Red and the Wolves: A Graphic Novel

by Cherry Zong

For lovers of Through the Woods,Blackwater, and Squad, comes a dark, sapphic retelling of a classic tale.

Red, a fiercely loyal hunter, has dedicated her life to protecting her witch Grand Mother. Monsters have been roaming the forest that they call home, bringing forth a mysterious illness that has devastated the land and chased every living soul away. Until Red stumbles upon an injured wolf-girl named Sil.
 Red is cautiously optimistic to befriend someone new, but the more their relationship deepens, the more she begins to uncover the sinister truths behind everything she’s ever known.
 Red must make the difficult decision of who to defend, before catastrophe consumes them all. This graphic novel that's an apocalyptic fantasy meets queer love story turns the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairytale on its head.
 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, LGBT, Horror, Mystery

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing retelling of Little Red Riding Hood!

This is my favorite kind of retelling, where the author takes the elements of the original tale and uses them to create a new story entirely their own.
In this case it’s a darker version set in a fantasy world, I thought the world building was really interesting and well done.

The art was really beautiful too, I loved how the illustrator is able to depict cute and funny scenes but also darker or action packed moments.

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for providing an eARC

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This reminds me a bit of the graphic novel “Mooncakes”, but heavier on the fantasy, and lighter on the romance. Somewhat less “cutesy” if you will. It has fantasy elements, a little bit of sapphic romance, witches and wolf shifters.

This is meant to be a retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood”, which is pretty cool.
I have read quite a few retellings of classic stories- but I haven’t seen this one yet, so I was excited about that.
This turned out to be a lot more intense than I was expecting it to be- which isn’t a bad thing! It is very fantasy leaning. I can always enjoy a graphic novel which a plot that isn’t overly simplistic.

What I did find a bit simplistic was the illustrations. They are nice, and I think they fit the vibe of the story, but at certain points I just thought it could have used a bit more… “pizazz”. Perhaps a bit more vibrancy, or detail.
This doesn’t apply to all of them, because I did find that some were better-done than others.
It seems more effort was put into the conflict scenes.
I think I just would have liked to see a bit more overall. Even just adding some extra elements to the background!
I always have to give credit for animals though. The animals are cute. THE RAT!!! and the BUNNIES!!! I love.

The last thing I want to mention, is that the synopsis of this sort of led me to believe that there would be more romance than was actually present.
I still enjoyed the story as a whole, so I was okay with it.
But just to note for other potential readers- it is a very small subplot.
We do see a lot of Red and Sil together! but the romantic relationship is minimally developed.

A fun story all together, and probably will be enjoyed by the magic and fantasy lovers. Though I think a few small adjustments could be made to really elevate it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and author Cherry Zong, for providing me with the eARC of “Red and the Wolves”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: January 13, 2026

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the art and the characters, especially the wolves, so I'm going to give this a thumbs up despite being way too long for such a simple plot.

I mean, normally I'd try to describe the plot, but I just so did not care about it nearly as much as simply watching the characters hang out. There is a big fight at the end if you need that sort of thing.

It seems like this should be aimed at a middle school audience, but there is some unnecessary adult language and a little graphic violence that some parents might find objectionable, so I guess it's intended for YA and up.


Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.

[sarah m ☽₊‧⁺˖⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There's more to this world than you might think, Red"

ˋ° *⁀➷ Rating: 4/5 ✰

This has such gorgeous art and an interesting story, I loved every minute of reading it and still go back to look at the gorgeous art from certain scenes. I'm happy to see that it's officially coming out in January, because I think it's such a fantastic read for cooler weather when people start wanting darker themes and settings. The world was dark and mysterious, set in a place and time that monsters are running rampant and the only ones stopping them seem to be a grandmother and granddaughter living out in the woods on their own. The vibes reminded me a bit of Princess Mononoke - especially the art of all the different spirits and monsters in the world.

If you're looking for something full of romance, this definitely isn't the read though. Definitely not a bad thing! The sapphic relationship starts out friendly, and there's much bigger issues in the world that they're dealing with besides their budding feelings for each other. I really enjoyed how sweet they were together even with it being slower-paced. All the characters felt super well done, and I have to mention that Sil is so incredibly gorgeous! I absolutely adored her character design and couldn't help but fall in love with her too. I desperately want that fluffy winter outfit for myself!!

Closing thoughts:
Since this is a bit of a short one, I don't want to add too much in my review and spoil the story. As an artist I definitely have to gush about the art more though - it's both super freaking cute and incredibly spooky depending on the scene, and all the character designs fit really well. If you enjoy Ghibli movies and retellings with a twist, then I would highly recommend this graphic novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and not sponsored in any way.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
A generic Red Riding Hood x Mother Gothel graphic novel.

Pre-reading:
I love werewolves. I love fairytales.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
I love Remus

Is she using the souls to keep herself alive? A Mother Gothel type situation?

If they kill the dogs, I’m out. (Dogs are fine.)

Post-reading:
If you promise me sapphic Little Red Riding Hood, you've got some big shoes to fill. This doesn't quite get there. This is more of a Mother Gothel spin than a Hood retelling. Hood is so tied to menstruation and misogyny and patriarchy, that if you take all of that out, it’s not really the same story. This is much closer to Rapunzel‘s isolation and emotionally abusive mother figure, but Flynn’s a furry. So while it doesn't really deliver what it’s pitched as, it’s by no means a bad book. The art has a sort of Brother Bear charm to it, and the evil creatures will feel familiar to horror video game players. It’s a lot of Amnesia flesh walls with some Stranger Things vibes. It’s not reinventing anything. It’s not giving you anything new. It’s solid, but it leans a little bland. I don’t think you need to go out of your way to read this, but I don’t think you’ll be horribly disappointed if you give it a read either.

Who should read this:
Red Riding Hood fans
Dark fairytale fans

Ideal reading time:
Winter into spring

Do I want to reread this:
No, I’ll remember it.

Would I buy this:
No, this is a good copy to get from your library.

Similar books:
* The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie-YA fantasy romance, Grimm fairytale retelling, family drama
* The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores-YA fantasy romance, fairytale retelling, enemies to lovers, family drama, queer
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-graphic novel, urban fantasy, werewolves, queer
* The Breath of Things by Stephane Fert-graphic novel, fantasy, witches
* Mercy by Mirka Andolfo-graphic novel, historical, gothic horror

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Benny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red and the Wolves takes the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale and gives it a deliciously dark twist. Cherry Zong dives deep into the macabre and brings out its finest shades — haunting, elegant, and utterly captivating.

The illustrations are nothing short of stunning. The color palette shifts beautifully with the tone of the story — sometimes warm and inviting, other times eerie and chilling, perfectly matching the atmosphere of each scene.

I’ve read several retellings of Little Red Riding Hood over the years, and the last one that truly stood out for me was Soman Chainani’s version, which also leaned into a darker tone. But Zong takes it a step further, crafting something that not only appeals to a more mature audience but also weaves in emotional and narrative complexity on a whole new level. It’s not just about world-building — it’s about the raw, layered emotions that drive her characters.

This is a solid 4-star read for me — a beautifully dark, visually stunning story that will enchant both younger fantasy lovers and adult readers alike.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully done take on the theme of Little Red Riding Hood. In this one, Red is the apprentice to a witch, who she calls grandmother, because that is the honorary title given to the main witch of the area. The witch is selected by being brought to the current witch, and trained in her arts. The thing is, Red doesn’t seem to be able to do magic, so the witch says, oh, that’s fine, you can hunt the monsters that are in the woods. And so she does.


Until she meets a wolf that is a shapeshifter. She is caught in a bear trap, and Red frees her. She has been told by her grandmother to beware the monsters, and yet this wolf-girl doesn’t appear to be a monster, and she has feelings for her, that she can’t explain. Perhaps she is just lonely.


Sil, the wolf-girl, does not trust Red, but also lets her treat her wounds, and eats her food. They grow close. Should they? What would grandmother say?


And so, we have Red feeling for the wolf, instead of the grandmother. What to do?

I really enjoyed getting into this world of grandmother witches, and more is revealed as you go through the story. I read this book in one sitting, because I really wanted to know how it would all end. It is all not as it seems, and things are much more complicated. I love this world of ancient gods, spirits, and witches. I think it was done masterfully, so I would say put it on pre-order. It gets all the stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Adams McMeel Publishing for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 13th of January 2026.

[Kellen Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red and the Wolves is a beautifully illustrated and emotionally rich retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that blends apocalyptic fantasy with a tender sapphic love story. The artwork is stunning—moody, lush, and immersive—perfectly capturing the eerie forest, the creeping illness, and the quiet warmth between Red and Sil. As Red begins to question the truths she’s always taken for granted, the story unfolds with a gripping sense of mystery and an ever-present threat that keeps the pages turning.

Beyond its gorgeous visuals, this graphic novel offers a thoughtful exploration of trust, loyalty, and the moral complexity of choosing what is right in a broken world. Red and Sil are wonderfully crafted characters whose connection feels both soft and brave. I’d recommend Red and the Wolves to both young and older readers: younger audiences will appreciate the adventure and heart, while adults will find depth in the story’s darker undercurrents and its themes of identity and courage. It’s a captivating, meaningful read that lingers long after the final page.

A copy of this graphic novel was kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable! Actually, there’s also a little bit of the boy who cried wolf in here as well and all of our main wolf players have wolf mythology themed naming conventions. My only real complaints would be that it’s easy to spot who the villain is right from the start. The pacing can be slow at times but, that only adds to the suspense. Happy and joyous moments always feel as though they’re all about to come tumbling down. Overall, this is such a delicious, dark, post apocalyptic fairy tale. It also takes a bit of its inspiration from folk horror as well. If you mixed Princess Monoke,Over the Garden Wall and Through the Woods together then Red and the Wolves would be the by product. Actually…..that’s reductive to compare. Just read this if you like spooky tales about wolves and folk magic. You won’t be sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrew’s Mcmeel for this amazing e-arc preview! January can’t come soon enough!

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong; 5 Stars

“If we don’t do things that scare us, nothing will ever change.”

I loved this book! The art style was beautiful, the facial expressions were hilarious and successfully conveyed their meaning, and the narrative was interesting! My only critique is that I wish it was a tad bit longer! When Red ran away from the Grand Mother and joined the resistance camp, I would have liked some more time processing those emotions.

[Emelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I finished it in one sitting while I actually should have gone to bed (but that‘s what comes with being a reader, isn‘t it). Red and the Wolves got a solid 4 stars from me — it was very good, but there‘s still room for improvement.

(Minor spoilers ahead)

I had few expectations going in, since I am both new to fairytale retellings and graphic novels, and did not get disappointed.

Important to note is, that the sapphic love really only is a subplot to the typical "defeat the evil" storyline. There is a lot of blushing from both Red and Sil, but otherwise it can very well be read as platonic up until the last scene. This is not a bad thing per se — the chemistry between the two is wonderful and their interactions and conflicts all seem very realistic — but the book is definitely being marketed as having more sapphic elements than it does.

The storyline is very thought through, with the climax round about at the 50% mark and an overall good pacing. Some of the plot progression shortly before the big conflict feels rushed and the start of the story is a tad slower than I would have liked, but that is very minor nitpicking on my side here.

I loved all of the characters — apart from the "villain", but I liked even them just for being so perfectly villain-y and having a plausible backstory. Everyone had personality and most of them really gave of the feeling that we only just scratched the surface and there is more to see underneath. That is true for our protagonists Red and Sil too, but my favourite characters were actually the wolves. The artist made their faces incredibly expressive — nearly more so than the faces of the humans/humanoid characters — and together with the story it made for some really unique characters.

The art itself also deserves to be mentioned: the style throughout the book is charming and very consistent but can still convey a multitude of different situations with relative ease. It doesn‘t remind me of anything in particular, but the whole "feeling" of the book may come closest to some of the older Disney cartoons like Lion King, where good storytelling meets expressive animals and unique personalities.


After all this praise I do have some points of critique that made this book miss the full five stars in my rating:
The story definitely takes the elements of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale and puts them together into a new story, but the actual plot of the original is near non-existent. I wasn‘t sure what exactly was bothering me with that until reading some other reviews: the relationships between the characters (and also the plot to some extent) remind me much more of the Rapunzel adaptation we saw with Disney‘s tangled, especially the Grandmother and Red.
And even though the story is coherent and nothing is missing, it does also feel a little bland. I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I would have liked the read to be a bit more challenging and engaging.

Because of this, the book might be very well suited for younger audiences or those who are new to reading graphic novels.

For me it was a very fun read and definitely something I would recommend. The book might be worth buying for some just because of the art, but checking it out at a library beforehand is definitely good to do if you‘re unsure about wanting to keep it after reading.

I am looking forward to seeing this book releasing and will probably buy a physical copy for myself.


Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey S · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there is going to be a red riding hood retelling, you know I’m going to be there asap. As soon as I saw the cover for Red and the Wolves I knew I had to snatch it up right away. AND IT’S SAPPHIC!? Yes please!!
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I really enjoyed the slow build of the story and the lore is interesting but not overly complicated, enough for older middle grade readers to get the depth and worldbuilding choices. There are not many characters in the story, but the world feels empty for good reason and provides a sense of isolation that really helps to bring Red and, Sil, the Wolf Guardian she heals and develops a friendship with, together.
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I also really enjoyed the character designs for Red, the Grand Mother, but the Guardian designs are where this story really shines. Sil’s character is so cool to look at, to study, and the chibi faces Zong gives her during silly moments are just the cherry on top.
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You will find a regular good vs evil story here, with the expected “but who’s really the good guy vs the evil guy.” What I did appreciate was the exposed backstory on how the true villain was corrupted. Though I did find the finale to be a bit rushed - the ending scene though - that was so sweet and it made me want to see what other adventures were in store for Red and Sil - or even a short epilogue that shows them a decade or more in the future!
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One point that I didn’t enjoy, which might just be a part of getting an eARC this early - is that a lot of the panel backgrounds are a singular colour to match the current vibe of the story. Here and there it can be used for artistic choice, sure, but the sheer quantity of them makes me really hope that the final copy has backgrounds added in for at least the majority of them. Otherwise, I would find it very hard to consider purchasing this graphic novel (which would be 30$ CAD) as it has an unfinished feel.
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Again though, the ‘missing’ backgrounds could be added in later before the final publishing date, so I’m not too concerned about it, but it’s definitely worth flipping through the pages just to be sure before purchasing.
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I really enjoyed this Red Riding Hood retelling and I definitely recommend this one as a solid read for older middle grade readers and above.
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*I received an eARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*

[Laney Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC!

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I enjoyed the world that this was set in, learning about how the deities have "disappeared" and now a rot has been destroying the forest that Red calls home. I like that the story pulls inspiration for Little Red Riding Hood, but takes the bones of that fairytale and makes it it's own. I also thought that the art was really nice! One of the biggest selling points for graphic novels for me is the art style used to portray the story. The art here does a really good job of moving the narrative along and changing the mood.

One issue I did have was that Red and Sil's relationship was intended to be romantic, as shown by them kissing at the end of the story, but I felt like there wasn't enough romantic chemistry between them. Red is incredibly socially awkward because she's not used to interacting with anyone other than her Grand Mother, so her being nervous and awkward around Sil was more so that than a crush. Their interactions felt more platonic than anything. That's not to say that romantic feelings couldn't have developed, it just didn't feel like they did. I would have enjoyed this aspect more if their relationship have more development.

I do have to say that it started off pretty slow, so it took me a bit to really get into it. I was really hooked once I started getting suspicious of the Grand Mother. I liked how much darker the art got once the stakes got higher. Finding out that the Grand Mother was the cause of the rot and the nawa all along and was lying to Red for her own selfish gain was shocking. By then, I had to know more. I had to keep going.

Overall, this was a really good read.

[Kuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a really lovely graphic novel, with beautiful illustrations and an amazing plot, AND two girls kissing.

It was a very interesting spin on the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale, adding a very unique twist to it, while examining family dynamics, trust and betrayal. It's very easy to find stories of abuse in this, of isolation and of the intergenerational perpetration of trauma, as well as the importance of choice. Both Red, Sil and the Grandmother have their own histories, interacting with each other in various ways, and it is, at times, difficult to find who is really WRONG, even until the end. Each character is given an understandable motivation, and while there are characters that are clearly doing evil, even their motivations are, to some degree, reasonable, from their perspective, which I prefer over "evil because they're just evil" (especially keeping in mind the misogynist history of evil stepmother and other evil female characters in traditional fairy tales...).

Definitely recommend!

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this graphic novel with not too high of expectations. However, after a few pages, I knew I was hooked. The art style and fairy tale atmosphere were amazing and gave the reader a cozy vibe while also installing a sense of creepiness. As far as retellings go, this one definitely hit it out of the ball park! I loved how Red was such a strong female protagonist and developed a grounded friendship/romance with Sil. They are both such baddies and I was totally there for it.

Not to mention the world-building, which was simple enough to follow along with while also being intriguing enough to keep you immersed in the story. The slow burn romance was also fantastic! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this author's next works in the near future.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s haunting, it’s silly, it’s stunningly drawn.

The illustrations are beautiful! I love the colors - the contrast between the eerie black and red pages with the light blue ones. The detailed borders are lovely too, the harvest themes and then the spooky vines. The expressions on Red and Sil were great too. Sil’s eye shape is so mysterious and sultry. It took me a bit to get used to her because I was expecting her to look closer to human than animal.

I would say the plot is loosely a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, but it’s there. I enjoy a creepy tale, so it was a perfect October read. It’s not just horror fantasy, there’s humor in it and a little wholesome vibe too.

Random comparisons my mind made throughout:
Teume looks like one of the characters from the musical Cats.
Grand Mother reminds me of Mother Gothel.
Red looks like they could be part of Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings! Related to Fitz hehe.

Thank you NetGalley for the free eARC. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Raaven💖 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I love a good sapphic retelling. This was a very unique version of the Little Red Riding Hood story. Red is just very naive and likable. Even when she did something bad I felt sympathy for her because of her naivety and trust in her Grand Mother. While this is a sapphic telling, there isn’t really much romance between our MCs. Its obvious Red has a crush, but it doesn’t really get into a relationship until the end. The focuses heavily on fantasy & magical elements. I enjoyed the world building and storytelling. I was reading this on my lunch break and my coworker said I looked very invested. The art is also very beautiful!

[Nat Top · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and magical graphic novel. Red must hunt Nawa for her Grand Mother to exorcise to try and cleanse the land. One night Red finds Sil, a wolf guardian, injured in a trap. Red mends Sil's wounds and in time form a special bond. But Red doesn't realize what evil truly lurks in the forest.
This story was beautifully set up and a clever twist to the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. The opposing personalities of Red and Sil was entertaining and the buildup of their relationship took many twists and turns. I loved the illustrations. The character designs were soft and sleek. The facial expressions were well emoted. I liked the change up of the chapter borders with each part of the story.
Overall a lovely story!


thank you Netgalley for a review ARC

[Atlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most unique retelling of red riding hood I’ve read so far (and I’ve read a lot). The art was stunning and the writing was well done. I had a lot of fun and was sad to see it end. I really hope the author releases more manga in the future I will for sure be reading it all!

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red and the Wolves is a fantasy dystopian retelling of Little Red Riding Hood in graphic novel form. In this world, Red and her Grandmother work together to protect their forest from invading magical creatures called Nawa. During a hunt, Red encounters an injured wolf girl named Sil. As the two girls spend more time together, Red learns that maybe her Grandmother isn't telling the whole truth about their forest.

Zong has created a unique and dynamic story about what happens when we go too far. I thought the retelling was refreshing and original, and I really enjoyed the art.

4 stars

[SpookyxSpice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I stayed up reading this from start to finish.
This is marketed as a sapphic retelling of Red Riding Hood but it is so much more than that. It is it's own story that Cherry Zong has crafted with such a gripping art style.

It's dark, it's also cute and sweet. It encompasses the themes of good vs evil, wrong vs right, powerful vs powerless, found home vs duty. I loved the lore and myths learnt throughout these pages.

[Translator Monkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up of a three and a half star work. I liked it, but there was a lot left to be desired. I'll try to muster up a proper review soon. No promises, though. Life's short.

[Lanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red and her Grandmother are the only two humans left in their woods after the Rot encroached driving out all humans and animals, leaving just the Nawa, twisted undead creatures that mindlessly attack anything. As a witch Grandmother is charged with protecting the woods from the Rot and the Nawa it creates. To that end Red has been raised as a hunter bringing back the Nawa she finds in order for Grandmother to exorcise them and hopefully restore the land. One day while hunting Red stumbles across Sil in a bear trap, while she appears to be a Nawa she is a sentient creature and while Red knows she should tell Grandmother about her existence she does not, afraid that her new friend will be taken away. Weeks pass and as Sil grows stronger she tells him know tales about the deities who once ruled the Woods and the magic they bestowed upon all sentient creatures. Try as she might though Red is unable to use magic and when she dares to ask Grandmother about this she flies into a rage. As the only human who has ever loved her Red knows she shouldn't question Grandmother but as her behavior becomes more erratic and the stories Sil tells her departs further and further from Grandmother's, Red begins to question whether or not she is the savior or the doom of her land.

This was a wonderful retelling of Red Riding Hood, turning Grandmother into the bad guy was an absolute stroke of genius! Plus for a relatively short retelling Zong has created a fully realized world with myths and legends that help us to understand how Grandmother has fallen so far. And fall indeed she did, she is a twisted old woman who fearing becoming irrelevant slowly ensures that the only person Red has to rely on is her so no matter how contradictory her actions appear Red isn't able to see how wrong what she is doing as she simply has nothing else to compare it to. Sil is a wonderful character as well, finding herself in a similar situation she doubts every decision she makes as a Guardian Beast and to an extent uses Red as a crutch in order to not face her responsibilities. I think what I loved about this the most though is after Red discovers just how twisted Grandmother is she wastes no time in trying to make amends and we don't have a long drawn out reunion between her and Sil. Obviously as a graphic novel this couldn't stretch very far anyway but Zong could have made this portion of the story far more convoluted than it needed to be and I appreciate that they didn't.

Highly recommend this one! As a retelling it's unique and original. The art is gorgeous as well and it's a quick read to boot so it's perfect to slip between longer books!

As alwways thanks to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the eArc!

[East of Reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this.

There, that’s an easy review. But no, really, I loved this. This graphic novel had some amazing world building, with Red being sent out to hunt magical animals at the behest of her Grand Mother, who would then use their bodies as fuel in her rituals to, ostensibly, cure the evil rot taking over the forest. Red took it on faith that the woman who raised her, the woman who loved her, was doing good work.

And then she met Sil.

It’s a slow burn, both of the romance and the growing understanding Red has of the world she lives in. She doesn’t change her mind overnight, doesn’t believe Sil instantly; instead it takes time, and evidence, to wake her up. Days and weeks of Sil and Red hunting, foraging, cloud gazing and playing through this ruined forest with its dead villages.

The build up is key, here, drawing out the emotional beats of Red slowly finding someone other than Grand Mother to look to for comfort, support and companionship. And in and amongst all of this Sil, too, is growing. Learning to trust herself and her own abilities, to stand and fight rather than run away, to take the hard path rather than the easy one, and to accept her position in her pack.

Grand Mother isn’t a two dimensional character, either, and her back story worked for me. You can see how she was hurt, why she was angry, but the book doesn’t ask you to forgive the harm she’s done or forget the choices she made.

The ending is suitably happy, the art is absolutely gorgeous with natural colors and — along with the themes of the graphic novel — feel heavily inspired by Ghibli. The characters are expressive, the animals realistic, and the gods and deities wonderfully attenuated and kind of creepy. Some of the fox gods art reminded me a bit of ElfQuest old ones.

If you’re looking for a good story, strong characters, expressive art and detailed world building … please give this book a try! Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A young woman helps her grandmother to defeat the blight that has struck the land by killing monsters for grandma to exorcise. But what happens if she also has to secretly nurse a wounded wolf girl back to health?

This book is marketed as a dark retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, but I think it's neither of that. And I don't think that's a bad thing.

The art is very clear and also at times adorable. I loved the personalities of the wolves that came through their expressions. This mostly plays to the strengths of the first part of the book, which is softer in story, focusing on the budding relationship between Red and the wounded "wolf". The second part is darker and has more fights, but the art style doesn't really reflect that. I think that makes this book fit a young adult audience.

When I was a teen, I loved a comic called Nightmares & Fairy Tales, which had a black and white, emo style. That was dark. This, this is cute. Despite the blood and gore.

As for the retelling: the story refers to elements present in the fairy tale, but transforms them to such a degree, and adds such a different world, that it's no longer in conversation with the original fairy tale. I guess it's the curse of the current thirst for fairy tale adaptations, which I also notice as a mother: it's actually getting hard to find the original fairy tale being told. So I'm curious to see what the children of the future will hold in their heads as Little Red Riding Hood.

But all of this as a critique on how the book is marketed rather that the book itself. I think the story is strong enough to stand on its own, with fun winks to a certain fairy tale. The chapters are short and snappy, the characters are fun, the art style is cute and clear, and it's a story about standing up to authority. Also some soft girl love. Good for teens or anyone up for a nice story with a bit of teeth.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red is a loyal hunter and is dedicated her life to stopping the spread of Nawa (monsters) with her witch Grand Mother. But no matter how many monsters she stops the mysterious illness called Rot, keeps spreading and devastating the land. When Red stumbles upon an injured wolf-girl named Sil, everything changes and she begins to question some of the things her Grand Mother has taught her. Will Red and Sil be able to find the truth about the Rot and stop its spread?

This was a fantastic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. From the beginning I was hooked on Red’s story and her determination to stop the spread of this illness. Red was a fantastic heroine who just wanted to help, and we see her struggle to come to terms with the truth about the Rot. Sil is a wolf guardian, known as a chimera, who can shift from a human-like form to a wolf. She has run from her responsibilities as guardian because it was thrust upon her at a young age. Now we see her start stepping up to take that mantle as they unravel what the Rot is and who is causing it.

Red and Sil start as a bit of enemies to lovers, then as Sil heals from an injury we see them become friends, and by the end lovers. I really enjoyed the progression of their friendship and how it all tied into everything else that was happening in the world. While this does have a romance element to it, it is minor as the main focus is on what is happening in this forest, but I still really enjoyed it.

Overall, this was a fantastic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It kept me hooked from the beginning and had all kinds of fantastic characters and creatures. Also the artwork was beautiful and vibrant and worked perfectly with the storyline.

TW: animal deaths depicted

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Ariela Strombeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for this ARC!

I wouldn’t say that Red and the Wolves is going to be a favorite or that it brought anything significantly new to the table but it was a quick, enjoyable read. It’s clear early on what the plot twists in this loose Red Riding Hood retelling are going to be, with the story leaning heavily into tropes. It differs greatly from its fairytale origin but the beats it follows are generally recognizable within the YA genre. The predictability doesn’t significantly hinder the story; it just reads like something I’ve read before. For example, it’s pretty obvious from the first chapter that something sinister is going on with Red’s grandmother. It’s understandable that Red is unwilling to recognize her grandmother’s corruption, but I honestly found the portion with her trying to ‘see the good in her’ during the final battle to be tedious. Especially when Red had seen visions of her grandmother literally killing off entire villages.

Sil and Red’s relationship was definitely a highlight of the book. Despite the relatively short length of the graphic novel, they spend quite a bit of time together and their romance was well developed and wholesome. I like how their character arcs (specifically coming into their power and learning to take responsibility) mirrored each other. It made it understandable why they would be drawn towards each other. I also appreciated how the romance never overtook the plot or drew down the narrative momentum.

The artwork worked well for what the novel was trying to do. It’s very enmeshed in nature and feels wonderfully cozy. I did have trouble following what was happening in some of the more action heavy panels, though that may be on me since I rarely read graphic novels.

[sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little Red Riding Hood meets Princess Mononoke in this charming, queer retelling of the classic fairytale.

I’m always a sucker for sapphic fantasy romances and the concept of this book really appealed to me. Unfortunately, this "dark" retelling was more "cozy" for me, and I didn't really connect to either of the main characters. While I did enjoy the slow burn aspect of the romance between Red and Sil, it’s almost too slow. We never get an in-depth exploration of their relationship or much tension between them.

The plot drags a bit in the middle, with scenes that are extremely dialogue-heavy, and I felt as if some of the conversations between the two girls (and even between Red and Grandmother) could have been explored visually instead. Red’s inner monologues and the time skips also didn’t speed up the pace, rather it made the timeline seem a bit disjointed and detracted from the budding romance between Red and Sil.

My main concern however, is that the art style is incredibly inconsistent. Some panels would be lushly decorated and detailed (and look like they came right out of a Studio Ghibli movie), but others, especially during the dialogue scenes look unfinished. The are many panels with only a colour as a background, and the lack of details means the reader loses the setting. Often, characters just speak at each other rather than utilizing their surroundings or acting.

But if you liked Princess Mononoke or are a fan of Studio Ghibli movies and enjoy queer-normalized worlds, then I would definitely recommend Red and the Wolves.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own.*

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Red and the Wolves” by Cherry Zong was a great read! I think it might even be a new favorite from the many sapphic fantasy graphic novels I’ve read. (Publishers please never stop printing these sapphic fantasy/sci-fi graphic novels, I absolutely adore them.) Cherry Zong’s character and creature design were great. I felt her paneling was easy to follow, though some of the layered word bubbles might be a challenge for some readers.

“Red and the Wolves” was an interesting twist upon the Red Riding Hood fairytale, after reading many reimaginings of the tale I found this one to be a fresh take, one that takes inspiration and avoids being predictable. The plot is a sort of coming-of-age story, our archetypal princesses, Red and Sil, are struggling with the transition of becoming queens and taking on the responsibility passed down to them.There’s forest spirits, gods, and witches, and an interesting world to uncover throughout the story. World-building, character development, and plot arcs all need to be balanced in a fantasy story. I think this novel did well with those challenges, and I would absolutely love to return to the world that Cherry Zong has created if she decides to write more.

There are horror elements, as well as swearing and drinking, but other than that, no truly mature elements. This could possibly be read by a Juvenile reader with parent oversight, but I would probably shelve and recommend it to the Young Adult readers at my library.

*Thank you as always to NetGalley and to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the Digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red and the Wolves is a very loose, dark retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood set in a rich fantasy world of forest deities and magic. Red lives alone in a rotting forest where she hunts corrupted spirits for her Grand Mother’s rituals in an attempt to protect the forest. One day, Red saves Sil, a humanoid wolf woman, who quickly brings a new joy to Red’s repetitive life. But while Red is distracted with her new friend, her Grand Mother’s magic takes a dark turn as she attempts to gain power and the truth about the danger facing the forest slowly becomes more clear. Now, Red must choose between her only family and her new friend, and the forest must fight back against a powerful force bent on it’s destruction.

The lovely art shapes this new take on the fairy tale, using a cool color palette overset by pops of bright reds and warm tones to highlight important moments. Red and Sil are both well-developed characters who help guide readers through the multileveled backstory of their world. I enjoy their chemistry throughout the story and love seeing each of them grow in their own ways. I also love the wolves of Sil’s pack, who are drawn with great expression, and the forest deities all have great designs.

If you like complex fantasy worlds with dark magic systems, forest guardians, wolves, and stories of betrayal and redemption, check out this wonderful new take on a fairy tale.