First off, let me tell you about Hood by Stephen Lawhead, then I'll tell you about the sequel Scarlet. This book, Hood, was really enjoyable. It was my first Lawhead book and I think I will always look for the sequels and possible other series of his as well. Every once in a while there was a monologue of a character's thoughts on their past and I hated it and love it at the same time. Part of me would just want to get past it so I could get back to the action and events in the story, while at the same time it was interesting and fairly important to understanding the character, the events, and to find empathy. This is a more realistic version of the fantasy Robin Hood than most others you find and I love it. I really enjoyed how it was not dumbed down to perfection and happily ever after. There is strife, and religion, and ignorance, and love, and family, and happiness goals. I was taken aback at the setting at first because it does not have many of the places and names that I'm familiar with, but in the end of the book, after the novel, it has his explanation of why, and it is fabulous. I'm a history buff and to get this short history lesson on the true tales of Robin Hood was fascinating to me. I really enjoyed this book.
Will Scarlet has always been my favorite Robin Hood character for as long as I can remember knowing different versions of the historical tales. This book does not change that at all. This is Will Scarlet in more depth than any book or film has ever shown him. Everything you ever once thought of him or wanted to know is given in a wonderfully melodio
us tone by Stephen Lawhead and your imagination can soar. I was thoroughly impressed by Hood, but so much more by Scarlet yet in different ways. I recommend this book to anyone who loves celtic, Britons, old english, Robin Hood, medieval, knights, and chivalry... as well as just good old adventure. There is nothing "tasteless" in this novel as you find in many books these days... meaning there is moral delimma with characters that are just out right evil. But you do not find the protagonists as lust filled murders. It is just plain good stories twisted together to keep you up hours into the night reading until there is no more. So sad that I have to wait until 2009 for the Trilogy end Tuck... but I am fairly certain it will be worth it.
Oh, and there are other Lawhead books that I've read that didn't "hook" me, but these King Raven Trilogy books are really to die for. And in addition to Lawhead's King Raven Trilogy if you want a similar story but from the eyes of Maid Marian/Merian check out my past blog on Elsa Watson's Maid Marian.
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Sunday, November 25, 2007
Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead
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3 comments and creative thoughts:
Aren't these books great? I like the character of Will Scarlet, too.
Have you seen the alternative cover on Stephen Lawhead's website? The one where they actually have a picture of Will Scarlet instead of just the noose? I think that is a great cover, and they should have used it here in the U.S.
I have definitely appreciated the lack of smut that seems so prevalent in current writings. It's nice to have a series that is good, solid storytelling that I am not afraid to lend to my friends!
This was a solid, well done review.
I enjoyed the fact that I did not have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
I, too, cannot wait for Tuck.
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