I loved everything about this novella. Witty, charming, mischievous and nostalgic, it had everything I was looking for in a Sherwood story and more. Absolutely give it a go! I already can't wait for the next one! ( )

This short novella is about Robin and Marion later in life, I expected something like the Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn's film "Robin and Marian" but was given something quite different a look at their lifes after Richard's death. ( )

This novella about Robin Hood’s children is exactly what I wanted. It alternates between Robin and Marian’s eldest daughter Mary and Marian herself. I liked seeing Robin and Marian as a long-married couple, who still love each other and still have disagreements. And the dynamic between their children gave me a zing of recognition, because it reminded me of my siblings and me when we were growing up. I don’t expect that, but it was lovely to find.

“You’re risking much, making your camp here,” [Mary] said. “These woods are haunted.”
“Then why aren’t you afraid?” Edmund asked, chuckling.
“Sherwood knows who we are. It knows our blood, and we have its sap in our bones. We’re safe.” She smiled. Her father’s wicked smile. “But you’re outsiders, and you know the stories.” ( )

I will read anything Robin Hood so I was super excited when I saw Carrie Vaughn was publishing a set of novellas. These aren't about Robin, but focus on the next generation, with his and Marian's kids. It was short, but made me fall in love with these teenagers, who had their parents' bravery, sense of independence, loyalty, intelligence -- and, acumen with a bow. A fun read. ( )

I grew up with the traditional story: The Merrie Adventures of Robin Hood, based on Howard Pyle's adaptation of the legend. In Pyle's version, the story reflects the 15th-century ballads, relating that Robin Hood was a yeoman (not an aristocrat). As he lays dying, Robin asked Little John to help him to the Priory window, so he could to shoot an arrow. Where the arrow landed was to be the site of his grave. In this version of the legend, Marian subsequently went into seclusion in a convent.

Reading Carrie Vaughn's novel was tough to comprehend, seeing that Robin and Marian were married with kids in the backstory to the action. This development took on a sense of unreality for me, since I expected the "ghosts" to be Robin and his band of outlaws. So going with the idea that a new author can retell the story, the subsequent events involving the 3 children were very beguiling.

The author made good use of these children's abilities to outsmart their abductors. Too bad that the tale was told at such a break-neck speed. The rapid pace actually took away from the adventure and reduced the novel to such a degree that it defeated its purpose (storytelling). There was no engagement, no sense of taking time with the narrative to draw the reader into the world these children inhabited. Ultimately, the main feeling was one of waste and boredom. Waste of a great plot; boredom because the story lacked depth. Three stars because the author shows great promise and might be able to develop stronger characterisations in her sequel(s). ( )