Tell me why I attempt to read this book several times only to put it back on the shelf. All of the reviews and recommendations from friends insisted that I would enjoy this book. And they were right.

This is the first book of a duology. I love duologies. It is the joy of having a super thick and chonky book without having to carry around a War and Peace sized tome. This type of series seems to have become more popular in recent years. Which is positively marvelous.

The story is a Red Riding Hood and Beauty And The Beast hybrid retelling. It has elements of both. Girl with a red hood goes into the forest and encounters a wolf. There is more to the wolf than meets the eye. Girl gets trapped inside castle to save her family. Grumpy boy is grumpy. Boy and girl bond over books. Boy becomes less grumpy.

The two main characters: sisters named Red and Neve are the main love story. It is not a romantic love, but the love and bond between two sisters. Their relationship and love for each other drives the story.

There was a slower build to the action, but once the story hit its stride, I could not put it down. Instead I stayed up all night and had an extra dose of caffeine in the morning.

I am beyond glad that I finally read this book and cannot wait to read the sequel. That cliffhanger was just *chef’s kiss*.

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