Sherwood audiobook

I started reading Sherwood on 9/3/18 and finished it on 9/15/18. This book is a great read. The main character, Marian is more of a tomboy. She likes to carry a sword and practice archery instead of doing the duty and expectation of a lady. She takes matter into her own hands when she finds out someone is in danger. I like how Marian weighs the pros and cons to being a man. It’s interesting to learn about what noblewoman is all about back in the days. I like that this story include Robin’s views because it makes up for the lack of romance from Marian’s POV, in the beginning anyway. Robin’s view is sweet and I devour every word.This book is told in the third person point of view following Lady Marian, as she deals with the grief of Robin’s death. Lady Marian lives during the time when women should do embroidery with their time instead of out hunting or saving outlaws. The story started with a prologue following Robin’s life and death during his battle at the King’s side. As the story move forward, readers will follow Lady Marian’s mission to rescue her maid’s brother, Will Scarlet. Will is on the run for his life. In a men’s world, in order for her to go out chasing in the woods, she would have to hide her femininity. When Lady Marian was mistaken for Robin and how with the news of Robin coming back from the dead bring hope to the poor citizens of his land, she decided to continue her disguise as him because that’s the only way she can do to help his people. The second point of view is of Robin. Robin recounts from when he first met Lady Marian and how they become fast friends.Sherwood is very well written and developed. The read is more of a historical fiction because men are “my Lord” and women are “my Lady”. I enjoy the many adventures and close calls this story offers. This book shows that women can be brave too. I enjoy the humor, especially with Little John and Alan. I haven’t read the original Robin Hood yet but the author does a good job with the retelling, and even better by changing the gender role. All supporting characters’ are excellent even Gisborne. I like the surprises at each turn of events because I couldn’t guess where the story was heading. I like how the characters come together to discuss their strategies. If you are looking for a strong female lead read, I recommend this book for you!Pro: fast paced, page turner, adrenaline rush, cover, humor, helping the poor, adventures, close calls, strategiesCon: noneI rate it 5 stars!***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Meagan Spooner, publisher HarperTeen, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

"Marian's life had been ordained when she was born a girl. But Robin Hood's life?" Robin Hood is dead. It's not a spoiler, it's right there in the synopsis. While going on a secret mission where she had to hide her identity, Marian is mistaken for Robin Hood, because not everyone is convinced he is dead ... and because Marian has some kickass skills. She embraces this opportunity to do good and to be free, and it's pretty awesome. Meagan Spooner uses a retelling of Robin Hood to showcase a history of gender inequality, and to show just how much a woman can accomplish when she has the opportunity. Even if that opportunity is stolen under guise. But Spooner takes a big risk with the romantic interest in her reimagining, and it's a risk that I'm noticing not everyone is liking. But life is complex, and people are even more so. And as this story subtly teaches, we are not always who we appear to be when the layers are pulled back. Regardless, Marian has been given the freedom of choice and she's using it. End of discussion. Check it out.My favorite quote:"The difference it makes to speak to men and have them listen to your words, to act in the world not merely react, to ride out when I choose and be free."Audiobook performed by the talented Fiona Hardingham.

Robin Hood retellings are a lifelong passion of mine, so I have read a LOT of them. I'm especially fond of books that a) do something with the legend that I haven't seen before and b) take a keen interest in Marian -- and like A.C. Gaughen's excellent SCARLET trilogy, this gorgeous standalone novel does both.There's so much to admire in what Meagan Spooner does with this story. Her prose is rich and lovely without ever getting overwrought, she does a superb job of depicting the physical toll that Marian's adventures take on her in a plausible yet non-gratuitous way, she strikes a neat balance between having Marian be plausibly tall and strong and capable enough to pull off the charade of being Robin Hood while also making her believably a woman of her time, and the development of the central romance is beautifully done. I was getting inklings early in the book that things might be heading in a particular direction, but almost talked myself out of it several times because I was afraid to get my hopes up (which is perfect, because so was Marian!) or make a love interest out of someone who wasn't worthy of her. And then I was right and ***SO HAPPY***.I loved this book. I already want to read it again, and once I return my library copy and buy one of my own, I'm pretty sure I will. Recommended.

I have always loved Robin Hood stories, and wasn't sure what would set this story apart.Spooner puts a quirky feminist twist on an old story, even finding redemption for some of the classic villains in the tale. Highly recommend.

4.5 en realidad, pero no podía ponerle 4 estrellas. Goodreads, las medias estrellas YA. Bueno, no sabéis las ganas que tenía de leer este libro. Desde que leí Cazados, estaba deseando leer este, y en cuanto lo tuve en mis manos, no pude evitar comenzar su lectura. Esta historia es un retelling de Robin Hood, historia que AMO desde pequeña por diferentes adaptaciones cinematográficas (sobre todo la de Kevin Costner). Pero en este caso, nuestro Robin es Lady Marian. La historia comienza con la muerte de Robin en la guerra, dejando a Marian sumida en la tristeza por la muerte de su prometido y no solo eso, sino que también era su mejor amigo y compañero de vida. Tras el duelo, se entera de que el hermano de su doncella necesita ayuda, ella ha entrenado toda la vida con Robin en el arte de la lucha y el tiro con arco, por lo que decide ayudarle escondiendo su identidad bajo una capa. Cuando ayuda a Will, este la confunde con el fallecido Robin Hood y empieza a correrse la voz de que en realidad Robin está vivo. A partir de aquí, Marian empezará a hacerse pasar por él para ayudar a más personas y sin darse cuenta, se verá envuelta en un montón de problemas y situaciones que jamás pensó que iba a vivir. La historia me ha flipado por completo y me ha mantenido enganchada desde el comienzo de su lectura. La ambientación es maravillosa y ver lo que destaca Marian en una sociedad tan opresora con la mujer es increíble. Los personajes me han gustado muchísimo. Marian es luchadora y quiero ser feliz viviendo a su manera y no como dicta la sociedad. Eso la impulsa desde pequeña a entrenar con Robin y él la ve como a un igual. Y Marian patea muchos culos en este libro, es asombrosa. Los personajes secundarios como Will, John, Elena, Alan... me han encantado, pero si me tengo que quedar con alguien es con Gisborne, el antagonista y de la historia que se pasa todo el libro empecinado con capturar a Robin Hood.Es una historia llena de aventuras, con un mensaje brutal, donde se ve la tradición y como una chica rompe esa cadena que las ataba a ser solo la mujer de alguien, y donde los sentimientos de los personajes son los que mueven la historia. De verdad, he cogido mucho cariño a Sherwood, Nottigham y Locksley. Pero por supuesto, en mi corazón siempre quedará mi querida Marian. Larga vida a Robin Hood.Por cierto, no supero el final TAN MARAVILLOSO y ese giro de acontecimientos. INSUPERABLE.

Cuando Robin muere, todo lo que había deseado Marian para su futuro muere con él. Vacía, derrotada y con el corazón roto, Locksley depende ahora del maldito destino que la muerte ha querido ponerle a Marian delante. Se suponía que ella, junto a Robin, iban a ser quienes mandarían en una tierra que podría dejar a sus trabajadores en la pobreza y hambruna. Y, por si fuera poco, Marian pronto tendrá que hacer frente a una proposición indeseada que va a estar evitando a toda costa. Sin embargo, cuando el hermano de su sirvienta es capturado y condenado a la muerte como fugitivo, Marian sabe que no puede quedarse de brazos cruzados. Y, aunque sea una vía de escape inicial, dar a entender que Robin sigue vivo y que de alguna manera ha sobrevivido a la guerra da una falsa esperanza a aquellos que, en las sombras, corean su nombre. Marian sabe que seguir ese camino no es lo adecuado, pero todo lo que sintió en ese breve momento fue lo que realmente vuelve a darle esperanza y la ilusión de un futuro perdido. Ahora no solo se trata de rescatar a aquellos condenados de manera injusta, es momento de dar un paso más. Y, cuando sea testigo de lo que está provocando realmente la guerra y la avaricia de los grandes señores a su pueblo, Marian tendrá que usar el nombre de Robin Hood para algo más. No obstante, nada va a ser tan fácil como creía y, cuando piensa que solo la guerra y el rey son sus enemigos, alguien más está acechando desde las sombras, un contrincante que no dejará escapar a un hombre dispuesto a cambiarlo todo.Aunque sean libros independientes el uno del otro, Meagan Spooner está creando una serie de retellings de diferentes cuentos clásicos con cuyo inicio fue Cazados, retelling de La Bella y la Bestia. A nuestro país llegó el año pasado y, aunque sí que gustó la atmósfera de la que se rodeó, para mí Cazados no llegó a aportarme nada nuevo. Sin embargo, Sherwood me llamaba por todos lados por una simple razón: la historia de Robin Hood no la tengo tan masticada como la anterior. Aquí sí que hay esquinas que no he visto nunca, huecos oscuros que tengo que descubrir, personajes, elementos y espacios por los que apenas he caminado y que, definitivamente, han hecho que haya disfrutado muchísimo Sherwood desde el principio.Narrado en todo momento en tercera persona a través de nuestra protagonista, lady Marian, el libro sigue una estética muy similar a la de Cazados, un inicio que nos traslada a la niñez de Robin Hood que, mediante espacios estratégicos a lo largo de todo el libro y bajo un color grisáceo que los diferencia del resto de los capítulos para indicar un salto en el tiempo hacia el pasado, se irá desarrollando hasta llegar al punto en el que ambas historias convergen y chocan para centrarnos únicamente en el presente. Así pues, y tras este primer capítulo introductorio a la historia de Robin y Marian, el libro también consigue meterte desde el principio en el evento que lo va a detonar todo a partir de ese momento; Robin Hood ha muerto. Y no, tranquilidad, no es spoiler. Aparece en la sinopsis y en la primera frase del libro. He de decir que estos primeros compases de la novela me daban la sensación, analizando algunos comportamientos, de ser páginas en las que Marian tendría que hacer frente a esta pérdida, momentos usados únicamente para el duelo, los sentimientos a flor de piel y un corazón roto que hay que reconstruir poco a poco. No obstante, Meagan Spooner no mira hacia este lado mucho tiempo, cortando de raíz con lo que podría haber sido un inicio lento, metódico, algo monótono y aburrido para adentrarte rápidamente en la primera escena de acción y peligro, algo que se va a repetir de manera ininterrumpida por toda la lectura y que servirá, de manera emocionante, tensa y como una misión personal, para que Marian siga hacia adelante bajo el aura y nombre de Robin Hood. Para mí ha sido un acierto total lo que ha hecho la autora en este libro, tocar esta sensibilidad, esa pérdida, de una forma diferente y alejada a la encerrona en una habitación o en casa, añadiendo fuerza en las páginas y siendo la sanación que necesita el personaje de Marian pero, además, sirviendo como camino interesante, absorbente y adictivo para que, a la vez, como lectores y lectoras estemos muy enganchados y enganchadas al libro siempre. Además, hay un juego, un tira y afloja entre Marian y otros personajes secundarios que deja buenos momentos y un buen sabor de boca, aquello que ya te encierra para que no te despegues del libro nunca, para que quieras seguir leyendo y que, sí, origina un descanso de esos momentos de más batalla y carreras de un lado hacia otro pero sin olvidar la sensación de estar dentro de escenas de mucho dinamismo. Es por eso que el ritmo del libro se puede resumir en escena de acción tras escena de acción, con pequeños momentos puntuales más pausados pero que, igualmente, siguen esa estela, una lectura plagada de buenas sensaciones y que, de alguna manera, sí evocan al personaje de Robin Hood a pesar de que este libro no nos cuenta su historia, sino la de su prometida Marian y cómo esta tiene que lidiar no solo con el recuerdo de esa persona que ya no va a estar más a su lado, sino con la nueva identidad que adopta que será, también, un aliciente que te va a tener en ascuas y que te dejará en mente la típica frase de un capítulo más, caminando con Marian y siendo partícipes en ese misterio que la pone en más de una ocasión en un apuro, que llena su camino de obstáculos a resolver, guiándonos por diferentes eventos y situaciones hasta un final trepidante en el que todo va a pasar y nada es lo que parece, poniendo así un punto conclusivo a la altura de todo lo que ha sido el libro hasta ese momento.Lo que más quiero destacar de este libro, lo que creo que ha sobresalido por encima de todo lo demás, es el personaje de Marian y lo que este llega a representar dentro del libro y de la historia. Sherwood tiene una ambientación medieval donde, una vez más, el papel de la mujer, en aquella sociedad, se limitaba a ser una buena esposa, estar en casa, saber comportarse y ser una futura madre. Sin embargo, Marian no quiere eso, nunca ha querido ser como las demás, que le corten las alas a través de un matrimonio. Siempre ha querido mantenerse como una mujer valiente, con un carácter indomable, fuerte, que usa el arco, que lucha y que habla en lugar de quedarse callada, y creo que es algo que ha mantenido con mucha fidelidad. El papel de Marian es soberbio para estar ambientado en una época así. Y, si bien es cierto que está limitada por ser una mujer, teniendo que esconderse tras un nombre y una fachada diferente para actuar y conseguir respeto, al final ves que todo eso que consigue haciéndose pasar por hombre, el honor y la visión de ser un héroe es aceptado en ella cuando se descubre la verdad, habiendo aprobación y para nada rechazo, llegando a convertirse en alguien a quien admirar y seguir, capaz de cerrar esas bocas que juzgan diferente los actos de la gente dependiendo de si eres hombre o mujer, probando que, al final, eso da igual. La manera en la que cambia la visión de un grupo de hombres es lo que consigue Marian, romper con los moldes sociales y demostrar que una mujer es mucho más de lo que se espera de ella, es libre de tomar sus propias decisiones y de ser como quiere ser, sin ataduras.Por otro lado, la parte negativa del libro se la lleva el poco desarrollo de algunos personajes secundarios. Está claro que Marian es la protagonista principal, la que mueve la historia, pero a su alrededor se abre un abanico de personajes no tan prioritarios como ella que no han terminado de cuajar para mí. Quizás me hubiera gustado sentirme más cercana a ese grupo que ayuda a Marian, conocer mejor cada una de sus historias y vidas, sentir que están a mi lado y que también me han aceptado como una más. Y, aunque sí que tenemos parte de lo que son, no está todo, quedando este grupo vacío en algunos aspectos. Junto a ellos también hay un personaje que sí tiene más relevancia que sufre el mismo destino de mostrarse distante, frío, sin llegar a decirte gran cosa. Creo que la autora ha querido centrarse más en la evolución de Marian, de cómo se convierte en una mujer vista como una mujer más de la sociedad a una mujer de armas tomar que va a dar muchos quebraderos de cabeza, dejando el desarrollo de los demás personajes un poco en el olvido. Como resultado de esto, tampoco me ha convencido el final que se le ha dado al libro. Me ha sabido todo poco creíble y precipitado, todavía me cuesta aceptar ese cambio brusco de los acontecimientos que se han producido para servir de final, no he sentido que fuera la conclusión correcta y más exacta, la que más cuadra, para Marian y para Sherwood después de todo lo que se vive anteriormente. Es como si la autora no supiera cómo terminar ese enfrentamiento y decidiera cambiar por completo la actitud y personalidad de sus personajes y es algo que no me ha convencido.Por todo lo demás, Sherwood es un libro que engancha por su frescura, su energía y su dinamismo, una historia plagada de acción desde el primer momento y un retelling que consigue evocar bien este mundo de Robin Hood a través de una protagonista fuerte y que te va a conquistar. Directa, rápida, bien equilibrada y pensada, es la lectura perfecta si os gustan este tipo de historias y no sabéis qué leer ahora mismo, un libro que, si le dais una oportunidad, no os va decepcionar en absoluto.

The book that got me out of a reading slump, the book that made me add Meagan Spooner to my "instant-buy authors" list, and the book that I would shove to everyone who asks for a recommendation 😍Easy read? ✓Fast read? ✓Emotional read? ✓ (if you didn't sob during that father-daughter moment then you're probably a stone-cold reader 🤣😭)Gender-bending Robin Hood at its finest, even though I have no basis for comparison (because I have close to zero knowledge about the original Robin Hood, much less other retellings. I knew he had a bow, but that's it 😆). I used to shy away from anything Robin Hood-related, but this book made me love the legend so much!• The story: 4 starsIt was a bit slow-going, but that didn't stop it from thrilling me to madness with all the conflict and that climax. All the while I was reading it, I didn't know how the ending would play out, and it was in no way predictable. I made this journey with no hope for Marian's future, but that ending really paid off.Let's talk about that almost-nonexistent romance. The whole time I was reading, I thought this book wasn't going to have a romance plot. Then boom, at more than halfway through, I suddenly realized who the love interest was. And the ship sailed smoothly from there. It was the best pairing ever, and no one could convince me otherwise 😭• The writing: 5 starsI usually don't like it when there are dragging paragraphs of a character's thoughts and feelings but the way it was written here in Sherwood was just so beautiful that I appreciated every word of every page!Not really poetic writing but really close 💖• The characters: 4.5 starsI ended up loving every single one of them. Yes, even Sir Guy 😭Actually, no, I never got around to liking the Sheriff but it's an understandable exception 😬Fave character? Marian herself. It's rare for the MC to become my fave but Marian is just the ultimate symbol of equality between men and women that you just can't NOT like her. “I don’t intend that it should be a farewell."“No one ever does.”Final verdict: 4.5 stars

Another stellar retelling by Meagan Spooner! I LOVED this gender swapped Robin Hood story. Marian is fierce yet vulnerable and noble yet flawed.PLUS there's romance in here that was beautiful and so unexpectedly lovely.I need more!!

I was obsessed with watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (as well as Men in Tights 🤭) when I was a kid and this book was so fun and brought back a lot of nostalgia I have for the story of Robin Hood.I quite liked the gender-bent spin placed on this story, seeing Marian step into the role of Robin and do what she can to help her people. In fact, this book went a completely different direction than I had anticipated, which I loved about it. The cat-and-mouse aspect, as well as Robin/Marian’s band of friends made this story even more enjoyable.I am also a sucker for romance and initially felt as though this book wouldn’t have any at all. I was resigning myself to that outcome, but was surprised to discover there actually was a romance on the table! And I really liked the way that romance played out and who it was with, I think it helped make that character more dimensional. If anything, I wish the romance would have begun to flourish earlier in the book, but alas I am satisfied with how it came to be, too!Sherwood is a easy to enjoy and refreshing spin on the tale of Robin Hood and I’m quite delighted to have enjoyed it.

This gender-switched retelling turns the original folktale up an adrenaline-racing notch, while taking down gender inequality at the same time. Containing many well known characters from the legend, like Will Scarlet, Little John and Alan-a-dale, Sherwood simply enhances the magic of storytelling.Lord Robin of Locksley died in the Crusades, but Marian barely has any time to grieve about it. The Sheriff of Nottingham is still out there, taking advantage of her people, and the Sheriff’s right hand Guy of Gisborne is hoping to take Robin’s place as her husband. Marian has no other choice than to become her own hero, concealed by her deceased lover’s green cloak and a sword. Her people are desperate for any sign of hope, and only the new Robin Hood can bring it to them. The myth of Robin Hood has always been timeless, tallying thousands of variations all over the world. Surprisingly, here, the magnificent Robin of Locksley was merely a sly, careful nobleman trying to ask for justice, but still loyal to the crown. Now it is Marian that gets caught in danger, resorting to breaking the law in Robin’s name. It is Marian that commences the reputation that becomes Robin Hood. The writing style had a different feel than other fantasy novels. It was transcendently brittle, and read straight like a classic from the medieval times. Spooner twines swaying prose together without effort. The pace never desists, constantly making me want to move to the next page. Better yet, I never knew where the plot was heading next, what new adventure or conflict Spooner would come up with to keep me entertained. Marian leads most of the story in third perspective, but there are short chapters containing flashbacks of her romance with Robin, in his own viewpoint. This was actually a fresh take on gradually creating chemistry among characters, and humanized Marian’s anguish entirely. Lady Marian is an opinionated woman who doesn’t want men to see her as delicate, someone who’s actually interested in the issue of politics. Her Lord might be dead, but that doesn’t mean she can’t fight for her people, before the Sheriff turns Locksley to dust. Her bow and her noble purpose are the only things that keep her connected to Robin, the only thing that she absolutely can’t lose. She does not want to stand on the sidelines like an idle housewife, but desires to be bold and change things. Yet, she’s constantly conflicted about what she’s doing, feeling as if she’s deceiving her own people. Her wild identity makes her trickier, and wiser about her own prejudice. Gradually, she begins to realize her betrothed wasn’t all what she imagined him to be. In fact, the question remains if Robin would even agree with the radical path she has chosen for herself. Guy was oddly sympathetic and patient at times, forced to desire power by his elders. He even is intrigued by Marian’s passions, even if they aren’t feminine. The commander recognizes her need for greatness, to mean something in deeds instead of theoretical power. He understands better than anyone the games of wealth and titles, even if he has chosen for a different kind of revolution. His thought process swaggered me immediately, and he turned out to be one of the most intriguing characters I have ever encountered. If anything, his least approving trait was that he fell for Marian so easily, without context. Each minor character feels real, and just as honest as Marian. Even Robin, who we only got to know in few flashbacks, feels known. Alan was a softhearted minstrel, obsessed with spectacle and romance. Will was more sentimental, with a superstitious nature. Elena knows how to hide her intelligence and her grit, but she’s just as determined as Marian. Despite those amusing personalities, I would have liked for them to have bigger roles, and more important backstories other than being a loyal outlaw. Overall, while probably to excellence, this book could have benefited from less pages. As a character-driven story with a blooming purpose of self-realization, I grant it 4 stars. However, I was unconvinced no one else saw through her rather bland costume. It was as if she wore Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak, because how much can a mantle and a mask really hide? Additionally, the tangled ending fell flat to me, compared to the majority of the book. There, we had a woman defeating the law, and former gender norms while she’s at it. For all its faults, Sherwood showed boundless characters, accompanied by an attentive undercurrent of depression, grief and poverty. If there’s one message Spooner is giving along, it’s that masculinity is overrated.

Read this book review and others on my blog: https://thriftybibliophile.com Sherwood by Meagan Spooner is a Robin Hood retelling that includes delightful twists and turns.Robin of Locksley is dead, leaving his fiancé, Maid Marian, behind. Wracked with grief, Marian isn’t sure how to go on, but there’s one thing she does know: the people of Locksley need to be protected. Who will protect them now that Robin is gone?Marian swoops in to the rescue, unintentionally becoming a symbol of hope and justice during dark times. With Robin’s cloak around her shoulders and a clever mask on her face, she becomes the person who left her behind: Robin Hood.Meanwhile, the sheriff’s righthand man wants to take Robin of Locksley’s place as Marian’s fiancé. Gisborne has feelings towards Marian, but he’s also skeptical of her. He firmly believes that she’s helping the person parading around as Robin Hood. Little does he know that Marian and Robin Hood are one in the same.I enjoyed reading Sherwood by Meagan Spooner! While I think Spooner’s writing in Hunted was better, I thought Sherwood was wonderfully entertaining. I’m a sucker for retellings, and this is the first Robin Hood retelling I’ve read.The story in Sherwood was great. I appreciate stories with strong female characters, and Marian fit “strong woman” to a tee. Marian is headstrong, opinionated, and excellent with a bow and sword. She isn’t a damsel in distress—she’s going to do the saving.While I loved the story, I struggled with Robin of Locksley’s death! Yes, I knew he was dead going into the book, but I love Robin. That was hard to come to terms with. I also struggled with the romance in the book. While I love a good hate to love romance, this one felt somewhat out of place. The romance ultimately grew on me, but it took me a few chapters to get used to it.Robin Hood’s men were awesome! A fabulous crew of merry men. They provided needed comic relief throughout the book and were in general a great group of characters.The ending surprised me! I love a good surprise ending. I think the ending wrapped up the book nicely and brought the book to a nice closure.Should you read Sherwood by Meagan Spooner? If you enjoy retellings, reading this book is a no-brainer. Sherwood was a lot of fun!

Me ha tenido enganchada desde el primer momento hasta la última palabra del libro

4-1/2 StarsMeagan Spooner’s writing is lush and effortless, her storytelling compelling. I look forward to reading anything she writes. Although, I did like Hunted a little more than Sherwood, I fell easily under the author’s spell as she spun the alternate history of Robin of Locksley. Robin Hood is a favorite tale of mine, and I really enjoyed letting Spooner unravel the threads of the old tale and magically weave them back into something completely new, while managing to retain the same comfortable feel of the original. I was also pleasantly surprised with some of the twists in this story. You should definitely read it to find out for yourself. I will just say that not all is as it seems, and I couldn’t have been happier with the end result. Highly recommended. ********************************************Shut up! Meagan Spooner is doing a retelling of Robin Hood? A FEMALE Robin Hood?First, Naomi Novik announces Spinning Silver ... and now this? It’s too much, I tell you. After reading Hunted, one of my favorite reads this year .... and one of the best retellings of Beauty and the Beast (my fave fairy tale of all time), I’ll be the first in line to read anything else Spooner writes. I feel like such a lucky reader. I’m just glad there are so many other terrific books on my TBR list between now and 2019. Because waiting is hard.P.S. I’m crushing on that cover!

Robin of Locksley is dead.Maid Marian, left with his engagement ring and many memories, mourns him. But life in England remains harsh. Her maid’s brother has been arrested and imprisoned. Robin would have saved him.But Marian is responsible for Robin’s people now. And she could always outshoot him with a bow. If only she were not a woman.Amazing what a borrowed green cloak with a hood can do.Meagan Spooner’s Sherwood is one of the best books I’ve read in the past year. Unpredictable. At first, I didn’t know where it was going. Then I hated where it was going. And somehow the author won me over to where it went. Well done.