3.5*
Guys, I did not hate this retelling! I think that is worth noting, yeah? You know how weird I am about retellings! I also have some issues with Robin Hood in general after having some... confusing dreams about the animated one as a kid. So I went into this a wee bit hesitantly? But it was pretty good, and so we shall break down what worked for me, and what didn't as much!
The Things I Liked:
- •I mean, it's a badass old-timey lady Robin Hood! Marian is freaking fabulous. And her transformation into Robin Hood made sense, both in terms of plot and Marian's character. She's always had a tough, stubborn streak, but she still has the hesitance that you'd expect a woman in those days to have. Plus, she's been through a huge drama, and she fears that the world she knows is going to just fall deeper into despair, so it's absolutely clear why she chooses to do something rather than sit back and watch. And you can't help but love her for it!
- •Oh, the friendships and loyalty! Not just Marian's with her... crap what is the word... uhhh you know, the person who bathed and dressed the aristocracy in the days of yore? Whatever, Elena is her name and I adored their incredible friendship! And Marian gains the loyalty and trust of Robin's men, and she feels the same of them, too. It's pretty fabulous, because I feel like they filled such a hole left by Robin of Locksley in her heart.
- •Shades of gray morality and there being no "good" choices. ::Insert Clarke Griffin GIF here:: But seriously, everyone always thinks they're on the right side, the side of good, but the truth is that maybe there is no real good versus bad. (I guess I need another The 100 GIF here too, ha.) And this book examines both sides- and why maybe the thing you think is right... isn't.
- •I adored Marian's relationship with her dad. They're just cute! He doesn't always understand her, but he believes in her fully, and he has her back. She, in turn, equally loves him, and I am just plain old happy they had each other!
The Things I Didn't:
- •This shit did not have to be nearly 500 pages. Honestly, this is my biggest qualm. It seemed so draggy at times which took me out of a story that I was otherwise into. And it starts off slow, too, which didn't help matters. Good news is that it did get better by about 20%, but I had definitely contemplated quitting around 12%. Glad I didn't though!
- •It didn't feel quite as historical as I'd hoped. The actual quote from my Kindle was "Where's the historical junk?", which is probably not the uhh proper term, but since when have I used proper terms? Anyway, it could have been any generic historical, save for a few of the wars mentioned and cities/towns and such. I always want to be glad I live in the 21st century, you know? Show me someone peeing in a chamber pot and dying from a paper cut, okay?
Bottom Line: I absolutely liked this more than Hunted, which feels weird because I am not rating it much higher? Which only means one thing: I am getting much saltier and stinger as the years go by. Sorry?