Review | Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

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Goodreads synopsis: 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 had 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 a 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? Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.Published by: Balzer + Bray on May 5 2015Format: ARC

RATING: ★★★★✰

"She had won them the sun and moon, but she had become a monster."

Rachelle made a choice years ago which has damned her soul for all eternity, and thus spends her life attempting to atone for it. Feeling that she has nothing to lose, she will risk everything to save her world from the ancient evil that threatens it.

This gruesome and imaginative combination of Red Riding Hood and the Girl with no Hands is pulled off exceptionally well. Crimson Bound was an epic tale of blurred lines between good and evil, love and hate, redemption and damnation.  [...]

Undoubtedly the best thing about this was the characters and how complex they were. Rachelle is one of my favourite heroines ever. She makes mistakes, and she owns up to them. At first, stupid enough to think she's invincible, she makes a mistake that will haunt her forever and then thinking she has no chance of redemption, she's just callous and bloodthirsty enough for her role as heroine to overshadowed by her actions. I loved it. I loved her violence and her rage because, coupled with her determination and selflessness, she becomes powerful and unbreakable. 

Armand was such an appropriate hero. His calmness was the perfect balance to Rachelle's passion, and their chemistry was created very well. He was adorable, and I loved the little banter between him and Rachelle. I literally just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and feed him ice cream and keep his safe from everything that wanted to hurt him. His self-depreciating humour along with his cool, collected demeanor created a charming hero.

The twists in this book are paced evenly throughout the novel that you're always tensed for the next surprise, which makes it a thrilling read. Throughout almost the whole book, I was on the edge of my seat, because I was never sure how the book would end or who would be alive to see the end, or whether I could even actually trust any of the characters. The plot moves in directions you'd have never even guessed until it happens.

Although this didn't captivate me as her debut novel, Cruel Beauty, did (hence only the four star rating), I would absolutely recommend this book for everyone, and I am really excited to see what else Rosamund Hodge has in store for us next.

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