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Robin Hood: Wolf's Head
Here There Be...
Creatures of darkness, not all alike. Kings without crowns, knights who left their shining armor behind. Witches, hermits, berserkers, and other honest outlaws. Ballads sung to the lute and spells spoken by moonlight.
Stories within stories, a Thousand and One Sherwoodian Nights.
And in the end...redemption.
Creatures of darkness, not all alike. Kings without crowns, knights who left their shining armor behind. Witches, hermits, berserkers, and other honest outlaws. Ballads sung to the lute and spells spoken by moonlight.
Stories within stories, a Thousand and One Sherwoodian Nights.
And in the end...redemption.
464 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2015
About the author
Eric Tanafon
8 books29 followersEric Tanafon writes software by day and fantasy fiction by the light of the moon. He lives in New Hampshire with his lovely wife and children in an old house, which unfortunately isn't haunted.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 13, 2020
John is here to set the record straight! In this book, an old hermit learns the truth about the legendary robin hood and his band of outlaws.
And it is awesome!
I love Robin Hood stories. Seriously, I've collected and read around 70 different novels and short stories about Robin Hood. :) It's one of the world's best stories, and seeing it retold, again and again, is something I'm always up for.
And in werewolves, and I am a very happy reader. :D
This book was amazing! It was so creative and imaginative. And the writing is SO absolutely gorgeous. And I'm all about the dialogue, especially the conversations between John and the Hermit. And the twists on the traditional legends are so much fun to read.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good retelling. :D Or just a good story in general.
And it is awesome!
I love Robin Hood stories. Seriously, I've collected and read around 70 different novels and short stories about Robin Hood. :) It's one of the world's best stories, and seeing it retold, again and again, is something I'm always up for.
And in werewolves, and I am a very happy reader. :D
This book was amazing! It was so creative and imaginative. And the writing is SO absolutely gorgeous. And I'm all about the dialogue, especially the conversations between John and the Hermit. And the twists on the traditional legends are so much fun to read.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good retelling. :D Or just a good story in general.
September 15, 2017
If I could give it more than five stars, I would.
Every now and then, as a reader, I experience an incredible moment of revelation when I take in an expression or image of something that is so powerful, it takes my breath away.
No sooner had I started reading this book than I had to stop and catch my breath. I had just read an extraordinarily beautiful sentence: "The forest clearing was a web of moonlight and shadows."
What perfect imagery! It is simple and direct, but powerfully evocative at the same time.
In that moment, I was there. I had been transported to that forest clearing and drawn into the world of the story, even before I knew anything else about it.
This is the magic a writer works when wielding the wand that is their pen.
Tanafon continues to cast these spells with magnificent imagery throughout this book. As tales are told and the various storylines develop, the author provides the reader with a feast of sensory morsels that both satisfy and delight the reader.
At times, such images can be consumed at speed. Others, like this one, demand more thoughtful digestion to fully appreciate the skill in Tanafon's craft:
"The autumn day had dawned softly, with light mists gathered around the sun like a veil. In the late morning the forest was still sweet and moist, haunted by the ghosts of decaying leaves."
As a writer, I lost count of the times I read a sentence or two and thought to myself, "I wish I had written that!"
Tanafon's genius in reinventing the story of Robin Hood as a paranormal adventure is equally as enchanting as his writing. The stories of Robin Hood, his band of followers and of their enemies are interwoven, not as a braid but as a rich tapestry. Thus the old stories are retold, stripping back the gloss of legend and hero worship and offering the reader a far more thought-provoking and deeply engaging retelling of the famous tales.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's not just a fantastic read: this is literature absolutely worthy of the top shelf.
Every now and then, as a reader, I experience an incredible moment of revelation when I take in an expression or image of something that is so powerful, it takes my breath away.
No sooner had I started reading this book than I had to stop and catch my breath. I had just read an extraordinarily beautiful sentence: "The forest clearing was a web of moonlight and shadows."
What perfect imagery! It is simple and direct, but powerfully evocative at the same time.
In that moment, I was there. I had been transported to that forest clearing and drawn into the world of the story, even before I knew anything else about it.
This is the magic a writer works when wielding the wand that is their pen.
Tanafon continues to cast these spells with magnificent imagery throughout this book. As tales are told and the various storylines develop, the author provides the reader with a feast of sensory morsels that both satisfy and delight the reader.
At times, such images can be consumed at speed. Others, like this one, demand more thoughtful digestion to fully appreciate the skill in Tanafon's craft:
"The autumn day had dawned softly, with light mists gathered around the sun like a veil. In the late morning the forest was still sweet and moist, haunted by the ghosts of decaying leaves."
As a writer, I lost count of the times I read a sentence or two and thought to myself, "I wish I had written that!"
Tanafon's genius in reinventing the story of Robin Hood as a paranormal adventure is equally as enchanting as his writing. The stories of Robin Hood, his band of followers and of their enemies are interwoven, not as a braid but as a rich tapestry. Thus the old stories are retold, stripping back the gloss of legend and hero worship and offering the reader a far more thought-provoking and deeply engaging retelling of the famous tales.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's not just a fantastic read: this is literature absolutely worthy of the top shelf.
November 20, 2017
Robin Hood Wolf’s Head is a clever retelling of the familiar tales of Robin Hood and his merry men, but with a supernatural twist.
My favorite aspect of the book was the author’s ability to turn a phrase…here are some of my favorites:
“a rude wattle-and-daub structure, roughly thatched, that looked as if it had sprouted from the earth like a mushroom in the spring rains”
“his dark hair and mustache was thin as grass in December”
“the westering sun sent shafts of light through the trees, like heavenly arrows gone astray”
“the fir trees were of a Saturnine humor, addicted to gloom, and preoccupied with their own secrets”
“but the arrow gleamed in the dusk, as though it were a needle made for stitching stars to the sky with a thread spun from light itself”
Just a small sampling, but there is great imagery throughout.
The characters were well-rounded, though I’d like to have felt more connected to Robin and Marian. The story was not told from their point of view, however, so there is a natural limitation to how close the reader can feel to them. That said, I found myself most attached to the hermit, to whom all of these tales are told by a convalescing member of Robin’s forest-dwelling family, who finds himself under the hermit’s care. It’s always nice to sink into a character’s internal dialog / deep POV, and Tanafon does a splendid job of that with the hermit.
All in all, a great read.
In closing, I’d like to add that I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and thank the author for sharing a copy with me.
My favorite aspect of the book was the author’s ability to turn a phrase…here are some of my favorites:
“a rude wattle-and-daub structure, roughly thatched, that looked as if it had sprouted from the earth like a mushroom in the spring rains”
“his dark hair and mustache was thin as grass in December”
“the westering sun sent shafts of light through the trees, like heavenly arrows gone astray”
“the fir trees were of a Saturnine humor, addicted to gloom, and preoccupied with their own secrets”
“but the arrow gleamed in the dusk, as though it were a needle made for stitching stars to the sky with a thread spun from light itself”
Just a small sampling, but there is great imagery throughout.
The characters were well-rounded, though I’d like to have felt more connected to Robin and Marian. The story was not told from their point of view, however, so there is a natural limitation to how close the reader can feel to them. That said, I found myself most attached to the hermit, to whom all of these tales are told by a convalescing member of Robin’s forest-dwelling family, who finds himself under the hermit’s care. It’s always nice to sink into a character’s internal dialog / deep POV, and Tanafon does a splendid job of that with the hermit.
All in all, a great read.
In closing, I’d like to add that I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and thank the author for sharing a copy with me.
November 13, 2017
A delicious, highly-imaginative alternate version of the legend: Robin Hood and his merry men a pack of werewolves. But there was nothing forced or Hollywood-cheesy about the werewolves—these creatures were natural, respected life, and beloved by the commoners. The twists and turns of the complex, multilayered story were a constant delight, every tale retold with an unexpected surprise. Tanafon’s descriptive language of the forests, the hunts, the relationship of the creatures and the land was imagistic, almost poetic. It was easy to suspend disbelief and accept that this was what really happened.
Well-rounded, complex characters are often the difference between a good book and an outstanding one. Robin Hood: Wolf’s Head is filled with them. The Sheriff of Nottingham redeemed? Who’da thunk it. And Marion played a much larger and more interesting role than just the belle needing to be rescued.
If you are a fan of traditional legends retold, I highly recommend this novel.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy of the book with me.
Well-rounded, complex characters are often the difference between a good book and an outstanding one. Robin Hood: Wolf’s Head is filled with them. The Sheriff of Nottingham redeemed? Who’da thunk it. And Marion played a much larger and more interesting role than just the belle needing to be rescued.
If you are a fan of traditional legends retold, I highly recommend this novel.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy of the book with me.
July 30, 2015
A member of Robin's band of merry men sits down with a hermit to set the record straight about the legends of Robin Hood.
I'm a big fan of all things Robin Hood, so I was already predisposed to liking this book. Where this story differs greatly from other Robin Hood re-tellings (at least the one's I've read) is that it introduces the idea that Robin and his men (and women) were werewolves. And they aren't the overdone, Hollywood-type werewolves that honestly get on my nerves. These are werewolves who operate under their own rules among the forest, true to the spirit of Robin Hood. I'll admit, adding such a paranormal element could have gone very wrong, and I was a little skeptical at first. But it only took me a few pages to jump on board with this, and it worked out surprisingly well.
The writing throughout is top notch. The author doesn't dwell on descriptions, rather adding them in an almost casual way. The narrative flows easily, and I felt fully immersed at the hermit's home as well as in the greenwood. The dialogue is also fantastic. The banter between John and the hermit, and between Robin and his men, is incredibly natural. Having one character tell stories while the other listens doesn't always work, and the dialogue could have become boring. But it doesn't! I was very impressed how the author made the back and forth flow. This isn't a big Q&A like I've seen in high fantasy (an overused method of giving backstory that becomes quite boring). The tales told by John flow without interruption, presented like short stories of their own. This could be considered a series of short stories, strung together by the interactions of John and the hermit.
The hermit's inner struggles were also a nice touch. He doesn't know what to believe, or how he should react to someone who proclaims to be a werewolf. It goes against what he believes as a man of faith, but he's intrigued and open-minded enough to accept John and listen to his tales. Both characters are nicely developed and well-rounded.
All of my Robin Hood favorites are present: Robin, Will Scarlett, Alan-a-Dale, Marian, Tuck, and of course the evil sheriff among others. This book is delightful, and I don't just say that as a Robin Hood fangirl. As a fan of good writing, great characters, and fun action scenes, I highly recommend this book. I had a great time reading, and I suspect many others will as well.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a big fan of all things Robin Hood, so I was already predisposed to liking this book. Where this story differs greatly from other Robin Hood re-tellings (at least the one's I've read) is that it introduces the idea that Robin and his men (and women) were werewolves. And they aren't the overdone, Hollywood-type werewolves that honestly get on my nerves. These are werewolves who operate under their own rules among the forest, true to the spirit of Robin Hood. I'll admit, adding such a paranormal element could have gone very wrong, and I was a little skeptical at first. But it only took me a few pages to jump on board with this, and it worked out surprisingly well.
The writing throughout is top notch. The author doesn't dwell on descriptions, rather adding them in an almost casual way. The narrative flows easily, and I felt fully immersed at the hermit's home as well as in the greenwood. The dialogue is also fantastic. The banter between John and the hermit, and between Robin and his men, is incredibly natural. Having one character tell stories while the other listens doesn't always work, and the dialogue could have become boring. But it doesn't! I was very impressed how the author made the back and forth flow. This isn't a big Q&A like I've seen in high fantasy (an overused method of giving backstory that becomes quite boring). The tales told by John flow without interruption, presented like short stories of their own. This could be considered a series of short stories, strung together by the interactions of John and the hermit.
The hermit's inner struggles were also a nice touch. He doesn't know what to believe, or how he should react to someone who proclaims to be a werewolf. It goes against what he believes as a man of faith, but he's intrigued and open-minded enough to accept John and listen to his tales. Both characters are nicely developed and well-rounded.
All of my Robin Hood favorites are present: Robin, Will Scarlett, Alan-a-Dale, Marian, Tuck, and of course the evil sheriff among others. This book is delightful, and I don't just say that as a Robin Hood fangirl. As a fan of good writing, great characters, and fun action scenes, I highly recommend this book. I had a great time reading, and I suspect many others will as well.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2024
Based on the original Robin Hood ballads, but with a werewolf twist, this book was better than I expected it to be.
September 27, 2017
This is a good book—entertaining, fluently told and easy to read. Robin’s character really jumped off the page and was easy to visualise (I’m thinking David Oakes?), and both John (MC & narrator) and the Hermit were likeable and engaging with good chemistry. The prose in this book was very detailed and visual, and very immersive for the scenarios that John was describing—it was really affecting. I really enjoyed the ‘tale within a tale’ aspect and felt that the author handled this well. I loved the combination of werewolves and the traditional tales of Robin Hood—it really made the story linger in my mind even when I wasn’t reading it. The plot twists were certainly unexpected, and I feel they’d have benefitted from a few indicative seeds prior to the big reveals (this would have given greater power to the villains as well). Sometimes the similes the author used seemed a bit farfetched, but this didn’t detract from the overall feel of the novel and was only interruptive due to personal preference. I’d have also liked to see Marian developed and lifted off the page a little bit more. Overall I found Robin Hood: Wolf’s Head a fun and engaging read, and would recommend it to anyone, particularly those with an interest in mythology and werewolves.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy of the book with me.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy of the book with me.
June 9, 2020
Forget - me - not
I read all I can on Robin Hood. Every writer has a different story to tell. Not unlike "John " in this retelling . I was taken in from the very beginning just like the hermit was. I couldn't wait for John to tell another story an always at the back of my mind I wondered who an what the hermit was. I always new Robin an his marry men were wolves how could they not be. What a great story it's worth reading again. But who was the hermit you ask??? He was but just a man.
I read all I can on Robin Hood. Every writer has a different story to tell. Not unlike "John " in this retelling . I was taken in from the very beginning just like the hermit was. I couldn't wait for John to tell another story an always at the back of my mind I wondered who an what the hermit was. I always new Robin an his marry men were wolves how could they not be. What a great story it's worth reading again. But who was the hermit you ask??? He was but just a man.
May 12, 2016
It was the moon. The moon that called to me, that drew me in to her reflection, so bright her silver light in the wolf's eye. I entered a land of shadows, where the stories that I knew walked again, but not as I knew them. It was not the stories that were strange, but I, the stranger wandering in otherland. I remember, I opened a book, and read...
Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a masterful creation of an otherland. Stories that one thought one knew, of Robin and his merry, er, men, flow past in a stream of strange swirls and unexpected eddies. The collection of tales is in itself a tale, beautifully framed. The language is carefully constructed to fit the setting, the pace likewise leisurely but not slow. The story within a story is cleverly crafted, and creeps from its camouflaged lair to sink its teeth into the reader with tender determination. Some passages are the finest of their kind I have yet read . Very highly recommended for readers with a preference for the fantasy, paranormal or horror genres. This is something different, and quite special.
Disclaimer: I received a free kindle copy of this book for an honest and objective review through a non-reciprocal review programme.
Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a masterful creation of an otherland. Stories that one thought one knew, of Robin and his merry, er, men, flow past in a stream of strange swirls and unexpected eddies. The collection of tales is in itself a tale, beautifully framed. The language is carefully constructed to fit the setting, the pace likewise leisurely but not slow. The story within a story is cleverly crafted, and creeps from its camouflaged lair to sink its teeth into the reader with tender determination. Some passages are the finest of their kind I have yet read . Very highly recommended for readers with a preference for the fantasy, paranormal or horror genres. This is something different, and quite special.
Disclaimer: I received a free kindle copy of this book for an honest and objective review through a non-reciprocal review programme.
June 25, 2016
I was intrigued by the premise of Robin Hood as a werewolf and was pleased to find that the author meticulously crafted a story that exceeded my expectations. I found the characters to be engaging and well-written. I was particularly struck by the level of detail throughout the story. Passages such as “Fireflies showed their flickering lights in the air, and the full moon had risen, filling the clearing with a pale silver glow” made me feel as if I were in Sherwood forest. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I think that fans of Robin Hood and fantasy will find it especially rewarding.
August 1, 2016
Robin Hood & his merry men as werewolves - fun, if not really life-changing. I liked the twists on the traditional tales, especially the ways in which Marion got to be a bit more important to the story. The episodic nature of the framing device was interesting, but maybe kept it from being as immersive as it might otherwise have been.
June 17, 2018
After I got this gist of the story, I first thought, but Why? I could quickly forget my bewilderment, because the story works unbelievably well. I really enjoyed the stories within stories format; I think it is the natural way of listening/reading to stories for the humankind. the book has a flow to it. Of course the flow also comes from the talent of the writer. I like the pagan vibe going on, and the tale takes you with it. It does not exaggerate the gore or violence either. I like when I feel myself carried into the place of happening, as in this book. It is an enchanting, entertaining, and touching tale and offers few giggles and a lot of magic of sorts. In the end the twists of the evil could have been slightly simplified. Marian got more of my sympathy than Robin, who seem to be a bit juvenile. I also enjoyed the author's comments in the end about his process.
November 20, 2016
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
Everyone has heard the stories of Robin Hood, but what if there was more to the tale than what was told, what if there was something paranormal or supernatural going on in the Sherwood Forest. An old hermit finds a man at deaths door, and nurses him back to relative health. In the evenings he tells the hermit the true stories of life with Robin Hood, who in reality is a werewolf. Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is the classic story of Robin Hood with the twist of making he and his band of merry men werewolves, and not only the men, but a number of women moving along with them. Author Eric Tanafon explains so much of what Robin Hood was able to do with the twist of the paranormal.
Werewolves are all the rage and so much fun to read about, and we are used to reading them in modern tales, but what if they have been around much longer. What if some of our greatest stories exist because of werewolves like Robin Hood? Author Eric Tanafon takes that idea and gives us a character that we want to know more about, that we think we can believe and that is telling us the truth as he weaves his stories about life with Robin Hood the werewolf. Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a retelling of what you think you know, but yet in such different ways that you are completely caught off guard. He is never violent, unless there is a good reason to be violent. The books itself alludes to relationship and violence but isn't graphic, so I would even recommend it to young adults. A read to make you think.
Everyone has heard the stories of Robin Hood, but what if there was more to the tale than what was told, what if there was something paranormal or supernatural going on in the Sherwood Forest. An old hermit finds a man at deaths door, and nurses him back to relative health. In the evenings he tells the hermit the true stories of life with Robin Hood, who in reality is a werewolf. Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is the classic story of Robin Hood with the twist of making he and his band of merry men werewolves, and not only the men, but a number of women moving along with them. Author Eric Tanafon explains so much of what Robin Hood was able to do with the twist of the paranormal.
Werewolves are all the rage and so much fun to read about, and we are used to reading them in modern tales, but what if they have been around much longer. What if some of our greatest stories exist because of werewolves like Robin Hood? Author Eric Tanafon takes that idea and gives us a character that we want to know more about, that we think we can believe and that is telling us the truth as he weaves his stories about life with Robin Hood the werewolf. Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a retelling of what you think you know, but yet in such different ways that you are completely caught off guard. He is never violent, unless there is a good reason to be violent. The books itself alludes to relationship and violence but isn't graphic, so I would even recommend it to young adults. A read to make you think.
November 7, 2015
When one opens there eyes to the possibility that there may be more to the story than what is actually being said they see what is truly there. It is natural human behavior to tell a story in a way that puts our own beliefs in a brighter light. But what happens when the things we have learned and have been taught over time are based on someone else's distorted views? We begin living under false pretenses, events we put ourselves through because of delusional thinking. It is only after we open our eyes that we are the true story for what it really is.
Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a remastering of old tales that takes a look at the untold story. A story that holds within it facts that may never have come to light of the author, Eric Tanafon, didn't allow himself to focus on the grey and only took things as black and white. This is more than a single story, it is a collection of stories that were waiting for there chance to be heard.
This is a collection of tales full of passion, corruption, struggle, and redemption. A blending of what we've been told and the truth that could have been lying in wait all these years just waiting for their chance to be reborn. This story will have you looking differently at Robin Hood and just may leave you seeing all the takes you've ever been told in a completely different light. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Robin Hood: Wolf's Head is a remastering of old tales that takes a look at the untold story. A story that holds within it facts that may never have come to light of the author, Eric Tanafon, didn't allow himself to focus on the grey and only took things as black and white. This is more than a single story, it is a collection of stories that were waiting for there chance to be heard.
This is a collection of tales full of passion, corruption, struggle, and redemption. A blending of what we've been told and the truth that could have been lying in wait all these years just waiting for their chance to be reborn. This story will have you looking differently at Robin Hood and just may leave you seeing all the takes you've ever been told in a completely different light. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
November 20, 2015
You think you know the story of Robin Hood – but you’d be wrong.
Kat Mandu says…
In this series of stories within a story, Tanafon twists a new tale about Robin Hood and his gang, giving them shape- shifting abilities and endless loyalty to each other. Each story is recounted by John (and no, not Little John), a man from Robin Hood’s group who finds himself under the care of a hermit after a mysterious enemy injures him. As John tells the Hermit ballads of his epic journeys and adventures, the Hermit has to wonder if killing John – a pagan – is worth the effort, or if keeping him alive is a worse fate.
I loved this book, so it earns a shiny four. The characters are great and I like retellings with engaging plots. Each story goes in depth with favorite characters in the Robin Hood universe and weaves tantalizing tales of suspense, love, and faith. Though some parts were a bit slow and cliché, I nevertheless enjoyed reading it.
Kat Mandu says…
In this series of stories within a story, Tanafon twists a new tale about Robin Hood and his gang, giving them shape- shifting abilities and endless loyalty to each other. Each story is recounted by John (and no, not Little John), a man from Robin Hood’s group who finds himself under the care of a hermit after a mysterious enemy injures him. As John tells the Hermit ballads of his epic journeys and adventures, the Hermit has to wonder if killing John – a pagan – is worth the effort, or if keeping him alive is a worse fate.
I loved this book, so it earns a shiny four. The characters are great and I like retellings with engaging plots. Each story goes in depth with favorite characters in the Robin Hood universe and weaves tantalizing tales of suspense, love, and faith. Though some parts were a bit slow and cliché, I nevertheless enjoyed reading it.
April 26, 2016
Tanafon's writing draws you in, and carries you along from the first sentence to the last in an original supernatural twist on the Robin Hood legend. I enjoyed the wealth of detail in this well realized medieval world where Robin and his Merry Men (as well as Maid Marian) are werewolves, battling against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
I thought the structure, with its Scheherazade style of storytelling where the wounded John's tales of the famous Sherwood outlaw pack encourages the ambivalent hermit to keep him alive, despite the doubts created by much of John's revelations, worked well.
I would definitely recommend Wolf's Head, with its well drawn characters and beautifully written engaging story line, for fans of the paranormal.
I thought the structure, with its Scheherazade style of storytelling where the wounded John's tales of the famous Sherwood outlaw pack encourages the ambivalent hermit to keep him alive, despite the doubts created by much of John's revelations, worked well.
I would definitely recommend Wolf's Head, with its well drawn characters and beautifully written engaging story line, for fans of the paranormal.
October 1, 2016
A different look at Robin Hood and his Men, this book was fun for me to read. I enjoyed it. I think the author did a great job of writing this book. I have always liked Robin Hood! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews