Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Red

Red by Alison Cherry
4/5 stars
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2013
320 pages
YA Contemporary

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book really grabbed my attention with its focus on red hair. I am very obviously a brunette and I've never really desired to be a redhead but I have noticed mocking of "gingers" and such so I thought it was an interesting concept that would be fun to read.

In Scarletville, redheads are the privileged, the elite. To have natural red hair is a source of pride. However not all do though to gain power, one must ensure its presence. Such is the life of Felicity. She's one of the most popular girls in school but her gorgeous red hair is a lie-she's actually only a strawberry blonde and has had her hair artificially dyed for years. When someone starts blackmailing her over this secret, Felicity begins to question her very life in Scarletville and what she might do if the secret gets out.

There's actually quite a lot going on in this book as I didn't even touch on Felicity's participation in the town's annual Miss Scarlet pageant along with her two best friends. There's also her interest in art, unsupported by her mother and some romantic relationship drama that is pretty predictable especially if you read a lot of YA. A big element though is satire of our world and its obsession with appearance. I'm not sure if I was in the wrong mood or what, but the satirical elements didn't always work for me and sometimes seemed to be played completely in earnest. I adored Libba Bray's Beauty Queens so I know that at times I can appreciate that approach but it was not as effective for me here.

Felicity is an okay character-the secret life she lives is very difficult for her and there was a revelation near the end that left me really feeling for her. I thought she took forever to stand up to her blackmailer but she was under a lot of pressure (and it would have made the book shorter). I enjoyed her interest in art and new flirtation (when they're eating the french fries was an excellent scene) a lot more. Her mother is very difficult; she's a single mom raising Felicity and two rambunctious young boys but she's obsessed with the pageant and getting Felicity to follow in her footsteps no matter what Felicity actually wants. It was just hard to be good with her though I do give props for her being pretty present for a YA parent.

As the book progressed, I definitely became more interested. I enjoyed seeing Felicity stand up to her blackmailer and kiss the cute guy though I wish the ending had felt more resolved. I feel like lately I want everything much more tied up than it ends up being.

Overall: I had fun reading this and the ending really lifted the story; I especially recommend this book for redheads!

Other Opinions:
Buried in Books
My 5 Monkeys
Princess Bookie

18 comments:

  1. I haven't read Beauty Queens yet though I definitely plan to. I think red hair is usually portrayed as "beautiful and seductive" or "carrots"-something to be embarrassed by. I remember how Anne Shirley dyed her red hair in Anne of Green Gables. I think that in the Pride and Prejudice miniseries, Lydia even derides Mary King (Wickham's potential fiancee) for her red hair and freckles.

    I admit that the premise of the story didn't really appeal to me but I'm glad to hear that there is more to the story and that you liked it.

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    1. It's interesting to see how red hair is portrayed; I think you hit on the two main ways (blondes also get this but not so much us brunettes :( I definitely preferred Beauty Queens so if it comes down to it, go with that one.

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  2. I've been very interested in this book because I just thought it sounded like a neat, fun premise but I never requested it for review. In fact, I haven't even read any reviews for it yet. I like what you say here, though. I also haven't read Libba Bray's Beauty Queens (I know, FOR SHAME!) so I can't compare or make a comment on that one. I just think it sounds like one that I'd enjoy, particularly after the things you mention. Plus I like the cover. I think I'll see if my library gets this one and if they don't, I might even request that they purchase it. Thanks!

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    1. As I just told Christina T, definitely read Beauty Queens over Red if you can. I just thought is was better done all around.

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  3. I've been interested in this one, partially because I dyed my hair auburn for years. (There were people surprised when I returned to my natural color, oddly. I didn't think my box red hair was that convincing.)

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    1. I've been curious about trying red hair but have never been interested in maintaining a dye job-glad yours was convincing!

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  4. Thanks for the blurb and the review! We had no idea what this book was about, but now that we know, it has our attention. We'll definitely try to check it out. (Also, the cover is super cute and fitting!)

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    1. I love how the cover works with the premise-it makes perfect sense!

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  5. IDK, the premise of this one really wasn't grabbing me. But you liked it, so perhaps I will give it a try!

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    1. Eh, I think it's missable-there are more debuts this year that may be better.

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  6. How interesting! I agree, I loved Beauty Queens, but need to be in the right mood and written the right way for me to enjoy certain satirical reads. I love that the main character is into art and that there's that blackmail aspect. Thanks for the great review! :)

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    1. I wonder if I wasn't quite primed for this read-I think I was expecting something more straightforward than this which seemed to have a satirical edge that I didn't really get.

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  7. Hmm. I like that this book explores our society's "obsession with appearance." That's really appealing. But I'm sad that it didn't fully work for you. I also dislike when a story seems to be dragged out unnecessarily, so I'm not sure if I'll be reading this. Thanks for the review, I didn't know a lot about this one!

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    1. I almost think it could have been a short story or novella? Some parts didn't add as much to the story as I would have liked.

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  8. I loved Beauty Queens, but this one doesn't sound as good. It feels like I've been seeing lots of books lately where there is a privileged class based on a physical attribute like hair color, eye color, left-handed, etc.

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    1. I really don't think it's as good as BQ but if this is the kind of story you like, then you're in luck!

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  9. Hmm. I'm definitely not a redhead, but I've always admired their hair color. I think that this would be an interesting read for me.... the premise is amazing! I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy Felicity in general, but I'm glad that you liked certain things about her. Awesome review!

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    1. I think the hair color can be really pretty and I've envied a girl a time or two because she possessed it but in general I'm glad to be a brunette.

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