Red by Kait Nolan - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Aug 17, 2011 Susan Bischoff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Finally, Kait Nolan, author of the Mirus series:

, brings her exciting blend of action and romance to the YA audience. This novel, not connected to the paranormal world of the Mirus, is the story of Elodie, the descendent of the young woman who inspired the Red Riding Hood legend. Elodie's family journal documents a tale of madness and death, passed down through the female line, a curse that has been hanging over Elodie's head. And just as she thinks the curse might pass her by, she starts to...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Vicki Keire rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I cannot say enough good things about this book. A survivalist YA love story with fairy tale roots. It's epic. I do not usually like werewolf stories. Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver was the single exception for a long time, but no more! Shiver has a friend- Red! And that's some of the highest praise I can offer- Nolan takes a sub-genre that's not my favorite and makes me not only love the book, but kind of turns me on to the subject of werewolves in general. All that's missing is the warning: Werewo...more

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Aug 16, 2011 Eric rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, paranormal, werewolves, fantasy, alternating-pov, favs, supernatural

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far...wait that's not right. I know the first bit was correct though. A while ago an author on GR offered up her first novella as an intro into her world. I'm not sure what exactly made me accept this one but I'm sure glad I did. She threw me into the Mirus world of shadow walkers, elemental, wares, draykn, and many, many other beings. But oh was it exciting. Two more novellas later I'm ever so glad I've stuck with it. Why I am telling you this is? Because this...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Bayan Basri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-mysteries, favorites, heros-or-heroins-i-adored, multiple-pov, my-book-boyfriends, myths-and-legends, never-wanted-to-end, no-love-triangle-thank-god, stand-alone, strong-heroin, ya-paranormal, werewolves

That. Was. Awesome.
I actually applauded for this book when I finished it.

I really love werewolves-You can blame Kelley Armstrong's Derek for that-and this book just made me love them more.

Elodie is such a wonderful character. The thing I admired the most about her, is her determination. All she's ever known is that she'll never have a normal life or a future, but she still worked hard and hoped that she'd be different. She's smart, resourceful, brave and works hard for what she wants. I absolu...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Carolyn Gray rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-d-recommend, fantasy, ya

I ran into Kait via a mutual friend on twitter, and something led me to her blog where I discovered RED. My passion for YA fiction has been growing in leaps and bounds lately, so despite generally avoiding any book about wolves or vampires, and yes, in part because the cover is gorgeous (srsly), I decided what the heck, give it a go and support a new twitterfriend. I was also intrigued because this book is a self-published endeavor. As such, I thought Nolan did a fabulous job with this story (th...more I ran into Kait via a mutual friend on twitter, and something led me to her blog where I discovered RED. My passion for YA fiction has been growing in leaps and bounds lately, so despite generally avoiding any book about wolves or vampires, and yes, in part because the cover is gorgeous (srsly), I decided what the heck, give it a go and support a new twitterfriend. I was also intrigued because this book is a self-published endeavor. As such, I thought Nolan did a fabulous job with this story (though I found a couple of wee typos...though I am not as critical as some about those as $#@% I have a couple in my own books despite going over them dozens and dozens of times - it happens. Argh).

Other reviewers have given rather nice summaries of the book, so I'll just say why I liked it, and why I decided after some wavering to give it five stars.

First - the characters. I saw some reviewers grumbling about the characters but I am not sure why. Elodie (BEST NAME EVER) is likable (despite herself), she is strong (I love strong characters) even in her moments of weakness. She has determination, and a sharp wit. Sawyer came across slightly older than I would've expected, but, in ways he is older-at-heart. One reviewer mentioned she was unhappy that Nolan didn't go into deep detail about how these characters looked, but I prefer that, honestly...Elodie in my head matched Elodie on the cover, and Sawyer, well, my mind decided what he looked like. I'm cool with that. I am also familiar with that area where the story takes place (more or less) so had no trouble envisioning that.

I see some reviewers grumbling about 'typical YA tropes' but I have no problem with those. Possibly because I am a fairly new reader of YA but also possibly because knowing this age group so well, I am not surprised by the rivalries, the attitudes of secondary characters - oh no not at all. And the werewolf tropes - Nolan handled those in a fresh way, putting her unique twist to all the usual. I appreciated that.

I enjoyed the mystery, though by the time the bad person was revealed, I had a moment of 'who?' I read this over several days and still had to rack my brain a bit to remember that character.

I liked the relationships between child and father in both cases - they were poignant in their own way, and I was happy with the outcomes Nolan had for both. Losing a parent at an early age has a profound effect on a kid - I know, because my kids lost their dad at a young age. It isn't easy, and being the parent left behind, well, sometimes mistakes are made. The fathers were very real to me, and I am glad Nolan tied these relationships up as she did. Very satisfying.

The pace of the story? I had no problem with that at all. It was a quick read, yes, but I found myself thinking about the characters in-between reading sessions. That says a lot about a book as I wall-bang far more books than I finished. I had no doubt though that I would finish this one in record time. Very satisfying read, and if there'd been a sequel (which I understand there won't be) I would've bought it immediately.

I hope Nolan takes another jump into YA - I'd love to see what she does next. In the meantime, I have her other books to try out now, and based on what I have read with RED, I'm looking forward to reading them.

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Jan 14, 2012 Michelle Cornwell-Jordan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love wolves, and always enjoy reading the new and various twist,different writers place on this storyline. I was not disappointed! I enjoyed the protectiveness that Sawyer and Elodie had towards the other; I enjoyed how Sawyer, took the time, and had the patience, to aide Elodie in discovering who she really was, and seeing the beauty in herself and her heritage. I believe the book had a wonderful underlying theme, that ignorance of oneself and the beauty within, can steal and destroy so much...more

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Dec 12, 2011 Emma Meade rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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...more 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.

I know I love a book when I find it hard to put it down longer than the time it takes for me to make a cup of tea. Red is such a book. I found myself talking the ears off my friends about it. I’d love to read a follow up, set maybe a couple of months from where it left off, focusing on their last year of high school. Call me a sucker for a good love story, but I’d like to see how these two consummate their relationship and deal with the fact that they have mated for 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! (less)

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Nov 17, 2011 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Title: Red

Author: Kait Nolan

Published By:

Recommended Age: 16+

Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc

Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

Rating: 5 Ravens

Where to begin? Oh my god where to begin? Kait Nolan has entered with a bang and blown me away. To long have the stories of Vampires taken a romanticized priority to the Supernatural/Paranormal written world. Werewolves and some of the fairy tales of old taken a back seat or been very loosely translated to fit int...more Book Title: Red

Author: Kait Nolan

Published By:

Recommended Age: 16+

Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc

Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

Rating: 5 Ravens

Where to begin? Oh my god where to begin? Kait Nolan has entered with a bang and blown me away. To long have the stories of Vampires taken a romanticized priority to the Supernatural/Paranormal written world. Werewolves and some of the fairy tales of old taken a back seat or been very loosely translated to fit into the place where they covered just enough but left to many questions. RED by Kait Nolan gives me a breath of fresh and vibrant air. I know I’m starting out now by singing it’s praises , but I can not help but say that it’s a wonderfully written and captivating tale taking the story of Red Riding Hood and her whole past to a whole new level and steps. I love this book. A classic with a twist and a Young Adult romance that keeps you turning the pages.

The story is of Elodie a young girl of 17 going through her life wondering why and what happened really with her mother and her supposed suicide. Not only had she left a letter for Elodie and her Father but she had made sure to inform them both of the changes that would be coming to Elodie after a certain age causing her life to be nothing short of cold and shut in. Elodie is soon to find out that everything of her Mothers bloodline and past are all faults, and lies that some beasts can be controlled and that she herself is in more control than she ever knew.

Enter Sawyer a young man or better yet a young werewolf with his father suffering from the murder of his mother and filled with rage almost to the point that the beast wants to consume him. His only hope is to keep control of himself and this is hard. Getting harder everyday angry with life, His father and the fact that his mother is gone Sawyer is on a short temper and an even shorter life line.

The two meet and when they find that one calms and helps the other more than thought they realize that neither are as alone as they feel and both could be more than just friends. With a hunter on their tales bad things constantly happening and a twist you never see coming Red will leave you breathless, and itching to turn the pages and get lost within this world that Kait has created. Wonderfully developed characters, back stories, and even details of the shift kept realistic and believable all I can say to Kait Nolan is your on a roll and we want and need MORE!
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Sep 22, 2011 Evelyn Amaro rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: All PNR and UF Fans!

It was love at first word! Kait Nolan is sure to take the YA market by storm with this unputdownable book that left me glued to the pages until the very end.

Read my full review on Paromantasy

Red follows the life of Elodie and Sawyer. Sawyer is a werewolf filled with anger after the murder of his mother.This anger consumes him until the day he meets Elodie. With just a touch, she is able to calm his wolf and with just a few words she was able to reach his heart. The problem is that humans and wer...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Novels On The Run rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

MICHELLE'S REVIEW:

RATING : 4.5 SMOKING HOT SAWYER STARS!!

Kait’s writing first came to my attention via Goodreads and I got to read her first novella in the Mirus series, ‘Forsaken By Shadow’, which I enjoyed. Kait contacted me about reading ‘Red’. I checked out the trailer and thought hmmm sounds like a take on ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, just my personal first thought. If you listen carefully to the narrator , it was a long, long time ago, Little Red Riding Hood fell in love with the wolf. This i...more MICHELLE'S REVIEW:

RATING : 4.5 SMOKING HOT SAWYER STARS!!

Kait’s writing first came to my attention via Goodreads and I got to read her first novella in the Mirus series, ‘Forsaken By Shadow’, which I enjoyed. Kait contacted me about reading ‘Red’. I checked out the trailer and thought hmmm sounds like a take on ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, just my personal first thought. If you listen carefully to the narrator , it was a long, long time ago, Little Red Riding Hood fell in love with the wolf. This is the story of the repercussion of that event and what Elodie and her father are dealing with, now.

I found myself easily turning the pages , this book has action, violence, a gorgeous chemistry , betrayal, discovery, loss, understanding and love.

Elodie has her own personal anguish to deal with and Sawyer happens to be there interrupting a moment that could have gone either way.

‘Red’ is told from both, Elodie and Sawyer’s POV’s. I enjoyed being in Sawyer’s head. I love Sawyer’s name and his character. I loved the way Kait made the reader feel the pull of Elodie and Sawyer’s chemistry. It felt very natural. They calm each other in a way that Elodie doesn’t understand, she just ‘feels’ better when Sawyer is with her. Sawyer is starting to realise there is more to Elodie. Could they have something in common?

The Barbie Squad are your typical pains in the ass , with their leader Amber , more so. You just want to give that girl a good slap. She is a thorn in Elodie’s side.

A little girl and her arrogant brother are kidnapped and Elodie is there to pitch in and help find them. He may be the jerk that caused her a lot of issues with Amber, but she knows the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Something is very off with this turn of events and Elodie is starting to feel like maybe she is being baited to be flushed out.

Elodie is trying to keep her wolf at bay , the transition is close , what will this mean for her, will she have to do what her mother did to stop the curse? She feels so alone with what she is dealing with, believing there is only one way to cure here cursed life.

Help and understanding is closer than she thinks.....

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Aug 30, 2011 Zoe rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: will-not-finish, ya, ebook

This is the second story I’ve read from Kait Nolan, but while I enjoyed Forsaken By Shadow, Red runs into a mess of standard YA trope problems right from the start. I decided not to finish, and so I want to make clear, this is only a partial review.

First, the romantic couple’s introduction has to be awkward and angry, because this “establishes conflict.” And yet, the female character can’t stop thinking about the male already. Just because. Also, that two werewolves were right next to each other...more This is the second story I’ve read from Kait Nolan, but while I enjoyed Forsaken By Shadow, Red runs into a mess of standard YA trope problems right from the start. I decided not to finish, and so I want to make clear, this is only a partial review.

First, the romantic couple’s introduction has to be awkward and angry, because this “establishes conflict.” And yet, the female character can’t stop thinking about the male already. Just because. Also, that two werewolves were right next to each other, but neither picked up the scent of wolf? Not believable. Especially not since the main character’s first awakening sense is smell. Even if I accept the idea that she's never smelled one of her own kind, the other character has already shifted before, and has lived with other wolves. So the moment he came upon her in the field, he should have known what she was. Yet, he has no clue. Oh, and he has to mysteriously disappear rather than just walk away. Because when you're trying to hide out in normal society, noting says normal like suddenly vanishing at the end of a conversation.

No character has a decent physical description at the point where I gave up, and character development for the main character’s school rival is “Hey, stereotypes exist for a reason.” (That is a direct quote.) Yes they do, but in this case I’d say they’re used so the author won’t have to worry about character description. They can just resort to a negative stereotype like “all cheerleaders are pretty but evil. And stupid.”

The main character has already tried as hard as she can to make me pity her, what with her fake suicide attempt and having her bike run over and still going to work late on her first day, and she’s still hired. Of course she is. Never happened once when I was an hour late for my first day, but hey, this is escapist fiction. Who needs realism when writing YA? Nevertheless, when one of the characters in the lab got labeled as “glasses guy,” I put down the book.

Though the topic and setting are vastly different, Red brings to mind Hunger Games, and for all the wrong reasons. It has a shallow main character trying to be deeper than she really is, a lack of description in scenes and characters, and only two chapters in, it feels rushed and uninspired.

However, I expect this style of writing will appeal to people who liked Hunger Games. Elodie’s graphically sparse and self-absorbed narrative style is much like Katniss’, so if you like one story, you’ll probably like the other.

I give Red two stars, and would recommend readers check out Kait’s Mirus series novellas before reading this.
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Aug 28, 2011 David Kubicek rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As young adult paranormal thriller/romances go, Red is page-turner. It tells the story of how love grows between Elodie and Sawyer. Neither of them knows the other is a werewolf when they first meet. Elodie, it turns out, is working with Sawyer's father on a project to re-introduce the red wolf into Tennessee.

Sawyer's dad also is a werewolf. His mother was shot while in wolf form--in Sawyer's family, werewolves mate only with their own kind. Elodie's father, who isn't a werewolf, raised her afte...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.co...

Elodie is the descendant of the woman who perpetrated the myth of Little Red Riding Hood. Elodie's family's journal contains almost horror stories about the curse that is passed down, one that will soon be passed down to Elodie. Elodie is a strong character, she actually takes the idea of the curse quite well. When Elodie does not immediately experience the affects of the curse, she begins to think she dodged the proverbial bullet. However, just as soon as...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Connie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was an absolute pleasure to read.

It's a re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood and what became of her descendants. "Red" is well-written, romantic, and suspenseful as the story progresses. The legend of the family's curse was well thought out and allowed the reader to understand Elodie and her father's sense of doom. Included in the family legend is the existence of hunters whose goal it is to exterminate the women of her family. I actually couldn't guess who the hunter was until moments be...more This was an absolute pleasure to read.

It's a re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood and what became of her descendants. "Red" is well-written, romantic, and suspenseful as the story progresses. The legend of the family's curse was well thought out and allowed the reader to understand Elodie and her father's sense of doom. Included in the family legend is the existence of hunters whose goal it is to exterminate the women of her family. I actually couldn't guess who the hunter was until moments before Elodie and Sawyer did. The person was all the more creepy for the unexpected identity.

The POV alternates between Elodie and Sawyer, which is something I tend to enjoy. I know some readers find this device confusing, but Nolan heads each chapter with the name of the person who is speaking so it's perfectly clear. Knowing what Sawyer thinks and feels adds so much to the story!

Elodie (beautiful name) was smart, independent, beautiful, and able to take care of herself. Though she stands down early on when confronted by the bully, she has a good reason for it. When she's able, she stands up for herself in a way that is scary and yet might leave you cheering for her a bit.

Sawyer is everything a girl could want. Swoon-worthy? In spades. He's loving, devoted, protective, yet thoroughly impressed by her ability to take care of herself. He and Elodie are perfect together!

One of the best things about this book? Not once did I think, "Are you stupid??" about either of them. Ok, once I thought that about something Elodie did involving a walk home at night. But honestly, there was really nothing else she could have done in that situation. Anyway, it was so refreshing that for once main characters didn't lapse into idiocy! Other things to like include NO LOVE TRIANGLE(!!!), and that it's a stand-alone novel. This book had a definite conclusion, one that left me sighing happily. In fact, as soon as I finished I had to go back and skim through again, lingering on my favorite parts.

This book contains language and some incredibly sensual (but beautifully done) scenes. Sex is discussed. If these things bother you, then give it a pass. Otherwise I strongly recommend reading it!

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Dec 14, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-of-2011, books-i-own

Red was one of those books that just sucks you in and doesn't let go until it's over. The story itself was a take on werewolves and also had a bit of a fractured fairy tale thrown in. I love werewolf books when they're done well but unfortunately since Twilight, I've only read a handful that I enjoyed. Red will certainly join the pile of werewolf books I'd read again!! I'm not sure whether this is a stand alone novel or if they'll be another? Either way, it was a very fun story and one that capt...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Becca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, i-books, own, ya-wolf, indie-author, 5stars, current-favorites, 2011-release

Are you a fan of Nightshade? a member of Team Jacob? Like a gusty female MC whose story will leave your heart pounding from fear and excitement? Then please, please put this book NOT ONLY on your TBR listing but NEXT on it!!! I came across a sample chapter of this book attached to a Susan Bischoff (talent series) book and was immediately intrigued; so much so that I bought the full story and read RED that very day and twice since!

I loved so many things about this book: 1) NO love triangle. The...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Jenn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: felines-werewolves

This was a different spin on werewolves to which I truly enjoyed. It's very loosely based on Red Riding Hood.

Elodie is a 17-year-old high school senior who does all she can to NOT be noticed in life. According to a letter from her mother and ancestor journals, she is blessed with a curse. She is the last of her line and she and her father have no one to turn to for accurate information and help on dealing with her wolf side. Elodie can trace her wolf line back through her ancestors to the very w...more

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Sep 07, 2011 Amanda Rudd rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Amanda by: Kait Nolan

Kait Nolan, known for her paranormal romance/urban fantasy novellas Forsaken by Shadow and Devil’s Eye (see my discussion of Forsaken by Shadow), has written a YA fantasy/paranormal romance called Red. And we are all grateful that she decided to branch out.

Perhaps you can guess from the title, though possibly not, that Red is inspired by the old folktale Red Riding Hood. The novel has been advertised with two different taglines: “Every fairy tale has a dark side…” (true, but not especially enlig...more Kait Nolan, known for her paranormal romance/urban fantasy novellas Forsaken by Shadow and Devil’s Eye (see my discussion of Forsaken by Shadow), has written a YA fantasy/paranormal romance called Red. And we are all grateful that she decided to branch out.

Perhaps you can guess from the title, though possibly not, that Red is inspired by the old folktale Red Riding Hood. The novel has been advertised with two different taglines: “Every fairy tale has a dark side…” (true, but not especially enlightening,” and “Once upon a time Red Riding Hood fell in love with the wolf. It ended badly.” Now that is a tagline you can sink your teeth into, yes?

This novel follows the story (part romance, part coming-of-age) of Elodie Rose (and I love that name by the way), the latest in a long line of women descended from the girl who inspired the Red Riding Hood tale. A curse haunts the matrilineal descendants, leading to madness and death for every successive generation. But, having reach the age of 17 safely, Elodie begins to hope she has escaped the curse. Until she suddenly begins to experience symptoms that mark the change, and she must admit to herself that she is becoming a werewolf.

Enter Sawyer, a young man with a temper, a protective streak a mile wide, and a troubled past. Sawyer, like Elodie, is not all that he seems. The two become fast friends, finding in each other a stability they have been unable to find elsewhere. Yet, just as it seems the two might become something more than simple friends, a hunter whose family has hunted Elodie’s line through the centuries appears to take her life.

Thrown into mortal danger, with only Sawyer by her side, Elodie must herself become the hunter in order to fight for her right to live. If she is to survive she must learn to trust herself and her strength, and accept the wolf as an integral part of who she is.

Having previously read and enjoyed Forsaken by Shadow (and already loving the concept of reimagining fairy tales) I approached this novel expecting to like it. However, I have (of late) begun to lose my taste for YA fantasy/paranormal romance, in large part due to Twilight and its many mimics, so I was also a little apprehensive. I need not have worried, however.

Kait Nolan takes a very old tale and turns into something fresh and entertaining. Elodie and Sawyer are both complex, interesting, and likeable characters. Sawyer is a great character — angry and a little brooding, fiercely protective, smart, and sweet, who despite his best intetions makes more than a few mistakes. But the true bright spot, and rightly so, is Elodie herself. She is intelligent and resourceful — perhaps a little moreso than is common in most 17-year-old girls, but Kait Nolan does a good job demonstrating why she is not your typical 17-year-old girl. Elodie is torn between her desire for a normal life, and her determination that she would take her own life before hurting anyone. And Kait Nolan is careful in presenting this angst in a way that is believable for a teenage girl with a lot on her shoulders without succumbing to melodrama.

I will admit that the whole romantic concept of instantaneous attraction, of that “they touched and suddenly all was right with the world” idea, gets a little old. It seems like the romantic elements in many YA fantasy tend be very similar and predictable. It’s a complaint I file against the whole genre and the expectations that most readers have for the genre. However, Kait Nolan does frame this concept nicely within the context of werewolf behavior, which helps alleviate some of the predictability. And overall the romance is evolves in a believable fashion, if somewhat quickly due to the time constraints of the plot.

All in all, Red is a very entertaining novel with good pacing and great characters that fans of YA fantasy/paranormal romance should definitely add to their reading list.
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Dec 13, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

I've had this book on my Kobo for a while but when I caught sight of it and remembered it was about werewolves (which I am a big fan of) I dove right in, plus the cover is so dark and beautiful at the same time that it drew me in. The book was awesome I was pulled in right away and I just couldn't get enough, and just a little tid bit of info for ya I really liked the names of the main characters (Elodie and Sawyer)
**Some Spoilers**
I have a terrible soft spot for sexy werewolf books and this o...more
I've had this book on my Kobo for a while but when I caught sight of it and remembered it was about werewolves (which I am a big fan of) I dove right in, plus the cover is so dark and beautiful at the same time that it drew me in. The book was awesome I was pulled in right away and I just couldn't get enough, and just a little tid bit of info for ya I really liked the names of the main characters (Elodie and Sawyer)
**Some Spoilers**
I have a terrible soft spot for sexy werewolf books and this one was great. The story was a bit different then ones I have read before, Elodie thinks that she is cursed and is preparing for her death which she believes will happen soon like all of her ancestors before her, then along comes Sawyer (on my I was sooo in love with him lol!) and he changes everything now they must run from the hunter to save Elodie and those around her.
I felt bad for Elodie being passed down a bunch of lies and her poor father loving his daughter but also afraid of what she may become both unaware that it is not so scary and simple as they may think. Now Sawyer he was fantastic he had a sexy dark and brooding side and he had a lot of anger which made his wolf hard to control especially when it came to Elodie's safety he was so protective of her, which is by far my favorite part of werewolves which seems to be present in all werewolf book. I just could not get enough of him this is all I could picture:
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/im...

I know I know wrong werewolf, but he totally deserves the shout out hahaha.
The whole hunter part of the story was exciting and when the hunter was revealed (won't spoil that one for you it's a brain blower) and Elodie said:
"Maybe Superman's disguise wasn't so stupid after all"
it was the perfect line, I was so shocked about the reveal and then I was laughing out loud at the awesomeness of this line, plus the nerd inside me then rethought my position on superhero disguises :).
The writing was really well done especially when they were changing it was almost like I could feel it. The last chapters were the best they just kept building and building and just when I thought everything had been revealed.....BAM there was more. The ending was perfect and I am very glad I read this book.
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Aug 26, 2011 Tamara Epps rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

I have never been a big fan of the whole paranormal YA genre (especially after reading Twilight), however, after reading and loving Paranormalcy by Kiersten White I figured perhaps the genre was worth a second look. That’s how I came to read Red by Kait Nolan and I’m glad I did.

The story is told from two points of view – Elodie (a teenage girl trying to avoid the curse that has been handed down by her mother) and Sawyer (a teenage werewolf) – however, it is clearly Elodie’s story. The plot is a...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: werewolves

fast read and surprisingly entertaining.

liked:
1 - elodie and Sawyer. even though they were high school age they were capable, especially elodie. you just can't go wrong with highly intelligent backcountry savy chicks. it helped that the author added some restraint in their romantic involvement as well.
2- it was nice to see her draw two different backgrounds to the same issue.

could be improved:
1 - I don't have a lot here. for what it is and what it was meant to be, the story had what it needed. I...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Tilly Slaton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews-completed

This is the first time that I have read anything created by Kait Nolan. As often as I anticipate exploring new authors, I am usually left wanting. It’s a damned shame…Most of the time.

Thankfully, that is not the case with Red.

I applaud Kait Nolan on her brilliant novel, Red and I look forward to the books to come. I have high expectations for this author, and once you purchase this book, I have no doubt that you will feel the same.

The newest in paranormal romance, the sweetest of new-found love...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Grete rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, favorites, kindle

I enjoyed this take on the red riding hood fairy tale, the premise that somewhere in Elodie Rose’s heritage was the woman who spawned the myth. The book itself is a very sweet story of Elodie, a seventeen year old girl who just wants to be normal, but tragedy and a shocking truth divert the course of her life. Her father, a man who would do anything to protect her from the curse that follows their family, drills and trains her to survive in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Sawyer is a youn...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Kelly Libatique rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Take a wild and intense journey into the lives of two young people and their families in Red, by Kait Nolan. Set in a small, rural Southern town (where some are trying to hide), we often find ourselves deep in forests or lost on rugged and untamed terrain--but for good reasons that align with the story. As you read, you find yourself trapped at times, lost with the characters, scared, wounded, tired, and on the run with potential danger lurking. This, of course, makes for the perfect scenarios t...more Take a wild and intense journey into the lives of two young people and their families in Red, by Kait Nolan. Set in a small, rural Southern town (where some are trying to hide), we often find ourselves deep in forests or lost on rugged and untamed terrain--but for good reasons that align with the story. As you read, you find yourself trapped at times, lost with the characters, scared, wounded, tired, and on the run with potential danger lurking. This, of course, makes for the perfect scenarios to hunt, or be hunted, be it by human or werewolf.

In recent years, perhaps because of the enormous success of Harry Potter, there's been a significant upswing in the number of books written about the supernatural. Never have we had more choices when it comes to stories about vampires, ancient gods, demonic possession, witchcraft, or in this case, werewolves. I'm not normally a fan of this type of material as many of them, in lieu of a good story, just go for the lurid descriptions of monsters and blood-spattering battles. And the glorification of evil I avoid altogether. But Red got my attention because it strays from, well, the pack.

First of all, it has an interesting style. It goes back and forth between the perspectives of two people describing things, both in the first person. It's as if you're perusing the diaries of the main characters as they chronicle events. The result is that you get an in-depth perspective from each of them, not only about the events that take place, but what they are thinking about each other. While doing this, Nolan writes in a very comprehensive and descriptive manner. Scenes unfolding that some authors would whip through in just a couple sentences are drawn out, and we see every detail and experience every thought, motive, and emotion the characters experience.

Secondly, this book doesn't focus so much on the supernatural as it does the individuals and their lives--at least not as much as one would assume from the synopsis and book cover. What this story is really about is two people finding each other and themselves, each with histories and backgrounds that make the rest of our lives boring. Some of it gets quite emotionally intense. The main female, Elodie, has been lied to about her past and what really happened to her mother. This has shaped her character thus far, but events that unfold and her relationship to the other main character, a young male, Sawyer, would radically change her. And both characters have father issues. Stories with father issues, reconciliation, and commitment touch a chord in all of us, and this book has a nice running element of this theme.

Next, every good story has an antagonist, and this one has several. Being that Elodie and Sawyer are high school students, there's a bully element that's introduced. This leads to a satisfying, albeit somewhat predictable conclusion as the story comes to an end. But the other antagonist is much more dangerous. This person is out for revenge--the sort that's inspired by historical events and spans over several generations. And although this person makes mysterious appearances here and there while kidnapping or killing, you've no idea who it is at first. This also makes for a nice unexpected twist.

Finally, there's romance. While this can make a nice ingredient if done well, Nolan doesn't do it in a typical way. Characters in this story, while falling in love, must also battle innate lust and violent aggression, the visceral, animal-instinct kind, all the while having to keep their heads on straight and not break cardinal rules. You'll need to read the book to understand what that means. Also know that the sexuality doesn't go over the top and is not what you might expect. I found this to be a pleasant surprise.

All in all, Red would probably make a nice movie and teenagers would swarm to it. It's got pretty much everything--the characters, the story, the passion, the intrigue, the self-discovery, the mystery, and the buried truths to be uncovered. It's not intensely violent as some may expect, but there is bloodshed and some language, so it's not a book for young kids. Read and enjoy, but don't wander into the forest by yourself.(less)

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Aug 27, 2011 Ashelynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

First things first: can there PLEASE be more YA novels like this? Please please please? And by “this” I mean: survival novels. ASHES by Ilsa J. Bick is one, and I liked it, and The Hunger Games is another (mega love), but Red is another survival novel that kept me engaged and I had to know what was going to happen next. Love love love!

One thing I didn’t understand: the title. I think it’s supposed to be like Red Riding Hood, since Elodie’s “curse” is being a werewolf, but um… Red Riding Hood wa...more First things first: can there PLEASE be more YA novels like this? Please please please? And by “this” I mean: survival novels. ASHES by Ilsa J. Bick is one, and I liked it, and The Hunger Games is another (mega love), but Red is another survival novel that kept me engaged and I had to know what was going to happen next. Love love love!

One thing I didn’t understand: the title. I think it’s supposed to be like Red Riding Hood, since Elodie’s “curse” is being a werewolf, but um… Red Riding Hood was all about going to grandma’s house and getting eaten by a wolf. Or well, that’s the children’s-friendly version, I think. But whatever, it probably doesn’t matter that much. It’s just one thing I thought about after finishing the book. I don’t know. I thought there should have been a better title.

I did like it, though I did have some difficulties. This book, at times, can be very paranormal romance typical. And by that I mean, look at your YA books and you know how all them are alike? This book, while different at times, falls in the “omg I’ve read this before” pattern.

1. The romance between Sawyer and Elodie is very, very fast. It’s been days when suddenly they’re in love and wanting to have sex. And when they come close to having sex, it’s Sawyer who pulls away and tells Elodie to stop. >__<

2. Elodie asking Sawyer how he was able to stop from going all the way, and his reply is “Because I love you.” I don’t know if this is supposed to be romantic, but just rereading that passage and typing this makes me roll my eyes. Why why why is it always the man who has the strength to stop “because I love you”? When will it be the girl’s time?

3. The ending, which I’m trying really hard not to spoil right here, so if you don’t have to be spoiled, SKIP THIS PART. (view spoiler)

4. Elodie and Sawyer talk to the reader. You know, when you’re reading and all of the sudden, one of the characters explains to reader and you’re like “WTF?” I think it’s a very fine line when authors do this—and Kiersten White manages to do it well in PARANORMALCY and SUPERNATURALLY. In fact, I didn’t even notice until she pointed it out in a blog post for PARA. For Red? I noticed. So yeah, fine line there.

There’s dual POV here, Elodie and Sawyer both in first person, and they both have very distinctive voices. I never once thought “Who’s narrating?” while reading. Yay! I love dual POV and love it when it works.

This book was very addictive, and I kept turning the pages up past my bedtime to know what was happening next. And now all I have to ask is: Is there a sequel, and when is it available?
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Jul 31, 2012 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: indie-bookshelf

One piece of paper changed Elodie Rose's life forever. A letter arrived from her mother on the day she turned thirteen, her dead mother, detailing the violent curse bestowed upon the women of her family. Four years later, Elodie is living on borrowed time just waiting for the day that she will follow in her ancestors history, from girl to beast. Each day is precious and Elodie is doing her best to live her life and build the survival skills that she may need, if she is lucky enough to keep her h...more One piece of paper changed Elodie Rose's life forever. A letter arrived from her mother on the day she turned thirteen, her dead mother, detailing the violent curse bestowed upon the women of her family. Four years later, Elodie is living on borrowed time just waiting for the day that she will follow in her ancestors history, from girl to beast. Each day is precious and Elodie is doing her best to live her life and build the survival skills that she may need, if she is lucky enough to keep her humanity intact.

Sawyer McGrath is angry. Angry with his father for not doing more to prevent or avenge his mother's death. Now they have picked up and moved half way across the country and he doesn't know if the massive hole in their lives can ever be repaired. While on a run in the woods, blowing off steam, he stumbles upon Elodie and his life is forever changed. Sawyer will stop at nothing to protect the one girl that soothes his damaged soul, even come face to face with a deranged lunatic out to silence Elodie's blood line for good.

Okay, my little synopsis there does not do this book justice. It was OHMYGOSHAWESOME! It has been some time since I have come across a YA Paranormal that hasn't had me doing an eye roll every other page. Nolan develops a story that is realistic, and while paranormal is not a distracting part of the story, but natural. Her characters are well developed and likeable. The love story between Sawyer (swoon) and Elodie is full of chemistry that you can feel right down to the tips of your toes. I would consider this more of a New Adult than Young Adult, as while they are still in high school, there is a maturity that you don't find in other young adult novels, and it is refreshing. It sucks you in and you don't want to let go!

If you like Tammy Blackwell's Timber Wolves Trilogy, I think you will really enjoy this book. It is a stand alone book, so those of you that find it hard to follow a series, this is the book for you. Kudos to Kait Nolan, this is definitely on my must read list!

http://theindiebookshelf.blogspot.com...

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Mar 24, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First off, I am stingy with the 5 stars rating -- leaving that for those books that slam me with intense delight or depth, the ones I'll tell my grandchildren about, and insist that everyone I know reads. That said, I could give another half-star to RED.

If you had told me that I would enjoy a book about werewolves, I would have chuckled. No, thanks. Reading about Jacob in Twilight was quite enough, I thought. I started reading RED because Kait is an author cyberfriend. But after the first few pa...more

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Sep 17, 2011 Kate Copeseeley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First, as a disclaimer, I got this book as a giveaway the author was doing. I didn't pay for this book.

I admit to having second thoughts when I learned this book was about werewolves. I'm kind of done with werewolves, thanks to Shiver. *shudder* But, I'd agreed to review this book in return for my free copy, so I plunged ahead.

Well, thank GOODNESS I did. Years ago, I read this book called Blood & Chocolate. It was transporting, probably one of the best YA werewolf books I've ever read, desp...more First, as a disclaimer, I got this book as a giveaway the author was doing. I didn't pay for this book.

I admit to having second thoughts when I learned this book was about werewolves. I'm kind of done with werewolves, thanks to Shiver. *shudder* But, I'd agreed to review this book in return for my free copy, so I plunged ahead.

Well, thank GOODNESS I did. Years ago, I read this book called Blood & Chocolate. It was transporting, probably one of the best YA werewolf books I've ever read, despite some of its controversial subject matter. This book, Red, reminded me strongly of it -not that it was in ANY way similar in story line, but because it painted werewolves in an entirely different light and it managed to do so without making me feel sick to my stomach.

Firstly, the characters. Elodie -pronounced like Melody without the M- is a girl we can relate to. Her voice is clear and her difficulties are clearly explained. Sure, there is a little of that tired high school drama(with the popular girls), but THANKFULLY it is brief enough that I was only mildly annoyed.

Sawyer is a GREAT character. I'm so sick of wimpy men. I want a manly teenage love interest, and Nolan gives us that with Sawyer. Sure he is all soft and gooshy for Elodie, but he is also a strong protector and teacher. He's also in touch with his nasty wolf side, too, which is fun to read about.

There has criticism about the whole "mate" aspect, and that the romance part of this story is like, SUPER speedy, but though I HATE fast love in most cases, this is a different species. And I imagine wolf love is pretty quick in the animal kingdom.

I think the best part of this book is Nolan's gift of timing. The events unfold at the perfect speed, so you are left wanting more, but never bored or irritated. Every event was executed with a master hand and came at the proper time.

This book was practically perfect in every way, the only thing is... I have to know about those wolves. Were they real wolves or werewolves? That question is never answered to my satisfaction.

All in all, I was very happy with my first sample of Nolan's writing and I hope she writes more YA fiction soon.
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Sep 08, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Synopsis taken from Goodreads.com: Elodie Rose has a secret. Any day, she’ll become a wolf and succumb to the violence that’s cursed her family for centuries. For seventeen years she’s hidden who and what she is. But now someone knows the truth and is determined to exterminate her family line. Living on borrowed time in the midst of this dangerous game of hide and seek, the last thing Elodie needs to do is fall in love. But Sawyer is determined to protect her, and the brooding, angry boy is more...more Synopsis taken from Goodreads.com: Elodie Rose has a secret. Any day, she’ll become a wolf and succumb to the violence that’s cursed her family for centuries. For seventeen years she’s hidden who and what she is. But now someone knows the truth and is determined to exterminate her family line. Living on borrowed time in the midst of this dangerous game of hide and seek, the last thing Elodie needs to do is fall in love. But Sawyer is determined to protect her, and the brooding, angry boy is more than what he seems. Can they outsmart a madman? And if they survive, will they find a way to beat the curse for good?

Okay, I admit it. When I first picked up Kait Nolan’s Red, I was skeptical. And while I’m being honest, I’ll confess that I’m a little burned out on the werewolf-human-shiny vampire scene. So when I realized that Red was about a girl who was cursed to become a werewolf, I may have started to roll my eyes a little. Boy, am I glad I was wrong.

Red had me hooked from the very beginning. When we first meet Elodie Rose, she’s writing a letter that’s similar to the one she received on her thirteenth birthday from her mother. The letter that changed everything in her life–the one that told her she was cursed and would soon be transformed into something horrible. In Elodie’s letter, however, she confesses that she wants to be normal, to have a life and grow to become an adult. She doesn’t want to die like the women in her family have before her. But she feels that the change is close, and she doesn’t know how much time she has left.

Enter Sawyer. When we first meet him, he finds Elodie alone in the woods with a knife to her wrist, and he assumes the worst. As we soon learn, Sawyer and Elodie will be working together for the summer for Sawyer’s father, a local scientist who is trying to find a way to introduce red wolves back into their area.

This was the first book I’ve read of Nolan’s work (her Mirus series is now on my list), but I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in two days. The attraction between Sawyer and Elodie is downright steamy at times (even in cold water), and the overall story was great. Her tagline, “Every fairy tale has a dark side …” is perfect for this book, and I thought the twist she created for Little Red Riding Hood’s fairy tale was great. I’m a big fan of twisted fairy tales, so I particularly enjoyed that aspect of it.

Overall, Red is a great read for anyone who enjoys YA literature, and I was very sad when I finished and realized that Nolan hasn’t written any sequels to this one yet.

Kait is represented by Laurie McLean of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency in San Francisco. To learn more about her, visit her website or catch up with her on Twitter.(less)

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Sep 05, 2011 Stella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, for-review, urban-fantasy

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 tas...more

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