Red Discussion

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

This is the discussion thread for the Fall 2014 Group Read Red. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!

The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.

[Susan A]

I'm looking forward to this. It's on my ereader and I'm ready to start at midnight!

[Susan A]

I loved this! (I bought the rest of the series with my KOBO 75% coupons) It's not perfect and the MC is not exactly loveable but it worked for me. I really liked the references to fairy tale characters.

I suspect I will be in the minority. I usually am.

[Angie]

I really liked this one! I loved seeing how the Fairy Tale and literary characters fit themselves into our world! The mystery was also fun, but I was bit overwhelmed by the number of characters and their problems that we were introduced to.

[Phil]

I found this surprisingly enjoyable. I enjoy fairy tale retellings, but am (perhaps unfairly) wary of romantic suspense. However, Kate SeRine does a good job of balancing different genres, so Red never feels like just another [insert genre here] novel. One thing I didn't like was Red and Seth's reunion. It was so built up, but then Seth's reason for never reaching out to her was pretty weak. On the whole, though, it was a fun read.

[Dee]

i don't know why i'm struggling wtih this - it should be right up my alley - but I just dont' care...and neither of the other 2 books appeal either, so i'm going to keep trudging along I guess

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

I thought this was okay - certainly light reading, nothing about it to make me wonder if will ever end, LOL! But nothing to make me want to read another book by this author, either. Just, okay.

[[deleted user]]

Like Dee I just couldn't get into this book. I had to set myself goals- like reading 10% a day. I just didn't care about the characters, or the plot, or even muster anough interest to figure out who-dun-it. It the kind of book I usually love, with figuring out who is who making me feel clever- as well as seeing how the author uses familiar characters in new ways being very entertaining. But not in this case.

The Fables: Legends in Exile comics did this same exact thing, only much better.

I guess I should hae read one of the other choices :-(

[Valorie]

I actually really enjoyed this one. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Fandury]

When I saw that Cozy Mystery was one of the choices for the group read, I was sure that I would read this one. But as I do not consider the Kinsey Millhone books Cozy Mysteries, I switched to this one.

And this was not a bad read, nothing expecially exciting, but I liked the heroine (even so I had troublke understanding her motivation in regards to the love interest) and there was enough action to put the story forward and keep me engaged.

Not sure if I will read the rest of the series, but it was a good book for a rainy afternoon, with me being ill with the flu, and that is sometimes all a book has to be.

[Dee]

I FINALLY finished this! Lol - mostly because wi-fi hadn't downloaded my other book and needed something to read

I'll admit the ending was much better than the beginning and I didn't see the reveal coming

I don't know if I'll continue the series but I kinda want to see what happens to Seth

[Ems Loves to Read]

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this, but found it enjoyable enough. I'm a huge fan of Once Upon a Time, so this needed to measure up. I liked it, but in a different way. I liked that it was edgier and that there were elements other than fairy tale characters at play. I loved that Elizabeth and Darcy crossed over!!

I'm still debating on whether or not I'll continue (which seems to be a common theme), but we'll see.

[Su]

Almost done with the book - am still holding my breath as to what's going to happen next. Its definitely light reading, but the pace is decent and the the characters quite a fun bunch.

now, back to finishing the book

[Kim]

Kim O

This was not a book I would have selected on my own. That being said, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. It was a fun read. I liked the premise of bringing literary characters into the 'real' world. Will I read any of the other books in the series? If I'm looking for a light read, I might.

[Trish]

trishhartuk

Going into this, I wasn't sure whether I'd like it or not. I'm a big urban fantasy reader, but less fond of paranormal romance. However, this made a decent compromise between the two.

The characters were interesting - both the main characters and some of the supporting cast - even if I couldn't quite get my head around some of the "translations" (still not convinced about Snow).

It was a good find - which is kind of the point of book groups - and I may well read some others in the series.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

BTW, for those who enjoy fairy tale characters in the real world, Indexing is a pretty good one, too.

[Trish]

Sandy wrote: "BTW, for those who enjoy fairy tale characters in the real world, Indexing is a pretty good one, too."

Thanks for the tip. It looks like another good one.

[Hevabean]

I've just finished reading this. I probably wouldn't have chosen it if it wasn't one of the group reads. It started off ok and got better as I wanted to find out what would happen next. I didn't really like how quickly Red could go from friends being attacked, to going on a date. It didn't seem like she was affected at all by the horrific events going on around her. But it was a fun story and the characters from other literature outside fairy tales was a nice twist.

[Morgan]

I'm only a bit over halfway right now, but I've finally wrapped my head around the fact that it's all sorts of literary characters, not just fairy tales. I wish it had been presented that way through the blurb and things. More "Thursday Next" than "Once Upon a Time" really. It's been a really quick/enjoyable read so far and I hope to finish it up tonight.

[Dee]

i had the same issue Morgan

[Morgan]

Dee wrote: "i had the same issue Morgan"

I'm glad I wasn't alone! I knew it would be the case seeing others mention it here, but still. (And calling those who came from Shakespeare....Willies. I get it, but also that's a penis euphemism and I can't not think that when I read it. haha.)

[Morgan]

Did anyone else get really confused about the logic of a BUBBLE BATH in this situation? I think if I ever had the chance to ask the author anything about this book, that would be my question. Just "A bubble bath? Really? REALLY?"

Maybe a normal relaxing/comforting type night, but not when cleansing is needed. That whole part just grossed me out from her description pre-bath. Just soaking in a soup of ick. :P

[Angel **Book Junkie**]

Okay the bubble bath is a little crazy...

[Angel **Book Junkie**]

What I love about this book : I love the use of all the characters (literary and fairy tale) I love how they have a personality and actually were placed so well into the story. I actually liked Red and Nate.

What I didn't like was the ending..In true fashion .. It sucked. I hate books that end like that even when there is a series. Decent Read horrible ending.

[Trish]

I have a feeling that this is going to be more shared world than series - so each book has to be self-contained, and therefore have a sappy ending. But I may be wrong.

[Cait S]

So something that really drove me nuts about this book was the repetition. If I had to read one more time about how Nate's laugh "burst" or "erupted" out of him, I was going to throw this book out a window. He never just laughed, it was always one of those two words. Also the author really enjoyed using the word "literally" after making a fairytale pun. Which after the fifth time made me roll my eyes pretty hard.

That being said I did like how slowly the romance unfolded. It was a nice change. Even though Red's complete overreaction to...everything ever...made me think Nate might be better off with someone else.

Overall, 3 stars. It was an entertaining read and I do enjoy a retelling.

[Cathy]

I enjoy fairy tale retellings so I was really looking forward to reading this. While I liked the book, I didn't love it. I liked all the references to other literary characters but sometimes, it seemed the author just seemed to try too hard. It was a quick fun read so I will probably read other books in the series, but there is no hurry.

[Rudy]

I didn't enjoy reading this book. I selected it because I thought it would have an interesting take on fairy tales. I just never fully believed or connected with the characters. I don't think I will read the rest of the series.