June 2010 by Little Brown

Hardcover, 336 pages

Review Copy

Book Synopsis (GoodReads)

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead. Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

Review

Sisters Red is a beefy morsel to sink your teeth into. A chilling tale of Red Riding Hood only little red isn’t the weak defenseless girl in this one. She- being Scarlett is a brave and fierce character who hunts the wolves and craves their death as much as the wolves crave feasting on pretty girls. The story opens with gruesome violence and sets the tone that is not a quaint little fairy tale; blood and fear coat the world the sister’s share. Instead of bringing cookies to grandmother’s house, grandmother is brutally killed and Scarlet is left without an eye, scars all over her body and a younger sister to look after.


The March sisters are both brave and strong but where Scarlett is intense and obsessed with fighting the wolves, Rosie is determined to have a life that consists of love and desire outside of hunting and killing. I loved the way the story shifted from chapter to chapter between each sister’s perspectives. I thought the development of Rosie was spot on, while Scarlett got a little bump to backseat, I understood why Rosie got more depth and how the dynamic between Rosie and  Silas (the charming woodsman character) made for a more gripping read. As the sister’s world is torn apart, one by an intense wolf problem and two by an intense real life- a guy always gets in the way- problem, the girls will need to rely on all their strength, training and hope.

This was my first Jackson Pearce book, and I did enjoy the story as well as the writing. I thought the twisty take on a very popular fairy tale made this original and entertaining. I also loved the fact that Pearce made her female characters strong and very independent; including making Scarlett a character severely flawed in looks, but also beautiful at the same time. Some aspects of course were unbelievable, the lack of adults, the premise of sixteen year old kids living in a house and paying all the bills with no money and no jobs and no schooling was down right laughable. Overall though, it was a fun ride of blood and action, with a little kissing on the side.

Rating

Sisters Red scores a high for violence; gore and blood highlight almost every chapter. Also contains mild language, sexuality and freighting elements. Recommended for 15 and up.

4/5- YA- Wolves-Romance
Copy provided by Around The World Tours