Wench

by Erynne Rivers

Pre-order the brand new spicy fae romantasy, perfect for fans of Robin Hood and The Knight and the Moth
Maid Marian’s life is over.

Her cowardly father has betrothed her to the most reviled man, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Devastated, she’s sent on the quickest path to meet her husband, through the fae-infested Sherwood Forest.

But everything changes when her carriage is attacked by the most feared fae, the Merry Men, followers of the infamous Robin Hood. Kidnapped and waiting on the Sheriff’s rescue, Marian finds herself surrounded by the very magical creatures she’s been raised to fear. But the more time she spends in their presence, Marian realises that not everything she’s been taught by her family is true.

And Marian can’t help but find herself drawn to her captor – the sinfully handsome Robin, who stands between her and returning to life amongst the humans.

As the Sheriff's men close in on Marian's location, she will soon be faced with the ultimate the family she’s always known, or the love she can choose for herself…

A breathtaking debut romantasy novel for lovers of Robin Hood, The Knight and the Moth and Heavenly Bodies.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Retellings, Fantasy Romance, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 13, 2026

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment. I was excited for a romantasy retelling of Robin Hood, but it felt flatter than a crêpe. 

The story is just going through the motions, even the over used tropes are brushed over, the characters are one dimensional, and as a result have less chemistry than tap water. 

I actually liked the writing style, which as a very specific and almost poetic quality, and the Fae society, but unfortunately not much else. 

Thank you Avon Books UK for this ARC.

[Sara]

As soon as they said in the announcement this is for anyone who fancied Robin Hood as fox 🦊 I was sold lol

[randi rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

first of all, the final cover for this book is stunning!!! 😍

i do feel like it was a little slow to get going, but it was pretty good when it picked up. also, a couple of things were kind of unrealistic, like how marian became a more skilled fighter than actual soldiers with minimal training. or despite receiving almost fatal injuries multiple times, she was still able to fight, and even come out on top. i also did call what was going to happen at the end, but i’m not too mad about it.

otherwise, the best thing about this one for me was the writing! it was so lyrical and the sentences flowed so nicely, just stunning 🙌 plus, i enjoyed the feminist themes and feminine rage explored here. marian was slightly annoying at times, but she wasn’t the worst fmc i’ve read. and she did have pretty valid reasons for acting out, even if that was a little irritating to me.

thank you to netgalley and avon books uk for the arc!

[Sharky · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-ARC provided by Net Galley. I absolutely loved this, the story and the characters. The romance was amazing and i loved the descriptions of Sherwood. The side characters were great especially Allen. I was scared at the end thinking Marian might actually die but im glad she survived

[Alyssa Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I love, enemies to lovers, a slow burn, a journey of self discovery. A retelling of Robin Hood but from Marian’s POV and make it magical!! I loved it even when I thought my heart was breaking!!! Did I mention side characters that I’d kill for?!?

[Nancy ☾.⋆]

DNF @ 56% / Chapter 17.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Even though Wench isn't my cup of tea, I hope it finds its audience.

The main protagonist Marian doesn't resonate with me. She is flung into one ordeal after another, and it isn't hard-hitting as it should be. For many reasons, I would have liked to witness more of her contentious relationship with her father, the only living parent she has. After she is kidnapped by the fae, I find it strange that she rarely revisits her father's betrayal. I suspect a found-family trope will happen, but it can’t come soon enough when Robin Hood and his Merry Man are remarkably dull.

I understand romantasy books are safe spaces to explore misogyny, abuse and violence against women, trauma, and oppression. For the most part, I don't think this content is problematic, and I welcome the uncomfortable. Still, I think it's worth saying that this is my fourth romantasy new release of 2026 that has depicted an attempted SA on the main protagonist. And it is only January. For what it's worth, I can appreciate how this author took a different approach with the aftermath.

[HollyBerryBookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A forest older than crown and court. A place that was still wild, thick with the breath of fae magic. Mortals feared its shadows, fae revered its roots. To the king, it was hope.'

A read thats powerful, raw, rough, rugged & full of rage but also gentle, emotional, full of the force of nature & the fight for free will - a beautiful reimagining of Sherwood Forrest, Maid Marian & Robin Hood 🌳

'Shes tired of the trembling monsters. She wants to see what happens when one trembles for her.'

Review -

I normally avoid retellings however for the fox I made an exception 🦊 and I'm pleased because this story was amazing 💖 It gripped me from the start ... the harshness of Marian's life, a home devoid of love and care after her mother's passing. The reimagining of Sherwood Forrest with magic and ruthless yet gentle fae was incredible! The writing was beautiful & the quotes which punctured my heart just kept coming 💘

FMC Marian was a fierce weapons designer caged by obedience, yet fighting for her right to choose & belong - all whilst being used as a bargaining chip for her father & his traitorous sheriffs plans 🦊

MMC Lox - The elusive fae protector of Sherwood ... Loyal and ruthless, yet soft when required & hot for Marian! Also rough & rugged in all the right ways 🫠

The tension and lust between them is there from the moment they first meet - even if disguised by fear, rage & disgust ...Their longing and want only builds & the burn leaves you sitting on the edge just hoping for that moment of give ❤️‍🔥 when it finallly breaks their pull is desperately full of raw need, want & a desire thats leaves you breathless 🫠

Their story is not straightforward ... they'll keep you on your toes through emotional twists & turns that you just dont see coming - as they fight with their moral compasses while trying to survive & find their place within communities that would watch them burn 🔥

Ofc we have to give a moment to the diverse trio of Merry Men that are Allen the bantering bard bestie, a voiceless mountain of a fae named Lil John & reluctant protector Willow - who all became the found family we didnt know we needed as a reader 🏹

Let's not talk about Chapter 27 ... 💔 there is your warning 😭

You know its a 5 star read when u want to finish it but you never want it to end! And this is exactly what happened with Wench ✨️ I left emotionally spent & forever attached 📚 Thank you Erynne for this wonderful tale & Becky/Avon for the early proof that will be treasured forever for sure 🫶

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Robin Hood tale as a child, I was elated to have been sent a widget to read this one on NetGalley. I liked the writing style of the author, and this story had an excellent premise.

Unfortunately I really struggled through the book. I found the main characters to be quite dull, and I felt like the story fell flat quite quickly. I really didn’t understand how the FMC went from hating the fae, refusing to be around them and not even eating the food she was given, to then basically bedding one within a few chapters. There just wasn’t enough chemistry for me.

I really wish I had enjoyed it more, but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to the publishers for the widget, and to NetGalley for the e-arc.

[Tee Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Avon for my copy of Wench, I really am in love with this cover but the idea of a Robin Hood retelling alone was enough to get me excited to read this! 🦊

I will admit it was a little slow going at first but I was so intrigued. I have never read a book like this, the magic system and story telling was great. My only complaint and this is a personal thing, I don’t love reading in the third person but Erynne’s writing was captivating especially the description of the Sherwood Forest.

This was truly a slow burn romance and the wait from enemies to lovers was so so worth it. Marian’s character was great, I loved that even despite everything she was head strong and didn’t let others cage her with obedience but throughout the story she learnt truly who she was and what she was capable of doing/being.

I loved loved loved the side characters, our Merry Men Allen, Will and Little John were just wonderful I would for sure read more about their long lives.

I could predict how this story was going to go in areas but that didn’t take away from mg enjoyment of the book!

4 stars 🌟

[hollie]

I kept picking this book up and putting it down again so many times but I just can’t get through it. the premise had everything I would want in a book but the execution was poor and the one dimensional characters were the killer for me. I can deal with subpar plot when the characters carry the book but this just didn’t.
DNF.

thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy.

[Chlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started a bit slow but once I was about 40% in I couldn’t put it down! I loved the magic system it was so unique and very beautiful and Erynnes writing style is very poet and lyrical which I thought was really nice and it made it very easy to read. My only critique would be it was a slow start which meant the romance was a bit rushed for me but I did really enjoy it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, I’m leaving this review voluntarily

[Brianna Watson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced readers copy.

I almost DNF’ed at 50% and I wish I had. Dull dull dull. The characters were caricatures and felt flat. The plot was predictable and felt pointless. Some of the prose was lovely, but without a interesting plot, the writing felt needlessly ‘try-hard’ rather than being a genuine joy to read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I would like Netgalley approving this ARC in return for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed the premise of Sherwood forest being full of fae, and that Robin Hood and the Merry Men are all fae. Robin Hood being the leader of the fae and protector of them all, and the conflict between them and the humans.

I love the different opinions you can see of what the fae think of humans, and also humans thoughts on fae. How there is a lot of lies and deceit from both sides, and the magic system in the book was exquisitely done.

Overall the book was enjoyable, I do wish there was more depth to the world and the lore of the fae, as I loved learning about their magic and different customs. For those that love Romantasy I do believe they will love this book and the banter between Lox and Marian.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot- I love the story of Robin Hood so I was so excited to get an ARC for a fantastical retelling of it with Fae 🙌 Marian is taken by the fae and thrown into their world after she was about to be wed (sold) to the sheriff of Nottingham. It was a saving grace but one she didn’t really see until later.

Marian is a really interesting lead, she frustrates you in the beginning because it’s almost like she’s indoctrinated in her thinking of the fae and her stubbornness in getting to know them. But her character arc is fleshed out well through her learning to defend herself, letting down her guard, embracing her womanhood, all were really important in her development 🙌

Lox was a fun male lead that challenges Marian well. He’s the guardian of the forest and wary of her but trusts his instincts and protects her fiercely. It was great that he wasn’t just a morally grey hero (which Robin Hood is an OG at) but one who was entrusted with a sacred duty, he doesn’t battle with power or ego like the humans do. He simply is a protector 🫶 and easy on the eyes, antlers and all 😉

The merry men were really fun characters and Allen had me cackling from the get-go. Little John also stole my heart, that gentle giant 🥰

I thought the idea of returning to the familiar despite its cruelty was a really interesting one. Marian is trying to go back to the humans because it’s what’s she knows. Without really thinking about it as what it is; subservience, punishment and a pretty cage. Remaining in Sherwood is the unknown and going against everything she was raised to believe about the Fae but she can breathe there. I thought it was a great way of exploring decisions 🙌

Setting & World-building - oh my goodness, Sherwood Forest is a fae dream. As a nature lover, I was living for the descriptions and the way Elswyth is structured (think houses amongst the tree tops and pulleys as a postal system). We get glimpses at the different fae species, and the ways in which they govern themselves and it was so interesting 🙌 and wish we had a bit more 🙏

Romance- okay so initially this seems an enemies to lovers situation, not necessarily of the stabby variety but they are on opposing sides, not trusting of the other and are quick to be cruel to each other. So a perfect recipe for love to blossom 😂 but the tension between them is there from the beginning and they clearly are attracted to each other. It was absolutely delicious to see Marian hate him because she found him attractive 😂

I will say the switch up from ‘I hate him, I’m escaping and selling the fae’s secrets for my freedom’ to ‘he’s quite nice and I think I’ll stay here’ is quite abrupt. The scene that triggers this comes at around the 50% mark and it just sort of came out of nowhere. Her realisation just felt a bit forced. However, once we move past this, the relationship develops really nicely and at a good pace. The sweaty training scene definitely helped 🥵

Overall, an enjoyable read that I had a lot of fun with. I wish it had an extra 50 pages to flesh out that ending a bit more but a really fun book 🙌

“I’m tired of being caged by men who smile when they lock the door. Tired of being told what to be. For once, I want to choose who I am.”

“Wild things always grow back.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Library Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wench is a Robin Hood retelling from Maid Marian’s point of view, where the Merry Men are fae. I initially requested this one for the funny-sounding name alone, but the premise itself intrigued me as well.

The story is written in third-person present tense, which I found a little jarring at first. However, once I settled into it, it flowed really well and gave the story a feeling of immediacy that suited the action and tension of the setting.

I also appreciated how quickly the book dropped the reader into the story. The opening chapters made it easy to hit the ground running, giving just enough context about the world and characters (beyond the familiar Robin Hood framework) without bogging things down in heavy exposition or excessive worldbuilding. Early on, the prose was vivid and atmospheric without being overly flowery. I felt as if I were right there in Sherwood Forest with Marian and the fae.

Marian herself was a strong point for me. I really enjoyed her arc, particularly watching her evolve from being deeply indoctrinated and holding some rather hateful beliefs about the fae, to gradually questioning what she'd been taught, thinking for herself, and learning to stand up for her own convictions.

Unfortunately, as the book went on, my enjoyment of the writing decreased. After the first few chapters, the prose started to feel inconsistent, particularly in emotionally heightened moments. Major scenes (important realizations, speeches, and dramatic climaxes) often felt awkward and stilted, with a lack of concrete, sensory details. I was often taken out of the story while I reread a line several times trying to understand what it was supposed to convey.

While I can see why many readers might find the prose lyrical and quotable, I personally found that its increasing reliance on abstraction, repetition, and "not this, but this" style sentences drained crucial scenes of their emotional impact. I wanted more clarity and more sensory grounding.

I also found that the story lacked contrast between characters. While Marian’s internal journey was clear, other characters felt underdeveloped and samey. Lox, in particular, felt like an empty shell, and I struggled to get any sense of his personality beyond a general love for Sherwood and an attraction to Marian.

Overall, Wench has a compelling premise and a strong character arc for Marian, but for me, the inconsistency in the writing and the lack of emotional payoff held it back from fully delivering on its promise.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you drown, I will call you back to shore. Every time. I will be the rope at your waist and the hand on your collar. And when I go under, you'll pull me to the surface too"

Wench is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite fantasy novels! This story is perfectly whimsical and lyrical - it sings a song as it tells the story of trees and vines, of protectors and sacrificial love, of magic and ancient earth. If there was ever a place I'd want to be lost, it would be the Sherwood Forest of Erynne Rivers.

Wench is the story of Robin Hood retold through the push and pull of an age-old conflict between the fae and the humans. As tradition tells, the Sheriff seeks to bleed the earth of power and money by inflicting sheer force. Marian, enraged over her dreaded betrothal, finds herself lost in Sherwood Forest and faced with the impossible idea that the world she grew up in may have told her to hate what she did not know or understand. Marian discovers that life is fulfilling and effervescent outside of the world she knew. She's faced with the realization that just because something is different doesn't make that thing wrong. There is always room to unlearn the things we've been taught, even when we've learned those things out of fear. Fear doesn't always keep us safe. The real question becomes, is all that she has faced enough to change her path?

I've never read an author who paints a picture as clearly or as delicately as Erynne Rivers. She's a master of her craft. There were times I found myself rereading phrases because the word pictures she painted were so clear that it felt like I was in the exact moment on the page and wanted to savor that sensation. There's nothing greater than the feeling of being thrust between the pages of your favorite childhood fairytale. Read slowly enough so that you have time to soak in the atmosphere and sanctity of the moment she has created.

Wench is for readers who love epic romances paired with classic tales retold. This book was full of searing love, sacrifice, high stakes, ancient magic, all on the foundation of a fantastic story. It's a book that encourages you to be curious about what could be if we were brave or humble enough to consider it. And above all, choice matters - not only in the freedom to claim it for ourselves, but in the quiet honor of offering it to others.

Thank you to Erynne Rivers, NetGalley, and Avon UK for the incredible honor of reading and offering my honest review.

[Maddie Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Set-up
Marian Hallowmere has been promised to the Sheriff of Nottingham by her cowardly father. She must travel from her father's estate just outside Sherwood Forest to the Sheriff's home to be wed. The Sherwood Forest is home to the Fae led by Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and Marian has been taught to believe they are cruel monsters. When their path is blocked, the Sheriff's men decide to travel deeper into Sherwood to get Marian to her wedding before dark. This leads them into a skirmish with the Merry Men, and Marian is brought to the Fae village. Here she meets Robin Hood ("Lox") and learns she has been fed lies about the Fae her entire life.

The Plot
I found this book a little slow to start, but about 1/3 of the way in, I became hooked. The major conflict of the book surrounds the Sheriff of Nottingham and his desire to reclaim Marian as his bride while continuing to exploit Fae ore to feed his coffers. The world of Sherwood and the role Robin Hood plays within it was very interesting, and the way Erynne writes is very lyrical and descriptive. Questions soon emerge about why Marian is accepted by Sherwood and what role she may play in its future, and I found that to be the most gripping part of this book.

The Characters
Maid Marian is a very strong-willed FMC, and for the most part I really enjoyed her perspective. She is very stubborn, which was frustrating at times, but also felt true to her character. We got to know the Robin Hood character later in the book than I was expecting, which is probably why I found this book a little slow to start. Once he is properly introduced, I did enjoy his character. He was loyal to Marian but also not afraid to challenge her. I wish we had a bit more time for their romance to develop. The supporting characters (The Merry Men) were entertaining and added a lightness to the story.

The Gist
I am not super familiar with the Robin Hood lore other than the basics (steal from the rich and give to the poor), so I can't speak to the authenticity of this retelling. However, I thought this was a beautifully written story with a swoon worthy MMC and a strong FMC whose love story I rooted for. It had the perfect amount of spice for me, too. 4/5

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A loose retelling blending the story we know all too well with a fae twist because who doesn’t love Robin Hood?

“Wench” is a slur used to remind women of their place and when Sheriff Nottingham sets his sights on Marian for a bride, and something to break, but when she is taken to the woods she finds herself face to face with the fae she has been taught to fear especially Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Trying to sort through her own prejudice and her growing respect for this new world she works to rid herself of guilt surrounding her actions against those who have been so kind to her and the sparks in her core pushing her to stand up when she only knows how to keep her head down.

I am going to be honest my only history with Robin Hood is the Disney fox version so I could be wrong with some of my critique and that is solely my ignorance but this felt like it’s own story and message with the only overlap being the names of the characters. From what I remember the original is a story of stealing from the rich to give to the poor whereas this was more of a political and gender conflict. The political component doesn’t really get resolved other than the acknowledgment that it will never really go away as long as there are such severe lines but I do think the conversation on gender landed a bit better.

Marian was a woman raised to be docile. Despite her anger at being used as a pawn in the games of men she pushes when she can and stands up when she stumbles. Finding the strength she needs and the community to help support her growth was great to read though I wish it extended a bit farther than just herself. I feel like the ending wrapped up the story too soon and while we hit the emotional beats we never got a chance to see the follow through which is disappointing.

The romance was ok to me it felt a little fast but it could just be a pacing issue with everything else going on. I think there is a lot of good here and room for expansion I wish we had a chance to get lost in as the world itself seems so much bigger than what we were able to explore.

Not a bad read but one I wish gave us a lot more.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

[Emily Ducharme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.

“And yet, since stepping into Sherwood, her body hasn’t felt like it belongs to that girl any more.
Here, she breathes differently. Freer. Wilder.
And maybe this is what mortal men fear - what a woman becomes when no one else dictates her shape.”

I’d recommend this book for people who like:
✨Fantasy folklore retellings
✨Female rage
✨Found family
✨Enemies-to-lovers

Wench is a Robin Hood retelling told from the perspective of Maid Marian. For all the nineties girlies out there, this book felt like a cross between Robin Hood and Ferngully to me, and I loved it.

Maid Marian is being forced to marry the Sheriff of Nottingham, sold as a bartering piece by her father to appease a powerful man. But before the wedding can take place, an encounter with the Merry Men in the Sherwood Forest offers Marion a change of fate - an opportunity to live amongst the Fae who, despite the prejudices hammered into her through her youth, may offer her a life of freedom and empowerment she desperately desires.

The characterization of Marian was a highlight for me throughout Wench. While she did take a long time to get over her prejudices towards her Fae captors/rescuers (some may argue too long) I felt like it made sense given her upbringing. I really enjoyed watching her find strength and confidence in herself, as well as belonging with Lox (Wench’s Robin Hood) and the Merry Men.

Unfortunately, I found the other characters in the book lacked the same depth. The romance between Marian and Lox felt rushed and rather underbaked. I was left wanting when it came to Lox and the other Merry Men - I felt like we were only given breadcrumbs of personality and history for all of them. Additionally, the end of the book also felt rushed and it was ultimately predictable and lacked an emotional punch for me.

On the other hand, Rivers’ prose were quite beautiful and lyrical throughout the book, which really impressed me.

Overall, though there were certainly some weaknesses to Wench, this was a strong romantasy debut and I look forward to reading what Rivers writes next!

[Taylor Gallaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to ARC read this!

Wench comes across as an underdeveloped and somewhat uneven read, with interesting intentions that don’t fully translate into execution.

One of the most noticeable issues is the inconsistency in characterization. The main character is described as strong, fiery, and unwilling to back down, yet her actions and personality often come across as timid, submissive, and overly fearful. This disconnect makes it difficult to fully understand or connect with her.

The writing style also feels somewhat amateur at times, particularly in how emotional and dramatic moments are handled. The narrative seems to aim for depth and significance, but it doesn’t always achieve that effect, leaving certain scenes feeling less impactful than intended.

The story attempts to explore larger themes, including societal roles and expectations, but these ideas are often presented in a way that feels overly direct. Rather than being naturally woven into the narrative, they can feel repetitive or heavy-handed, which detracts from the overall experience.

Some character portrayals also feel overly stereotypical, particularly with certain side characters who lack nuance or originality. Additionally, character reactions and relationships can feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in the emotional aspects of the story. The romantic elements, in particular, lack convincing chemistry, which weakens their impact.

There are also moments in the plot that feel illogical or poorly justified, which can make the story harder to take seriously. Certain conflicts and character responses seem exaggerated or misplaced, further contributing to a sense of inconsistency.

The pacing is quite slow, and while the story has a somewhat cozy or smaller-scale feel at times, it doesn’t always maintain enough engagement to balance that approach.

Overall, Wench is not without some redeeming qualities, but it ultimately feels underdeveloped, with inconsistent characters, heavy-handed themes, and a lack of emotional depth. While some readers may enjoy its tone and ideas, it may not resonate with those looking for stronger characterization and more cohesive storytelling.

[Em ☽✦ღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into Wench really intrigued by the premise. I mean a darker, more magical reimagining of Sherwood with fae??? Count me in!!! It had so many elements I usually love.

First, the most genuine highlight is that the writing is gorgeous. It’s very lyrical and atmospheric, and it genuinely makes Sherwood feel alive, like the forest itself is watching, breathing, and holding secrets. That sense of place was probably my favourite part of the whole book. There’s a richness to the prose that really immerses you in Marian’s world, especially in those quieter, more reflective moments.

Marian herself is an interesting protagonist, she’s a weapons designer trapped by expectations and control, trying to carve out some sense of agency in a life that isn’t really her own. There’s a lot of potential in her story, and I appreciated what the book was trying to explore in terms of power, autonomy, and survival. The dynamic with Lox at times was great, but it felt like we went from enemies-to-lovers extremely quickly once things got going.

That said, I did struggle at times with the emotional execution. The book leans into themes of feminine rage, which I love in theory, but here it sometimes felt like the emotional groundwork wasn’t quite deep enough to fully support it. Her rage at her father seems to be almost forgotten as soon as she gets to Sherwood!! As a result, certain reactions came across more as impulsive or petulant rather than earned, which made it harder for me to stay fully connected to Marian’s journey.

I also found the pacing a little uneven, with some moments of strong tension followed by sections that didn’t quite carry the same weight. That said, the supporting cast - especially the found family (always love a found family trope) elements with the Merry Men - added some warmth and levity that I really appreciated.

Overall, this is a book with a lot of beautiful writing and compelling ideas, even if it didn’t fully land for me emotionally. I can definitely see it working really well for readers who love lyrical prose, fae-infused retellings, and morally complex characters navigating messy, difficult choices.

Thank you so much to Erynne Rivers, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the eARC!!

[DragonflyFoxes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. I love works that involve settings in a forest, the beliefs that they tie to them. This author wrote so poetically, that I found myself in sheer awe at how alive the words seemed. It didn’t feel like undeserved imagery; everything was rooted in a space carved out with the author’s bare hands.

Too often I come across books written in white void rooms. This book felt lush in its descriptions, not only in its places but in its characters too.

I liked the characters a great deal; Allen was hilarious, and I appreciated Will’s hesitation about Marian. I like how Little John was an anchoring rock, steadfast in a stream and yet his inability to speak is not treated like it makes him a wounded animal. Marian had her faults, many of which I both understood wholly and equally felt frustrated with her for. Lox was passionate and stoic, but he held none of the typical tropes of “broody, aggressive man”(in my opinion). I’ve grown tired of the same types of pairings over the years — and this one, while still familiar, was just different enough that I found my appreciation for it all the same. If he was aggressive, it was because he was passionate, not violent.

I feel like this book captures the feel of Robin Hood quite beautifully, with its own whimsical twist.

CW/TW: (mentions of SA, depictions of attempted SA)

My main gripe with this book is what I felt like was, frankly, an unnecessary scene of the main FMC where three men attempted to SA her. I call it unnecessary because the scene’s sole purpose was to spur her into action and learning self defense and whatnot, and to have this moment where the MMC came in and saved her. I did not like it. I felt like if we wanted a moment to bring her closer to the MMC and the supporting characters, and ultimately a moment that especially leads to her learning to stand up for herself, this could’ve been accomplished any other way.

I’m tired of this trope. I’m tired of it doing nothing substantial for the character’s development past a few pages; I’m tired of it not even being used to reflect on the fictional world and the laws they abide by, the crimes they commit, how it affects the population and its treatment of its victims, etc. I believe there can be a place for it, but I’m burnt out of it being the “inciting incident” to kick things into gear for the second to last half of books, especially in romance.

I nearly forgot about this incident towards the end of the book because it kind of brushed past it in the text itself (imo, of course). Keep it in mind before you decide to read the book and prioritize your mental health.

[Fatiha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erynne Rivers’ Wench is one of the most stunning books I’ve read. A retelling of Robin Hood, it follows the story of Maid Marian as she’s forced to marry the sadistic and cruel Sheriff of Nottingham. Resigned, Marian allows herself to be carted off through the treacherous Sherwood Forest “infested” by fae to reach her be-loathed. Along the way, her carriage is intercepted by fae, Robin Hood’s own Merry Men.
Although described as a romantasy, what I loved about this book was Marian’s journey to find herself. She started off as fierce and intelligent but accepting of her role in society, forced to become small so that she can fit into the mould her father has prescribed for her. We see these traits show themselves even as she’s held captive in Sherwood Forest. She’s clever, driven, stubborn and determined. What I loved even more was that she wasn’t perfect. She made the decisions that she thought best based on her experience of the world so far in her life and this made her so imperfectly real to me. I found myself cheering her on as she went on her journey towards confidence in herself and finding the people in her life that truly matter.
I can’t speak about a Robin Hood retelling without talking about Robin himself. In this case, Lox. Lox is a true gem amongst characters and love interests. He’s wise without being condescending or “inhuman” and there were so many moments where I found myself thinking about things in a different perspective thanks to his words. There was a stark humanness to him (despite being fae lol) that I thought Erynne drew out gorgeously. His vulnerabilities were wonderfully put on the page contrasting and complementing Marian’s own. I love how patient he was as Marian tried to find herself and also how mature he is when considering her experience in life.
Wench has one of the most beautiful writing style I’ve seen in a long time. It’s poetic and lush, the descriptions rich and the turn of phrase glorious. It was so beautiful that I found myself highlighting so much as I read this book on my kindle.
Overall, this book brought out so much nostalgia for disney’s Robin Hood and also BBC’s Robin Hood in the late 00s. It was empowering to follow Marian through her story as she was one of my favourite characters in the 00s tv series. I’m so glad I got to read this!
Thank you to netgalley and Avon for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Katielase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this Robin Hood retelling, it's a fantasy retelling so there are elements of the story that change but the core mythology is there and familiar to anyone who knows the stories.

The star of the show in this book for me was Sherwood Forest itself and the lyrical prose that the author uses to tell the story. Sherwood comes alive within her words and I really liked the deep connection that the Fae had to the forest and the earth. This was part of their lore and their magic but from a wider perspective it also just brought home the message that our natural world needs our protection and care, rather than to be ruthlessly destroyed in the name of resources.

The love story itself is sweet and feels earned, I did find Marian frustrating for the first half of the book, even with the Fae in front of her clearly not being the monsters she'd been warned about, she refused to question or examine her own prejudices for what felt to me like too long, especially as someone who had experienced human cruelty first hand. The way she clung to her beliefs that humans were civilised in comparison was a bit annoying when her own father had very recently sold her to save his own pride.

That said, once she had woken up to the reality of the situation, I really enjoyed her character arc and development, the world always wants women to obey and fit neatly into their boxes and I always love to read about a woman choosing to defy that obedience and come into her own strength and power and this very much gave that, and made it feel real and honest and believable.

Overall this was a great fresh-feeling romantasy and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what Erynne Rivers writes next, following this debut.

[Mae of Scotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bewitching debut that I didn’t know I needed!

WENCH is an imaginative, whimsical, fun romp that has me hooked, arrow and hot morally grey fae! Written like a mixture of fairytale and lyrical poetry that pairs the fun, tongue in cheek humour (not to mention dash of spiciness) of with the vile villainy with cut-your-heart-out-with-a-spoon vicious vibes. Erynne Rivers has woven a poignant retelling of the Robin Hood legend with a chef’s-kiss fae twists, slow-burn romance, and topical modern-world issues of equality, environmental destruction, and feminine empowerment.

The enchanting, lyrical writing draws you into an immersive story, crafted with captivating world building and character-driven storytelling that let’s them steal your heart. The expansive, lush world-building is transportive across the settings of the warm, cottagecore charm of the Fae forest kingdom of Elswyth, the atmospheric, ancient majesty and magic of Sherwood Forest, and the harsh, cruel keeps of mortal men.

I loved seeing Marian turn from a docile maid there for the rescue into a fierce, strong-willed, bright, and agile young woman who dimmed herself to conform to the will of faith and her father, to be the dutiful daughter who survived. A transformative character arc that shows how important it is in life for us to have the freedom to make our choices and mistakes, to challenge the limits handed to us, test our strengths, and confront ingrained biases to find our own truths about the world we live in and the people around us.

A breathtaking debut romantasy that spins a stunning historical retelling of folklore, fairytales, and feminine empowerment, keeping me gleefully reading until 3am! Thank you to Avon Books UK and Erynne Rivers for approving my Netgalley eARC request for WENCH!

If my review inspires you to read this book, please check out the trigger warnings for this book as it contains violence, misogyny, sexual assault and abuse against women.

[SB Grier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very close to my first DNF. Marian is insufferable for pretty much 50% of the book. I totally get characters having harsh biases, especially being raised in environments that force fear down their throats for their entire life. But, girlfriend...you literally begged the woods to save you, and when they did you were not only a hateful bigot, but one that threw vitriol in the face of those trying to care for you. The growth in her character was too slow and wasn't really an arc, more of a jump off a cliff, from horrible to suddenly a do good. The slow burn was okay, though it was mostly physical and wasn't emotional until the end, I wish there was more growth between Marian and Lox.

The saving graces were the character diversity from BIPOC, to queer, and the rare inclusion of non-binary, they were all also likable characters, aside from Marian. The writing also kept me in the story when I wanted to give up, the writing is very poetic, and the descriptions really submerged me into the world. At times it did feel like the plot slowed due to the lengthy descriptions, but I would rather that than to be lost in the world not able to picture the story unfolding.

Overall, I liked the idea of the plot, I liked the ending and enjoyed the writing style. Where I was let down was the FMC, at least 25% of her struggling to grasp that fae aren't evil, could have been used for longer love arcs and growth with the side characters. 3.5 stars from me, but if there are more books following characters or story, I would give it a try with the trust that the little details would be worked out for the better.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me an advanced reader copy to share my honest opinions!

[inpageswithlouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC 🫶🏻

Quote: “I’ll find you. In the soil. In the roots. I’ll bloom beside you in this lifetime or the next. This isn’t our end–wild things always grow back.”

Wench is essentially a Robin Hood retelling but focused on Maid Marian and is a fae x mortal trope. This alone before anything else, made me want to read it. And, this story did not disappoint.

This story has a lot of typical tropes that romantasy readers will enjoy. I thought they were done well albeit easy to guess BUT I loved the lore, the elemental magic, the banter and found family so much that I simply did not care if it was predictable.

The MFC Marian is a lord’s daughter and she’s being forced into a marriage with the Sheriff who is cruel and abusive. Marian longs to be free and run wild within the Sherwood Forest. On her wedding day, her carriage is intercepted by the Merry Men who take capture her and take her deep into the forest - to ‘Robin Hood’ aka Lox, who is the forest’s fae guardian to await her fate by him along with the fae council.

I did find Marian a little bit annoying for a while - she was stubborn and held tightly onto her ignorance of the fae. But I think this only made her character development all the more better as the story progressed. Of course, Marian discovers herself in the moments of learning the fae ways and sees that they’re not all cruel and dangerous as she’s been led to believe.

I loved Lox the minute we met him - he’s your typical brooding and dangerous fae MMC… but with antlers 😏 he is in charge of trying to save the forest from the humans who are trying to mine the forest and destroy it. So he equally has a huge dislike of humans, feeling that they are there only to destroy and harm the fae.

I thought the found family element with the ‘Merry Men’ was SO GOOD. I loved Allen most because he was so cheeky and brought a lot of humour to the story.

Overall this was a fantastic read. I don’t know if it’s a stand alone or not, it was left kinda open-ish. I hope there might be a next book though as I’d love to return to Sherwood Forest!

[Emily D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and am posting an honest review.

This was an extremely well written debut book. It read almost like poetry mixed with a fairytale at the beginning. I found myself pausing to admire so many lines for being so well constructed. River's descriptions of the nature of Sherwood were so pretty. The plot was interesting but overall a little cliche. The author did fall into using a lot of common tropes in the genre, therefore the story was not groundbreaking. But these tropes are overused for a reason - they are fun to read. So while this did not challenge me as a reader or shock me, I still enjoyed the ride.

One thing River's explored which I found fascinating was the parallels between real-world colonizers, and the mortals in the story. Without spoiling anything, I will say that those comparisons resonated deeply with me. I also absolutely loved the themes of feminism. Rivers had such insightful takes on how a patriarchal system impacts everyone negatively.

I did not love how impulsive and stubborn the FMC was. She made really dimwitted decisions for most of the book (which drove me crazy). She did improve by the end of the story. I also felt like the beginning of the romance feel flat to me. But as it developed it got better. I just wanted more tension and build-up to them being together. I also found the connection to Robin Hood very flimsy. It almost pulled me out of the story whenever references to that fairytale were made. To me, it was goofy and cartoonish when it came up. IF you are going into this simply because you love Robin Hood, be warned that it follows it loosely. But that might be a positive for readers who don't want it to be exactly like that story. I was glad it deviated a lot from Robin Hood and became it's own thing.

"How could creatures so malevolent call this hallowed wood home? How could cruelty dwell in a place that felt holier than any chapel she’d ever kneeled in?"

" But nothing that burns stays hidden for long."

"‘Dusk is Sherwood’s favourite hour,’ Allen says. ‘Sun too shy to strut, and the moon not yet dressed.’"

" And maybe this is what mortal men fear–what a woman becomes when no one else dictates her shape."

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sometimes the door to mercy is locked, and the only key left is violence”.

When I heard Wench was a retelling of Robin Hood, I jumped at the chance to read it and I’ve had such a fun time reading this one!

In Wench, we follow our FMC Marian as she is traded off to be the wife of the Sheriff, a horrible, cruel and spiteful man that is lusting for power and control.

As Marian journeys on her way to be wed and surrender herself, her travelling party is set upon by the evil and dangerous fiends of Sherwood Forest led by none other than Robin Hood. Marian is thrust into an inescapable situation where she must decide to remain loyal to her people or open her heart...

Firstly, I loved the writing style of Wench through the lovely way it gives life to Sherwood Forest that really conveyed a sense of how magical it was and the creatures within.

The story itself not only shows us the journey of how our FMC Marian grows from being this defenseless woman to someone who understands her own worth and strength. I also loved the way the author breaks down Marian's prejudice against the Fae through their kindness and gentle ways, without diluting just how powerful and fierce they could be. A big shoutout to Little John and Allen as I thought they were such adorable souls and helped depict this.

The romance that develops between our characters was really well done and it only made me fall for Robin as the story unraveled and we got to peak underneath his harder exterior and realise where his morality lies whilst he coaxed Marian out of her shell. Plus, a slow burn tension and a bit of spice definitely added flavour!

I really loved the magic system in Sherwood with everything being tied back to forest, and how the Fae’s magic and way of life are all interconnected.

I had such a fun time reading this story and finding out how the author would bring their own story to life in this retelling! A solid romantasy debut and I’m really grateful to Avon Books UK for the e-arc!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This books was so whimsical, I loved it!!

One of the main topics of the book is misogyny and sexism.
I loved Marian, the FMC, and how she responds to the misogyny. She was brought up to be obedient and a pawn in her father’s social ties but is such a strong character and she learns she isn’t just something to be used.

The writing was beautifully done. It had a good amount of descriptions and was done in such a lyrical way that described the setting in such a whimsy vibe that really made the book for me.

The plot developed really nicely and did not feel like it dragged too much, at parts I feel it did but not insanely. I was invested in it the whole time and couldn’t put it down.

I do say, however, that I think the romance was a bit rushed in a way. It felt there wasn’t too much development between the MCs before the romance actually took place. It felt like something was missing from it in the first half of the book. But in the second half I truly adored the romance!!

The secondary characters I did also like. There wasn’t too many of them so they were nice and easy to keep track of, primarily was just the merry men. And I felt they did add a lot to the book and had distinct, individual personalities.

Overall, I did find myself really enjoying the book. It was a nice, whimsical book that was beautifully written and had a lot of cute romance moments.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, Avon Books and the author, Erynne Rivers for providing me with an E-Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!