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Once Upon a Western #1
Cloaked
Little Red Riding Hood... re-imagined.
Mary Rose feels uneasy around Mr. Linden from the moment she meets him on the stagecoach ride to her grandmother's ranch in Wyoming Territory. But he works for her grandmother, so that means he's trustworthy, doesn't it? Everyone else seems to view him as honest and respectable, and Mary Rose wonders if she's overreacting.
She tries to ignore her suspicions until one night, she discovers his real reason for being at the ranch. Now, if she's going to save her grandmother—and herself—she's going to need to run faster than she's ever run before.
Mary Rose feels uneasy around Mr. Linden from the moment she meets him on the stagecoach ride to her grandmother's ranch in Wyoming Territory. But he works for her grandmother, so that means he's trustworthy, doesn't it? Everyone else seems to view him as honest and respectable, and Mary Rose wonders if she's overreacting.
She tries to ignore her suspicions until one night, she discovers his real reason for being at the ranch. Now, if she's going to save her grandmother—and herself—she's going to need to run faster than she's ever run before.
189 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2017
8 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Kovaciny
26 books206 followersBorn only a few miles from where Jesse James robbed his first train, Rachel Kovaciny has loved the Old West all her life. She spends her days telling stories to her husband and their three homeschooled children. In her free time, Rachel writes a column on Old West history for the Prairie Times, reads, blogs, watches movies, and daydreams.
Visit www.rachelkovaciny.com to sign up for Rachel Kovaciny’s newsletter and receive a FREE copy of her Sleeping Beauty retelling, the novella The Man on the Buckskin Horse.
Visit www.rachelkovaciny.com to sign up for Rachel Kovaciny’s newsletter and receive a FREE copy of her Sleeping Beauty retelling, the novella The Man on the Buckskin Horse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 9, 2024
If Perrault and the Grimms had written a fairy tale specifically to be reutilised on the other side of the world, or anywhere in the world regardless of culture or time, it would've been "Little Red Riding Hood." Other tales have an infusion of European context to a major or minor degree, but this one could be set anywhere without modification. All cultures have a variation of this tale, always with a predatory animal as a symbol of danger, and a young girl or child as the metaphor for innocence. These two elements never vary, what does change by culture is the grandmother: sometimes she's another relative, like siblings, or sometimes she doesn't exist and is replaced by an allegory of protecting good.
I can't think of any fairy tale that suits the American Old West as perfectly as "Little Red Riding Hood." It's as if the historical period was hand-picked for this, some classic Westerns even have LRRH vibes despite not intending to. It's this perfect. Why? Easy: outlaws, pioneers, a vast wilderness, Native Americans, soldiers of fortune, golddiggers, crazies, cowboys, homesteaders, farmers... A wide variety of charactes and circumstances. I have no idea why LRRH retellings insist so much on doing it with some crappy-sexy werewolves, as the most common trope for this tale is, I blame it on the YA crowd mostly.
Anyway, in Cloaked we have a purely historical retelling of the tale. Close enough that you can recognise who is who: Mary Rose is Red Hood, Linden is the Big Bad Wolf, Jubilee is the grandmother, and Hauer is the Huntsman. The plot is also very recognisable and very straightforward, both for the fairy tale and for the Old West hallmarks: naïve girl is sent to visit her grandmother at her ranch out in the Wyoming Territory, grandmother has hired a suspicious fellow to work at her ranch who escorts her there from the train station and creeps on her, she makes friends of Hauer and Deputy Small (who isn't small, heh), Creepo Linden makes his moves and tries to force her into marriage to inherit the rich ranch, gets dealt with, and everyone ends up happily ever after. Very simple, very uncomplicated.
But maybe it should've been more complicated. I do understand this follows the Grimm version, which has a HEA, and is meant for a younger audience than old demanding me. I personally prefer the Perrault version, not for the ending as much as because I think it conveys the lesson from the tale much better than the Grimms: you pay for the consequences of your own mistakes, there's no Huntsman coming to rip you out of the wolf's belly. In this retelling, although Mary Rose doesn't make the mistake of trusting the Big Bad Wolf like the girl in the fairy tale, she still gets saved by the Huntsman and doesn't really learn any lessons, or any noticeable psychological scarring as should be. As I was saying, it's pretty straightforward and non-self reflective.
Maybe it's the length, maybe it's the target audience's age. But that doesn't necessarily make this tale unenjoyable. I may not have cared for Mary Rose, her personality isn't captivating (latet short stories with her as POV show her as still immature for her age), but there's Jubilee and Hauer in it and they make this worthwhile. I've read all of Rachel Kovaciny's retellings, and I can tell you her specialty is tough old grannies. Emma from her Sleeping Beauty retelling is my absolute favourite, and Jubilee O'Brien is much the same. If Cloaked had been from Jubilee's POV, it'd have been perfection, I think. Hauer is a bit of a half-Indian Clint Eastwood type, tough nut and fair, a type of character Kovaciny also does very well but that she's not written again quite like this but should.
I can't think of any fairy tale that suits the American Old West as perfectly as "Little Red Riding Hood." It's as if the historical period was hand-picked for this, some classic Westerns even have LRRH vibes despite not intending to. It's this perfect. Why? Easy: outlaws, pioneers, a vast wilderness, Native Americans, soldiers of fortune, golddiggers, crazies, cowboys, homesteaders, farmers... A wide variety of charactes and circumstances. I have no idea why LRRH retellings insist so much on doing it with some crappy-sexy werewolves, as the most common trope for this tale is, I blame it on the YA crowd mostly.
Anyway, in Cloaked we have a purely historical retelling of the tale. Close enough that you can recognise who is who: Mary Rose is Red Hood, Linden is the Big Bad Wolf, Jubilee is the grandmother, and Hauer is the Huntsman. The plot is also very recognisable and very straightforward, both for the fairy tale and for the Old West hallmarks: naïve girl is sent to visit her grandmother at her ranch out in the Wyoming Territory, grandmother has hired a suspicious fellow to work at her ranch who escorts her there from the train station and creeps on her, she makes friends of Hauer and Deputy Small (who isn't small, heh), Creepo Linden makes his moves and tries to force her into marriage to inherit the rich ranch, gets dealt with, and everyone ends up happily ever after. Very simple, very uncomplicated.
But maybe it should've been more complicated. I do understand this follows the Grimm version, which has a HEA, and is meant for a younger audience than old demanding me. I personally prefer the Perrault version, not for the ending as much as because I think it conveys the lesson from the tale much better than the Grimms: you pay for the consequences of your own mistakes, there's no Huntsman coming to rip you out of the wolf's belly. In this retelling, although Mary Rose doesn't make the mistake of trusting the Big Bad Wolf like the girl in the fairy tale, she still gets saved by the Huntsman and doesn't really learn any lessons, or any noticeable psychological scarring as should be. As I was saying, it's pretty straightforward and non-self reflective.
Maybe it's the length, maybe it's the target audience's age. But that doesn't necessarily make this tale unenjoyable. I may not have cared for Mary Rose, her personality isn't captivating (latet short stories with her as POV show her as still immature for her age), but there's Jubilee and Hauer in it and they make this worthwhile. I've read all of Rachel Kovaciny's retellings, and I can tell you her specialty is tough old grannies. Emma from her Sleeping Beauty retelling is my absolute favourite, and Jubilee O'Brien is much the same. If Cloaked had been from Jubilee's POV, it'd have been perfection, I think. Hauer is a bit of a half-Indian Clint Eastwood type, tough nut and fair, a type of character Kovaciny also does very well but that she's not written again quite like this but should.
September 12, 2017
This book is what they call "a refreshment of the spirit."
You know those early autumn days, after a long, weary summer, where you step outside and you're suddenly hit with this lovely cool breeze that just makes you close your eyes and smile? That's what reading this story was like, a breath of cool fresh air. It was wholesome and inspiring and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Splendid stuff.
Things I particularly liked:
- The characters! Specifically:
- Mary Rose. LOVE THIS GIRL. She's sweet, brave, spunky, curious--everything you need for a good old-fashioned romp across the hills of the Old West :-) I related to her easily, too; it's not like we share the exact same personality or thought process or anything, but at the same time, many of her decisions were similar to what my own would be. She has a bit of an "Everygirl" quality about her, while still being very much a unique individual. And her relationship with her grandmother, Jubilee, was so special.
- Speaking of whom:
- JUBILEE O'BRIEN IS THE BOMB OKAY. I cannot recall being this invested in an elderly female character since the days of Miss Marple; and that's saying something. I adored Jubilee. She's what my mom would term a "tough cookie"; the kind of woman you don't mess with, or Bad Things will assuredly happen to you :-P But she's open-hearted and caring, too, and she appreciates good food and pretty clothes . . . essentially, the perfect grandmother; can I get an amen???
- Also: Hauer. Be still, my heart. This guy. THIS GUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. I don't know what to say about him, except that he reminded me of all my favorite people rolled into one and if he wants my "hand in marriage" he can most assuredly have it. *coughs gently* Movin' on.
- And finally: Linden. Not going to say I "liked" him, because I didn't; but I surely appreciated the spice he brought to the story. Gosh, what a creep. *shudders*
- The plot! It's a Little Red Ridinghood retelling, so of course I had a rather good idea of the general outline of the story, but I still really appreciated seeing the way Rachel "translated" all the plot points of the original to the Old West setting: Linden, of course, being the wolf, and Jubilee and Mary Rose each partly taking on the role of Red Ridinghood, and Hauer being the huntsman. And the tension was excellently crafted--I was quite literally shaking with excitement at Certain Points within the story, and that's not an exaggeration. The last hundred pages, especially, were a veritable rollercoaster of emotions: "Aw, yay!" "What?!? No!" "Help!" "Oh, good! Wait--" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" [This, in turn, explains how come I read the whole thing in under five hours; it was simply too good to put down, grad school homework be hanged.]
- Finally: the themes! There were quite a few good, meaty themes running through this story, but my personal favorite was the "age" element--because here, unlike in a good many YA novels, you have a very young woman and a fairly old woman, living and working in harmony; each one a fully realized character, each one equally important to the outcome of the story. That's special. And it gives you, the reader, a chance to meditate on age as a concept; do we simply "write off" men and women once they pass 50 or 60? Do we not see, after all, that they still have feelings, they still have lives, they still have a capacity for adventure? Basically: WHY DON'T WE WRITE MORE STORIES ABOUT THEM? I just have a lot of questions. I feel I've been denied so many cool stories with elderly protagonists that I could have read, if only someone had taken the trouble to write them . . . I'm rambling, I know. But what I'm really trying to say is this: We need more fairy tales, and more novels in general, with "old" main characters; and Rachel's book helps supply that need. Which is one reason why I love it.
- Content: There's some Old-West-type violence, not graphic. No swearing. Some light romance. And there's a creepy guy who touches a girl in a creepy way; also forces a kiss on her; but it's not dwelt on much. Overall, it's a very clean story, and I would definitely let a young teenager read it without hesitation.
Conclusion: Beautiful, refreshing YA Western, excellently written, 10/10 would recommend. READ IT, ALL OF YOU.
[I received this ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.]
You know those early autumn days, after a long, weary summer, where you step outside and you're suddenly hit with this lovely cool breeze that just makes you close your eyes and smile? That's what reading this story was like, a breath of cool fresh air. It was wholesome and inspiring and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Splendid stuff.
Things I particularly liked:
- The characters! Specifically:
- Mary Rose. LOVE THIS GIRL. She's sweet, brave, spunky, curious--everything you need for a good old-fashioned romp across the hills of the Old West :-) I related to her easily, too; it's not like we share the exact same personality or thought process or anything, but at the same time, many of her decisions were similar to what my own would be. She has a bit of an "Everygirl" quality about her, while still being very much a unique individual. And her relationship with her grandmother, Jubilee, was so special.
- Speaking of whom:
- JUBILEE O'BRIEN IS THE BOMB OKAY. I cannot recall being this invested in an elderly female character since the days of Miss Marple; and that's saying something. I adored Jubilee. She's what my mom would term a "tough cookie"; the kind of woman you don't mess with, or Bad Things will assuredly happen to you :-P But she's open-hearted and caring, too, and she appreciates good food and pretty clothes . . . essentially, the perfect grandmother; can I get an amen???
- Also: Hauer. Be still, my heart. This guy. THIS GUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. I don't know what to say about him, except that he reminded me of all my favorite people rolled into one and if he wants my "hand in marriage" he can most assuredly have it. *coughs gently* Movin' on.
- And finally: Linden. Not going to say I "liked" him, because I didn't; but I surely appreciated the spice he brought to the story. Gosh, what a creep. *shudders*
- The plot! It's a Little Red Ridinghood retelling, so of course I had a rather good idea of the general outline of the story, but I still really appreciated seeing the way Rachel "translated" all the plot points of the original to the Old West setting: Linden, of course, being the wolf, and Jubilee and Mary Rose each partly taking on the role of Red Ridinghood, and Hauer being the huntsman. And the tension was excellently crafted--I was quite literally shaking with excitement at Certain Points within the story, and that's not an exaggeration. The last hundred pages, especially, were a veritable rollercoaster of emotions: "Aw, yay!" "What?!? No!" "Help!" "Oh, good! Wait--" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" [This, in turn, explains how come I read the whole thing in under five hours; it was simply too good to put down, grad school homework be hanged.]
- Finally: the themes! There were quite a few good, meaty themes running through this story, but my personal favorite was the "age" element--because here, unlike in a good many YA novels, you have a very young woman and a fairly old woman, living and working in harmony; each one a fully realized character, each one equally important to the outcome of the story. That's special. And it gives you, the reader, a chance to meditate on age as a concept; do we simply "write off" men and women once they pass 50 or 60? Do we not see, after all, that they still have feelings, they still have lives, they still have a capacity for adventure? Basically: WHY DON'T WE WRITE MORE STORIES ABOUT THEM? I just have a lot of questions. I feel I've been denied so many cool stories with elderly protagonists that I could have read, if only someone had taken the trouble to write them . . . I'm rambling, I know. But what I'm really trying to say is this: We need more fairy tales, and more novels in general, with "old" main characters; and Rachel's book helps supply that need. Which is one reason why I love it.
- Content: There's some Old-West-type violence, not graphic. No swearing. Some light romance. And there's a creepy guy who touches a girl in a creepy way; also forces a kiss on her; but it's not dwelt on much. Overall, it's a very clean story, and I would definitely let a young teenager read it without hesitation.
Conclusion: Beautiful, refreshing YA Western, excellently written, 10/10 would recommend. READ IT, ALL OF YOU.
[I received this ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.]
October 2, 2017
So I'm currently reading Cassandra Clare's CITY OF BONES in paperback, and I didn't have my copy with me. I wanted something to read that would be quick and fun and not distract me for too long from my main read . . . and this book fit the bill nicely!
I seem to be on a Fairy Tale Retelling kick, don't I? This one was VERY different from the last one, though (GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS). But also quite good in its way. I enjoyed it.
WHAT I LOVED
I don't read a lot of Westerns, but this book was so much fun! It felt like an old movie (and I noticed that the author dedicated the book to Alan Ladd, so I'm thinking that feel might be intentional!), complete with the classic Western scenery, the adventure, the nostalgia, the horses, the heroes in slouchy hats . . . I could almost hear the twangy banjo music accompaniment. For not being a genre I gravitate toward, it was kind of awesome to dip my toes into it for this short adventure.
This book is based on "Little Red Riding Hood" (obviously), but it's not a magical retelling at all. The basic themes and scenes from the story are all present (with a seriously sinister "wolf" in the mix), but it's written as a straight-up Western, which I thought was clever. The retelling genre is quite saturated these days, so it's always fun to find an author who's got a totally fresh angle on it.
Mary Rose made for a sweet, somewhat naive, often quite dense (but still sweet) heroine, and her love interest, Christopher, is appropriately dreamy. The hero of the story is Hauer, however, who plays the role of "woodcutter." (Oh, and I just realized . . . he's an actual "woodcutter" in the story too! I see what you did there, Ms. Kovaciny . . .) He was great. Interesting backstory, gruff exterior, heart of gold . . . yeah, I kind of loved him.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE AS MUCH
The book was very sweet and very rambling. Not a whole lot happened until the last quarter (which was thoroughly exciting and fun to read). It's all entertaining enough, but sometimes I kind of wondered if any of these scenes were actually going anywhere.
And . . . I hate to say it, but . . . the heroine squeaked. A LOT. It was like a character quirk for her, to be constantly squeaking. And you guys know that is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves in YA fiction, or any fiction for that matter. I just cannot STAND a squeaking heroine, ever, under any circumstances!!!
But I'll give the author credit--much as the squeaking rubbed me raw, I enjoyed the story (and Mary Rose) enough to keep on reading. Which is saying something. (I finally put down the insanely popular SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo because of one squeak too many!)
Final verdict--This book is cute, fun, an interesting twist on the genre, with an action-packed finale. Definitely one to read if you like Westerns, but even if you don't, give it a try for the cleverness of the retelling.
I seem to be on a Fairy Tale Retelling kick, don't I? This one was VERY different from the last one, though (GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS). But also quite good in its way. I enjoyed it.
WHAT I LOVED
I don't read a lot of Westerns, but this book was so much fun! It felt like an old movie (and I noticed that the author dedicated the book to Alan Ladd, so I'm thinking that feel might be intentional!), complete with the classic Western scenery, the adventure, the nostalgia, the horses, the heroes in slouchy hats . . . I could almost hear the twangy banjo music accompaniment. For not being a genre I gravitate toward, it was kind of awesome to dip my toes into it for this short adventure.
This book is based on "Little Red Riding Hood" (obviously), but it's not a magical retelling at all. The basic themes and scenes from the story are all present (with a seriously sinister "wolf" in the mix), but it's written as a straight-up Western, which I thought was clever. The retelling genre is quite saturated these days, so it's always fun to find an author who's got a totally fresh angle on it.
Mary Rose made for a sweet, somewhat naive, often quite dense (but still sweet) heroine, and her love interest, Christopher, is appropriately dreamy. The hero of the story is Hauer, however, who plays the role of "woodcutter." (Oh, and I just realized . . . he's an actual "woodcutter" in the story too! I see what you did there, Ms. Kovaciny . . .) He was great. Interesting backstory, gruff exterior, heart of gold . . . yeah, I kind of loved him.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE AS MUCH
The book was very sweet and very rambling. Not a whole lot happened until the last quarter (which was thoroughly exciting and fun to read). It's all entertaining enough, but sometimes I kind of wondered if any of these scenes were actually going anywhere.
And . . . I hate to say it, but . . . the heroine squeaked. A LOT. It was like a character quirk for her, to be constantly squeaking. And you guys know that is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves in YA fiction, or any fiction for that matter. I just cannot STAND a squeaking heroine, ever, under any circumstances!!!
But I'll give the author credit--much as the squeaking rubbed me raw, I enjoyed the story (and Mary Rose) enough to keep on reading. Which is saying something. (I finally put down the insanely popular SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo because of one squeak too many!)
Final verdict--This book is cute, fun, an interesting twist on the genre, with an action-packed finale. Definitely one to read if you like Westerns, but even if you don't, give it a try for the cleverness of the retelling.
October 2, 2017
Sweet, fun, and thrilling by turns!
I read this lovely Western Fairy Tale all in one evening, unwilling to put it down even when it was long after my bedtime (Hello, 1 am. Nice to see you again). I love the premise of this retelling, which is set in an authentic-feeling Old West and features no magic whatsoever, but which captures the heart and soul of the original fairy tale being retold. I’m delight to see that Rachel Kovaciny plans to write more in this series, because I love fairy tale retellings, and this is one of the most unique angles on the genre that I’ve seen.
The characters were all distinctive. Mary Rose makes for an appealing protagonist to whom I bonded quickly. Jubilee, her grandmother, who starts as a mystery who slowly unfolds to us as a lovable character. The villain of the piece was sinister and subtle, and I enjoyed how much menace he brought to the story even before we knew exactly what he was after. The star of the whole show as Hauer, however. I LOVED him. Not a romantic hero, but totally the hero of this piece even so. (Mary Rose’s sweet romantic interest was great too, but he didn’t compare to Hauer in my heart!)
The final climactic sequence was by far the best part of the book. I enjoyed it up until then (I stayed up way late reading it, after all!), but when I hit those action-packed scenes, there was no way I was putting the book down. All of that subtly building menace finally exploded in a proper eruption of action and consequences, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Rachel Kovaciny is a talented writer with a fun, fresh approach to this whole retelling business. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what she does next! I’ll be first in line to buy whatever it might be.
I read this lovely Western Fairy Tale all in one evening, unwilling to put it down even when it was long after my bedtime (Hello, 1 am. Nice to see you again). I love the premise of this retelling, which is set in an authentic-feeling Old West and features no magic whatsoever, but which captures the heart and soul of the original fairy tale being retold. I’m delight to see that Rachel Kovaciny plans to write more in this series, because I love fairy tale retellings, and this is one of the most unique angles on the genre that I’ve seen.
The characters were all distinctive. Mary Rose makes for an appealing protagonist to whom I bonded quickly. Jubilee, her grandmother, who starts as a mystery who slowly unfolds to us as a lovable character. The villain of the piece was sinister and subtle, and I enjoyed how much menace he brought to the story even before we knew exactly what he was after. The star of the whole show as Hauer, however. I LOVED him. Not a romantic hero, but totally the hero of this piece even so. (Mary Rose’s sweet romantic interest was great too, but he didn’t compare to Hauer in my heart!)
The final climactic sequence was by far the best part of the book. I enjoyed it up until then (I stayed up way late reading it, after all!), but when I hit those action-packed scenes, there was no way I was putting the book down. All of that subtly building menace finally exploded in a proper eruption of action and consequences, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Rachel Kovaciny is a talented writer with a fun, fresh approach to this whole retelling business. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what she does next! I’ll be first in line to buy whatever it might be.
Read
April 29, 2024{August 2023 Reread}
Was delighted to find that I liked this even more upon a reread. I prefer Western films to Western novels, so the fact that I enjoy this book as much as I do is really a testament to the strength of the author's writing. The characters are endearing, and this time around, I noticed even more details that reinforce the "Little Red Riding Hood" retelling aspect of the story (like establishing Mary Rose's lifelong love of running, for example).
Probably my only objection is the fact that there are a couple of unnecessary throwaway comments about how Mary Rose is different (read: better, more sensible, etc.) than other girls. Other than that, though, this is a marvelously strong, straightforward, subtle retelling.
{Original 2017 Review}
One of the things I love about Westerns is their simplicity. They're not simple because they couldn't be elaborate; they're simple because they can stand on their own, without ornamentation.
True to its genre's style, Cloaked is concisely but engagingly written. Sprinkled with some beautiful descriptions -- at one point in particular, I could almost see the golden swirls of dust motes in the afternoon sunlight -- and endearing (well, mostly endearing) characters, it's a fast, fun read.
Mary Rose O'Brien is a great adolescent protagonist. She's neither annoying nor angelic, but, refreshingly, a realistic and lovable heroine. I don't know how to explain it -- she isn't a whiny brat who just needed to "find herself" out in the country, and she isn't Superwoman, either. She's actually like a decent, semi-well-adjusted, good-hearted teenager, you know? Which is indeed a refreshing attitude towards teens to find in a book. :) Her tendency to "squeak" when excited was an adorable quirk (and let's be honest, we've all got something like that, don't we?), and I liked her inquisitive, friendly personality. (Also, the way she handled The Situation at the end was really impressive! Like, genuine #respect for the guts you have, girl.)
I think several people have already gushed about Hauer (*ahem* ;)), but he's certainly worth mentioning! I was a bit confused as to his age range/what his relationship with Mary Rose was supposed to be like at first, but in the end he's just fantastic and I Wuved It when he came galloping up and hugged Mary Rose after the runaway horse incident, bless. <3 I especially liked how Ms. Kovaciny introduced him, sleeping on the bench of the stagecoach. *smiles* I actually just really liked the whole beginning with the stagecoach in general!
Jubilee O'Brien is a fabulous name and I like it muchly. The lady herself is pretty great, too, and
And now, Mr. Linden. Ahh, what a fun villain. ;D I sometimes pictured him as Luke Evans, because of a picture I saw in passing on the author's blog (I don't know for sure if that's who she would cast for Linden if she could, to be clear). That was enjoyable and dreadful at the same time. ;-P Mr. Linden is a creep, no doubt, but
Deputy (he was a deputy, right?) Christopher Small was a splendid potential love interest for Mary Rose. ;D I would have perhaps liked to have seen a little bit more of the two of them, but at the same time, I sometimes get frustrated when there's too much "instant romance," so perhaps it's just as well. ;) But I loved his reaction after The Situation at the end, and that he told Mrs. O'Brien to get Mary Rose the you-know-what. :) He just seemed overall to be a wonderful, thoroughly swoonable character, and "I should not be sorry to know [him] better." <3 <3 (Also, one of my brothers' name is Christopher, so I have some affection for it. ;))
One of the only complaints I have with the book was that at times it seemed allllmost a wee bit repetitive? I got a leeeeetle bit tired of hearing about how Mr. Linden kept popping up all the time when Mary Rose thought it'd be somebody else, BUT I recognize that that could actually be a clever technique on Ms. Kovaciny's part, because Mary Rose sure most have been getting tired of it, too!
All in all, a great retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fable!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Was delighted to find that I liked this even more upon a reread. I prefer Western films to Western novels, so the fact that I enjoy this book as much as I do is really a testament to the strength of the author's writing. The characters are endearing, and this time around, I noticed even more details that reinforce the "Little Red Riding Hood" retelling aspect of the story (like establishing Mary Rose's lifelong love of running, for example).
Probably my only objection is the fact that there are a couple of unnecessary throwaway comments about how Mary Rose is different (read: better, more sensible, etc.) than other girls. Other than that, though, this is a marvelously strong, straightforward, subtle retelling.
{Original 2017 Review}
One of the things I love about Westerns is their simplicity. They're not simple because they couldn't be elaborate; they're simple because they can stand on their own, without ornamentation.
True to its genre's style, Cloaked is concisely but engagingly written. Sprinkled with some beautiful descriptions -- at one point in particular, I could almost see the golden swirls of dust motes in the afternoon sunlight -- and endearing (well, mostly endearing) characters, it's a fast, fun read.
Mary Rose O'Brien is a great adolescent protagonist. She's neither annoying nor angelic, but, refreshingly, a realistic and lovable heroine. I don't know how to explain it -- she isn't a whiny brat who just needed to "find herself" out in the country, and she isn't Superwoman, either. She's actually like a decent, semi-well-adjusted, good-hearted teenager, you know? Which is indeed a refreshing attitude towards teens to find in a book. :) Her tendency to "squeak" when excited was an adorable quirk (and let's be honest, we've all got something like that, don't we?), and I liked her inquisitive, friendly personality. (Also, the way she handled The Situation at the end was really impressive! Like, genuine #respect for the guts you have, girl.)
I think several people have already gushed about Hauer (*ahem* ;)), but he's certainly worth mentioning! I was a bit confused as to his age range/what his relationship with Mary Rose was supposed to be like at first, but in the end he's just fantastic and I Wuved It when he came galloping up and hugged Mary Rose after the runaway horse incident, bless. <3 I especially liked how Ms. Kovaciny introduced him, sleeping on the bench of the stagecoach. *smiles* I actually just really liked the whole beginning with the stagecoach in general!
Jubilee O'Brien is a fabulous name and I like it muchly. The lady herself is pretty great, too, and
And now, Mr. Linden. Ahh, what a fun villain. ;D I sometimes pictured him as Luke Evans, because of a picture I saw in passing on the author's blog (I don't know for sure if that's who she would cast for Linden if she could, to be clear). That was enjoyable and dreadful at the same time. ;-P Mr. Linden is a creep, no doubt, but
Deputy (he was a deputy, right?) Christopher Small was a splendid potential love interest for Mary Rose. ;D I would have perhaps liked to have seen a little bit more of the two of them, but at the same time, I sometimes get frustrated when there's too much "instant romance," so perhaps it's just as well. ;) But I loved his reaction after The Situation at the end, and that he told Mrs. O'Brien to get Mary Rose the you-know-what. :) He just seemed overall to be a wonderful, thoroughly swoonable character, and "I should not be sorry to know [him] better." <3 <3 (Also, one of my brothers' name is Christopher, so I have some affection for it. ;))
One of the only complaints I have with the book was that at times it seemed allllmost a wee bit repetitive? I got a leeeeetle bit tired of hearing about how Mr. Linden kept popping up all the time when Mary Rose thought it'd be somebody else, BUT I recognize that that could actually be a clever technique on Ms. Kovaciny's part, because Mary Rose sure most have been getting tired of it, too!
All in all, a great retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fable!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2017
A story of love. A story of fear. A story of hope. A story of courage.
Have you ever read a book that makes you crave an adventure? Perhaps a story that sparks a desire for travel, or independence? A story that simply sweeps you off your feet, whisking you away and inspiring that sense of wanderlust? For me, that story was Cloaked, by Rachel Kovaciny.
Mary Rose arrives in Wyoming with few expectations; all she knows is that she's to meet her grandmother, an estranged -- and possibly wealthy -- member of the family. But when a striking accountant enters the scene, Mary Rose realizes that her newfound adventure was merely a mirage... and she might just need to flee for her life.
Oh, this book was wonderful! Like the sunrise on a chilly spring morning, this book held such a glow of warm familiarity. The writing style was direct and to-the-point, but also maintained a bit of elegance. The characters were all so real: Mary Rose with her curiosity, Jubilee and Hauer with their friendship and laughter, Mr. Linden with his charms...
Cloaked was so amazing! I highly recommend it, and I would read it again in a heartbeat. ❤
You may want to know: There are some implications, including brief and un-descriptive "touching" and a forced kiss. There is some mild violence, as well as a very light romance.
NOTE: I received a free ebook copy of Cloaked from the author, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. My original review can be found at http://merikthorne.blogspot.com/2017/....
Have you ever read a book that makes you crave an adventure? Perhaps a story that sparks a desire for travel, or independence? A story that simply sweeps you off your feet, whisking you away and inspiring that sense of wanderlust? For me, that story was Cloaked, by Rachel Kovaciny.
Mary Rose arrives in Wyoming with few expectations; all she knows is that she's to meet her grandmother, an estranged -- and possibly wealthy -- member of the family. But when a striking accountant enters the scene, Mary Rose realizes that her newfound adventure was merely a mirage... and she might just need to flee for her life.
Oh, this book was wonderful! Like the sunrise on a chilly spring morning, this book held such a glow of warm familiarity. The writing style was direct and to-the-point, but also maintained a bit of elegance. The characters were all so real: Mary Rose with her curiosity, Jubilee and Hauer with their friendship and laughter, Mr. Linden with his charms...
Cloaked was so amazing! I highly recommend it, and I would read it again in a heartbeat. ❤
You may want to know: There are some implications, including brief and un-descriptive "touching" and a forced kiss. There is some mild violence, as well as a very light romance.
NOTE: I received a free ebook copy of Cloaked from the author, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. My original review can be found at http://merikthorne.blogspot.com/2017/....
April 19, 2022
Fun! This is one of those books that has been on my mental tbr since it first came out, but as I'm sure we all do, it just kept getting pushed back for no particular reason other than there being so many books in the world and how am I supposed to choooose. XD BUT I finally got around to it!
I loved Rachel's western take on Sleeping Beauty, so I had high hopes for this Red Ridinghood retelling. Red Ridinghood is a pretty short and straightforward fairytale, and I was curious to see how this retelling would fill in the gaps. I really liked the characters Rachel created, and the story woven around them. It was lovely seeing Mary Rose and her Grandmother get close and learn to understand each other, and even end up potentially healing a long-time rift in their family. Haur and Deputy small were lovable characters as well.
At the same time, we had our "wolfish" character who was such a creep. I thought Rachel did well letting his true character peek through at times while also avoiding making him too overtly villainous for much of the book. It added to the suspense to wonder what he was really up to and when he would reveal himself. And when he did, oof! Talk about stressful! XD But as we already know from the fairytale, the wolf doesn't win, and I was pleased with the ending.
I'm looking forward to continuing the "Once Upon a Western" series!
Content Advisory:
No language, no magic. (This is a 100% historical setting, not fantasy.) Spiritual content is minimal, and mainly involves Mary Rose making occasional reference to God and her prayers to Him. She also acknowledges answered prayers. Mention of going to church.
A man repeatedly pushes the boundaries of a young woman, looking at and speaking to her in ways that make her uncomfortable. (These moments are not overtly sexual so much as subtly "overly familiar", but still uncomfortable for her.) He also occasionally forces physical closeness in such a subtle way, she's not sure if it was intentional or not, but it becomes clear as the story goes on that it was intentional.
The majority of anything of concern all happens in the climax of the story. Someone gets tied up and hit. (Mention of bruises and abrasions after the fact.) There are several threats with guns and knives. A man forces kisses on a young woman and it's implied that he could do worse to her if she doesn't escape. (The worse things don't actually happen.)
Someone gets burned on the face and there's brief mention of the smell. The damage isn't really described, though.
Someone gets shot in the arm, but no graphic description.
Someone gets stabbed in the gut, and again, no graphic description.
Someone gets killed with an axe, but this is completely implied rather than described as the main character closes her eyes when it happens. Brief mention of a body falling limp.
I loved Rachel's western take on Sleeping Beauty, so I had high hopes for this Red Ridinghood retelling. Red Ridinghood is a pretty short and straightforward fairytale, and I was curious to see how this retelling would fill in the gaps. I really liked the characters Rachel created, and the story woven around them. It was lovely seeing Mary Rose and her Grandmother get close and learn to understand each other, and even end up potentially healing a long-time rift in their family. Haur and Deputy small were lovable characters as well.
At the same time, we had our "wolfish" character who was such a creep. I thought Rachel did well letting his true character peek through at times while also avoiding making him too overtly villainous for much of the book. It added to the suspense to wonder what he was really up to and when he would reveal himself. And when he did, oof! Talk about stressful! XD But as we already know from the fairytale, the wolf doesn't win, and I was pleased with the ending.
I'm looking forward to continuing the "Once Upon a Western" series!
Content Advisory:
No language, no magic. (This is a 100% historical setting, not fantasy.) Spiritual content is minimal, and mainly involves Mary Rose making occasional reference to God and her prayers to Him. She also acknowledges answered prayers. Mention of going to church.
A man repeatedly pushes the boundaries of a young woman, looking at and speaking to her in ways that make her uncomfortable. (These moments are not overtly sexual so much as subtly "overly familiar", but still uncomfortable for her.) He also occasionally forces physical closeness in such a subtle way, she's not sure if it was intentional or not, but it becomes clear as the story goes on that it was intentional.
The majority of anything of concern all happens in the climax of the story. Someone gets tied up and hit. (Mention of bruises and abrasions after the fact.) There are several threats with guns and knives. A man forces kisses on a young woman and it's implied that he could do worse to her if she doesn't escape. (The worse things don't actually happen.)
Someone gets burned on the face and there's brief mention of the smell. The damage isn't really described, though.
Someone gets shot in the arm, but no graphic description.
Someone gets stabbed in the gut, and again, no graphic description.
Someone gets killed with an axe, but this is completely implied rather than described as the main character closes her eyes when it happens. Brief mention of a body falling limp.
September 12, 2017
I read 'Cloaked' in one day. It wasn't hard because the book is shorter than a regular novel and I'm a fast reader, but that wasn't the only reason I finished it so quickly. The story moved along so well and the characters were so engaging that I had a hard time putting my Kindle down (except once, where I'd been reading for almost three solid hours and my brain was overloaded).
Having recently finished reading the Lunar Chronicles, I was totally in the mood for another fairy tale retelling, and Rachel Kovaciny more than delivered. There were many hints of the original Red Riding Hood story throughout - mainly Mary Rose's grandmother, Mary Rose's red cloak, and Hauer's trade. But 'Cloaked' is very much its own story. Westerns are my favorite genre and this was such a quiet, heartwarming one (though not without its moments of high action - particularly the finale).
My favorite part of 'Cloaked' was easily the characters. Mary Rose was a fine protagonist, very new to the West and the way of life there - it was neat seeing the West through her eyes, as opposed to most western stories I've read where the main character has lived there their entire life. Mary Rose was courageous and smart and very much sixteen without being annoyingly so. Her grandmother was a bit hard to 'read' at first, but I grew to like her too. The villain is a creep's creep. Hauer is a dear (and the fact that he's half-Cherokee made me like him even more and added some great tension to the story).
Overall, a sweet, clean, relationship-centric western that I would recommend to any and all fans of the genre.
(I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.)
Having recently finished reading the Lunar Chronicles, I was totally in the mood for another fairy tale retelling, and Rachel Kovaciny more than delivered. There were many hints of the original Red Riding Hood story throughout - mainly Mary Rose's grandmother, Mary Rose's red cloak, and Hauer's trade. But 'Cloaked' is very much its own story. Westerns are my favorite genre and this was such a quiet, heartwarming one (though not without its moments of high action - particularly the finale).
My favorite part of 'Cloaked' was easily the characters. Mary Rose was a fine protagonist, very new to the West and the way of life there - it was neat seeing the West through her eyes, as opposed to most western stories I've read where the main character has lived there their entire life. Mary Rose was courageous and smart and very much sixteen without being annoyingly so. Her grandmother was a bit hard to 'read' at first, but I grew to like her too. The villain is a creep's creep. Hauer is a dear (and the fact that he's half-Cherokee made me like him even more and added some great tension to the story).
Overall, a sweet, clean, relationship-centric western that I would recommend to any and all fans of the genre.
(I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.)
September 5, 2025
2.5⭐ It was ok. (thoughts below)
Content:
Spice🌶️: none (kiss forced on the fmc but not descriptive)
Language🤐: none
My Thoughts: It was just ok. The back of the book was kinda miss leading since it talks about something that doesn't happen until like the last 20 or something pages.😭 Because of that, I was waiting for it to get to that part for the entire book. That made it feel like a really long prologue until the very end. It was kinda dry and boring until the climax and even then it was pretty obvious what was going to happen. If I would have cared for the characters, maybe the climax would have been more suspenseful. Unfortunately the characters all felt kinda one dimensional and plain. Maybe that's because it's a shorter book so there wasn't enough time to get to know them, but they just didn't have a lot of personality.🤷♀️ I just realized I didn't really have anything good to say about this book...but it wasn't terrible...so yeah.
Content:
Spice🌶️: none (kiss forced on the fmc but not descriptive)
Language🤐: none
My Thoughts: It was just ok. The back of the book was kinda miss leading since it talks about something that doesn't happen until like the last 20 or something pages.😭 Because of that, I was waiting for it to get to that part for the entire book. That made it feel like a really long prologue until the very end. It was kinda dry and boring until the climax and even then it was pretty obvious what was going to happen. If I would have cared for the characters, maybe the climax would have been more suspenseful. Unfortunately the characters all felt kinda one dimensional and plain. Maybe that's because it's a shorter book so there wasn't enough time to get to know them, but they just didn't have a lot of personality.🤷♀️ I just realized I didn't really have anything good to say about this book...but it wasn't terrible...so yeah.
May 2, 2024
4 stars. Rachel Kovaciny is a new-to-me author, though I’ve followed her instagram for a couple years now. She’s been highly recommended to me, enough that I picked up the whole series on Black Friday and finally dove in! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was pretty satisfied with what I found.
This reminded me a little of Elisabeth G. Foley’s stories—light, comedic western, with deeper themes and messages. The writing style was a little weaker than I expected but probably only because it’s a juvenile fiction/middle-grade book, which I hadn’t realized. I quite liked the characters. Mary Rose acted and thought rather childishly at times for a 16-year-old, but I liked her personality, her uprightness, her courage, and her realisticness. Love me a heroine who is strong but admits she’s afraid! She was an excellent Little Red Riding Hood. Hauer was amazing—such a great “woodcutter” character and also a great guy in his own right; and Jubilee was a very enjoyable grandma—very unstereotypical! The “wolf” was awesome, and I quite liked Deputy Small…
The plot was well-paced and interesting. I enjoyed exploring the ranch and surroundings with Mary Rose, and the mystery/suspense was well proportioned with the quieter, happier moments. There was one thing that struck me as incongruous… mild spoiler! Other than that, I enjoyed this romp through the West, with all its horses, dancing, shopping, and other homey occupations, and I found the plot quite satisfactory.
Another thing I really liked—besides that amazing cover!!—was the theme of forgiveness and of parental respect. Mary Rose’s attitude at the beginning surprised me but everything was resolved in the end, and I really appreciated how the themes were woven in.
Overall, this was a solidly enjoyable story and a fantastic retelling, and I look forwards to reading the next book in this series!
A Favourite Quote: “I know you can’t even bear the idea. But if you don’t get on that horse right now, if you don’t ride her back to the house and prove to yourself you can, then tomorrow you’ll find a reason not to ride. And the next day, another reason. With every day that passes, it will be harder and harder to get back on a horse, until the day comes when you realize you’re never going to ride again. Do you want that to happen?”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The moon above shed a cold, impersonal light that made everything look gray and old. The world had aged since sundown.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: After all, Mary Rose’s grandmother must be nearing sixty by now and could be expected to topple into her grave at any moment. Mary Rose hoped her grandmother would not do any such toppling until she had taught Mary Rose how to ride a horse, shown her a good piece of Wyoming, and introduced her to an outlaw, an Indian, and a real Western lawman.
This reminded me a little of Elisabeth G. Foley’s stories—light, comedic western, with deeper themes and messages. The writing style was a little weaker than I expected but probably only because it’s a juvenile fiction/middle-grade book, which I hadn’t realized. I quite liked the characters. Mary Rose acted and thought rather childishly at times for a 16-year-old, but I liked her personality, her uprightness, her courage, and her realisticness. Love me a heroine who is strong but admits she’s afraid! She was an excellent Little Red Riding Hood. Hauer was amazing—such a great “woodcutter” character and also a great guy in his own right; and Jubilee was a very enjoyable grandma—very unstereotypical! The “wolf” was awesome, and I quite liked Deputy Small…
The plot was well-paced and interesting. I enjoyed exploring the ranch and surroundings with Mary Rose, and the mystery/suspense was well proportioned with the quieter, happier moments. There was one thing that struck me as incongruous… mild spoiler! Other than that, I enjoyed this romp through the West, with all its horses, dancing, shopping, and other homey occupations, and I found the plot quite satisfactory.
Another thing I really liked—besides that amazing cover!!—was the theme of forgiveness and of parental respect. Mary Rose’s attitude at the beginning surprised me but everything was resolved in the end, and I really appreciated how the themes were woven in.
Overall, this was a solidly enjoyable story and a fantastic retelling, and I look forwards to reading the next book in this series!
A Favourite Quote: “I know you can’t even bear the idea. But if you don’t get on that horse right now, if you don’t ride her back to the house and prove to yourself you can, then tomorrow you’ll find a reason not to ride. And the next day, another reason. With every day that passes, it will be harder and harder to get back on a horse, until the day comes when you realize you’re never going to ride again. Do you want that to happen?”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The moon above shed a cold, impersonal light that made everything look gray and old. The world had aged since sundown.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: After all, Mary Rose’s grandmother must be nearing sixty by now and could be expected to topple into her grave at any moment. Mary Rose hoped her grandmother would not do any such toppling until she had taught Mary Rose how to ride a horse, shown her a good piece of Wyoming, and introduced her to an outlaw, an Indian, and a real Western lawman.
September 15, 2017
I will almost never pass up an opportunity for a fairy tale retelling. It's one of my favorite subgenres, and I haven't gotten tired of it yet. Now westerns, on the other hand, aren't usually my thing, but after reading Rachel Kovaciny's The Man of the Buckskin Horse, I knew that she was someone who could pull even a reluctant western newbie like me into her stories.
And Cloaked is certainly a winning one! It has a wonderfully relatable heroine (with a fondness for butterscotch, something I mention because I was inspired to go make some of my own while I was in the middle of reading) and some other memorable characters like her feisty grandmother and my personal favorite, the protective Hauer. The fairy tale aspect of the story is certainly recognizable, but it isn't overpowering, and compliments the developments of the relationships very well. Overall, Cloaked is equal parts adorable and suspenseful, and I'd recommend it to fans of westerns and/or historical fiction.
I received an ARC copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
And Cloaked is certainly a winning one! It has a wonderfully relatable heroine (with a fondness for butterscotch, something I mention because I was inspired to go make some of my own while I was in the middle of reading) and some other memorable characters like her feisty grandmother and my personal favorite, the protective Hauer. The fairy tale aspect of the story is certainly recognizable, but it isn't overpowering, and compliments the developments of the relationships very well. Overall, Cloaked is equal parts adorable and suspenseful, and I'd recommend it to fans of westerns and/or historical fiction.
I received an ARC copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
May 7, 2018
I confess to having read this book a year or so ago and, to my shame, never got around to reviewing it. But I know Rachel is working feverishly on her next book in the series, a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses called Dancing and Doughnuts.
Anyway, here we go, jumping into the first review I've written in many, many months.
Cloaked is an endearing jump to a simpler time, when westerns ruled the world. Sadly, Hollywood doesn't really dish out decent westerns anymore, but Rachel has captured the look, the feel, and the characters that used to run rampant through the western towns of America, at least to hear Hollywood tell of it.
This book is precisely what it claims to be, a western retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. You have the innocent heroine, Mary Rose, who is blossoming into a lovely young woman, taking a journey to meet her grandmother living in Wyoming Territory, a woman she's never met.
While on her journey, Mary Rose encounters a man named Mr. Linden who knows her grandmother and is trusted by her, but Mary Rose simply can't shrug off the sensation that Mr. Linden gives her the creeps. Something isn't quite right about him, and she doesn't know why, at least, not yet.
I've always been partial to Little Red Riding Hood, ever since I watched the Faerie Tale Theatre version with Mary Steenburgen as the heroine. But I never really imagined one in a western setting until Rachel began publishing her retellings. There's no magic here and no actual wolf eating granny. Which makes the villain a little more terrifying because he's simply a man yielding to his wicked tendencies.
An entertaining read, Cloaked is diverting for fans of westerns, particularly those who don't mind a little Christian faith tossed into the mix. Light entertainment, the book is an enchanting experience that I now intend to hand off to my mother who is a western aficionado, both in literature and film!
Anyway, here we go, jumping into the first review I've written in many, many months.
Cloaked is an endearing jump to a simpler time, when westerns ruled the world. Sadly, Hollywood doesn't really dish out decent westerns anymore, but Rachel has captured the look, the feel, and the characters that used to run rampant through the western towns of America, at least to hear Hollywood tell of it.
This book is precisely what it claims to be, a western retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. You have the innocent heroine, Mary Rose, who is blossoming into a lovely young woman, taking a journey to meet her grandmother living in Wyoming Territory, a woman she's never met.
While on her journey, Mary Rose encounters a man named Mr. Linden who knows her grandmother and is trusted by her, but Mary Rose simply can't shrug off the sensation that Mr. Linden gives her the creeps. Something isn't quite right about him, and she doesn't know why, at least, not yet.
I've always been partial to Little Red Riding Hood, ever since I watched the Faerie Tale Theatre version with Mary Steenburgen as the heroine. But I never really imagined one in a western setting until Rachel began publishing her retellings. There's no magic here and no actual wolf eating granny. Which makes the villain a little more terrifying because he's simply a man yielding to his wicked tendencies.
An entertaining read, Cloaked is diverting for fans of westerns, particularly those who don't mind a little Christian faith tossed into the mix. Light entertainment, the book is an enchanting experience that I now intend to hand off to my mother who is a western aficionado, both in literature and film!
December 25, 2017
I received this as a Christmas present and just finished reading it. Ever since my friend Rachel announced its release, I've been eagerly looking forward to reading it and it did not disappoint. <3
Things I loved:
~The writing style. The dialogue was natural and bright, and there was often a bit of fresh, vivid description that made me smile.
~The setting. It's a Western. Enough said. ;)
~HAUER. Hauer was awesome. He's your typical older-cowboy-fatherly sort, but unique and totally one-of-a-kind. I loved him muchly.
~Mary Rose was a delightful heroine, just independent enough to be fun, but prim enough to fit the time period and background she came from. She reminded me a little of a Louisa May Alcott sort of character--or perhaps that's just because I recently read And Old Fashioned Girl. *shrugs* Either way, I liked her. :)
~Deputy Small was humorous and sweet and kind. I loved how he and Mary Rose met. <3 And when he quoted Pride and Prejudice to Mary Rose and told her to look again to see what the reference means?? Awwww. I loved that. :D
~The reference to Hamlet made me smile. :)
~The way the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" was woven into the plot was really well done, and the villain appropriately creepy.
~I love Old Joe. He's great fun and reminded me a bit of Stumpy, a character from one of my favorite Westerns, Rio Bravo.
Things I Didn't like:
~I wished it could have been longer! I think this is supposed to be a novella, and while the story and characterization fit nicely into novella format without feeling rushed, I feel like it could have benefited from even more "story". I guess if I like a book at all, I like it to be as long as possible. ;)
~I would have liked a little more character development, especially in Mary Rose and her grandmother. They seem to skirt around each other for most of the book, but with minimal conflict. When things are *spoiler!* resolved between them, it seemed like there wasn't much to resolve in the first place? *end spoiler* I guess I just wish the book gave a little more depth to their relationship. :)
All in all, this is a delightful story and I'm so happy Rachel published it. *claps* I can't wait for more from this series!!! :D
Things I loved:
~The writing style. The dialogue was natural and bright, and there was often a bit of fresh, vivid description that made me smile.
~The setting. It's a Western. Enough said. ;)
~HAUER. Hauer was awesome. He's your typical older-cowboy-fatherly sort, but unique and totally one-of-a-kind. I loved him muchly.
~Mary Rose was a delightful heroine, just independent enough to be fun, but prim enough to fit the time period and background she came from. She reminded me a little of a Louisa May Alcott sort of character--or perhaps that's just because I recently read And Old Fashioned Girl. *shrugs* Either way, I liked her. :)
~Deputy Small was humorous and sweet and kind. I loved how he and Mary Rose met. <3 And when he quoted Pride and Prejudice to Mary Rose and told her to look again to see what the reference means?? Awwww. I loved that. :D
~The reference to Hamlet made me smile. :)
~The way the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" was woven into the plot was really well done, and the villain appropriately creepy.
~I love Old Joe. He's great fun and reminded me a bit of Stumpy, a character from one of my favorite Westerns, Rio Bravo.
Things I Didn't like:
~I wished it could have been longer! I think this is supposed to be a novella, and while the story and characterization fit nicely into novella format without feeling rushed, I feel like it could have benefited from even more "story". I guess if I like a book at all, I like it to be as long as possible. ;)
~I would have liked a little more character development, especially in Mary Rose and her grandmother. They seem to skirt around each other for most of the book, but with minimal conflict. When things are *spoiler!* resolved between them, it seemed like there wasn't much to resolve in the first place? *end spoiler* I guess I just wish the book gave a little more depth to their relationship. :)
All in all, this is a delightful story and I'm so happy Rachel published it. *claps* I can't wait for more from this series!!! :D
January 28, 2020
Well, there was never much doubt who the bad guy was in this story, although now that I think about it, there wasn't much doubt in the original Little Red Riding Hood. It makes for a different kind of suspense--not who but what and when, and tensing up every time someone walks into the room--which was very well done. I loved the way the author worked this retelling and made it fully her own, while also keeping obvious elements from the original. I loved all the characters (okay, with one obvious exception :P), and all their different personalities! And even though Mary Rose's frustration with some of her parents' restrictions made perfect sense with her personality, I really appreciated the fact that the book ended with her wanting to mend ties and strengthen bonds, rather than cutting them off. Love, love, love that! <3
I also was very glad that even with all the creepy feelings and vague fears, the threat never took one of the directions that it easily could have. Thank you SO MUCH for that! I was extremely grateful!
I would say I'm looking forward to continuing the series, but I'm a little late with this review, and I've already finished most of it. :) But I am still enjoying it quite a bit and look forward to more adventures with these characters!
Content--a man makes a girl feel uncomfortable (evaluating her figure, coming close to her, leaving his hand on her too long, etc.); violence and threats; one forced kiss (not descriptive); slight mention of wounds and blood;
I also was very glad that even with all the creepy feelings and vague fears, the threat never took one of the directions that it easily could have. Thank you SO MUCH for that! I was extremely grateful!
I would say I'm looking forward to continuing the series, but I'm a little late with this review, and I've already finished most of it. :) But I am still enjoying it quite a bit and look forward to more adventures with these characters!
Content--a man makes a girl feel uncomfortable (evaluating her figure, coming close to her, leaving his hand on her too long, etc.); violence and threats; one forced kiss (not descriptive); slight mention of wounds and blood;
November 29, 2017
Mary Rose feels uneasy around Mr. Linden from the moment she meets him on the stagecoach ride to her grandmother's ranch in Wyoming Territory. But he works for her grandmother, so that means he's trustworthy, doesn't it?
She tries to ignore her suspicions until one night, she discovers his real reason for being at the ranch. Now, if she's going to save her grandmother -- and herself -- she's going to need to run faster than she's ever run before.
2.5 stars. Cloaked is a re-telling of Red Riding Hood and that's what drew me to it in the first place. I usually love reading re-tellings of that story, but unfortunately this one fell flat for me. I thought maybe it would include a supernatural aspect to it, but this is straight up western, which isn't really my thing. I don't know how to define this other than that. It's not really a romance, but there is romance in it. It also isn't really a mystery, although there is a slight mystery to it. However, it's easy to figure out what Mr. Linden is up to, and it's pointed out from the very beginning that he's a suspicious person. This was really short at 143 pages, but it felt longer because it was very slow moving and rather boring. This is the first book in what will be a series. If I could guess I would say a companion series. I will not be continuing on with the series though, because I just didn't enjoy this enough.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
She tries to ignore her suspicions until one night, she discovers his real reason for being at the ranch. Now, if she's going to save her grandmother -- and herself -- she's going to need to run faster than she's ever run before.
2.5 stars. Cloaked is a re-telling of Red Riding Hood and that's what drew me to it in the first place. I usually love reading re-tellings of that story, but unfortunately this one fell flat for me. I thought maybe it would include a supernatural aspect to it, but this is straight up western, which isn't really my thing. I don't know how to define this other than that. It's not really a romance, but there is romance in it. It also isn't really a mystery, although there is a slight mystery to it. However, it's easy to figure out what Mr. Linden is up to, and it's pointed out from the very beginning that he's a suspicious person. This was really short at 143 pages, but it felt longer because it was very slow moving and rather boring. This is the first book in what will be a series. If I could guess I would say a companion series. I will not be continuing on with the series though, because I just didn't enjoy this enough.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
March 31, 2020
So, the author is one of my “booksta-friends” so honestly I was a little nervous to read this - what If I didn’t like it?! And honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the Western genre. The first couple of chapters were a bit of a bumpy start for me, but after a few more ones the story had me hooked and I knew I had nothing to worry about. This was a fun story with a spunky heroine & I enjoyed it a lot!
January 1, 2025
A lovely little retelling of Red Riding Hood. I will always love Rachel's writing, and this was no exception (and with this one, I'm all caught up on Once Upon a Western!! 🥳) Mary Rose is a sweetheart, her relationship with her grandmother being central to the story was so nice, and I enjoyed the supporting cast. The twists weren't super twisty, but that's a-okay. It was kind of nice to sort of turn off my brain and just enjoy a story, haha!
4.5 stars from me!
4.5 stars from me!
September 27, 2017
Little Red Riding Hood meets classic Western - what a cool idea! I was excited to read Cloaked, because I love LRRH, and fairy tales and Westerns are two of the best storytelling genres out there. Since LRRH already has some Western elements (woods and wolves!), I was curious how the two would merge in this retelling.
The story begins with Mary Rose O'Brien boarding a stagecoach to visit her grandmother. Mary Rose is extremely nervous because she's never met her grandma Jubilee before, yet her parents are hoping that, by making a good impression, she will mend the long rift between Mary Rose's father and Jubilee. To make matters worse, her traveling companions are a rough-looking laborer and an over-friendly bookkeeper, and she is not sure she can trust either of them. Mary Rose is hoping for some adventures at her grandma's Wyoming ranch, but when she arrives, she has no idea just how exciting life there will be.
Right off the bat, the narrative pulled me in with its concise, descriptive writing and easy tone. It felt almost like watching an episode of The Virginian (my favorite classic Western show). The light humor was enjoyable, and Mary Rose is a likeable heroine from "back East." She's kind of the quintessential Awkward Girl, but she's no Mary Sue, either, as she has to strive to fit in at a new place and win Jubilee over. I liked the back-story Kovaciny created for the two of them; it gave LRRH an additional obstacle to overcome, while their friendship was just a given in the original tale.
Though Mary Rose is a well-rounded character, I would have liked to see more character development for Linden and Small, instead of having to take them as "bad guy" and "good guy" at face value. Also, there was more romance in the story than I was expecting, and as it went on, I wasn't sure if I was really the intended audience. (Nothing against romance, I'm just more into adventure plots.) On the plus side, it challenged Mary Rose to be brave and stand up for herself. This would be an excellent read for young girls, with a message of following your intuition and trusting to God instead of Prince Charming.
Overall, I enjoyed Cloaked and would recommend it to anyone 10+ looking for a fun, romantic Western tale. This is the first book in the author's Once Upon a Western series, and I look forward to reading more!
I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story begins with Mary Rose O'Brien boarding a stagecoach to visit her grandmother. Mary Rose is extremely nervous because she's never met her grandma Jubilee before, yet her parents are hoping that, by making a good impression, she will mend the long rift between Mary Rose's father and Jubilee. To make matters worse, her traveling companions are a rough-looking laborer and an over-friendly bookkeeper, and she is not sure she can trust either of them. Mary Rose is hoping for some adventures at her grandma's Wyoming ranch, but when she arrives, she has no idea just how exciting life there will be.
Right off the bat, the narrative pulled me in with its concise, descriptive writing and easy tone. It felt almost like watching an episode of The Virginian (my favorite classic Western show). The light humor was enjoyable, and Mary Rose is a likeable heroine from "back East." She's kind of the quintessential Awkward Girl, but she's no Mary Sue, either, as she has to strive to fit in at a new place and win Jubilee over. I liked the back-story Kovaciny created for the two of them; it gave LRRH an additional obstacle to overcome, while their friendship was just a given in the original tale.
Though Mary Rose is a well-rounded character, I would have liked to see more character development for Linden and Small, instead of having to take them as "bad guy" and "good guy" at face value. Also, there was more romance in the story than I was expecting, and as it went on, I wasn't sure if I was really the intended audience. (Nothing against romance, I'm just more into adventure plots.) On the plus side, it challenged Mary Rose to be brave and stand up for herself. This would be an excellent read for young girls, with a message of following your intuition and trusting to God instead of Prince Charming.
Overall, I enjoyed Cloaked and would recommend it to anyone 10+ looking for a fun, romantic Western tale. This is the first book in the author's Once Upon a Western series, and I look forward to reading more!
I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2017
Mary Rose has never met her estranged grandmother before, much less visited a real western ranch. Full of exhilaration and nervousness, she abandons her chaperone at the end of the road and boards a coach. There, she takes a strong dislike to the man seated next to her, a charmer named Linden on his way to help her grandmother sort out her finances.
Once on the ranch, she becomes friends with the old, faithful ranch hand, Hauer, and even meets a handsome young deputy at the local dance… but little does she know a dark shadow moves steadily forward, stretching cold, murderous fingers toward her…
Many modern novels have a trend of an unlikable or rebellious heroine; I’m delighted that this one has a likable, sweet, good-natured, and intelligent girl, both courageous and cautious, considerate of others without losing herself in the process. She has gumption, she has guts, and she has good instincts. Instead of falling for the bad guy, she distrusts him from the start (what a concept!), and he never manages to hoodwink her as he sets up his dastardly scheme.
This story is a western take on the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, and while there are similarities (the red cloak, for instance, makes a lovely appearance)… there’s also enough twists and turns and subtle symbolism to make you forget the source material. The heroine seems real, and grapples with equally real problems, sometimes fighting her own desire to accommodate or rebel, and there’s just enough heart-flutters to make it romantic, without it being a “damsel in distress” story. These women can defend themselves! It’s a charming novella that makes for a quick, sweet read on a rainy afternoon, and sets a standard for future western fairy tales to come.
Once on the ranch, she becomes friends with the old, faithful ranch hand, Hauer, and even meets a handsome young deputy at the local dance… but little does she know a dark shadow moves steadily forward, stretching cold, murderous fingers toward her…
Many modern novels have a trend of an unlikable or rebellious heroine; I’m delighted that this one has a likable, sweet, good-natured, and intelligent girl, both courageous and cautious, considerate of others without losing herself in the process. She has gumption, she has guts, and she has good instincts. Instead of falling for the bad guy, she distrusts him from the start (what a concept!), and he never manages to hoodwink her as he sets up his dastardly scheme.
This story is a western take on the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, and while there are similarities (the red cloak, for instance, makes a lovely appearance)… there’s also enough twists and turns and subtle symbolism to make you forget the source material. The heroine seems real, and grapples with equally real problems, sometimes fighting her own desire to accommodate or rebel, and there’s just enough heart-flutters to make it romantic, without it being a “damsel in distress” story. These women can defend themselves! It’s a charming novella that makes for a quick, sweet read on a rainy afternoon, and sets a standard for future western fairy tales to come.
September 30, 2017
Not having read anything by Kovaciny before, or any western for that matter, I came into this book with no idea of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by a good clean old-fashioned story with warm narration that reminded me of my childhood readings of Anne of Green Gables or Little House on the Prairie.
Kovaciny's writing style sparkles and I can see every speck of dust brought up by the carriage wheels and shining in the sun, and every indentation in the grass outside the ranch. Her assessment of human nature is astute and there are a lot of lines in the book that make me think, "Wow, I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's so true."
I was given an advance copy of this story for an honest review, and so here I am being honest: I thought the story was a bit too straightforward. I could see the climax coming long before it happened and it only followed one plot line, which made it feel more like a short story than a novella. But if you like westerns and childhood nostalgia and fairytales, this book is for you.
Kovaciny's writing style sparkles and I can see every speck of dust brought up by the carriage wheels and shining in the sun, and every indentation in the grass outside the ranch. Her assessment of human nature is astute and there are a lot of lines in the book that make me think, "Wow, I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's so true."
I was given an advance copy of this story for an honest review, and so here I am being honest: I thought the story was a bit too straightforward. I could see the climax coming long before it happened and it only followed one plot line, which made it feel more like a short story than a novella. But if you like westerns and childhood nostalgia and fairytales, this book is for you.
September 22, 2024
This was such a fun read. It’s short— more of a novella. Not much actually happens until the last quarter of the book, but it was still interesting and enjoyable! I like Mary Rose (even if she was a little “squeaky” and Not Like Other Girls™️), Jubilee, and Hauer. Especially Hauer— he gave me Matthew Cuthbert vibes. ❤️
Very clean— romance doesn’t go beyond the first little “sparks,” and it’s sweet, not lustful. No bad language that I can recall!
It’s gently Christian— not preachy, but faith is still a part of it.
I’m not normally a fan of Western anything, but honestly this was a lot of fun to read! Looking forward to the next book.
4 ⭐️
Very clean— romance doesn’t go beyond the first little “sparks,” and it’s sweet, not lustful. No bad language that I can recall!
It’s gently Christian— not preachy, but faith is still a part of it.
I’m not normally a fan of Western anything, but honestly this was a lot of fun to read! Looking forward to the next book.
4 ⭐️
September 23, 2021
This middle grade fiction book is an exciting read and great for high school ages. A creative spin on Little Red Riding Hood. The "huntsman" character was my favourite. Id like to hear more about him.
August 22, 2023
As sweet as a Randolph Scott western! You have the damsel, the villian, the dashing young man, and the quiet man who takes care of the ranch and protects his people, all in one engaging story!
September 26, 2019
Review coming soon!
February 14, 2024
don’t have the mental energy to explain how i felt about this, but my feelings are of mild liking & deep appreciation, if that makes any sense.
February 26, 2019
How can you tell when there is a wolf in sheep's clothing? How can a girl know when to trust her gut and stop watching for clearer signs? For that matter, what can you do when a guy is just creeping you out but few others? So could ask a lovely sixteen year old protagonist, Mary Rose, as she faces adventure far from home and the family she loves.
Cloaked was a very enjoyable read: a combination of historical fiction and westernized fairy tale. There's realistic hesitation and social/familial complications, some racial stereotyping, and good friends who know how to lend support. And throw an ax.
Narrated in the voice of a young female Christian protagonist, I got to explore some of the wild western beauty on a ranch in Wyoming Territory, replete with shared longing for simpler times, freedom, and finding one's place.
Mary Rose is young, perhaps naive, and winsome. Her emphasis on being called Mary Rose reminds me of a certain Anne with an E. :) Her romantic aspirations are unhurried and respectful, as she longs to be her own spunky self, read novels, and dip into a bit of novel excitement for a time.
I love the concept of westernizing fairy tales and Rachel Kovaciny has done an excellent job. I went from reading this book straight into reading Dancing and Doughnuts (Once Upon a Western Book 2) and "A Once Upon a Western Short Story" No Match for a Good Story. Obviously the author excels at using character narration, incorporating different aspects of western and historic charm.
This book can be a great way to bridge older kids into western genres. The characters are mostly sympathetic and honorable, although obviously in a re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood there will be actual danger and an antagonist with teeth. There is some forced physical contact and violence, so I wouldn't hand it to anyone overly young.
Good work! I look forward to reading more!
Cloaked was a very enjoyable read: a combination of historical fiction and westernized fairy tale. There's realistic hesitation and social/familial complications, some racial stereotyping, and good friends who know how to lend support. And throw an ax.
Narrated in the voice of a young female Christian protagonist, I got to explore some of the wild western beauty on a ranch in Wyoming Territory, replete with shared longing for simpler times, freedom, and finding one's place.
Mary Rose is young, perhaps naive, and winsome. Her emphasis on being called Mary Rose reminds me of a certain Anne with an E. :) Her romantic aspirations are unhurried and respectful, as she longs to be her own spunky self, read novels, and dip into a bit of novel excitement for a time.
I love the concept of westernizing fairy tales and Rachel Kovaciny has done an excellent job. I went from reading this book straight into reading Dancing and Doughnuts (Once Upon a Western Book 2) and "A Once Upon a Western Short Story" No Match for a Good Story. Obviously the author excels at using character narration, incorporating different aspects of western and historic charm.
This book can be a great way to bridge older kids into western genres. The characters are mostly sympathetic and honorable, although obviously in a re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood there will be actual danger and an antagonist with teeth. There is some forced physical contact and violence, so I wouldn't hand it to anyone overly young.
Good work! I look forward to reading more!
July 7, 2020
Cloaked is a fun Western retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. When Mary Rose travels West to visit her grandmother’s ranch, she has dreams of encountering all things Wild West. Little does she know that the wildest thing she’ll encounter is the slick, handsome gentleman sharing the stagecoach with her. Mr. Linden appears to have her grandmother’s best interests at heart, but the way he watches Mary Rose makes her increasingly uneasy—like a wolf with his sights trained on his prey. Thank goodness for Hauer, her grandmother’s lumberman, whose steadying presence gives Mary Rose courage and a certain young lawman, whose charms make her forget the wolffish Linden. Cloaked would be a perfect read for the teen in your life who loves all things horses and fairy tales!
August 15, 2022
Really enjoyed the Western setting for the Little Red Riding Hood retelling in this cute and fun story! Kovaciny captures and blends the setting very well and it's a very laid-back and relaxing read. :D I did wish for more intensity and depth, but then, I always tend to. (And, this is certainly more of a pet peeve, but the "squeaking" by our female MC became a bit too redundant and somewhat... annoying/out of place imao? Everything else is very nicely edited though! <3)
I am VERY satisfied with the twist of Hauer being
Certainly recommend if you're looking for something quick and sweet and properly Western!
Content: clean, PG for some non-graphic Western style action/violence
I am VERY satisfied with the twist of Hauer being
Certainly recommend if you're looking for something quick and sweet and properly Western!
Content: clean, PG for some non-graphic Western style action/violence
May 11, 2020
Such smashing good fun this was! A trip out West to visit a grandmother you don't know (I've always rather wished I could do that), characters creepy and endearing, horseback riding, dancing, and an adorable little romance thread...what more could you ask for?
I'll tell you what more you could ask for: HAUER. Hauer is the hero you didn't know you needed. Steady and trustworthy and funny and skilled and protective and....yeah. We love Hauer. We love him very much.
I'll tell you what more you could ask for: HAUER. Hauer is the hero you didn't know you needed. Steady and trustworthy and funny and skilled and protective and....yeah. We love Hauer. We love him very much.
September 14, 2018
"It was interesting, and I've always wanted to ride a horse, and they lived on a ranch (I want to live on a ranch)." - Eva, 9
"It was exciting. The whole thing was my favorite part." - Vin, 11
Definitely was suspenseful and entertaining. We were reading by the edge of our seats.
"It was exciting. The whole thing was my favorite part." - Vin, 11
Definitely was suspenseful and entertaining. We were reading by the edge of our seats.
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