I'm a little torn on this one.
This Medieval version of Robin Hood had a lot of potential, and the story was overall good. Reading the Historical Notes at the end of the book was arguably more interesting than the story itself though. I wanted more of that - more of the grown-up historical stuff, if you will. As a result, this felt more like a YA novel or screenplay. I would have appreciated more character development, more setting of the time and place, more historical elements integrated into the story.

Overall, this was a solid re-telling and worth a read if you enjoy Robin Hood or similar stories.

*This was an Advanced Reader Copy via Net Gally and Penguin Books.

I really loved this take on Robin. I think it's a wonderful thing to examine heroes with a critical eye. Just because someone foes heroic things or has a heroic reputation, doesn't make them this altruistic great person. To do this take on a beloved classic is bold and I really enjoyed the story and how it unfolds.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I should start by saying, that, overall, I thought it was brilliant. But. The dialogue in the first two chapters is so jarringly bad, switching from too modern to nearly Chaucerian, that I almost didn't finish the book. If my review accomplishes nothing else, I am begging for the dialogue in the first couple of chapters to be reworked, because once I made it past there I read the entire book in one sitting. I love reading historical fiction by people who have doctorates in history, and Traitor of Sherwood lived up to my expectations on that front. It was a definite upgrade from the story books and middle-grade fiction about Robin Hood I used to read, one that very cleverly gets to the root of his appeal in his own time, and refuses to make any of the characters more palatable for modern audiences. I genuinely enjoyed the prose, and I am curious to read some of Dr. Kaufman's nonfiction writing. I will say that I do not think this book will appeal to people who did not have a childhood Robin Hood obsession, or to people who don't care for the minutiae of history. I enjoyed every minutte of herbs, of kirtle lacing (spiral!), the politicking within the religious order, the cooking descriptions. Dr. Kaufman mentions in the historical note that she replaced some more archaic terms with modernizations, and I wish she hadn't; as I mentioned before, I think the people who will really like this book are the people who would understand those terms.
A last note (Spoiler warning? I mean it's been about 500 years since the ending was set but I guess if you don't know you don't know):


If you'd told twelve-year old me that the prioress of Kirklees who bled Robin dry would be my favorite character in a retelling, I would have scoffed at you. And yet here we are.

A little iffy on how I feel about this one. The ending felt rushed and rather anticlimactic in my opinion. The plot itself was promising in the beginning and had some interesting bits, but it fizzled as the story went on. I think a lot of it boiled down to personal preference for me as I didn’t LOVE the idea of Robin being a villain, but I figured it could be good if executed well..I’m just not sure that it was. I also didn’t like how easily swayed the FMC was, she struck me as a bit shortsighted and naive and those kinds of characters end up annoying me more than anything.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc.

*"The Traitor of Sherwood Forest"* reimagines the Robin Hood legend in a way that is both refreshing and deeply thought-provoking. This novel takes a bold approach, casting the infamous outlaw as a morally gray figure, stripping away the romanticized heroism of ballads and presenting a gritty, historically grounded tale. Through the eyes of Jane, a peasant girl navigating a treacherous medieval world, the story becomes a layered exploration of survival, trust, and betrayal.

Jane's journey is at the heart of the novel, and her perspective offers a unique lens on the familiar Robin Hood lore. Initially depicted as industrious and self-reliant, Jane’s repeated missteps and lapses in judgment can be frustrating but also serve to heighten the suspense as her choices spiral into inevitable consequences. Her interactions with Robin Hood, whose charisma masks his darker, more ruthless nature, challenge traditional notions of heroism. Watching her grapple with her feelings for him—torn between admiration and disillusionment—adds a compelling layer of tension.

The supporting cast shines as well, with standouts like Ibota, whose sharp wit and intelligence make her an instant favorite, and the Shire Reeve, who evolves from a despised figure into a surprisingly sympathetic character. These complexities keep the reader guessing about where each character’s loyalties truly lie.

The pacing is a mixed bag. While the division of the story into parts inspired by Robin Hood ballads is a nod to historical authenticity, it creates a slow burn that takes time to fully ignite. Once the plot thickens midway through, however, the intrigue and moral ambiguity take center stage, making it hard to put down. The historical context, explored in the author’s note, adds depth but might have benefited from being more seamlessly integrated into the narrative.

Though the resolution leaves some threads frustratingly vague—particularly Jane’s motivations and the fate of characters like Little John—the novel’s raw, unpolished edges feel intentional. This is not a tidy tale of good versus evil but a reminder that real life is messy, and morality often lies in the gray spaces.

For fans of historical fiction and reimagined folklore, *The Traitor of Sherwood Forest* offers a nuanced, character-driven narrative that lingers long after the final page. It’s a story that challenges you to question not only its characters but also the myths we hold dear.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this retelling. I've read various remakes with either Robin or Will as a female, and I think this one is one of the better ones I've read.

Spoilers:

I enjoyed this. I'm part of the target audience that will try almost any version of Robin Hood (ditto for King Arthur). The protagonist, Jane, gets involved with Robin Hood's band through her boyfriend. Her opinions on Robin himself vacillate from sexual attraction to him to realizing that he's evil in a sadistic, self-righteous way. A mythical figure like Robin Hood always comes across vague: either idealized or vilified, but the book shows both perspectives on him well.

The author has a PhD in medieval literature. It shows beautifully in the setting and characterization. For example, beliefs in the wheel of fortune, medieval Catholicism, and sexual norms and judgments are important to many characters. These ideas also can harm them. Unlike many other books set in this time period, the characters felt medieval to me. But the period details and digressions slow down the momentum of many scenes.

I liked Jane. Her ambivalence and fear throughout the story were believable, given her personality and social circumstances. This makes her bravery more admirable when it comes. Mother Ibota is a fascinating, strong character, but this book doesn't make the mistake of making every female character equally indomitable.

Thanks, Netgalley and Penguin, for the free ARC and instant download!

"The Traitor of Sherwood Forest" strips away the romantic veneer of the Robin Hood legend, presenting instead a gritty tale told through the eyes of Jane, a peasant girl coming of age in medieval England. This fresh perspective transforms the familiar story into a nuanced exploration of morality and survival in a harsh world.

The novel's strength lies in its protagonist's journey from idealistic youth to clear-eyed realist. Jane's struggle to forge her own path in a society that offers women few choices feels both historically authentic and deeply relevant. Through her increasingly discerning gaze, we see Robin Hood not as the traditional hero of ballads, but as a complex figure walking the line between noble intentions and harsh necessity.

The author excels in creating a vivid, historically grounded world where survival often means choosing between bad options and worse ones. Each character Jane encounters carries secrets and conflicting loyalties, cleverly subverting readers' expectations about heroism and villainy. The result is a compelling narrative that reminds us that in real life, moral choices rarely come in black and white.

This is not your grandfather's Robin Hood – it's a thought-provoking coming-of-age story that uses its historical setting to explore timeless questions about trust, betrayal, and the price of finding one's own voice in a world that would rather keep you silent.

This is a historical reimagining of Robin Hood, told through the eyes of one of his spies. Jane loses her home and comes to work for Robin to survive. He hires Jane as a spy because she is unassuming and can easily fit in. Jane ends up “falling” for Robin… but she kind of realizes maybe he’s not all he’s cracked up to be. He is violent and dangerous and Jane is losing trust in him. Some things happen, don’t want to spoil anything, but Jane has some choices to make. I really enjoyed this book! I kind of feel like Jane wasn’t the most exciting character but I’m kind of ok with that because this story is really about Robin through her eyes.

I received this book as an eArc from NetGalley and really enjoyed it! I grew up a Disney kid watching all the classics and as soon as I saw a Robin Hood retelling, I knew I had to read it.

The book focuses on Jane, the FMC, a character that is poor, invisible, lost in her life's purpose, and looking for more. The opportunity to meet the illustrious rumored-about Robin Hood is presented to her and she is instantly enamored with him. She is set up to become his spy in the King's House and so our story unfolds.

I loved the imagery of this book and the details brought to life in each character. They were all very memorable and I could instantly picture them when they were brought up. I loved the re-telling of a classic story, a more realistic view of the fabled Robin Hood.

The only reason this book did not receive a perfect 5 star from me, is towards the middle end the pace of the story felt like it slowed down a little bit and I wasn't itching to pick it up every spare minute I had. I also didn't understand why she was set up in the King's House and then the king was never there. She only ever interacted with lower level players like the Reeve of Knottingham, a bounty hunter, and the female cousin of the king. I feel like this book could have greatly benefited from some interactions with him, it might have made it feep more dangerous, I don't know. That's just my two cents.

I also think this would be a good book for an older teen, definitely YA vibes going on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Robin Hood. Told from the view of Jane, a new hired spy, we come into a whole new world of Robin. Everyone has heard the tales of Robin and his men, but it's with Jane that we find there's more to them than what the stories tell.

Getting caught amongst more games than she can handle, Jane finds in the end she needs to choose for herself the life she wants. But is the life she wants worth it, and will she get it?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I love the story of Robin Hood, so give me a whole novel with a morally gray hero and I’m hooked. While I’m giving this four stars, I think most readers who aren’t as infatuated with our green-caped vigilante might be more critical than I am.

The characters in this novel were wonderfully complex, with backstories that are revealed layer by layer.

Ibota was my favorite character. Crotchety. Putting men in their place with her sharp and witty words. Intelligent. Using society’s preconceived notions about women to her own advantage.

A character I was surprised to develop a heart for was the Shire Reeve (and his wife!). He’s such a dislikable character at the beginning but the author did a wonderful job with his story.

Robin himself was all of the good from his lore but also all of the bad. Morally gray indeed, you’re not quite sure how to feel about him until the very end.

Now to some of my gripes. Our heroine, Jane, was very frustrating. She’s introduced as industrious, capable, and required to take care of herself because of her circumstances. Despite all of that, she’s kind of an idiot. She repeatedly makes the same mistakes, believes the same lies, and ignores the advice of every person she’s close to. It definitely helped build the suspense, because you knew deep down it wouldn’t end well. It was like a train wreck you couldn’t look away from.

The Baron’s War, which is an important point referenced throughout the novel, was very confusing. It seems like it should have been straightforward, but I found the authors explanation insufficient. Am I dense or was it not explained well? For how important a role it played, I think it needed to be expounded upon more than a couple of sentences.

The authors note explains the division of the novel into four parts, based on specific ballads of Robin Hood lore. However I think it messed up the pacing of the plot because it didn’t feel like the story had much of a direction until over halfway through where the plot really starts to thicken. I admire the intent to stick close to the historical lore, but I think this could have been achieved while having a more defining and clear plot line.

Overall, I liked it! It was a refreshing and unique take on a story that usually falls to stereotypical and tired tropes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!

4 Stars

First off, thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a refreshing take on the Robin Hood legend, nestled among a sea of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and other familiar retellings. And I must say, it was beautiful. I love how everything unfolded. Jane, the FMC, was naive, but not in a way that made her irritating. She was clever, just learning and growing in her own way. Robin, on the other hand, was a character I both loved and hated, in the best way possible. He felt so human—flawed, complex, and unpredictable.

The side characters were a delightful addition to the story, each one adding something special to the narrative, and the ending… oh, the ending! It wrapped everything up perfectly, leaving me beyond satisfied. There was a warmth to this book that stayed with me from start to finish. The entire journey felt like being enchanted in the best possible way.

This book has that comforting vibe I crave, with the perfect blend of emotional depth and rich character development. It’s the kind of story that lingers with you long after you've closed the pages.

This was such a fun twist on Robin hood. I love that it's been totally turned around and put into this amazingly funny story.

This was a decent book, you might enjoy this if you like Robin Hood. However, I don't understand why the main character, Jane, was needed. She added nothing to the story and it was way too long.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest was an interesting tale of Robin Hood. I thought it was okay. I don't think I would read it again. There wasn't much happening in my opinion.

Thank you to Penguin Books and #NetGalley for the advanced copy. All the above opinions are my own.

I liked this! It's a new type of fantasy world and it's a really interesting plot. The characters are well developed enough that you are interested in them as well as what's going on.

Amy Kaufman’s The Traitor of Sherwood Forest gave me everything I’ve ever wanted in a historical fiction novel.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest takes a departure from the modern depictions of Robin Hood to delve into a (perhaps) more historically accurate version of the legend. Kaufman blends a medieval historical setting together with a Robin Hood out of the traditional ballads to create a Robin Hood that I haven’t seen before. He’s charming and charismatic but also vicious and at times, wildly unkind. He’s a Robin that parrots a credo of loyalty and uplifting the disadvantaged while constantly picking fights that leave his gang in danger and using the servants and working people he claims to be working to free.

The story is told from the point of view of not Robin or any of his men, but by Jane, a serving girl, a nobody, but also an accomplish to Robin’s tricks. Jane constantly finds herself divided, pulled between her loyalty to Robin but also her own morals and values. Robin and his men constantly challenge Jane’s view of morality and goodness. While this is a story of Robin Hood (of course), it’s also a story of Jane, of her ability to make changes to her world despite being constantly overlooked. It’s the story of a woman discovering what is important to her and finding her voice to stand up for what she believes.

It’s a story about the choices that we make everyday.

Kaufman tells a fantastic story. Rooted in researched historical context, I just came along for the ride. With loyalty and power dynamics constantly switching, I felt Jane’s whiplash, her eagerness to trust, but also her fear of who to trust. I questioned throughout the novel just who was the traitor of Sherwood, because Kaufman wove a tale that felt like wolves circling Jane from all sides.

Could there have been more introspection on Jane’s part? More of her thoughts shown to us on the page? Sure. But Kaufman developed her characters through their actions rather than their words. After all, what are words but pretty lies in the face of actions?

Overall, this novel was really solid for me. It felt researched, methodical, and woven together in the way I would expect a medieval ballad to be. I liked this more morally ambiguous Robin Hood portrayal, and the ways Jane and the other, more disadvantaged, characters were actually affected by his actions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amy Kaufman! I had high hopes for this book, but I don't think it was for me, but it may be for you! The overall premise sounded intriguing: a woman following her date into the woods, only to encounter the legendary Robin Hood and his merry men. However, the development of the main female character was what disappointed me most. It's clear that Robin Hood is the star; he's charismatic, persuasive, and used to getting his way. In contrast, the female lead comes across as rather one-dimensional. She feels easily manipulated by Robin, with little agency or strong personality of her own. The author seems to have written her more as a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character. I enjoyed the setting, and the details of the period felt authentic and well-researched. If you're a fan of Robin Hood tales, you may enjoy that aspect of the story. Overall, I wished the female lead had been written with more depth and complexity. The book did not engage me fully without a strong central character to latch onto. I think it could have benefited from further character development to make the protagonist a more active, exciting part of the narrative. I did DNF around 50% of the way through, but I would give it another chance.

3.75 ⭐️

Around 60% I found myself wanting this to wrap up and just be done already. I just found a lot of this slow, tedious filler and I saw the plot twist in the dream. I enjoyed this, but maybe not as much as I had hoped. The twist with Robin was so good though, it was such a subtle and steady development, and I almost wish it had dragged out a bit longer, it felt a little too clean in the end!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for this ARC!