{Blog Tour} Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge: Flash Fiction & Giveaway

When I read Cruel Beauty last year, I was blown away by the Beauty and the Beast retelling. I adore retellings, but you know as well as I do that they don't always live up to our expectations. That isn't the case with Rosamund Hodge's novels. Because she doesn't just take one fairy tale and reimagine it for her readers. No, she takes that tale, joins it with another (that I usually haven't read before) and turns them completely on their head.

Crimson Bound is not a sequel to Rosamund's debut novel, nor is it even part of that universe. It's just another novel where she fuses a favorite tale -- this time it's Little Red Riding Hood -- with another, lesser-known story -- The Girl With No Hands, in this case -- thereby creating a lush, sophisticated world, gorgeous prose, and characters with questionable morals. I said in my review of Crimson Bound that her characters live in the gray areas, and I think that might have been my favorite aspect. Rosamund further explores moral ambiguity and insurmountable friendship in the piece of flash fiction she's written for you today.

The short story she's written for my stop is part three of a three-piece series, so be sure to catch the other two short stories on the tour! But before we get to that, here's a bit more about her sophomore novel:

Title: Crimson Bound
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: n/a
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)

Three Girls Who Met a Forestborn: The Woodwife
by Rosamund Hodge

In the world of Crimson Bound, the magic of the Great Forest can still threaten people. In the countryside, they have developed a tradition of "woodwives": women who have learned to work magic by knotting and weaving thread. The charms they make can ward off the power of the Great Forest, protect against sickness, or help crops grow faster. This story is about one girl who wanted to be a woodwife.


All alone in the forest, there is a house where nothing moves.

Neither humans nor forestborn have found it yet. Perhaps they never will.

#

This is how it began:

They were cousins. They were dearest friends. For as far back as they could remember, they were Cécile-and-Jeanette, two halves of a single whole. Cécile was the laughter, and Jeanette was the listening silence, and neither one made sense without the other.

"I'm going to be a woodwife someday," Jeanette whispered to Cécile one evening as they leaned against each other, watching the stars come out.

Cécile giggled. "I'm going to marry a prince," she said, and Jeanette believed that she could, for all that they lived in a tinyvillage at end far end of nowhere. Cécile was clever and pretty and never afraid of anything.

Then they were twelve, and it was Midsummer Night, when the village burned bonfires to keep the forestborn away, and the children dared each other to run deeper and deeper into the trees.

Cécile laughed, and ran, and didn't come back.

#

This is how it ended:

Jeanette sat waiting by the fireplace, her needle going click-clack as she knitted yarn into an endless, lacy froth. The stump where her right leg ended just below the knee ached. Outside, the snow was falling gently, inevitably, smotheringly.

The door banged open, and Cécile came in, carrying a brace of skinned rabbits. "Good afternoon," she called out.

Wearily, Jeanette said, "How many did you kill today?"

"Two," said Cécile, holding up the rabbits.

"I mean people," said Jeanette.

Cécile clucked her tongue. "I told you not to worry about that. They were awful to you."

"They were my village," said Jeanette. "They were my family."

"They called you bad luck and no use and they would have worked you till you died. They deserve to have me hunt them one by one. Do you want soup? I want soup."

She bustled to fetch a pot and start chopping the rabbits.

Jeanette knitted a while in silence. "Why did you do it?" she asked at last.

"For you," said Cécile.

"No," Jeanette sighed.

Cécile wrinkled her nose and then laughed. It was exactly like when they were children, and she had been caught in a lie. "All right, then. I did it because I was bored. And they hurt you."

"I mean," said Jeanette, "why did you become a forestborn?"

"I met a beautiful prince," Cécile sing-songed.

Jeanette waited.

"They asked me to dance with them, and you know how I love dancing."

Jeanette waited still.

"I was human for nearly a year after they took me," said Cécile, as lightly as she had spoken before. "I cried so much, you have no idea, and so many times it was because I missed you."

She paused, and then went on, her voice soft and dreamy, "They kept me as a pet. You learn some things in the dark, chained up with other pets. You learn what anyone will do. And when you get the chance, you do it."

She spun around, to smile at Jeanette. "And now I will never weep again."

Jeanette sighed.

"Come," said Cécile. "There's a speech you always make, about how you love me still."

The silence was long and raw between them, and then Jeanette said slowly, regretfully, "I am a woodwife."

Cécile rolled her eyes. "You failed as a woodwife."

"I lost my leg in the accident, and nobody wanted to train a woodwife who couldn't run to a sickbed," said Jeanette. "So they sent me home. But in my heart, I am a woodwife. And I am going to stop you."

"You cannot kill me," said Cécile. "Even if you could, you still won't."

"No," said Jeanette. "I won't." Her knitting needles went click-clack.

"I know that's a woodwife charm you're knitting," said Cécile, "but I know you never learned anything powerful enough to hurt me."

"It's the first charm I ever learned," said Jeanette. She shifted in her chair, and the frothy knitting spilled out of her lap to puddle at her feet. "For making babies sleep. Actually, it's the only charm I ever learned."

Cécile laughed. "You always were a little stupid," she said.

"Yes," said Jeanette. "When you kidnapped me--I thought, for so long, that I could save you."

"Never," said Cécile. "Never, never, never." She knelt before Jeanette and rested her hands on her knees. "I have seen the hunger at the heart of the world, and I will be its mistress, not its food."

She blinked.

Her head started to drift down, then jerked back up.

"What," she gasped.

"I knitted a sleeping charm," said Jeanette. "A stupid, simple sleeping charm, over and over and over, all these past three weeks. Why did you think I asked you for so much yarn?"

Cécile clambered to her feet, but then she swayed, and collapsed. Jeanette caught her.

"Nobody . . . will thank you," said Cécile. Her voice was thick and clumsy with sleep. "Even . . . if you bring them my head. Never believe . . . you didn't help me."

"I won't go back," said Jeanette, shifting Cécile to rest her head in her lap. "I'm not strong enough to walk through the snow. Or resist the charm."

Cécile's eyes widened. And then they shut. She let out a sigh, and she might have been trying to say, "No," but if she was angry at her own doom or at Jeanette's, there was no way to know.

Jeanette pressed a kiss into Cécile's hair.

Her own eyelids were growing heavy. She would sleep soon; the charm was very strong. If the villagers found them, they would burn the house with them in it. If not, they would sleep forever.

"Here is the speech," she whispered. "You are my friend, my dearest friend. And you are a forestborn, and you have killed so many people." She yawned, smoothing a strand of Cécile's hair. "And I love you still."

She closed her eyes to rest.

If that doesn't make you want to know more about the Forestborn, I don't know what will. And how lovely that I get to showcase this piece -- on my birthday, no less -- and that it features a character with my given name! It's like the stars are aligning just for me! (That, or Wendy is the best tour host evar, and Rosamund just knows a good name when she sees one. :D) In all seriousness, though, if even a part of you likes dark fairy tales that are equal parts thrilling and romantic, you HAVE to check out Crimson Bound!

About the author:

Rosamund Hodge loves mythology, Hello Kitty, and T. S. Eliot. She writes YA fantasy that draws on two of those things. In her wild youth, she studied Medieval English at Oxford; she now lives in Seattle and writes wildly.

Find Rosamund:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Thanks to HarperTeen, we're giving away two prizes! The first prize is a bundle of Rosamund Hodge books, including hardback copies of CRIMSON BOUND and CRUEL BEAUTY, and the second prize is a giveaway for the fantastic audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden. Let us know in the comments which of the two you'd prefer, or if you're open to either one.

Open to U.S. and Canadian residents, see entry form for complete details.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/20/2015 - The Midnight Garden - Fairy Tale Inspiration: Little Red Riding Hood & The Girl with No Hands

4/21/2015 - Mundie Moms - Cosmetics for Badasses

4/22/2015 - Two Chicks on Books - Audiobook Clip + Interview

4/23/2015 - YA Romantics - Flash Fiction #1

4/24/2015 - Cuddlebuggery - The Obligatory Strong Heroine Post

Week Two:

4/27/2015 - YA Midnight Reads - Writing a Bad Girl/Good Boy Romance

4/28/2015 - Alice Marvels - Flash Fiction #2

4/29/2015 - The Daily Prophecy - Interview

4/30/2015 - The Social Potato - Death Before Dishonor

5/1/2015   - The Starry-Eyed Revue - Flash Fiction #3

The tour is designed so that readers may earn extra giveaway points by visiting each stop. And as I mentioned earlier, this is part three of a three-part series of short stories, so you'll definitely want to check out the other two stories.

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Labels: blog tour, crimson bound, favorite authors, favorites, flash fiction, giveaways, harper-collins, little red riding hood, retellings, rosamund hodge

Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Crimson Bound
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: n/a
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Source: received from publisher via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)

I loved Crimson Beauty so much that I've already read and/or listened to it over five times since I received the ARC a little over a year ago. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite fairy tales, followed very closely by Little Red Riding Hood. Intriguing that one of my new favorite authors on the scene has retold both now. And her sophomore novel may have trumped her debut on my list of favorite retellings ever.

The thing is, I can't really talk about the aspect I loved the most in this story because it would probably be considered a major spoiler to most if I revealed anything about it. And because I value romance pretty highly, I myself would consider any mention of this type of romance to be ruining. I can say that the way this romance plays out would disappoint many, especially those who feel very strongly on the kind that feature three points. I discussed it in great length with Lauren, who famously despises LTs and as far as I know, she has plans to stay very far away from this one. Just in case you were wondering. :)

Here's the thing, kids. I've been trying to write this review for weeks. I was blown away by this book when I read it and I've wanted to tell the world ever since, but I wanted to be coherent when I did so. Apparently, when it comes to me and one of Rosamund's books, that's maybe an impossibility I've yet to accept. It's just…the way she weaves a tale you already know and love into a story that's wholly it's own is rather remarkable. I don't like to compare authors because they all have their own style and their own methods, but the way Hodge writes her characters reminds me a lot of Sarah J. Maas. I just love how they always have questionable motives and very little compunction. I live in the gray areas, and I like to see characters that do the same, that battle with good and evil, black and white, on a daily basis. It makes them more real to me.

Crimson Bound is not only based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood but also on the story of The Girl With No Hands. I absolutely LOVED how Hodge combined these tales to make one truly engaging story, one where the evil is closer than you know or want to admit, and trusting anyone else might be your biggest mistake yet. It's a story where girls are allowed to kill and have unpure thoughts and villains aren't necessarily all evil. I just love a redeemable bad guy….like, there's no other character I like to see more. Besides the heroine who's allowed to be selfish and want things for herself, even if she knows it goes against what she's been taught or who she's sworn to protect. Not everything is black and white, and I fully appreciate a story that can illustrate that without being preachy.

Also, Hodge reminds us of the story's origins by including faerie folk and reminding the MC constantly of what is owed, but I still love how understated the faerie presence is in her stories, despite the fact that many fey have made themselves noticeable at this point in the story. I really enjoy how this author takes fairy tales and flips them on their heads; these stories are definitely inspired by some of my favorite fairy tales, but they don't follow through with those essential happily ever afters, peaking the interest of a hard-core fairy tale lover like me.

This is technically the third story I've read from Rosamund Hodge, but I have to say, it's my favorite. Her characters have become increasingly more complex and the story that much more frenetic, and I have a hard time controlling myself when one lands in my lap. Her stories are not the type to be read sparingly, bit by bit. No, Hodge's stories inevitably need to be read all in one go, by someone who fully understands that life isn't black and white but lived in shades of gray.

GIF it to me straight:

In other words, trust no one.

About the author:

I love mythology, Hello Kitty, and T. S. Eliot. I also write YA fantasy novels: CRUEL BEAUTY, where Greek mythology meets Beauty and the Beast, and CRIMSON BOUND, where Little Red Riding Hood meets . . . many strange things.

Find Rosamund:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Labels: beautiful covers, crimson bound, demons, faeries, favorites, harper-collins, immortals, little red riding hood, must-read, retellings, reviews, rosamund hodge

Waiting on Wednesday: Crimson Bound & Things We Know By Heart

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:




Title: Crimson Bound
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: n/a
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)

Earlier this year I listened to the audio for Cruel Beauty. I loved it! I'm surprised that this title isn't linked to that one at all, just based on the cover. The cover is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the fact that it's so similar to Cruel Beauty... there will be readers who will assumed. Regardless, I think Hodge is an incredible writer and I'm excited to see how she retells Little Red Riding Hood.





's Pick:





Title: Things We Know By Heart
Author: Jessi Kirby
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Quinn Sullivan lost the love of her life when her boyfriend, Trent, died in an accident their junior year. In an attempt to get closure, she reached out to the recipients of his donated organs. Though some answered her letters, the one Quinn feels matters most--the person who received Trent's heart--has been silent.

Nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas has spent the last several years in and out of hospitals waiting for a heart transplant. Now that he's finally received a new heart, Colton is regaining strength, and he's walking away from his bedridden past with no intention of looking back. He doesn't want to know about the person who had to die so that he could live. He only wants to move forward.

But Quinn can't let it go. Venturing outside the system to find Colton, Quinn takes a risk in hopes of finally laying her memories to rest. But what begins as an innocent conversation quickly becomes an attraction--and to make matters worse, Colton has no idea how they're connected. His zest for life pulls Quinn from her months of sorrow but leaves her torn between honesty and utter betrayal. Because no matter how hard she's falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she's lost.

I just love this simple yet adorable cover! And although this sounds like a Lurlene McDaniel book I read when I was a tween, I think I'll probably love this book much more because it's JESSI KIRBY!!! Her books always leave me with the feels and yet are uplifting at the same time.

What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: beautiful covers, contemporary, crimson bound, harper-collins, jessi kirby, retellings, rosamund hodge, things we know by heart, tough subject, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Waiting on Wednesday: The Night We Said Yes & Crimson Bound

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:

Title: The Night We Said Yes
Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: June 16th, 2015

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life.

But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave

This book looks like it's full of win! I love alternating then and now chapters! And yay for trying out a debut author!! I cannot wait for this one.





's Pick:

Title: Crimson Bound
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: n/a
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

I absolutely loved Hodge's debut novel, which released earlier this year. So much so that when SYNC offered the audio for Cruel Beauty, I grabbed it up and listened to it immediately...and promptly fell in love all over again. I'm pretty sure I'll have a similar experience with Crimson Bound. I mean, I already freaking love this cover and its similarities to the author's first book...

What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: beautiful covers, crimson bound, favorites, harper-collins, lauren gibaldi, retellings, rosamund hodge, the night we said yes, waiting on wednesday (wow)