Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Fairytale Retellings, #2
Hardcover, 310 pages
Published August 23rd 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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This is the second book in a series; therefore it will probably contain spoilers!

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past -- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone -- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen its next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

 

This is the second book in the Fairytale Retelling’s series (even though they are pretty much just companion novels) but this is actually the third book I have read. Out of all Fairytale Retelling's books I have read this one is my favorite. However, compared to the other two books this one was only from the perspective of the main character, Gretchen. I’m not really sure how two points of view could have been incorporated into this story though so it worked out well. It still held my interest the entire time.

I really liked the main character and her brother. The love interest in this book was another of the Reynolds children. I actually like it that even though they are one of the continuing links throughout the series, they aren't always the main character. The fact that in each story it is a different member of the family is nice too.

The twist in this book is good. I think I liked it even better because I have already read the third book. It didn’t ruin any of the story though. It just sort of added to it. There was some romance in this book but mostly it had to do with her brother, Ansel. The romance with her was pretty small. They both worked out really well for the story.

I really liked all the characters in this book. Gretchen was a great main character. Everything she did was pretty believable. Her brother Ansel was protective of her but never in an overbearing way. I thought Sophia was weird. You could tell from the beginning there was something not quite right. I was kind of shocked at the end of the book.

I will say that finally reading this story did give some more insight into the third book. I understand a couple more things a little better. I actually ended up reading this book in two sittings. There was never really a dull spot for me. There isn't a ton of action in this book but there is still just enough.

I definitely recommend reading this series if you haven’t yet.

My Rating: