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“My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”
Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…
Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…
Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
330 pages, ebook
First published August 2, 2012
125 people are currently reading
2939 people want to read
About the author
Kate SeRine
13 books457 followersKate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it's no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after. She's the author of the award-winning TRANSPLANTED TALES series, the PROTECT AND SERVE series, and the DARK ALLIANCE series.
Kate has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (2013), and the Booksellers Best Award (2017); and is the recipient of The Emily (2012), the National Readers Choice Award (2012), and the National Excellence in Story Telling Award (2022). She is represented by Nicole Resciniti with the Seymour Agency.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project--probably while consuming way too much coffee.
Series reading order:
Transplanted Tales:
Red
Grimm Consequences
The Better to See You
Along Came a Spider
Ever After
Better Watch Out
Protect & Serve:
"Torn" (prequel novella in WAY OF THE WARRIOR)
Stop at Nothing
Safe from Harm
Dark Alliance:
Deceived
Concealed
Kate has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (2013), and the Booksellers Best Award (2017); and is the recipient of The Emily (2012), the National Readers Choice Award (2012), and the National Excellence in Story Telling Award (2022). She is represented by Nicole Resciniti with the Seymour Agency.
Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project--probably while consuming way too much coffee.
Series reading order:
Transplanted Tales:
Red
Grimm Consequences
The Better to See You
Along Came a Spider
Ever After
Better Watch Out
Protect & Serve:
"Torn" (prequel novella in WAY OF THE WARRIOR)
Stop at Nothing
Safe from Harm
Dark Alliance:
Deceived
Concealed
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
February 7, 2018
2/7/18 - ON SALE for $0.99:
http://amzn.to/2nFkMI4
Alright, I've put this off long enough.
I'm sad to say that I don't have a whole lot to say about this book.
I should have loved it. I was expecting to love it. And the premise turned out to be even cooler than I had originally thought, b/c not only were fairy tale characters transported to the real world, famous literary characters were too.
Like Elizabeth and Darcy. And Dracula.
Pretty frickin' cool, right?
Unfortunately, premise can only get you so far, and while the characters weren't exactly stock, they definitely felt flat. I was unable to really connect to any of them, even and especially Red, our MC. All of the little insights that were given to add depth to her character felt . . . ordinary. Maybe even contrived. Again, not stock exactly, but not too terribly far from it either.
There was also cornball aplenty.
Like when the only suspects in the crime spree Red's investigating are her ex-boyfriends. Mighty big coincidence that.
Or how 'bout Red wearing big ol' red leather boots, but her leather coat was black, thank-you-very-much (b/c a red leather coat would have been a little bit OTT).
Red is also a big-time overreacter. Observe:
When a certain person reveals the truth about himself, she totally loses her mind, complete with the refusal to talk or think about it rationally AND exit-in-a-huff-of-fury.
She's been betrayed, DAMMIT.
Even if this secret was one he'd kept from EVERYONE, and even if he made himself absolutely vulnerable by telling her.
Narcissistic personality disorder, anyone?
That was bad enough. But then almost immediately after her, "Don't come near me. I don't want to see you again . . . There's nothing to talk about . . . We're done here," tantrum, she gets introspective and starts saying things like, "I'm not sure if I ran out on," wouldn'tyouliketoknowwho, "because I was angry--or because . . . [wait for it] . . . I was afraid."
*rolls eyes*
*groans AND rolls eyes*
And it's obvious from the beginning that she's supposed to be with this guy. Just like the big secret he told her was obvious.
So why does she hook-up with one of the exes she's investigating?
Well b/c she's both unprofessional and AFRAID.
Which doesn't jive, b/c Red is clearly supposed to be kick-ass. And that freak-out . . . only one of MANY (with similar introspections immediately following).
And I'm just over it.
So maybe I had more to say about this book then I thought.
Still there have been lots of good reviews for this book, so I wouldn't totally write it off. Just b/c it wasn't my cuppa, doesn't mean it won't be yours.
http://amzn.to/2nFkMI4
Alright, I've put this off long enough.
I'm sad to say that I don't have a whole lot to say about this book.
I should have loved it. I was expecting to love it. And the premise turned out to be even cooler than I had originally thought, b/c not only were fairy tale characters transported to the real world, famous literary characters were too.
Like Elizabeth and Darcy. And Dracula.
Pretty frickin' cool, right?
Unfortunately, premise can only get you so far, and while the characters weren't exactly stock, they definitely felt flat. I was unable to really connect to any of them, even and especially Red, our MC. All of the little insights that were given to add depth to her character felt . . . ordinary. Maybe even contrived. Again, not stock exactly, but not too terribly far from it either.
There was also cornball aplenty.
Like when the only suspects in the crime spree Red's investigating are her ex-boyfriends. Mighty big coincidence that.
Or how 'bout Red wearing big ol' red leather boots, but her leather coat was black, thank-you-very-much (b/c a red leather coat would have been a little bit OTT).
Red is also a big-time overreacter. Observe:
When a certain person reveals the truth about himself, she totally loses her mind, complete with the refusal to talk or think about it rationally AND exit-in-a-huff-of-fury.
She's been betrayed, DAMMIT.
Even if this secret was one he'd kept from EVERYONE, and even if he made himself absolutely vulnerable by telling her.
Narcissistic personality disorder, anyone?
That was bad enough. But then almost immediately after her, "Don't come near me. I don't want to see you again . . . There's nothing to talk about . . . We're done here," tantrum, she gets introspective and starts saying things like, "I'm not sure if I ran out on," wouldn'tyouliketoknowwho, "because I was angry--or because . . . [wait for it] . . . I was afraid."
*rolls eyes*
*groans AND rolls eyes*
And it's obvious from the beginning that she's supposed to be with this guy. Just like the big secret he told her was obvious.
So why does she hook-up with one of the exes she's investigating?
Well b/c she's both unprofessional and AFRAID.
Which doesn't jive, b/c Red is clearly supposed to be kick-ass. And that freak-out . . . only one of MANY (with similar introspections immediately following).
And I'm just over it.
So maybe I had more to say about this book then I thought.
Still there have been lots of good reviews for this book, so I wouldn't totally write it off. Just b/c it wasn't my cuppa, doesn't mean it won't be yours.
February 12, 2013
A VERY TWISTED FAIRY TALE INDEED.
3.5 stars. Red could probably win some sort of award for its cast of bizarrely screwed up characters. Snow White's a floozy? Who would've thought it? Pure as the driven snow, my ass.
Can someone with influence please get the publisher to change out the cover for this book? I was half-expecting an Urban Fantasy erotic book. Instead, I wound up reading something which vaguely resembles suspense. Sure, the cast of characters are fairy tale characters, but the story itself follows some sort of mystery/suspense formula. It all read less "once upon a time," and more "modern day."
Because everything sort of snowballed into a suspense vibe, I found myself somewhat disappointed. Suspense is not one of my favorite genres and has to really wow me in order to get me excited.
BUT...BUT...I will say that I found some interest in reading this author's voice. Her sense of humor is a bit tongue-in-cheek with a snarky bite, which was extremely enjoyable to read at first. My one tiny complaint about the humor is that it started to choke out the story for a short time when each new character or instance was delivered with a funny accompanying bit. I spent my time during the early part of the book waiting for something to happen. There was a point where I almost quit out on the story altogether because I was starting to get tired of the non-stop parade of snappy character introductions.
I am glad that I stuck with it though because there was a leveling out after a while and things finally started rolling. Even though there was the planned "murder mystery," I ended up getting along with the story in the end.
Red was an okay lead character, but I have to admit having more of a draw to Nate Grimm (a.k.a. Grimm Reaper).
Death. Is. A. Love. Interest. *thumbs up*
Since we did have all of the characters trotted out for our observation, one could only guess that we'll see a return of the more colorful ones. Gran turned out to be one of my early favorites.
If you'd seen any of my status updates, I made a couple of notes about the side characters. I'm sort of hoping for a Jabberwocky comeback in future books! But in case you missed those...here's a couple other examples.
So there you have it - a story which is one part fairy tale gone wrong, one part comedy of errors, and a whole lot of mystery. If you're okay with Red being less UF and more suspense, you'll probably enjoy this book even more than I did. Either way, I'm interested enough to check out book 2. Maybe I'll get to see some hot death-on-riding hood action.
"You pretend to be this rough, tough, ass-kicking Enforcer," his tone maddeningly condescending. "But beneath it all you're just a scared little girl who's still running from the Big Bad Wolf."
3.5 stars. Red could probably win some sort of award for its cast of bizarrely screwed up characters. Snow White's a floozy? Who would've thought it? Pure as the driven snow, my ass.
Can someone with influence please get the publisher to change out the cover for this book? I was half-expecting an Urban Fantasy erotic book. Instead, I wound up reading something which vaguely resembles suspense. Sure, the cast of characters are fairy tale characters, but the story itself follows some sort of mystery/suspense formula. It all read less "once upon a time," and more "modern day."
Because everything sort of snowballed into a suspense vibe, I found myself somewhat disappointed. Suspense is not one of my favorite genres and has to really wow me in order to get me excited.
BUT...BUT...I will say that I found some interest in reading this author's voice. Her sense of humor is a bit tongue-in-cheek with a snarky bite, which was extremely enjoyable to read at first. My one tiny complaint about the humor is that it started to choke out the story for a short time when each new character or instance was delivered with a funny accompanying bit. I spent my time during the early part of the book waiting for something to happen. There was a point where I almost quit out on the story altogether because I was starting to get tired of the non-stop parade of snappy character introductions.
I am glad that I stuck with it though because there was a leveling out after a while and things finally started rolling. Even though there was the planned "murder mystery," I ended up getting along with the story in the end.
Shuddering from the sudden chill, I went inside to prepare for my date, wishing my intended companion was not the in-your-face sexy vampire I was going to meet but rather the shadowy enigma who had so recently darkened my doorstep.
Red was an okay lead character, but I have to admit having more of a draw to Nate Grimm (a.k.a. Grimm Reaper).
Death. Is. A. Love. Interest. *thumbs up*
Since we did have all of the characters trotted out for our observation, one could only guess that we'll see a return of the more colorful ones. Gran turned out to be one of my early favorites.
"You think these gentlemen care what kind of panties you wear?" Gran said, shooing me into the bathroom.
If you'd seen any of my status updates, I made a couple of notes about the side characters. I'm sort of hoping for a Jabberwocky comeback in future books! But in case you missed those...here's a couple other examples.
For people like Dave who couldn't control their more questionable proclivities for very long, Happy Endings was pretty much a foregone conclusion.
"Probably the only name you'll recognize - Alfred Simon."
"Simple Simon?" I said, tossing the photo back onto the pile. "Poor little guy. Last I heard he was holding down a good job delivering soda to restaurants or something. Who'd want to hurt him?"
So there you have it - a story which is one part fairy tale gone wrong, one part comedy of errors, and a whole lot of mystery. If you're okay with Red being less UF and more suspense, you'll probably enjoy this book even more than I did. Either way, I'm interested enough to check out book 2. Maybe I'll get to see some hot death-on-riding hood action.
August 2, 2012
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Every once in a while, you read a book that makes you want to climb to the top of the nearest building and shout to the masses “You guys all really need to read this book!” For me, Red is the most recent read that has made me feel this way.
Red is the first book in Kate SeRine’s Transplanted Tales series. When I started this book, after reading the blurb, I was expecting an interesting twist on the characters I read as a child in my favorite story books but I was not expecting what Kate did to them! I loved how she put modern and gritty twists on them all. Need examples? Well our heroine, Little Red Riding Hood, is an Enforcer and wears leather and carries guns. Snow White runs a brothel. Goldilocks is a call girl! And it’s not just fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters either. Elizabeth Bennett is our heroine’s BFF and Darcy is a successful business man! Every twist that Kate put on every character was awesome!
Tess Little is our heroine. Her story as Little Red Riding Hood, the story we thought we knew, is in fact not her real story at all. That’s another twist I enjoyed. How Kate changed things up a bit, making the fairy tale more relatable to today’s reality. Really neat. Tess is everything I adore in a heroine: she’s tough, strong, smart and kick ass yet vulnerable and a little lost. And she’s super snarky! I really liked her.
And let’s talk about Nate Grimm shall we? Holy wow…so dreamy and SO sexy! Kind, intelligent and absolutely in love with our Tess (but she’s a little clueless on that fact in the beginning), he’s a wonderful hero.
There are a lot of characters introduced and a couple of times in the beginning I needed to remind myself who was who but that wore off quickly. I ended up really enjoying how everyone was written. Even the smallest supporting character was memorable in his or her way and played an important role. People weren’t there just to name a name – something I find sometimes happens in some fairy tale based books. The chemistry between all of the characters was exceptional – especially when it came to Tess and Nate. But you also feel it between Tess and Vlad and Tess and Seth and Tess and Nicky and… Don’t worry; this is not a super orgy book or anything. And seeing that puzzled/shocked look on your faces, this may be a good time to explain the main plot of the book.
The main story in Red revolves around some gruesome murders happening to Tales (literary characters now living in the Here and Now) and Tess is brought in (with Nate) to investigate. Oh, and all the suspects happen to have been romantically involved at one time or another with Tess. There are many little twists and turns along the way and it’s interesting to watch Tess come up with the ‘why’ behind the murders.
Overall, the writing was smooth and the pace was wonderful. I enjoyed every twist and turn. And yes, I had my suspicions about who was responsible for everything but the big reveal was still exciting to read…and finding out I right was fun too. *grin*
Almost as soon as I started Red, I knew I had a new goal in my blogging and reading life: to spread the word about this book and to make sure that fans of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance give it a try. Trust me, it’s totally worth it. Absolutely totally worth it.
Every once in a while, you read a book that makes you want to climb to the top of the nearest building and shout to the masses “You guys all really need to read this book!” For me, Red is the most recent read that has made me feel this way.
Red is the first book in Kate SeRine’s Transplanted Tales series. When I started this book, after reading the blurb, I was expecting an interesting twist on the characters I read as a child in my favorite story books but I was not expecting what Kate did to them! I loved how she put modern and gritty twists on them all. Need examples? Well our heroine, Little Red Riding Hood, is an Enforcer and wears leather and carries guns. Snow White runs a brothel. Goldilocks is a call girl! And it’s not just fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters either. Elizabeth Bennett is our heroine’s BFF and Darcy is a successful business man! Every twist that Kate put on every character was awesome!
Tess Little is our heroine. Her story as Little Red Riding Hood, the story we thought we knew, is in fact not her real story at all. That’s another twist I enjoyed. How Kate changed things up a bit, making the fairy tale more relatable to today’s reality. Really neat. Tess is everything I adore in a heroine: she’s tough, strong, smart and kick ass yet vulnerable and a little lost. And she’s super snarky! I really liked her.
And let’s talk about Nate Grimm shall we? Holy wow…so dreamy and SO sexy! Kind, intelligent and absolutely in love with our Tess (but she’s a little clueless on that fact in the beginning), he’s a wonderful hero.
There are a lot of characters introduced and a couple of times in the beginning I needed to remind myself who was who but that wore off quickly. I ended up really enjoying how everyone was written. Even the smallest supporting character was memorable in his or her way and played an important role. People weren’t there just to name a name – something I find sometimes happens in some fairy tale based books. The chemistry between all of the characters was exceptional – especially when it came to Tess and Nate. But you also feel it between Tess and Vlad and Tess and Seth and Tess and Nicky and… Don’t worry; this is not a super orgy book or anything. And seeing that puzzled/shocked look on your faces, this may be a good time to explain the main plot of the book.
The main story in Red revolves around some gruesome murders happening to Tales (literary characters now living in the Here and Now) and Tess is brought in (with Nate) to investigate. Oh, and all the suspects happen to have been romantically involved at one time or another with Tess. There are many little twists and turns along the way and it’s interesting to watch Tess come up with the ‘why’ behind the murders.
Overall, the writing was smooth and the pace was wonderful. I enjoyed every twist and turn. And yes, I had my suspicions about who was responsible for everything but the big reveal was still exciting to read…and finding out I right was fun too. *grin*
Almost as soon as I started Red, I knew I had a new goal in my blogging and reading life: to spread the word about this book and to make sure that fans of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance give it a try. Trust me, it’s totally worth it. Absolutely totally worth it.
January 19, 2020
Make believe characters come to life and this is about Little “Red” Riding Hood. The introduction of these make believe characters fit well into the story and I felt the author really had some creativity in this book. It was a fun story to read with lots of twists and turns. I loved both characters and the supporting cast. I fell in and out of “like” several times with some of the characters and that just reinforces how unpredictable the story was. Nate was a patient hero and I loved him. H/h make a good team and their story took time to develop. I would read other books in this series.
August 22, 2012
This book was a review request that came from the author, Kate SeRine. Upon reading the blurb, I thought this was a great concept. At the same time its one of those concepts that can be written and be awesome or just completely crazy. Let's just say that I'm completed glad to say that this book was AWESOME!!!
Just reading the Prologue which is 2 pages, had me hooked. I already knew that I would love this book. SeRine's writing style is exactly how I love an author to write. It's no holds barred, there's cursing (I love to curse), sexy villains and heroes, sex, mystery and murder. The list can go on and on. The fact that she has Fairy tale characters all through the book made me love it even more. It is total GENIUS!!! Each character is so unique. Their names crack me up, for instance, Red's boss is Al Addin. Get it??!! LOL! It took me a second and then I laughed out loud. SeRine's imagination in this book is phenomenal, I just can't give her enough praise. Every new character that came about was so dynamic, from their names and their connection to their tales and their personalities.
Tess aka Red was my type of heroine. She's badass, ballsy and not afraid to stand up for what she thinks is right. She even has a slew of past lovers that we get to meet. I think I fell in love with each one. LOL!
"I could tell he was grinning, when he said, 'I have nothing but time, my little love. I have been waiting patiently for you to come for me again.' 'You mean come to you,' I corrected. -Red
Nate Grimm aka The Grimm Reaper is ohhh so dreamy. Before reading this, did I think the Grimm Reaper would have me swooning? Ahh absolutely NOT!! Ohhh but he did in this book. You'd have to read it to believe it!!
"And, no, I hadn't missed the fact that Nate said he liked me. In fact, the words played over and over in my head, some how negating the pronoucnement of my possible doom. Call me a silly little schoolgirl if you want, but knowing Nate cared made me go all fluttery inside. And who wants to die prematurely when she feels fluttery?"
I don't want to give away much more since it's such a different read I want you all to be just as surprised and in aw as I was. Highly recommended new author!!!
Just reading the Prologue which is 2 pages, had me hooked. I already knew that I would love this book. SeRine's writing style is exactly how I love an author to write. It's no holds barred, there's cursing (I love to curse), sexy villains and heroes, sex, mystery and murder. The list can go on and on. The fact that she has Fairy tale characters all through the book made me love it even more. It is total GENIUS!!! Each character is so unique. Their names crack me up, for instance, Red's boss is Al Addin. Get it??!! LOL! It took me a second and then I laughed out loud. SeRine's imagination in this book is phenomenal, I just can't give her enough praise. Every new character that came about was so dynamic, from their names and their connection to their tales and their personalities.
Tess aka Red was my type of heroine. She's badass, ballsy and not afraid to stand up for what she thinks is right. She even has a slew of past lovers that we get to meet. I think I fell in love with each one. LOL!
"I could tell he was grinning, when he said, 'I have nothing but time, my little love. I have been waiting patiently for you to come for me again.' 'You mean come to you,' I corrected. -Red
Nate Grimm aka The Grimm Reaper is ohhh so dreamy. Before reading this, did I think the Grimm Reaper would have me swooning? Ahh absolutely NOT!! Ohhh but he did in this book. You'd have to read it to believe it!!
"And, no, I hadn't missed the fact that Nate said he liked me. In fact, the words played over and over in my head, some how negating the pronoucnement of my possible doom. Call me a silly little schoolgirl if you want, but knowing Nate cared made me go all fluttery inside. And who wants to die prematurely when she feels fluttery?"
I don't want to give away much more since it's such a different read I want you all to be just as surprised and in aw as I was. Highly recommended new author!!!
March 1, 2022
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I completely love fairy tales and characters out of literature. Even more, I love mash-ups of fairytale characters and used to watch the show Once Upon a Time religiously. So how is it that I not heard of The Transplanted Tales series? I think the only reason I have not devoured this series already is that it is not on audiobook, something I hope the author remedies sometime in the future.
In Red, little Red Riding Hood teams up with Death to solve a sting of murders involving some low level tales that have been brought over to the real world. I love the premise of this. That for decades tales from fairy stories and then later from some beloved literature got pulled out of their realms into this world. Apparently, Cinderella's fairy godmother and the genie from Aladdin had something to do with it but no matter how it happened you have characters from so many genres roaming around. Some became upstanding citizens and others, well they need a little help to stay in line.
Overall this is a really fun story. A very grown up Little Red Riding hood is working for what equates to the Fairy Tale Police force. She is responsible for bringing tales in when they are doing things that might let the normies know something isn't quite right with them and they aren't really normal people. It appears that a few of Red's prior lovers are suspects of the string of murders. Homicide detective Grimm (a.k.a. Death) has requested her assistance in solving the murders and clearing or bringing in the former lover involved. As they work together, you can tell there is a pull between them and I spent the entire book waiting for Red to figure out what to do about her disaster of a love life.
The mystery is good, the romance is a bit frustrating, Red is a bit frustrating also. That girl is so full of anger and mistrust that she lashes out constantly at the people who care about her. She has a tendency to over react and storm off in a huff. But that said, I liked her; she's a bit broken and I have a really big soft spot for broken characters.
I had a great time with this story overall. I was entertained and even when frustrated with Red I still loved hating some of the decisions she was making. Also, seeing Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice in the 21st century was completely amazing for a book nerd like me. So many characters had such different stories in this world than I was expecting that it was really a lot of fun to play around with.
If you like fairytales, and literature in general, this might be something that will be a ton of fun for you too.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I completely love fairy tales and characters out of literature. Even more, I love mash-ups of fairytale characters and used to watch the show Once Upon a Time religiously. So how is it that I not heard of The Transplanted Tales series? I think the only reason I have not devoured this series already is that it is not on audiobook, something I hope the author remedies sometime in the future.
In Red, little Red Riding Hood teams up with Death to solve a sting of murders involving some low level tales that have been brought over to the real world. I love the premise of this. That for decades tales from fairy stories and then later from some beloved literature got pulled out of their realms into this world. Apparently, Cinderella's fairy godmother and the genie from Aladdin had something to do with it but no matter how it happened you have characters from so many genres roaming around. Some became upstanding citizens and others, well they need a little help to stay in line.
“What do you get when you cross an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own?”
Overall this is a really fun story. A very grown up Little Red Riding hood is working for what equates to the Fairy Tale Police force. She is responsible for bringing tales in when they are doing things that might let the normies know something isn't quite right with them and they aren't really normal people. It appears that a few of Red's prior lovers are suspects of the string of murders. Homicide detective Grimm (a.k.a. Death) has requested her assistance in solving the murders and clearing or bringing in the former lover involved. As they work together, you can tell there is a pull between them and I spent the entire book waiting for Red to figure out what to do about her disaster of a love life.
The mystery is good, the romance is a bit frustrating, Red is a bit frustrating also. That girl is so full of anger and mistrust that she lashes out constantly at the people who care about her. She has a tendency to over react and storm off in a huff. But that said, I liked her; she's a bit broken and I have a really big soft spot for broken characters.
I had a great time with this story overall. I was entertained and even when frustrated with Red I still loved hating some of the decisions she was making. Also, seeing Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice in the 21st century was completely amazing for a book nerd like me. So many characters had such different stories in this world than I was expecting that it was really a lot of fun to play around with.
If you like fairytales, and literature in general, this might be something that will be a ton of fun for you too.
August 2, 2012
FANTASTIC debut read!!!!
Synopsis: ""My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red." Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess "Red" Little--a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood--has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned--she's not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red's new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red's old flames. And if that wasn't bad enough, there's another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA's lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate's dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there's one thing Red knows for sure, it's that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…"
Genre: Urban fantasy
First Sentences: "What do you get when you cross an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own?" What an opening to a novel! If there is one thing that will keep people reading, it's a strong, likeable narrative voice, and as you can see, Kate SeRine does not lack that in any way--and she carries that throughout the novel with no falters. This opening was great because not only was it intriguing but within the next few sentences, SeRine flawlessly establishes the world from the very beginning.
Brownie Points: As I mentioned in my above comments, what really drew me into this series and what hooked me as a future reader for the rest of the novels was the voice. SO strong and SO much fun to read. The voice of main character, Tess, aka Little Red Riding Hood, kept my attention from start to finish. She was an overall great character; smart, funny, head-strong, everything I like in an urban fantasy heroine. I also immediately fell in love with the idea of a world inhabited by real life fairytales--it's unique and it's fun. I never thought Little Red Riding hood would be such a badass! Red is not just some silly spin on traditional fairytales, it's wholly unique and fresh in it's references to the tales. Further, as a lover of romance, I liked that the romance in this was a bit heavier than many urban fantasy novels without overpowering anything. The sweet chemistry between Tess and Nate Grimm was very well done. Red is definitely urban fantasy, but it's urban fantasy that will also appeal to paranormal romance readers alike.
Beefs: I honestly don't have many criticisms. This novel real does have it all: intriguing voice, likable characters, strong plot, and a sweet dash of romance. I did figure out who the villain was early on in the story, but that didn't detract from the read at all. I enjoyed the whole novel regardless.
Ending: The best compliment I can give a writer is to say that I reached the last page and was sad there wasn't more. I raced through this book--it was a quick read--and I can't wait for book two, The Better to See You (Feb 2013).
Recommendation and General Comments: This is an excellent start to what's sure to be an exciting series! Fans of Kelley Armstrong will love this book, as it appeals to both urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers alike. It's so refreshing to read such a great debut novel like Red.
I highly recommend Red. This novel is a great read if you want something captivating from start to finish that will keep you flipping the pages! I definitely recommend it. If you can appreciate strong, kickass female heroines, solid and interesting world-building, and subtly sweet romance then this series is for you.
Synopsis: ""My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red." Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess "Red" Little--a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood--has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned--she's not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red's new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red's old flames. And if that wasn't bad enough, there's another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA's lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate's dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there's one thing Red knows for sure, it's that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…"
Genre: Urban fantasy
First Sentences: "What do you get when you cross an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own?" What an opening to a novel! If there is one thing that will keep people reading, it's a strong, likeable narrative voice, and as you can see, Kate SeRine does not lack that in any way--and she carries that throughout the novel with no falters. This opening was great because not only was it intriguing but within the next few sentences, SeRine flawlessly establishes the world from the very beginning.
Brownie Points: As I mentioned in my above comments, what really drew me into this series and what hooked me as a future reader for the rest of the novels was the voice. SO strong and SO much fun to read. The voice of main character, Tess, aka Little Red Riding Hood, kept my attention from start to finish. She was an overall great character; smart, funny, head-strong, everything I like in an urban fantasy heroine. I also immediately fell in love with the idea of a world inhabited by real life fairytales--it's unique and it's fun. I never thought Little Red Riding hood would be such a badass! Red is not just some silly spin on traditional fairytales, it's wholly unique and fresh in it's references to the tales. Further, as a lover of romance, I liked that the romance in this was a bit heavier than many urban fantasy novels without overpowering anything. The sweet chemistry between Tess and Nate Grimm was very well done. Red is definitely urban fantasy, but it's urban fantasy that will also appeal to paranormal romance readers alike.
Beefs: I honestly don't have many criticisms. This novel real does have it all: intriguing voice, likable characters, strong plot, and a sweet dash of romance. I did figure out who the villain was early on in the story, but that didn't detract from the read at all. I enjoyed the whole novel regardless.
Ending: The best compliment I can give a writer is to say that I reached the last page and was sad there wasn't more. I raced through this book--it was a quick read--and I can't wait for book two, The Better to See You (Feb 2013).
Recommendation and General Comments: This is an excellent start to what's sure to be an exciting series! Fans of Kelley Armstrong will love this book, as it appeals to both urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers alike. It's so refreshing to read such a great debut novel like Red.
I highly recommend Red. This novel is a great read if you want something captivating from start to finish that will keep you flipping the pages! I definitely recommend it. If you can appreciate strong, kickass female heroines, solid and interesting world-building, and subtly sweet romance then this series is for you.
August 1, 2012
There seems to be a great influx of "fairy re-tellings" cropping up as of late. I am over the moon to report that authoress extraordinaire, Kate SeRine has penned a tale that is choc full of not only the fantastic personas whose tales we have come to know and love; but the love, loss, deceit, and plot twists that are the hallmarks of all great mysteries.
The character's of childhood stories are all grown up in this 'who done it'. They have migrated from the scripted safety of their stories and now make their homes among the 'ordinaries' of Chicago.
The lives they lead and the deaths they die are anything but however.
Not So Little 'Red'
Tess Little a.k.a. Red, has come a long way since she skipped through the woods with that basket on her way to Grandma's. Now she is the fairy world's gun toting, Goose drinking version of Duane "Dog" Chapman, and she's hunting for a killer.
The Problem?
The suspect list reads like the top ten list from Red's little black book.
Red doesn't know whether to trust her head or her heart as the investigation takes her on a rather painful trip down memory lane and brings her face to face and fang with some of her old lovers.
Not to worry though.
Help is on the way in the form of the very sexy Nathan Grimm, part-time reaper, part-time investigator, and full-time hottie.
Like Lock and Key
The chemistry between Red and Grimm is delicious from the first taste and though all other aspects of this book are truly drool worthy, it is this interaction that keeps the pages turning.
Grimm is a man that knows what he wants, and what he wants is Red. The thing is, he wants her as she is and on her terms.
He knows that life with her is complicated and is more than able to stand up to the challenge.
Red may be tough on the outside, but she has a tender heart. She hasn't had much luck in finding Mr. Right, and as such, is more than just a little weary of opening herself emotionally.
It appears that the secrets aren't limited to those having to do with who's killing who and these secrets, if in the wrong hands, are powerful to keep Grimm out of Red's world forever.
Just Business Baby
We all know that money makes the world go round and some baker in the land of 'Tales' wants all the dough. As the body count rises and the partners in the deadly dance of companies and corpses change, the claws really come out.
The question is...who is welding them?
The Last Word
This book has everything that a reader could ask for and more. Dive into this tale of 'Tales'...the water's great.
There's even an excerpt from the next installment at the end of the book!
You can find this review on my blog as of 8/1/12 at:WTF Are You Reading?
The character's of childhood stories are all grown up in this 'who done it'. They have migrated from the scripted safety of their stories and now make their homes among the 'ordinaries' of Chicago.
The lives they lead and the deaths they die are anything but however.
Not So Little 'Red'
Tess Little a.k.a. Red, has come a long way since she skipped through the woods with that basket on her way to Grandma's. Now she is the fairy world's gun toting, Goose drinking version of Duane "Dog" Chapman, and she's hunting for a killer.
The Problem?
The suspect list reads like the top ten list from Red's little black book.
Red doesn't know whether to trust her head or her heart as the investigation takes her on a rather painful trip down memory lane and brings her face to face and fang with some of her old lovers.
Not to worry though.
Help is on the way in the form of the very sexy Nathan Grimm, part-time reaper, part-time investigator, and full-time hottie.
Like Lock and Key
The chemistry between Red and Grimm is delicious from the first taste and though all other aspects of this book are truly drool worthy, it is this interaction that keeps the pages turning.
Grimm is a man that knows what he wants, and what he wants is Red. The thing is, he wants her as she is and on her terms.
He knows that life with her is complicated and is more than able to stand up to the challenge.
Red may be tough on the outside, but she has a tender heart. She hasn't had much luck in finding Mr. Right, and as such, is more than just a little weary of opening herself emotionally.
It appears that the secrets aren't limited to those having to do with who's killing who and these secrets, if in the wrong hands, are powerful to keep Grimm out of Red's world forever.
Just Business Baby
We all know that money makes the world go round and some baker in the land of 'Tales' wants all the dough. As the body count rises and the partners in the deadly dance of companies and corpses change, the claws really come out.
The question is...who is welding them?
The Last Word
This book has everything that a reader could ask for and more. Dive into this tale of 'Tales'...the water's great.
There's even an excerpt from the next installment at the end of the book!
You can find this review on my blog as of 8/1/12 at:WTF Are You Reading?
April 2, 2017
3.5 stars!
January 7, 2016
Urban Fantasy 3.5 Stars
This is my first book by Ms. SeRine, and I do like her writing style. The word that comes to mind is effervescent, very appealing.
But as a die-hard romantic, there are two things in the plot that were hard pills for me to swallow. One of them won't be a spoiler if you've read the book blurb. The fairytale characters don't get to keep their happily ever after upon moving to this world. It bothered me to see the my favorite fairytale couples divorced, jaded and cynical.
But, that said, if you've read Bill Willingham's series, the characters here aren't nearly as snarky as his. Red and Nate, the main characters, are absolutely likeable. Red is easy to relate to, and Nate is a steady and true type hero, my favorite kind.
The other thing that bothered me, again due to my being a romantic. This one will be a spoiler, so only read this if you typically hang out in romance and are easily disappointed in a character.
This is my first book by Ms. SeRine, and I do like her writing style. The word that comes to mind is effervescent, very appealing.
But as a die-hard romantic, there are two things in the plot that were hard pills for me to swallow. One of them won't be a spoiler if you've read the book blurb. The fairytale characters don't get to keep their happily ever after upon moving to this world. It bothered me to see the my favorite fairytale couples divorced, jaded and cynical.
But, that said, if you've read Bill Willingham's series, the characters here aren't nearly as snarky as his. Red and Nate, the main characters, are absolutely likeable. Red is easy to relate to, and Nate is a steady and true type hero, my favorite kind.
The other thing that bothered me, again due to my being a romantic. This one will be a spoiler, so only read this if you typically hang out in romance and are easily disappointed in a character.
August 7, 2016
DNF@44%
If you think the concept of this book sounds cool, just read Seanan McGuire’s Indexing series instead. Both series are about fairy tale characters who police other fairy tale characters, but Indexing was actually interesting. This was not.
The cast of characters were all fairy tale or literary characters living in the real world. I expected there to be a stronger paranormal element, but they mainly seemed like regular people. The world building was lacking. They came from elsewhere. Another dimension? Another world? IDK because it wasn’t explained. Why did they leave and what was their purpose in this world? Once again IDK.
The characters were dull. I didn’t care about them or like them. Red was the MC, and she too bitchy. Although completely unremarkable, everyone was interested in her. Even Snow White who ran a brothel wanted her to work for her. It was obvious her partner Nate was going to be her HEA, but she still held a torch for every douchebag she ever dated. She was in contact with the men in her past because they were suspects in her current case. Despite an obvious connection with Nate, it didn’t stop her from sleeping with the sleaziest of her exes. I lost respect for her when she convinced herself the mindrapey fucker didn’t use her.
Aside from all of that it was boring. Red’s relationship issues were more prominent than the case she was working on, not that it would have been much better if the case was the focus. Some things were too easy to figure out such as Nate’s special assignment. I’m 99% sure I know what it is, but I don’t care enough to know if I’m right. This wasn’t the worst book out there, but I don’t want to waste my time reading something when I don’t like it.
If you think the concept of this book sounds cool, just read Seanan McGuire’s Indexing series instead. Both series are about fairy tale characters who police other fairy tale characters, but Indexing was actually interesting. This was not.
The cast of characters were all fairy tale or literary characters living in the real world. I expected there to be a stronger paranormal element, but they mainly seemed like regular people. The world building was lacking. They came from elsewhere. Another dimension? Another world? IDK because it wasn’t explained. Why did they leave and what was their purpose in this world? Once again IDK.
The characters were dull. I didn’t care about them or like them. Red was the MC, and she too bitchy. Although completely unremarkable, everyone was interested in her. Even Snow White who ran a brothel wanted her to work for her. It was obvious her partner Nate was going to be her HEA, but she still held a torch for every douchebag she ever dated. She was in contact with the men in her past because they were suspects in her current case. Despite an obvious connection with Nate, it didn’t stop her from sleeping with the sleaziest of her exes. I lost respect for her when she convinced herself the mindrapey fucker didn’t use her.
Aside from all of that it was boring. Red’s relationship issues were more prominent than the case she was working on, not that it would have been much better if the case was the focus. Some things were too easy to figure out such as Nate’s special assignment. I’m 99% sure I know what it is, but I don’t care enough to know if I’m right. This wasn’t the worst book out there, but I don’t want to waste my time reading something when I don’t like it.
August 13, 2012
I received a free e-copy of this novel for review from eKensington via netgalley.com
I was browsing the public catalog on Netgalley and came across this book. It sounded fun so I decided to request it. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
It turns out, Red is an amazing debut novel. Kate SeRine has revamped fictional characters and created one hell of a story. Tess Little aka Red (aka Little Red Riding Hood) is an amazing main character. She smart, fierce and witty. I loved her developing relationship with Nate Grimm (yep, the grimm reaper). They have some amazing chemistry.
I loved the back story Kate provides for her characters. Even though these are already fictional characters she creates a new twist for each one that is very fitting.
Overall, I just loved the whole idea around this book. It's so original and reading it there was not a dull moment. I can't wait to read the next transplanted tale! I highly recommend this, especially if you like a twist on fairy tales and fictional worlds.
I was browsing the public catalog on Netgalley and came across this book. It sounded fun so I decided to request it. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
It turns out, Red is an amazing debut novel. Kate SeRine has revamped fictional characters and created one hell of a story. Tess Little aka Red (aka Little Red Riding Hood) is an amazing main character. She smart, fierce and witty. I loved her developing relationship with Nate Grimm (yep, the grimm reaper). They have some amazing chemistry.
I loved the back story Kate provides for her characters. Even though these are already fictional characters she creates a new twist for each one that is very fitting.
Overall, I just loved the whole idea around this book. It's so original and reading it there was not a dull moment. I can't wait to read the next transplanted tale! I highly recommend this, especially if you like a twist on fairy tales and fictional worlds.
December 1, 2024
I love fairytale retelling a - This one is centered around Red (Red Riding Hood, of course) & her new partnership with Nate (Grimm Reaper, Death.. whatever you want to call it) to find out who’s killing the Tales.
The thing I liked the most about this story was how the author didn’t limit it to fairy tales - she used literary characters, IE Dracula, Pride and Prejudice. I’m very curious to continue going down this rabbit hole.
The thing I liked the most about this story was how the author didn’t limit it to fairy tales - she used literary characters, IE Dracula, Pride and Prejudice. I’m very curious to continue going down this rabbit hole.
August 8, 2015
A Kick-Butt Fairytale!
“The wolf said, “You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”
Red Riding Hood said, “I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid, worldview. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.” ― James Finn Garner, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
“She talks like you. It’s not every day you hear a four-year-old say Prince Charming is a douchebag who’s only holding Cinderella back.”
“That’s my girl.” ― Emma Chase, Tangled
Once upon a time, a girl in a red hood met a wolf. And then? Everything went to pot. Well, that is how it goes, isn’t it? You think it is love, true and total devotion. Then he punches you in the gut and wanders away, whistling a merry tune, leaving you laying in the forest, staring into the eyes of the Grim Reaper. Pft. And as if that’s not enough, “an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own” get into a pissing contest – and suddenly? You find your red-hooded backside stuck in the Here and Now as an enforcer for the fairy tale cops, and isn’t that just a hard, cold awakening?
Now, Goldilocks and Snow White are well paid prostitutes. (Well, in the original tale, the three bears were bachelor brothers – and the whole ménage thing? Well, duh. And Snow White’s Prince wasn’t so ‘princely’ after all – he dumped her for an Ordinary, and the prenuptial agreement left her without a dime. Cheating creep.) Of course, that isn’t the only cheating creep of a Prince in the woodpile . . . Mistress Mary Mary Quite Contrary is the FMA prosecuting attorney, Vlad Dracula Is a business man, and The Sandman? He makes The Godfather and all of John Carpenter’s bad guys look like characters from My Little Pony.
When Red goes to collect Dave “The Pied Piper” Hamlin to haul him back to jail for his “latest screwup”, i.e., being a registered sex offender who’d blown the terms of his parole: no kids, no hookers, no booze – and he blows his head off in the alley outside the Red Door, Snow’s den of delights – things suddenly get very, very nasty as Tale bodies start dropping in very bloody, very savage ways. And the suspect list is very short – consisting of three of Red’s former lovers. Seth “Big Bad” Wolf. Vlad Dracula (the Literary and Nursery Rhyme Migration brought over some really ‘interesting’ characters). And Todd Caliban. Shakespeare wrote Todd as a monster, but he also wrote Prospero as one – Caliban was only trying to save his island from the depredations of an invading force, after all. Red was more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt – and her bed . . . And since Vlad came over, and was ‘captured’ and ‘rehabilitated’ by Red he has been behaving himself. (Hasn’t he?) But all signs point to Seth, Red’s first, and most beloved. Even if he did rip her heart out and stomp on it – and then leave her in the forest to die . . . what women put up with for their men. Sigh.
Al Addin, the FMA Chief Director, (and just incidentally the master of the genie mixed up in the aforementioned ‘a genie, a fairy godmother, etc.’ scenario) knows they have to get this case under control, pronto, before any more Tales are killed – and before the Ordinaries get ahold of something that could blow the Tales existence out of the proverbial water. Enter Nate “Grim Reaper” Grimm, detective extraordinaire, as her newly assigned side-kick. As they work through the case together things get even bloodier as Trish “Little Miss” Muffet, the coroner and lead investigator (So not afraid of spiders, just sayin’) finds more and more Tales on her slab in the morgue. And Red seems to be right in the crosshairs of the killer.
This is fairytale on crack – a modern, updated, happy-sad, hopeful-disturbing tale of humour and horror that kept me reading until my eyes stuck open and I had to turn out the light. Sharp and witty, this story cuts with a wicked blade, turning literary and fairy tale characters into a contemporary parody of life. Awesomesauce!! (Yes, I stole that word from Celia Kyle – hey, it’s an awesomesauce word! LOL)
“Did I ever tell you the difference between a Northern fairy tale and a Southern one?” she asked him, indulging herself and letting her head rest on his shoulder. God, he felt good. Her man. Where her head was meant to lie, right there, on him.
“What’s the difference?”
“A Northern one starts ‘once upon a time,’ while a Southern one starts ‘y’all ain’t going to believe this shit.” ― Erin McCarthy, Hot Finish
I LOVE this book!!! And I look forward to reading more of the Transplanted Tales series.
If you like my review, please let me know by clicking “Like” on Amazon. It helps the authors I review by drawing attention, and helps me as well. Thanks!
Oh, and as an aside? Hey! PUBLISHERS!!! Now THIS is how a cover of a book about a strong woman character SHOULD look . . . Can we just freakin’ STOP with the half naked male chests? Please? Pretty please with a “I’m not buying any more books with half naked men on the cover” warning label slapped on the front? Thanks.
AAANNNNDDDDD of course, that whole, “No More Naked Men” thing gets blown out of the water due to the other books in the series having blown the positive beginning of RED and putting HALF-NAKED MALES on the covers if the following books . . . EVEN for the story of Lavender, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother! PFT. If I hadn’t read Red first? I doubt I would continue, based on the covers alone. . . Grrrrrrr. Don’t get me wrong, hot bodies are good (especially the one with Nate Grimm on the cover – those painted on tattoos are gorgeous!) but still – do publishers think all we care about is the body on the cover, not the contents of the book? Humph. The covers just shove the books directly into the PR/Romance category, catering to readers who only care about nooky, not good storylines. And this was a killer storyline! Wake up, Publishers . . . we readers who prefer good stories will abandon your books willy-nilly because we expect the books to contain mearly pablum for the ‘sex only’ crowd. Chocolate is a tasty treat – but in excess gives you gas.
Rant concluded.
“The wolf said, “You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”
Red Riding Hood said, “I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid, worldview. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.” ― James Finn Garner, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
“She talks like you. It’s not every day you hear a four-year-old say Prince Charming is a douchebag who’s only holding Cinderella back.”
“That’s my girl.” ― Emma Chase, Tangled
Once upon a time, a girl in a red hood met a wolf. And then? Everything went to pot. Well, that is how it goes, isn’t it? You think it is love, true and total devotion. Then he punches you in the gut and wanders away, whistling a merry tune, leaving you laying in the forest, staring into the eyes of the Grim Reaper. Pft. And as if that’s not enough, “an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own” get into a pissing contest – and suddenly? You find your red-hooded backside stuck in the Here and Now as an enforcer for the fairy tale cops, and isn’t that just a hard, cold awakening?
Now, Goldilocks and Snow White are well paid prostitutes. (Well, in the original tale, the three bears were bachelor brothers – and the whole ménage thing? Well, duh. And Snow White’s Prince wasn’t so ‘princely’ after all – he dumped her for an Ordinary, and the prenuptial agreement left her without a dime. Cheating creep.) Of course, that isn’t the only cheating creep of a Prince in the woodpile . . . Mistress Mary Mary Quite Contrary is the FMA prosecuting attorney, Vlad Dracula Is a business man, and The Sandman? He makes The Godfather and all of John Carpenter’s bad guys look like characters from My Little Pony.
When Red goes to collect Dave “The Pied Piper” Hamlin to haul him back to jail for his “latest screwup”, i.e., being a registered sex offender who’d blown the terms of his parole: no kids, no hookers, no booze – and he blows his head off in the alley outside the Red Door, Snow’s den of delights – things suddenly get very, very nasty as Tale bodies start dropping in very bloody, very savage ways. And the suspect list is very short – consisting of three of Red’s former lovers. Seth “Big Bad” Wolf. Vlad Dracula (the Literary and Nursery Rhyme Migration brought over some really ‘interesting’ characters). And Todd Caliban. Shakespeare wrote Todd as a monster, but he also wrote Prospero as one – Caliban was only trying to save his island from the depredations of an invading force, after all. Red was more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt – and her bed . . . And since Vlad came over, and was ‘captured’ and ‘rehabilitated’ by Red he has been behaving himself. (Hasn’t he?) But all signs point to Seth, Red’s first, and most beloved. Even if he did rip her heart out and stomp on it – and then leave her in the forest to die . . . what women put up with for their men. Sigh.
Al Addin, the FMA Chief Director, (and just incidentally the master of the genie mixed up in the aforementioned ‘a genie, a fairy godmother, etc.’ scenario) knows they have to get this case under control, pronto, before any more Tales are killed – and before the Ordinaries get ahold of something that could blow the Tales existence out of the proverbial water. Enter Nate “Grim Reaper” Grimm, detective extraordinaire, as her newly assigned side-kick. As they work through the case together things get even bloodier as Trish “Little Miss” Muffet, the coroner and lead investigator (So not afraid of spiders, just sayin’) finds more and more Tales on her slab in the morgue. And Red seems to be right in the crosshairs of the killer.
This is fairytale on crack – a modern, updated, happy-sad, hopeful-disturbing tale of humour and horror that kept me reading until my eyes stuck open and I had to turn out the light. Sharp and witty, this story cuts with a wicked blade, turning literary and fairy tale characters into a contemporary parody of life. Awesomesauce!! (Yes, I stole that word from Celia Kyle – hey, it’s an awesomesauce word! LOL)
“Did I ever tell you the difference between a Northern fairy tale and a Southern one?” she asked him, indulging herself and letting her head rest on his shoulder. God, he felt good. Her man. Where her head was meant to lie, right there, on him.
“What’s the difference?”
“A Northern one starts ‘once upon a time,’ while a Southern one starts ‘y’all ain’t going to believe this shit.” ― Erin McCarthy, Hot Finish
I LOVE this book!!! And I look forward to reading more of the Transplanted Tales series.
If you like my review, please let me know by clicking “Like” on Amazon. It helps the authors I review by drawing attention, and helps me as well. Thanks!
Oh, and as an aside? Hey! PUBLISHERS!!! Now THIS is how a cover of a book about a strong woman character SHOULD look . . . Can we just freakin’ STOP with the half naked male chests? Please? Pretty please with a “I’m not buying any more books with half naked men on the cover” warning label slapped on the front? Thanks.
AAANNNNDDDDD of course, that whole, “No More Naked Men” thing gets blown out of the water due to the other books in the series having blown the positive beginning of RED and putting HALF-NAKED MALES on the covers if the following books . . . EVEN for the story of Lavender, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother! PFT. If I hadn’t read Red first? I doubt I would continue, based on the covers alone. . . Grrrrrrr. Don’t get me wrong, hot bodies are good (especially the one with Nate Grimm on the cover – those painted on tattoos are gorgeous!) but still – do publishers think all we care about is the body on the cover, not the contents of the book? Humph. The covers just shove the books directly into the PR/Romance category, catering to readers who only care about nooky, not good storylines. And this was a killer storyline! Wake up, Publishers . . . we readers who prefer good stories will abandon your books willy-nilly because we expect the books to contain mearly pablum for the ‘sex only’ crowd. Chocolate is a tasty treat – but in excess gives you gas.
Rant concluded.
September 9, 2015
It dragged a little... I didn't really fall in love with Red, or Tess Little.
There was no substantial back-story, and she came across as a wannabe bad-ass Mary Sue. Everybody and his cousin was in love with her, never got over her, still wanted her and so on.
And her main love interest?
Boring. Because To Good To Be True. Until the big revelation at least.
Then there was this awkward "This would be seen as a pathetic and disgusting stalker, but not here, because he's HAAAWWWT!!"-moment. And the very boring conclusion to the very obvious romance part. There was a lot to be desired about their love story - especially I'd really like to know where this entitlement comes from, that people tell all their deepest, darkest, most painful secrets even before the first date. WTF?
The culprit in the mostly ridiculous crime subplot was also quite obvious pretty early on, the hints were all out in the open.
The book had its moments, but unfortunately it dragged on and the story never really developed traction with me.
It's a pity because the world-building did have a lot of potential. Wasted in my opinion.
And on a side note: I couldn't shake the mental picture of the fairy tale creatures from Shrek in the beginning. Very distracting :)
There was no substantial back-story, and she came across as a wannabe bad-ass Mary Sue. Everybody and his cousin was in love with her, never got over her, still wanted her and so on.
And her main love interest?
Boring. Because To Good To Be True. Until the big revelation at least.
Then there was this awkward "This would be seen as a pathetic and disgusting stalker, but not here, because he's HAAAWWWT!!"-moment. And the very boring conclusion to the very obvious romance part. There was a lot to be desired about their love story - especially I'd really like to know where this entitlement comes from, that people tell all their deepest, darkest, most painful secrets even before the first date. WTF?
The culprit in the mostly ridiculous crime subplot was also quite obvious pretty early on, the hints were all out in the open.
The book had its moments, but unfortunately it dragged on and the story never really developed traction with me.
It's a pity because the world-building did have a lot of potential. Wasted in my opinion.
And on a side note: I couldn't shake the mental picture of the fairy tale creatures from Shrek in the beginning. Very distracting :)
November 29, 2012
Full review at Talk Supe
RED by KSerine is a strong debut and an even stronger start to a wonderful series. It is the perfect amalgam of Urban Fantasy and dark fairy tale being both whimsical and deadly. I would recommend this to anybody who loves kick ass heroines, procedural series and mind boggling mysteries.
RED by KSerine is a strong debut and an even stronger start to a wonderful series. It is the perfect amalgam of Urban Fantasy and dark fairy tale being both whimsical and deadly. I would recommend this to anybody who loves kick ass heroines, procedural series and mind boggling mysteries.
July 28, 2012
Oh how I wish that the Here and Now world was our reality, with Tales from the Land of Make Believe migrating over. What an amazing world that would be! The best thing about this world that Kate has beautifully created is that not all of the Tales are happy being in the Here and Now. In fact some of the “happily-ever-after” couples end up becoming “unhappily-ever-after.”
The main character Tess aka “Red” as in the Little Red Riding Hood. She once dated Seth- the Big Bad Wolf, who breaks her heart. Instead of wailing in self-pity, she gets tough, and some boots becoming an Enforcer (kinda like a bounty hunter). She is really good at her job, one of the best. Some Tales end up died and Nate “Grimm” asks for Red to be assigned to help him find the killer.
When you think of the Grimm Reaper, I bet you do not picture him like Nate. I have a soft spot for Nate- he dresses in a wool suit with an overcoat and a fedora (it’s a type of hat used more in the early 20th century). Another great thing about this book, Tess is not instantly attracted to Nate. It is slow to develop, she has known him for a while.
I took an instant liking to Tess; her no non-sense policy made me smile. Boy, does she have a snarky attitude at times. “Dear God, it was a morning person conspiracy.” She does not want to find her happily-ever-after because she honestly believes she does not get one. What is refreshing about this is that she accepts this as a reality. It is what it is, she has moved on. She likes her life, even without a man in it. Nate is not an overbearing love interest either. He rarely gets mad, which is the exact opposite of how I imagine a Grim Reaper. Not once in the book was he mean to her, a deviation from the books that I have been reading late.
Now to the mystery- who is killing the Tales. It is truly a mystery- with all signs pointing to Red’s ex- boyfriend. But then since the three prime suspects were once her boyfriend, I am not giving away a lot. This actually stayed a mystery for a long time in the book, I did figure one part out but the accomplice I was wrong on. I will tell you one thing though- anytime an animal is around me I will never again tell a secret.
This novel was pure entertainment. I actually started it twice. The first time I got interrupted and that seriously grated on my nerves. So I put it down until later in the day, when I knew all interruptions would be gone. I really cannot wait until the second one in the series comes out.
The main character Tess aka “Red” as in the Little Red Riding Hood. She once dated Seth- the Big Bad Wolf, who breaks her heart. Instead of wailing in self-pity, she gets tough, and some boots becoming an Enforcer (kinda like a bounty hunter). She is really good at her job, one of the best. Some Tales end up died and Nate “Grimm” asks for Red to be assigned to help him find the killer.
When you think of the Grimm Reaper, I bet you do not picture him like Nate. I have a soft spot for Nate- he dresses in a wool suit with an overcoat and a fedora (it’s a type of hat used more in the early 20th century). Another great thing about this book, Tess is not instantly attracted to Nate. It is slow to develop, she has known him for a while.
I took an instant liking to Tess; her no non-sense policy made me smile. Boy, does she have a snarky attitude at times. “Dear God, it was a morning person conspiracy.” She does not want to find her happily-ever-after because she honestly believes she does not get one. What is refreshing about this is that she accepts this as a reality. It is what it is, she has moved on. She likes her life, even without a man in it. Nate is not an overbearing love interest either. He rarely gets mad, which is the exact opposite of how I imagine a Grim Reaper. Not once in the book was he mean to her, a deviation from the books that I have been reading late.
Now to the mystery- who is killing the Tales. It is truly a mystery- with all signs pointing to Red’s ex- boyfriend. But then since the three prime suspects were once her boyfriend, I am not giving away a lot. This actually stayed a mystery for a long time in the book, I did figure one part out but the accomplice I was wrong on. I will tell you one thing though- anytime an animal is around me I will never again tell a secret.
This novel was pure entertainment. I actually started it twice. The first time I got interrupted and that seriously grated on my nerves. So I put it down until later in the day, when I knew all interruptions would be gone. I really cannot wait until the second one in the series comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2015
~ 3 Red Stars ~
Red is book one in the Transplanted Tales by Kate SeRine. We get suspense, intrigue and a unique portrayal of fairy tale characters.
Tess Little, aka Red. She is just ok! She was supposed to be bad ass, then she does something stupid like sleep with an ex-boyfriend who is a suspect in the investigation. The women seems to still be a scared little girl running.
Nate Grimm, aka Death or Reaper. He is attractive, but I kept thinking of the TV show Grimm when I read his name. So maybe the show was not around when the author wrote the book, but it kept distracting me.
We get a crazy cast of fairy tale characters that are interesting in Red , but they where lacking and needed more development, as for Red and Grimm, you can tell that they are meant to be together, but for some reason it takes the whole book for them to hook up. The plot is mystery/suspense which I enjoyed. That is probably what kept me going along with the author’s sense of humor. I really did enjoy the retelling of the fairy tale characters and how they are more then their story. It was interesting, but not outstanding.
Red was fun and enjoyable. It did not wow me, but I still enjoyed it. I am hoping for more character development in the series when I do read on.
Red is book one in the Transplanted Tales by Kate SeRine. We get suspense, intrigue and a unique portrayal of fairy tale characters.
Tess Little, aka Red. She is just ok! She was supposed to be bad ass, then she does something stupid like sleep with an ex-boyfriend who is a suspect in the investigation. The women seems to still be a scared little girl running.
Nate Grimm, aka Death or Reaper. He is attractive, but I kept thinking of the TV show Grimm when I read his name. So maybe the show was not around when the author wrote the book, but it kept distracting me.
We get a crazy cast of fairy tale characters that are interesting in Red , but they where lacking and needed more development, as for Red and Grimm, you can tell that they are meant to be together, but for some reason it takes the whole book for them to hook up. The plot is mystery/suspense which I enjoyed. That is probably what kept me going along with the author’s sense of humor. I really did enjoy the retelling of the fairy tale characters and how they are more then their story. It was interesting, but not outstanding.
Red was fun and enjoyable. It did not wow me, but I still enjoyed it. I am hoping for more character development in the series when I do read on.
August 29, 2012
Thank you Julie (Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks) for standing on the roof tops and shouting about this book. I loved it.
The take on the characters from the fairy tales and literature was so good. I enjoyed each of their back stories and I thought the take on what happened to them after they were brought to the Here and Now was fantastic.
I thought Red was a great character. I loved her "Bite Me" and take no prisoner personality.
I did add the pnr tag to this because it appears Red has her HEA and the next book is about Seth Wolf. Honestly, I might be a bit disappointed since I really loved Red. I hope we get to see more of her in the next book which will be an automatic pre-order for me.
The take on the characters from the fairy tales and literature was so good. I enjoyed each of their back stories and I thought the take on what happened to them after they were brought to the Here and Now was fantastic.
I thought Red was a great character. I loved her "Bite Me" and take no prisoner personality.
I did add the pnr tag to this because it appears Red has her HEA and the next book is about Seth Wolf. Honestly, I might be a bit disappointed since I really loved Red. I hope we get to see more of her in the next book which will be an automatic pre-order for me.
August 2, 2012
I love fairy-tale retellings and urban fantasy. When I read Cait’s review @Basia’s Bookshelf I knew I had to read this book. So I grabbed a copy of Red, to share with you. When a spell goes awry characters find themselves in the “here and how.” Filled with humor, beloved characters, suspense and romance this novel grabbed me from the first pages. SeRine has added her own unique twist and created a new series you are going to love.
SeRine drops us right into the story when we meet Tess “Red” Little, aka Little Red Riding Hood. She works as an enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. (FMA) Dressed in combat boots and carrying a gun she brings in suspects, solves cases and protects the fairytale community from exposing themselves to the Ordinaries. When someone or something begins brutally murdering Tales (story book characters who have crossed over and live among humans), Red finds herself looking at a suspect list that reads like her little black book. She has been involved with all of them and not one is going to appreciate being questioned. She also finds herself with a partner and Red prefers to work alone. Her new partner is the smexy, fedora wearing Nate Grimm. He’s the lead detective for FMA and a grim reaper. The tale that unfolds is filled with sexual tension, suspense, danger and a list of characters that kept me completely immersed in the tale.
Red is all attitude and kick-ass awesomeness. As the number one enforcer the Tales respect her. Dressed in combat boots and a trench coat, Tales know that if Red is sent to find you; you’re coming in. I liked Red; she is complex and easy to connect with. Being immortal she has lived among the Ordinaries (humans) for some time, she loves her job and is confident in her sexuality. Oddly she doesn't really see herself as beautiful and I think that is part of her charm. She has some baggage from her story and is trying to rewrite it in the “here and now.” She has commitment issues and lives with her Gram. (Yep the one in the tale) Gram was a hoot and I loved this feisty, funny old lady. Nate is a grim reaper and one of the best detectives in FMA. He dresses like Neal Caffrey from the hit show, White Collar and has all the confidence and swag. He oozes smexy and I couldn’t help but swoon for him. He really gets Red and his need to protect her was sweet. The sexual tension between them was delightful. Nate was a perfect gentleman, but said and did things that made Red swoon. She has a really tough time trusting anyone, but she just might learn she can trust Nate. That is if his secret doesn’t destroy her. We meet other characters, and SeRine’s depiction of them in the “here and now” was at times hilarious. The fact that Red was involved with almost all of the suspects at one time or another added tension and some sexual angst.
The world building for Red was fascinating. While we are not provided with a lot of details as to how the whole migration from the pages of fairy tales to the "here and now" began, we are offered enough to satisfy this reader. Sometimes whole characters from tales crossed over and at other times only one. The spell also seeped into the pages of classics and I loved this little twist. I loved discovering who each character was and what became of them. The murder mystery was good with a list of suspects that kept Red busy. Foreshadowing and character details led me to discover who was behind the attacks but I enjoyed the ride. SeRine cleverly added twist to the plot that caused tension. The romance was sweet, slow to develop and felt genuine. While there is some sexual content, it is implied but totally hot. There is some profanity but it’s not abusive and felt appropriate. The tale flowed at a fast clip with just the right amount of details. I loved the authors writing style and she brought these characters to life. Witty banter and hilarious moments kept me enthralled. The plot development for this series is endless and I like that Red and Nate’s tale ended and I am super excited about the next Tale's story.
If you like fairytale retellings and urban fantasies with kick-ass protagonist then Red is definitely for you. The Better to See You is the next book in the Transplanted Tales series and a little teaser is included in the back of this book. It was enough to have this reader drooling for more. I have added Kate SeRine to my list and will definitely continue this series.
I want to thank Kensington Publishing and netGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
SeRine drops us right into the story when we meet Tess “Red” Little, aka Little Red Riding Hood. She works as an enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. (FMA) Dressed in combat boots and carrying a gun she brings in suspects, solves cases and protects the fairytale community from exposing themselves to the Ordinaries. When someone or something begins brutally murdering Tales (story book characters who have crossed over and live among humans), Red finds herself looking at a suspect list that reads like her little black book. She has been involved with all of them and not one is going to appreciate being questioned. She also finds herself with a partner and Red prefers to work alone. Her new partner is the smexy, fedora wearing Nate Grimm. He’s the lead detective for FMA and a grim reaper. The tale that unfolds is filled with sexual tension, suspense, danger and a list of characters that kept me completely immersed in the tale.
Red is all attitude and kick-ass awesomeness. As the number one enforcer the Tales respect her. Dressed in combat boots and a trench coat, Tales know that if Red is sent to find you; you’re coming in. I liked Red; she is complex and easy to connect with. Being immortal she has lived among the Ordinaries (humans) for some time, she loves her job and is confident in her sexuality. Oddly she doesn't really see herself as beautiful and I think that is part of her charm. She has some baggage from her story and is trying to rewrite it in the “here and now.” She has commitment issues and lives with her Gram. (Yep the one in the tale) Gram was a hoot and I loved this feisty, funny old lady. Nate is a grim reaper and one of the best detectives in FMA. He dresses like Neal Caffrey from the hit show, White Collar and has all the confidence and swag. He oozes smexy and I couldn’t help but swoon for him. He really gets Red and his need to protect her was sweet. The sexual tension between them was delightful. Nate was a perfect gentleman, but said and did things that made Red swoon. She has a really tough time trusting anyone, but she just might learn she can trust Nate. That is if his secret doesn’t destroy her. We meet other characters, and SeRine’s depiction of them in the “here and now” was at times hilarious. The fact that Red was involved with almost all of the suspects at one time or another added tension and some sexual angst.
The world building for Red was fascinating. While we are not provided with a lot of details as to how the whole migration from the pages of fairy tales to the "here and now" began, we are offered enough to satisfy this reader. Sometimes whole characters from tales crossed over and at other times only one. The spell also seeped into the pages of classics and I loved this little twist. I loved discovering who each character was and what became of them. The murder mystery was good with a list of suspects that kept Red busy. Foreshadowing and character details led me to discover who was behind the attacks but I enjoyed the ride. SeRine cleverly added twist to the plot that caused tension. The romance was sweet, slow to develop and felt genuine. While there is some sexual content, it is implied but totally hot. There is some profanity but it’s not abusive and felt appropriate. The tale flowed at a fast clip with just the right amount of details. I loved the authors writing style and she brought these characters to life. Witty banter and hilarious moments kept me enthralled. The plot development for this series is endless and I like that Red and Nate’s tale ended and I am super excited about the next Tale's story.
If you like fairytale retellings and urban fantasies with kick-ass protagonist then Red is definitely for you. The Better to See You is the next book in the Transplanted Tales series and a little teaser is included in the back of this book. It was enough to have this reader drooling for more. I have added Kate SeRine to my list and will definitely continue this series.
I want to thank Kensington Publishing and netGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
June 18, 2017
4.5 Fun-filled stars
Oh, what an absolutely fabulous read! This was a simply brilliant mix of tongue in cheek humour, serious crime-solving, kick-ass characters, unique worldbuilding, all combined with a cleverly written mystery and a positively enthralling romance. I suggest every Urban Fantasy and/or Paranormal Romance fan grab this book ASAP as it will bring you something really fun and totally different to your favourite genre.
I kept bringing to mind the movie WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? while I was reading this for a couple of reasons: Firstly, it was the idea of make believe characters living alongside us in the real world; 'Toons' in Roger Rabbit's case, and 'Tales,' as they were called here. All your favourite fairy tale, literary and nursery rhyme characters are over here, in our world, trying to fit in with society. Secondly, it was the presence of a certain detective with a penchant for 1940's clothing; trench coat, fedora and all. More about him later:)
So, as you might have guessed from the title, this is Red (of the riding hood-wearing variety), aka Tess Little's story. A story you might think you are familiar with. But here's the thing. After being accidentally kicked out of the Land of Make Believe and sent to the Here and Now, these former fictional characters no longer have to follow their predetermined fates. They can go down a different path if they so choose. Some find this concept harder to accept than others, however. Villains find it really hard no to be villainous, insipid fairytale princesses find it really hard not to be air-headed bimbos...you get the idea. But, if you weren't happy with your lot in your original story, this is your chance to change it and be totally different. So don't assume you know how Red's story will go, because you will be very surprised. I certainly was. I couldn't predict anything, not even the outcome of the mystery, which was great.
The story, as I've said, is mystery based. A murder mystery to be precise. And Red, as an Enforcer for the Fairy Tale police, is called in to assist lead detective Nate Grimm (of the trench and fedora) since it appears the identity of the killer may well be someone Red is intimately familiar with. The Big Bad of all Big Bads himself, Seth Wolf.
Although I loved the mystery element and all the action, my favourite part of Red has to be the romance. It was slow to get going— very slow, actually, with even a couple of detours along the way which I wasn't totally thrilled with—but it was so worth the wait! It was simmering and intense and I was absolutely along for the ride. The 1940's look has never been something that struck me as particularly sexy before, but Nate Grimm changed my mind! Whoo boy, did he ever... He was a really interesting character, too, with a fascinating backstory that we learn as Red gets to know him more.
As for Red herself, she's pretty badass. She makes a few mistakes and can be a little brash, but underneath all that, she's still that little girl, lost in the woods. I think you'll like her character if you can keep an open mind about some of the choices she makes.
The rest of the cast, as you can well imagine by now, was positively filled with familiar faces. And the really clever part was how they were used, where they were placed. I'll tell you just a couple because I don't want to spoil it, but for example: Old King Cole, who you may know, is a merry old soul, runs a pub for Tales. Nicky "Little boy" Blue, is a gangster. The Pied Piper runs a pest control business. Don't you just love it? I sure did.
So, all in all, a great and surprising read. Not as silly as you might think from the premise, with a fab romance and really good twists and turns. Go check it out!
4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
Oh, what an absolutely fabulous read! This was a simply brilliant mix of tongue in cheek humour, serious crime-solving, kick-ass characters, unique worldbuilding, all combined with a cleverly written mystery and a positively enthralling romance. I suggest every Urban Fantasy and/or Paranormal Romance fan grab this book ASAP as it will bring you something really fun and totally different to your favourite genre.
I kept bringing to mind the movie WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? while I was reading this for a couple of reasons: Firstly, it was the idea of make believe characters living alongside us in the real world; 'Toons' in Roger Rabbit's case, and 'Tales,' as they were called here. All your favourite fairy tale, literary and nursery rhyme characters are over here, in our world, trying to fit in with society. Secondly, it was the presence of a certain detective with a penchant for 1940's clothing; trench coat, fedora and all. More about him later:)
So, as you might have guessed from the title, this is Red (of the riding hood-wearing variety), aka Tess Little's story. A story you might think you are familiar with. But here's the thing. After being accidentally kicked out of the Land of Make Believe and sent to the Here and Now, these former fictional characters no longer have to follow their predetermined fates. They can go down a different path if they so choose. Some find this concept harder to accept than others, however. Villains find it really hard no to be villainous, insipid fairytale princesses find it really hard not to be air-headed bimbos...you get the idea. But, if you weren't happy with your lot in your original story, this is your chance to change it and be totally different. So don't assume you know how Red's story will go, because you will be very surprised. I certainly was. I couldn't predict anything, not even the outcome of the mystery, which was great.
The story, as I've said, is mystery based. A murder mystery to be precise. And Red, as an Enforcer for the Fairy Tale police, is called in to assist lead detective Nate Grimm (of the trench and fedora) since it appears the identity of the killer may well be someone Red is intimately familiar with. The Big Bad of all Big Bads himself, Seth Wolf.
Although I loved the mystery element and all the action, my favourite part of Red has to be the romance. It was slow to get going— very slow, actually, with even a couple of detours along the way which I wasn't totally thrilled with—but it was so worth the wait! It was simmering and intense and I was absolutely along for the ride. The 1940's look has never been something that struck me as particularly sexy before, but Nate Grimm changed my mind! Whoo boy, did he ever... He was a really interesting character, too, with a fascinating backstory that we learn as Red gets to know him more.
As for Red herself, she's pretty badass. She makes a few mistakes and can be a little brash, but underneath all that, she's still that little girl, lost in the woods. I think you'll like her character if you can keep an open mind about some of the choices she makes.
The rest of the cast, as you can well imagine by now, was positively filled with familiar faces. And the really clever part was how they were used, where they were placed. I'll tell you just a couple because I don't want to spoil it, but for example: Old King Cole, who you may know, is a merry old soul, runs a pub for Tales. Nicky "Little boy" Blue, is a gangster. The Pied Piper runs a pest control business. Don't you just love it? I sure did.
So, all in all, a great and surprising read. Not as silly as you might think from the premise, with a fab romance and really good twists and turns. Go check it out!
4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
February 21, 2014
Originally reviewed on
Romancing the Dark Side:
I could not ask for more in a book…Kate SeRine rocked my fairy tale world with RED!
Our story begins with Tess “Red” Little (Little Red Riding Hood) introducing us to her fascinating world. A wronged spelled has allowed all of the make believe characters in storybooks (known as Tales) cross over into the Ordinaries (human) population. Living in Chicago, Red works as an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority who handle fairytale crimes and police any threats that can expose the their secret community to the Ordinaries. Red’s latest case teams her up with Nate Grimm, the sexy FMA detective who also moonlights as a Reaper. Someone is brutally murdering Tales and the suspects all have one thing in common…they’ve all been in Red’s little black book at one time or another. Red is far from the innocent girl on a trip to Grandma’s and while she prefers to work alone her new partner shows her letting someone have your back in this dangerous world is not always a bad thing.
I’ve had this book on my ereader for a while now and after reading it I wanted to slap myself for not getting to it sooner. Kate SeRine’s world building is dark, sexy and just plain fascinating! Red’s voice shines, the sexual tension is off the charts and the action keeps you turning the pages with anticipation.
Fierce heroines are my favorite and Red does not disappoint. She has a great sense of humor, a kind but guarded heart and she’s hands down kick ass! It can sometimes be hard to connect with a heroine that’s immortal but that’s not even a factor when it comes to Red. Red has some insecurities and doesn’t see herself as some gorgeous creature (I hate when a heroine is in love with herself) but at the same time totally embraces her sexuality..gotta love that. As she gets to know Nate Red loses some of her commitment issues and shows she can be tough and still be vulnerable. Her partner Nate Grimm is all kinds of swoon worthy man candy.
Being The Grimm Reaper I expected him to be a little dark and tortured but in walks in this smooth talking, Fedora wearing detective oozing sex appeal. Nate is just as dangerous as Red but he isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, I instantly fell in love with him. Their witty banter and flirtations showed a softer side to both and I couldn’t get enough of them. Nate and Red already have a past which makes their attraction believable. It takes a while for things to get hot and heavy between them so the two really get to know each other better before the fireworks. There are a few secrets that are revealed about their true past that cause a little tension between Nate and Red but I’ll let you find those out for yourself. Ms. SeRine was killing me with Nate’s gentlemanly ways towards Red but it just made the moment when these two finally get together worth the wait.
RED introduces us to a variety of famous supporting characters which include Snow White, The Pied Piper, Little Boy Blue and Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, to name a few…that added a special touch to the already engaging story. The ongoing murder mystery keeps the pace of the story flowing and a touch of romance lightens the mood. I had a sense of who the real villain was but I enjoyed taking the ride along with Red and Nate. Kate SeRine delivers a stellar debut, revamping our beloved fairy tales and classics characters in an adults only tale. I couldn’t get enough of this dark and stormy fairy tale world and definitely plan on revisiting!
I could not ask for more in a book…Kate SeRine rocked my fairy tale world with RED!
Our story begins with Tess “Red” Little (Little Red Riding Hood) introducing us to her fascinating world. A wronged spelled has allowed all of the make believe characters in storybooks (known as Tales) cross over into the Ordinaries (human) population. Living in Chicago, Red works as an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority who handle fairytale crimes and police any threats that can expose the their secret community to the Ordinaries. Red’s latest case teams her up with Nate Grimm, the sexy FMA detective who also moonlights as a Reaper. Someone is brutally murdering Tales and the suspects all have one thing in common…they’ve all been in Red’s little black book at one time or another. Red is far from the innocent girl on a trip to Grandma’s and while she prefers to work alone her new partner shows her letting someone have your back in this dangerous world is not always a bad thing.
I’ve had this book on my ereader for a while now and after reading it I wanted to slap myself for not getting to it sooner. Kate SeRine’s world building is dark, sexy and just plain fascinating! Red’s voice shines, the sexual tension is off the charts and the action keeps you turning the pages with anticipation.
Fierce heroines are my favorite and Red does not disappoint. She has a great sense of humor, a kind but guarded heart and she’s hands down kick ass! It can sometimes be hard to connect with a heroine that’s immortal but that’s not even a factor when it comes to Red. Red has some insecurities and doesn’t see herself as some gorgeous creature (I hate when a heroine is in love with herself) but at the same time totally embraces her sexuality..gotta love that. As she gets to know Nate Red loses some of her commitment issues and shows she can be tough and still be vulnerable. Her partner Nate Grimm is all kinds of swoon worthy man candy.
Being The Grimm Reaper I expected him to be a little dark and tortured but in walks in this smooth talking, Fedora wearing detective oozing sex appeal. Nate is just as dangerous as Red but he isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, I instantly fell in love with him. Their witty banter and flirtations showed a softer side to both and I couldn’t get enough of them. Nate and Red already have a past which makes their attraction believable. It takes a while for things to get hot and heavy between them so the two really get to know each other better before the fireworks. There are a few secrets that are revealed about their true past that cause a little tension between Nate and Red but I’ll let you find those out for yourself. Ms. SeRine was killing me with Nate’s gentlemanly ways towards Red but it just made the moment when these two finally get together worth the wait.
RED introduces us to a variety of famous supporting characters which include Snow White, The Pied Piper, Little Boy Blue and Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, to name a few…that added a special touch to the already engaging story. The ongoing murder mystery keeps the pace of the story flowing and a touch of romance lightens the mood. I had a sense of who the real villain was but I enjoyed taking the ride along with Red and Nate. Kate SeRine delivers a stellar debut, revamping our beloved fairy tales and classics characters in an adults only tale. I couldn’t get enough of this dark and stormy fairy tale world and definitely plan on revisiting!
June 12, 2014
3.5 Stars
I love retellings and if you asked me why I wouldn't even be able to tell you except that maybe since the magic is gone from the reading the story the first time, I maybe hope to recapture that say magic from reading it a second, only this time having it be different. New surprises and twists and maybe even a new outcome. Same beloved characters in a slightly altered reality.
I loved the whole theme of this one, fairy tales creatures and literary characters coming out of the pages and into the real world. The good, the bad, and even the ugly.
I loved how they had to blend in and adapt. How they dealt with their fairy tale persona as well and who they were in the real world now, trying to act human while not being at all.
Most of all, I loved Grimm. He was a kick butt character that I just couldn't get enough of. I wanted to know more about his mysterious past and how he came to be a reaper, I wanted to know everything about him. Sadly we really get very little history from him but bits and pieces here and there.
Red, hmm, what to say about her? She is fierce and pretty kick butt (in most ways, definitely as an Enforcer, not so much in her real life) but like all the Tales in the story she has some serious issues and hang ups, even though I liked her, at times she was pretty wishy washy and that bothered me a little and I had a harder time connecting with her than I would have liked but I did eventually connect with her and grow to really like her.
There were some pretty fascinating crazy messed up characters in this and I loved that about this story. It was fast paced and action packed, it never lacked in the mystery department or in adventure and I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
I love retellings and if you asked me why I wouldn't even be able to tell you except that maybe since the magic is gone from the reading the story the first time, I maybe hope to recapture that say magic from reading it a second, only this time having it be different. New surprises and twists and maybe even a new outcome. Same beloved characters in a slightly altered reality.
I loved the whole theme of this one, fairy tales creatures and literary characters coming out of the pages and into the real world. The good, the bad, and even the ugly.
I loved how they had to blend in and adapt. How they dealt with their fairy tale persona as well and who they were in the real world now, trying to act human while not being at all.
Most of all, I loved Grimm. He was a kick butt character that I just couldn't get enough of. I wanted to know more about his mysterious past and how he came to be a reaper, I wanted to know everything about him. Sadly we really get very little history from him but bits and pieces here and there.
Red, hmm, what to say about her? She is fierce and pretty kick butt (in most ways, definitely as an Enforcer, not so much in her real life) but like all the Tales in the story she has some serious issues and hang ups, even though I liked her, at times she was pretty wishy washy and that bothered me a little and I had a harder time connecting with her than I would have liked but I did eventually connect with her and grow to really like her.
There were some pretty fascinating crazy messed up characters in this and I loved that about this story. It was fast paced and action packed, it never lacked in the mystery department or in adventure and I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
October 12, 2012
Damn, I liked this one. I regret sitting on it for so long, but, hey, that's what vacations are for, to catch-up.
Red takes the premise made familiar in Once Upon a Time, (fairy tale & other fictional characters migrating to our world) minus the Curse, and turns it into an urban fantasy. Fairy tales are being murdered and Red is the one to figure out why. SeRine doesn't just focus on the characters we all know (Snow White, the Darcys, Cinderella), but brings in more obscure minor characters as well.
The execution was not perfect, there were tweaks I'd have recommended if I was her beta reader, but I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Right now, I'd say this is leaning more the Thursday Next route than towards the Kristine Grayson route. I really hope Kensington puts book two, The Better to See You, up on NetGalley because waiting 'til February 2013 would suck.
Red takes the premise made familiar in Once Upon a Time, (fairy tale & other fictional characters migrating to our world) minus the Curse, and turns it into an urban fantasy. Fairy tales are being murdered and Red is the one to figure out why. SeRine doesn't just focus on the characters we all know (Snow White, the Darcys, Cinderella), but brings in more obscure minor characters as well.
The execution was not perfect, there were tweaks I'd have recommended if I was her beta reader, but I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Right now, I'd say this is leaning more the Thursday Next route than towards the Kristine Grayson route. I really hope Kensington puts book two, The Better to See You, up on NetGalley because waiting 'til February 2013 would suck.
February 1, 2013
3,5 stars
Generally speaking, i really liked this story. I liked the concept of it, and most of its characters. In fact i loved how it started.
I liked the combination of fairytale characters and literary ones, coming together in our contemporary world. But...i got a little lost regarding some suspects of the investigation. There were two of them that i kept mixing up. I guess i wouldn't have minded if they had been more "fleshed" out as characters.
Also, Red's romantic life, was a little too much "chaotic" for my tastes. Although i understand the nature of the character, a Tale, that lives on the Here and Now but after a while, it felt a little strange.
On the positives, i loved Nate. The sweetest reaper that ever walked through the pages of a book. :)
I'm looking forward in reading the next one.
Generally speaking, i really liked this story. I liked the concept of it, and most of its characters. In fact i loved how it started.
I liked the combination of fairytale characters and literary ones, coming together in our contemporary world. But...i got a little lost regarding some suspects of the investigation. There were two of them that i kept mixing up. I guess i wouldn't have minded if they had been more "fleshed" out as characters.
Also, Red's romantic life, was a little too much "chaotic" for my tastes. Although i understand the nature of the character, a Tale, that lives on the Here and Now but after a while, it felt a little strange.
On the positives, i loved Nate. The sweetest reaper that ever walked through the pages of a book. :)
I'm looking forward in reading the next one.
July 20, 2012
4 ½ Stars
September 3, 2012
LOVED this story, so much fun to read. Full of adventure. Can't wait to read the next book...Feb 2013 is so far away.
February 26, 2022
I don't do review tours very often anymore because it stresses me out to have to read a book by a certain deadline. But when I saw this one come through from Caffeinated PR, I couldn't resist. And I'm really REALLY glad I was weak. Because it was SO GOOD!
If you like retellings this may / may not be for you because while the characters are 99% characters - or, as they call themselves, Tales - from Fairy Tales or Literary Fiction, they live in our world now and their "official" story informs their character but it is not who they are now. And I personally loved that element, this idea that given the freedom to write their own stories, characters might choose a different life than the one their writers gave to them. I expected only fairy tales, because the main character is Red from Little Red Ridding Hood, so imagine my delight when my favorite literary couple of all time appeared! Yep, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. They weren't the only literary characters, (for example, Vlad and Juliet make appearances) although fairy tales do dominate.
As I said, the main character is Red (that's her nickname, but I honestly can't remember what her given name is... Tess? IDK, not important really) and I loved everything about her. First off, I loved that she's kind of running from her story and trying to build her own narrative. I loved her relationship with her Grandmother (who is also a FANTASTIC character). Red is an Enforcer for the Tales (kind of like a Detective) and she reports to Al (ahem, Aladdin). He assigns her a case where Tales are getting torn to shreds by some sort of monster; assigned to her because the three most likely culprits are her exes. Fun, right?
And then she's assigned to work with the other main character, Nate - who is a reaper. Death himself as a partner. And if you've read many books with Death/Reapers, they have this tendency to be darkishly handsome and melt-worthy. Nate does not disappoint, although he's considerably sweeter than you'd expect Death to be. And not bad in the kitchen LOL. And as you can imagine there is romance - especially because Red has quite the romantic history and entanglements. While the action and mystery are the stars of the story, you won't be disappointed by the romance either.
I loved watching them solve the case and the way knowledge of the different stories and characters intermixed with being in the Ordinary (what they call us humans) World. I was on my toes the entire time trying to figure things out. I had lots of good guesses and while I was close, I wasn't 100% correct because I missed a couple clues. Those are the best detective books for me - when I could have solved it but didn't because there were enough red herrings to throw me off.
The mystery and initial problem are wrapped up very nicely, but there's still a larger problem at hand when the book concludes and I am eager to read the next book to see how things continue!
If you like retellings this may / may not be for you because while the characters are 99% characters - or, as they call themselves, Tales - from Fairy Tales or Literary Fiction, they live in our world now and their "official" story informs their character but it is not who they are now. And I personally loved that element, this idea that given the freedom to write their own stories, characters might choose a different life than the one their writers gave to them. I expected only fairy tales, because the main character is Red from Little Red Ridding Hood, so imagine my delight when my favorite literary couple of all time appeared! Yep, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. They weren't the only literary characters, (for example, Vlad and Juliet make appearances) although fairy tales do dominate.
As I said, the main character is Red (that's her nickname, but I honestly can't remember what her given name is... Tess? IDK, not important really) and I loved everything about her. First off, I loved that she's kind of running from her story and trying to build her own narrative. I loved her relationship with her Grandmother (who is also a FANTASTIC character). Red is an Enforcer for the Tales (kind of like a Detective) and she reports to Al (ahem, Aladdin). He assigns her a case where Tales are getting torn to shreds by some sort of monster; assigned to her because the three most likely culprits are her exes. Fun, right?
And then she's assigned to work with the other main character, Nate - who is a reaper. Death himself as a partner. And if you've read many books with Death/Reapers, they have this tendency to be darkishly handsome and melt-worthy. Nate does not disappoint, although he's considerably sweeter than you'd expect Death to be. And not bad in the kitchen LOL. And as you can imagine there is romance - especially because Red has quite the romantic history and entanglements. While the action and mystery are the stars of the story, you won't be disappointed by the romance either.
I loved watching them solve the case and the way knowledge of the different stories and characters intermixed with being in the Ordinary (what they call us humans) World. I was on my toes the entire time trying to figure things out. I had lots of good guesses and while I was close, I wasn't 100% correct because I missed a couple clues. Those are the best detective books for me - when I could have solved it but didn't because there were enough red herrings to throw me off.
The mystery and initial problem are wrapped up very nicely, but there's still a larger problem at hand when the book concludes and I am eager to read the next book to see how things continue!
January 19, 2013
I really enjoyed this modernization of fairytale characters with not so perfect lives as thought in their stories and a enticing bloody mystery to solve, and maybe even a blooming relationship along the way.
****FULL REVIEW****
Tess Little's, know as Red, recent mark to bring in Dave "Pied Piper" is a usual occurrence of minor parole violation turns surprising and doesn't make sense when he quickly takes his own life in front of her instead of going in. Something had him sacred and doesn't feel right. When Detective Nate Grimm shows Red is stunned by her response to him, then she's called back to the office at FMA - Fairytale Management Authority. Red learns there have been four severely brutal murders in the last thirty days and appears all by same person. They all seem to be four small time Tale characters, no one knows why these people were clawed to death. Red's boss, Al Addin, wants Red to bring the suspects in for questioning including Seth "Big Bad" Wolf whom Red thought was her happily ever after at one time and a few others whom she had relations with in the past. Al wants this over before the Ordinaries, humans, catch wind of the murders. Red believes down deep none of the suspects are guilty, especially the top of their list - Seth. Red's not wanting to deal with any old lovers, which is complicated by her growing attraction to the detective who requested her as his partner - Detective Nate Grimm.
I love the Prologue! We learn of the fairytale characters being in the Here and Now and a brief reasoning as to why they have crossed over. It's told from Tess Little, Red as everyone calls her. Red is grown up and one tough lady as an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority. I really like Red off the bat. She seems like a no nonsense kind of woman, one who holds her own. Red has grown and made a life for herself, yet she's still hurt too, in her heart. And she's dated a few...damaged Tale men as well. Red is use to working alone and now she has a partner, this is hard for her to adjust to.
I really felt like many of the Tale characters and their Here and Now lives blended. Some I was surprised to see in their positions, but being in the "real" life scenario they are not who they were in their stories and lives are way different here.
I so enjoyed Nate Grimm, a Homicide detective with his special talent to know when one of the fairy tales die and instantly there. Oooo Nate! Oh do I LOVE Nate's story. What we learn about him through the story. *sigh* In the end I do think I loved him, well, I strongly liked him in the beginning. Not only is Nate an amazing sounding man, but I loved the way his story fit with Red, her life, and into the story. Wonderfully planned!
I kept reading as I wanted to know who committed the murders of these background characters and why. I love Red's determined hard self and the banter with her and Nate... love/hate/love, friend, more? And to meet all these troubled "bad boys" Red has dated. We follow Red learning all the clues along with her, and kept me guessing. I had my suspicions and there were surprises that fit PERFECTLY with the clues we got. A mystery story that will keep you flipping and guessing.
This is a modernization of fairytale characters with a bloody mystery to solve and it seems to touch Red's personal life.
If you haven't picked this up yet because you fear to much Romance, GO GET IT! There is an enticing murder story here. And wonderful molding of Fairytale characters in the ordinary world. There is falling in love present but not over the top here. There is a perfect combination with the growth of the relationship done gently through the story making it believable as you watch the characters work together through these grisly murders.
I am sold on this series! I will be picking up the next books that will be coming out to enjoy more of this world and to see what is in store for the characters.
****FULL REVIEW****
Tess Little's, know as Red, recent mark to bring in Dave "Pied Piper" is a usual occurrence of minor parole violation turns surprising and doesn't make sense when he quickly takes his own life in front of her instead of going in. Something had him sacred and doesn't feel right. When Detective Nate Grimm shows Red is stunned by her response to him, then she's called back to the office at FMA - Fairytale Management Authority. Red learns there have been four severely brutal murders in the last thirty days and appears all by same person. They all seem to be four small time Tale characters, no one knows why these people were clawed to death. Red's boss, Al Addin, wants Red to bring the suspects in for questioning including Seth "Big Bad" Wolf whom Red thought was her happily ever after at one time and a few others whom she had relations with in the past. Al wants this over before the Ordinaries, humans, catch wind of the murders. Red believes down deep none of the suspects are guilty, especially the top of their list - Seth. Red's not wanting to deal with any old lovers, which is complicated by her growing attraction to the detective who requested her as his partner - Detective Nate Grimm.
I love the Prologue! We learn of the fairytale characters being in the Here and Now and a brief reasoning as to why they have crossed over. It's told from Tess Little, Red as everyone calls her. Red is grown up and one tough lady as an Enforcer for the Fairytale Management Authority. I really like Red off the bat. She seems like a no nonsense kind of woman, one who holds her own. Red has grown and made a life for herself, yet she's still hurt too, in her heart. And she's dated a few...damaged Tale men as well. Red is use to working alone and now she has a partner, this is hard for her to adjust to.
I really felt like many of the Tale characters and their Here and Now lives blended. Some I was surprised to see in their positions, but being in the "real" life scenario they are not who they were in their stories and lives are way different here.
I so enjoyed Nate Grimm, a Homicide detective with his special talent to know when one of the fairy tales die and instantly there. Oooo Nate! Oh do I LOVE Nate's story. What we learn about him through the story. *sigh* In the end I do think I loved him, well, I strongly liked him in the beginning. Not only is Nate an amazing sounding man, but I loved the way his story fit with Red, her life, and into the story. Wonderfully planned!
I kept reading as I wanted to know who committed the murders of these background characters and why. I love Red's determined hard self and the banter with her and Nate... love/hate/love, friend, more? And to meet all these troubled "bad boys" Red has dated. We follow Red learning all the clues along with her, and kept me guessing. I had my suspicions and there were surprises that fit PERFECTLY with the clues we got. A mystery story that will keep you flipping and guessing.
This is a modernization of fairytale characters with a bloody mystery to solve and it seems to touch Red's personal life.
If you haven't picked this up yet because you fear to much Romance, GO GET IT! There is an enticing murder story here. And wonderful molding of Fairytale characters in the ordinary world. There is falling in love present but not over the top here. There is a perfect combination with the growth of the relationship done gently through the story making it believable as you watch the characters work together through these grisly murders.
I am sold on this series! I will be picking up the next books that will be coming out to enjoy more of this world and to see what is in store for the characters.
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