Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

 

 

"Will you ever tell me how you got that scar?" he asked. I covered it with my hand. Why did he think of that? "Not if I can help it," I told him. "But it's old. From a whole different life."

 

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love retellings of the classics, fairy-tales, legends and mythology. Every time a new one is released I do a happy dance, and twirl and spin!! I LOVE THEM!!!

 

Synopsis:

SCARLET is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend. Most of Nottinghamshire knows Will Scarlet: a quick and clever thief that sticks to the shadows and protects the band without question, but even those that know Scarlet’s really a girl don’t know the secrets of her past, like how she got the scar on her cheek. Guy of Gisbourne may be the one person who does: and he was just hired to bring Robin Hood and his gang to the gallows.

 

Posing as one of Robin Hood's thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her female identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only Robin and his band know the truth. As Gisbourne closes in, helping the people of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life, but her fierce loyalty to Robin-whose quick smiles have the rare power to unsettle her-keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

 

So Who Was Robin Hood?

From the first time men spoke of him, Robin Hood was believed to have been a real person. Through the centuries there has been much speculation as to who he was, however his identity remains unknown. No one could provide authentic records of his activities, but five of the oldest surviving poems or ballads as they are now called, tell us much of what is known about the legend of this English outlaw. No one really has been able to prove that he did or did not exist.

Robin is famous for his gallantry, robbing the rich to feed the poor and fighting against injustice and tyranny. Anyone who knows of Robin has also heard the stories of his outlaw band. The names of Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, Allan a Dale, Will Scarlet, Much the Miller and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham are as much a part of the legend as Robin Hood himself.

The stories of Robin portray him as a fearless outlaw leading his band of "merry men" (and women) against the tyranny of Prince John, The Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisbourne. A brilliant archer, Robin lived a life of adventure - poaching the King's deer from the outlaws' retreat in Sherwood Forest.

Stories about the adventures of Robin have been told and retold for over six hundred years. In Robin's time, few people could read or write and consequently little was written down about the exploits of our hero. Instead, people learnt about Robin and his band through the ballad and song of wandering minstrels who weaved a patchwork of fact and fiction into the contemporary culture of the time.

*(Information gathered from www.robinhoodthelegend.com)

 

My Short & to the Point Review:

 

I really did enjoy this book. I love The Hood and his band of Merry Men and I loved the twist in this book. By making Will Scarlet into a she, A.C. Gaughen gives a whole new life to the legend. She gives us a heroine that is not a damsel in distress. She is a survivor, a girl who stands up for what she wants and isn’t afraid to fight for what is right. She has a heart of gold and is loyal and fierce. She takes the reins of these merry men and leads them just as well as any man could! GIRL POWER! Scarlet is a character we can all relate to. Scar works hard to make the people around her comfortable and safe. She works to make those who are less fortunate, happy.

I love how Scarlet can hold her own. She can punch out the biggest of men, out run them too and she is skilled with a knife. Think Katniss Everdeen with a blade! Yup she is that good! (She leaves the bow to The Hood)

There is a love triangle but Scarlet isn’t all swoony over Rob so it isn’t really mushy. But it is sweet. Move over Maid Marion there is a new girl in town!

I’ll keep your heart, Scar,” he whispered. “If you keep mine.”-Robin

 

PICK IT UP & Other Classic Retellings @ YOUR LIBRARY!!!