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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART by Lex Croucher is a YA book about Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood.
Although only 18 years old, Mariel is a captain of a small group of young Merry Men (new name options accepted). They are on a mission to kidnap a Healer, but they pick up the wrong one. They tie Clem up and take her from her home even though they don't actually want to hurt her.
Although a prisoner, it's not long before she is part of their team and a friend to everyone.
Although a prisoner, it's not long before she is part of their team and a friend to everyone.
When Mariel's father is taken by the Sheriff, Mariel and her band set out to find him. What they learn along the way is that their original goals of helping the poor have become overshadowed by a relentless need for power and land acquisition. Mariel must question both her parents' motivations, but she never wavers in her dedication to her grandfather.
What this author does again and again in her books is to fill them with characters of diverse genders, sexualities, and ethnicities and those differences are never questioned or judged. She creates historical worlds full of people who may not be perfect or always do the right thing, but their flaws are never connected to their gender or race.
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt while the book had a diverse range of characters, I still felt there was a bit of tokenism going on in that the most diverse of the characters are sparsely explored, especially Josey, the only black woman. I loved her character and wanted a lot more from her beyond being perfect at everything and having good quips.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the writing was confusing at times, i felt myself having to reread sections to understand what was happening. i liked clem, i thought she was funny and cute. the other character was not likable up until the end honestly.
i was expecting a cozy read but this was more tense and sad throughout.i enjoyed the ending and the disbanding of the merry men, i thought that was a nice resolution!
i was expecting a cozy read but this was more tense and sad throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so wonderful. I've read Lex Croucher's books before (Gwen & Art Are Not in Love) and loved their writing, so I had high hopes going into this one. Those hopes were completely fulfilled and I sped through this book. I love a good Robin Hood retelling, and this one had me completely invested in both the plot and the characters. Mariel and Clem are such wonderful, 3-dimensional characters, and I loved seeing their relationship develop as the book went on. I genuinely think I went through every possible emotion reading this book; it made me cry and laugh and, above all, smile. This is definitely a book that I'll reread at some point, and it quickly has become a favorite.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes