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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Not bad, at the start I really couldn’t be bothered reading this (hence the amount of time it took to read) but as it progressed and there was more fantasy and more interesting stuff I began to like and read it more and more. The ending was positively enjoyable!!
The characters could have had some more detail and back story but I still liked most of them and found the storyline fun at bits.
Not bad!
The characters could have had some more detail and back story but I still liked most of them and found the storyline fun at bits.
Not bad!
Who knew I would enjoy a Robin Hood story so much?
I bought this book for my husband thinking that he would like a rousing tale of thievery, and he did, but then I ran out of reading material and grabbed it.
I got sucked in from the first few pages and didn't manage to accomplish anything last night or this morning as I inhaled the entire book. Set in Wales and giving the tale a bit of a Celtic twist the author freshened up the story while keeping the important elements that are required for it to be "Robin Hood."
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
I bought this book for my husband thinking that he would like a rousing tale of thievery, and he did, but then I ran out of reading material and grabbed it.
I got sucked in from the first few pages and didn't manage to accomplish anything last night or this morning as I inhaled the entire book. Set in Wales and giving the tale a bit of a Celtic twist the author freshened up the story while keeping the important elements that are required for it to be "Robin Hood."
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Robin Hood set in Wales but I ended up enjoying this book very much! There was a lot of action as well as some humor and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
I found this book at a library sale, now I have to find the rest of the trilogy. I really enjoyed this retelling of Robin Hood, and I can't wait to read the rest.
4.5 stars
It's no secret that I love all things Welsh or should I say British? Wales is a land of enchantment and resetting the Robin Hood myth there is nothing short of brilliant. Lawhead always writes a good tale and this one was one of his better ones. The characters are well drawn and the plot moved along nicely. I now have access to the entire trilogy so I am excited to read on.
It's no secret that I love all things Welsh or should I say British? Wales is a land of enchantment and resetting the Robin Hood myth there is nothing short of brilliant. Lawhead always writes a good tale and this one was one of his better ones. The characters are well drawn and the plot moved along nicely. I now have access to the entire trilogy so I am excited to read on.
A FRESH TAKE ON ROBIN HOOD
This was a solid historical/fantasy read. Certainly, it was the best Lawhead I've read yet (I've also read "Empyrion: The Search for Fierra" and "The Paradise War"). The decision to recast Robin Hood as a Welsh freedom fighter, a grounded and realistic character, was a good one - it reminded me of Christopher Nolan's fresh take on the idea of Batman in his Dark Knight Trilogy.
I have a few complaints. Mainly, I'm annoyed that this book was so much of a setup for the rest of the series. It was a good opening to a trilogy, but I would have appreciated more closure at the conclusion of the book. I believe that every story should be at least self-contained in some way. Also, Lawhead's POV changes irritated me. He would jump awkwardly from one character to another in the same scene, using knowledge from one character's mind to analyse another character.
As for the plotting - I found it surprisingly complex, which was both good and bad. Good because the complexity added substance to what might otherwise be a fairly conventional story. Bad because I don't think Lawhead kept all the plot threads within his grasp. Potentially, some of these issues will be resolved by the sequels, but well... I've already said what I think about books relying on sequels.
Certainly, it was not without virtues (thus the 4 stars, which I don't hand out lightly). The Baron (I'm not going to bother trying to spell his name) was clever, complex, and deeply human - if a book is only as good as its villain, this book does well. Likewise, Bran had good depth as a protagonist who, even at the end of his arc, makes morally ambiguous decisions. Tuck shone forth as a unique and likeable character, as well. Finally, something has to be said for the surprisingly dark and spooky raven symbology - well done, Lawhead!
Overall, a great reimagining of Robin Hood's adventures. I'll be reading the sequels shortly.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
"Wolf of the Plains" - Conn Iggulden. This book is the origin story of a hero of the people (like "Hood"). It is gripping, brutal and awe-inspiring. My personal favourite historical thriller. Give it a look if you enjoyed "Hood"!
CONTENT ADVISORY (for parents and sensitive readers)
Sex: mild adult references - i.e. 'bedding' etc.
Violence: Strong, with characters being stabbed, burned etc. Explicit descriptions of human and animal bodies, sometimes disgusting. Spooky raven scenes involve a hideous birdman melting from the shadows of the forest - not for young readers!
Language: infrequent mild expletives 'bloody', 'bastard', 'slut' etc.
This was a solid historical/fantasy read. Certainly, it was the best Lawhead I've read yet (I've also read "Empyrion: The Search for Fierra" and "The Paradise War"). The decision to recast Robin Hood as a Welsh freedom fighter, a grounded and realistic character, was a good one - it reminded me of Christopher Nolan's fresh take on the idea of Batman in his Dark Knight Trilogy.
I have a few complaints. Mainly, I'm annoyed that this book was so much of a setup for the rest of the series. It was a good opening to a trilogy, but I would have appreciated more closure at the conclusion of the book. I believe that every story should be at least self-contained in some way. Also, Lawhead's POV changes irritated me. He would jump awkwardly from one character to another in the same scene, using knowledge from one character's mind to analyse another character.
As for the plotting - I found it surprisingly complex, which was both good and bad. Good because the complexity added substance to what might otherwise be a fairly conventional story. Bad because I don't think Lawhead kept all the plot threads within his grasp. Potentially, some of these issues will be resolved by the sequels, but well... I've already said what I think about books relying on sequels.
Certainly, it was not without virtues (thus the 4 stars, which I don't hand out lightly). The Baron (I'm not going to bother trying to spell his name) was clever, complex, and deeply human - if a book is only as good as its villain, this book does well. Likewise, Bran had good depth as a protagonist who, even at the end of his arc, makes morally ambiguous decisions. Tuck shone forth as a unique and likeable character, as well. Finally, something has to be said for the surprisingly dark and spooky raven symbology - well done, Lawhead!
Overall, a great reimagining of Robin Hood's adventures. I'll be reading the sequels shortly.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
"Wolf of the Plains" - Conn Iggulden. This book is the origin story of a hero of the people (like "Hood"). It is gripping, brutal and awe-inspiring. My personal favourite historical thriller. Give it a look if you enjoyed "Hood"!
CONTENT ADVISORY (for parents and sensitive readers)
Sex: mild adult references - i.e. 'bedding' etc.
Violence: Strong, with characters being stabbed, burned etc. Explicit descriptions of human and animal bodies, sometimes disgusting. Spooky raven scenes involve a hideous birdman melting from the shadows of the forest - not for young readers!
Language: infrequent mild expletives 'bloody', 'bastard', 'slut' etc.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you like Robin Hood and good, accurate historical fiction, then you need to read this.
The book never really drew me in. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I was reading it instead of listening to it? The narrator mispronounced a lot of things, including traditional Welsh names.
DNF'ed at 10%. Just not feeling this writing. This was another random library grab because I was waiting for the books I actually wanted to come in. Not going to continue if a book isn't engaging me at this point. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Ps. It's okay if your male MC is a player and long as his LI is chaste and virginal message isn't one I love... Girls can like sex too.
Ps. It's okay if your male MC is a player and long as his LI is chaste and virginal message isn't one I love... Girls can like sex too.