Book Review: Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge

Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge,  Andrea Dezso (Illustrator) 
Release Date: July 10th 2012
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 96
Overall: ♥♥♥

Writing in free verse honed to a wicked edge, the incomparable Ron Koertge brings dark and contemporary humor to twenty iconic fairy tales. Once upon a time, there was a strung-out match girl who sold CDs to stoners. Twelve impetuous sisters escaped King Daddy's clutches to jiggle and cavort and wear out their shoes. A fickle Thumbelina searched for a tiny husband, leaving bodies in her wake. And Little Red Riding Hood confessed that she kind of wanted to know what it's like to be swallowed whole. From bloodied and blinded stepsisters (they were duped) to a chopped-off finger flying into a heroine's cleavage, this is fairy tale world turned upside down. Ron Koertge knows what really happened to all those wolves and maidens, ogres and orphans, kings and piglets, and he knows about the Ever After. So come closer - he wants to whisper in your ear.

My Thoughts:                                                                                                            

LK&GiRD is a really cool, dark, gritty modern retelling of Grimm Fairytales. I went into this book not knowing what it was about, I didn’t even expect it to be a so short.For what it was, it was OK.  If I really think about it,I remember it was the title that really popped and made me totally interested in this book. I'm glad I had the chance to read it. The best part, I liked that Koertge had written these stories freestyle. It was a very organic, free flowing. There are illustrations in this book, so that’s a plus (at least for me!) The art was creepy good.

I enjoyed reading this book just for the fun of it but the stories didn’t quite stand out much, I was looking for that wow factor, for that special piece.  I think overall I did get what I wanted from this book, something quick, simple, and definitely not fluffy. Koertge made a good impression, seeing that each story was at least 2 pages long. It didn’t take away from the overall experience of the book, each piece was moody and cohesive. Hopefully I get around to reading more of Koertge’s books! 

eGalley courtesy of Netgalley & Publisher for honest review.

To find out more about author and her books, visit the following links:
-Visit Ron around the web here: Website 
-Add to your Goodreads