Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 448
Goodreads

"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 love Rosamund Hodge. Every book of hers I've read has been my 'new favorite book' and to me, she can do no wrong. This is the second book I've read of hers and I'm eagerly awaiting her next book.

Similar to Hodges debut novel, Cruel Beauty, Crimson Bound was so much fun to read. 
Every character was complex. Everyone had surprises hidden in their personalities. Something I really enjoy about her books is that she never tries to make excuses for the things that her characters do. Hodge shows us that people can be redeemed without being forgiven, that people can be good without being perfect.

Crimson Bound asks an important question throughout the story; if you do bad things for good reasons, should you be forgiven? 

Rachelle is the hero of the story but she is filled with self loathing for the things she's done. In the words of her aunt; she is both brave and wicked. Ultimately though, she is a hero. 

What I loved about this book was that it felt like hearing a story. Instead of being given the entire background at the beginning, you figured things out as the story progressed. Some questions were even left unanswered, which I found refreshing.

Crimson Bound is one of those books that stays with you for a long time after you finish it. I can't wait to see what Rosamund Hodge comes up with next.