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Title: The Hooded Man

Author: Courtney Sheets

Narrator: Alexandra Kelly Colburn

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-15

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Romance, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When her father is brutally murdered in front of her eyes, Marian of Locksley is thrust into a world of treason and greed, where the ultimate prize is the throne of England. Left with little choice, she disguises herself as Robin of the Hood, an outlaw despised by royalty and loved by the people...and the wickedly handsome, steadfast Will Scarlet.

Forced into hiding deep within Sherwood Forest, Will joins Robin Hood's band of merry men, not realizing the fearless outlaw he follows is really the woman he desires for his own. He dares to risk everything in the fight for justice and love, longing for the day he can claim the courageous beauty. But first, England must be saved and legend must be born.

Members Reviews:

Great!

Very good! Definitely a new perspective to an old story!

Disappointing.

Honestly, this book feels like it was written by a middle-schooler who read some romance novels, watched some Robin Hood movies, then decided to write a book. The author's note claimed that the author is knowledgeable about the subject matter, but she never once demonstrated this knowledge. There is no historical reference whatsoever aside from the existence of Prince John and King Richard. Much of the one-liners and minor "original" characters are actually borrowed (I use the term loosely) from the many other renditions of the Robin Hood legend in book and film from the last century.

SPOILERS AHEAD: from this point on, expect no holds barred when it comes to spoilers.

The heroine, Marian/Robin, is the constant victim of Prince John and Sheriff Guy, but her/her father's importance is never explained. Why is the Prince who wants to take over the realm spending 100% of his time in Nottingham playing sadistic mind (and hinted at, sex) games with Guy and Marian? Also, Marian/Robin's twin brother Friar Tuck is somehow completely forgotten about by anyone of any import including Marian's childhood friend/crush. The only son of a nobleman is gifted to the church? And then forgotten??

In addition, the heroine develops a deep martyr complex nigh immediately. Her father is murdered and she is taken to dungeons to be subject to various tortures that are completely skipped over and only vaguely referenced to by the angsty heroine. She feels abandoned and alone despite never being abandoned (thanks, Bess) and stubbornly refuses to be emotionally open with anyone - including her twin and her lover. Combine this with her ill-conceived plans to escape John and Guy only to come rushing back to them for little to no reason, and you have to wonder about Stockholm syndrome.

Speaking of her lover, I enjoyed the originality of having Will Scarlet as the love-interest, but he proved un-inspirational. He is unerringly devoted to her despite not having seen her since she was a child. His character is all over the board. One second he is tender and loving, the next he is in a fiery rage, and then back to sweetness in a flash. He claims to be patient and "wait forever" for her sexually, then proceeds to pressure her. When he finally finds out that she is Robin, he says he can "never forgive" her (after just declaring his undying love)... and then asks her to marry him the next time he sees her. Is this man suffering from a bi-polar disorder?

The band of Merry Men she stumbles upon proceed to follow her within hours of trying to beat her into submission.