Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)

by A. C. Gaughen

[jnikkir]

This review can also be found at my blog, There were books involved...

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First off, I need to thank Angie (Disquietus Reads) for gifting me Scarlet and Lady Thief for my birthday this year (...back in April... shhhhhh). If she hadn't, I shudder to think what other, lesser book I might have picked up instead of Scarlet. ;)

How does one even begin to talk about a series like this? I binge-read Scarlet and Lady Thief back-to-back (after telling myself, "No, Nikki, you need to read other things after you finish Scarlet" -- haha NOPE). And after that marvelous (soul-crushing, feels-filled) experience, these books are just a swirl of awesomeness in my head. So, forgive me if this "review" comes across as more of a random collection of flails. I am attempting coherency, and that should count for something, right? I just have a lot of really good things to say about this series.

When I first heard about the Scarlet series (forever ago), it piqued my interest mainly because of two things. First, I adore everything Robin Hood, so a YA Robin Hood retelling is right up my alley. Second, I am a huge fan of the girls-masquerading-as-boys thing. So, Robin Hood + Will Scarlet is actually a girl? SIGN ME UP. If you're a fan of those two things, let me tell you in no uncertain terms that you need to pick up this series. Don't make the mistake of waiting like I did, okay?

Scarlet is the start of an amazing trilogy (again -- shhh, I know I haven't read the third book yet but it's the truth, okay?), and I loved every moment of it. The only thing that took me a while to get used to was the voice and style of writing. Scarlet herself is the narrator. She's quick, to-the-point, doesn't mince words, isn't flowery, and says things like "he weren't" and "they ain't". But once I got into the swing of it, I loved it. Scarlet's narration is so suited to these books, it's ridiculous. It feels like a quick and fast-paced read. The plot might be a bit vague for a while (Robin Hood steals from the rich and gives to the poor, which is all well and good; but the Big Bad doesn't really come into the limelight until a ways into the story). But stuff happens, a lot, and Scarlet's no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is style goes so well with that. And right from the start, something about Scarlet kept my attention, and when I fell for her and the rest of the band, I fell hard.

Scarlet herself was definitely my favorite thing about this first book, and she's a character whom I'm going to yell about from the rooftops. She doesn't fool around with either her words or her actions. She's not one to do anything halfway, and she doesn't wallow in unnecessary drama. She's got her secrets, but she also isn't afraid to speak up and speak her mind (when she knows it -- which is most of the time, which I loved), she doesn't lead people on, she's selfless and driven but also will fight for what she wants with everything she has, and... and... and... oh gosh, I'm rambling. I'll admit, I don't get super flaily about girl characters very often, but Scarlet... Wow. I don't know how she did it, but she easily makes my list of Top 3 Female Characters Of All Time. Yep, I went there. But seriously... seriously. Omg.

Other than Scarlet, there were a few other major highlights that I need to address. First, Robin himself. When you read a book about "Robin Hood and his Merry Men" Plus One Girl In Disguise, there's definitely some anticipation when it comes to Robin. I was so impressed with the characterization of all the characters in this book, but other than Scarlet, Robin was my second favorite. He's had his lands basically stolen out from under him, but he still feels the need to stay and take care of his people. A lot of adaptations have him being very cavalier and happy, but that is not the case with our Rob. He's fought in the Crusades alongside King Richard, which was not a happy time, and he's only been back a few years when Scarlet begins. Rob is very much not a mischievous thief, as many adaptations paint him. He's serious and real in ways that I think, if Robin Hood is/were actually true, he really would be. And I loved that.

Second (and I'm going to try not to dwell tooooo terribly much on this, because I've read Lady Thief and I need to save some of these flails for later), there is Rob/Scarlet. Or as I and Ashlea (Disquietus Reads) like to call them, ROBLET. (The caps are required.) For this subject, I'm just going to leave you with all of my Goodreads status updates, because... yeah.



Take from that what you will.

Finally, one other thing I have to mention about the shipping in this book: If you see a triangle developing, you're wrong. I've seriously never seen a (non-)triangle dealt with in this way before, and it was so freaking cool. And that's all I will say about that.

 
In conclusion...

If I haven't made myself 100% clear yet, let me fix that immediately: READ. THIS. BOOK. Are you a fan of retellings? Do you like the idea of Robin Hood? Do you like girls who take charge of their lives and spend their time showing the boys how to get things done? Yeah, you! You need this book in your life. Read it. Love it. You're welcome. *drops mic*

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There were books involved...