Tag: Fantasy (Page 68 of 121)

Lady Thief (Scarlet #2)
by A.C. Gaughen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Scarlet's true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet's love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet's past even she isn't yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman-a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin's cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet's tale will have readers talking once again.

Review:

I have a confession. *deep breath* Lady Thief has become my favorite retelling of Robin Hood.  Ever.  I’m so sorry movies I’ve watched countless times, but this book was absolutely perfect.  But the funny thing is, I started out oh so cautious.  I was beyond nervous that the love triangle would make a reappearance, but thankfully it’s long gone.  In its place are far more sinister things to try to keep Rob and Scar apart, like torturous nightmares and a deranged husband.  Those only added to the list of reasons why I fell so hard for this book.  And here are the rest –

✮ A brave, almost fearless heroine!

“Hurt me if you want, but I’ve felt pain. I know what pain is. And it’s less than love, than loyalty, than hope. You can make me cry, or scream, or whatever else. All that will mean is that I feel the pain, that I’m still alive. And as long as I’m living I can promise I’m not afraid of you, Gisbourne. I’m afraid of sitting quiet while the people that are meant to protect others do their best to hurt them. I’m afraid of people like you and Prince John going by unchecked. That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m stronger than your damn pain, and I do not give up.”

As I said in the first book’s review, it’s a breath of fresh air that Rob, aka Robin Hood, is with a woman that’s his equal!  Scarlet was resourceful, clever, and put herself out there not only to give the townspeople a better life but also to try and give her and Rob a happily ever after.  Her heart and mind always led her on the path to protect others.  Even knowing that she could be the one who had to suffer the consequences.

✮ A book boyfriend that is a true hero.

“These schemes may benefit the people, Scarlet, but I fight for you.” His hands squeezed my waist a little bit, and it made my blood run fast. “I will always fight for you.”

No matter the horrors that Rob had to face, he always fell back into that hero position.  Whether he was the shadow that appeared to help Scar in a situation to protect a child or by trying to win a title against men in power, he was a true hero.  But the way he tried to protect and love Scar shined the brightest to me.  It quickened my heartbeat and made me want to curl into a happy little ball.  I desperately wanted more of those moments.

✮ Side characters who warm your heart with their friendship and loyalty.  John, Mulch and a few new characters that were introduced added the support and commodore that Rob and Scar deserved.  It helped knowing that they had others, besides one another, to help them along the way.  And at times they offered lightheartedness and smiles that were much needed.

✮ Villains who earned their name and then some.

I twisted the gold band on my finger, hating it anew. My time had run out, and my husband were returning to Nottinghamshire.

I thought I only had to be concerned about Gisbourne, but I was dead wrong.  We met an even more sinister man than him.  And between the two of them, I was constantly fearful for Scar and everyone else’s safety!  They didn’t hold back when their wrath was palpable.  Just look to the next point to learn more……

✮ Peril that will gut you like Scarlet’s knife.

“Don’t die, Scar. He doesn’t come back from this if you die.” – Much to Scar

I wasn’t prepared.  Not at all.  Even after learning about the board that was used on Rob, I still didn’t believe things could escalate to the level that they did.  After the scenes had passed, I stared at my kindle in horror.  Yes, nauseating horror rolled around inside of me.  I’m still in shock that some things happened!  But I’m also in awe that Lady Thief was that intense. 

✮ Mystery that appears as tiny little drops of clues that I wanted to crush together to discover the truth.

There were quite a few mysteries in Lady Thief, and I loved every moment of trying to figure them out.  Whether it was the motives of the new characters we met or even the old ones we knew so well, there was always something to analyze.  And I have to say I knew it in regards to Scar!!  And that is all, muahaha.

His arms began to loosen, but I fast whispered, “Kiss me, Rob.”

For Scar and Rob, it seems as though no amount of good can ever come into their lives without the bad.  And after that ending, I’m desperate to see what will happen next.  But till then, just know that Lady Thief was cry worthy, sigh inducing, thrilling, horrifying and epic.  Now I’m off to the final book, and I’m beyond nervous!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Scarlet #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Lady Thief #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Lion Heart #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Scarlet (Scarlet #1)
by A.C. Gaughen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Posing as one of Robin Hood's thieves to avoid the evil Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only Big John and Robin Hood know the truth-that the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. It's getting harder to hide as Gisbourne's camp seeks to find Scarlet and drive Robin Hood out of Nottinghamshire.

But Scarlet's instinct for self-preservation is at war with a strong sense of responsibility to the people who took her in when she was on the run, and she finds it's not so easy to turn her back on her band and townspeople. As Gisbourne draws closer to Scarlet and puts innocent lives at risk, she must decide how much the people of Nottinghamshire mean to her, especially John Little, a flirtatious fellow outlaw, and Robin, whose quick smiles and temper have the rare power to unsettle Scarlet. Full of exciting action, secrets, and romance, this imaginative retelling of the classic tale will have readers following every move of Robin Hood and band of thieves.

Review:

Scarlet was an adventurous story that was filled to the brim with excitement and hardships at many turns.  I was a little nervous stepping into a book that contained characters that I hold near and dear to my heart, but I loved how Scarlet felt familiar yet was uniquely different at the same time!  While I did have some issues with a love triangle, I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of this trilogy.  Especially after that fabulous life and death ending!

I swallowed. “We watch each others’ backs.”
He nodded. “Precisely.”

One of my favorite changes to this story is the addition of a female in Robin Hood’s group.  She goes by Will Scarlet, or Scar as their little band call her.  The majority of the townspeople believe that she is a boy, but a select few know her secret.  And it was so much fun seeing the female being painted as the thief within their group!  As someone who loves females with a backbone and can stand on their own, I was ecstatic with Robin Hood’s possible love interest.  In the previous stories, Robin Hood was always paired with a woman who needs to be rescued or taken care of, which always bothered me.  Robin Hood deserves a fighter, a woman who can be his equal and stand by his side!  And while Scarlet is that woman, there’s one small problem.  She really isn’t his.

“…..if you stay, I’ll keep you safe as best I can.” – Rob to Scar

And here lies my struggle with this book and Scarlet.  She tested my patience time and time again by showing interest in both John (aka John Little) and Rob (aka Robin Hood).  I felt as though she toyed with them throughout the story.  BUT toy isn’t the correct word because she is only 18 and doesn’t have any experience with love or relationships.  Yet I was left feeling as though I wanted to shake her while yelling at her to make up her mind.  But I still liked Scarlet because her heart was in the right place so many times.  Not only by protecting the townspeople, but her little group too.  She put her life on the line for so many of them again and again, which made for some amazing perilous situations.

He caught my wrist before I were full out the door. “Scar,” he said, rough, like rocks were running over his tongue. “I have done so many unforgivable things in my life. Don’t let failing to save you be another.”

And while I’m talking about struggles, some may have a few issues with the writing.  But please know that I absolutely adored the way this story was written!  I easily adapted into how the words came across, and it seemed like a unique mix of past, present, and dialect that would easily be found from that time period.

He pressed my cheek with the cloth again, and then his hand touched my cheek, hot after the cold water. “I hate seeing you hurt.”
The air whooshed from my chest but I rolled my eyes ’stead of letting on. “No one gets all bent up over John being bruised.”
He stepped back, looking into my eyes. I felt like my eyes were unprotected without my hat.
“Scar, you walked in here covered in blood. You don’t see how that would upset us?”
“No.”
He caught my chin in his fingers. “Like it or not, Scar, we’re your friends. We care about you. I care about you.”

You know what else I loved?  Rob!  He was quiet yet powerful, and he had a heart of gold.  He tried so hard to take care of others who weren’t able to care for themselves.  And he wore their pain and suffering heavily on his shoulders, while keeping it all to himself.  It even felt as though he purposely contradicted himself so others wouldn’t know how he felt.  He did this multiple times with Scarlet, and I was dying to know the truth and his inner thoughts!  I can’t wait to learn more about Rob as the trilogy unfolds!

He grabbed my arms, bringing me close to his face, and his eyes looked like the ocean, deep and dark and full of things I knew nothing ’bout. “We don’t lie to each other, Scar. Especially not about things that mean I might lose you.”
My breath froze in my chest. Did he just say that?
He let me go. “Because losing one member would put the whole band at risk. Do you understand?”

John and Much rounded out their little group, and the story proceeds with them trying to protect the townspeople from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.  Their group of four steal and loot all in the name of the greater good, yet twists unfold that take a typical Robin Hood story-line into another area.  Because Scarlet is being hunted by an evil Lord, Gisbourne.  And with him close on their tails, everything is about to spiral out of control.  This is definitely a world you should step into.  And I can’t wait to see what is going to happen after that fabulous, perilous ending!!

P.S. Random fact – I absolutely adore the Disney and Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves movies, so with those story-lines floating around in my head, I dove right into Scarlet.  This story was just as unique as those two movies are from each other.  I’m so very happy about that!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Scarlet #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Lady Thief #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Lion Heart #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea