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Forestwife Saga #1-3
The Forestwife Trilogy
A powerful retelling of the Robin Hood story from Marian's point of view.
Who will champion the poor against injustice and cruelty?
When fifteen year old Mary flees into the forest to avoid a fearsome marriage arranged by her uncle, she little knows what challenges lie in store for her as the wise and magical Green Lady of the Woods.
In this riveting and action-packed saga, Theresa Tomlinson breathes new life into the story of Robin Hood by focusing attention on the women who will pull a bowstring and stand up against the cruel laws of Medieval England.
Who will champion the poor against injustice and cruelty?
When fifteen year old Mary flees into the forest to avoid a fearsome marriage arranged by her uncle, she little knows what challenges lie in store for her as the wise and magical Green Lady of the Woods.
In this riveting and action-packed saga, Theresa Tomlinson breathes new life into the story of Robin Hood by focusing attention on the women who will pull a bowstring and stand up against the cruel laws of Medieval England.
472 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 1995
7 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Tomlinson
43 books127 followersThough I was born in the South of England - my parents moved back to the North when I was one year old, and I have lived in Yorkshire ever since. I spent a few years as an infant teacher, but when my children were young I started making picture books for them and became hooked on writing. I love drawing and painting, but my main love is writing, often using the legends and history around me as inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 15, 2011
This one book is actually a trilogy which tells the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. I read the first book in this trilogy when I was a kid and was in love with it. I loved the idea of Marian living in the woods and healing the sick with Robin coming and going and helping the common man. Coming back to it was like meeting an old friend and I just loved it. Then I finished and went on to the next book. What a disappointment. I think the 'and they lived happily ever after' ending of the first book enough. Well we all know the legend of Robin Hood, why ruin the lovely story of how it all started?! The ending was strange and characters were not properly introduced. My advice- read the forestwife and skip the next books in the series.
Want to read
July 27, 2016In Italy the third book of this trilogy, The Path of the She-Wolf, never got traslated and published - and never will be, I suppose.
So, after only 10 years (or is it 15?) I finally got an English copy of the whole trilogy... about time I get to finish the story!
So, after only 10 years (or is it 15?) I finally got an English copy of the whole trilogy... about time I get to finish the story!
May 25, 2019
3.5 maybe...
I very much enjoyed it. A bit cheesy here and there and definitely not my favorite version of the Robin Hood story...but a neat, well done twist on the story and from Marian’s perspective...mostly. We get some new characters who can be hit or miss and the book contains a lot of mini adventures more than just one big plot so it doesn’t feel as...big. Also sometimes the author seems very dedicated to using fitting voices/terminology....though there were a few unfitting phrases that stuck out like a sore thumb.
Still: Creative, Fun, a quick read. :)
I very much enjoyed it. A bit cheesy here and there and definitely not my favorite version of the Robin Hood story...but a neat, well done twist on the story and from Marian’s perspective...mostly. We get some new characters who can be hit or miss and the book contains a lot of mini adventures more than just one big plot so it doesn’t feel as...big. Also sometimes the author seems very dedicated to using fitting voices/terminology....though there were a few unfitting phrases that stuck out like a sore thumb.
Still: Creative, Fun, a quick read. :)
May 6, 2024
My expectations for this book were very pleasantly surpassed. It's a bloody fantastic story that showcases (in the words of Signourney Weaver) not just "strong women," but rather "women who find strength, as women do."
I suspect I'll cherish it as one of my favorites for a very long time. Absolutely beautiful.
I suspect I'll cherish it as one of my favorites for a very long time. Absolutely beautiful.
February 18, 2019
4.5 stars
Beautiful young adult retelling that blends a feminine eye view of the Robin Hood legends with ancient Greenman and Greenwoman mythology. The themes of charity, kindness, sacrifice and helping the community, fighting injustice and cruelty on a personal and wider level. Marian becomes the Forestwife, an age-old position of herbal medical healer and caretaker for the poor who live in and around Barnesdale Forest. Helping her is Robert, also known as the Hooded One, who fights the oppression of the peasant class against the cruelties of the leaders. Together with the group of friends and family they find along the way to aid in their missions and adventures. Touching story, with an especially powerful end that will linger with me for some time.
Beautiful young adult retelling that blends a feminine eye view of the Robin Hood legends with ancient Greenman and Greenwoman mythology. The themes of charity, kindness, sacrifice and helping the community, fighting injustice and cruelty on a personal and wider level. Marian becomes the Forestwife, an age-old position of herbal medical healer and caretaker for the poor who live in and around Barnesdale Forest. Helping her is Robert, also known as the Hooded One, who fights the oppression of the peasant class against the cruelties of the leaders. Together with the group of friends and family they find along the way to aid in their missions and adventures. Touching story, with an especially powerful end that will linger with me for some time.
July 17, 2013
A 'powerful retelling' this book certainly is.
Tomlinson deserves major kudos for the concept behind this novel alone - and the convincing narrative she weaves, combining legend with legend and her own ideas - makes this one of the most satisfying versions of the Robin Hood story I've come across. And I'm pretty obsessed with Robin Hood.
This book's female focus is immediately striking, with a huge cast of varied, realistic, well rounded and convincing female characters. This was incredibly refreshing, as my preferred genre of fantasy is incredibly male heavy and full of female stereotypes. I was almost moved to tears by the quietly feminist presentation of the women in this book - this is something an awful lot of authours should take note of.
Brilliantly, the book does not suffer for the lack of focus on the traditional male battles and adventures of Robin's life, and is arguably stronger for it. Instead, the fascinating descriptions of life in the forest bring the world of Marian and Magda life in vivid clarity, and make me long to go live in the woods myself.
Though I was not always entirely convinced by Tomlinson's style, as she does not explore the emotional development of character relationships in as much detail as I had hoped, I would thoughrily recommend this book.
Vastly superior to the disappointing Moon Riders, and a book I will make sure my children read some day, both the boys and the girls.
Tomlinson deserves major kudos for the concept behind this novel alone - and the convincing narrative she weaves, combining legend with legend and her own ideas - makes this one of the most satisfying versions of the Robin Hood story I've come across. And I'm pretty obsessed with Robin Hood.
This book's female focus is immediately striking, with a huge cast of varied, realistic, well rounded and convincing female characters. This was incredibly refreshing, as my preferred genre of fantasy is incredibly male heavy and full of female stereotypes. I was almost moved to tears by the quietly feminist presentation of the women in this book - this is something an awful lot of authours should take note of.
Brilliantly, the book does not suffer for the lack of focus on the traditional male battles and adventures of Robin's life, and is arguably stronger for it. Instead, the fascinating descriptions of life in the forest bring the world of Marian and Magda life in vivid clarity, and make me long to go live in the woods myself.
Though I was not always entirely convinced by Tomlinson's style, as she does not explore the emotional development of character relationships in as much detail as I had hoped, I would thoughrily recommend this book.
Vastly superior to the disappointing Moon Riders, and a book I will make sure my children read some day, both the boys and the girls.
September 15, 2016
I'm a great fan of Teresa Tomlinson's Moon Riders about the Amazon warriors and expected more of the same here. The story is certainly promising, with a young Maid Marian taking over the title of 'Forestwife' and making her home in a remote forest hut as a healer and mystical Green Lady of the wood, where she soon links up with the author's historical version of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. Robin - or Robert in this trilogy - provides a gentle romance angle in keeping with the age of the readership, and the book seems set for plenty of exciting action featuring Marian and her longbow (see cover!)
However, as the series unfolds, I found myself stuck at the hut with the Forestwife aspect of Marian, dealing with the broken families and wounded men from Robin Hood's exploits. Much of the action takes place off-stage, and although the reader hears about the daring exploits of the outlaws, Marian herself is rarely involved directly. The best parts of the book are when she finally grabs her bow and leads her women on daring exploits of her own to rescue prisoners - and I wish there had been a lot more of that, and less of the broken families!
If you want the legend, then you're probably better off watching the film 'Prince of Thieves'. However, this book might appeal to girls who are more into babies than battles, and provides a fascinating glimpse of what life might have really been like for the refugees who lived in the forest with Robin Hood.
However, as the series unfolds, I found myself stuck at the hut with the Forestwife aspect of Marian, dealing with the broken families and wounded men from Robin Hood's exploits. Much of the action takes place off-stage, and although the reader hears about the daring exploits of the outlaws, Marian herself is rarely involved directly. The best parts of the book are when she finally grabs her bow and leads her women on daring exploits of her own to rescue prisoners - and I wish there had been a lot more of that, and less of the broken families!
If you want the legend, then you're probably better off watching the film 'Prince of Thieves'. However, this book might appeal to girls who are more into babies than battles, and provides a fascinating glimpse of what life might have really been like for the refugees who lived in the forest with Robin Hood.
October 14, 2015
Stories of Robin Hood have always fascinated me. This author wished to write a book from the female point of view. She also likes Robin Hood, but as she wanted the female viewpoint, her main character had to be Maid Marian. I think that looking through Marian's eyes is an excellent way to tell a story of the outlaws of Barnsdale & Sherwood, and Ms. Tomlinson produced an intriguing book that included Robin's adventures, Marian's role which actually became the female's role in the Medieval Ages which led to family life during the same era. With King John as the monarch, I was well aware that the characters were heading into violence and upset because King John was only out for himself. Personally, I do not think that he truly cared for his subjects just his own power and comfort. Violence, suffering, disease, starvation, and poverty were all present during the Middle Ages, and the author places each of these in her trilogy of The Forestwife. One gets a very clear picture how hard life was for the lower classes especially with a king such as John. Also, the reader visualizes the role of a woman at the time - a healer, organizer of supplies and foodstuff, and often a warrior. The author does a very good job bringing the Middle Ages and Mariam and Robin (Robert in the book) to life. Very enjoyable!
November 12, 2010
I've read the first book of the trilogy years ago, in italian, and I had a good, if confused, memory of it.
When I've started reading it this time, the first pages were not the most entertaining thing ever (they also contained ANTIQUE ENGLISH!, and that's not easy when english is not your mothertongue), and I thought this book would probably be very long and kinda boring to read, with just enough good stuff to keep me going.
However, three or four chapters in, it suddenly got interesting! And it stayed that way, even if the first part in the Forestwife clearing is my favourite.
It's an interesting retelling of the Robin Hood story, built around the character of Lady Marian, who is not a lady (anymore) and does not wait around in castles to be saved: she's strong and fierce, and wise and knowledgeable, and she's not the only strong female character in the book!
I really enjoyed reading this book, but I sometimes felt the limits of YA writing; though I generally love YA novels, I would have loved an adult version of this, and it would probably have gotten 5 stars.
When I've started reading it this time, the first pages were not the most entertaining thing ever (they also contained ANTIQUE ENGLISH!, and that's not easy when english is not your mothertongue), and I thought this book would probably be very long and kinda boring to read, with just enough good stuff to keep me going.
However, three or four chapters in, it suddenly got interesting! And it stayed that way, even if the first part in the Forestwife clearing is my favourite.
It's an interesting retelling of the Robin Hood story, built around the character of Lady Marian, who is not a lady (anymore) and does not wait around in castles to be saved: she's strong and fierce, and wise and knowledgeable, and she's not the only strong female character in the book!
I really enjoyed reading this book, but I sometimes felt the limits of YA writing; though I generally love YA novels, I would have loved an adult version of this, and it would probably have gotten 5 stars.
August 20, 2011
I've read this book about 100 times. I first read it when I was about 9 or 10, I don't remember when, but ever since then I have taken it off the shelf at random points and read it over and over again. Despite this, I always find the story thrilling and just what they should be! It's the best Robin Hood book I've ever read!!
March 22, 2022
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story and found it extremely engaging. The writing style, however, is simple and straightforward, and, while this would definitely work for some, I’d have loved to see a bit more depth, especially when dealing with individual characters and their emotions. A great read though, especially if you love the Robin Hood legend.
May 16, 2014
I love this book could read it over and over again!
April 13, 2019
i love this book and the characters (yes even the bratty teen has a little love from me) but the ending confused me as I cannot imagine loving someone so much that I would die to stay with them (that kind of goes against Marian's character when I think about it).
the ending is mostly depressing you know the two deaths (extreme sad face) and the girdle being broken into three and being given to the Gerta, Magda and Brigit was a nice touch and then the scene with the two wolves at the end is my main source of conclusion but also makes me slightly happy
anyways sorry for my semi coherent ramble
the ending is mostly depressing you know the two deaths (extreme sad face) and the girdle being broken into three and being given to the Gerta, Magda and Brigit was a nice touch and then the scene with the two wolves at the end is my main source of conclusion but also makes me slightly happy
anyways sorry for my semi coherent ramble
February 10, 2022
It's very important for young girls to read about strong female characters and the Forestwife is a strong woman if there ever was one. Mary Holt is somebody who will not be dragged around by fate. She makes her own way and her own choices, no matter how difficult they are.
September 3, 2023
I so badly wanted this to be a book where Marion led her own gang of merry women but, sadly, it was not. Still an interesting retelling, but if anyone wants to rewrite Robin Hood where Marion wears the green hood, I’d be so keen to read it!
February 4, 2024
Excellent read.
I found it hard to put this book down. It went to the kitchen with me and I read while fixing dinner. I stayed up late to finish it. And had tears in my eyes at the ending, which I rarely do. If you like medieval stories, this book is for you.
I found it hard to put this book down. It went to the kitchen with me and I read while fixing dinner. I stayed up late to finish it. And had tears in my eyes at the ending, which I rarely do. If you like medieval stories, this book is for you.
June 2, 2020
for a preteen obsessed with Robin Hood this was my favourite read
November 4, 2021
An average book with some excellent bits and a tear Jersey ending.
January 7, 2024
I read this as a teenager and loved it. A brilliant retelling of the Robin Hood saga from Marian's perspective.
Read
April 12, 2024I found out my favorite book from childhood, The Forestwife had two sequels so I had to read them. I was very happy to be back in the world.
August 31, 2025
Childhood reread. Still enjoyed it, it’s very much written as a children’s book so not deep or sophisticated
June 22, 2025
The Forestwife (the first book in this trilogy) was a favorite of mine as a girl. I must have read it like 5-7 times. I loved stories of people living out in the woods on their own--no idea why. I certainly would never want to do it myself. But apparently reading about it is delightful. Go figure.
The premise is simple, a young woman, Mary, runs away with her nurse/maid Agnes instead of marrying the old man her uncle found for her. Agnes takes on the mantle of the Forestwife, who is dedicated to helping any who are desperate enough to seek her out. Mary becomes Marion, and learns midwifery and medicine at Agnes side. They meet an assortment of injured souls whom they help including a drunk friar, a gaggle of working nuns, and of course, Robert, Agnes' son who is an outlaw.
Most of my rating is nostalgia factor for sure--and for the first book. The other two... eh, I think you could skip them. The first was the best written by far and the other two felt more cheesy and youthful than the first. Although I do think it is written for a reading level more appropriate to when I first read it. I totally see though how this story could be expanded and enriched to be a more adult story though.
Def recommend for middle school and up and for lovers of Robin Hood.
The premise is simple, a young woman, Mary, runs away with her nurse/maid Agnes instead of marrying the old man her uncle found for her. Agnes takes on the mantle of the Forestwife, who is dedicated to helping any who are desperate enough to seek her out. Mary becomes Marion, and learns midwifery and medicine at Agnes side. They meet an assortment of injured souls whom they help including a drunk friar, a gaggle of working nuns, and of course, Robert, Agnes' son who is an outlaw.
Most of my rating is nostalgia factor for sure--and for the first book. The other two... eh, I think you could skip them. The first was the best written by far and the other two felt more cheesy and youthful than the first. Although I do think it is written for a reading level more appropriate to when I first read it. I totally see though how this story could be expanded and enriched to be a more adult story though.
Def recommend for middle school and up and for lovers of Robin Hood.
December 10, 2018
I'll be honest, I think I've read this book a hundred times. I think I was 10 the first time I read this, and over the years I have re-read it again and again. I laugh and cry in the same spots every time, feel the same victories and the same heartbreaks, and every time I read it I take a little more away from it.
I don't like to include spoilers, so will keep this love rant as succinct as possible. Theresa Tomlinson takes an old story and refashions it into something new, and even better, from the female point of view :). We've all heard of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, but what of the women? And I'm not talking about some simpering Maid Marian waiting around for some man to save her. I'm talking about the real women. Tomlinson focuses the story on the strong women who surrounded themselves with these infamous men - pushing Robin Hood into the background - and the day-to-day struggle of surviving outside of the law, deep in the forest.
Couldn't recommend this book enough!
I don't like to include spoilers, so will keep this love rant as succinct as possible. Theresa Tomlinson takes an old story and refashions it into something new, and even better, from the female point of view :). We've all heard of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, but what of the women? And I'm not talking about some simpering Maid Marian waiting around for some man to save her. I'm talking about the real women. Tomlinson focuses the story on the strong women who surrounded themselves with these infamous men - pushing Robin Hood into the background - and the day-to-day struggle of surviving outside of the law, deep in the forest.
Couldn't recommend this book enough!
November 8, 2015
I decided to re-read this as something gentle to get back into reading, but not without a little trepidation. I adored these books as a teen, I honestly can say they were formative for me - would they stand up to the test of time and a more mature perspective? Well, I needn't have worried. I was gripped from the first page, revisiting old friends and adventures. This is a book about the women of the Robin Hood tales, and what women! Young, old, peasants, noblewomen, all with well-rounded and varied personalities. Also a great picture of what life might have been like for the average medieval person. Full of adventure, romance, and folk mythology, I just gobbled it up. Great book for young teens, and young twenties too it seems (but that might be nostalgia talking)
August 26, 2012
an absoloutley AMAZING book.
A different telling of the traditional Robin Hood legend that still instills the same morals. Marian is such a strong and intelligent woman who shows that you don't need a man to go out and fight (or to stay in and fight).
I first read it when I was 11 and almost 10 years later it still makes me laugh and cry.
Just an amazing book and if you love the Robin Hood legend I'd definitely recommend it.
The one (single) downside is it's directed at Young Adults and as an actual adult I sometimes find it a bit simple but as long as you realise who it's aimed for you can understand why it is written the way it is.
A different telling of the traditional Robin Hood legend that still instills the same morals. Marian is such a strong and intelligent woman who shows that you don't need a man to go out and fight (or to stay in and fight).
I first read it when I was 11 and almost 10 years later it still makes me laugh and cry.
Just an amazing book and if you love the Robin Hood legend I'd definitely recommend it.
The one (single) downside is it's directed at Young Adults and as an actual adult I sometimes find it a bit simple but as long as you realise who it's aimed for you can understand why it is written the way it is.
September 10, 2022
A good story about fundamentally good people in a beautiful, natural setting. Very calming and enjoyable. Plus, there is a little bit of history and plant lore mixed in.
Want to read
February 11, 2009I've heard the Forestwife is very good, the sequel is Child of the May, and there's a third one, Path of the She Wolf, which was only published in the UK. How can they not publish the 3rd of a trilogy? Well I saw that the trilogy is a available in this omnibus, so I think I'm going to order it from Amazon.
*Update 2-11-09 Requested this about a week ago, and it has just come in. (Forestwife by itself I mean, not the trilogy omnibus) If I like I will order the whole trilogy.
*Update 2-11-09 Requested this about a week ago, and it has just come in. (Forestwife by itself I mean, not the trilogy omnibus) If I like I will order the whole trilogy.
April 4, 2011
This is an alternative look at the Robin Hood story, but instead of centreing around Robin himself, it centres around the women of Nottingham Forest - including Maid Marian herself, who becomes the Forestwife, and looks after those who need it.
I liked the different take on the traditional story, and the way that Marian is not portrayed as a damsel in distress type figure.
The book also well fits the YA category, and I reccomended it to friends after reading.
I liked the different take on the traditional story, and the way that Marian is not portrayed as a damsel in distress type figure.
The book also well fits the YA category, and I reccomended it to friends after reading.
March 31, 2013
this book. Is just....AMAZING.
think you like Robin Hood? this take on it is truly fantastic. instead of watching the boys as they fight, it follows the female characters, Marian, as they stay behind. the saga follows them as they age, but never drift apart no matter the distance.
mind you, i cant read it without crying
think you like Robin Hood? this take on it is truly fantastic. instead of watching the boys as they fight, it follows the female characters, Marian, as they stay behind. the saga follows them as they age, but never drift apart no matter the distance.
mind you, i cant read it without crying
February 9, 2012
Is it to bold to say that Theresa Tomlinson's work has shaped the woman you see today? The strength and strong willed characters she writes of have truly inspired me since I was a teenager. An amazing book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews