imdunn's review
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
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
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
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!
salmaa's review
4.0
i hate saying this word and i cringe when i hear it but it's,,,,
"action packed"
lol
"action packed"
lol
thebookshelfofrat's review
4.0
I’ve always been a fan of the Robin Hood myth/folklore, largely due to the amazing BBC series I was obsessed when I was younger. I loved the way they portrayed Maid Marian on the show, as Robin’s equal and a heroine in her own right, so when I read the blurb for Sherwood, I went “heck yeah!”
Right from the beginning, there are twists on the original tale. I loved the way the author handled Marian becoming Robin Hood herself, her relationship with her father, and the little flashbacks to her past with Robin. All of outlaw gang are there, Little John, Allan-a-Dale, etc., all familiar but at the same time not. Guy of Gisborne is there, brooding in his black leather. He had probably the most interesting character development that came to a surprising head at the end, which, looking back, I kinda had an inkling of, but was still really surprised by.
I would have liked Marian to have spent more time with the outlaws and the Sheriff (seriously, only time the guy actually speaks is towards the end) as well as few more fun escapades with Robin Hood and the gang. But other than that, definitely would recommend this book, especially to any fellow Robin Hood fans!
Right from the beginning, there are twists on the original tale. I loved the way the author handled Marian becoming Robin Hood herself, her relationship with her father, and the little flashbacks to her past with Robin. All of outlaw gang are there, Little John, Allan-a-Dale, etc., all familiar but at the same time not. Guy of Gisborne is there, brooding in his black leather. He had probably the most interesting character development that came to a surprising head at the end, which, looking back, I kinda had an inkling of, but was still really surprised by.
I would have liked Marian to have spent more time with the outlaws and the Sheriff (seriously, only time the guy actually speaks is towards the end) as well as few more fun escapades with Robin Hood and the gang. But other than that, definitely would recommend this book, especially to any fellow Robin Hood fans!
aidnoah's review against another edition
2.0
I think I blacked out reading the latter half, and if you asked me to summarize the book at all I would have nothing to give you. Damn.
alexa_gr's review
3.0
I´m not sure whether I did like the book or not. It was a little confusing at times, but this could also be because I haven't read a YA novel in a long time and it was somehow weird to go back there.
I think the story was pretty creative with the adaption of the Robin Hood ballads so cleverly interwoven and I always liked Spooner's writing style. But as I said, some things really confused me.
I think the story was pretty creative with the adaption of the Robin Hood ballads so cleverly interwoven and I always liked Spooner's writing style. But as I said, some things really confused me.