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.
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
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.
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
This was an okay graphic novel that told an engaging story but could have used some editing down. It interpolates the Little Red Riding Hood tale into a story of sapphic love, coming of age, redefining loyalty, and healing a rotting world. While the art is pleasant and parts of the narrative are really engaging, the book is poorly paced leaves a number of threads either hanging loose or unsupported throughout the text.
Among the pieces that worked were the art, which was very clear and occasionally evocative. The use of panels was quite good and literally framed the novel in ways that created tension or established tempo within a sequence. The coming-of-age nature of the book really shone through in a way that I think would connect with younger readers.
As noted above, the overall pace was tough and made the first half of the book a little disconnected from the second half. A tighter narrative and a lower page count I think would make for a stronger text. The worldbuilding, which was super interesting, never really got the chance to shine in the way I wish it could have. As a result, the final act felt a little disappointing, if only because some of the most interesting ideas in the book only emerged in the final moments to serve the plot conclusion. I would enjoy exploring more of the world the author shows!
Overall, a fine graphic novel that takes its inspiration and weaves something new out of it. While I don't think it nails the execution, there is enough in the book to enjoy and I'll definitely read more of the author's work in the future. I would recommend this to my friend Tom as some post-semester relaxing reading.
"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.
I am thanking NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced copy! ---
🦊 Quite happy it features a fox... which is not an usual fox hehe.
I love retellings, and if you throw in a graphic representation, namely a lovely graphic novel inspired by Little Red Riding Hood... colour me hooked 💗
This book is also sapphic, and I was quite interested to see how will the author see the relation between Red and Sil (wonderfully adapted to fit the narrative and the setup).
There is also a lot of tension and a healthy dose of mystery, so I daresay a lot of people would find something they love in this book.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
“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.
Red and the Wolves is a beautifully illustrated fantasy tale that creates a fascinating world with a distinct mythology. I really loved going on this journey with Red and Sil, although it did lag a bit in the first half.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!
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.
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!! . 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. . 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. . 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! . 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. . 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. . 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. . *I received an eARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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.
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...).
Ah that was so good. Magical but still light and funny to read. The illustrations were so good. Remind me of manga and manhwa, like the perfect mix of both.
I didn't realize that this book is sapphic dark retelling of Red Riding Hood until half of the book. I think because this book has zero sameness on the original fairytale. The one that connected this book and OG Red Riding Hood was the name of main character (Red) and the wolves involved in the story. I might have forgotten the Red Riding Hood original story, but I liked this version way better.
For me, the storylines were so good. I predicted some parts, but other parts took me by surprise on how good those played out.
Thank you to Cherry Zong, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
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.
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.
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!
Red lives alone in the world except for her grandmother, hunting creatures called Nawa for her grandmother's magic. Then one day Red discovers a wolf-like creature caught in an old bear trap. The creature isn't like the Nawa - she's half-human, and can speak. Red decides to help Sil but keeps her secret, and slowly the two bond. But what will happen when Grandmother and Sil's packmates discover what's going on?
The concept of a dystopian fantasy version of Little Red Riding was intriguing and the artwork was lovely if occasionally turning a bit chibi at times. I liked the slow burn of Red and Sil's relationship and the worldbuilding. The final action scenes were a bit confusing, but overall I enjoyed this one.
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!
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!
I really enjoyed this dark gothic forest horror/fantasy graphic novel. I of course wanted more romance between our two leads, but I enjoyed their sweet ending. The super whimsical art style was also great for this story.
I might have given this more of a chance had I not hate hate hated the art style. This felt like an overly long children's book with the occasional curse word. Sil and Red are boring, unmemorable, and in Red's case kind of profoundly stupid. Lu and Remus were great though, how ever annoying named.
extremely loose little red riding hood dark fantasy graphic novel which slaaaaaaaapped. grandmother is an evil witch, the wolf is a hot lesbian chimera, red is a badass masc hunter, everything hit so hard. gorgeous art, really interesting worldbuilding, and perfect execution! thank you very much!
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.