Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication date: February 2012
Pages: 304
Source: e-book from NetGalley
For: Fun (and review...and Debut Author Challenge)!
Will Scarlet is a member of Robin Hood's secret band of thieves, though most people don't know he's actually a girl. Scarlet is a tough girl hiding from a secret past that might just catch up to her when someone from the past shows up in Nottingham - looking to take down the Hood and his band.
Things I Liked:
I am in love with great historical fiction. I know it doesn't seem like it, when I review so much fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal, but a really well-written, well-researched HF hits just the spot in my reading itch. I loved the details and the language and Scarlet most of all. She felt real, she was not glorified or perfect or even nice most of the time. I honestly started saying "I were" and "it were" sometimes because I was so immersed in the story and the way it was written. I'm also a big fan of the girl disguised as a boy thing, but I think this one did it better than many. Not only was she not fooling those closest to her, she wasn't trying to. I think it's much easier to fool the masses and people you don't interact with regularly and nearly impossible with those you live with every day. And it doesn't hurt that it had a fabulous Robin Hood that I fell in love with. There's something so fascinating about his stories and his legend. Makes me want to read The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley that Suey and Angie have raved about. Great stuff!
Things I Didn't Like:
The only thing I want is another story, a sequel (I know, great stand alones should be left that way). Truly, though, I liked how it ended and things weren't instantly fixed. But I want to know when and how they do get fixed. I think people might not enjoy the story if they are annoyed by (intentially) poor grammar or if they don't like historical fiction in general.
Read-alikes:
The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley
A bit like StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
most of it was religious exclamations
mrg-factor: X
implied, but nothing described
v-factor: ->->
some action fighting and rather horrific stuff, but not truly gory
Overall rating: *****
Who's your favorite swashbuckling hero/heroine?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Posts
Yay! I'm all grinny that you loved this one, too. I was swept away by it. And you already know Robin Hood is my favorite swashbuckler.
ReplyDeleteOn to OUTLAWS!!
I've got to get my hands on a copy of Outlaws and then I'll be a true Robin Hood convert :)
DeleteI have this on my stacks and am glad to know you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt's good stuff - hope you like it!
DeleteSigh! Everyone is reading and loving this one. I guess I'll have to get my hands on it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give it a go. It's a lot of fun to read and you might even like it :)
DeleteSo... is this a stand alone or is it not? I'm so confused!!!
ReplyDeleteUm, I think so, but I honestly don't know. I didn't find anything on her site about a sequel, so I assumed it was. Did you think it was a series or stand alone?
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DeleteI thought this book sounded really good. I went on Amazon thinking I would buy it (my library never has anything remotely new!) and it says it takes 1-3 months to ship. What?!!! I though the reason I got Prime was so I didn't have to wait for things I want! :( On the positive side though, I saw JK Rowling's new book has a title and is scheduled to come out in September! Yay!
ReplyDeleteOh that's crappy! How weird that it says it would take that long!! I guess sometimes it ships from somewhere farther than US? I saw the Rowling info too - sounds so cool!
DeleteI've been on the fence about this book for so long, even though a bunch of people have raved about it. But I think you're tipping me into the "read" side. Adding StarCrossed as a read-alike is pretty convincing. :)
ReplyDeleteDO EET! You will not regret it, I'm pretty sure :)
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