The Path of the She Wolf

Forestwife Saga #3

by Theresa Tomlinson

Forced to sign the Magna Carta, King John reneges and answers the uprising by the foresters by destroying their villages. The Forestwife's skills are called on more than ever. This trilogy concludes with Marion and Robert finally confronting the Sheriff of Nottingham and fulfilling their destinies.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Medieval, Fantasy, Historical, British Literature, Adventure

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Though 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.

Reviews

[Liss Carmody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, just about as uninspired as I feared. It's unfortunate and interesting: although arguably Tomlinson draws more directly from the historical record and the Robin Hood canon here, linking in some of Robin's more well-known exploits and Runnymede itself (something I think should likely be tied to all versions of the Robin Hood stories), the book itself is weaker and more disjointed than the previous ones. Marian's characterization is all over the place, whiplashing between the daring demeanor of her youth and the steady wisewoman aspect we have expected to see from her in the role of the Forestwife. Magda is luckily far more mature and tolerable here than in Child of the May, but spends most of her time holding down the fort while Marian and Philippa run off on crazy adventures. I actually don't mind her desire for a child and a family, even in a feminist narrative, because that's a perfectly reasonable thing to want, but it's just not written compellingly and the stakes for everything don't seem well established.

This book wraps up Robin's life and ends with his and Marian's death, which I found touching but also maddening because I felt that by this point in her life Marian should have had more sense than this. As observed in the second book, this one also leans more heavily into the neopagan elements with celebrations of Lammas and Brig's Day, and some pointed maiden/mother/crone imagery. I don't object to that element exactly, it's just heavyhanded and seems trite in the context.

As should be clear from the dates started/finished, this was a very very quick read and earned a big hearty 'meh' from me.

[Lu Carini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now that I’ve reached the end of the trilogy, I’m left with a deeply bittersweet feeling. This could have been a masterpiece. The setting, the premise, the themes of womanhood, sisterhood, spirituality, and resistance: all the ingredients are there! And yet… it simply isn’t.

My biggest frustration is how relentlessly everything happens off page. Characters die off page. Battles happen off page. Political choices, heroic acts, wounds, encounters, revelations... all narrated after the fact. What happened to “show, don’t tell”?

What makes this even more disappointing is that a lot is actually happening historically: King John, the Magna Carta, the barons’ rebellion, and yet we barely see any of it.

As the trilogy progresses, the dynamics also become repetitive and oddly flat. Marian and Robin fade more and more into the background. Magda, unfortunately, never becomes significantly more likeable or compelling. The Magdalene nuns and Philippa are barely mentioned. Meanwhile, new characters keep appearing, only to remain thinly sketched, never explored deeply enough for the reader to truly care about them.

All of this leaves Child of the May and Path of the She-Wolf feeling strangely boring and, at times, almost pointless. Which hurts to say, because I love everything about the idea of these books. I wanted to love them so badly.

In the end, I still treasure The Forestwife, and I probably always will. It stands apart in my memory as something special. But I honestly wouldn’t recommend spending time on the other two volumes. Too bad. Seriously.

[Melany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what an end, what an end.

[Laura McFarlane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into this book

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying finish to this take on the Robin Hood and Maid Marian story.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Path of the She-Wolf is the final book of the trilogy. It definitely can't really stand alone. Interestingly, there are definitely influences from the ballads again, especially the one in which Robin saves three men from being hung -- I can't remember the title right now. It's also the end of Robert and Marian's story. Surprisingly, I did find it rather touching -- which is odd, since I hadn't found the story that engaging, really, up to then. I guess the story of Robin Hood still has a power of its own, though. It reminded me of the "Robin and Marian" film, though -- the only Robin Hood film that lost money at the box office, according to my lecturer. And apparently this third book wasn't published in the US, either. Interesting.

Overall, though I can see the appeal in this trilogy for younger readers, it wasn't something that really struck me very strongly. Nice enough and a quick, easy read, but I wouldn't have read it if not for it being a set book on my course.

[Lanie]

Twice I've tired and twice I've given up. Things have just really gone down hill since the first book. :/ not just gone down hill, but fell off a cliff. The writings ok..... But nothing to brag about. The main issue is the main character. She's just annoying! Magda... I want to hit you. :( whining about a baby...... You r to busy for a baby! And.... Well, if we're going for a feminist angle in a medieval setting, I don't think having the main girl moaning about a baby is a good idea. That's exactly what the guys want! For women to only sit around cooking and having sons! :/ kinda mixed messages here. Maybe I'll try again some day and manage tto get through more than a few chapters, but I doubt that. Hopefully my next Robin Hood read will be more fun.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully told tale of the chaos under King John's rule in the year he signed the Magna Carta. This one is heartbreaking, as one forestwife and the hooded one leave this earth, and another steps each into their shoes. The cruelty visited down on serfs, peasants, freeholders and the outlawed because of the political chaos is graphic. The remedies for wounds and disease should fascinate any young reader. The struggle by the dispossessed against starvation should chill any reader's heart. The feminist perspective on women's role amongst the common people of the time is welcome.

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww, over already! This book seemed a lot shorter than the other two. I kinda wish I could've gotten to know the ‘bad guys’ more like all the characters did, but oh well! I absolutely loved the ending though, IT WAS SO SAD, BUT I LOVED IT SO MUCH! *Blows nose in tissue and sobs some more* That was totally the best part for me. (I should reread this again.)

This series is great for readers looking for something light and non suspenseful in the Robin Hood tales.

[Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Krista Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply beautiful.

[Nicole]

Maybe one day in the far-foggy future.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ratcheting all three of these up to five stars because they were so good, I'll read them again and this one made me cry.