Rating: 
Summary: A Spectacular Book
Review: Is Jennifer Roberson a mind reader? How did she know that this was the version of Robin Hood that we were all waiting for???!!!
"Lady of the Forest" is truly an enchanting, emotional, suspensful, romantic, action-packed telling of the original story. For any woman who feels that the spotlight should be on Maid Marian and not on Robin (so much, anyway, I mean, he is kind of cute!), this is the book for you!
It is an adult re-telling of everyone's favorite childhood story, and is by far my favorite version of Robin Hood ever told.
So, read it, buy it, and get this book up with the bestsellers on Amazon's list!
Rating: 
Summary: Crappy, just plain crappy
Review: Jennifer Roberson has some talent. It is best seen when confined to books where she has control of the plot and characters, and not when she is reworking famous legends which have had numerous retellings by far better authors than she. I recommend her Tiger and Del stories, but not anything based on actual historical myth and legend. This book is an insult to anyone who grew up loving Robin Hood stories or movies. One thing I did notice: Miss Roberson seems to use these books as opportunities to play out her own fantasies, judging by the fact she tends to cast herself as the heroine. Quite frankly, it is not worth my money to indulge her.
Rating: 
Summary: Flawless
Review: Lady of the Forest and Lady of Sherwood make up Jennifer Roberson's brilliant two-part series that recasts the classic Robin Hood legend. But don't go thinking you know what it is about based on the theme. Roberson's characters are all her own, as is her story. It matches both folk story and history precisely enough to avoid offending our sensibilitiess and shows everything else in a very different, very beautiful light. There is more between Robin and Marian than love at first sight and feisty flirtation. Roberson's story is both simpler and more complex than the usual Robin Hood interpretations - more complex because she does not lean of the crutches of tradition and convenience; simpler because in Roberson's retelling the story rings true, realistic. It's never strains your imagination. It does not require you to make allowance for anything unreasonable. All in all, a perfect book (or bookS), filled with beautiful writing and content, cover to cover - i.e. no slow spots. That's a rare compliment of me to make. And here's another I bestow as rarely - above all, this is a human story. It touched me in all the right ways, on all levels. I finished the two books in three days, amid storms of college work and despite a devastating lack of sleep. They are that good.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless
Review: Lady of the Forest and Lady of Sherwood make up Jennifer Roberson's brilliant two-part series that recasts the classic Robin Hood legend. But don't go thinking you know what it is about based on the theme. Roberson's characters are all her own, as is her story. It matches both folk story and history precisely enough to avoid offending our sensibilitiess and shows everything else in a very different, very beautiful light. There is more between Robin and Marian than love at first sight and feisty flirtation. Roberson's story is both simpler and more complex than the usual Robin Hood interpretations - more complex because she does not lean of the crutches of tradition and convenience; simpler because in Roberson's retelling the story rings true, realistic. It's never strains your imagination. It does not require you to make allowance for anything unreasonable. All in all, a perfect book (or bookS), filled with beautiful writing and content, cover to cover - i.e. no slow spots. That's a rare compliment of me to make. And here's another I bestow as rarely - above all, this is a human story. It touched me in all the right ways, on all levels. I finished the two books in three days, amid storms of college work and despite a devastating lack of sleep. They are that good.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: Lady of the Forest is a beautifully written book, and by far the best adaptation of the Robin Hood legend I've read. Roberson takes characters known to everyone and somehow makes them come alive in fresh and intruiging ways. I especially enjoyed her depiction of Robin as a scarred (both physically and emotionally) and reluctant outlaw. The title character of Marian is also expertly drawn. All in all, a great book, and definitely worth your while!
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT, IF DIFFERENT, RETELLING OF THE LEGEND
Review: OK, so this wasn't exactly what I was expecting when I first read it and damn it took me a long time but I found out that I really enjoyed it. The author already explains that this is not a retelling of the CLASSIC, but more of how it came to be. After seeing Kevin Costner's movie, I expected more action (thievery, fighting, etc.) but that did not change the outcome. I love this book!!! Marian is a great heroine (I hate that word, it sounds like the drug) who develops emotionally as the story continues, and Robin is more believable than Kevin Costner's Robin, who was not affected mentally by the Crusades at all and went home happy and started a civilization in the forest. (Not that I'm complaining - I liked the movie too.) The characters were drawn out pretty completely and realistically, too. If there is one part of the book I didn't feel is great, it is the section about Robin's thievery. I would have liked it even more if Ms. Roberson had made Robin's time in Sherwood more impressive. But all in all, this is an awesome book and hope the sequel will be just as good!
Rating:
Summary: A new, more mesmerizing, tale of Robin Hood and Maid Marion!
Review: So many authors portray the tale of Robin Hood as flat and one dimensional; the conflict is simple: good versus evil. Yet, the conflict in this tale is anything but simple, difficult choices are made - should Richard, a captive, be foresaken for John, a contender for the throne? Robertson shows the characters as human - they make choices and mistakes, just as we all do. For instance, the Lionheart is often portrayed as infallible, while the opposite is true. Robertson also gives a great deal of time to explaining the conflicts of others as well - especially Lady Marion. Marion is developped as a strong female character, yet she still correctly represents the females of her day. This book is the ultimate tale of Robin Hood - it truly brings the one dimensional mish-mash of tales handed down over the centuries to life
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable telling of the tale...
Review: The reason I didn't rate the book five stars was due to the quick wrap-up ending which left me rather unsatisfied overall. The writing was very pleasing to read, the characters very interesting. Although Robin's relationship with Richard was unclear throughout the lengthy book, it could have been flushed out a bit better. I enjoyed the book. I'll look for the sequel as well. Ms. Roberson's writing is very pretty and kept me turning the pages like a thriller.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: This book exceeded all my expectations for a retelling of a story I think that there was a lack of tales about the adventures in Sherwood but this is a book told from Marian's point of view and not Robin's. I cannot wait to read sequel and i hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: November won't get here fast enough!!
Review: This book is a beautiful example of what happens when a talented author uses their creativity and re-works a classic. I will always love Olivia de Haviland's Marion...but this Marion has spirit and a realistic zest that a woman in the 90's can relate to. Since the legends we all know have been told, it will be a delight to see what JR brings us next!
|
