It references a strong female, not a male-hating woman. Don’t groan with the word “feminist”-it’s not a bad word. She would be stifled sewing and running a household as her only duties.Sound different from the tale you know? Well, Meagan Spooner never writes a story as you expect, which is what I so enjoy and love (just read her novel Hunted-it’s amazing!).

She doesn’t need a man to protect her or place her in a cage of traditional womanhood. She taller than most women, can shoot a bow better than most men, can fight with a sword, and can handle herself outdoors. Most men would have insisted she act more like a lady, but Marian is very physically capable. He wasn’t giving her permission he truly believed Marian was wonderful and she should be whoever she wants to be. I use the word “allowed” with hesitation because of the connotations associated with it. They were to be married they had grown up together and were well-suited. When Marian finds out a few months later, she is devastated. Robin Hood goes off to fight in the Holy wars, but he doesn’t survive, dying with his last thought of Marian. Thank you! This novel is a rewritten version of Robin Hood. It, however, won’t be published until March of 2019, so I have no one with whom to discuss and gush over the novel! I received an early copy from the publisher. Just be warned, the first half of the book is raw with Marion's grief and sadness.I guess she loved him a little? Read more So maybe if you're a reader looking for a female Robin Hood story, you'll enjoy this. Not in the same way.It did keep my attention, even when I was rolling my eyes. My favorite scenes were the flashbacks told from Robin's POV of how he falls for Marion, but even those are shadowed by the realization that Marion didn't actually love him back.

So the romance between Marion and Gisbourne was, quite frankly, the most unbelievable part of this book. D.E.A.D.What did Gisbourne do that was so awful? Why did Marion hate him so much from the start? The book doesn't tell us.

I honestly thought Robin being dead was a mislead and that Robin would reappear, wounded, but eager to retake his position. This one was interesting to see Marion as Robin (though I will confess I found it hilarious that no one-NO ONE!-ever realized that it was a woman). I've read and enjoyed female Robin Hood stories before.

Parts of this I enjoyed, and parts had me rolling my eyes. Who is this Guy of Gisbourne who is to take over the estate she has loved and cared for in her betrothed's absence? To save the brother of her maid, Marion takes on an alternate persona and a legend is born.I am caught between three stars and four stars and am going with the more generous rating to be nice. When Marion receives the news that Robin of Locksley, the man she had intended to marry, was killed, she is thrown into grief and despair.

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner