Sherwood by Meagan Spooner
Published by HarperTeen on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 0062422316
Pages: 470
Goodreads

Spooner spins an adventurous and romantic tale about the legend of Robin Hood with the twist of the feminine touch.  The heroics, outlaw plans and a few specifically shot arrows all come from Lady Marian of Edwinstowe Manor, who masquerades as her betrothed, Robin of Locksley, after news that he is killed in the crusades.    When an encounter mistakes Lady Marian as Robin, the need to fuel the legend of Robin Hood grows into a life or death mechanism for saving the designated outlaw band of merry men and the servants closest to Lady Marian.     Lush details of the forest, castle haunts, horses, clothing and the traditional medieval expectations of men and women are clearly drawn.   Marian is witty, headstrong and fearless, but not without flaws and miscalculations that spur on the adventures, her own character growth and the satisfying romantic tryst that slightly resembles “Taming of the Shrew”.  A complete and satisfying read.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library