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A review by jenny_reads_horror
Ryder by Greta Maloney
5.0
Greta Malony's first short novel is a home run. She has created a unique twist on a children's classic. Strong characters, strong story line, what more could you ask for? This is the second fairy tell re-telling that I have read, the first being 8: The Previously Untold story of the Previously Unknown Dwarf by Michael Mullin, and I've got to tell you I am really liking the idea! So, on to Ryder...
First of all, our "little red riding hood" is actually a teenage boy named Ryder, who wears a red hoodie that belonged to his late father, who lives with his grandmother. I really felt for this kid. I mean his mom is a junkie who couldn't take care of him, his father took off when he was a little tot then passed away, he has zero friends. But his grandmother seems wonderful and is doing the best she can to raise him right with what little she has.
Our "bigbad wolf" is a creep named Fenris, who has been waiting a very, very long time for Piper. She has his mark and that means he will have the bride he was promised.
Poor Piper. Because of circumstances out of her control and that she doesn't understand, she is now an orphan, passed from foster home to foster home. No one understands her, heck she doesn't even really understand herself. All she knows is that when the full moon's light hits her skin she becomes a monster. Escaping from a mental hospital, waking up in a cemetery, with no clue where she is, she spy's a boy in a red hoodie. Her savior! Her protector! Neither one of them know it just yet.
The story line that unfolds is one of fear, unknown, friendship, loneliness, hope, and love. People from Piper and Ryder's pasts come back to haunt them. Time is running out and the next full moon is always right around the corner. Will the couple be able to stop what is destined to happen and come out with their lives? I will never tell because this is one fairy tale you will have to read for yourself and find out.
I think my absolute favorite part of the story was the everything after. I had a couple of tears and a big cheesy grin on my face. Thanks Greta for your imaginative re-telling of one of my favorite classics. I can only hope (and cross all my fingers and all my toes) that maybe, just maybe she will write a sequel :) Highly recommended!
First of all, our "little red riding hood" is actually a teenage boy named Ryder, who wears a red hoodie that belonged to his late father, who lives with his grandmother. I really felt for this kid. I mean his mom is a junkie who couldn't take care of him, his father took off when he was a little tot then passed away, he has zero friends. But his grandmother seems wonderful and is doing the best she can to raise him right with what little she has.
Our "bigbad wolf" is a creep named Fenris, who has been waiting a very, very long time for Piper. She has his mark and that means he will have the bride he was promised.
Poor Piper. Because of circumstances out of her control and that she doesn't understand, she is now an orphan, passed from foster home to foster home. No one understands her, heck she doesn't even really understand herself. All she knows is that when the full moon's light hits her skin she becomes a monster. Escaping from a mental hospital, waking up in a cemetery, with no clue where she is, she spy's a boy in a red hoodie. Her savior! Her protector! Neither one of them know it just yet.
The story line that unfolds is one of fear, unknown, friendship, loneliness, hope, and love. People from Piper and Ryder's pasts come back to haunt them. Time is running out and the next full moon is always right around the corner. Will the couple be able to stop what is destined to happen and come out with their lives? I will never tell because this is one fairy tale you will have to read for yourself and find out.
I think my absolute favorite part of the story was the everything after. I had a couple of tears and a big cheesy grin on my face. Thanks Greta for your imaginative re-telling of one of my favorite classics. I can only hope (and cross all my fingers and all my toes) that maybe, just maybe she will write a sequel :) Highly recommended!