Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

SISTERS RED by Jackson Pearce
Pub. Date: June 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 328pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher

Scarlet 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 ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

An impeccable retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, SISTERS RED exudes a dark, dangerous, and creative edge. I’ve read quite a few fairy tale retellings and SISTERS RED takes the cake. This novel hooked its claws into me from the beginning with the foreboding danger lurking around the girls. I found my eyes glued to the pages and was breathlessly anticipating what would happen next.

SISTERS RED is told in alternating view points through Scarlett’s and Rosie’s eyes. The March sisters are different in their own right and I loved their strength in wanting to fight for what they wanted. Scarlett’s duty to keep Rosie safe and protect other girls from the wolves was admirable, especially having to endure her battle scars after her attack. Then there’s Rosie’s yearn for more out of life, even if it tears the sisters apart. And finally, we are introduced to Silas, a carefree, protective, and fierce woodsman who could very well destroy Scarlett’s and Rosie’s sisterly bond. Pearce’s imaginative writing turned SISTERS RED into a heart-pounding and tumultuous read. The danger surrounding the sisters’ lifestyle and choices about the future made this novel and thrilling read.

Who knew that a retelling could be so good? I can’t wait to see what the sequel, SWEETLY has in store for us. SISTERS RED’s dark twist will thrill readers to no end.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars