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A review by josb
Marian by Ella Lyons
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.