novel_tea_book_reviews's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
axhiiles's review against another edition
4.0
I made this my March read thinking it would be the perfect book for spring and warmer weather.
The story takes place in autumn and ends during the beginning of winter.
My only exposure to the story of Robin Hood was the Disney version with the foxes, bears, lions, and the stoned af Rooster bard a loooooong time ago, so I didn't really have any expectations going into it. Nonetheless, it was a 4.5 in my book.
The highlights of my thoughts while reading:
Robin's dead but I still ship them so hard
Idk if it's just because I'm gay, but was Robin written to be hot-boy-coded bc I'm feeling it
Yknow when you're on a backroad doing 60 in a 55 and you've got that one asshole in the jacked up truck with the side mirrors sticking out 3ft from the truck itself riding your bumper despite you going 5 over the speed limit? Gisborne is that asshole
The story takes place in autumn and ends during the beginning of winter.
My only exposure to the story of Robin Hood was the Disney version with the foxes, bears, lions, and the stoned af Rooster bard a loooooong time ago, so I didn't really have any expectations going into it. Nonetheless, it was a 4.5 in my book.
The highlights of my thoughts while reading:
Robin's dead but I still ship them so hard
Idk if it's just because I'm gay, but was Robin written to be hot-boy-coded bc I'm feeling it
Yknow when you're on a backroad doing 60 in a 55 and you've got that one asshole in the jacked up truck with the side mirrors sticking out 3ft from the truck itself riding your bumper despite you going 5 over the speed limit? Gisborne is that asshole
imdunn's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with this book. It wasn't that I disliked it, exactly, there were just a few things that annoyed me. Particularly, some of the character development and relationships. I found some of Marian's decisions to be a bit questionable, and her relationship with Gisborne felt quite inconsistent. I also felt that the flashbacks that were placed throughout the story severely clashed with the ending. I don't want to get into any spoilers, but if you've read the book, you probably know what I mean. With that being said, there were a few characters that I thought were written very well, including Elena and Midge. Overall, it wasn't a bad book, but it certainly wasn't one of my favorites.
offbalance80's review against another edition
4.0
In college I was fortunate enough to take a class about legends. One of my biggest takeaways is that a legend (or a myth) is actually changeable based on who is doing the telling, the context of their lives and the culture that informed those lives. It's one of the reasons that I so enjoyed this retelling of the Robin Hood myth that has Marian taking up the mantle (and all of the difficulties that entails). While it drags in spots, it zings to life whenever the swashbuckling and arrow-shooting comes to the forefront, as in any good Robin Hood story, and this is definitely a good Robin Hood story.
bookwife's review against another edition
4.0
I have many thoughts on this book... Some good, some bad. First off I LOVE that this is a gender bend retelling of Robin Hood. I love that Marian was a total badass. She really was an awesome character. What I really didn't like was that there was flash backs to her and Robin from their childhood. There are some instances that I get but we are suppose to believe she fell in love with someone else by the end and I felt like they had zero connection because she was always thinking about Robin. I get that some of the flashbacks added to the overall storyline but I think it also took away from the current "romance". I honestly like 100% thought that Robin was somehow still alive and that he was going to show up and save her in the end. Like in the very last confrontation ( I won't spoil and say what) but I thought Robin was going to show up and be like SURPRISE! Thats how often he was talked about or how often she thought about him. It was a surprise when he wasn't the one to save the day.
Overall I enjoyed this story. I loved Marian and her band of merry men. I loved the friendships. There were parts that were slow and a tad boring but still enjoyable. I actually liked the love interest. a lot of reviews I have read do not like him but I did. I don't like their relationship. It felt forced. But I liked the characters as individuals.
This was 100% cover buy. The cover is gorgeous. I went into it knowing nothing and I am not disappointed I picked it up.
Overall I enjoyed this story. I loved Marian and her band of merry men. I loved the friendships. There were parts that were slow and a tad boring but still enjoyable. I actually liked the love interest. a lot of reviews I have read do not like him but I did. I don't like their relationship. It felt forced. But I liked the characters as individuals.
This was 100% cover buy. The cover is gorgeous. I went into it knowing nothing and I am not disappointed I picked it up.
owlbird's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
wellreadjill_'s review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kiwilizzi's review against another edition
5.0
It took me awhile to finish this book, but to everyone who DNF it, go back and read it to the end! You won’t regret it!
I loved the idea of Marion taking Robin Hood’s place. And all under the nose of everyone. Slowly, her identity is revealed to more and more people, but in the beginning, I especially admired her strength to forge ahead alone and not involve others who she might end up endangering.
I understand why some people stopped reading and didn’t finish. The book does start out a bit slow and continue that way for quite some time unlike Spooner’s other fairytale retelling (“Hunter”). The book as a whole, however, was worth the read. I thoroughly admire the writing, and the story was very unique and new.
For most of the book, I kept wishing Robin Hood would return and not be dead, but as the story progressed, I really enjoyed her ending up with a completely different man. Even though Marion hated him in the beginning. It felt so realistic and not rushed or fake. Other readers might not agree with me, but I loved it.
Very worth it to read to the end!
I loved the idea of Marion taking Robin Hood’s place. And all under the nose of everyone. Slowly, her identity is revealed to more and more people, but in the beginning, I especially admired her strength to forge ahead alone and not involve others who she might end up endangering.
I understand why some people stopped reading and didn’t finish. The book does start out a bit slow and continue that way for quite some time unlike Spooner’s other fairytale retelling (“Hunter”). The book as a whole, however, was worth the read. I thoroughly admire the writing, and the story was very unique and new.
For most of the book, I kept wishing Robin Hood would return and not be dead, but as the story progressed, I really enjoyed her ending up with a completely different man. Even though Marion hated him in the beginning. It felt so realistic and not rushed or fake. Other readers might not agree with me, but I loved it.
Very worth it to read to the end!