[Review: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen]

"Lion Heart"
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Series: Scarlet #3
Pages: 348
Genre: YA, Retellings, Alternate History
Date Published: May 19th, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary:

The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

-Goodreads

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Lion Heart,

I just loved you. I love your whole series, but you were a wonderful conclusion. I honestly couldn't have asked for more. Well, I could have asked for you not to be so historically accurate, so that I could have watched one of your characters die, but there is not much you could do about that. I'm so glad that we got to spend time together.

-The White Unicorn

I'm pretty bummed that these books are over. That being said, I am so glad that I got to experience them. Gaughen gave us a feminist, Robin Hood tale, and she delivered in all aspects in this trilogy. I'm sad to say goodbye to so many characters that feel like family. So much so that when (or if) one of them dies, I can't help but cry buckets full of tears. I'm not saying that anyone dies, but they might. 

As in all trilogy conclusions, Gaughen had the job of wrapping everything up, and she did a wonderful job. She gave us the happy endings, the bittersweet ones, and the ones that make you want to pull your hair out. The book mixes history and legend, and I have to admit that I wish that Gaughen would have strayed a bit from history and ended Prince John's sorry little life. But as real life goes, sometimes those types last longer than they should. 

I feel like Scarlet really comes into her own in this book. She's always been a clearly written character, but as all the mysteries of her parentage, and her past come together, she finds the bits that make her more sure of herself. The slow and extremely small progression that she goes through in all three novels is so carefully written that you feel privileged to have watched it.

The love story also comes to a head, and we saw a bit more of a sassy side of Rob. I have to admit that I think I adored him most in this book. He's so snarky, and I feel like he felt like he needed to fill in for John, and I'm glad for that. The romance was on fire, and yet didn't take away from the rest of what was going on. 

The conflict in this book wasn't as strong as in Lady Thief, but then again, it was still strong. Gaughen still made me hate Prince John and I feel like that says it all. 

All in all I couldn't have wanted more from this novel, and I'm so glad that I took the time to read it, as well as the wrest of the series. Read them!

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

[Review: Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen]

"Lady Thief"
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Series: Scarlet #2
Pages: 308
Genre: YA, Retellings, Alternate History
Date Published: February 11th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Format Read: Purchased Hardback

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary:

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. 

-Goodreads
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Lady Thief,

You know what I love? A book that makes me ugly cry in the worst way when I finish it. You know what? You did that to me. Just so you know, it makes me like you that much more that you made me blubber. You made me feel things, and you made me fall even more in love with all of your characters. Isn't that all you can ask for from a book, because I think that it is, and you fully delivered on that front.

-The White Unicorn

EVERYONE needs to read this series right now. If you haven't picked up Scarlet yet, get your hands on it, and then keep on going, because things only get better in Lady Thief! This book gave me so many feels, and I loved it for that.

Gaughen is craftsman when it comes to world building. She blends legend and history together in a way that makes you think that what you're reading is what really happened in England all those years ago. She connects you to her characters with her words and makes you feel like you are a part of Robin's band, and the horrors that they face. She isn't afraid to make her characters suffer, and the book is much better for it. In all honesty, I can find nothing wrong with Gaughen's writing style, and I'm a big fan.

Scarlet is back with a vengeance. Now that we know who she really is, her rough exterior is a thousand times more interesting. I love that Gaughen gives a direct view into Scar's thoughts, as the book is written in first person narrative. I think I could live inside of Scar's brain for more then three books, but that's all I'm gonna get. It's fun to watch Scar navigate her high born heritage. And if you think you know everything about her, you don't. Gaughen made sure to add plenty of more twists to Lady Thief.

The love story between Scar and Rob is on fire this time around. Where things were just starting in Scarlet, Gaughen let's things grow between them, and gives us a front row ticket to all the feels. Rob continues to grow as a dynamic character, and I can't wait to see where his character goes in book three.

Of course the rest of the band is back as well. We see a lot of Much and John, and my love for both of them grew a lot from the first page to the last. On top of characters that we've met before, Gaughen added in other allies for Scarlet, and I enjoyed getting to know them as well. I can't tell you who some of them are, but they are great!

Gisbourne also rears his beastly head, and if you didn't strongly dislike him before, you will now. I like how, even though he is clearly a villain, Gaughen gives him bits of humanity. It messes with both your idea of him, as well as Scar's, but thankfully, it doesn't change much. He's still pure evil.

I feel like I have nothing but great things to say about this book, and yet I feel like I can't even touch on some of my favorite bits without giving away huge parts of the plot. So, I'm going to end my review here and tell you that you need to read this series, and then we can talk!

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

[Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen]

"Scarlet"
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Series: Scarlet #1
Pages: 292
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Retellings
Date Published: February 14th, 2012
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Format Read: Purchased Hardback

-----------------------------------------------------------

Summery:

 Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

-Goodreads 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Thoughts:

"Scarlet" was a book that is a hard cookie to crack for me.  Things started out a little rough for us in the beginning as I was having a hard time connecting with the writing style of the novel, but once I got into it and figured out the rhythm of the prose we started getting along quite well.  You see, A.C. Gaughen gives Scarlet/Will and the rest of the well known characters a form of broken medieval English, and once we became pals the book was pulling ahead and taking me on a rather epic ride.  And I love a good retelling of a favorite story and I've loved "Robin Hood" since I can remember.

In all honesty I had heard that the twist of the book (yes the one that isn't so clearly stated on the summary) was going to blow my mind!  I couldn't wait to uncover what mysteries the cast of players were hiding and so I was slightly disappointed when half way through the book I guessed the ending, or pretty close to what the ending was.  But I'll admit that I did it to myself.  So you might be left guessing when I wasn't.

The fact is that I really really enjoyed the character of Scarlet.  Her background (which is slowly uncovered), her personality and her knife throwing skills were only a small part of what made her so fascinating.  She was the girl surrounded by men, clinging to the little bits of femininity that she still had while still being able to handle herself in almost any situation.  She was never the damsel in distress, though sometimes her stubbornness would get the best of her and leave her in the position of needing rescue. 

The other main leads that we know include Robin himself and Little John.  There are a slew of other characters that you come to know and love even if they were never in the original tale.  And a villain that will make your blood boil.  But what fascinated me most was Gaughen's take on the legendary Robin!  He was much younger than we normally see him and his bravery was just what I would have thought it would be.  

There is also the semblance of a love triangle tucked between the pages.  I know another love triangle right?  But this one has a feel to it that makes it truly believable, which means it doesn't get in the way of the story.  I actually enjoyed getting to watch it infold and grow into what becomes of it.  I won't tell you what happens though.

Over all, I was enchanted by the forest and the thieves that hid beneath the trees leaves.  Their lives became more tangible and easier to understand under the direction of Gaughen.  Who twisted these characters and people into something new and exciting without straying too far from what we have been told about them to begin with.  If you enjoy retellings that are about love, adventure, hard choices, thieves and archery then "Scarlet" is right for you! 

Rating: