I struggle with this rating because I don’t think this book was for me. From the afterward it’s clear there was a lot of research done in this Robin Hood retelling which is impressive and the medieval setting was fun and unusual.

On the other hand, I did not connect with these characters at all. The FMC feels very 21st century to me and there’s far too much telling instead of showing- general narrative, connections between characters, social commentary, and characters’ emotions. North Woods for me was a 5-star read that did a wonderful job of putting a modern reader into a historical setting that felt real, this book very much did not do that and I often felt the feminist social commentary was being shoved down my throat. (When I could have read between the lines myself and come to the same conclusion!)

If you love romantasy protagonists (Phantasma comes to mind) this may be a very fun read for you that gives you a glimpse into the medieval world. I’m just not that reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest (clearly!) review.

This is a much different kind of Robin Hood adaptation than modern audiences are used to, for sure. It is clearly very well researched and historically accurate, drawing from the earlier legends and ballads.

That being said, fans of the Disney movie or other modern retellings are in for a bit of a shock at some of the characterizations in this book. I found it very hard to root for anyone at all. It was interesting to see the story through the eyes of a wholly original character, but I found Jane to be incredibly frustrating.

This book is quite well written and thoroughly researched (the historical note at the end was a very welcome inclusion), but for me as a reader, the lack of likeable characters made it just not my cup of tea.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC!

This is a 2 star read for me.
It was just so depressing and everyone was just awful. All the main characters were just awful terrible people.
The worst villian got away with everything and we never see if they get the ending they deserve. The ending is by far the worst part. It’s abrupt and cruel. I didn’t love this book. It was slow, the FMC totally naive. Robin Hood awful. The sheriff not terrible but not good either. I just didn’t like this at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

A Robin Hood retelling like I've never seen before. From the point view of Jane we actually get a more truthful view of Robin. But I loved that this focused more more on Jane and who she was growing to be.

A really unique take on a Robin Hood retelling, Teh Traitor of Sherwood Forest gripped me right from the beginning. This story has a very interesting voice that pulls you in and keeps you engaged. I really liked the nods to the original story but thought that the direction it went was surprising and unique. I will be looking for more books from Amy S. Kaufman for sure.

3.5 🌟

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

I started off enjoying the slow build of the story, but as the story went on the pacing never quite picked up like I expected it to and the ending felt almost rushed. I loved the retelling and the world building, the characters were well written as well. It was clearly researched and history included in here was so interesting. I would recommend this book as long as you are aware of the pacing.

I really wanted to enjoy this novel, I love retellings and inspired by's but this one was a miss for me. The biggest issue for me was the pacing of the story it felt too slow and dragged on. The world building, characters and plot were very well done, do I think others will enjoy it? Yes of course, but it just wasn't for me.

This book is a Robin Hood retelling with all the fun of cottage core and fairytale stories.

I love the story of Robin Hood and how he is an outlaw but has good intentions at heart. He’s one of the more complex characters, not living in solely good or bad territory. It’s definitely a personal perception on how you view him.

I think this book handled the complexities of his character in a really unique and interesting way. It kind of showed the perspective of both Robin Hood and the people he stole from or deemed “bad.” It really showed how maybe trying to do the right thing is not as simple as it seems. And often it can cause more trouble.

This book differently writes Robin Hood more as a villain and morally grey character type so I would like to preface that. If you’re a big fan of Robin Hood stories you may not like seeing a different version of him.

I was disappointed in the main character Jane. I found her to be really childish and lacking of the strength I like seeing in female main characters. But by the end she had grown on me a bit and I think she was an accurate representation of the time period this book is being set in.

Overall, it was a fast read and the storyline was entertaining enough to keep me gripped until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This book comes out April 29, 2025.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is a refreshingly intelligent take on the typical fairytale revisited. Peasant girl Jane's quiet village life takes a daring turn when the famed Robin Hood starts trucking and targeting the rich nobility and clergy in her area. Soon, Jane is drawn into his world of trickery and vigilante justice. But as with all humans, Robin turns out to have flaws and moral failings of his own. Are Jane's allegiances to Robin, or her own moral compass?

This books plays in medieval gender roles, power dynamics and the responsibilities of minor characters in heroes' stories.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this, and as the author is a medieval scholar who’s written for academic journals and mainstream media, I was really looking forward to reading.

I was so impressed with this as I read (voraciously, might I add) - complex characters who are so humanized, side characters who truly add to the story, and history-rich fiction that was fantastic and kept me fully interested in the story.

Though I wish that there had been a little more self contemplation on Jane’s part, I couldn’t have asked for a more true-to-the time medieval observations and I loved that.

Issue aside, I really enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction accuracy, and is interested in the possible reality behind the tale of Robin Hood.

I look forward to reading Dr. Kaufman’s future titles.



Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the DRC

I couldn't get past the first chapter. The dialog is too modern and the premise made no sense from the start. Also had a very YA feel. Not for me.

This dark reimagining of Robin Hood presents a compelling and nuanced portrayal of a deeply troubled medieval protagonist, a significant departure from the traditional chivalrous archetype. The narrative and character development are exceptionally well-executed, maintaining consistent engagement. While the female lead character exhibits occasional naivete, her arc is convincingly developed. The author's inclusion of historical notes is a welcome and insightful addition.

An interesting take on a retelling of the classic character of Robin Hood. This novel takes a different angle at the character as he isn't wholly good and leans morally gray, which is a slight shock to what you generally know of the stories.

I love Robin Hood retellings so was excited to try this one! Unfortunately, it’s a soft DNF for me now. The dialogue in the first two chapters felt clunky and odd, and I was not able to get into the story or really engage with the characters.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S. Kaufman is an intoxicating, gritty reimagining of the Robin Hood legend that peels back the myth to show something darker—and far more human. This isn’t your childhood Robin Hood tale of merry men and noble robberies. Instead, it’s a tense, morally fraught story told through the sharp eyes of Jane Crowe, an ordinary girl thrust into the world of outlaws and spies. The result is a page-turner that feels both familiar and thrillingly unpredictable.

Jane is an incredible protagonist—not because she’s extraordinary, but precisely because she’s not. She’s a peasant girl who has spent her whole life unnoticed, navigating hardship and obscurity. That makes her perfect for Robin’s purposes as a spy in the King’s Houses. But what makes Jane’s story so compelling is her slow, devastating realization that even the "hero of the people" might be more complicated—and dangerous—than the songs would have you believe.

Kaufman’s Robin Hood is magnetic, sure, but there’s a menace beneath his charm. His affection for Jane feels real, yet tinged with manipulation. You can see why Jane is drawn to him—he’s her savior, her chance to be something more than invisible—but you can also see the cracks forming. Their relationship is a study in power dynamics, desire, and betrayal. The slow-burning chemistry between them is deliciously tense, but it’s never clear if Robin truly loves Jane or if she’s just another tool in his war against the nobility.

The supporting cast of characters is also rich and morally gray. The Sheriff of Nottingham is more than just a villainous bureaucrat—he’s cunning and ruthless but not cartoonish. Meanwhile, the outlaws in Robin’s band aren’t exactly saints, either. Kaufman refuses to paint in black and white, instead delivering a narrative where the line between hero and villain is thin, frayed, and easily crossed.

The pacing is tight, with each chapter adding a new layer of tension as Jane is pulled deeper into Robin’s schemes. The historical setting is vividly drawn, with muddy forest clearings, lavish noble halls, and dark, dangerous shadows that make you feel the stakes of every secret passed and every risk taken. Kaufman’s prose is lush but never overwrought—it’s the kind of writing that grips you and doesn’t let go.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the ending feels a touch abrupt. Just as Jane fully comes into her own—no longer a pawn or a prize—the story cuts off in a way that left me hungry for just a bit more closure. That said, it’s fitting for a tale about betrayal and survival that the answers aren’t all neat and tidy.

At 4 stars, The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is an enthralling, seductive retelling that strips away the romantic veneer of the Robin Hood legend to ask tough questions about power, justice, and agency. Jane’s journey from overlooked peasant to a woman who refuses to be used is both heartbreaking and empowering. If you like your historical fiction with a side of intrigue, slow-burn betrayal, and complicated anti-heroes, this one will leave you breathless—and maybe a little wary of charming men in green cloaks.

i had several quips come to me while reading this novel and i will share some here:
1. pick me girl representation
2. the perfect sick day read
3. i don't hate historical fiction, it just has to be the medieval period

overall a pretty solid debut. the writing felt a bit ya but did not deter from the story, which was gripping! i have only come across one other robin hood retelling in my time so i was intrigued when i saw this. the author's historical note at the end added a layer of appreciation to the tale. bonus points if you picture carey elwes as robin hood the entire time.

The traitor of Sherwood Forest. A retelling of Robinhood, except where Robin Hood is basically a complete jerk .

I tried to get into this book, kept reading it hoping it would get better or pick up speed but no matter how much I tried I just could not get into this book.

I am not saying this book wasn’t well written it clearly is, I am just not into the direction the writer took Robin Hood’s Character.

Do I think others will enjoy this book? Oh absolutely , was it a book for me? Absolutely not .

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin group Viking Penguin and penguin books

This is such a fascinating tale. It took me a while to warm up to it, especially because it can feel like a story slowly unwinding. Much like the Greek tragedies you will feel and feel, but never satisfaction.

If Robinhood were real, he’d be a self assured narcissist with low self control and a heart for admiration. He’s crude and crass, and unfair to those who follow him. In a way, he is almost childlike. And Jane, a lost girl never truly found.

The last 25% of this page held me in a vice and I was eager to finish the story. I am however, a fan of happy ends.

I really liked this fresh take on Robin Hood as a more flawed, morally grey character. It felt grounded in history without being overly detailed, which kept the story engaging. Jane’s journey, as she realized the real Robin wasn’t the hero from the legends, was one of my favorite parts.

The story did get a bit slow and repetitive in places, but overall, it was a solid and enjoyable read.

"The Traitor of Sherwood Forest" by Amy S. Kaufman is a fresh take on the classic Robin Hood legend. This version introduces us to Jane Crowe, a peasant girl with a mysterious family background who finds herself thrust into the world of Robin Hood and his band of thieves. Jane's journey from outcast to spy in the King's court is filled with twists and turns that kept me hooked. I loved how Kaufman stayed true to the essence of the original tale while adding her own unique spin. The character development, especially Jane's, was nicely done, even if her naivety sometimes made me want to shake her. The darker tone of the story added depth, making it feel more realistic and gritty. Plus, the historical notes at the end were a nice touch. Big thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!