The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
anam_ali's review against another edition
3.0
It was going so bloody well and I was really enjoying the story when all of a sudden the author was all 'that's it, that's all you gonna get, the story is over now, finite my friend, adios amigos' and suddenly in less than a chapter it was The Endâ„¢. What TF?! (\*^*/)
emilyofthegreenwood's review against another edition
3.0
(02/2022) Updated and edited review available on my Robin Hood blog
I did it. I read this book. I knew about this book before it came out, and have been skeptical ever since. I've read a very large majority of traditionally published Robin Hood books, and consumed plenty of other media as well. The immediate draw for this book is the idea of a lesbian retelling. "Yes! That's me!" was my initial response. And then... Well, then I realized that I was in for a gender-swap, which (unpopular opinion) I have never enjoyed. It brings back horrifying memories of [b:Scarlet|11983940|Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)|A.C. Gaughen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370147602l/11983940._SX50_.jpg|15084403] , which was a complete mistake to read. In short, Robin Hood gender-swaps have never worked for me. In this case, I decided to give it a go.
I would give this book two stars, but I was honestly entertained by it. I liked it. I read it as quickly as I could, although my investment in the story always ended when I took a break.
While I read it, it felt like deja vu. So much deja vu. The first half of the book, Marian and Robin are only fourteen and fifteen, which was a shocker, and brought back long buried memories of [b:Young Marian's Adventures In Sherwood Forest|1222861|Young Marian's Adventures In Sherwood Forest (Girls To The Rescue)|Stephen Mooser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331146238l/1222861._SX50_.jpg|1211359]. Then you've got your two medieval fantasy girls, with one red-headed and obviously more butch, which *cough* [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457102645l/25164304._SX50_.jpg|44868262] *cough*. And then of course, [b:Scarlet|11983940|Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)|A.C. Gaughen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370147602l/11983940._SX50_.jpg|15084403] just for the gender-swap.
This book has zero merit as "historical fiction". It is medieval fantasy through and through, but it is not historical fiction. Phrases such as "dear old dad" crop up in the dialogue, which was physically painful. Peasants and serfs are just poor, and can do anything if they only tried hard enough and believed in themselves; they absolutely don't have any obligation other than to themselves. And the poorest of the poor have multiple rooms in their homes and separate bedrooms. Everyone also had a last name? Not even last names that made sense, but characters referred to as "Mrs. Fresle" and "Mr. Bossard". I won't talk about given names, although I easily could.
And finally, if I had to read "God save him" one more time after ANYONE mentioned the king, I would have thrown my Kindle. Stop.
I wanted very much to enjoy this book and take it seriously. I did enjoy it, but only after I made the decision to let my usual standards for Robin Hood fiction fly away.
I couldn't take it seriously, though. Not even a little bit.
I did it. I read this book. I knew about this book before it came out, and have been skeptical ever since. I've read a very large majority of traditionally published Robin Hood books, and consumed plenty of other media as well. The immediate draw for this book is the idea of a lesbian retelling. "Yes! That's me!" was my initial response. And then... Well, then I realized that I was in for a gender-swap, which (unpopular opinion) I have never enjoyed. It brings back horrifying memories of [b:Scarlet|11983940|Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)|A.C. Gaughen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370147602l/11983940._SX50_.jpg|15084403] , which was a complete mistake to read. In short, Robin Hood gender-swaps have never worked for me. In this case, I decided to give it a go.
I would give this book two stars, but I was honestly entertained by it. I liked it. I read it as quickly as I could, although my investment in the story always ended when I took a break.
While I read it, it felt like deja vu. So much deja vu. The first half of the book, Marian and Robin are only fourteen and fifteen, which was a shocker, and brought back long buried memories of [b:Young Marian's Adventures In Sherwood Forest|1222861|Young Marian's Adventures In Sherwood Forest (Girls To The Rescue)|Stephen Mooser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331146238l/1222861._SX50_.jpg|1211359]. Then you've got your two medieval fantasy girls, with one red-headed and obviously more butch, which *cough* [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457102645l/25164304._SX50_.jpg|44868262] *cough*. And then of course, [b:Scarlet|11983940|Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)|A.C. Gaughen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370147602l/11983940._SX50_.jpg|15084403] just for the gender-swap.
This book has zero merit as "historical fiction". It is medieval fantasy through and through, but it is not historical fiction. Phrases such as "dear old dad" crop up in the dialogue, which was physically painful. Peasants and serfs are just poor, and can do anything if they only tried hard enough and believed in themselves; they absolutely don't have any obligation other than to themselves. And the poorest of the poor have multiple rooms in their homes and separate bedrooms. Everyone also had a last name? Not even last names that made sense, but characters referred to as "Mrs. Fresle" and "Mr. Bossard". I won't talk about given names, although I easily could.
And finally, if I had to read "God save him" one more time after ANYONE mentioned the king, I would have thrown my Kindle. Stop.
I wanted very much to enjoy this book and take it seriously. I did enjoy it, but only after I made the decision to let my usual standards for Robin Hood fiction fly away.
I couldn't take it seriously, though. Not even a little bit.
almostred's review against another edition
2.0
Boring for most of it, it ends when the story gets actually interesting. What a pity! A retelling of Robin Hood with a female Robin had so much potential!
namjooningihope5's review against another edition
4.0
This was an amazing take on Robin Hood. I was sad how abruptly it ended. It was sweet and short and I would totally read another part of their story if it ever was one.
josb's review against another edition
2.0
Rounding down with this one because of the decision to make it a story based on Robin Hood but not trying to match up with the lore at all. It was so far from the original story that I felt like I was like reading one of those bad movie adaptations where certain names are retained but it's a completely different thing.
The biggest issue was how the characters were written, followed by the pacing. The character's we were introduced to had very little depth and spoke in the oddest manner. At times Robin Hood sounded more like a Victorian era child. Phrases were repeated as a way to highlight culture but ended up feeling clunky and excessive the farther you got in the book.
Pacing wise, 50% of this book follows Marian at the age of 14, before she becomes a ward of King John. This was quite a long time to spend on an era of her life that had very little bearing on the second half, which follows her 17 year old self. By the time we get to the last 50% of the book certain plot points resolve so quickly and without a clear understanding of motive.
This was not for me but maybe could work for fans of historical fantasy that are not usually a fan of Robin Hood lore. I will warn there is a scene with unwanted sexual advances that is described in detail. I found it uncomfortable since it came out of the nowhere and that Marian was "not yet a lady" was discussed and disregarded.
The biggest issue was how the characters were written, followed by the pacing. The character's we were introduced to had very little depth and spoke in the oddest manner. At times Robin Hood sounded more like a Victorian era child. Phrases were repeated as a way to highlight culture but ended up feeling clunky and excessive the farther you got in the book.
Pacing wise, 50% of this book follows Marian at the age of 14, before she becomes a ward of King John. This was quite a long time to spend on an era of her life that had very little bearing on the second half, which follows her 17 year old self. By the time we get to the last 50% of the book certain plot points resolve so quickly and without a clear understanding of motive.
This was not for me but maybe could work for fans of historical fantasy that are not usually a fan of Robin Hood lore. I will warn there is a scene with unwanted sexual advances that is described in detail. I found it uncomfortable since it came out of the nowhere and that Marian was "not yet a lady" was discussed and disregarded.
intrepidheroine's review against another edition
3.0
This was too short to cover everything. There was a massive time jump, during which Marian apparently became kind of awesome, but the text glossed over it and didn't show too much. I would have loved to see more of it, plus some development of her involvement with Robin as an adult. There was a lot of potential here, and I enjoyed it, but ultimately the story would have benefited from being a hundred pages longer because I felt like I missed the most interesting parts of this story.
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence
lemon_bee's review against another edition
5.0
What the fucgkkgkgnfnfngng I'm shook ???!!!?? Where's the sequel?????????????????????????
Anyways this was a very lovely book and it left me feeling all fuzzy and happy inside and I'm Shook
Anyways this was a very lovely book and it left me feeling all fuzzy and happy inside and I'm Shook
kketcham327's review against another edition
4.0
Rather an abrupt ending. Please tell me there's going to be a sequel.