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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a fan of Nancy Springer ever since I've read her Enola Holmes series. In that series she combines history with adventure in quite a clever way. I love how she shows us how bad society was for girls and women, how far we've already come since then (even though we're not there yet). I was therefore quite curious to discover what she'd do with this classical tale.
What I loved most of all about this retelling is the mix of history and folklore. It's not just a story about the daughter of Robin Hood traveling through the forest to find her father. She's also dealing with her love for her mother and most of all with what has happened to her mother and what that means for her future.
I also loved meeting all the familiar faces along the way without them taking over the story. Whatever happens and whoever we meet this is always Rowan's story. This is her journey. She's trying to find her place in her world, she's discovering who she is and who she wants to be and what's important for her and what she's willing to fight for.
I have to admit that although I do love the folklore aspect of the story there were moments it all felt a little hard to grasp and understand. I guess that's not just the case for the readers but also for the characters in the story but since the mythology sometimes feels very vague there are moments especially younger readers might have no idea what's going on.
Since the book had a nice and happy ending and the other two books are hard to get I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series but one never knows.
What I loved most of all about this retelling is the mix of history and folklore. It's not just a story about the daughter of Robin Hood traveling through the forest to find her father. She's also dealing with her love for her mother and most of all with what has happened to her mother and what that means for her future.
I also loved meeting all the familiar faces along the way without them taking over the story. Whatever happens and whoever we meet this is always Rowan's story. This is her journey. She's trying to find her place in her world, she's discovering who she is and who she wants to be and what's important for her and what she's willing to fight for.
I have to admit that although I do love the folklore aspect of the story there were moments it all felt a little hard to grasp and understand. I guess that's not just the case for the readers but also for the characters in the story but since the mythology sometimes feels very vague there are moments especially younger readers might have no idea what's going on.
Since the book had a nice and happy ending and the other two books are hard to get I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series but one never knows.
ginzheng's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
callmecat's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this book in Jr. High but I only read it one time and having just re-read it recently (age 21) I can tell you that this book is definitely meant for the 13ish age. It's not a bad book but I want more out of a story now than what I got from this one. I found out there's a sequel though and I checked it out from the library. I'll letcha know how that one is!
soniapage's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the Enola Holmes books. Aimed at a younger audience. This was the audio version and the narrator was passable but seemed inexperienced.
bookguyinva2022's review against another edition
5.0
That was a very cute story. Need a diversion from everyday stress Rowan is your girl.
rachelmcg2004's review against another edition
5.0
I just read this again, and it was even better than I had remembered! There were definitely elements of Enola Holmes in this work, Ms Springer, your characters are just as lovely as I remembered them...okay maybe even more!
All in all, this got bumped up to 5 stars because it's incredible.
ALSO ETTARDE IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST BOOK CHARACTER IN THIS SERIES AND MAYBE EVER.
SECOND ONLY TO ENOLA.
SERIOUSLY.
What is up with these heroes and their E names and their amazingness?! :D
*going to grab Lionclaw now. ;D
-----
Wait a second...I remember reading this a long time ago and loving it! Can't remember anything about the story except that I LOVED that she disguised herself as a boy and went after her father! And her female companion was really cool and probably my favorite character (Alas, I cannot remember her name), while Rowan herself was a bit spoiled and was definitely too naive to be leading a group of people (do two people count as a group?? I don't know.... Well, now they do!)
I remember thinking that this book was definitely different from Springer's Enola Holmes series (which drastically shaped my viewpoint on Sherlock Holmes - read my comment in the Sherlockians! if you're interested in my story), and yet, not as enjoyable. But, I did love that one female character whose name I plumb forgot. She had a head on her shoulders!
I honestly don't remember anything else about the book. Because of that, I would have rated the book lower, except that I really loved that female character, and I love the plotline idea and the world that it's set in.
All in all, this got bumped up to 5 stars because it's incredible.
ALSO ETTARDE IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST BOOK CHARACTER IN THIS SERIES AND MAYBE EVER.
SECOND ONLY TO ENOLA.
SERIOUSLY.
What is up with these heroes and their E names and their amazingness?! :D
*going to grab Lionclaw now. ;D
-----
Wait a second...I remember reading this a long time ago and loving it! Can't remember anything about the story except that I LOVED that she disguised herself as a boy and went after her father! And her female companion was really cool and probably my favorite character (Alas, I cannot remember her name), while Rowan herself was a bit spoiled and was definitely too naive to be leading a group of people (do two people count as a group?? I don't know.... Well, now they do!)
I remember thinking that this book was definitely different from Springer's Enola Holmes series (which drastically shaped my viewpoint on Sherlock Holmes - read my comment in the Sherlockians! if you're interested in my story), and yet, not as enjoyable. But, I did love that one female character whose name I plumb forgot. She had a head on her shoulders!
I honestly don't remember anything else about the book. Because of that, I would have rated the book lower, except that I really loved that female character, and I love the plotline idea and the world that it's set in.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of action, but I think a kid would enjoy it more than I did. Ro didn't quite do it for me as a character.
ashes_book_cave's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
found this book randomly in the kids section and it was even better than i thought it’d be. i’d give it higher than five stars if i could
candiecane333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Very cute story. Like the fresh take on Robin hood made for a young audience