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michaelagillard's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I can't believe I am saying this, but Robin was such an asshat! Ugh, I wanted to kick him in the nuts! But luckily this is not his book.
It is not your usual kind of Robin Hood. There is magic, dragons and Fae. But the Church is winning ground, men are turning to logic and magic is dying and will be forgotten. So maybe this is what really happened then.
Marian is a witch, she lives with her twins in Sherwood since Robin annulled their marriage 12 years ago and went to live in a monastery. Luckily she does have Will who came into her life more and more to help out. Grr Robin! Asshat! And I liked this Marian, sure she had Will, but she does not need a man, she does fine on her own. She is strong, she knows her craft and she takes no bs.
But someone is killing the merry men and Tuck asks Marian to investigate as dark magic is a foot.
The Fae show up, I liked it without saying more, there was a fool that amused me.
Robin is being more asshattery than usual (swift nutkick). He was a zealot.
Dark magic, death, Fae, a dragon! Two new nice sidekicks too, without saying more.
I enjoyed this continuation of the story you thought you new. As the story progressed I did understand why Robin turned into a zealot too, still, I can not forgive him. All I wanted was Marian's happiness and that I got.
It is not your usual kind of Robin Hood. There is magic, dragons and Fae. But the Church is winning ground, men are turning to logic and magic is dying and will be forgotten. So maybe this is what really happened then.
Marian is a witch, she lives with her twins in Sherwood since Robin annulled their marriage 12 years ago and went to live in a monastery. Luckily she does have Will who came into her life more and more to help out. Grr Robin! Asshat! And I liked this Marian, sure she had Will, but she does not need a man, she does fine on her own. She is strong, she knows her craft and she takes no bs.
But someone is killing the merry men and Tuck asks Marian to investigate as dark magic is a foot.
The Fae show up, I liked it without saying more, there was a fool that amused me.
Robin is being more asshattery than usual (swift nutkick). He was a zealot.
Dark magic, death, Fae, a dragon! Two new nice sidekicks too, without saying more.
I enjoyed this continuation of the story you thought you new. As the story progressed I did understand why Robin turned into a zealot too, still, I can not forgive him. All I wanted was Marian's happiness and that I got.
pilebythebed's review
3.0
Jaime Lee Moyer revisits the story of Robin Hood in her new novel Brightfall. Set twelve years after the events that are commonly known from the folk tales, Brightfall takes a more fantastical approach to the material and is also a murder mystery of sorts, a combination that Moyer manages to slip easily into the setting.
The book opens with Marian, who lives with her two children in the heart of Sherwood Forest receiving some devastating news. Will Scarlett is dead from mysterious causes. This is just one of many deaths of the gang that used to run with them (the Merry Men), deaths that include the young son of their old compatriot, John . Abbot Tuck suspects sourcery and Marian being a witch, her believes that she can help investigate. On her way to see him, Marian pauses to commune with the Fae, seeking their protection for her children. And when she arrives she is partnered with her estranged husband Robin, who years before had sought an annulment of their marriage and took himself to a monastery.
As Marian and Robin start to investigate the deaths they find evidence of dangerous magic associated with the fairy folk. The pair pick up travelling companions as they go including the consort of the fairy queen, a former soldier, a dog and a fox. All of these are needed as they face off against a range of mythical creatures (griffins, grindylows) and evil magic in their search for the killers.
By focussing on Marian, Moyer gives a new twist and insight into the original Robin Hood story without rehashing it or slavishly following it. The biggest problem with this book is the character of Robin – moody, rude and unhelpful despite the threat to his family and old friends. While this, and his history with Marian, is eventually explained, it is a tough trip to get there.
Brightfall is an interesting mix of genres. Historical, traditional fantasy with a hint of murder mystery thrown in. The fantasy elements fundamentally confound the mystery elements. Once the fae character, who can see glimpses of the future, is introduced it feels like the die is cast. He constantly makes suggestions, who should join them and where they should go, because of this power, which drive the plot forward. He also, as it turns out, knows exactly what is going on but feels it is better if Marian works it out for herself. So that much of the middle section of the book becomes Marian’s journey of discovery of information that other characters she is travelling with knew all along, which makes it feel a little frustrating in retrospect.
By playing with a well known folk tale and twists it in new and interesting directions through fantastical folk elements, Brightfall is generally an effective and original fantasy.
The book opens with Marian, who lives with her two children in the heart of Sherwood Forest receiving some devastating news. Will Scarlett is dead from mysterious causes. This is just one of many deaths of the gang that used to run with them (the Merry Men), deaths that include the young son of their old compatriot, John . Abbot Tuck suspects sourcery and Marian being a witch, her believes that she can help investigate. On her way to see him, Marian pauses to commune with the Fae, seeking their protection for her children. And when she arrives she is partnered with her estranged husband Robin, who years before had sought an annulment of their marriage and took himself to a monastery.
As Marian and Robin start to investigate the deaths they find evidence of dangerous magic associated with the fairy folk. The pair pick up travelling companions as they go including the consort of the fairy queen, a former soldier, a dog and a fox. All of these are needed as they face off against a range of mythical creatures (griffins, grindylows) and evil magic in their search for the killers.
By focussing on Marian, Moyer gives a new twist and insight into the original Robin Hood story without rehashing it or slavishly following it. The biggest problem with this book is the character of Robin – moody, rude and unhelpful despite the threat to his family and old friends. While this, and his history with Marian, is eventually explained, it is a tough trip to get there.
Brightfall is an interesting mix of genres. Historical, traditional fantasy with a hint of murder mystery thrown in. The fantasy elements fundamentally confound the mystery elements. Once the fae character, who can see glimpses of the future, is introduced it feels like the die is cast. He constantly makes suggestions, who should join them and where they should go, because of this power, which drive the plot forward. He also, as it turns out, knows exactly what is going on but feels it is better if Marian works it out for herself. So that much of the middle section of the book becomes Marian’s journey of discovery of information that other characters she is travelling with knew all along, which makes it feel a little frustrating in retrospect.
By playing with a well known folk tale and twists it in new and interesting directions through fantastical folk elements, Brightfall is generally an effective and original fantasy.
taciallen's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The story was driven by setting description more than anything else. I wanted to finish it, so I kept reading, but it was easily put downable. The writing and the research behind it were both well-done, though, and the story was unique. I’m not saying you shouldn’t read it. It was just a slower read that didn’t rile my emotions like I’m used to in other fantasy novels. It was a gentle read.
king_cryptid's review
5.0
Brightfall is an apt name for this story; we see the tales of Robin Hood, brave, champion of the people, turned onto their head as we find he has taken up a life of hiding in an abby, atoning for sins unspoken, and abandoning his wife and children. As the story progresses, more of his transgressions are brought to the light, casting his fall from grace into sharp focus— but ah, we’re a bit ahead of ourselves.
Marian takes center stage. Her life is quiet until a beloved Friar brings foul tidings that will set Marian on a path that she is bound to walk til the end. Someone, or something, is murdering her friends and loved ones, and all signs point to a connection with Robin.
Marian becomes entangled with the Fair Folk, playing a dangerous game of allegiance and understanding that everything comes with a cost, but quickly balancing those risks against protecting her children.
Help comes in unlikely places, but Marian is constantly reminded that life and death are a balancing act, and that the Wheel of Fate constantly spins, threatening to topple everything in an instant.
Battles are hard won, friends are lost forever, but hope stays ever present, even if it seems just slightly out of reach.
I found myself crying more times than I care to admit, but it’s so easy to get swept away by the immersive world building and characters who feel so familiar that you can’t help but relish in their temporary joy and understand their shortcomings, despite being frustrated by them.
Marian takes center stage. Her life is quiet until a beloved Friar brings foul tidings that will set Marian on a path that she is bound to walk til the end. Someone, or something, is murdering her friends and loved ones, and all signs point to a connection with Robin.
Marian becomes entangled with the Fair Folk, playing a dangerous game of allegiance and understanding that everything comes with a cost, but quickly balancing those risks against protecting her children.
Help comes in unlikely places, but Marian is constantly reminded that life and death are a balancing act, and that the Wheel of Fate constantly spins, threatening to topple everything in an instant.
Battles are hard won, friends are lost forever, but hope stays ever present, even if it seems just slightly out of reach.
I found myself crying more times than I care to admit, but it’s so easy to get swept away by the immersive world building and characters who feel so familiar that you can’t help but relish in their temporary joy and understand their shortcomings, despite being frustrated by them.
jesskav's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
womanon's review
2.0
I so badly wanted to love this, but after finishing it, I still don't know what happened.
cableguy13's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book, with its fun characters and fae magic. I just wish it was a little bit longer, particularly to give it more time to dwell on the aftermath of the climax, as I wanted to see how certain things impacted this more fantastical Sherwood Forest and those that lived within it.
chloeinbooksland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An historical fantasy murder mystery re-imagination of Robin Hood set a decade later with fae, witches and magic.
Having a general knowledge of Robin Hood meant I didn’t have any expectations about the story nor the characters. It ended up being a good thing since I didn’t mind a zealot asshole Robin Hood! I loved that Marian was a hedge witch, that the story was basically a murder mystery and that there were fae and magic.
Having a general knowledge of Robin Hood meant I didn’t have any expectations about the story nor the characters. It ended up being a good thing since I didn’t mind a zealot asshole Robin Hood! I loved that Marian was a hedge witch, that the story was basically a murder mystery and that there were fae and magic.