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kariw's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I ended up really enjoying this book. A lot more than I had anticipated.
I hadn't ever read Robin Hood, and I only remember watching the animated version of it a long time ago. So most of the storyline of the orginal was lost to me. But I enjoyed this so much anyway. Robin and Guy's charcters were great. And the progression of how things unfold had me hooked to the pages.
This was a shorter novel, but that didn't hinder my overall enjoyment. This authro was able to give us the details we needed to stay interested in the story, while keeping it going at a clipped pace to shorten the length of the book. That is skill. Keeing a reader glued to the pages, while needing to cut corners for length. I never felt like anything was lacking. In fact, I am already thinking of the next book by this author I will be picking up.
I hadn't ever read Robin Hood, and I only remember watching the animated version of it a long time ago. So most of the storyline of the orginal was lost to me. But I enjoyed this so much anyway. Robin and Guy's charcters were great. And the progression of how things unfold had me hooked to the pages.
This was a shorter novel, but that didn't hinder my overall enjoyment. This authro was able to give us the details we needed to stay interested in the story, while keeping it going at a clipped pace to shorten the length of the book. That is skill. Keeing a reader glued to the pages, while needing to cut corners for length. I never felt like anything was lacking. In fact, I am already thinking of the next book by this author I will be picking up.
cmitchell2781's review
4.0
Refreshing
I enjoyed that this wasn't as romance heavy as the others in this series. I enjoy a good romance story, but the focus on fighting the fae was a nice refresher. Well written, it was easy to see the influence of bluebeard and Robin Hood.
I enjoyed that this wasn't as romance heavy as the others in this series. I enjoy a good romance story, but the focus on fighting the fae was a nice refresher. Well written, it was easy to see the influence of bluebeard and Robin Hood.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Usually I start a series and then somehow forget to finish it. I don't know why that always happens to me. I know that some people read the last book in a series slowly, because they don't want it to be over. It seems that my solution is to simply not read the book at all. However, I had only 2 hours left today and I wanted to complete one more prompt for an april readathon and this book was the perfect fit. Short enough and a fairytale retelling, my favorite trope.
I was extremely positively surprised by this book. Neither Bluebeard nor Robin Hood are among my favorite fairytales and yet this story works amazingly well. The way the fairytales were blended was brilliant and to make sure our villain got a chance to redeem himself the author added few extra layers to the story. The result was a mix of an outlaw robbing without understanding the consequences, a duke with a lot of mistakes to atone for and some faerie magic and monsters.
Although Robin is not the kind of heroine I usually like, I quite enjoyed her and her story. And that's mostly because she had something endearing. Or maybe it's because I like the form of confidence bordering on arrogance, both in women and men. I think it's mostly because she's not just blindly doing things, but she thinks things through. She takes risks, but calculated ones. And when she messes up, she's not too stubborn to say sorry.
I also really loved the romance in this story. It's not the obvious kind of romance, although as a reader you do kinda know who is gonna end up with who, but Grayce also never rushes is, never forces it, never lets her characters go too fast. It means that a lot of the actual romance and falling in love eventually happens off page, but I don't mind that. I already was invested in those two people as a pair way before the epilogue and extra short story anyway.
I know I'm off to order myself the story of the Fae librarian and his human wife. I need to get to know them!
I was extremely positively surprised by this book. Neither Bluebeard nor Robin Hood are among my favorite fairytales and yet this story works amazingly well. The way the fairytales were blended was brilliant and to make sure our villain got a chance to redeem himself the author added few extra layers to the story. The result was a mix of an outlaw robbing without understanding the consequences, a duke with a lot of mistakes to atone for and some faerie magic and monsters.
Although Robin is not the kind of heroine I usually like, I quite enjoyed her and her story. And that's mostly because she had something endearing. Or maybe it's because I like the form of confidence bordering on arrogance, both in women and men. I think it's mostly because she's not just blindly doing things, but she thinks things through. She takes risks, but calculated ones. And when she messes up, she's not too stubborn to say sorry.
I also really loved the romance in this story. It's not the obvious kind of romance, although as a reader you do kinda know who is gonna end up with who, but Grayce also never rushes is, never forces it, never lets her characters go too fast. It means that a lot of the actual romance and falling in love eventually happens off page, but I don't mind that. I already was invested in those two people as a pair way before the epilogue and extra short story anyway.
I know I'm off to order myself the story of the Fae librarian and his human wife. I need to get to know them!
purelykatherine's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a fun random find on the libby app.
This was a 5 hour audiobook that I randomly chose because it was available now. I had no idea this was part of a larger series of little stories and I will absolutely be reading this authors other books.
I loved this retelling, for being a 200 range book (222 pages) it isn't classified as a novella but it is a shorter read. Even with it being smaller the characters and plot were well developed and I was very much invested in the story.
This is a Robinhood retelling where Robin is a 29 year old 6ft tall woman with a sassy attitude.
She devises a plan to marry the Duke (Guy) and save the kingdom by stealing riches right under his nose as his wife. Plans start to change though as secrets are discovered and the Duke may be hiding more than Robin originally thought.
This book is fantasy/fae elements as well. It was just a good fun lighthearted read.
I love that it was YA friendly with NO SPICE.
The romance was cute and well done, the main character had good development, and the plot was captivating.
If you are looking for a shorter read I would highly suggest this cute little standalone romance.
This was a 5 hour audiobook that I randomly chose because it was available now. I had no idea this was part of a larger series of little stories and I will absolutely be reading this authors other books.
I loved this retelling, for being a 200 range book (222 pages) it isn't classified as a novella but it is a shorter read. Even with it being smaller the characters and plot were well developed and I was very much invested in the story.
This is a Robinhood retelling where Robin is a 29 year old 6ft tall woman with a sassy attitude.
She devises a plan to marry the Duke (Guy) and save the kingdom by stealing riches right under his nose as his wife. Plans start to change though as secrets are discovered and the Duke may be hiding more than Robin originally thought.
This book is fantasy/fae elements as well. It was just a good fun lighthearted read.
I love that it was YA friendly with NO SPICE.
The romance was cute and well done, the main character had good development, and the plot was captivating.
If you are looking for a shorter read I would highly suggest this cute little standalone romance.
the_jesus_fandom's review
2.0
This was okay, but not as highstakes as Forest of Scarlet. It was quite a bit shorter, so that might have been why.
What I liked:
- This quote: Sheriff Reinhault had the reflexes of a hunted cockatrice.
- The sibling relationships, especially in the tournament where Will is helping her but also not letting her win without a fight
- "Their baby is so cute. I want one." Actually a thing I have said.
What I disliked:
- Robin is... sorry, she's very annoying. Where Forest of Scarlet was the "beautiful girl who is also smart" trope, this one is the "tomboy who is mad annoying" trope. Example: "he stepped over my leg blocking his way - I wasn't going to move it for him, of course" girl what. Same thing with everybody laughing when somebody says that the duke might hurt Robin. I don't care how cool she is, a grown man who has already murdered three wives COULD deck her. Same with her walking on the dining table just to make a point.
- Sure, you were FORCED into outlawry
- She does everything and lets her brothers do nothing
- The guards are good because "they took orders from me without question"
- You don't have to use the word "banter". I get that that's what you're doing.
- This sentence: "Basil enjoyed the protections that (NAME) had killed over and over again to obtain by his dark bargain and twisted ritual with the key and the hanging and the blood."
- The last sentence is "I am Robin Hood. I am a legend. And don't you forget it." I will, in fact, forget you so quickly.
Other stuff>
- Guy is such a stupid dude like the
What I liked:
- This quote: Sheriff Reinhault had the reflexes of a hunted cockatrice.
- The sibling relationships, especially in the tournament where Will is helping her but also not letting her win without a fight
- "Their baby is so cute. I want one." Actually a thing I have said.
What I disliked:
- Robin is... sorry, she's very annoying. Where Forest of Scarlet was the "beautiful girl who is also smart" trope, this one is the "tomboy who is mad annoying" trope. Example: "he stepped over my leg blocking his way - I wasn't going to move it for him, of course" girl what. Same thing with everybody laughing when somebody says that the duke might hurt Robin. I don't care how cool she is, a grown man who has already murdered three wives COULD deck her. Same with her walking on the dining table just to make a point.
- Sure, you were FORCED into outlawry
- She does everything and lets her brothers do nothing
- The guards are good because "they took orders from me without question"
- You don't have to use the word "banter". I get that that's what you're doing.
- This sentence: "Basil enjoyed the protections that
Spoiler
Reinhault- The last sentence is "I am Robin Hood. I am a legend. And don't you forget it." I will, in fact, forget you so quickly.
Other stuff>
- Guy is such a stupid dude like the
Spoiler
deal was actually so bad and not even justifiablelittlebit2991's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
ameserole's review
4.0
Bluebeard and the Outlaw is the third installment of the A Villain's Ever After series. In it, you will meet Robin and Guy. She is the infamous Hood and he's the Lord Guy/Bluebeard. Honestly, when I first saw this, I had no idea who Bluebeard was. Robin Hood? Yeah, that guy I do know. Bluebeard? Kind of sounds like a pirate or something. So, yeah, I was a little confused but equally intrigued.
Now I really liked getting to know Robin. She was a just a little bad ass in the beginning stealing and poking fun at Guy. Then when she offered herself up to become his wife, well, that's where I was kind of shocked. Definitely had an inkling that this fake romance was going to eventually turn real. Which, yes, she did start to develop feelings for him.
Besides the romance, I did like the Fae twist spun throughout this. As to who the real villain was, well, that didn't surprise me this time around. I've watched way too many Robin Hood movies to spot that. Still ended up enjoying this book and can't wait to jump into the next adventure!
Now I really liked getting to know Robin. She was a just a little bad ass in the beginning stealing and poking fun at Guy. Then when she offered herself up to become his wife, well, that's where I was kind of shocked. Definitely had an inkling that this fake romance was going to eventually turn real. Which, yes, she did start to develop feelings for him.
Besides the romance, I did like the Fae twist spun throughout this. As to who the real villain was, well, that didn't surprise me this time around. I've watched way too many Robin Hood movies to spot that. Still ended up enjoying this book and can't wait to jump into the next adventure!
kasiacl7's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5