Well this was an interesting and dark take on the legend of Robin Hood.

I thought Tim tried to weave in too many elements and the novel is pretty lengthy as a result. I often comment on some YA books needing to be edited in order to make them more engaging and therefore have less opportunities for Readers to lose interest, and this is another case of that. I think this book will appeal to teens however, I believe that many will be put off by the length. I know this based on years of working in a high school library. I am not talking about experienced Readers in this instance by the way, I talking about those teens new to reading, or pressed for time, or those for whom reading is a challenge. Size matters. So when I see a relatively engaging story bogged down by extraneous subplots then I do think it's a bit of a shame because it reduces the potential audience.

Gripes about length aside, it was a good book. No tights in sight here but instead a dark and deeply disturbed Robin lurks in the Winter forest waiting to exact revenge upon those who wronged him. Our Maid Marion is headstrong, intelligent and prepared to take down the corrupt Sheriff. I didn't like the weird forest nymph thing subplot at all. That could have been axed. I think this has an audience at my school and I look forward to booktalking it. ( )

This is a wonderfully dark and magical re-telling of the legend of Robin Hood. Grimy and brutal, with a Sheriff who is straight-up sadistic and a Marian who is equal parts spoiled lady of the manor and damaged warrior maiden. Another of those YA titles that, but for the ages of its protagonists, could have easily been marketed to an adult readership. ( )

This should have pushed several of my like buttons, a slightly more pagan version of the Hooded Man, bring it on, but this just didn't do it for me.

We start with Robin as a youngster being left in the forest by his father. He goes a bit feral but eventually meets with Marion, who is easily distracted but also holds his interest and the two of them run riot in a ruin near her family home, with a vague eye kept on them by her family servants, but then a day comes and Marion is taken and Robin is alone again.

He goes through adventures which include losing his sight and finding the gods of the forest. What happens to him will change many lives.

This could be a great book but instead it just didn't work for me. The Sheriff was quite campy and made me think of the more cartoonish Sheriff by Alan Rickman; I couldn't see any real motivation for what he did other than psychopathy.

Overall not bad but didn't really impress me. ( )

There is nothing I love more than a book with an actual plot.

Or a book with drama and mystery.

Or a book where the underdog rises up.

Or a book with an array of interesting characters.

Or a book with a sweet romance that actually adds to the plot.

Or a book that suddenly turns into an episode of Supernatural.

Or a book with kickass actions scenes.

Or, any book that reminds me of Game of Thrones. (that’s an instant win.)

Shadow of the Wolf has all of the above. A gory and dark take on Robin Hood (and the more that I read I started to realize that I had never seen Robin Hood. Ever.), that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering who was who and what was what.

And although it is interesting, it didn’t get a good pace until about 70% through.

This book seems huge! If you’re not into reading long, descriptive paragraphs without any dialogue for pages at a time, this book is a challenge to get through.

And even when the descriptions are beautiful and you feel like you’re walking around with one of the characters, it was kind of boring. I found myself skimming that first half of the book.

Shadow of the Wolf is the first in what is sure to be an epic trilogy. Mixed with action sequences to blow you away. Full of evil villains and loyal friends. The cover isn’t the only thing that will catch your eye.

Review at yabookscentral.com! ( )