Scan barcode
angelique68's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
clara_lotte's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
cincinnerdy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This novel came to me from a used bookstore. The cover was not particularly attention-grabbing, but what made me instantly put the book in my basket without a second thought was the blurb which classified this as an imaginative retelling of the Robin Hood legend. I absolutely love a good reinvention that adds depth and perspective to an otherwise diluted story.
What really made me enjoy this book was how the author transposed the familiar story into a different time and place entirely – the ancient Welsh setting and historical context enhanced the flavor of the narrative and rooted the story with a splash of realism.
However, I will not lie: this book was slooow out the gate. I would take the not-particularly-long chapters one day at a time, and I felt like I was absolutely crawling through it. There was little action to hold my attention span, but what ultimately kept me around was the interesting main character of Bran ap Brychan (both his development and plot journey) and the author's rich prose. Some people find overly descriptive writing to be mud through which the reader must trudge, but I disagree. I am of the opinion that there is a stark difference between a novelist and a writer. A good novelist knows how to whet the appetite, throw curveballs, and leave you pawing for the next page and begging for a sequel. A good author, alternatively, knows how to paint with words, craft passages, and leave you rereading a sentence just because you enjoyed how it sounded and lingered in the air.
This being my first time reading a Stephen Lawhead novel, I believe he is a good author: No, this novel was not exceptionally riveting (it is but the first of three, which introduces Bran's revenge, sets the stage for later conflict, and assembles the cast of characters) - But YES, I enjoyed the writing and the development. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't boring by any means! There were absolutely entertaining bits left and right, and I very much enjoyed Lawhead's commitment to descriptions of war violence (which brings that much more weight and grit). However, I struggled with and grew weary from trying to follow the French political angles; who had conquered whom, and who was lord over which faction, and which ruler had more power than others, etc.
At the end of the day, YES I picked up the sequel. I can't not find out what happens!
What really made me enjoy this book was how the author transposed the familiar story into a different time and place entirely – the ancient Welsh setting and historical context enhanced the flavor of the narrative and rooted the story with a splash of realism.
However, I will not lie: this book was slooow out the gate. I would take the not-particularly-long chapters one day at a time, and I felt like I was absolutely crawling through it. There was little action to hold my attention span, but what ultimately kept me around was the interesting main character of Bran ap Brychan (both his development and plot journey) and the author's rich prose. Some people find overly descriptive writing to be mud through which the reader must trudge, but I disagree. I am of the opinion that there is a stark difference between a novelist and a writer. A good novelist knows how to whet the appetite, throw curveballs, and leave you pawing for the next page and begging for a sequel. A good author, alternatively, knows how to paint with words, craft passages, and leave you rereading a sentence just because you enjoyed how it sounded and lingered in the air.
This being my first time reading a Stephen Lawhead novel, I believe he is a good author: No, this novel was not exceptionally riveting (it is but the first of three, which introduces Bran's revenge, sets the stage for later conflict, and assembles the cast of characters) - But YES, I enjoyed the writing and the development. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't boring by any means! There were absolutely entertaining bits left and right, and I very much enjoyed Lawhead's commitment to descriptions of war violence (which brings that much more weight and grit). However, I struggled with and grew weary from trying to follow the French political angles; who had conquered whom, and who was lord over which faction, and which ruler had more power than others, etc.
At the end of the day, YES I picked up the sequel. I can't not find out what happens!
songwind's review against another edition
3.0
This book is better written and conceived than the 3 star rating suggests. However, its pacing is a problem. The whole book reads like the first act of a book, and by the end of it it feels like the real action is only beginning.
That wouldn't be too bad (it is a trilogy after all) but the amount of story that takes place in the length of this book is far too low.
That said, the book is very finely crafted. The characters are well drawn for the most part, with only one character of any significance feeling flat. The setting is vibrant, and the Robin Hood story fits quite well in the days of Norman expansion into Wales. Absent king, grasping nobles, impoverished peasants (Welsh farmers and herdsmen in this case) and a dispossessed noble.
The various stock characters from Robin Hood make interesting appearances:
* Robin Hood becomes Bran ap Brychan, heir of the cantref of Elfael
* Little John becomes Iwan, the old king's champion and last survivor of Elfael's warband (so nicknamed by Friar Tuck)
* Friar Tuck is Aethelfrith, a mendicant friar, nicknamed in turn by Iwan.
* Marian is the daughter of the king of the neighboring cantref, and the object of Bran's affections before everything collapses
There are one or two other familiar faces, and a host of new ones. It's recognizably Robin Hood, but different enough to keep you guessing.
That wouldn't be too bad (it is a trilogy after all) but the amount of story that takes place in the length of this book is far too low.
That said, the book is very finely crafted. The characters are well drawn for the most part, with only one character of any significance feeling flat. The setting is vibrant, and the Robin Hood story fits quite well in the days of Norman expansion into Wales. Absent king, grasping nobles, impoverished peasants (Welsh farmers and herdsmen in this case) and a dispossessed noble.
The various stock characters from Robin Hood make interesting appearances:
* Robin Hood becomes Bran ap Brychan, heir of the cantref of Elfael
* Little John becomes Iwan, the old king's champion and last survivor of Elfael's warband (so nicknamed by Friar Tuck)
* Friar Tuck is Aethelfrith, a mendicant friar, nicknamed in turn by Iwan.
* Marian is the daughter of the king of the neighboring cantref, and the object of Bran's affections before everything collapses
There are one or two other familiar faces, and a host of new ones. It's recognizably Robin Hood, but different enough to keep you guessing.
debs4jc's review
we all know the familiar legend of robin hood who hangs out in sherwood forest and steals from the rich to give to the poor. but what if the legends of robin hood were really based on a welsh king who was deposed from his throne by the norman conquest in the early 1100's? that's the premise behind hood, and the author's ability to capture the time period and its myth and lore make this adaptation outstanding. [return]our hero doesn't start out as such--bran ap brychan is a son of royalty who hates his father and isn't interested in the responsiblities of being king. even the cruel death of his father at the hand of the normans doesn't convince him that he should stay and fight for his people. bran's gradual--almost too gradual at times-- transformation into what we know as robin hood is a pleasure to read. it's one of those stories where suddenly you recognize a familiar character and think, "ah, this must be friar tuck". yes, most all of the familiar robin hood characters are here, including maid marian, but in this different setting and time period they might not be quite the people we are used to, which is was all part of the enjoyment to me. lawhead creates vivid characters, for example through the musings of the "villians" we see how the doctrine of "divine right" is used to justify their brutal conquests--but not always without some misgivings. for me this was the almost perfect blend of heart racing suspense, intriguing characters, and thought provoking prose. it also ends somewhat abrubtly with a doozy of cliffhanger, and of course we now have to wait for the second book of the trilogy to come out. it can't get here soon enough.
dawn_marie's review against another edition
5.0
Stephen Lawhead gives a new spin to the Robin Hood tale moving the story to Wales and the primeval forest, The Marsh (explaining in his detailed author’s notes why he elected to do so). I find that most of Lawhead’s books are “hit or miss” with me; this was a very big hit. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and loved reading one of my favorite tales (second only to King Arthur stories) told in a whole new way.
darricksgal's review
adventurous
slow-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? Yes
3.0
michellehenriereads's review
3.0
Hood is the beginning of a saga style series. In the first installment for the series Bran ap Brychan, Prince of Elfael, finds his purpose to fight for his homeland and his people covertly.
Bran has been a bit of a rascal growing up and is thrown into disarray as his father is killed. He is ready to runaway to his kinsman and allow the invaders to keep Elfael. A wise old woman, helps Bran heal from his injuries and find himself. Bran begins guerilla tactics to war against the new establishment.
The pace is very slow, some would say majestic or sweeping, but I ...
To read the complete review and for more go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
Bran has been a bit of a rascal growing up and is thrown into disarray as his father is killed. He is ready to runaway to his kinsman and allow the invaders to keep Elfael. A wise old woman, helps Bran heal from his injuries and find himself. Bran begins guerilla tactics to war against the new establishment.
The pace is very slow, some would say majestic or sweeping, but I ...
To read the complete review and for more go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
bookpup's review
2.0
2.5*
I had no expectations regarding the book. Going in I didn't even know what it was about.
Basically we " took Robin Hood out of Sherwood Forest and relocate(d) him in Wales ... set his story in the eleventh century, and recast(ed) the honourable outlaw as an early British freedom fighter."
I did not love this book nor did I hate it. It was just meh for me. I didn't like the characters very much. Except Anaghrad. That woman is a boss and stan her.
Use of bow and arrows- It was while making bow and arrows that he slowly regains his strength and learns that he has to step up and be the leader they all need right now.
I had no expectations regarding the book. Going in I didn't even know what it was about.
Basically we " took Robin Hood out of Sherwood Forest and relocate(d) him in Wales ... set his story in the eleventh century, and recast(ed) the honourable outlaw as an early British freedom fighter."
I did not love this book nor did I hate it. It was just meh for me. I didn't like the characters very much. Except Anaghrad. That woman is a boss and stan her.
Use of bow and arrows- It was while making bow and arrows that he slowly regains his strength and learns that he has to step up and be the leader they all need right now.
heatherminor's review
adventurous
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0