Review - Scarlet

by A.C. Gaughen
publisher: Walker BFYR
date of publication: February 14, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 306
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

What I Thought

Robin Hood is such an iconic figure in the annals of legend that one often feels that the well has run dry with regard to new variations of the story.  When I first read the description for Scarlet, however, I was intrigued.  With a very Orlando-like twist, A.C. Gaughen has presented a fresh, evocative look at the Robin Hood legend within the pages of her debut novel.  Presented in such a way that fits very well with the element of danger and mystery inherent in the Robin Hood tales, Scarlet is an enchanting take on a beloved legend that will leave readers ready for more.

Every single aspect of Scarlet has so much to offer.  From well-rounded, complex characters to a breath-taking yet dangerous setting, A.C. Gaughen has provided a well-written and captivating novel that reaches beyond the usual confines of this well-known legend and takes it to an entirely new level.  Readers will find characteristics such as secret identities, morally bankrupt villains, the strength of everyday people, and the repercussions of the treatment of women within the pages of Scarlet.  All of these and more are laid out in such a concise, beautifully written manner that you will not want to put the book down for very long.  Scarlet will steal your heart (she is a master thief, after all) and draw on your admiration once you learn of all she has gone through.  She truly steals the show in this book and is an integral part of its pull.  

All in all, this book is simply wonderful and I found myself hoping beyond hope that it will be the beginning of a series.  I didn't want the story to end and can enthusiastically say that I would definitely welcome such a series to my shelves.  As such, I can not wait to buy a finished copy, as I am sure that I will want to read this book again and again.  If you enjoy retellings and books inspired by myths and legends, Scarlet is the book for you.  You won't want to miss out on such a fantastic debut.   

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.