Review: The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

It’s the end of the world as we know it. Ever since The Crisis, in which people were infected with a deadly and highly contagious cough, society has unraveled. When Red and Adam’s parents fall victim to the Crisis, the siblings are forced to make their way across the woods to their Grandmother’s cabin, where they will hopefully be safe.

Despite Red’s preparation and obsession with what could go wrong (loosely based on horror films and an interest in epidemiology), the journey is perilous and frustratingly slow. Eventually, Red must complete the journey on her own; a young woman in a red coat making her way through the woods.

The closer she gets to her grandmother’s house, the greater the danger. Red is not ignorant of the ways of the world – The Crisis may have made people heartless and desperate, but here were always evil people and deeds to begin with. Scariest of all, however, is that the infection is not all they have to worry about. Thriving in a world of sickness and contagion is something else; something far more sinister and horrifying than any pathogen, and Red is about to meet is head on.

The Girl in Red is a modern and decidedly dark retelling of the well-known fairy tale. Set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with monsters both seen and unseen, it is ideal for fans of disaster and doom with a happy ending. Red may be alone, but she is not vulnerable – this is an empowering retelling of a badass woman on a mission, who can look after herself in a world of chaos and predators.

The Girl in Red is a great escape from the drudgery of the real world. At times somewhat slow, with the protagonist’s flaws and strengths repeated far too often to be forgotten, this remains a good read. Action packed, logical and fun, this book clearly demonstrates that you’re never too old for fairy tales.

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry is published by Titan Books and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.