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sofiem1004's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Role reversal, feminist historical rewriting of myth/history. Worked for me.
An idea I can't believe hasn't been thought of before, now I've read it! 'What if' Robin wasn't really Robin, but was really... Marian?
One of the most famous heroes/criminals of all time, Robin Hood, dead before he could become the legend. In Spooner's world, Robin of Loxley has died overseas in the Crusades. His fianceé, she can't quite believe it, but the common people need a protector, a hero, someone to look after their interests against the ruling lords.
Marian finds herself taking on the identity of her dead childhood friend, and herself an accomplished archer, might be able to serve her people AND protect her own interests as Guy of Gisborne attempts to woo her.
A very interesting take on the story, and the questions you would ask yourself about a woman taking on a man's role all come up. The way she feels about fulfilling the job, how she keeps herself both hidden and seen as a male, how it changes her perception of other women in a medieval world, how her own confidence and expectations alter.
Personally, my favourite aspect of the story was Guy of Gisborne. I just loved how he begins as the definite bad guy, but gradually both Marian and the reader sees some of his backstory nad you can't help but feel that he might not be wholly someone you should loathe.
A good feel for the period, and a great exploration of a woman's perspective of the legend. Some light sexual content and references, so one I'd recommend to ages 14 and above.
A good Audible choice, the voice of Marian is well-conveyed, with a younger-sounding voice for the younger Marian in flashbacks, and an easy story to follow along with the narrator.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
An idea I can't believe hasn't been thought of before, now I've read it! 'What if' Robin wasn't really Robin, but was really... Marian?
One of the most famous heroes/criminals of all time, Robin Hood, dead before he could become the legend. In Spooner's world, Robin of Loxley has died overseas in the Crusades. His fianceé, she can't quite believe it, but the common people need a protector, a hero, someone to look after their interests against the ruling lords.
Marian finds herself taking on the identity of her dead childhood friend, and herself an accomplished archer, might be able to serve her people AND protect her own interests as Guy of Gisborne attempts to woo her.
A very interesting take on the story, and the questions you would ask yourself about a woman taking on a man's role all come up. The way she feels about fulfilling the job, how she keeps herself both hidden and seen as a male, how it changes her perception of other women in a medieval world, how her own confidence and expectations alter.
Personally, my favourite aspect of the story was Guy of Gisborne. I just loved how he begins as the definite bad guy, but gradually both Marian and the reader sees some of his backstory nad you can't help but feel that he might not be wholly someone you should loathe.
A good feel for the period, and a great exploration of a woman's perspective of the legend. Some light sexual content and references, so one I'd recommend to ages 14 and above.
A good Audible choice, the voice of Marian is well-conveyed, with a younger-sounding voice for the younger Marian in flashbacks, and an easy story to follow along with the narrator.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
cmitchell2781's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one far more than Hunted (although hunted was a really good book).
I feel like Marian's development from thinking she was doing what Robin would have wanted to admitting that she may not have known Robin as well as she thought was really well paced throughout the book.
I think things got a tiny bit rushed towards the end, and I have to admit the romance between Marian and Gisborne was oddly placed for me, like the author threw it in to add a romance aspect that wasnt really necessary.
All of that aside, I really enjoyed reading this and I would definitely recommend it.
I feel like Marian's development from thinking she was doing what Robin would have wanted to admitting that she may not have known Robin as well as she thought was really well paced throughout the book.
I think things got a tiny bit rushed towards the end, and I have to admit the romance between Marian and Gisborne was oddly placed for me, like the author threw it in to add a romance aspect that wasnt really necessary.
All of that aside, I really enjoyed reading this and I would definitely recommend it.
ritmanbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A pesar de que la trama comienza algo lenta, este libro engancha desde el principio por la frescura, el dinamismo y la energía del estilo de la autora (y de la propia historia). Además, la acción no tarda en despuntar y la ambientación es maravillosa; evoca el mundo de Robin Hood como si estuvieras dentro de él.
Una protagonista fuerte, una trama equilibrada, un ritmo ágil y un giro final completamente inesperado hacen que Sherwood sea una lectura interesante y diferente. Muy completo.
Una protagonista fuerte, una trama equilibrada, un ritmo ágil y un giro final completamente inesperado hacen que Sherwood sea una lectura interesante y diferente. Muy completo.
mkoehn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
knit_sip_read's review against another edition
5.0
This ended up not at all how I expected but that only made me love it more! I really liked this different take on Robin Hood.
kbsharpe21's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED IT. I liked it more than Hunted & if you like strong female characters then it is a good read for you!
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
a retelling of robin hood. I liked that there is no robin shows up to save the day moment.