That’s What S/He Said Thursday #10

“Love is madness. Doesn’t everyone agree that you’d do anything, endure anything, to be with the ones you love? So either you’re willing to let them use you with any sort of cruelty, so long as they keep you – which makes you a fool – or you’re willing to commit any cruelty, so long as you get to keep them – which makes you a monster. Either way, it’s madness.”

~ Maia from Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge

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Crimson Bound By Rosamund Hodge

Crimson Bound

Rosamund Hodge

Rate: 1.75

I’m just going to leave that there for a minute.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

Ok, I’ll start now.

This book was an absolute disappointment. I expected to like Crimson Bound since I loved Hodge’s Cruel Beauty, but no such luck. I don’t understand how Hodge can create an amazing retelling like Cruel Beauty, but each subsequent retelling (Gilded Ashes then Crimson Bound) be lesser in quality than the previous one. I understand that Crimson Bound is not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe so I shouldn’t be comparing them too harshly, but the overall quality of the story shouldn’t change so drastically from one retelling to another. I had picked up Crimson Bound simply because I had enjoyed Cruel Beauty so much. I now see the error of my actions and may need to reevaluate how I pick books.

Fairy Tale Retelling: Cinderella #1 of 4

Gilded Ashes (Cruel Beauty Universe # 1.5)

Rosamund Hodge

Rate: 3

There’s not much I want to say about Gilded Ashes other than read it. This isn’t your typical Disney Cinderella. This story is dark. In Gild Ashes, Maia (Cinderella) lives a terrible life where she puts the well-being and safety of others before her own. Even when given a chance at love, Maia helps her stepsister instead of indulging herself. Maia’s behavior is nothing like your typical Cinderella and you’ll find yourself liking her because of how strong she is.