Sisters Red

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce is a modern day re-telling of Red Riding Hood. It is an interesting take on the old fairy tale in that the two main young female protagonists, the March sisters, having once been the wolves’ prey now become its hunters. The story of Sisters Red revolves around two sisters, Scarlett and Rosie (get it, variations of red, haha!) who when they were younger were attacked in their grandmother’s house by a Fenris (this story's version of a wolf). Creepily, Fenris look like attractive young men in order to lure in their prey. The girl’s grandmother is killed during the attack and they are left to fend for themselves. They become life-long advocates of protecting young women from these beasts.

The sisters’ are aided by Scarlett’s best friend, Silas, who comes from a family of woodsman. Rosie and Silas develop feelings for one another and struggle to find out how to tell Scarlett. Silas also teaches them how to defend themselves against the Fenris and protect other young women in the process. This particular section of the girls’ saga focuses on a mission to prevent a new Fenris from being “born.” Without giving too much away they three characters go on a journey that test there loyalty to each other and their cause.

Since the reimagining of fairy tales seems to be in vogue, it is a good time to examine Sisters Red, and its companion novel Sweetly (Hansel + Gretel). What separates this book from other fantasy and paranormal romance stories, was that the protagonists were so interesting. In genre where girls are often wishy-washy or so non-distinct so as to have no personality, this book was refreshing. Of course, the twist ending does not hurt either!


If you like this book, try:
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce, Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman, the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr (if only for the character of Donia)...and for more southern-gothic YA, check out Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest (the first of a series with another strong herione, Eden Moore).