Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Order / Goodreads
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.
It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.
Like
most people, I have been introduced to the story of Robin Hood through many
different incarnations of the media & books. For example, I have seen Robin
Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Disney’s Robin Hood (1973), BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009),
& Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). I’ve grown up hearing the stories,
and would entertain myself –as a much, much younger child – acting out
different adventures for Robin & his merry men with my dolls and action
figures. I love the idea of Robin Hood being a force that goes against the
tyranny of the corrupt, and going against the law to give back to those in
need. The sneaky, clever nature of his tricks and traps always impressed me,
and, as a fellow archer, I am a huge fan of anyone using a bow and arrows to
fight. So obviously, I had to pick up a copy of A.C. Gaughen’s version of one
of my favorite heroes. However, this is not only a story of Robin Hood but a
tale of one of his closest companions: Will Scarlet.
Gaughen’s
writing is basically flawless and instantly draws readers in to the medieval
world of the Hood and his gang. Her descriptions are painted so vividly that I
could instantly imagine myself kicking back at Tuck’s with a pint or two,
joking around with John Little, and sneaking through the dungeons with Scarlet.
The
hope and loyalty that Robin inspires is spot on, and Gaughen writes Robin in
such a way that he is knocked down a peg or two from being an untouchable
being. Instead, Robin is given flaws and a back-story that makes reader’s much
more sympathetic to his plight; his morals and reasons for being an outlaw are
made very clear. However, the real center character is obviously Will Scarlet
and it is no secret that Scarlet has scars that run far deeper than the one
that graces her face.
I
found myself cheering for Scarlet throughout this entire novel. She is a strong
female character that does not allow herself to really depend too much on
others, but she is still compassionate and cares deeply for others. I love her
ferocity and spirit, and how much she is willing to sacrifice and put on the
line for the well-being of her friends and the townspeople. Unlike most female
leads I have seen, Scarlet does not back down from a challenge and she fits in
easily with the rest of the Hood gang. In fact her chemistry with the gang is
one of my favorite points of the book. Yes, there is a romantic triangle in
this tale but Gaughen does not let that take away from the main story of
Scarlet; in fact it only adds to the development of the characters and cements
the strength of their relationships. *Also, tip to readers: Marian does appear
in this story, and the way that the author planned her story out was just
amazing! Honestly, I saw the first twist coming but the second one was just a
big shock!
The
idea of a female integrating into the all male Hood gang immediately perked my
interest, but it is the story and, obviously, the amazingly written characters
that breathe a new fire into the tale of Robin Hood. The danger and excitement
are always at a high, and Gaughen never gives the readers much of a chance to
catch a breather before the Hood gang is in the line of Grisbourne’s dagger.
Overall,
this is definitely one of my favorite twists on an old classic! Gaughen’s tale
is full of danger, forbidden romance, a kick-butt heroine and enough pints of
mead to serve all the patrons of Tuck’s. Robin Hood really comes alive, and the
Hood gang – familiar and new – are re-imagined and fleshed out. Scarlet is a character
with enough archery skill to go up against Katniss Everdeen, and I would
proudly rank her as one of my top 10 favorite YA heroines to come along. In
short, readers will find themselves lost within the forests of Nottingham and
willing to go on any adventure so long as Scarlet and the Hood gang are along
for the ride!
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