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: Real people
Review: Retells Robin Hood as it might have really been, with normal people who are in the right place at the wrong time. Mildly clever, entertaining, no surprises.
Rating:
Summary: Retelling of the age-old tale of Robin Hood
Review: Though not the greatest retelling of the legend of Robin Hood, McKinley weaves an entralling tale thats keeps the reader entertained until the end. McKinley's main weakness in all her storys, not just The Outlaws of Sherwood, is the endings.
The characters of Robin Hood and Maid Marian are refreshingly original while the Sheriff of Nottingham is still stereotypically evil. One notably absent character from legend is Prince John.
Forced into the forest by unfair laws, the outlaws unite to fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham. The story sticks to legend until the ending.
This novel is not one of McKinley's best but is a light, enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: really great, i just would've liked a little more...
Review:
I'm really not very aware of the Robin Hood legends, the most I really know about him is from the Disney version and another film version, I forget which one, anyway my point is that I cannot really comment on how original and different the story is or the kind of take Robin McKinley decides to write from because I don't know the other versions.
However I can say that I found this story completely enjoyable! I liked the way that Robin is no perfect guy and claims to be the worse archer in his band of merry men and women, I always prefer flawed heroes. I also like the way that there is no glamorising the outlaws life and you see that they are cold and hungry and paranoid about discovery.
I thought the romance in the story is very well done. It takes quite a back seat, letting the story carry on but still manages to be satisfying. (Personally I preferred Little John's and Cecily/Cecil relationship rather than Robin's and Marion's, which could have been a little more developed.)
Although there was a lot that I loved about the book I felt there could have been more. I would have liked for McKinley to have taken the time to go into a little more depth with some of the characters and I would have certainly liked to have know more about the sheriff of Nottingham, I also felt that the middle of the book lacked some incidents and was a little slow, I would have liked a bit more action there I think. However the climax of the story is fantastic and in my opinion, worth the wait.
If you don't mind books that can be a little slow in the beginning, and you like tales of Robin Hood, then I think you'll enjoy this book. All I can say is that I didn't want it to end.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite versions of Robin Hood.
Review: I suppose some would consider the book a bit dry in parts, but it's the kind of book where once you get past a certain point, you get hooked. The characters are given a depth, and you see a bit more of their motivations for being in the forest, beyond the urge to wear stylish green tights.
I would very much recommend this book...
Rating:
Summary: Not McKinley's best, PLEASE don't judge her on this book!
Review: Three of my MOST FAVORITE books of all time are Robin McKinley books: "The Blue Sword" "The Hero and the Crown" and "Spindle's End". I love these books with all my heart and another one of hers I will note is "Deerskin" which is more disturbing but ultimately wonderful. You feel yourself drug through all the pain and misery and confusion that Lissar suffers and it turns out that the whole story is all the more worth it because of these struggles! I really like "Beauty", "The Stone Fey" and "The Door in the Hedge" too. I haven't read the rest yet.
But, I cannot say the same for this book. If you have been disappointed by it, do not give up! Read the first three books I have listed above in any order "Sword" "Hero" and "Spindle" and possibly "Beauty" are her best and most enjoyable to read. Try them, you will NOT be let down!
I found that "The Outlaws of Sherwood" just didn't hold my attention as well as I had hoped. I love McKinley's take on other fairytales and old legends and how original she is with them, so, I was excited to read a new spin on Robinhood as I was rather tired of the old stuff.
I must say, I was rather disappointed.
I like how Robin of Hood is more normal and with regular human flaws and how again, McKinley has made the heroine more rough and tumble and brave. But I just could not get into the storyline. It seemed that McKinley was trying to split it between too many characters and the book was just too short to do that effectively. Maybe I was just too tired from a rigorous semester of college and the trials and tribulations of a difficult roommate, but I really felt disconnected.
I'm used to knowing McKinley's characters intimately, really getting into a particular character's head. I just couldn't do that here. And the plot jumped around so much, it just seems like things sort of *happened* and then were over, no real development or heart-stopping involved. I just found it hard to follow along. Some scenes were sweet between Cecily and Little John and then between Robin and Marian. I like how Little John always treated Cecily more thoughtfully even when they thought she was Cecil. McKinley is *GOOD* at romance, she really is! But, she is not all about it, that makes her books good, she has a true tale and struggle to relate too and a historical basis at times. I liked the ambushes and stealing poor unfortunates from a cruel fate at the hands of the nobles and the fight against the unfair taxing and cruelty.
But, to really make this a truly *GOOD* McKinley book, she would have needed to make it a lot longer in order to focus on all her important characters more thoroughly. Still, if you are a true McKinley fan and connoisseur as I am, read this book. I will read ALL of her work and try to appreciate this book for what it is: An earlier attempt by McKinley before she really came into her own.
And, if this is your first Robin McKinley experience: DO NOT GIVE UP HERE! As I said before, read her other books, the ones you should start out with are: "The Blue Sword" "The Hero and the Crown" "Spindle's End" and "Beauty". Those, FOR SURE, are her best and LEAST-DISTURBING or confusing books, plus, they are novels and not a collection of stories. With those, you will be able to get a taste of McKinley at her best. She is truly a creative artist, imager, linguist and author. Her works are MASTERPIECES and you can enjoy them throughout your life.
As C.S. Lewis (Author of the FANTASIC Chronicles of Narnia) said: "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often more) worth the reading at the age of fifty. . ."
With that thought, I leave you. Peace out and McKinley Forever!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I'm not a very good "reviewer" but I can say I absolutely loved this book. From the moment I started the book I could not put it down. It was a fast, easy read that kept me interested the entire time. It had just enough romance to keep me satisfied (which really wasn't much at all) and enough action to keep me tense and on edge. If you are into the Robin Hood scene then this book is a definite must read.
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