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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I love the story of Robin Hood, and I enjoyed this twist on it. Can't wait to see how everything plays out.
A totally unnecessary love triangle, a main character who cannot seem to decide who she wants to be, and some poor representations of healthy romantic interests. I'll pass on the sequels.
Everyone has heard Robin Hood’s dashing, knife-wielding companion Will Scarlet. Yet what few people know is that this daring, pick pocketing thief - is actually a girl. Presenting herself as boy, Scarlet does her best to hide her feminine charms from the world - only Robin and his band of men know the secret of Scarlet’s true gender . Yet her other secrets, who she is and where she came from, even they don’t know – and not even Robins handsome charms can make her tell him the truth. Yet, when thief taker Guy of Gisbourne is hired to rid Nottinghamshire of its infamous bandits, Scarlet soon finds her past catching up with her. Only this time, she can’t run away.
A.C Gaughen’s debut novel ‘Scarlet’ completely swept me away. Based on the renowned tale of Robin Hood, the author gives a completely fresh spin to an old, much loved tale, while keeping true to the classic aspects of this legendary story. I can honestly say I adored this book and found it next to impossible to put down.
Scarlet is a real kick-ass heroine with her impulsive tendencies, bravery and tough-as-nails character. Her selflessness itself is one of her greatest flaws, especially when she strives to help the people of Nottinghamshire - despite the lack of appreciation she is often shown in return. From the very first page, readers will find themselves captivated by Scarlet’s unique ‘voice’, which is not only consistent throughout the story, but adds an atmospheric quality to the book which really helps place your mind in the crusading era.
I also loved the simmering romance that burns slowly throughout the story. Torn between her admiration for Robin and the flirtatious attentions of Little John, Scarlet’s reactions of confusion/embarrassment and avoidance were both realistic and amusing to read.
My only criticism, is that this is a standalone novel. When I turned the last page, I wasn’t quite ready for the story to end. I did however think that the ending was left rather open so hopefully in the future there may be a sequel, especially as I feel like Scarlet’s adventures are not quite over.
So overall, I really enjoyed this book. Using small clues and hints, the author certainly keeps you on your toes guessing about the direction of the plot, romance and character motivations throughout the entire story (which is frustrating, but in really good way). Therefore I would recommend this novel to any fans of Theresa Tomlinson or Tamora Pierce - or just to anyone who enjoys reading about a strong, spunky heroines in general, because Scarlet is way up there with the best of them.
Charming, edgy and knife-throwingly good, A.C Gaughen puts a believable new twist to an old tale.
A.C Gaughen’s debut novel ‘Scarlet’ completely swept me away. Based on the renowned tale of Robin Hood, the author gives a completely fresh spin to an old, much loved tale, while keeping true to the classic aspects of this legendary story. I can honestly say I adored this book and found it next to impossible to put down.
Scarlet is a real kick-ass heroine with her impulsive tendencies, bravery and tough-as-nails character. Her selflessness itself is one of her greatest flaws, especially when she strives to help the people of Nottinghamshire - despite the lack of appreciation she is often shown in return. From the very first page, readers will find themselves captivated by Scarlet’s unique ‘voice’, which is not only consistent throughout the story, but adds an atmospheric quality to the book which really helps place your mind in the crusading era.
I also loved the simmering romance that burns slowly throughout the story. Torn between her admiration for Robin and the flirtatious attentions of Little John, Scarlet’s reactions of confusion/embarrassment and avoidance were both realistic and amusing to read.
My only criticism, is that this is a standalone novel. When I turned the last page, I wasn’t quite ready for the story to end. I did however think that the ending was left rather open so hopefully in the future there may be a sequel, especially as I feel like Scarlet’s adventures are not quite over.
So overall, I really enjoyed this book. Using small clues and hints, the author certainly keeps you on your toes guessing about the direction of the plot, romance and character motivations throughout the entire story (which is frustrating, but in really good way). Therefore I would recommend this novel to any fans of Theresa Tomlinson or Tamora Pierce - or just to anyone who enjoys reading about a strong, spunky heroines in general, because Scarlet is way up there with the best of them.
Charming, edgy and knife-throwingly good, A.C Gaughen puts a believable new twist to an old tale.
First impressions: I have to confess up front that I almost put this book down after the first few pages. I found Scarlet's speech patterns to be jarringly irritating (she uses "were" instead of "was," as in "I were truly bothered by the way she kept saying 'were.'").
Lasting impressions: Dialect choices aside, this is a thrilling adventure about life in Robin Hood's gang from the perspective of a girl who can't see past her own perceived failings to recognize the strength she carries within herself.
Conflicting impressions: See first impressions, above. Eventually I got over it, and I'm so glad I stuck with it, but it's never a good thing when a character's voice is initially so off-putting.
Overall impressions: It's probably not my best idea to write this review immediately after finishing this (amazing, stupendous, terrific) book, because all I want to do is heap (amazing, stupendous, terrific) accolades upon it and call it a night.
Despite all of my grumblings about Scarlet's dialect, she wormed her way into my heart. While approaching a particularly poignant revelation about three-quarters of the way through the book, I reached my train stop on my way to work and got disturbingly grumpy about having to stop reading for THREE WHOLE HOURS until lunch. Yet when I got home with merely fifteen percent of the book left to read, I savored it because I couldn't bear for this to be the end of my journey with Scar and Rob.
I'm generally hit-or-miss with retellings, but this one knocked it out of the park. Perhaps my fond memories of Kevin Costner heaving that glorious mullet through a Bryan-Adams-soundtracked Sherwood Forest had something to do with my excitement for a new Robin Hood tale. (Don't act like you didn't see - and love - that movie.) Maybe I'm just a sucker for do-gooder redemption stories with tough, knife-wielding heroines. Whatever the case may be, it's safe to say that this one is going on the Special Shelf.
Scarlet, a girl on the run from a secretive and damaged past, has taken up with Robin Hood and operates among the townfolk as Will Scarlet to keep her identity as a girl under wraps. Robin, John Little, and Much are all aware that she's a girl, and although this fact keeps her as somewhat of an outsider among their band, Scarlet can hold her own in a fight. She has a hard time fully trusting her brothers for reasons not fully understood until they are painfully and slowly (in a good way) extricated throughout the narrative.
Things start to get overly complicated for Scar when the thief taker Gisbourne shows up in Nottingham. She's been on the run from him, but won't tell Robin why. Between the visible fear the usually unflappable Scarlet exhibits around Gisbourne, and the hints of a growing attraction between Scarlet and John, Robin starts to worry that Scarlet is endangering their band. Scarlet is all too aware that things are spiraling out of control, but as the Sheriff ratchets up the violence against innocent townspeople, she can't help but try to save them to put right what she feels has been a lifetime of wrongs she has committed. Fighting her past as well as her suppressed feelings for Robin, she is losing her grip on her destiny she has tried so hard to control, and it may be too late for her to give everyone their happy ending.
The romance and internal conflicts are expertly handled, and though this is a familiar tale, there are plenty of twists and surprises to keep you guessing. Scarlet is a lovable, heart-breaking girl who absolutely enthralled me, and the men vying for her attention are equally engrossing. You River of Time series Luca fans will swoon over John Little, whose charming personality forgives his skirt-chasing ways. And what can I say about Robin Hood? He's dashing, brilliant, and has a heart of gold. He wants to take all of the pain in the world upon himself to protect those around him. What's not to love?
You must read this (amazing, stupendous, terrific) book. Right now. If you read one book this year, let it be this one. And in case I'm not being clear, I'm telling you that this is a really good read. Do you see what happens when I review (amazing, stupendous, terrific) books right after finishing them and just before bed? I'm reduced to spewing gobs of praise in every imaginable form and hoping that some part of it seeps through your eyeballs and into your synapses that then march you into your bookstore to pick up a copy.
If it worked, be sure to let me know.
Lasting impressions: Dialect choices aside, this is a thrilling adventure about life in Robin Hood's gang from the perspective of a girl who can't see past her own perceived failings to recognize the strength she carries within herself.
Conflicting impressions: See first impressions, above. Eventually I got over it, and I'm so glad I stuck with it, but it's never a good thing when a character's voice is initially so off-putting.
Overall impressions: It's probably not my best idea to write this review immediately after finishing this (amazing, stupendous, terrific) book, because all I want to do is heap (amazing, stupendous, terrific) accolades upon it and call it a night.
Despite all of my grumblings about Scarlet's dialect, she wormed her way into my heart. While approaching a particularly poignant revelation about three-quarters of the way through the book, I reached my train stop on my way to work and got disturbingly grumpy about having to stop reading for THREE WHOLE HOURS until lunch. Yet when I got home with merely fifteen percent of the book left to read, I savored it because I couldn't bear for this to be the end of my journey with Scar and Rob.
I'm generally hit-or-miss with retellings, but this one knocked it out of the park. Perhaps my fond memories of Kevin Costner heaving that glorious mullet through a Bryan-Adams-soundtracked Sherwood Forest had something to do with my excitement for a new Robin Hood tale. (Don't act like you didn't see - and love - that movie.) Maybe I'm just a sucker for do-gooder redemption stories with tough, knife-wielding heroines. Whatever the case may be, it's safe to say that this one is going on the Special Shelf.
Scarlet, a girl on the run from a secretive and damaged past, has taken up with Robin Hood and operates among the townfolk as Will Scarlet to keep her identity as a girl under wraps. Robin, John Little, and Much are all aware that she's a girl, and although this fact keeps her as somewhat of an outsider among their band, Scarlet can hold her own in a fight. She has a hard time fully trusting her brothers for reasons not fully understood until they are painfully and slowly (in a good way) extricated throughout the narrative.
Things start to get overly complicated for Scar when the thief taker Gisbourne shows up in Nottingham. She's been on the run from him, but won't tell Robin why. Between the visible fear the usually unflappable Scarlet exhibits around Gisbourne, and the hints of a growing attraction between Scarlet and John, Robin starts to worry that Scarlet is endangering their band. Scarlet is all too aware that things are spiraling out of control, but as the Sheriff ratchets up the violence against innocent townspeople, she can't help but try to save them to put right what she feels has been a lifetime of wrongs she has committed. Fighting her past as well as her suppressed feelings for Robin, she is losing her grip on her destiny she has tried so hard to control, and it may be too late for her to give everyone their happy ending.
The romance and internal conflicts are expertly handled, and though this is a familiar tale, there are plenty of twists and surprises to keep you guessing. Scarlet is a lovable, heart-breaking girl who absolutely enthralled me, and the men vying for her attention are equally engrossing. You River of Time series Luca fans will swoon over John Little, whose charming personality forgives his skirt-chasing ways. And what can I say about Robin Hood? He's dashing, brilliant, and has a heart of gold. He wants to take all of the pain in the world upon himself to protect those around him. What's not to love?
You must read this (amazing, stupendous, terrific) book. Right now. If you read one book this year, let it be this one. And in case I'm not being clear, I'm telling you that this is a really good read. Do you see what happens when I review (amazing, stupendous, terrific) books right after finishing them and just before bed? I'm reduced to spewing gobs of praise in every imaginable form and hoping that some part of it seeps through your eyeballs and into your synapses that then march you into your bookstore to pick up a copy.
If it worked, be sure to let me know.
The cover is beautiful.
Open the cover, and from the first page of the book, there are problems. This first person narrative is told in a stilted style, as though the narrator, Scarlet, is a barely educated boy living along the Mississippi before the Civil War: The voice doesn't suit the time -- hence the Huck Finn comparison. (I'll admit my Huck Finn comparison is unfair: Twain was a master at capturing voices. Gaughen is a cheap imitator.) It sounded like Gaughen didn't have an idea of how her heroine ought to sound. So she gave her a weird, twangy, jarring voice. It doesn't blend into the plot as the book goes forward.
In fact, there is no real plot here, no plot that Gaughen could legitimately call her own. Aside from the Twelfth Night style cross-dressing (which isn't all that new -- Jude Deveraux did a better job with her cross-dressing medieval heroines), she doesn't add anything to the story of Robin Hood. The sheriff wants to capture the Hood and his gang, so he calls in Guy Gisbourne. That's the story. It's been told ad infinitium.
Sure, there's the love triangle, which is not in the original Robin Hood story, but it is requisite for every young adult story. The story begins with John Little lusting for Scarlet, as though he were hit with a bolt of lightning. Robin is in love with Scarlet, but he will not act on it. Scarlet is in lust with Robin, but she enjoys the attention that John pays her. She strings John along for the majority of the novel. Robin, who sees everything, broods.
I wonder how this gang stayed together. They're not very merry. Robin and John are antagonistic towards each other. Scarlet distrusts them all. Poor Much is shunted to the sidelines.
What brought these characters together? Don't tell me "Robin": he's always threatening to banish the other members from the group.
As if Robin were the actual leader of this group! The way Gaughen tells the story, you would think Scarlet were the leader of this group. She strings the boys along like puppets. She determines who to rob. She sights the targets. She became a ninja sua sponte. (I don't know how these fictional heroines manage to absorb knowledge by sheer desire and no effort. Even the Gary Sue characters have to learn their skills.)
Yes, I said she's a ninja. I guess this story could be set in Japan. It could be set in Mississippi. It could be set in the East End. Gaughen tosses around the names "London" and "Nottingham," but there's no real sense of place.
I like books with atmosphere. I want to feel as though I were running through Sherwood Forest. I want to feel the rough bark under my palms. I want to feel the cool pre-dawn mist rising from the ground. I want to look up at the intertwined cathedral boughs. I want to strain my eyes against the dappled sunlight to see Gisbourne's men stalking me.
There's none of that here. There are the bare bones of a scene: trees and some cottages. This story could have been set in Sheep's Meadow of Central Park, easily.
In short, it was a disappointment. There was so much potential, and it fell flat.
Open the cover, and from the first page of the book, there are problems. This first person narrative is told in a stilted style, as though the narrator, Scarlet, is a barely educated boy living along the Mississippi before the Civil War:
That's how it were between me and Rob -- he'd say such things that made my chest feel like porridge instead of a heart, and just when I thought it might mean something more than me being a fool girl, he'd pull away sharp. It were just Rob's way -- he were the hero with everyone, and like Much couldn't help but be enthralled, sometimes his hero's ways sucked me under like a current.The problem is, the voice feels inauthentic.
Spoiler
And it's not just because she's living a lie.In fact, there is no real plot here, no plot that Gaughen could legitimately call her own. Aside from the Twelfth Night style cross-dressing (which isn't all that new -- Jude Deveraux did a better job with her cross-dressing medieval heroines), she doesn't add anything to the story of Robin Hood. The sheriff wants to capture the Hood and his gang, so he calls in Guy Gisbourne. That's the story. It's been told ad infinitium.
Sure, there's the love triangle, which is not in the original Robin Hood story, but it is requisite for every young adult story. The story begins with John Little lusting for Scarlet, as though he were hit with a bolt of lightning. Robin is in love with Scarlet, but he will not act on it. Scarlet is in lust with Robin, but she enjoys the attention that John pays her. She strings John along for the majority of the novel. Robin, who sees everything, broods.
I wonder how this gang stayed together. They're not very merry. Robin and John are antagonistic towards each other. Scarlet distrusts them all. Poor Much is shunted to the sidelines.
What brought these characters together? Don't tell me "Robin": he's always threatening to banish the other members from the group.
As if Robin were the actual leader of this group! The way Gaughen tells the story, you would think Scarlet were the leader of this group. She strings the boys along like puppets. She determines who to rob. She sights the targets. She became a ninja sua sponte. (I don't know how these fictional heroines manage to absorb knowledge by sheer desire and no effort. Even the Gary Sue characters have to learn their skills.)
Yes, I said she's a ninja. I guess this story could be set in Japan. It could be set in Mississippi. It could be set in the East End. Gaughen tosses around the names "London" and "Nottingham," but there's no real sense of place.
I like books with atmosphere. I want to feel as though I were running through Sherwood Forest. I want to feel the rough bark under my palms. I want to feel the cool pre-dawn mist rising from the ground. I want to look up at the intertwined cathedral boughs. I want to strain my eyes against the dappled sunlight to see Gisbourne's men stalking me.
There's none of that here. There are the bare bones of a scene: trees and some cottages. This story could have been set in Sheep's Meadow of Central Park, easily.
In short, it was a disappointment. There was so much potential, and it fell flat.
I love all things Robin Hood but the speech pattern that Scarlet uses threw me off while starting the novel though I became accustomed to it as I continued to read. Enjoyed the girl power themes and the vulnerability that comes with that when you're trying to be strong in a difficult situation.
I love retellings and this one didn't disappoint! The characters were fantastic and I look forward to reading the other books.
Scarlet was such an amazing read!
First off, I have to say that I've always loved the story of Robin Hood. And after watching the 2010 movie Robin Hood (with Russell Crowe) again for the 100th time, I decided it was time to search for a (YA) book that (re)told the story. So I stumbled upon Scarlet and decided to order and read it.
In this book, we see a much younger Robin and his lads, including Will Scarlet– who is actually just Scarlet, a girl. The writing style is much like an older commoner's tongue and it does take some getting used to (took me about 10/20 pages), but when you do it's really enjoyable. 1 star off is mainly for an unnecessary love triangle.
If you love Robin Hood as much as I do, definitely give Scarlet a go (and read the author's note: I loved it). And please, if anyone has any good Robin Hood books recommendations, LET ME KNOW!
First off, I have to say that I've always loved the story of Robin Hood. And after watching the 2010 movie Robin Hood (with Russell Crowe) again for the 100th time, I decided it was time to search for a (YA) book that (re)told the story. So I stumbled upon Scarlet and decided to order and read it.
In this book, we see a much younger Robin and his lads, including Will Scarlet– who is actually just Scarlet, a girl. The writing style is much like an older commoner's tongue and it does take some getting used to (took me about 10/20 pages), but when you do it's really enjoyable. 1 star off is mainly for an unnecessary love triangle.
If you love Robin Hood as much as I do, definitely give Scarlet a go (and read the author's note: I loved it). And please, if anyone has any good Robin Hood books recommendations, LET ME KNOW!
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We've all heard the stories about Robin Hood and his merry men, robbing the rich to feed the poor while living it up in Sherwood Forest.
Scarlet is from the point of view of Wil Scarlet; thief, sneak, liar, and one of the core members of Robin Hoods gang. Wil carries a secret that only the closest to him know- he is a she.
Scarlet (as all the boys call her) has a history she won't share with anyone, even Robin (who causes her to feel all sorts of things she wishes she didn't). Meanwhile, she is fending off the attentions of Little John, and trying to stay one step ahead of the thief-taker, Guy of Gisborne.
This take on the old tales is a twist, but I really saw the answers to all the "mysteries" within the first 2 chapters. A good, fast read for teens, but nothing world-shattering.
Scarlet is from the point of view of Wil Scarlet; thief, sneak, liar, and one of the core members of Robin Hoods gang. Wil carries a secret that only the closest to him know- he is a she.
Scarlet (as all the boys call her) has a history she won't share with anyone, even Robin (who causes her to feel all sorts of things she wishes she didn't). Meanwhile, she is fending off the attentions of Little John, and trying to stay one step ahead of the thief-taker, Guy of Gisborne.
This take on the old tales is a twist, but I really saw the answers to all the "mysteries" within the first 2 chapters. A good, fast read for teens, but nothing world-shattering.