Rowan Hood Returns: The Final Chapter (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
"Rowan Hood Returns" the final book in the "Tales of Rowan Hood" Series. I read all these way back in middle school, and I must say, I think this series is my very favorite children's series about Robin Hood. Much better than "hawksmaid" or "Robin's Country." (That one was so bad it made "Keeper of the Grail" look good)But its not fully a Robin Hood series, is it? Nope, this is all about his daugher, Rowan Hood and her ragtag little band of teen outlaws. :D this book specifically, was about Rowan's journey home to destroy the men who murdered her mother in the beginning of the first book. Pretty dark for a kids book, but don't fret. :D its no TO dark. Its not just about a young girl going of to slaughter people. Its more about right and wrong and staying true to yourself. And learning that revenge doesn't really pay. (And oh praise the universe and its poetic justice! If you've read the book, you no exactly what I'm talking about.) I'm very glad that in then she didn't actually kill any of them. Sure, she had a "blood right" to kill them. And I personally wouldn't have held it against her. Hell, I would've come up with the most gruesome deaths possible if someone set fire to my mama. >:) But Rowan didn't. She finally saw sense in the end, and I'm glad for her. Revenge wouldn't have changed anything any way.plus, its a kids book, we must remember. Can't have our brave young hero killing in cold blood, now can we? :)Over all, it was a lovely tale, and a great ending to the series. I can't wait to find the others titles in the series that I don't have yet so I can enjoy rereading the rest of the story. And the writing! Its just beautiful! Nancy springer's got talent. :D recommended for middle school kids and all fans of my beloved robin hood.
A decent final chapter to the Rowan Hood chapter, though I felt it was both out of character for Rowan (which, admittedly, was sort of the point), a little bit heavy-handed in the moralizing, and also pretty obvious how it would turn out - though this was one of those stories where the journey was truly the important thing.I kind of wish for more character development... development that felt more organic and less sort of forced. And I'm not sure how I feel about the resolution of the Guy storyline... But the ultimate ending was full of warm gooshies, if bordering a bit on being a little too twee, and left me feeling content, if not quite ecstatic, with the whole thing.
What do You think about Rowan Hood Returns: The Final Chapter (2006)?
I thought this was a nice conclusion, though it didn't seem to fit into the overall story as well as the other ones did. It just seemed like Rowan was too good for something like revenge--like she had matured far beyond that--and like she had gotten over that desire. I may have only thought that because we haven't been in her head for some time, but the overwhelmingness of her desire for it felt really out of character. I was disappointed in her. But I loved the support she got from her friends, even though they disapproved. Lionel was stellar--he's for sure my favorite--and so was Rook, especially now that he smiles.
—H
the series ended in a really good way. i am sooo happy that Rowan's legs were healed and i am happy that revenge was taken but not in the way Ro thought it would.
—Jenna
Well. This was the final book in the Rowan Hood series and to be honest... I am not sure I liked how it ended. As most people do, I think the end is the most important thing. A book can be well written and end poorly and you are left feeling usatisfied no matter how much you liked the book while you read it.I play a musical instrument and let me tell you... if the beginning ofyour performance rocks and then end does too, you can get away with a few mistakes in the middle. Maybe I am alone in this (and don't get me wrong, I want a book to have a great middle) but I feel the same way with books. The middle can have a few plot holes, it can be just okay, it can just move a story along, but if the beginning draws me in and if the end leaves me content, I will, generally speaking, love the book.So. This book wascute, as were the others. Still don't enjoy this series as much as the Enola Holmes series.I thought there definitely could have been more character development and that even though this book focused on Rowan in particular it would have been nice to feel the other characters' stories wrap up as well.Also, call me a hopeless romantic, but I wish there had been a love story. I know Nancy Springer seems to be all about women's empowerment, but I think a really strong woman still deserves love AND that if you are really a strong woman you can still be that WHILE being in love. So. a little disappointed there.This series is cute and fun and worth the time it takes to read it.
—Brooke
