5 stars for Touch of Red by @ChristinaHerly1 #darkfantasy #fantasyromance #fairytale #bookreview
top of page
  • N. N. Light
    • Dec 13, 2022
    • 3 min read

5 stars for Touch of Red by @ChristinaHerly1 #darkfantasy #fantasyromance #fairytale #bookreview



Title: Touch of Red

Author: Christina Herlyn

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling


Book Blurb:


Cursed with a mortactio’s deadly skin, Pyrrha can never touch the people she loves. Fortunately, no one fits that criterion in her home—not even her mother, Regent Duri. But when her paternal grandmother, Queen Gratia, is bitten by a komoviper, Pyrrha must leave her secluded life and travel the dangers of Griseo Wood to deliver a cure.


Regent Duri’s Hunters patrol Griseo Road, but Wolves rule the wild forest—and they hate all that Pyrrha represents. Though mere men and women, the Wolves still possess a magical connection with Griseo Wood that Regent Duri covets. And now Lykos, Lord of the Wolves, has come by another valuable possession: Pyrrha. Her desire to touch the handsome, vivacious enemy of her mother grows stronger by the day. He will charm her out of her red hood and into a Wolf’s helmet if he can. But mortactios must maintain a life of solitude and detachment. Lykos needs to respect her cursed skin before tragedy strikes.


In this dark fantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, the red hood warns of her death touch. This time, the big, bad Wolf had better watch out for her.


My Review:


A dark retelling of little red riding hood that’ll grip you. Imaginative world-building, alluring characters, and a curse only love can break makes Touch of Red a book you can’t put down.


World-building. As a huge reader of fantasy, it all comes down to the world-building. I need to plunge into an unseen world and get lost in the story. This author creates a world I’ve never read before, and I loved every second of it. The fairy tale is spun on its side and the result is pure fantasy heaven.


Characters. I love a strong female lead. This one is epically tough, even if she is cursed. She doesn’t let it get her down, though. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you’ll pardon the pun, and lord help the wolf who tries to claim her. The secondary characters round out the story nicely. I think I liked Lykos best of all.


Writing. I’ve never read this author before but after reading this book, I know I will read her other books. She’s an expert at weaving tales using the same tricks as the bestselling masters of fantasy. Her descriptive narration is filled with details yet flows so as to draw the reader into the story. The plot moves at a great pace. The tension is high blending with the action and world-building to create a riveting read.


If you’re looking for a dark fantasy that’ll take your breath away, read this book.


My Rating: 5 stars


Buy it Now:






Author Biography:


Christina Herlyn is the author of the Andromeda Bochs urban fantasy series as well as the Dark Fairytales series that includes Scry Wolf and Touch of Red, a dark fantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. She grew up in Texas and Oklahoma but now lives in the Midwest where she earned a BA in History from William Jewell College. She writes fantasy because dragons and witches wouldn't stay out of the perfectly normal historical novel she tried to write. She worships the sun and exercises just enough to avoid being the first casualty in a zombie apocalypse. Her husband and three kids probably know she's a writer, but don't ask them to name her books. To be fair, don't ask her the names of her husband and children while she's writing.


You can find all of Christina’s books plus free stories and news of upcoming releases at Christinaherlyn.com


Social Media Links:



Reviewed by: Rudy

Tags:

bottom of page