Scan barcode
letstalkaboutbooksbaybee's review against another edition
3.0
I’m convinced the best Robin Hood reimagining is the cartoon fox one, even if it made a generation of furries. But this one wasn’t bad either! Something about the writing style just wasn’t clicking for me and couldn’t keep my attention, but the story itself was good!
kaeli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was sweet and fun.
mariathelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rosemary_nagy's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book amid moving across the country via plane. I’m still living out of a suitcase under my bed as I write this review, because ikea has been sold out of dressers for the past month. So. I’m not in the right headspace to write a full review. Bear with me here.
This book was fun. It was very ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was fun and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, I liked the setting, I liked the plot. It was vibey.
The one thing I didn’t like was Rahma mainly succeeded by luck, not by any cunning. She was no Kaz Brekker, carefully planning every aspect of a brilliant scheme and executing it to perfection. She was simply a reckless fool with exceptional luck, sprinting headfirst into her enemy’s camp and screaming loud enough to confuse them into not giving chase. She wasn’t the mastermind leader of a band of misfits, she just had friends who weren’t smart enough to think of their own plans.
All of that being said, I liked this book. If you want a fun, light adventure novel without much strategy, this is the one for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
Merged review:
I read this book amid moving across the country via plane. I’m still living out of a suitcase under my bed as I write this review, because ikea has been sold out of dressers for the past month. So. I’m not in the right headspace to write a full review. Bear with me here.
This book was fun. It was very ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was fun and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, I liked the setting, I liked the plot. It was vibey.
The one thing I didn’t like was Rahma mainly succeeded by luck, not by any cunning. She was no Kaz Brekker, carefully planning every aspect of a brilliant scheme and executing it to perfection. She was simply a reckless fool with exceptional luck, sprinting headfirst into her enemy’s camp and screaming loud enough to confuse them into not giving chase. She wasn’t the mastermind leader of a band of misfits, she just had friends who weren’t smart enough to think of their own plans.
All of that being said, I liked this book. If you want a fun, light adventure novel without much strategy, this is the one for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
This book was fun. It was very ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was fun and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, I liked the setting, I liked the plot. It was vibey.
The one thing I didn’t like was Rahma mainly succeeded by luck, not by any cunning. She was no Kaz Brekker, carefully planning every aspect of a brilliant scheme and executing it to perfection. She was simply a reckless fool with exceptional luck, sprinting headfirst into her enemy’s camp and screaming loud enough to confuse them into not giving chase. She wasn’t the mastermind leader of a band of misfits, she just had friends who weren’t smart enough to think of their own plans.
All of that being said, I liked this book. If you want a fun, light adventure novel without much strategy, this is the one for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
Merged review:
I read this book amid moving across the country via plane. I’m still living out of a suitcase under my bed as I write this review, because ikea has been sold out of dressers for the past month. So. I’m not in the right headspace to write a full review. Bear with me here.
This book was fun. It was very ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was fun and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, I liked the setting, I liked the plot. It was vibey.
The one thing I didn’t like was Rahma mainly succeeded by luck, not by any cunning. She was no Kaz Brekker, carefully planning every aspect of a brilliant scheme and executing it to perfection. She was simply a reckless fool with exceptional luck, sprinting headfirst into her enemy’s camp and screaming loud enough to confuse them into not giving chase. She wasn’t the mastermind leader of a band of misfits, she just had friends who weren’t smart enough to think of their own plans.
All of that being said, I liked this book. If you want a fun, light adventure novel without much strategy, this is the one for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
johanna_b's review against another edition
4.0
The year is 1192, and the Third Crusade rages in Jerusalem. When the Faranji invaders first arrived, Rahma followed her sister Zeena to join in the fight, but now that reinforcements have arrived from the west, Rahma just wants to get her and Zeena home alive. But Zeena isn't one to walk away from a fight and so Rahma finds herself on one final mission through the Holy Land. On the way, they pick up a crew of fellow travelers and together the merry band of misfits set out to finally restore peace to the land.
I had been desperate to read this book ever since I first discovered this series. They didn't have it at any of the libraries near me so I went back and forth as to whether or not to to buy it, but then the opportunity arose for me to read it on vacation. The only catch being I had exactly one week to finish it. Did this intimidate me? Yes. But it was a golden opportunity, so I took it and I couldn't be happier that I did! The story was so much fun! I loved the journey but especially enjoyed the different heists that took place. The part where Rahma decided to become Rahma al-Hud was *chef's kiss* and the history was so rich. The crusades are not an easy topic to write about but the author was able to keep the story fun while still showing readers the dark side of the conflict.
I have a few critiques: First, it was a little hard to keep straight everything that was going on with the three different rulers vying for the land and their reasons for doing so. Secondly, I didn't like Zeena and thought her character was pretty flat. She's the elder of the sisters and it felt like the author tried to make her the responsible one but this basically manifested in her just saying no to any idea or thought Rahma had. The other characters had more going for them but I still think they are pretty standard for YA. If you go into this story for the history and a bit of fun I think you're well set up to enjoy it! If you're looking for anything with a little more substance though, this might not be one for you. Happy Reading :)
Merged review:
The year is 1192, and the Third Crusade rages in Jerusalem. When the Faranji invaders first arrived, Rahma followed her sister Zeena to join in the fight, but now that reinforcements have arrived from the west, Rahma just wants to get her and Zeena home alive. But Zeena isn't one to walk away from a fight and so Rahma finds herself on one final mission through the Holy Land. On the way, they pick up a crew of fellow travelers and together the merry band of misfits set out to finally restore peace to the land.
I had been desperate to read this book ever since I first discovered this series. They didn't have it at any of the libraries near me so I went back and forth as to whether or not to to buy it, but then the opportunity arose for me to read it on vacation. The only catch being I had exactly one week to finish it. Did this intimidate me? Yes. But it was a golden opportunity, so I took it and I couldn't be happier that I did! The story was so much fun! I loved the journey but especially enjoyed the different heists that took place. The part where Rahma decided to become Rahma al-Hud was *chef's kiss* and the history was so rich. The crusades are not an easy topic to write about but the author was able to keep the story fun while still showing readers the dark side of the conflict.
I have a few critiques: First, it was a little hard to keep straight everything that was going on with the three different rulers vying for the land and their reasons for doing so. Secondly, I didn't like Zeena and thought her character was pretty flat. She's the elder of the sisters and it felt like the author tried to make her the responsible one but this basically manifested in her just saying no to any idea or thought Rahma had. The other characters had more going for them but I still think they are pretty standard for YA. If you go into this story for the history and a bit of fun I think you're well set up to enjoy it! If you're looking for anything with a little more substance though, this might not be one for you. Happy Reading :)
I had been desperate to read this book ever since I first discovered this series. They didn't have it at any of the libraries near me so I went back and forth as to whether or not to to buy it, but then the opportunity arose for me to read it on vacation. The only catch being I had exactly one week to finish it. Did this intimidate me? Yes. But it was a golden opportunity, so I took it and I couldn't be happier that I did! The story was so much fun! I loved the journey but especially enjoyed the different heists that took place. The part where Rahma decided to become Rahma al-Hud was *chef's kiss* and the history was so rich. The crusades are not an easy topic to write about but the author was able to keep the story fun while still showing readers the dark side of the conflict.
I have a few critiques: First, it was a little hard to keep straight everything that was going on with the three different rulers vying for the land and their reasons for doing so. Secondly, I didn't like Zeena and thought her character was pretty flat. She's the elder of the sisters and it felt like the author tried to make her the responsible one but this basically manifested in her just saying no to any idea or thought Rahma had. The other characters had more going for them but I still think they are pretty standard for YA. If you go into this story for the history and a bit of fun I think you're well set up to enjoy it! If you're looking for anything with a little more substance though, this might not be one for you. Happy Reading :)
Merged review:
The year is 1192, and the Third Crusade rages in Jerusalem. When the Faranji invaders first arrived, Rahma followed her sister Zeena to join in the fight, but now that reinforcements have arrived from the west, Rahma just wants to get her and Zeena home alive. But Zeena isn't one to walk away from a fight and so Rahma finds herself on one final mission through the Holy Land. On the way, they pick up a crew of fellow travelers and together the merry band of misfits set out to finally restore peace to the land.
I had been desperate to read this book ever since I first discovered this series. They didn't have it at any of the libraries near me so I went back and forth as to whether or not to to buy it, but then the opportunity arose for me to read it on vacation. The only catch being I had exactly one week to finish it. Did this intimidate me? Yes. But it was a golden opportunity, so I took it and I couldn't be happier that I did! The story was so much fun! I loved the journey but especially enjoyed the different heists that took place. The part where Rahma decided to become Rahma al-Hud was *chef's kiss* and the history was so rich. The crusades are not an easy topic to write about but the author was able to keep the story fun while still showing readers the dark side of the conflict.
I have a few critiques: First, it was a little hard to keep straight everything that was going on with the three different rulers vying for the land and their reasons for doing so. Secondly, I didn't like Zeena and thought her character was pretty flat. She's the elder of the sisters and it felt like the author tried to make her the responsible one but this basically manifested in her just saying no to any idea or thought Rahma had. The other characters had more going for them but I still think they are pretty standard for YA. If you go into this story for the history and a bit of fun I think you're well set up to enjoy it! If you're looking for anything with a little more substance though, this might not be one for you. Happy Reading :)
thelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
4.5
Absolutely wonderful retelling, in the truest sense!
clairefaith01's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
liter_ely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5