What do you think?
Rate this book
The Classical Kingdoms #4
Girl in the Red Hood
After her father moves the family to a village deep in a sunless forest, Liesel is bitten by a wolf, and unbeknownst to her, marked for a terrifying destiny. Befriended by a mysterious boy in the woods soon after, however, Liesel finds herself falling in love with the one person in the world who can save her from that awful end or doom her to it. In this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Liesel must decide whether to accept her fate for the sake of those she loves, or fight for the freedom to choose her own way.
This book is a stand-alone novel, part of the Classical Kingdom Collection, a set of fairy tale retellings. This book comes after the Becoming Beauty Trilogy.
This book is a stand-alone novel, part of the Classical Kingdom Collection, a set of fairy tale retellings. This book comes after the Becoming Beauty Trilogy.
226 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2015
168 people are currently reading
2383 people want to read
About the author
Brittany Fichter
73 books611 followersBrittany lives with her Prince Charming, their little fairy, and their tiny prince in a decently clean castle in whatever kingdom the Air Force has most recently placed them. When she's not writing, Brittany can be found chasing her kids around with a DSLR or belting it in the church choir. You can find more of her work at her website BrittanyFichterFiction.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 17, 2022
Brittany does an amazing job of drawing you in, making you care, and then making it all hard on the characters you've grown to love. Although I had figured out some of the "secrets," I still wasn't sure how it would end as I read. Kurt and Liesel are too precious for words, and I had so many feels as I read this story about them.
This story takes liberties when it comes to the original tale, but the elements are still there: the huntsmen, the wolves, the red cloak, and the grandmother. There is also a horror element with a spooky town and curse, but it isn't so scary that I couldn't read it.
I also appreciated that Brittany showed the darker part of werewolves. In a world full of werewolf romances, no one has ever considered what being a werewolf could do to one's soul. I tend to lean on the side of her when it comes to werewolves, so I'm glad to see another author take a similar position.
Overall, this is a suspenseful story with a build to an epic finale!
This story takes liberties when it comes to the original tale, but the elements are still there: the huntsmen, the wolves, the red cloak, and the grandmother. There is also a horror element with a spooky town and curse, but it isn't so scary that I couldn't read it.
I also appreciated that Brittany showed the darker part of werewolves. In a world full of werewolf romances, no one has ever considered what being a werewolf could do to one's soul. I tend to lean on the side of her when it comes to werewolves, so I'm glad to see another author take a similar position.
Overall, this is a suspenseful story with a build to an epic finale!
August 22, 2023
3.75 stars probably??
I have mixed emotions on this book🤣
Okayyyy so I loved Leisel and Kurt and there personalities and struggles. The mystery was great, it was definitely a page turner as there is so many questions you will need answered🤣
Liesel just wanted to live a happy life in the sun ☀️ she didn't want to get caught up in the mess the town got her in but Kurt always protected her🥺
However there is dark magic in this. None of the characters practice/ preform dark magic they are cursed by it and are trying to break the curse throughout this story. So no one was evil.. but the darkness of this book got a little to dark for me at some points.
The ending was very good and much more light.
The romance was very clean just a few short kisses.
There was some violence though😬
They do talk about church and go to church occasionally. Also they pray and talk about '' the Maker'' a lot which is God I'm sure.
If your okay with twilight, and the vampire diaries you'd probably like this.
I have mixed emotions on this book🤣
Okayyyy so I loved Leisel and Kurt and there personalities and struggles. The mystery was great, it was definitely a page turner as there is so many questions you will need answered🤣
Liesel just wanted to live a happy life in the sun ☀️ she didn't want to get caught up in the mess the town got her in but Kurt always protected her🥺
However there is dark magic in this. None of the characters practice/ preform dark magic they are cursed by it and are trying to break the curse throughout this story. So no one was evil.. but the darkness of this book got a little to dark for me at some points.
The ending was very good and much more light.
The romance was very clean just a few short kisses.
There was some violence though😬
They do talk about church and go to church occasionally. Also they pray and talk about '' the Maker'' a lot which is God I'm sure.
If your okay with twilight, and the vampire diaries you'd probably like this.
Want to read
March 12, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/12/2020)! 🎁
January 10, 2019
More
What a fun twist on an otherwise short scary tale. It made me want to hear more about some of the other characters.
What a fun twist on an otherwise short scary tale. It made me want to hear more about some of the other characters.
July 10, 2019
Goodreads WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK?
July 25, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: low moderate. There are multiple murders, with blood depicted. Wolf attacks, bites and mauling. Kidnapping portrayed. Fights with bloody noses, bruises, and beatings. People are tied up and have wounds from trying to escape. Threats of death. Poisoning. Mobs form. etc. Major Spoilers for specifics:
Sexual: Mild. Hand-holding, cheek kisses, hugs, chaste kisses.
Triggers: Alcoholic parent. Toxic communities portrayed. Kidnapping. Forced .
Okay, the writing in this is great. The story was tight, and the plot had me dying to figure out the mystery behind everything.
But the tone nearly did me in. This story was dismal. The horrible toxic way that the two communities in this live was breathtakingly awful. It was one reveal of horrible-ness after another for poor Liesel. She was constantly left in the dark, isolated, and shoved into situations that were cruel beyond words without any choices. Kurt was her only bright spot and It didn't feel like a romance to me at all because of how Liesel was forced into everything that happened. Kurt was the only good thing in her life, and she clung to him. I couldn't help but think she clung to him because it was the only way to survive for her, and that wasn't romantic. It was stomach-twisting sad for me.
Brittany Fichter likes to have heavier themes and content, I knew that going in, but this one is probably the heaviest so far for me. I just didn't like it. It left me with a small itty glimmer of hope, but the journey was so dissatisfying because it was so dark. Literally. Liesel had a breakdown because she missed the sun.
Also, I have a couple problems with the plot that involve spoilers. one: Second:
Also, all the terrible toxic ways that Liesel was used, abused, and discarded were atrocious. And she just I DO NOT AGREE. It is not okay to not hold people accountable for, oh, I don't know...murder?! Looking at you . Just because horrible things happen to you and your community, doesn't give you carte blanche to do whatever you want to escape said horrible things. That was a huge part of why this story disturbed me so much. It was so toxic the way they functioned.
So, while I would have rated this lower due to my intense feelings of dislike for the tone, the writing and everything else about the book was truly well done. This was just not my cup of tea for a fairy tale retelling. I want to be left feeling effervescent and happy at the end, not like I'm recovering from the stomach flu and can finally rest.
Too much trauma. Poor poor Liesel.
Profanity: None.
Violence: low moderate. There are multiple murders, with blood depicted. Wolf attacks, bites and mauling. Kidnapping portrayed. Fights with bloody noses, bruises, and beatings. People are tied up and have wounds from trying to escape. Threats of death. Poisoning. Mobs form. etc. Major Spoilers for specifics:
Sexual: Mild. Hand-holding, cheek kisses, hugs, chaste kisses.
Triggers: Alcoholic parent. Toxic communities portrayed. Kidnapping. Forced .
Okay, the writing in this is great. The story was tight, and the plot had me dying to figure out the mystery behind everything.
But the tone nearly did me in. This story was dismal. The horrible toxic way that the two communities in this live was breathtakingly awful. It was one reveal of horrible-ness after another for poor Liesel. She was constantly left in the dark, isolated, and shoved into situations that were cruel beyond words without any choices. Kurt was her only bright spot and It didn't feel like a romance to me at all because of how Liesel was forced into everything that happened. Kurt was the only good thing in her life, and she clung to him. I couldn't help but think she clung to him because it was the only way to survive for her, and that wasn't romantic. It was stomach-twisting sad for me.
Brittany Fichter likes to have heavier themes and content, I knew that going in, but this one is probably the heaviest so far for me. I just didn't like it. It left me with a small itty glimmer of hope, but the journey was so dissatisfying because it was so dark. Literally. Liesel had a breakdown because she missed the sun.
Also, I have a couple problems with the plot that involve spoilers. one: Second:
Also, all the terrible toxic ways that Liesel was used, abused, and discarded were atrocious. And she just I DO NOT AGREE. It is not okay to not hold people accountable for, oh, I don't know...murder?! Looking at you . Just because horrible things happen to you and your community, doesn't give you carte blanche to do whatever you want to escape said horrible things. That was a huge part of why this story disturbed me so much. It was so toxic the way they functioned.
So, while I would have rated this lower due to my intense feelings of dislike for the tone, the writing and everything else about the book was truly well done. This was just not my cup of tea for a fairy tale retelling. I want to be left feeling effervescent and happy at the end, not like I'm recovering from the stomach flu and can finally rest.
Too much trauma. Poor poor Liesel.
June 9, 2019
Again, Mrs. Fichter has managed to take a tale I've never been terribly fond of and turned it into a story that puts me on the edge of my seat. This is the fourth book in the Classical Kingdoms series, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
The elements of the Little Red Riding Hood tale were presented in a very intriguing way. I liked the nods to the classic tale as each one kind of popped up at the appropriate time. Some were pretty subtle, but I kind of think that's what makes it fun. The plot of the story itself was intriguing and certainly captivating. There was more mystery in this story than perhaps in previous ones in the series. Fichter wrote a puzzle for the readers to sort out and solve, which I enjoyed.
The characters drew me in as much as the story did in this one. Kurt melted my heart. I really, really liked getting to see him and Liesel grow together as children. That childhood bond of friendship was unique and a lot of fun to read. Johan was another favorite of mine. Maybe I just like the dark, brooding characters in general. XD I thought his resolution was a little quick, not unenjoyable, but convenient and quick. I thought the bond between Liesel and her grandparents was precious! I kind of wanted to spend more time with them and see more of her grandfather, especially. I wanted to unravel him and see more of how he reacted in different situations. Her parents were also a unique addition to the story, I thought. And, sadly, I thought Liesel's struggle with her father was very adeptly portrayed.
The setting was a huge part of this book. Though I don't think I ever figured out what kindgom we were in exactly--I know of three in which we were not--I never felt at a loss for where I was or what my world encompassed. Fichter's world in this story was very vivid. Her imagery painted clear pictures in my mind as I read. I liked the little bit of variety between the three main settings we rested in, though admittedly, the vineyard piqued my interest the most. The contrast between light and dark was physical in this setting, and just as invigorating as the metaphorical contrast.
Well-written, wonderfully woven tale, as I have come to expect from Fichter. No foul language, mild violence--even the potentially graphic scenes were toned down. She's good at getting her point across without gory details, which I appreciate. And a sweet, simmering romance that shows us what true love is--sacrifice, letting go the one's you love, choosing what's best for them in spite of your own desires.
The story was bittersweet in a lot of ways, a story about loss and a story about hope even in the darkest of places and direst of circumstances. There was much reality that shone through, which I find draws me to Fichter's work. She weaves tales in such a unique and individual way. It keeps me coming back for more!
The elements of the Little Red Riding Hood tale were presented in a very intriguing way. I liked the nods to the classic tale as each one kind of popped up at the appropriate time. Some were pretty subtle, but I kind of think that's what makes it fun. The plot of the story itself was intriguing and certainly captivating. There was more mystery in this story than perhaps in previous ones in the series. Fichter wrote a puzzle for the readers to sort out and solve, which I enjoyed.
The characters drew me in as much as the story did in this one. Kurt melted my heart. I really, really liked getting to see him and Liesel grow together as children. That childhood bond of friendship was unique and a lot of fun to read. Johan was another favorite of mine. Maybe I just like the dark, brooding characters in general. XD I thought his resolution was a little quick, not unenjoyable, but convenient and quick. I thought the bond between Liesel and her grandparents was precious! I kind of wanted to spend more time with them and see more of her grandfather, especially. I wanted to unravel him and see more of how he reacted in different situations. Her parents were also a unique addition to the story, I thought. And, sadly, I thought Liesel's struggle with her father was very adeptly portrayed.
The setting was a huge part of this book. Though I don't think I ever figured out what kindgom we were in exactly--I know of three in which we were not--I never felt at a loss for where I was or what my world encompassed. Fichter's world in this story was very vivid. Her imagery painted clear pictures in my mind as I read. I liked the little bit of variety between the three main settings we rested in, though admittedly, the vineyard piqued my interest the most. The contrast between light and dark was physical in this setting, and just as invigorating as the metaphorical contrast.
Well-written, wonderfully woven tale, as I have come to expect from Fichter. No foul language, mild violence--even the potentially graphic scenes were toned down. She's good at getting her point across without gory details, which I appreciate. And a sweet, simmering romance that shows us what true love is--sacrifice, letting go the one's you love, choosing what's best for them in spite of your own desires.
The story was bittersweet in a lot of ways, a story about loss and a story about hope even in the darkest of places and direst of circumstances. There was much reality that shone through, which I find draws me to Fichter's work. She weaves tales in such a unique and individual way. It keeps me coming back for more!
September 5, 2019
This book is everything you could ever want from a Little Red Riding Hood retelling- including the increasingly popular werewolf twist. Goodness, it is creepy, as we follow our heroine through year after year in an isolated village where she is more alone then if she was in the forest by herself. Her only friend is the strange boy from the forest and only playmate. Everyone is hiding something, and the heroine and I were trying to figure it all out before it was too late. A great read for anyone not afraid to get creeped out.
September 24, 2023
A very original take on little red riding hood. I enjoyed every page.
November 12, 2020
Good book. Very different from what I usually Read. Very Good Book though.
July 6, 2019
😹😹😹
Y'all.
I read [another] Christian romance this year. And I did NOT burst into flames.
I'd actually skipped over this book/these books in the past because I think I saw they were religious. But this time I didn't go looking/didn't notice/had forgotten - so I read it and ... I mean you kinda get it with "The Maker" but also while there's the "holy man" stuff mentioned it also is in other books that are NOT Christian - but anyway, while it's not IN YOUR FACE - it's pretty clear. (I think more clear in the second book I read?)
Because... you know. Also werewolves and magic and stuff.
I knew - I KNEW- what was going on way WAY WAY WAY before Liesel did, but then I also tried to thin like ... what if someone came up to me and told me werewolves ARE real and I was going to have to be married to one and like ... I wouldn't even listen after the first thing I'd be more like "hi someone call the paramedics we need to get them on a psychiatric hold?" -> granted the book is set in what I'd expect was ~medieval times.
[Also like - has anyone else also felt like there are a lot of ~Christian twisted fairy tales/retellings?]
ANYWAY.
Gosh. The townspeople. And her idiot IDIOT father. I'm annoyed that there was never an explanation as to what happened to her mother - basically her mother was fridged - that thing where they kill off a woman just to move the plot/emotionally manipulate -because why else would her father have moved them? [Also her dad was entirely useless...]
I don't know the "no talking about" was ever satisfactorily explained for me either but ...
(Or Lother's thing? At the end?)
These books are loooonnnng and slooooowww and plodding - AND YET - there's something incredibly compelling and readable about them - this undercurrent of urgency and the NEED to see what happens next - because you KNOW something big is meant to happen and you don't want to miss it.
I also wish it was a bit more clear what Kurt sacrificed.
The major ... not misunderstanding but ... oof. Him never telling her (I don't think he could?) - him providing for her that winter ... him spiriting her away, letting her live her life for three years... promising to go with her...
(the romance is also incredibly subtle - just hints and longing ... literally I think he only holds her hand a few times, kisses her cheek once? And ... doesn't kiss her on the lips until at their wedding...)
The trip back to her grandparents - THAT ... I enjoyed but it actually annoyed me/made me dislike Liesel a bit because she's so USELESS. She puts EVERYTHING on Kurt and is an asshole to him. Like ... he's literally working every day, in a variety of ways and she's just... a super bitch. Like sure things aren't going great and he's not all sunshine - but also her grandfather just expecting Kurt to be a clone in the "what worked for me will work for you" - they're all just really DUMB about it.
Really dumb.
Ugh.
Best not to think about it.
I'd also like to know more of what [really] happened with Kurt's father.
I just felt there was omfg so much detail on minutiae but then for other things they're entirely glossed over.]
The whole thing with Manny, but more the townspeople. (But the Manny thing also makes me sour on Liesel.) Although the whole "you were marked and now you have to do this or everyone dies" is ... definitely heavy.
It's a lot. There's a lot.
I wish we'd seen more of Kurt/gotten his perspective. I'd have liked that a lot.
The ending was really sweet, and I like that Kurt wants to settle at each place.
C-
Y'all.
I read [another] Christian romance this year. And I did NOT burst into flames.
I'd actually skipped over this book/these books in the past because I think I saw they were religious. But this time I didn't go looking/didn't notice/had forgotten - so I read it and ... I mean you kinda get it with "The Maker" but also while there's the "holy man" stuff mentioned it also is in other books that are NOT Christian - but anyway, while it's not IN YOUR FACE - it's pretty clear. (I think more clear in the second book I read?)
Because... you know. Also werewolves and magic and stuff.
I knew - I KNEW- what was going on way WAY WAY WAY before Liesel did, but then I also tried to thin like ... what if someone came up to me and told me werewolves ARE real and I was going to have to be married to one and like ... I wouldn't even listen after the first thing I'd be more like "hi someone call the paramedics we need to get them on a psychiatric hold?" -> granted the book is set in what I'd expect was ~medieval times.
[Also like - has anyone else also felt like there are a lot of ~Christian twisted fairy tales/retellings?]
ANYWAY.
Gosh. The townspeople. And her idiot IDIOT father. I'm annoyed that there was never an explanation as to what happened to her mother - basically her mother was fridged - that thing where they kill off a woman just to move the plot/emotionally manipulate -because why else would her father have moved them? [Also her dad was entirely useless...]
I don't know the "no talking about" was ever satisfactorily explained for me either but ...
(Or Lother's thing? At the end?)
These books are loooonnnng and slooooowww and plodding - AND YET - there's something incredibly compelling and readable about them - this undercurrent of urgency and the NEED to see what happens next - because you KNOW something big is meant to happen and you don't want to miss it.
I also wish it was a bit more clear what Kurt sacrificed.
The major ... not misunderstanding but ... oof. Him never telling her (I don't think he could?) - him providing for her that winter ... him spiriting her away, letting her live her life for three years... promising to go with her...
(the romance is also incredibly subtle - just hints and longing ... literally I think he only holds her hand a few times, kisses her cheek once? And ... doesn't kiss her on the lips until at their wedding...)
The trip back to her grandparents - THAT ... I enjoyed but it actually annoyed me/made me dislike Liesel a bit because she's so USELESS. She puts EVERYTHING on Kurt and is an asshole to him. Like ... he's literally working every day, in a variety of ways and she's just... a super bitch. Like sure things aren't going great and he's not all sunshine - but also her grandfather just expecting Kurt to be a clone in the "what worked for me will work for you" - they're all just really DUMB about it.
Really dumb.
Ugh.
Best not to think about it.
I'd also like to know more of what [really] happened with Kurt's father.
I just felt there was omfg so much detail on minutiae but then for other things they're entirely glossed over.]
The whole thing with Manny, but more the townspeople. (But the Manny thing also makes me sour on Liesel.) Although the whole "you were marked and now you have to do this or everyone dies" is ... definitely heavy.
It's a lot. There's a lot.
I wish we'd seen more of Kurt/gotten his perspective. I'd have liked that a lot.
The ending was really sweet, and I like that Kurt wants to settle at each place.
C-
January 8, 2016
*Note: I won a copy of this book through Goodreads*
Utterly charming, I normally enjoy fairy tale retellings and this was no exception.
While this still remains a story of Little Red Riding Hood, Fichter takes the familiar tale and makes it her own. It was fun to find all of the characters and bits of the original woven through this new story. We only see a small part of the world where this story is set, but she brings it to life for the reader and we are allowed to become lost in the fiction. The story progresses at a pace that allows us to empathize with the characters, even some of the more minor ones. The relationship between Liesel and Kurt has a natural flow to it that I really enjoyed. Near the end thongs seem to become a bit disjointed, however, you realize that there were clues earlier and the lingering odd loose ends are tied up satisfactorily as the tale comes to a close.
Overall this is an excellent book that I will be recommending to my friends and family, especially those who love romance and the magic of fairy tales. I look forward to reading more from this author as not only is she very sweet, but her book was well written and engaging.
Utterly charming, I normally enjoy fairy tale retellings and this was no exception.
While this still remains a story of Little Red Riding Hood, Fichter takes the familiar tale and makes it her own. It was fun to find all of the characters and bits of the original woven through this new story. We only see a small part of the world where this story is set, but she brings it to life for the reader and we are allowed to become lost in the fiction. The story progresses at a pace that allows us to empathize with the characters, even some of the more minor ones. The relationship between Liesel and Kurt has a natural flow to it that I really enjoyed. Near the end thongs seem to become a bit disjointed, however, you realize that there were clues earlier and the lingering odd loose ends are tied up satisfactorily as the tale comes to a close.
Overall this is an excellent book that I will be recommending to my friends and family, especially those who love romance and the magic of fairy tales. I look forward to reading more from this author as not only is she very sweet, but her book was well written and engaging.
September 14, 2016
What a clever retelling of Red Riding Hood! From the beginning of the book, I was mildly interested, but that interest grew once I met Kurt, and once the primary mystery of the book began to reveal itself. This was an incredibly enjoyable read, and I simply couldn't put it down once I was a few chapters in.
But.
The chemistry dissolved between Liesel and Kurt midway through the book. Suddenly the writing became stale, almost like the author was just trying to hurry up and finish the story. Some unnecessary plot points were revealed, and I was frustrated that the initial creepy mysteriousness of the story gave way to a rather limp ending. And there were SO MANY MISTAKES. All this could have been fixed with better editing, because regardless of the faults in Girl in the Red Hood, I still really enjoyed the story, and I look forward to reading several of the other retellings by Brittany Fichter. Ultimately a book worth reading, but in order to fully appreciate it, just do your best to ignore the mistakes and enjoy the cleverness of the story.
But.
The chemistry dissolved between Liesel and Kurt midway through the book. Suddenly the writing became stale, almost like the author was just trying to hurry up and finish the story. Some unnecessary plot points were revealed, and I was frustrated that the initial creepy mysteriousness of the story gave way to a rather limp ending. And there were SO MANY MISTAKES. All this could have been fixed with better editing, because regardless of the faults in Girl in the Red Hood, I still really enjoyed the story, and I look forward to reading several of the other retellings by Brittany Fichter. Ultimately a book worth reading, but in order to fully appreciate it, just do your best to ignore the mistakes and enjoy the cleverness of the story.
January 3, 2019
Why do modern retellings of "Little Red Riding Hood" always have the protagonist getting caught in the middle of a werewolf conspiracy? There's the Red Riding Hood movie, Once Upon a Time TV show, and countless books. I'm all for reimagined fairy tales, but surely there are more creative ways to tell the story than that. I recommend The Princess Fugitive by Melanie Cellier or my own version of the story, Blood Red, instead of this one.
August 15, 2022
This was a great fantasy that kept you on your toes and guessing what will happen. It has a great virtue of being satisfied with who you are and what you have. It also is an inspiration that when things seem impossible don't get discouraged because things always work out for the best.
November 17, 2022
"Forever the wolves would howl for her, and with guilt she would think of the boy who had loved her more than life." Girl in the red hood was an amazing retelling of Little Red Righting Hood! It is full of plot twists and suspense, it had a very refreshing ending.
December 20, 2024
I was a bit wary of this retelling, seeing as many reviews claim it's of the Christina fiction variety. No shade towards this sub genre (see my Destiny trilogy review), but it's not generally my jam. And while this is on the lighter side romance wise, I'm so happy I didn't listen to the naysayers. This was dark, nearly forest Gothic in its settings and even some situations, but got to the gooey lighter side by its final act.
Pros
-Action oriented
*We're thrown right into the plot, literally moving from page one (Liesel, her father, and soon-to-deceased mother are in the midst of moving to Ward, a nearly sunless village in the dead of night) and it never really lets up, except when we hear the howling.
*Most authors don't know how to keep readers engaged at such a break-neck pace, but I never felt lost, rather I was more immersed in the story. I wanted to run through the trees towards the sunlight alongside Liesel and Kurt and dance with him at the festival. It felt very fast, but not rushed.
-Olden fairy/folk tale vibe
*This could go hand in hand with the pacing, seeing as older fairy tales had to move quickly and get in the all important plot. But this was most noticeable in the little things: the warnings Liesel is given to avoid danger (men) in the world and forest, Kurt and Liesel meeting each day to read a tale from her grandma's book, and of course true love breaking Kurt's werewolf curse. Especially that last one: Liesel's willingness to marry Kurt for who he is not who he's "supposed" to be felt very Hans Christian Anderson to me.
-Something Dark Dares to Enter
*I know I just sang goodness's praises, but don't be fooled: this gets downright bleak at times.
1.Liesel's mother passes away mere moments after arriving to town, a town that promised a skilled healer.
2.Her father becomes a neglectful drunk, leaving poor Liesel to fend for herself in their drafty cabin in the midst of a brutal winter storm, during which she was subjected to awful hunger pains since he'd been feeding himself on tavern dishes and been to drunk to pick up their grain rations. The man even forgets her birthday for three months! He dies at the hands of a werewolf, and honestly good riddance. Kurt rightfully points out how sad it is that Liesel praised her father for doing the bare minimum.
3.The setting and season were dark and cold: flowers don't grow anywhere but the werewolves home, the town's sans sunlight, and winter winds are so brutal that fires can't stay lit in the home hearth. This would've been the ideal read for last week's winter wrath.
4.The way Liesel's attack and its aftermath are written is nearly akin to sexual assault: she's minding her own business, walking through the woods when a wolf pins her down, literally pushing its paws into her back while biting her hand. And when townsfolk notice her mark, they shun her, similar to the unfortunate way people treat sexual assault victims, as if they're a blight on society. Not sure if the author meant to do this or not.
-Kurt's a complete cinnamon roll!
*Although Liesel's bite marks her as a pure blood and Kurt's eventual wife, he doesn't pressure her marry him or stick around, in fact he's instrumental in getting her out of Ward, into Tag, where she thrives, save for missing him.
*He even keeps her promise albeit with twist: Liesel understands early on that Kurt wants a world beyond his home and makes him promise that when they're old enough, they'll run away together and see the world. Although they try many ways to break the curse and as a pure blood it's "her responsibility", and even though unlike most bitten pairs he genuinely loves her, on the day of their wedding, he lets her go, ensuring at least one of them will see the world. Awww! I mean, she says, "that's not the deal, you come with me or I'm not going", and then we all hear the bells!
-Liesel's no damsel
*It would be easy for her to become one though, given Liesel's home life and romantic one have been turned upside down. But instead of becoming despondent, she finds employment and learns to forge healthy relationships with parental figures who show her genuine kindness. It would be simple to become jaded, and although she is a bit lost/dazed at times, Liesel's down but never out.
OG Elements
-Liesel's red cloak
*Here, our big bad werewolf, Kurt, gets annoyed at her wearing it because it makes her easy prey, akin to how easily the wolf finds RRH in the original story.
-Liesel's grandmother warns them against moving to Ward
*Reference to Grandma's warning to stay on the beaten path, but in this case meaning stay safe in your hometown.
-Liesel trekking through the forest, clothed in her red cloak, basket of pie in tow for a neighbor while her guardians warn of a werewolf clan stalking the outskirts and when she gets there, calls out for the neighbor who's nowhere to be found. And Liesel's then greeted by a scratching sound from the back of the cottage.
*I mean, literally RRH walking through the forest, basket of goods for Grandma and arriving to find Grandma gone and a wolf in her place.
-A hunter carries Liesel home after her werewolf attack
*Reference to some older versions where a character called the Woodsman or Huntsman arrives in time to slay the wolf and save RRH.
-This one's a bit of walk, so stay with me, but early on, men size Liesel up, looking at her like how her grandpa studies ripening grapes on his vineyard.
*Reinforces the idea that they're the predator and Liesel is prey, good enough to eat, much like the OG big bad wolf eventually does or attempts to do (depending on the version).
Interesting Elements
-Liesel's mother warning her that men will become like dogs, and to be wary of which ones she lets in felt very "The Company of Wolves".
-The name Liesel is also the name of the RRH character in another retelling, "Wolfland" by Tanith Lee.
-The overarching idea that the town and clan are awaiting the one woman who can break the spell and are very eager to essentially hold Liesel and her father captive by making false promises of expert healers felt like an episode of this scary/mystery 70's anthology series called Brian Clemens, THRILLER called "A Place to Die". In this, a doctor and his wife come to this small town full of overly friendly residents who all seem obsessively interested in his wife. I won't spoil it, but were-somethings are in the big reveal and not just in the obsessive residents...
-In the same vein, Kurt and his family's lycanthropy being hinted at by townsfolk (they walk with feral grace, live beyond the woods in a cabin with no sunlight and dress rather wild) reminds me of a Night Gallery episode, "The Phantom Farmhouse" (which in turn is based on a short story of the same name), in which a psychologist goes into the woods near his facility to investigate one of his patient's claims that a beautiful woman and her family, each bearing long red nails and other wolf-like characteristics, resides there. He does find them, eventually falling for the girl, and in turn nearly becomes the victim of her hungry werewolf parents.
*My tastes are kind of eclectic... Yeah, I'll see myself out...
Con
-Passage of Time is Woefully Marked
*Quite a bit of time passes in the story: Kurt and Liesel meet at fourteen and thirteen and get married/meet again at twenty and twenty-one. But you wouldn't know by the writing. It's only when Liesel mentions her birthday that we realize it's not just a day gone by, but at least a year. And sometimes, this isn't done until halfway through the chapter, making for a jarring ride.
*But for some reason, the author decided to throw us a bone and literally begin part two with "Four Years Later...". Would've been nice to get that with each time jump.
Despite that one con, I'm so ready to give this author and her numerous retelling a go.
Pros
-Action oriented
*We're thrown right into the plot, literally moving from page one (Liesel, her father, and soon-to-deceased mother are in the midst of moving to Ward, a nearly sunless village in the dead of night) and it never really lets up, except when we hear the howling.
*Most authors don't know how to keep readers engaged at such a break-neck pace, but I never felt lost, rather I was more immersed in the story. I wanted to run through the trees towards the sunlight alongside Liesel and Kurt and dance with him at the festival. It felt very fast, but not rushed.
-Olden fairy/folk tale vibe
*This could go hand in hand with the pacing, seeing as older fairy tales had to move quickly and get in the all important plot. But this was most noticeable in the little things: the warnings Liesel is given to avoid danger (men) in the world and forest, Kurt and Liesel meeting each day to read a tale from her grandma's book, and of course true love breaking Kurt's werewolf curse. Especially that last one: Liesel's willingness to marry Kurt for who he is not who he's "supposed" to be felt very Hans Christian Anderson to me.
-Something Dark Dares to Enter
*I know I just sang goodness's praises, but don't be fooled: this gets downright bleak at times.
1.Liesel's mother passes away mere moments after arriving to town, a town that promised a skilled healer.
2.Her father becomes a neglectful drunk, leaving poor Liesel to fend for herself in their drafty cabin in the midst of a brutal winter storm, during which she was subjected to awful hunger pains since he'd been feeding himself on tavern dishes and been to drunk to pick up their grain rations. The man even forgets her birthday for three months! He dies at the hands of a werewolf, and honestly good riddance. Kurt rightfully points out how sad it is that Liesel praised her father for doing the bare minimum.
3.The setting and season were dark and cold: flowers don't grow anywhere but the werewolves home, the town's sans sunlight, and winter winds are so brutal that fires can't stay lit in the home hearth. This would've been the ideal read for last week's winter wrath.
4.The way Liesel's attack and its aftermath are written is nearly akin to sexual assault: she's minding her own business, walking through the woods when a wolf pins her down, literally pushing its paws into her back while biting her hand. And when townsfolk notice her mark, they shun her, similar to the unfortunate way people treat sexual assault victims, as if they're a blight on society. Not sure if the author meant to do this or not.
-Kurt's a complete cinnamon roll!
*Although Liesel's bite marks her as a pure blood and Kurt's eventual wife, he doesn't pressure her marry him or stick around, in fact he's instrumental in getting her out of Ward, into Tag, where she thrives, save for missing him.
*He even keeps her promise albeit with twist: Liesel understands early on that Kurt wants a world beyond his home and makes him promise that when they're old enough, they'll run away together and see the world. Although they try many ways to break the curse and as a pure blood it's "her responsibility", and even though unlike most bitten pairs he genuinely loves her, on the day of their wedding, he lets her go, ensuring at least one of them will see the world. Awww! I mean, she says, "that's not the deal, you come with me or I'm not going", and then we all hear the bells!
-Liesel's no damsel
*It would be easy for her to become one though, given Liesel's home life and romantic one have been turned upside down. But instead of becoming despondent, she finds employment and learns to forge healthy relationships with parental figures who show her genuine kindness. It would be simple to become jaded, and although she is a bit lost/dazed at times, Liesel's down but never out.
OG Elements
-Liesel's red cloak
*Here, our big bad werewolf, Kurt, gets annoyed at her wearing it because it makes her easy prey, akin to how easily the wolf finds RRH in the original story.
-Liesel's grandmother warns them against moving to Ward
*Reference to Grandma's warning to stay on the beaten path, but in this case meaning stay safe in your hometown.
-Liesel trekking through the forest, clothed in her red cloak, basket of pie in tow for a neighbor while her guardians warn of a werewolf clan stalking the outskirts and when she gets there, calls out for the neighbor who's nowhere to be found. And Liesel's then greeted by a scratching sound from the back of the cottage.
*I mean, literally RRH walking through the forest, basket of goods for Grandma and arriving to find Grandma gone and a wolf in her place.
-A hunter carries Liesel home after her werewolf attack
*Reference to some older versions where a character called the Woodsman or Huntsman arrives in time to slay the wolf and save RRH.
-This one's a bit of walk, so stay with me, but early on, men size Liesel up, looking at her like how her grandpa studies ripening grapes on his vineyard.
*Reinforces the idea that they're the predator and Liesel is prey, good enough to eat, much like the OG big bad wolf eventually does or attempts to do (depending on the version).
Interesting Elements
-Liesel's mother warning her that men will become like dogs, and to be wary of which ones she lets in felt very "The Company of Wolves".
-The name Liesel is also the name of the RRH character in another retelling, "Wolfland" by Tanith Lee.
-The overarching idea that the town and clan are awaiting the one woman who can break the spell and are very eager to essentially hold Liesel and her father captive by making false promises of expert healers felt like an episode of this scary/mystery 70's anthology series called Brian Clemens, THRILLER called "A Place to Die". In this, a doctor and his wife come to this small town full of overly friendly residents who all seem obsessively interested in his wife. I won't spoil it, but were-somethings are in the big reveal and not just in the obsessive residents...
-In the same vein, Kurt and his family's lycanthropy being hinted at by townsfolk (they walk with feral grace, live beyond the woods in a cabin with no sunlight and dress rather wild) reminds me of a Night Gallery episode, "The Phantom Farmhouse" (which in turn is based on a short story of the same name), in which a psychologist goes into the woods near his facility to investigate one of his patient's claims that a beautiful woman and her family, each bearing long red nails and other wolf-like characteristics, resides there. He does find them, eventually falling for the girl, and in turn nearly becomes the victim of her hungry werewolf parents.
*My tastes are kind of eclectic... Yeah, I'll see myself out...
Con
-Passage of Time is Woefully Marked
*Quite a bit of time passes in the story: Kurt and Liesel meet at fourteen and thirteen and get married/meet again at twenty and twenty-one. But you wouldn't know by the writing. It's only when Liesel mentions her birthday that we realize it's not just a day gone by, but at least a year. And sometimes, this isn't done until halfway through the chapter, making for a jarring ride.
*But for some reason, the author decided to throw us a bone and literally begin part two with "Four Years Later...". Would've been nice to get that with each time jump.
Despite that one con, I'm so ready to give this author and her numerous retelling a go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
Hmm. Interesting take on Little Red Riding Hood, certainly, but didn’t quite develop in a way I liked. I think pacing is a bit strange. It felt slow yet rushed too... 🤔
Liesel certainly had a tough life right from the beginning of the story. The whole situation with her parents and her living alone in Ward was really sad, and we’re with her for the three years she’s there and those pass pretty quickly. Kurt was a really good friend to her and helped her find some modicum of happiness in her otherwise bleak life. They’re best friends with some obvious hints at romance growing between them.
Then the story skips ahead four years, and the dynamic is a bit different. I fully understand that at this point Liesel cares for Kurt and wants to help break the curse, and that Kurt cares for Liesel and ultimately wants her to be safe and happy. This part of the story reunited them in a way that sets up the romantic bit where they get to know each other as adults and fall in love properly. Yes, she should be really angry and betrayed at hot he brought her back, but not he’s got to win her over and introduce her to his world. Instead they waste time with some game-playing (okay, just Liesel with her silent treatments and purposefully making Kurt jealous with that other guy). Kurt really shines as an understanding selfless guy when you know everything that’s at stake, and Liesel is just kind of silly. She had it right when she confesses her feelings to him: he loves and treats her better than she deserves. While I do think it’s important that she finally gains some control over her life and gets a choice, it happened so late in the story that at that point I was solid in my indifference to her.
Overall, a creative story but not my cup of tea.
Liesel certainly had a tough life right from the beginning of the story. The whole situation with her parents and her living alone in Ward was really sad, and we’re with her for the three years she’s there and those pass pretty quickly. Kurt was a really good friend to her and helped her find some modicum of happiness in her otherwise bleak life. They’re best friends with some obvious hints at romance growing between them.
Then the story skips ahead four years, and the dynamic is a bit different. I fully understand that at this point Liesel cares for Kurt and wants to help break the curse, and that Kurt cares for Liesel and ultimately wants her to be safe and happy. This part of the story reunited them in a way that sets up the romantic bit where they get to know each other as adults and fall in love properly. Yes, she should be really angry and betrayed at hot he brought her back, but not he’s got to win her over and introduce her to his world. Instead they waste time with some game-playing (okay, just Liesel with her silent treatments and purposefully making Kurt jealous with that other guy). Kurt really shines as an understanding selfless guy when you know everything that’s at stake, and Liesel is just kind of silly. She had it right when she confesses her feelings to him: he loves and treats her better than she deserves. While I do think it’s important that she finally gains some control over her life and gets a choice, it happened so late in the story that at that point I was solid in my indifference to her.
Overall, a creative story but not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2021
This book is action packed with thrills, mystery, and adventure. I couldn't put this book down. The main characters where both victims of circumstance that you couldn't help, but feel for them.
Poor Kurt was trying the only way he knew how to help along with Liesel who had no idea how to help at times. Liesel really tried and I ❤LOVED that she worked hard towards her goals. I❤LOVED their scenes together, especially when Kurt would say something sweet to cheer Liesel up. The mystery behind Kurt's family was so intriguing, and the author did such a good job with it. I ❤LOVED how much Kurt cared for Liesel, especially when he made sure she was taken care of during the winter. I also❤LOVED how Liesel was a light to Kurt when he really needed it. Liesel had so much faith in him that made for an AMAZINGLY UNIQUE breaking of the curse scene😍.
Another thing I❤LOVED was that only when they discovered how much they loved each other did they truly find what they seeked.This book was all about letting go of the darkness to grasp the light within us. If you love werewolves(they were kind of like them), mild thrills, mystery, romance(😍Kurt) , and clean stories than you definitely HAVE TO PICK THIS BOOK UP. This book was HIGHLY AMAZING!!!!! It is also my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK OF this author.
Poor Kurt was trying the only way he knew how to help along with Liesel who had no idea how to help at times. Liesel really tried and I ❤LOVED that she worked hard towards her goals. I❤LOVED their scenes together, especially when Kurt would say something sweet to cheer Liesel up. The mystery behind Kurt's family was so intriguing, and the author did such a good job with it. I ❤LOVED how much Kurt cared for Liesel, especially when he made sure she was taken care of during the winter. I also❤LOVED how Liesel was a light to Kurt when he really needed it. Liesel had so much faith in him that made for an AMAZINGLY UNIQUE breaking of the curse scene😍.
Another thing I❤LOVED was that only when they discovered how much they loved each other did they truly find what they seeked.This book was all about letting go of the darkness to grasp the light within us. If you love werewolves(they were kind of like them), mild thrills, mystery, romance(😍Kurt) , and clean stories than you definitely HAVE TO PICK THIS BOOK UP. This book was HIGHLY AMAZING!!!!! It is also my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK OF this author.
March 7, 2018
What a clever take on this story. There are wolves and a girl in a red cloak, and there is even a hunter, but that is about where the similarities end. A wizard has cursed a group of people two hundred years ago to live as wolves part of the time and humans part of the time and they only keep their humanity as long as there is a Pure Blood human woman to marry the pack leader. Our heroine becomes a part of the drama when she is just 13 years old. She meets a young boy in the forest and they become best friends, not knowing that he is a part of her future too.
The story dragged a bit at the beginning and I felt like it was going to be longer than it had to be, but the farther I read the better the story got. There were a couple of instances when the author described the situation as hellish or like they were living in hell. I think that diminishes the depth of the horror of the actual hell, but I understood how she was using the word.
Overall I really liked the story. It was a story of faithfulness and trust and love.
The story dragged a bit at the beginning and I felt like it was going to be longer than it had to be, but the farther I read the better the story got. There were a couple of instances when the author described the situation as hellish or like they were living in hell. I think that diminishes the depth of the horror of the actual hell, but I understood how she was using the word.
Overall I really liked the story. It was a story of faithfulness and trust and love.
October 1, 2019
Notable Content: Men look at a teen girl in a way that makes her blush. Kissing.
This is my favorite in the series so far. I absolutely fell in love with the characters! All of them! Sometimes characters just click for me, and these were some of them. It was real, interesting, fun to read about, and, above all, it had characters I connected with in a special way and wanted to know more about. The ending was perfect—I loved the last sentence! I considered if the book was too miraculous to me, and it toed the line, but I think it wasn't. The pacing was perfect; the plot was fascinating; the romance was just right. I love a slow romance that grows and develops as the story goes on! I can't particularly say it was a world because it focused on three villages and a forest, but the settings were fleshed out and coherent. (Though, like the prequel and trilogy settings, I didn't see much connection between them. I like settings that interact, like how the stand-alones in The Four Kingdoms do.) All in all, I loved it!
This is my favorite in the series so far. I absolutely fell in love with the characters! All of them! Sometimes characters just click for me, and these were some of them. It was real, interesting, fun to read about, and, above all, it had characters I connected with in a special way and wanted to know more about. The ending was perfect—I loved the last sentence! I considered if the book was too miraculous to me, and it toed the line, but I think it wasn't. The pacing was perfect; the plot was fascinating; the romance was just right. I love a slow romance that grows and develops as the story goes on! I can't particularly say it was a world because it focused on three villages and a forest, but the settings were fleshed out and coherent. (Though, like the prequel and trilogy settings, I didn't see much connection between them. I like settings that interact, like how the stand-alones in The Four Kingdoms do.) All in all, I loved it!
April 21, 2024
Liesel's father moves their family to a town in the dark woods, expecting to have Liesel's mom healed. Instead, the healer administers fatal herbs. Liesel flees the scene only to be bitten by a wolf, forcing her to return to the town. Soon, she meets a mysterious boy, Kurt, in the woods and forms a lasting friendship.
This tale is in several genres, including T&YA Fairy Tales & Folklore Adaptations, Fairy Tales, and T&YA Wizards & Witches Fantasy. While this is a fairy tale retelling, the characters and plot are rather distinct compared to the original. This plot has its ups and downs. It does, however, eventually arrive at a rousing end.
Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
This tale is in several genres, including T&YA Fairy Tales & Folklore Adaptations, Fairy Tales, and T&YA Wizards & Witches Fantasy. While this is a fairy tale retelling, the characters and plot are rather distinct compared to the original. This plot has its ups and downs. It does, however, eventually arrive at a rousing end.
Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
May 24, 2017
It was sweet
Liesel's family is torn apart when they leave her grandparents house and move to Ward. Ward is a strange city, with a secret, deep in the dark forest. When her mother died her life changed in many ways. She gets bitten by a strange wolf. Unbeknownst to her this is the beginning of her adventure to break an evil curse. While she is growing up she unknowingly falls for one of the wolves that live in the forest. His name is Kurt.
Throughout the whole book you keep hoping that their love will be enough to break through the evil magic and curse? I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happens to the childhood sweethearts.
It was a great story.
Liesel's family is torn apart when they leave her grandparents house and move to Ward. Ward is a strange city, with a secret, deep in the dark forest. When her mother died her life changed in many ways. She gets bitten by a strange wolf. Unbeknownst to her this is the beginning of her adventure to break an evil curse. While she is growing up she unknowingly falls for one of the wolves that live in the forest. His name is Kurt.
Throughout the whole book you keep hoping that their love will be enough to break through the evil magic and curse? I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happens to the childhood sweethearts.
It was a great story.
March 12, 2022
OK, I'll admit it. This is the Little Red Riding Hood retelling that tops them all. And I mean ALL. This story is creepy from the get-go, deliciously so. And I'll confess that I was about halfway through before I figured out I was reading a story with werewolves, something I'd pretty much sworn not to do if I could help it. However, I truly enjoyed the tale as the werewolf angle was very well done, though dark and creepy it was not without hope and light. It also didn't have the trashy elements that so often accompany shape shifting stories. Girl In The Red Hood was quite a bit different from the rest of the Classical Kingdoms books that I've read but no less of good magical read...
January 26, 2018
This classical story retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood," was my second retelling but my first reading of Brittany Fichter's stories.
I loved it! I am a sucker for romance, fantasy, and magic. This hit all three. I was in awe of Leisel's kind heart and courage. A real love story is hidden in the retelling of an old tale, that ended terribly. Kurt does everything he can to protect her, at least in his mind he does.
Ms. Fichter thank you for making me cry, twice, and for giving me a happily ever after!
I loved it! I am a sucker for romance, fantasy, and magic. This hit all three. I was in awe of Leisel's kind heart and courage. A real love story is hidden in the retelling of an old tale, that ended terribly. Kurt does everything he can to protect her, at least in his mind he does.
Ms. Fichter thank you for making me cry, twice, and for giving me a happily ever after!
December 28, 2018
Fantastic Fairytale Fantasy
I have never read this author before and was delightfully surprised at her talent in spinning a fairy tale. This remake of Little Red Riding Hood was fantastic—the characters were so real despite the fantasy genre. The loyalty and love between our hero and heroine becomes a life—saving quest and what seems the solution to the devastating evil may be a trick! The plot twists are largely unexpected and yet Kurt and Liesel never truly give up as they face terrifying evil. This book was fantastic and I can’t wait to explore more from this author!
I have never read this author before and was delightfully surprised at her talent in spinning a fairy tale. This remake of Little Red Riding Hood was fantastic—the characters were so real despite the fantasy genre. The loyalty and love between our hero and heroine becomes a life—saving quest and what seems the solution to the devastating evil may be a trick! The plot twists are largely unexpected and yet Kurt and Liesel never truly give up as they face terrifying evil. This book was fantastic and I can’t wait to explore more from this author!
September 30, 2017
A great retelling
This is one of my top five favorite retelling of red riding hood!!! It was great to see how Kurt and Liesel found a friendship with each other and then it grew into more. Even with all the hurt and lass in her life she still seemed to find a way to keep going. I couldn’t believe the twist with her grandparents, and even with the elderly lady in Tag. Like omg I would never had seen that coming on my own.
This is one of my top five favorite retelling of red riding hood!!! It was great to see how Kurt and Liesel found a friendship with each other and then it grew into more. Even with all the hurt and lass in her life she still seemed to find a way to keep going. I couldn’t believe the twist with her grandparents, and even with the elderly lady in Tag. Like omg I would never had seen that coming on my own.
December 30, 2017
I absolutely love this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the town of Ward and Kurt right from the start. From there it developed into a beautiful original version of the classic story (as original as one can be when retelling a classic).
10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who loves reading fairy tales.
Available on Kindle Unlimited. (which is how I read it - very tempted to buy a copy now so I can have it on my bookshelf)
10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who loves reading fairy tales.
Available on Kindle Unlimited. (which is how I read it - very tempted to buy a copy now so I can have it on my bookshelf)
May 28, 2018
I was surprised at how much darkness was in this book. It was a great retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. There was plenty of suspense and mystery all the way through. As we got to the end, the stakes kept climbing higher and higher.
I loved that it was a good, clean story, but it still explored some difficult themes. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a great Little Red Riding Hood retelling.
I loved that it was a good, clean story, but it still explored some difficult themes. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a great Little Red Riding Hood retelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews