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A review by emijoy15
The Arrow of Sherwood by Lauren Johnson
5.0
(Update 4/2022) Finally reread this book, and it's even better than I remember. A full review is available on my Robin Hood blog.
If you want a historically accurate Robin Hood novel, this is it. To some, the history included in this novel might seem like too much, or maybe it might seem to slow the story down. Personally, I found that the history was used to move the story forward, place the characters in completely believable situations, and give the novel a very real world to exist in. The fact that it's so historical makes these very familiar and mythical characters seem much more real.
There are plenty of county court scenes and trials, and this book showcases the politics of the time. Some might find these scenes (of which there are many) boring, but I honestly enjoyed them. There was plenty of fun and witty dialogue, as well as important plot points.
This novel was also full of surprises. There were some I never expected to read in a Robin Hood novel. What I'm about to say may sound like spoilers, but all these things are revealed within the first 15 pages. Marian is Robin's stepsister after their widowed parents marry while he's on Crusade. This also casts the sheriff as Robin's stepfather. Marian is also somewhat happily engaged to Guy Vipont (a rather obvious replacement for Guy of Gisbourne).
It's interesting, to say the least.
All of the traditional villains are no longer villains, which is refreshing. The sheriff defends Robin to the end, and Guy is helpful a few different times as well as just being a good person stuck in a bad family. Which brings us to the Viponts as a whole. They act as chief villains, and do so marvelously.
Extra fun fact: Towards the end, Robin is placed in the same room as the Earl of Huntingdon several different times. The Earl and himself are of no relation in this book, but it's a fun nod towards all the other times when Robin is either related to the earl, or is the earl himself. Honestly, it was just a little bit trippy. And I loved it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, although not necessarily anyone who enjoys Robin Hood mythos. If you enjoy both, though, you should most definitely give this a read.
If you want a historically accurate Robin Hood novel, this is it. To some, the history included in this novel might seem like too much, or maybe it might seem to slow the story down. Personally, I found that the history was used to move the story forward, place the characters in completely believable situations, and give the novel a very real world to exist in. The fact that it's so historical makes these very familiar and mythical characters seem much more real.
There are plenty of county court scenes and trials, and this book showcases the politics of the time. Some might find these scenes (of which there are many) boring, but I honestly enjoyed them. There was plenty of fun and witty dialogue, as well as important plot points.
This novel was also full of surprises. There were some I never expected to read in a Robin Hood novel. What I'm about to say may sound like spoilers, but all these things are revealed within the first 15 pages. Marian is Robin's stepsister after their widowed parents marry while he's on Crusade. This also casts the sheriff as Robin's stepfather. Marian is also somewhat happily engaged to Guy Vipont (a rather obvious replacement for Guy of Gisbourne).
It's interesting, to say the least.
All of the traditional villains are no longer villains, which is refreshing. The sheriff defends Robin to the end, and Guy is helpful a few different times as well as just being a good person stuck in a bad family. Which brings us to the Viponts as a whole. They act as chief villains, and do so marvelously.
Extra fun fact: Towards the end, Robin is placed in the same room as the Earl of Huntingdon several different times. The Earl and himself are of no relation in this book, but it's a fun nod towards all the other times when Robin is either related to the earl, or is the earl himself. Honestly, it was just a little bit trippy. And I loved it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, although not necessarily anyone who enjoys Robin Hood mythos. If you enjoy both, though, you should most definitely give this a read.