I don't normally cover book reviews, partly because I don't have much time to read these days *kicks rocks* and partly because I haven't really read anything lately that grabbed me enough to go at it in length. But Sisters Red hooked me from the very first page. So without further ado...
By Jackson Pearce
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.
Twenty-five-year-old Jackson Pearce delivers a dark, taut fairy tale with heart-pounding action, fierce sisterly love, and a romance that will leave readers breathless.
One of the first things I noticed about this book was that it had both a prologue and an epilogue, which I loved. You don't see very many of them anymore because I've heard it through the grapevine that agents and editors generally shy away from them. "Frowned upon" is an understatement. But if done well, it can add just the right touch of mystery and just enough back story to hook the reader. Sisters Red did just that.
I've always loved fairytale retellings and this one did not disappoint. It took an age-old tale and wrapped it up in a gritty, action-packed, modern setting that young adult readers can definitely relate to. The story is told from two POVs (also something I loved) - each perspective through the eyes of each sister. Having the dual POVs allowed me to see each sister's internalization and gave me a better understanding of the conflict and drive they both had. They became endearing in their own ways, even though the sisters were stark opposites. Though I wasn't entirely thrilled with the use of present tense, I quickly forgot about my bias as the story surged forward. My mind shifted and adjusted to the tense well enough that it didn't take away from thoroughly enjoying the story.
The majority of the story moved at a steady pace, with one or two scenes sprinkled throughout that slowed down just enough for me to catch my breath. The development of the conflict unfolded at the right moments and even the romance element tied to the core of the tale. My only major gripe was that the ending came much too quickly for me. With the fantastic buildup to the climax, I expected more. Don't get me wrong -- I still loved the resolution and part of me even prayed for it as I desperately sat there turning the pages of the book in my hands. But there was too much predictability and when the reveal finally played out, it had lost the element of surprise.
Despite that snag, I'd still recommend the book to anyone and everyone who loves a good action-packed story -- with a little romance, intrigue, and nostalgia for the old fairytales thrown in. It wasn't without flaws, but I still loved it to the very end of the last page.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars.
For more information about Sisters Red or Jackson Pearce, please visit her site here.
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