month of safety for the village. However, during Valerie's first harvest as a village woman, things change. There is a Blood Moon and the Wolf starts killing the townspeople. It touches Valerie's family and the families of her friends. The villagers call for a wolf hunt and Father Auguste sends for the famous Father Solomon, who informs the village that their troubles stem not from a wolf, but from a werewolf.
Valerie is also facing some major inner turmoil. She finds that she is betrothed to Henry, without anyone consulting her, on the same day that Peter, her childhood friend and first love, returns to the village. As the Wolf's killing begins to tear her family apart, the villagers start to turn on each other as Father Solomon convinces them that the werewolf lives amongst them. Valerie is caught up in the frenzy as she finds that she has an interesting connection with the Wolf.
In the end, we are left with uncertainty. The story could end where the book does, but a final page directing us to the book's website informs us that Valerie's story continues with a bonus chapter on March 14th, a few days after the movie opens. While this is a very clever means of keeping the movie's ending a secret, especially since the movie was conceived first, it is a little frustrating to know that the end is not the end. And, while I don't have to wait another year to know what happens next, as is the case with books in a series, I'm still left wanting to know how the story ends. It's difficult to rate a book without knowing if the end is well-written. However, based on the rest of the book, I'd venture a guess and say that Red Riding Hood the book will be an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the upcoming movie or is just a fan of paranormal fiction.
The movie is not out yet, so I cannot compare the two. I thought it was an ok read. It wasn't anything spectacular, enjoyable and mildly scary. I would not recommend this to any children still in elementary school. Middle school children should be able to handle it. I would not go out of my way to find anything else this author has written.
I don't really know what to say about this book. I liked the backstory it provides to the fairy tale, I thought some of the characters were well developed, and I thought it moved at a good pace. However, it was, in parts bland. Also, as other reviewers have stated, the final chapter is located online. I typically read the book before seeing the movie and typically don't like books based on movies.
So, all in all, I am glad that I got this book from the library instead of spending money on it.
So, all in all, I am glad that I got this book from the library instead of spending money on it.
Red Riding Hood is a fast paced, action packed novel, filled with unexpected plot twists. The only bad part was the book not having the last chapter (you have to go to the website to read it).If not for the incomplete ending to the story, it would easily be a 5 star retelling of a classic children's fairy tale and one well worth reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. Had me guessing all the way until the end.
I tried to read this book several times. I would pick it up read a couple pages, then put it back down for a week. I just could not get into it. It had promise, but I found the characters boring. Also, there is not an ending. You have to go to a website to finish the book. Not my cup of tea, I guess. I recommend to skip this one..unless you want it to put you to a good night's sleep.
After I saw the movie trailer for this one, I knew that I had to read it. What can I say? I'm a sucker for fairy tales with a twist. Red Riding Hood is a fantastic retelling of the classic. My one and only complaint is there is no ending. Instead, you are directed to a website for the final chapter on March 14... after the movie has hit theaters. This insane set up totally messes up the plan of reading the book first then going to the movie. Oh well!
Overall, I found the characters to be well developed and the plot to move along at a reasonable pace. Cartwright's descriptions of the characters and setting put you within the village as if you have become a villager yourself. I found the changes from the original tale to work very well, adding a spark to the typical Red Riding Hood story. Like I said, my only real complaint was that I purchased a book that was incomplete, leaving me hanging after paying for an entire story. So what happens in the final chapter...who the hell knows!
Even though the final chapter is missing, my rating will be for what is actually there and in no way will reflect said missing chapter. But I wouldn't recommend buying this edition.
What are your thoughts on buying a book that is incomplete and sends you to a website for the rest of the story? Would you return the book upon learning of this or keep it and be satisfied that you can visit a website for the final chapter? Share your thoughts on this in the comments; I'd love to hear what you think.
Overall, I found the characters to be well developed and the plot to move along at a reasonable pace. Cartwright's descriptions of the characters and setting put you within the village as if you have become a villager yourself. I found the changes from the original tale to work very well, adding a spark to the typical Red Riding Hood story. Like I said, my only real complaint was that I purchased a book that was incomplete, leaving me hanging after paying for an entire story. So what happens in the final chapter...who the hell knows!
Even though the final chapter is missing, my rating will be for what is actually there and in no way will reflect said missing chapter. But I wouldn't recommend buying this edition.
What are your thoughts on buying a book that is incomplete and sends you to a website for the rest of the story? Would you return the book upon learning of this or keep it and be satisfied that you can visit a website for the final chapter? Share your thoughts on this in the comments; I'd love to hear what you think.
