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clairetrellahill's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting Robin Hood story, focusing on Marian and a Robin just come home from the crusades, introducing all the characters we know but in different ways. This book was good, and actually the short pov’s move the story along pretty quickly—there are just so MANY of them that the story is SO LONG. I enjoyed it but because of those elements it’s not going to be one of my favorite Robin Hood retellings. 3.5 stars.
paper_mache's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
paintfairy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I'll be quite transparent, I don't know much about the original Robin Hood Legends. I only know the Disney animated movie, and the spoof film Robin Hood: Men in Tights, but armed with this knowledge I did my best. Unfortunately, this meant that I had memes running through my head the entire time, and half the cast I pictured as animals.
That being said, I loved this book so much more than I expected, which is great because this is the first book that I've ever annotated and there are some CRAZY comments in there (Mostly swearing at DeLacey because he made me want to throw this book across the room multiple times).
The plot was very engaging and political, which is exactly how I like it. There were many different perspectives that helped give the story a very dynamic feel, and I never got bored because there was so much movement within these perspectives, despite the story being very slow-paced. I really liked how we got a very in-depth analysis of all our key players, I felt like I understood everyone's motives and goals perfectly, and it was very satisfying to read the interaction between everyone because I knew all the info behind the scenes. I also really liked all the settings that we got to explore, and the book was very detailed with little tidbits of history. I was just entranced the entire time and I felt like there was a pretty good balance between action scenes, political intrigue, and character development.
AH! The characters. I either loved them, or I loved the hate them. The three main perspectives were Marian, Robin, and DeLacey (The Sheriff). We also got A TON of side characters that had their own perspectives as well, the most notable ones being Prince John, the Earl of Huntington (Robin's Dad who is an absolute asshat), Much, and Tuck. I just had such an amazing time learning about who these characters were, and how each of their goals conflicted with each other which made for a really fun (And often frustrating) time reading this book. Marian was a delight, she started off as a quiet respectful lady but she quickly grew a spine (Inside joke) and became one of my favorite heroines I've read from in a while. I also loved Robin in this retelling. His perspectives were interesting because he started off with a lot of PTSD from his time in the crusades, and he wasn't miraculously cured of it, but with the help of Marian, he was able to put to rest some of the events that haunt him the most. He's always been more of a quiet observant man, but I loved seeing him slowly take down his mask around Marian and he became a man capable of great love, strength, and humor. He was also really smart and capable which I have to admit was attractive.
Do you want to know who wasn't attractive though? DeLacey, Sir Guy, and the Earl. Let's throw John in there too although to be honest though my dislike for him is more passive. DeLacey was a very well-written antagonist who had very clear ambitions and wasn't going to let anything stop him. Unfortunately. He pissed me off so many times I've stopped counting. He literally would not take no for an answer and it was sooooooo annoying. I had to literally stand up and walk around the room a few times to cool down because he kept getting on my nerves, but that's how I knew that he was one of my favorite villains; he got under my skin and made me feel something while reading. Sir Guy was like a villain in disguise because he was honestly the 'Nice Guy' who turned into a raging asshole because he got rejected. The Earl on the other hand? Ooh I have a bone to pick with this man. He was such a TERRIBLE father, I literally hated him the more I read about him and I was so happy that Robin saw through him and did what needed to be done.
Shout out to Little John, Tuck, Much, Scarlet, and Alan who made up our band of Merry Men. Especially Much and Tuck. Much was such a fun and endearing character, and without him, our ragtag group would never have formed (For better or for worse). Tuck was such a sweet man who I love dearly. I was so proud of him when he stood up to DeLacey and he might be my favorite side character.
The end was very satisfying because all the threads came together and sorted themselves out, but it did feel a tad anticlimactic, and some of the logistics of time and travel didn't exactly line up the best, but it didn't disturb my reading experience. One thing that I'm happy got sorted out was Robin's relationship with King Richard. Obviously, he greatly respects the man and loves him like a brother (Or something of the sort) because he was stealing money for his ransom, but in the book, King Richard loves Robin more like a lover, and so there was always this feeling of guilt that Robin carried with him because he couldn't reciprocate those feelings. He also felt like he needed to rescue King Richard, not only because they were friends but because the King had paid the ransom for Robin when he was captured by the Saracens. In the last few chapters, a lot of these feelings are put to rest and sorted out because Robin can now see that although he loves and respects the King, the King shouldn't be held on a pedestal, and Robin is given a blessing of sorts to Love Marian. (My thought's on this are still kind of muddled, but I'm just happy that King Richard doesn't rule over Robin's life anymore, and he can be his own man.)
Anyways, I really loved this book, but it took me quite a while to finish because it was so long and slow-paced.
That being said, I loved this book so much more than I expected, which is great because this is the first book that I've ever annotated and there are some CRAZY comments in there (Mostly swearing at DeLacey because he made me want to throw this book across the room multiple times).
The plot was very engaging and political, which is exactly how I like it. There were many different perspectives that helped give the story a very dynamic feel, and I never got bored because there was so much movement within these perspectives, despite the story being very slow-paced. I really liked how we got a very in-depth analysis of all our key players, I felt like I understood everyone's motives and goals perfectly, and it was very satisfying to read the interaction between everyone because I knew all the info behind the scenes. I also really liked all the settings that we got to explore, and the book was very detailed with little tidbits of history. I was just entranced the entire time and I felt like there was a pretty good balance between action scenes, political intrigue, and character development.
AH! The characters. I either loved them, or I loved the hate them. The three main perspectives were Marian, Robin, and DeLacey (The Sheriff). We also got A TON of side characters that had their own perspectives as well, the most notable ones being Prince John, the Earl of Huntington (Robin's Dad who is an absolute asshat), Much, and Tuck. I just had such an amazing time learning about who these characters were, and how each of their goals conflicted with each other which made for a really fun (And often frustrating) time reading this book. Marian was a delight, she started off as a quiet respectful lady but she quickly grew a spine (Inside joke) and became one of my favorite heroines I've read from in a while. I also loved Robin in this retelling. His perspectives were interesting because he started off with a lot of PTSD from his time in the crusades, and he wasn't miraculously cured of it, but with the help of Marian, he was able to put to rest some of the events that haunt him the most. He's always been more of a quiet observant man, but I loved seeing him slowly take down his mask around Marian and he became a man capable of great love, strength, and humor. He was also really smart and capable which I have to admit was attractive.
Do you want to know who wasn't attractive though? DeLacey, Sir Guy, and the Earl. Let's throw John in there too although to be honest though my dislike for him is more passive. DeLacey was a very well-written antagonist who had very clear ambitions and wasn't going to let anything stop him. Unfortunately. He pissed me off so many times I've stopped counting. He literally would not take no for an answer and it was sooooooo annoying. I had to literally stand up and walk around the room a few times to cool down because he kept getting on my nerves, but that's how I knew that he was one of my favorite villains; he got under my skin and made me feel something while reading. Sir Guy was like a villain in disguise because he was honestly the 'Nice Guy' who turned into a raging asshole because he got rejected. The Earl on the other hand? Ooh I have a bone to pick with this man. He was such a TERRIBLE father, I literally hated him the more I read about him and I was so happy that Robin saw through him and did what needed to be done.
Shout out to Little John, Tuck, Much, Scarlet, and Alan who made up our band of Merry Men. Especially Much and Tuck. Much was such a fun and endearing character, and without him, our ragtag group would never have formed (For better or for worse). Tuck was such a sweet man who I love dearly. I was so proud of him when he stood up to DeLacey and he might be my favorite side character.
The end was very satisfying because all the threads came together and sorted themselves out, but it did feel a tad anticlimactic, and some of the logistics of time and travel didn't exactly line up the best, but it didn't disturb my reading experience. One thing that I'm happy got sorted out was Robin's relationship with King Richard. Obviously, he greatly respects the man and loves him like a brother (Or something of the sort) because he was stealing money for his ransom, but in the book, King Richard loves Robin more like a lover, and so there was always this feeling of guilt that Robin carried with him because he couldn't reciprocate those feelings. He also felt like he needed to rescue King Richard, not only because they were friends but because the King had paid the ransom for Robin when he was captured by the Saracens. In the last few chapters, a lot of these feelings are put to rest and sorted out because Robin can now see that although he loves and respects the King, the King shouldn't be held on a pedestal, and Robin is given a blessing of sorts to Love Marian. (My thought's on this are still kind of muddled, but I'm just happy that King Richard doesn't rule over Robin's life anymore, and he can be his own man.)
Anyways, I really loved this book, but it took me quite a while to finish because it was so long and slow-paced.
calluna_vulgar1s's review against another edition
4.0
Not a review, but I recommend skipping the prologue.
Edit: I don't really remember liking this book, I do recommend going by other reviews as I primarily remember being really annoyed by it in the end, and not much else.
Edit: I don't really remember liking this book, I do recommend going by other reviews as I primarily remember being really annoyed by it in the end, and not much else.
sm_almon's review against another edition
3.0
Liked the origin-type story for Robin Hood and the focus in Marian, but the book is overlong.
libkatem's review against another edition
5.0
A fresh and exciting retelling of the Robin Hood legend (and believe me, I've read a few). This book exceeded all my expectations and is now one of my favorites.
emilyofthegreenwood's review against another edition
4.0
There is something so refreshing about this book. I have so much nostalgia for it, and it's done so well. Rereading it as an audiobook was well worth it.
One thing did stand out to me, though. It strikes me as odd that this book seems to take place of the course of a week, and in that time ransom money is shipped to Germany, the king is released, and he travels to Nottingham. I don't think travel in 1194 was that efficient.
One thing did stand out to me, though. It strikes me as odd that this book seems to take place of the course of a week, and in that time ransom money is shipped to Germany, the king is released, and he travels to Nottingham. I don't think travel in 1194 was that efficient.
jennforprez's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. The writing was beautiful in places, but there was something disorganized about the structure of the story that just made it a chore to read. The constant shifting between viewpoints and really, the lack of actual focus on Marian's growth just took me out of it.