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A review by user613
Sherwood by Meagan Spooner
3.0
2.5 stars
This book had an interesting plot, and many unexpected turns of events. And, yet, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.
First, the colorful language felt completely unnecessary. Especially considering that Marian was a lady. And most of the people swearing were aware of that fact.
Also, the relationship of Marian and her dead fiancé, Robin, was both creepy and confusing at the same time.
And, then, the entire book Marian had Robin’s voice in her head - commenting, instructing and reassuring - which I found creepy. Especially considering their unclear relationship.
Marian was also better and taller and more skilled than Robin (and most other men) at everything that men are supposed to be good at. Escaping. Horse-riding. Sword-fighting. And, most of all, archery. And, she hated anything that women were supposed to be good at. It felt like too much. Like Marian and her strengths only existed to break women and men stereotypes. The many scenes of Robin and Marian when they were younger, highlighting how much better she was at everything, only made Marian’s skills feel more overdone.
In addition to her extreme skill in archery, and her love of horse-riding, wearing pants, and excitement, Marian also had a problem with lying. The entire book she was lying to everyone around her. Though, apparently, it wasn’t because she didn’t trust them. No, in fact, she trusted them all.
Instead, it was because she didn’t want to endanger them. Or, she was afraid they’d try and stop her. Or, she knew they wouldn’t believe her. Bottom line, she didn’t trust anyone unless she had to. So, though she considered many people her friends and allies, I didn’t feel like there were any real relationships in the book. Though Marian and her friends seemed to feel like they had open, loving, trusting communication.
And then there was the love story. Though there was nothing deeper to it than lust.
Until they started kissing, and then Marian can’t keep her hands off him. She felt a hunger for him and wanted to be with him forever. And, they declared their undying love, nearly sacrificed their lives for each other, and got married.
I didn't appreciate that there was nothing other than desire and lust in their relationship. Even worse was how it was portrayed as deep, undying love.
There was an interesting and wide variety of characters. It was interesting to see how different people reacted to Marian’s deceptions. I also enjoyed the ending and how the entire story was wrapped up.
Besides for that? Violent. Quite a bit of unnecessary profanity. And creepy dreams of a dead lover. No thanks.
Content:
Violence:
There was killing, battles with arrows and swords, illegal activities, prison cells with horrible conditions, and torture. (All of it, besides the torture and imprisonment, done by Marian). Nothing too descriptive.
There was also a scene where Marian had an arrow shot through her back. That scene, as well as the next few ones, were quite descriptive about how the arrow stuck out of her, and it moved when she did, and the pain she felt.
Romance: non-graphic lust
There were hugs and kisses between Marian and Robin. And two scenes with heated, lustful kisses between Marian and Guy, where we were told her body took over and she felt a hunger for him. Marian stopped only when Guy’s hand was in danger of reaching the dagger on her thigh.
There were mentions of men and women being together, and one lady’s husband was said to force himself on servants. A few times Marian was accused of being with Robin and she refuted the claim.
Religion:
Robin died in the crusades. There was talk of his spirit coming back. A monk preached to Marian about God’s plan. There were also many mentions of Christianity and fighting in the Holy Land for the Holy Grail.
Profanity:
Marian swore a lot, though we never were told which swear-words she used.
There were a few some very colorful and creative old-English curses said by others, though. And Marian made very it clear that she knew what they meant and that they were not words anyone should say to women.
This book had an interesting plot, and many unexpected turns of events. And, yet, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.
First, the colorful language felt completely unnecessary. Especially considering that Marian was a lady. And most of the people swearing were aware of that fact.
Also, the relationship of Marian and her dead fiancé, Robin, was both creepy and confusing at the same time.
Spoiler
She mourned him and his death, as her one and only lover. However, we were also told that she hadn’t loved him in that way. Which meant I was just confused about what her real feelings were, and why she was mourning him like she was.And, then, the entire book Marian had Robin’s voice in her head - commenting, instructing and reassuring - which I found creepy. Especially considering their unclear relationship.
Marian was also better and taller and more skilled than Robin (and most other men) at everything that men are supposed to be good at. Escaping. Horse-riding. Sword-fighting. And, most of all, archery. And, she hated anything that women were supposed to be good at. It felt like too much. Like Marian and her strengths only existed to break women and men stereotypes. The many scenes of Robin and Marian when they were younger, highlighting how much better she was at everything, only made Marian’s skills feel more overdone.
In addition to her extreme skill in archery, and her love of horse-riding, wearing pants, and excitement, Marian also had a problem with lying. The entire book she was lying to everyone around her. Though, apparently, it wasn’t because she didn’t trust them. No, in fact, she trusted them all.
Instead, it was because she didn’t want to endanger them. Or, she was afraid they’d try and stop her. Or, she knew they wouldn’t believe her. Bottom line, she didn’t trust anyone unless she had to. So, though she considered many people her friends and allies, I didn’t feel like there were any real relationships in the book. Though Marian and her friends seemed to feel like they had open, loving, trusting communication.
And then there was the love story. Though there was nothing deeper to it than lust.
Spoiler
Marian and Gisborne hated each other passionately. Marian would do anything to avoid marrying Gisborne. She didn’t trust him. Felt disgusted by his hand on her elbow. And, wanted to gain his trust so she could deceive him.Until they started kissing, and then Marian can’t keep her hands off him. She felt a hunger for him and wanted to be with him forever. And, they declared their undying love, nearly sacrificed their lives for each other, and got married.
I didn't appreciate that there was nothing other than desire and lust in their relationship. Even worse was how it was portrayed as deep, undying love.
There was an interesting and wide variety of characters. It was interesting to see how different people reacted to Marian’s deceptions. I also enjoyed the ending and how the entire story was wrapped up.
Besides for that? Violent. Quite a bit of unnecessary profanity. And creepy dreams of a dead lover. No thanks.
Content:
Violence:
Spoiler
There was killing, battles with arrows and swords, illegal activities, prison cells with horrible conditions, and torture. (All of it, besides the torture and imprisonment, done by Marian). Nothing too descriptive.
There was also a scene where Marian had an arrow shot through her back. That scene, as well as the next few ones, were quite descriptive about how the arrow stuck out of her, and it moved when she did, and the pain she felt.
Romance: non-graphic lust
Spoiler
There were hugs and kisses between Marian and Robin. And two scenes with heated, lustful kisses between Marian and Guy, where we were told her body took over and she felt a hunger for him. Marian stopped only when Guy’s hand was in danger of reaching the dagger on her thigh.
There were mentions of men and women being together, and one lady’s husband was said to force himself on servants. A few times Marian was accused of being with Robin and she refuted the claim.
Religion:
Robin died in the crusades. There was talk of his spirit coming back. A monk preached to Marian about God’s plan. There were also many mentions of Christianity and fighting in the Holy Land for the Holy Grail.
Profanity:
Marian swore a lot, though we never were told which swear-words she used.
There were a few some very colorful and creative old-English curses said by others, though. And Marian made very it clear that she knew what they meant and that they were not words anyone should say to women.