Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher:  Little, Brown August 2011

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again. 

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel. 

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.


Sweetly is the companion book to Sisters Red, which Autumn and I both shared our thoughts in September.  I enjoyed Sweetly a lot more than Sisters Red.  This time around, the book is all in one character's perspective.  For some reason, that made the book flow better for me.  The author continues in the world of the Fenris and adds a little more to the mythology.  


The characters in this book were more likeable.  I really liked Gretchen.  She has not only had to deal with the loss of her twin, but the loss of her parents as well.  She thinks she is weak, but when put to the test, she is able to find her own strength and stand on her own.  Her and Samuel's relationship was very sweet. 


There is less action in this one, mostly in the end.  While I was able to figure out most of the end before it happened, there were a couple of surprises, which was nice.  I felt like the ending left more room for another book involving the Fenris.   I'm hoping the author explores them a little more.  If you liked Sisters Red, I know you will enjoy this one.


--Kari

Sisters Red

Author:Jackson Pearce
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 7th 2010)

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Kari's thoughts:

Sisters Red is a unique take on the Little Red Riding Hood story. I gave it 3 stars because while I liked it, I didn't love it. I liked how the story was told by alternating between the sisters. It really allowed the reader to get to know both of their personalities better. I thought Scarlet was annoying and overly dramatic. I understood her need for revenge, but she seriously needed to lighten up a little. I can't imagine anyone that driven would survive for too long as a hunter. Even Buffy had fun once in a while! I liked Rosie and was hoping she would realize that she had paid her debt to Scarlett a thousand times over. I wanted her to find a life other than hunting.

The twist was very predictable and I figured it out early on in the book. I think most will as well. I had a little issue with the age difference between Rosie and Silas. I thought 16 was too young for a 21YO and had a hard time getting past that. I also think it is a bit violent for under 16, so parents might want to keep that in mind when choosing this for YA readers.

Autumn's thoughts:

We both listened to the audiobook.  While I liked it, I thought the reader read WAY TOO SLOW.  That aside, I liked the story.  One of the things I liked best about it was the legend behind the Fenris.  Not just anyone could become one and I liked the packs.  The idea of "the potential" was an interesting take and I thought it was a fresh direction in the werewolf story.

I also liked the alternating view points.  I much preferred Rosie's point of view.  I thought Scarlett was too overbearing.  She was too demanding of Rosie.  I agree that Rosie had well paid her debt to Scarlett and Scarlett was keeping her enslaved almost.  I didn't have an issue with the age difference between Rosie and Silas, mainly because Rosie didn't have any other options.  The only other men/boys she meets are Fenris.

This book did seem to have a more mature feel to it.  There weren't a lot of bad words or sex to make it R rated, but it was violent.  It might not be appropriate for the more sensitive YA reader.