Member Reviews
I really wanted to love this book, but I didn't. The characters were not very likable. I felt like they targeted people who they didn't like. It felt disjointed, and underdeveloped while reading. I just couldn't get into it.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
It’s been a long while since a book kept me up at bedtime, but I just couldn’t put this one down! I enjoyed it immensely. The legend, the characters, the time period. It was an incredible read.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book took me far too long to get into. I wasn't convinced that the Regency era could work for a Robin Hood retelling. I was tempted to put it down, but several friends had loved it so I kept plugging along. While the first 2/3 of the book seemed slow and wordy, the last third of the book was worth everything it took to get there. The ending was brilliant and I am grateful I didn't give up!
Robin and Marian are delightful characters. It's hard to bridge that gap between a good guy being a bad guy to make himself a better guy, and by the end of the book, both characters had reached that status. There were twists at the end I didn't see coming and I was thoroughly delighted.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Covenant Communications, and Author Dana LeCheminant for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Lady Marian discovers the Earl of Huntington’s secret life as a thief and wants to join him because she’s dissatisfied with her place in the world. He rebuffs her, but when a copycat thief begins stealing, he trains her and she helps flush him out the other thief without anyone learning their secret.
Marian’s emotional, impulsive, and immature, and not very bright, but this wouldn’t have bothered me if she had grown over the course of the book. Her brilliant idea to prove that she can help the poor after Rob initially shuts her down is to steal ribbon from a store. How does that help the poor and oppressed? Guilt drives her to go back and pay for it, but the fact that she did it all makes it hard to like her. She never sees the big picture, and is always quick to anger—particularly with Rob—but is still desperate for his approval.
Rob is hardly any better. He steals to punish the misbehaving wealthy rather than to help the poor. Stealing bank notes from a man who beats his servants—and having someone else give that money away to someone else—doesn’t do anything to help the beaten servant.
The Robin Hood and Will Scarlet friendship was more interesting than his relationship with Maid Marian. Their connection seems born of her desire for danger, but I don’t know why Rob liked her. By the time Guy of Gisborne arrived, I just didn’t care any more.
I picked this regency-set book hoping it’d be a clever Robin Hood retelling, but the story is all over the place and by the halfway point I was skimming to finish it.
I received and ARC from NetGalley
What an incredible debut novel! The characters were so multifaceted and likeable, with an interesting plot. I loved their interactions and their desire to make a positive difference in the world. I would definitely recommend this book!
This was a fun retelling of Robin Hood. I was curious as to how the author would pull off this retelling in the proper sitting rooms of Regency England--she did a wonderful job of it. I enjoyed Marian and Robin as well as the supporting character of Will. (Little John was there, too, although his role was quieter). Along with the intrigue and romance of Robin teaching Marian how to thieve, there was also mystery woven into the story. I love a romance that has a mystery thread running through it!
If you are looking for a story with adventure, humor, intrigue, and danger, this is a great book to pick up!
I loved this book! I loved the Robin Hood retelling set in a regency setting. It gave me Scarlet Pimpernel vibes which I love! Robin was such a fun character and Marian was feisty and spirited and I loved her. The villain was perfect and I love loved how it ended. Such a fun book. I would love more with the same characters.
I've been a fan of Robin Hood ever since I was a little girl and watched the cartoon version. I've watched several adaptations and read more than one retelling. That being said, I don't think I've ever called into question the morality of what Robin Hood does until I read this version.
Despite the fact that I felt what was going on was morally wrong, I did enjoy the story over all. I liked the nod to the original story with Will and John both being included (and yes I noticed that Will blushed the color of Scarlett!).
The bad guy was pretty obvious but I don't usually mind knowing ahead of time who the bad guy is. Marian and Robin were delightful in their interactions and the way they butted heads some times. The final chapter (which I think should be called an Epilogue) was a perfect ending.
Things to know about content: some minor violence, no language, mild kissing.
I LOVED this twist on a regency Robin Hood! I enjoy all things Robin Hood and this newest book by Dana LeCheminant does not disappoint!
I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
DNF at 26%
I really wanted to love this book. It just wasn't keeping my attention. The major conflict AKA the two main characters realizing the truth about each other, was resolved pretty early on. What else can happen?
This is one I might revisit, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters so I don't have motivation to continue. The writing was also not very polished and a little rough in places.
I didn't really know what to expect with this Robinhood retelling. I figured it would probably be like most Robinhood retellings, but boy was I wrong! This book is fantastic! I love all the nods to the original story, but I also love the twists and turns that make this story so unique! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. I wanted to finish while at the same time hoping it would never end. Robert a.k.a. Robin is absolutely delightful! I loved him and his desire to do good in the world. Marian is also amazing! She got me laughing time and again with her theatrics. I think it is wonderful that she also is looking for ways to make the world better when during that era is was so much harder for women to be the good they wanted to see in the world. I don't think there are enough words to express how much I enjoyed this book! I highly recommend to any fans of Robinhood, regency era, romance, adventure, and good books!
This was a delightful retelling of Robin Hood! I absolutely loved the way the author told this tale. Robin had the fun that I associate with Robin Hood, as well as the heart to help other people who were in a situation he once was in. I thought Marian was a wonderful character, and I thought her character was portrayed so well, both her youth as well as her determination to help improve the lives of the poor. I enjoyed the adventure, as well as, the way other characters joined in to help! This was such a joy to read, and I would highly recommend it!
This book is a Robin Hood story set in Regency England. Marian searches for a way to help the poor, she stumbles upon Robin, stealing from the rich to help the poor. She wants in and he lets her, not aware how it will effect him and his work! With a supporting cast of little John and Will, Robin and Marian have their first adventure into helping others as a team. This story was an interesting take on an old classic.
I am all over the place on how I feel about this book. It is a retelling of Robinhood, set in Regency England by a new to me author. I enjoyed the writing and liked the characters well enough but I have a really hard time rooting for thieves. Therefore I don't have a fondness for the tale of Robinhood. I have been thinking and trying to decide if it is ever right to steal from others so the book was thought provoking. My upbringing says no so even though I can make the same argument that Robin does, it makes it hard for me to want the characters to keep doing what they do. I found I liked the characters so much better when they were working to catch the other thief that was out and about but not as much when they were thieving themselves.
That being said, the story was adventurous, exciting, unexpected, and on the swoony side. My heart raced while reading the life threatening situations. And the story kept me engaged. I stayed up too late reading and then wanted to finish today only to have to stop with about 15 minutes left. Gah! Not a good stopping point!!!
I liked that the author kept names from the original story. Having not read a book of Robinhood, my only real experience is from Disney's animated movie. I have no idea how this book followed along the original tale. I think the author did a good job adapting the story to the regency era. Obviously neither Marion or Robin conformed to regent societal rules but that is the essence of the story, is it not?
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
Yes, this is completely a reference to the Robin Hood stories—the characters themselves note it.
Marian is a privileged young woman who recognizes her privilege and wants to use it in order to better the lives of those who lack her privilege. Robin is a reluctant nobleman fighting the past trauma of an abusive father. He, too, wants to stop the abuses that the upper classes perpetrate on those below them.
There’s a meet cute; they are exasperated by each other while fighting their attraction. I particularly enjoyed when Robin developed a friendship with Marian’s cousin—another reluctant heir to a title. This book doesn’t particularly tread any new ground, but it was a light, entertaining way to spend an afternoon.
Possible Objectionable Material:
As with others from this publisher, this book doesn’t go beyond kissing. There are some threats of violence against Marian, and some lecherous comments. There is danger. There are robberies of course!
Who Might Like This Book:
If you like romance, especially of the clean variety, and enjoy books that allude to popular stories, this might be the book for you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2022/01/february-1-releases-part-1.html
I loved this twist on Robin Hood! I fell in love with our main characters, and aspire to be Lady Marion hahahaha! Her feistiness was en pointe, and I adored Robin’s patience with her. The pair were so loveable. The mystery of who was thieving was also incredibly clever.
Instead of medieval times this delightful re-telling of the classic Robin Hood takes place in the regency era. While breaking all of the rules of society, Lady Marian goes toe to toe with the mysterious thief, Robin. As they work together to stop a copycat and stay alive they have to decide if they can trust each other to save their work helping the lower classes.
I tried really hard to like this book, but it wasn't the book for me. I loved the idea and the tie-ins to the actual story of Robin Hood and how they both had double lives, but again just not the book for me.
This was an adorably written retelling of Robin Hood. Marian, bless-her-heart, wants to make a difference in the world and needs someone to show her the ropes. Enter Lord Robin Loxley who is the best part of this book :) He has some adorable one liners and an extreme amount of patience as he takes Marian under his wing.
If you’re a fan of retellings be sure to check this one out!
Thanks to the author/publisher/netgalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I loved Thief and the Noble. It was a wonderful Robin Hood retelling that I could not put it down. I am giving it five stars.