The Girl in Red by Christina Henry is a unique twist on the tale of little red riding hood. The main character is nicknamed Red, and she is trying to get to her grandmothers house in the woods while avoiding militants, the government and a disease that seems to be mutating into something much more ominous.
I really enjoyed the main character Red. She is strong, smart and the fact that she has one leg does not stop her from heading out on her own through the wilderness. The story begins with a "cough" that is spreading rapidly throughout the country and Red being a fan of survivalist type books quickly prepares for the worst. Her family is not quite as prepared for what is coming.
The story definitely leaves room for a sequel which I'm hoping there will be because there is a really huge unanswered question, Overall though I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Definitely recommend to fans of any pandemic apocalyptic themed literature. ( )

Audiosync free download 2023 (8 hr 15 min) - 16 y.o. Bisou goes to the homecoming dance, gets to third base (home base?) with her boyfriend, gets her period for the first time, and kills an overlarge, aggressive wolf all on the same full moon night. Set in Washington state (and Quebec, Canada) over late September through Halloween.

CW/TW: domestic abuse, violence, menses (I've never been a fan, but I've had to get used to it so you may as well, too), underage drinking and drug use, sexual content (rated M or R).

suspenseful storytelling (4 hours flew by in a blink), with a somewhat diverse cast (including some minor and supporting characters who are BIPOC or queer) and a kickass, wolfslaying grandmother. ( )

Reason Read: Color in Title #3 TIOLI
This book was received as part of the 2023 summer FileSync program for young readers. This book is about a teenage girl who kills a wolf one night to discover that it was really one of her classmates. It starts with oral sex and her menses, on to more sexual content, more menses. Apparently her menses give her great power to kill males who turn into wolves and then back into men after they die. I did not like reading about menses, pads, tampons, and condoms. Sorry, not sorry. I would not want my young person to read this book. It is one a parent should make the decision about. ( )

I listened to Red Hood because it was on audiobook sync. I loved it. The narrator was fantastic.
It's very much a feminist novel. Even if you are female and "hate" feminism, there are wonderful ideas that all females need to think about. Also, people need to learn what feminism truly is before choosing to discount it.

Bisou lives with her grandmother in Seattle. After her grandmother rescued her from the blood-stained bed of Bisou's murdered mother, they have lived a quiet life. They keep to themselves with Grandma keeping the same schedule weekly, baking homemade bread and being available most of the time. Bisou's boyfriend treats her well, so it's a quiet, predictable life. After a party, Bisou and her boyfriend make out in his car when she starts her period for the first time. Highly embarrassed, she runs. She hears herself being followed, but the sound isn't the sound of feet. There's a difference cadence. She turns to find a wolf. Bisou determines to fight back no matter what. She kills the wolf. Upon returning home, she quietly cleans up and goes to bed. Oh, I should also mention, there's a full moon.

Bisou's quiet life deteriorates with life changing dramatically. The next day, Bisou discovers that one of the guys from her high school, who was drunk at the party and presents himself as an ass most of the time, has been found dead. His death is described much as what happened to the wolf the night before. Did Bisou kill a boy or a wolf? When questioned by the police, her boyfriend tells them that they were together, never mentioning that she ran away into the forest. He's so thankful that she's okay. Afterall, if their friend could be killed, she could have been as well. Upon confessing what's been going on to her grandmother, Bisou learns that her grandmother was a hunter. She, too, had enhanced senses when her period came. She, too, killed wolves. Wolves that were men. Men who had become corrupted into believing women are prey. This fight is now Bisou's fight.

Fighting men who become wolves in order to protect females, separates a person, making her lonely. Bisou chooses not to be her grandmother. Bisou doesn't want isolation; she doesn't want the burden. Instead, she chooses to let other females in. She doesn't have to be alone.

I loved this book. As females, we are conditioned to hear comments to the extent that we don't even realize how demeaning and derogatory they actually are. Sadly, this common occurrence needs to be explained for us to realize they exist. The book does not hate men. Not at all. It calls out misogynistic behavior, which is good. Abuse is abuse and we need to know when it occurs, as we've been conditioned to believe it is normal and acceptable behavior. Both women and men, together, can overcome the the hate and abuse that has run rampant for literally generations upon generations. All teenage girls should read this. Another good books to help females see the truth about comments and how females are judged and treated is Luckiest Girl Alive. Go read these! ( )

I'm planning to read a trio of Red Riding Hood retellings this month, and this one is first. To my surprise, the first section of this novel is a second person narrative, and this is the best version of a second person I've read! I was a huge fan of all of the main characters (even the boy!), the multigenerational family, and the wisdom passed from grandmother to mother to daughter. I will place this in a group with Jane Doe and The Last Mrs. Parrish and Cackle as a certain kind of thriller and girl energy that I just adore. As Sybil says, "Let's not keep the secrets of bad men." INDEED. This is a contemporary story woven through with magic both dark and bright. Recommend for all who love a fierce girl/a fierce grandma who has simply had enough toxic masculinity! Audio narration by January LaVoy was absolutely perfect.