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The Outlaw Chronicles #0.5
The Rise of Robin Hood
Something is stirring in the heart of Sherwood.
Two desperate young men undertake their first robbery in the tangled depths of a medieval forest. The first is a cut-throat charmer named Robert Odo; the second a gigantic, battle-hardened warrior called John. But, as the novice thieves quickly discover, they are not the only outlaws in Sherwood.
A legend is born in this short-story prequel to Angus Donald's masterly series The Outlaw Chronicles, perfect for devoted fans and newcomers alike.
Also includes an extract from Outlaw, the first book of The Outlaw Chronicles.
Two desperate young men undertake their first robbery in the tangled depths of a medieval forest. The first is a cut-throat charmer named Robert Odo; the second a gigantic, battle-hardened warrior called John. But, as the novice thieves quickly discover, they are not the only outlaws in Sherwood.
A legend is born in this short-story prequel to Angus Donald's masterly series The Outlaw Chronicles, perfect for devoted fans and newcomers alike.
Also includes an extract from Outlaw, the first book of The Outlaw Chronicles.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2013
28 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 13, 2025
Too much gore for me, but it was an interesting and quick read introducing how Robin Hood may have gotten his start.
April 6, 2020
Enjoyable prequel to The beginning of the Outlaw series.
January 30, 2017
Not nearly as good as the full length Outlaw Chronicles novels, gives us a quick glance at Robin Hood's rise to power.
November 7, 2025
2 yellow stars
A very short story and a teaser for the Outlaw Chronicles. The writing is great - vivid descriptions, maybe too vivid when it comes to battle scenes. Unless you're a series completist, like me, though, I would skip this one. It's so short and doesn't really add anything to the overall series. Well, I did like the Welsh archers...
Description: Two desperate young men undertake their first robbery in the tangled depths of a medieval forest. The first is a cut-throat charmer named Robert Odo; the second a gigantic, battle-hardened warrior called John. But, as the novice thieves quickly discover, they are not the only outlaws in Sherwood.
A very short story and a teaser for the Outlaw Chronicles. The writing is great - vivid descriptions, maybe too vivid when it comes to battle scenes. Unless you're a series completist, like me, though, I would skip this one. It's so short and doesn't really add anything to the overall series. Well, I did like the Welsh archers...
Description: Two desperate young men undertake their first robbery in the tangled depths of a medieval forest. The first is a cut-throat charmer named Robert Odo; the second a gigantic, battle-hardened warrior called John. But, as the novice thieves quickly discover, they are not the only outlaws in Sherwood.
March 30, 2020
THE RISE OF ROBIN HOOD is a short prequel story written by Angus Donald for his Robin Hood series. It takes place before the first book in the series and looks at how Robin and John formed the Merry Men. It's as entertainingly written as the other books in this series, but the biggest detraction is that it's far too short. There's plenty of well-described action, but the characterisation is virtually nil and the whole thing feels more than a little rushed. I could certainly have enjoyed a novel-length 'origin' story on the subject from this author.
April 26, 2018
I've always been a Robin Hood fan since I can remember, and always loved finding new adaptations to his legend. And while I never really enjoy short stories I couldn't resist giving this one a shot. I'm so glad I did! A prequel to the Outlaw Chronicles series, I was immediately hooked by the interaction of characters and the explanation of how Robin Hood came to lead in Sherwood. I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series!
August 2, 2022
It was a very quick read, introducing Robin Hood and Little John after they'd already met each other. It's also before he's become the man we know from legend. It was well-written and made me want to read what happens in the main book of the series, Outlaw.
It also included the first chapter of that book, making me want to read it even more.
It also included the first chapter of that book, making me want to read it even more.
April 13, 2018
I hate to say it but I actually enjoyed this short preview ebook more than book 1!
This book is the story of how Robert became Robin Hood with the help of Little John and it was amazing.
I think the reason I liked it more was that it was all Robin! Unlike the main book which was done from the perspective of Alan Dale.
This was totally what I wanted and I loved it!
This book is the story of how Robert became Robin Hood with the help of Little John and it was amazing.
I think the reason I liked it more was that it was all Robin! Unlike the main book which was done from the perspective of Alan Dale.
This was totally what I wanted and I loved it!
September 2, 2023
The short prequel to Donald's Robin Hood series with the first chapter of Outlaw, the first book in the series. A good story and easy reading of how Robin Hood came to lead his men in Sherwood Forest.
November 12, 2024
Very exciting start to the series
We all know the legend of Robin Hood, but this prequel is a great start to the series! Short and quick to read it definitely makes you want to continue reading the rest of the books.
We all know the legend of Robin Hood, but this prequel is a great start to the series! Short and quick to read it definitely makes you want to continue reading the rest of the books.
October 17, 2025
Men in tights, this is not.
So this Robin Hood is a brutal man, not afraid to kill if required. An interesting introduction to Angus Donald’s take on the legendary figure.
Did more than enough to make me want to read the main series.
So this Robin Hood is a brutal man, not afraid to kill if required. An interesting introduction to Angus Donald’s take on the legendary figure.
Did more than enough to make me want to read the main series.
April 26, 2021
A short prequel to Outlaw. Fan of Robin Hood . So decided give this a try
Quick adventure book . With likeable characters.
Enough interest to read a full book
Quick adventure book . With likeable characters.
Enough interest to read a full book
December 17, 2021
Pretty violent but an awesome start to the tale of Robin Hood.
July 27, 2024
Loved this book. Great historical take on the Robin Hood story. I finished it in a weekend. Couldn’t put it down
June 12, 2025
💜💜🦌🦌🏹🏹
April 23, 2013
This is the first in a trilogy of short stories from Angus Donald that tell tales of the early life of the heroes of his Outlaw series.
This first one, as the title might rather suggest, takes us back to the beginning and the first foray of Robin in his outlaw days, when he was green in more ways than one. There are a few characters you will recognise if you're an afficionado.
I suspect this story is best read by those who are already familiar with Angus' books, although it would also work pretty well as an introduction to the series if you're new and unsure. It mixes nicely the brutality and darkness of Robin's world as we've come to see it with a more traditional 'adventurous outlaw' side that was unusual from Angus, but worked very well for me.
It's short, it's snappy and it's a nice beginning. Nothing to complain about and it helped fill that aching gap while I wait for the release of book 5: Grail Knight.
If you're new, give it a try and you'll probably go straight on to Outlaw. I would.
This first one, as the title might rather suggest, takes us back to the beginning and the first foray of Robin in his outlaw days, when he was green in more ways than one. There are a few characters you will recognise if you're an afficionado.
I suspect this story is best read by those who are already familiar with Angus' books, although it would also work pretty well as an introduction to the series if you're new and unsure. It mixes nicely the brutality and darkness of Robin's world as we've come to see it with a more traditional 'adventurous outlaw' side that was unusual from Angus, but worked very well for me.
It's short, it's snappy and it's a nice beginning. Nothing to complain about and it helped fill that aching gap while I wait for the release of book 5: Grail Knight.
If you're new, give it a try and you'll probably go straight on to Outlaw. I would.
February 11, 2015
I'm afraid I could only give this short story (it doesn't even deserve to be called a novella) three out of five stars because honestly, I found nothing in it that would encourage me to read this series. I read reviews by other readers who are familiar with the Outlaw series, and who have said that this is not the place to start even though the author calls it a prequel.
It's not that it is a bad story, only that it is too short and left me feeling that I still know nothing about the characters. It reminds me more of a vignette, and one that requires the reader to be familiar with the other works in this series. Maybe at a later date, I'll try the first book in the series and may end up changing my mind...but for now? I've got too many other books waiting in the wings for me.
It's not that it is a bad story, only that it is too short and left me feeling that I still know nothing about the characters. It reminds me more of a vignette, and one that requires the reader to be familiar with the other works in this series. Maybe at a later date, I'll try the first book in the series and may end up changing my mind...but for now? I've got too many other books waiting in the wings for me.
April 18, 2013
Short prequel to the first of Angus Donald's Outlaw series about Robin Hood.
Whereas the books proper are all presented as an ageing Alan-a -Dale remembering his time with Robin and were told in the first person, this is told in third person and is not 'book-ended' in such a manner. While there are a few other characters than the already-living-in-the-woods Robin and John, it also does not have such a wide range of characters as in the novels proper, and feels maybe a little bit rushed.
In short: an OK entry for anyone who hasn't read any of the novels proper, but I would still advise the reader to start with the first book rather than this novella.
Whereas the books proper are all presented as an ageing Alan-a -Dale remembering his time with Robin and were told in the first person, this is told in third person and is not 'book-ended' in such a manner. While there are a few other characters than the already-living-in-the-woods Robin and John, it also does not have such a wide range of characters as in the novels proper, and feels maybe a little bit rushed.
In short: an OK entry for anyone who hasn't read any of the novels proper, but I would still advise the reader to start with the first book rather than this novella.
January 22, 2017
Good short story if you need your Robin Hood fix.
As a fan of Angus Donald's Robin Hood series I found this short story hard to resist and although it is only 100 pages long it is still filled with the same gritty atmosphere as the novels. Well worth a read whether you are a fan of the series or a curious reader looking for an example of what is in store should you decide to read the whole series.
As a fan of Angus Donald's Robin Hood series I found this short story hard to resist and although it is only 100 pages long it is still filled with the same gritty atmosphere as the novels. Well worth a read whether you are a fan of the series or a curious reader looking for an example of what is in store should you decide to read the whole series.
June 14, 2022
When Robert Odo and his friend John enter Sherwood, they meet an archdeacon and his man at arms and lighten their load by twenty pounds of silver. However, they soon find they are not the only outlaws in the forest.
Angus Donald's short story is brutal in its treatment of the cruel outlaw band, but captures the mercurial aspects of Robert very well.
Angus Donald's short story is brutal in its treatment of the cruel outlaw band, but captures the mercurial aspects of Robert very well.
April 1, 2013
A very charming and charismatic and clever introduction to the handsome and deadly character of Robin Hood and of course not forgetting the lovable gentle giant that is Little John. A beautifully crafted peice.
November 4, 2015
Great short story makes you won't to stat Outlaw all over again
July 29, 2013
A good introduction to his series, although it might have made a better prologue instead.
October 27, 2013
A neat little short story, probably a bit overpriced (0,99 GBP in the UK, 1,49EUR in Germany) for 32 pages.
February 22, 2016
Short but sweet
Thoroughly enjoyed this short story. Fast paced and full of action. Nice way to begin the Outlaw Chronicles. Can't wait to start on the first novel.
Thoroughly enjoyed this short story. Fast paced and full of action. Nice way to begin the Outlaw Chronicles. Can't wait to start on the first novel.
January 10, 2018
Actual rating: 3,50
Set before the events of the first book in the Outlaw Chronicles, but I liked it more after reading the first book.
Set before the events of the first book in the Outlaw Chronicles, but I liked it more after reading the first book.
May 20, 2013
Very good short story, too short to warrant the price.
May 5, 2017
Great intro to a wonderful series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews