booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
I’m surprised to see mixed reviews for this - I really enjoyed it! I think it’s possibly because it’s historical fiction with a side of romance (though both of those are not normally my favourite thing lol!)
I love that it played closely to the story of Robin Hood that I know so well, but also allowed for the twist of Marian being Robin. I think it was very well thought out - it allowed for Marian to be taller and good at “boyish” activities while still making her a lady - her dresses, hair, her interactions were all with her accepting that was how life was even while rebelling against it.
The romance elements were also actually pretty good (I know - is it even me writing this?!). Marian’s relationship with Robin was lovely and I loved the depth that the flashbacks provided. But I also enjoyed her realising that she may not have known him as well as she thought. **MILD SPOILERS IN REST OF PARAGRAPH** And her interactions with Guy, and how their antagonism changes into a sort of grudging respect / love. I like a good enemies to lovers trope, but I also like why it happened in this case and the insight we get into Guy’s character.
I love that it played closely to the story of Robin Hood that I know so well, but also allowed for the twist of Marian being Robin. I think it was very well thought out - it allowed for Marian to be taller and good at “boyish” activities while still making her a lady - her dresses, hair, her interactions were all with her accepting that was how life was even while rebelling against it.
The romance elements were also actually pretty good (I know - is it even me writing this?!). Marian’s relationship with Robin was lovely and I loved the depth that the flashbacks provided. But I also enjoyed her realising that she may not have known him as well as she thought. **MILD SPOILERS IN REST OF PARAGRAPH** And her interactions with Guy, and how their antagonism changes into a sort of grudging respect / love. I like a good enemies to lovers trope, but I also like why it happened in this case and the insight we get into Guy’s character.
jzkeen32's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kt01's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
It went girl, it gave us nothing! Sherwood is so flat it's embarrassing. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is just meandering around sad that Robin Hood is dead and occasionally vigilante-ing, and the setting might as well be an empty void.
I think this was going for a character exploration into Marian's grief over Robin Hood, but it doesn't work because Marian is such a nothing character and we only ever know Robin through little snippets. It was okay at the beginning, but the plot nor characters were dynamic enough to carry nearly five hundred pages.
I think this was going for a character exploration into Marian's grief over Robin Hood, but it doesn't work because Marian is such a nothing character and we only ever know Robin through little snippets. It was okay at the beginning, but the plot nor characters were dynamic enough to carry nearly five hundred pages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
fiction_gryphon's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly don’t understand why this book is receiving so many negative reviews! Personally, as a Robin Hood fanatic (in any form of the legend) I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this retelling! Marian is a bold yet flawed heroin, which I thought worked well to round out her character... she’s not all warrior woman and not all dainty damsel; she uses both sides of herself to her advantage. She’s not the untouchably perfect legend, as some of the tales make the Robin Hood character out to be, but also makes mistakes and has her doubts throughout. An added twist, of course, is that Robin is dead, and not only that, but Marian is possibly hearing his voice in her head. Definitely a unique idea!
Spooner does a great job of bringing characters to life while unveiling vivid settings through her beautiful prose. This story is real, it’s gritty, it’s enchanting, and I tore through it!
I liked the nuanced differences that Spooner brought to this retelling... how she built up the characters of the “merry men”, and especially her handling of Guy of Gisborne. I felt this Gisborne was reminiscent of Richard Armitage’s portrayal in BBC’s Robin Hood tv series, which is my favorite version of the character! Like Marian, he has his darkness and his light. His character arc was one of the most compelling in this story. It’s nice to see Gisborne get his shot at redemption for a change!
I saw another reviewer mentioned the 1938 film “The Adventures of Robin Hood” starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (one of my all-time favorite films)... I would argue that this retelling was just as charming! You get that magical feel of the beloved legend, while still taking in a new perspective that is fresh and interesting!
If you’re looking for a Robin Hood retelling that completely breaks from anything you’ve read before, this isn’t going to necessarily be the book for you. If you simply enjoy anything related to the legend and well-written prose, then I’d highly recommend giving it a try!
Spooner does a great job of bringing characters to life while unveiling vivid settings through her beautiful prose. This story is real, it’s gritty, it’s enchanting, and I tore through it!
I liked the nuanced differences that Spooner brought to this retelling... how she built up the characters of the “merry men”, and especially her handling of Guy of Gisborne. I felt this Gisborne was reminiscent of Richard Armitage’s portrayal in BBC’s Robin Hood tv series, which is my favorite version of the character! Like Marian, he has his darkness and his light. His character arc was one of the most compelling in this story. It’s nice to see Gisborne get his shot at redemption for a change!
I saw another reviewer mentioned the 1938 film “The Adventures of Robin Hood” starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (one of my all-time favorite films)... I would argue that this retelling was just as charming! You get that magical feel of the beloved legend, while still taking in a new perspective that is fresh and interesting!
If you’re looking for a Robin Hood retelling that completely breaks from anything you’ve read before, this isn’t going to necessarily be the book for you. If you simply enjoy anything related to the legend and well-written prose, then I’d highly recommend giving it a try!
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