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spacerkip's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Robin Hood has been a favorite story of mine since childhood, and I'm happy to add this novel to the list of adaptations I truly enjoyed.
I thought this was a very clever adaptation, and the way the author reimagined the Robin Hood mythos was genuinely delightful. Mirroring the story into a different part of the crusades really served to bring something new to a story that's been retold countless times - expanding upon the same themes, but adding new insights. I also liked how there were chapters sprinkled in from the pov of important political figures - it provided historical context for a time period I (and likely few other readers) only have a vague impression of, and really made it feel like our heroes were skirting through all these big, moving parts.
Since this was published as part of Macmillan's Remixed Classics series, I don't know if there were any limitations placed on the author in terms of length or page count. However, I think the story would have benefited from being longer. One or two more isolated adventures with the group all together would have helped solidify character dynamics, and would have solidified their reputation before the climax. The "original" Robin Hood is a serial story told across many legends and ballads, and I would have liked to see what else this merry band of misfits could get up to.
Even though this book was historical fiction, I'm more eager to get to all the Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy that's on my tbr. This was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to reading more things that will scratch a very specific itch in my brain.
I thought this was a very clever adaptation, and the way the author reimagined the Robin Hood mythos was genuinely delightful. Mirroring the story into a different part of the crusades really served to bring something new to a story that's been retold countless times - expanding upon the same themes, but adding new insights. I also liked how there were chapters sprinkled in from the pov of important political figures - it provided historical context for a time period I (and likely few other readers) only have a vague impression of, and really made it feel like our heroes were skirting through all these big, moving parts.
Since this was published as part of Macmillan's Remixed Classics series, I don't know if there were any limitations placed on the author in terms of length or page count. However, I think the story would have benefited from being longer. One or two more isolated adventures with the group all together would have helped solidify character dynamics, and would have solidified their reputation before the climax. The "original" Robin Hood is a serial story told across many legends and ballads, and I would have liked to see what else this merry band of misfits could get up to.
Even though this book was historical fiction, I'm more eager to get to all the Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy that's on my tbr. This was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to reading more things that will scratch a very specific itch in my brain.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, Grief, War, Racism, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Genocide, Colonisation, Violence, Religious bigotry, Grief, Confinement, Blood, and War
Moderate: Child death and Alcohol
Minor: Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal cruelty
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
TRAVELERS ALONG THE WAY takes place during the Crusades (just as in the original Robin Hood tales), and features characters whose archetypes and circumstances are recognizable, but don’t require that similarity to be enjoyable. I like Rahma, and the generally breezy rapport between the party members. There are moment of tension, especially related to the actual war which is the whole reason Rahma and her sister are here in the first place. My favorite bit is the sequence with the Templars, and I like how the whole thing wraps up.
I enjoyed it while reading but I’m having trouble teasing out anything in particular for comment afterwards that wouldn’t be a huge spoiler. The audiobook narrator did a great job, and I’m glad this is part of the Remixed Classics collection.
I enjoyed it while reading but I’m having trouble teasing out anything in particular for comment afterwards that wouldn’t be a huge spoiler. The audiobook narrator did a great job, and I’m glad this is part of the Remixed Classics collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, War, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Confinement
Minor: Cannibalism, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Death, Antisemitism, Slavery, Sexual content, and Grief
decklededgess's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: murder, war, torture, physical injury, death of family
Well I did not expect THIS when I heard about diverse retellings of classics. I must say this really set me up with some high expectations for the rest of these because holy shit. Aminah Mae Safi continues to stun with her work.
This is a fictional take on the Third Crusades, a hypothesis of what would happen if a benevolent vigilante like Robin Hood took charge of diffusing the contested Holy Land.
While the book spent a hefty amount of time on the found family let’s collect strays and adopt them vibes (WHICH I LOVE) I was also so into the political side of things.
It’s slow paced and painstakingly well thought out in terms of motivations, adversity, hail mary escape plans and more. And the villain? Girl boss meanie? Sure. Was she still a vile asshole and wasn’t glorified? Oh hell yea. We love balance.
Superb work right
Well I did not expect THIS when I heard about diverse retellings of classics. I must say this really set me up with some high expectations for the rest of these because holy shit. Aminah Mae Safi continues to stun with her work.
This is a fictional take on the Third Crusades, a hypothesis of what would happen if a benevolent vigilante like Robin Hood took charge of diffusing the contested Holy Land.
While the book spent a hefty amount of time on the found family let’s collect strays and adopt them vibes (WHICH I LOVE) I was also so into the political side of things.
It’s slow paced and painstakingly well thought out in terms of motivations, adversity, hail mary escape plans and more. And the villain? Girl boss meanie? Sure. Was she still a vile asshole and wasn’t glorified? Oh hell yea. We love balance.
Superb work right
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Colonisation, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, War, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Religious bigotry, and Torture
urlocalvocaloidstan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The author clearly did a lot of research about the Third Crusade, shown in this book. This book is a retelling of Robin Hood, but it switches to have a Muslim female protagonist in the actual Holy Land. All of the characters have their own unique and weird personalities and they are all comic reliefs and comforts to each other. The religious and racial diversity within members of Rahma’s crew doesn’t stop them from being able to be friends with one another, even during this time period. Rahma’s and Zeena’s sister is shown to have its ups and downs, but clearly they love each other no matter what.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Genocide, Racism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Confinement, Grief, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Antisemitism, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Xenophobia
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