Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is an excellent book that I strongly recommend. All the characters are unique, and none are boring. McKinley does an excellent job by transforming a normal guy to a loved heroine. You'd like the subtle humor and the subtle witty writing style. This is one of McKinley's best books. Anyone looking for a book with adventure and a bit of romance needs to read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good effort
Review: I bought this book after reading the other reviews, hoping it was the sort of Robin Hood book I was looking for. It was and it wasn't. The writing is good, and the character of Robin is likeable, a humble leader who admits that he can't shoot as well as he is thought to be able to, and things like that. What I didn't really care for was that the author tended to focus on a relationship between a female outlaw and Little John. Other than that, a pretty decent book.
Rating:
Summary: Original retelling of the Robin Hood Legend
Review: I really liked this retelling of Robin Hood. In this version Robin Hood isn't such a perfect, superior guy. He was a bit overly cautious and insecure. It was ironic how McKinley made Robin the worst archer of the group, I don't think any other author would have dared to do that, it is what Robin is famed for after all. I also liked how the bad side of the outlaw life was shown, like not having enough food and the paranoia about being caught. I loved the character of Marion and wished that there would have been more about her life, maybe McKinley could write a sequel starring Marion? I didn't care much for the ending though. I would rather they had been pardoned and allowed to live in England. Also, Richard the Lionheart wasn't that great of a guy, he killed almost a million muslims once because they wouldn't convert to christianity. Thankfully, McKinley doesn't turn him into a saintly, better-than-thou character, we are left rather unsure on how to feel about Richard. I also liked the romance between Cecil/Cecily and Little John and the mystery surrounding Cecil when he first joins the outlaws. My only complaint would be that it was much too short and a lot was left out from the legends. I like Beauty and Hero and the Crown better but The Outlaws of Sherwood is a great book too. I recommend it to anyone in search of a good read, be they adult or children. One other thing:Why is McKinleys books considered children books? They seem to be better written and more complex than a lot of adult books I could name. I suppose because there is no graphic sex or swearing(thank god)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful re-telling
Review: Once again, Robin McKinley has astounded me with her writing ability. She makes situations and characters as realistic as they can get. I found the fighting at the end compelling and thrilling, and McKinley's subtle sense of humor is very enjoyable. I was intrigued by the history of Robin, Marian, and Much, as well as that ot the other characters, and it was as impossible not to love the characters meant to be loved as it was to loathe the characters meant to be loathed. McKinley certainly knows how to write a story that will be read in under two days and never leave your mind.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite a Hero
Review: While I've read and loved the majority of McKinley's work, I was disappointed by The Outlaws of Sherwood... The heroines of her other works - Aerin, Harry, Beauty, Lisla Lissar - are incredibly strong characters, believable, intelligent, wry, and human. Compared to them, I found Robin Hood a great disappointment - perhaps McKinley will someday feel moved to bring us a second version, with Marianne as the protagonist! Despite the unheroic Robin, this book will likely be a pleasure to any fan of Robin Hood stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Maid Marian rulez!
Review: I absolutely adored this version of the tale of Robin and his merry men. It is a fresh new take on the old stale tale. Maid Marian is the real hero here. Chalk one up for girl power. Robin is also very realistic. And living in Sherwood forrest is not as fun as we would have expected its a raw and gritty existance to be an outlaw.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Average
Review: This is Robin McKinley's writing. Because of that fact it is a given that the style with be absolutely beautiful. As for the story, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but I have one small bone to pick. I was somewhat disappointed with McKinley's portrayal of Robin Hood himself. She made him human, which was good. He had flaws like any other guy would. This made him a believable character. BUT!!! I thought his overall personality left much to be desired. While everyone is out diong the outlaw thing, Robin Hood is too often sitting around the Greentree worrying about everyone. Sure the burdens of leadership and all, but pessimism and constant indiscision is unforgivable. Marian was a gem. Full of courage and will. I found it hard to make myself believe that Robin deserved her in the least.Overall a good work, and one of the best versions of Robin Hood out there. Did anyone notice that the ending left the story open for a sequel? I wonder if Robin McKinley would consider exploring the adventures of Robin and Marian during the crusades. That's somewhere that no one else has gone before.
Rating:
Summary: You'll never get tired of reading this book!
Review: This is absolutly my most favorite of books! I must have read it at least five times already, if not more, and I intend to read it many more times. It is very realistic, the characters down-to-earth, not stereotypical or superficial, and Sherwood Forest is given a practical yet mystical air. The characters are very witty and humorous and have made me laugh many times. They are also each very distinct individuals, with backgrounds and emotions that bring them alive. As for action and adventure, this book has it all: sword fights, battles, heroes and heroins, true love, and lasting friendships. I consider this a sophisticated and well written book- McKinley's finest work. If you love a good adventure story, then I highly recommend this book. But beware, the end comes all too soon!
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best re-telling of Robin Hood that I've found!
Review: I've always loved the story of Robin Hood, and Robin McKinley was reccommended to me as an author I would like. So when I found her books in the library, I had to take "The Outlaws of Sherwood". This book lived up to it's expectations, and more! I liked the interesting twist how Robin wasn't the unusual more-than-human hero. He wasn't the overconfident, always-merry man that is so often portrayed. He couldn't even shoot that well! I liked the way all the characters where so human, and yet most (the outlaws anyway) were very likable. It was cool how Marian was actually the great archer, and that there was other women in the outlaws. (Sibyl, Eva, etc.) Will and Much provided some humor, and an arrogance that was actually likable, which is rare. Little John was the perfect large-yet-quiet faithful companion. King Richard was intriguing; I couldn't figure out if I liked him or not. It was also interesting how during different times, the viewpoint switched around to many people. Of course it was still Robin's view through most of it, but frequently Friar Tuck too, and then towards the end it was often Cecil. (Which is interesting because you wouldn't have thought that character to be a main one) This book has everything; a familiar-yet-new story, adventure, romance, humor, good characters, evil villians, battles, great setting, (I love medieval times!) etc. I encourage anyone to read this!!
Rating:
Summary: A different angle on a well-known tale
Review: It had a slow beginning for me but then got more and more exciting. By the end of the book I could hardly put it down. I had to remind myself to put aside comparisons of other images from movies and imagine Mckinley's storyline & characters apart from that. I found it had a very realistic portyal of the lives of Outlaws and I could easily feel & even smell Sherwood forrest. Lady Marion has a surprisingly heroic role. It was enjoyable and a great escape.
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