Accidentally hit something that deleted my review before I saved it. Grrrrr. I read the book that comes before this one, Hood, and began this one right away. I was kind of disappointed that instead of going right on from the previous book which ended rather abruptly, this one began a year or two later with Bran's man known as Will Scarlet, captured by the sheriff and soon to be hanged. I should explain that this series is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend but it has been relocated to Wales and is written around the history of what took place there. Bran was a prince of a small kingdom when his father and his warband were all murdered, and thus Bran is a king without a kingdom. His people have been driven from their homes, murdered and persecuted and he is an outlaw known as King Raven.I quickly got used to having the story told by Will as he was telling it to a priest who is a scribe. Will knows well that his captors are allowing this because they believe they will gain information about the infamous King Raven from his story. He insists on telling the young and rather dull scribe everything that has happened to him to drag out the inevitable end they have planned for him. We know from his story that there is a sort of mystery going on as the outlaw band found three strange things in the spoils of one of their adventures. They found a huge gold ring with an unknown crest on it, a pair of fancy embroidered gloves with a cross and other symbols fit for a Cardinal and a sealed letter written in the language of the enemy and no one can translate it. While the reader is hearing Will's story, we also have chapters that reveal what is happening with Bran's band and with the enemy too.This is a story of intrigue, lots of action and excitement, a little bit of romance. Some of the names have been changed, but you can recognize the Robin Hood band.I did not tag this as a romance but there are two love stories inter-woven into it. I liked this passage and will not give away who it involves:"It is lovely - just as I always hoped it would be."And so, my lady, are you," I told her, and, pulling her close, I kissed her with the first of countless kisses we would share that night.As for the rest, I need not say more. If you have ever loved anyone, then you will know full well. If not, then nothing I can say will enlighten you.____________________________________I have enjoyed these books and will read the next one. Tuck. Will take a little break as I have another book sitting her calling to me but won't wait long to get back to this world.
Told primarily through the voice of Will Scatlocke (Scarlet) during a series of reminiscences in jail as he awaits his execution, Will tells his story to a lowly monk who serves as scribe. He again expands this story of conquest, subjugation and displacement. As he is forced away from his native lands, he begins to hear the stories of Rhi Bran y Hud and decides to join his men.The leader he meets and shows through a series of episodes that he is not the jolly figure of the classic legend who has a successful plan for every situation. Bran is young and impetuous, brilliant and fallible. He wants to win back his father's kingdom, but he will not forsake the traditional rules and obligations of his position with his people. The main person he relies on for counsel is Angharad, the wise woman who is the keeper of Briton traditions. She has kept him focused on his main goal, but she is not always successful."In a single ill-advised, ignorant stroke, Bran had dashed Angharad's carefully considered design for defeating the Ffreinc invaders and driving them from Elfael. In a mad, impulsive rush he had destroyed months of subtle labour and, she could well imagine, stirred the ire of the enemy to white-hot vengeance. For this and much else, the hudolion blamed Bran -- but, more, she blamed herself. Angharad had allowed herself to believe that she had weaned Bran away from that unreasoning rage that he had possessed when she first met him, that she had at long last extinguished that all-consuming fire of an anger that, like the awen of the legendary champions of old, caused the lord of Elfael to forget himself, plunging him into the bloodred flames of battle madness -- a worthy attribute for a warrior, perhaps, but unhelpful in a king. No mistake, it was a king she wanted for Elfael, not merely another warrior."In the last third of the book, Lawhead ties the story to the original started in "Hood" and lays the foundation for the next installment. Bran and his Grellon are unwittingly thrust into two major power struggles: the first is between two Popes, Urban and Clement; this affects a more local struggle between King William and his brother Robert. Choosing the wrong side has dire consequences.In his afterword, Lawhead likens Will's story to the plight of contemporary displaced refugees. But I think that Will's story is one of the many examples given of the overarching quest for justice for past and present grievances, and more importantly, seeking the the answer to the question of "what is just rule?".
What do You think about Scarlet (2007)?
This is a continuation of The story is told from the point of view of William Scatlock that becomes known as Will Scarlet as he is being held in prison. We learn about how he comes to be with Rhi Bran y Hud and his life among the outlaws and his love for Noin. Bran is still fighting for his lands and the rights of his people when he learns of a plot against the king and believes he can use the information to regain what is his. As Will is telling his story we read alternating chapters with the Ffreinc. We see how the people have been abused and oppressed by the usurpers. This is definitely a story that has a little bit of everything: laughter, tears, tyranny and rebellion, love and loss. The ending certainly left us knowing that there is more to come and I am looking forward to reading Stephen R. Lawhead has done an awesome job retelling the Robin Hood story, its definitely one that I have enjoyed so far. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the retelling of fairytales as it has certainly been brought to life.
—Flora Bateman
Will Scatlocke lost his home and his livelihood with the coming of William the Red to the throne. As he travels, working to feed and house himself he hears about King Raven, a robber of the wealthy, who shares what he gets with those who have little or nothing. The story is told largely by Will who becomes Will Scarlet when he joins King Raven's band. He is accepted after a bow duel with Raven himself. Raven beats him by a hair but welcomes him into the group anyway. As they strive to win back Raven's throne, they encounter the wrath of Abbott Hugo who has lofty ambitions, Count de Broase, who rules Raven's lands and people, and Richard de Glanville, the cruel sheriff of the March. In a daring raid, Will is captured and thrown into prison where he make a friend of a Monk named Odo who interviews him day after day. It is only when Will goes to the gallows that he realizes how tenuous his existence really is. The character of Will Scarlet is complex, likable and loyal. And, the book includes a wonderfully inspiring romance between Will and Noin who at last find a way to be wed. The tale is long and convoluted but fascinating. Recommend this one to anyone interested in the story of Robin Hood but do read the first in the series, Hood, before reading Scarlet.
—Rusty
I enjoyed Hood (the first book in this series) and stuck with it until the end of the book, but it didn't instantly inspire me to pick up book two. So it was several months before I found myself leafing through the first pages of Scarlet, but oh how glad I am that I did.Here Will Scarlet takes the lead narrative and POV. I think the hardest thing for me to swallow with this series is that it is a Robin Hood Tales that is NOT a Robin Hood tale - or is, at least, leagues away from the one you would expect. Perhaps especially because of that, I appreciated the change from Bran's perspective to Will's.Though I can't say whether it was the unique style of storytelling or just the way Will Scarlet's voice drew me into the story as he told the tale in his own way and time, until I could practically imagine myself sitting beside him in his dank cell while the monk scribbled away on the other side of the bars. All told, Scarlet was an intriguing read and has convinced me to pick up Tuck, book three in the series.
—Gillian Bronte Adams
