by Kate SeRine
Series: Transplanted Tales #1
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.” Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters… Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
I love fairy-tale retellings and urban fantasy. When I read Cait’s review @Basia’s Bookshelf I knew I had to read this book. So I grabbed a copy of Red to share with you. When a spell goes awry characters, find themselves in the “here and how.” Filled with humor, beloved characters, suspense and romance, this novel grabbed me from the first pages. SeRine has added her own unique twist and created a new series you are going to love.
SeRine drops us right into the story when we meet Tess “Red” Little, aka Little Red Riding Hood. She works as an enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. (FMA) Dressed in combat boots and carrying a gun she brings in suspects, solves cases and protects the fairytale community from exposing themselves to the Ordinaries. When someone or something begins brutally murdering Tales (storybook characters who have crossed over and live among humans), Red looks at a suspect list that reads like her little black book. She has been involved with all of them and no one is going to appreciate being questioned. She also finds herself with a partner and Red prefers to work alone. Her new partner is the smexy, fedora-wearing Nate Grimm. He’s the lead detective for FMA and a grim reaper. The tale that unfolds is filled with sexual tension, suspense, danger and a list of characters that kept me completely immersed in the tale.
Red is all attitude and kick-ass awesomeness. As the number one enforcer, the Tales respect her. Dressed in combat boots and a trench coat, the Tales know that if Red is sent to find you; you’re coming in. I liked Red; she is complex and easy to connect with. Being immortal, she has lived among the Ordinaries (humans) for some time, she loves her job and is confident in her sexuality. Oddly she doesn’t really see herself as beautiful and I think that is part of her charm. She has some baggage from her story and is trying to rewrite it in the “here and now.” She has commitment issues and lives with her Gram. (Yep the one in the tale) Gram was a hoot, and I loved this feisty, funny old lady.
Nate is a grim reaper and one of the best detectives in FMA. He dresses like Neal Caffrey from the hit show, White Collar and has all the confidence and swag. He oozes smexy and I couldn’t help but swoon for him. His need to protect Red was sweet. The sexual tension between them was delightful. Nate was a perfect gentleman but said and did things that made Red swoon. She has a really tough time trusting anyone, but she just might learn she can trust Nate. That is, if his secret doesn’t destroy her. We meet other characters, and SeRine’s depiction of them in the “here and now” was hilarious. The fact that Red was involved with almost all the suspects added tension and some sexual angst.
The world building for Red was fascinating. While we are not provided with a lot of details how the whole migration from the pages of fairy tales to the “here and now” began, we are offered enough to satisfy this reader. Sometimes whole characters from tales crossed over and at other times only one. The spell also seeped into the pages of classics, and I loved this little twist. I loved discovering who each character was and what became of them. The murder mystery was good with a list of suspects that kept Red busy. Foreshadowing and character details led me to discover who was behind the attacks, but I enjoyed the ride. SeRine cleverly added a twist to the plot that caused tension. The romance was sweet, slow to develop, and felt genuine. While there is some sexual content, it is implied but totally hot. There is some profanity, but it’s not abusive and felt appropriate.
The tale flowed at a fast clip, with just the right amount of details. I loved the author’s writing style, and she brought these characters to life. Witty banter and hilarious moments kept me enthralled. The plot development for this series is endless and I like that Red and Nate’s tale ended and I am super excited about the next Tale’s story.
If you like fairytale retellings and urban fantasies with kick-ass protagonist then Red is definitely for you. The Better to See You is the next book in the Transplanted Tales series and a little teaser is included in the back of this book. It was enough to have this reader drooling for more. I have added Kate SeRine to my list and will definitely continue this series.
brandileigh2003
Red sounds great and it sounds like a good retelling.
Thanks for review,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book
Blog
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun and I had a great time reading it 🙂
MaryAnn
I love fairytale retellings and must now have this book! When I first started reading the synopsis, I was reminded a little bit about Once Upon A Time, with the fairytale characters being stuck in our world. LOVE! Great review, Kim. I will definitely be looking further into this one.
kimbacaffeinate
YAY! I adored this and yep if you love Once Upon A Time this will pretty much rock your face off!
Caitlin Peterson
Okay, I know I’m a little behind the times on reading this review, but I TOTALLY pictured Neal Caffrey’s unique style whenever SeRine described Nate too! I love that you mentioned that in your review.
And I also love that you enjoyed the book!
kimbacaffeinate
Great minds think a like!
Nick
I’ve never heard of this book before, but it sounds pretty fantastic!
I enjoy fairy tale retellings as well, so I will most probably enjoy this book. Red seems like a kick-ass character that I have no doubt I’ll like.
Great review, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was a really fun read and I hope you try it! Thanks Nick 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Meg…I hope you try it!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Barb 🙂
Pnrurbfantasyreviews
This sounds like something that I would enjoy reading. I’ve been into fairytale retellings and love the show Once Upon A Time, so Fairytales w/a UF twist sounds excellent! Thanks for sharing! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Michelle this was a fun read and I hope you decide to pick it up 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Once Upon A Time is a great show and you should definitely enjoy this 🙂
Turning the Pages
This one looks looks so good! I love re-tellings! Thanks for the wonderful review and for adding yet another book to my tbr list 🙂
–Kimberly @ Turning The Pages
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Anna Simpson
I think I’ll be following in your footsteps, and get a copy. Excellent review. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Anna I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Audrey D Wilkerson
Cool! That sounds good. Thanks for the review.
Blodeuedd
Now this sounds cool 😀 Tales misbehaving, being stranded here cos of a spell. All good things
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Nat this really was a fun book and I gobbled it up!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
This sounds like so much fun! I love fairy tale re-tellings:)
Christa Seeley
This sounds like a really interesting retelling. You don’t see many little Red Riding Hood retellings. Will have to check this one out
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Christa I love that the author placed her in an urban fantasy and made her kick-ass 🙂
Kristin Clifton
Serious?!?! 4.5!! Dang!! I’m running over to Amazon!! Awesome review!! Thanks for finding me some new UF!!! I love my fairy tales, too!!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay…this was a really fun read …enjoy!
becca
How did i not realise this was a little Red riding hood retelling, argh! I thnk saw title and cover and skimmed over it without reading the blurb, damn! That looks like an amazing book to read!! Arrr i want to read it lol xx thanks for sharing x
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do Becca it was a fun read 🙂 I have done that myself with books grrrrr!
Heidi
This sounds like so much fun! I would love to read a sexy retelling of Red Riding Hood. I am so tempted to request this, but I am refraining in order to cut back that TBR! Still I am going to keep this in mind!
Barbara W.
Yay, you loved it!! Cait will be thrilled, both of us love it when we can spread the joy, especially when you’re responsible for so many of our picks. 🙂 Fabulous review, sweetie!
NatFrampton
Sounds like a fab book. Great review Hun. This will go on my to read list
Michelle
This sounds really good! I love fairytale retellings, so I’m going to have to check this out. Great review Kimba!