Review: Red by Kate SeRine

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today we have a review of urban fantasy romance author Kate SeRine's debut novel (which releases tomorrow!), Red, the first novel in her Transplanted Tales series. Congratulations on your debut, Kate! If you didn't get a chance to check out the Monday interview with Kate, you should definitely do so by clicking the following link: Author Interview with Kate SeRine Also, don't forget to check down at the bottom of the post for a chance to enter to win loads od Red themed swag!!! Enjoy!

Synopsis: ""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…"

Genre: Urban fantasy

First Sentences: "What do you get when you cross an egomaniacal fairy godmother, an arrogant genie, and a couple of wandering plagiarists whose idea of cultural preservation is stealing the stories of unsuspecting villagers and passing them off as their own?" What an opening to a novel! If there is one thing that will keep people reading, it's a strong, likeable narrative voice, and as you can see, Kate SeRine does not lack that in any way--and she carries that throughout the novel with no falters. This opening was great because not only was it intriguing but within the next few sentences, SeRine flawlessly establishes the world from the very beginning.

Brownie Points: As I mentioned in my above comments, what really drew me into this series and what hooked me as a future reader for the rest of the novels was the voice. SO strong and SO much fun to read. The voice of main character, Tess, aka Little Red Riding Hood, kept my attention from start to finish. She was an overall great character; smart, funny, head-strong, everything I like in an urban fantasy heroine.  I also immediately fell in love with the idea of a world inhabited by real life fairytales--it's unique and it's fun. I never thought Little Red Riding hood would be such a badass! Red is not just some silly spin on traditional fairytales, it's wholly unique and fresh in it's references to the tales. Further, as a lover of romance, I liked that the romance in this was a bit heavier than many  urban fantasy novels without overpowering anything. The sweet chemistry between Tess and Nate Grimm was very well done. Red is definitely urban fantasy, but it's urban fantasy that will also appeal to paranormal romance readers alike.

Beefs: I honestly don't have many criticisms. This novel real does have it all: intriguing voice, likable characters, strong plot, and a sweet dash of romance. I did figure out who the villain was early on in the story, but that didn't detract from the read at all. I enjoyed the whole novel regardless.

Ending: The best compliment I can give a writer is to say that I reached the last page and was sad there wasn't more. I raced through this book--it was a quick read--and I can't wait for book two, The Better to See You (Feb 2013).

Recommendation and General Comments: This is an excellent start to what's sure to be an exciting series! Fans of Kelley Armstrong will love this book, as it appeals to both urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers alike. It's so refreshing to read such a great debut novel like Red. It's for this reason, that I give Kate SeRine's Red, book one of the Transplanted Tales, a rating of full moon!

I highly recommend Red. This novel is a great read if you want something captivating from start to finish that will keep you flipping the pages! I definitely recommend it. If you can appreciate strong, kickass female heroines, solid and interesting world-building, and subtly sweet romance then this series is for you.

I hope you enjoyed the review! Don't forget to check out the giveaway below and get your hands on lots of Red themed swag! All you have to do is comment!

Author Bio

Kate SeRine holds a BA in English from Hanover College and an MA in English from Butler University. A former editor, Kate has an on-going love affair with language and frequently volunteers as a writer and editor for various non-profit and professional organizations. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and of Indiana RWA and has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), and The Emily (2012). Kate never tires of creating new worlds to share and is always working on her next project.

 

 

 For more information on Kate and her work, or where you can purchase a copy of her novel, you can find her at the following places:

Website: www.kateserine.com

Twitter: @KateSeRine

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Red-ebook/dp/B0083JCF26/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337449916&sr=1-1

Barnes and Nobel: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kate-serine

Publisher Website: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=21275

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

The RED Giveaway opened (7/30/12) and closes August 6th, 2012 at 8AM EST!!!

U.S entrants only please!

Simply leave a comment on the interview or review of Red in order to enter.

Tweet about the RED Giveaway and it's link for an extra entry! Only one extra entry per person!

LIST OF GOODIES TO WIN:

A basket of RED-themed goodies, which includes:
A tote bag
Bath & Body Works lotion and shower gel
Coffee samplers and a $5 Starbucks gift card
A copy of one of the books that inspired characters in RED
An eKensington sampler booklet signed by Kate SeRine
...and other fun goodies to enjoy!