Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Published: August 23, 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Pages: 310/Hardcover
Series: Fairytale Retellings #2
Source: bought


Summary: As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak,and Sophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Review: After reading Sisters Red I was excited to read another retelling/modernization of a classic tale by Jackson Pearce. That being said it wasn't that I was disappointed with Sweetly because I wasn't, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

I thought this was going to focus more on retelling Hansel and Gretel as far as the witch in a candy shop goes. There was the candy shop in the woods and talk of a "witch", but I didn't expect it to be a continuation of the Fenris from Sisters Red. But hey, I'm FINE with that because Sisters Red was awesome and more Fenris equals more awesome. I was just thrown for a loop for a few chapters.

I loved Gretchen and Ansel. They just seemed so real. I could tell that Gretchen was trying to move on while Ansel already had. Gretchen wanted answers while Ansel wanted happiness. I loved them both throughout the book no doubt about it. Sophia was a different story. I never really trusted her and always found her kind of sketchy. Samuel, oh Samuel. I believe I saw some relation to Silas in him. After all his last name was Reynolds and he came from Ellis, Georgia (if you've read Sisters Red you'll understand).

I hate to make comparisons between Sweetly and Sisters Red but I feel it's impossible. I loved both, but the mystery in Sweetly was much more mysterious than in Sisters Red. I honestly didn't know how everything was going to tie together until the end. I felt like I didn't know Samuel, unlike in Sisters Red where I felt I knew Silas.

Comparisons aside Sweetly was a great book. It was a wonderful addition to retellings everywhere and should be read by everyone!

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sisters Red
Author: Jackson Pearce
Published: June 27, 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 324/Hardcover
Series: Fairytale Retellings #1
Source: bought


Summary: Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Review: I think this was one of my favorite books of 2010. Everything about it was great! The characters, the writing, the story...fabulous!

By the time I read this I was getting tired of werewolf books, but this one put a completely different spin on werewolves and on the "Little Red Riding Hood" story.

I love Scarlett and Rosie, but for completely different reasons. Scarlett was tough and did what she had to do while Rosie was more reserved and questioned why she was doing some of the things she did. They were as sisters because they showed that yes they're opposites, but they're sisters none the less. Silas was another great character! He had been friends with Scarlett and Rosie since they were little, and I think that's why I felt like I really knew him. The romance between him and Rosie was sweet, if not a little fast.

I thought the big mystery was a bit obvious, and even thought their were a few twists they weren't quite enough to leave me guessing. 

Sisters Red is a fun and fast story with realistic and believable characters, and puts a fun and modern twist on the old tale of "Little Red Riding Hood!"