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The Books of the Wode #3
Winterwode
Robyn Hood is the undisputed ruler of the wild, green Wode. Reunited with his sister Marion and his lover Gamelyn, Robyn and his band of outlaws seek to raise the Ceugant—the magical trine of the Old Religion—against the tyranny of Church and Crown. Yet their forest kingdom is roiling with conflict. Marion has been made welcome, but old shackles and new fears hamper her true promise. Gamelyn is torn between oaths of heart and head—and the outlaws never let him forget he was but recently Guy of Gisbourne, defrocked Templar and Robyn's fiercest enemy.
When a lone traveler is waylaid on the road, a common occurrence quickly proves uncommon. Knight and Maiden, Archer and Men, all are conscripted to aid a Queen's—and ultimately a King's—ransom. For beneath winter's chill is awakening the deepest of magics, and there are those who seek the power of Robyn Hood and his Shire Wode for their own ends.
When a lone traveler is waylaid on the road, a common occurrence quickly proves uncommon. Knight and Maiden, Archer and Men, all are conscripted to aid a Queen's—and ultimately a King's—ransom. For beneath winter's chill is awakening the deepest of magics, and there are those who seek the power of Robyn Hood and his Shire Wode for their own ends.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2015
19 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
J. Tullos Hennig
8 books111 followersJ Tullos Hennig likes BIG books.
Her award-winning historical fantasy series, The Books of the Wode, is BIG... and a truly innovative re-imagining of the Robin Hood legends, with the notorious outlaw archer as a queer, chaotic-neutral druid.
Active in genre literature and conventions in the 70s/80s/90s, JTH returned to the publishing fold in 2013, and in 2018 was chosen to receive the Speculative Literature Foundation’s juried Older Writers Grant.
Her award-winning historical fantasy series, The Books of the Wode, is BIG... and a truly innovative re-imagining of the Robin Hood legends, with the notorious outlaw archer as a queer, chaotic-neutral druid.
Active in genre literature and conventions in the 70s/80s/90s, JTH returned to the publishing fold in 2013, and in 2018 was chosen to receive the Speculative Literature Foundation’s juried Older Writers Grant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 13, 2020
Writing - 5++++ stars
Story - 3.5 stars
This was a different journey from the previous two books. The writing in this series is amazing, the world building and characterization is truly incredible. I enjoyed some parts, other parts were just okay, and i felt they dragged on and on. This book is over 700 pages, that is a lot to read. It was a build up that never panned out.
The characters are still entertaining, but i feel like the humor that was there in book 1 and 2 was a bit toned down. I wish that was not the case.
Overall, it was still a good read, but lacked the wow factor that was present in book 1 and 2.
Thanks so much to my amazing buddy readers for the wonderful company.
Story - 3.5 stars
This was a different journey from the previous two books. The writing in this series is amazing, the world building and characterization is truly incredible. I enjoyed some parts, other parts were just okay, and i felt they dragged on and on. This book is over 700 pages, that is a lot to read. It was a build up that never panned out.
The characters are still entertaining, but i feel like the humor that was there in book 1 and 2 was a bit toned down. I wish that was not the case.
Overall, it was still a good read, but lacked the wow factor that was present in book 1 and 2.
Thanks so much to my amazing buddy readers for the wonderful company.
August 22, 2020
Edited on 22/08/2020
Since I’m struggling to remember what even happened in this book merely 10 days after finishing it, when I still remember vividly the first two books even after six months, I’m lowering my rating to 3.5 stars and rounding down.
------------------------------
Original review (09/08/2020):
This series is truly amazing and while this book is slower than the first two, clearly a set-up for future developments, and lacked a bit of the emotional charge Greenwode and Shirewode had, I enjoyed it very much. The writing is top-notch and the cast of characters so vivid and complex, this story keeps being a pleasure to read.
I’m not sure I should mention what follows because this aspect didn’t weigh on my rating and even mentioning it in general terms may give too much away, but it did impact my reaction to the entire series and I feel like I should acknowledge it at least as a heads-up to new potential readers, especially potential readers who are used to m/m romance.
My intent is not to discourage anybody from giving this series a try, it is so, so good and it deserves to be known, read and enjoyed by more people, but I think I might have had an easier time with this book if I had gone in it with a different mindset. I won’t put the rest under spoiler tags because I don’t plan on giving any spoilers, but if you read between the lines of this review you might guess at least at the general topic of my…discontent. I really sound much more disgruntled than I am, which is a small miracle and proof of how good this series is. Under other circumstances, I would’ve DNFed and tried to forget all about it.
It may be too soon to rush to conclusions, but the hints are many and all point to the same direction. I miscalculated, misread and made assumptions about some aspects of this story during the first two books, which will always have a place in my favorites shelf even if none of the rest should ever made it there. I’m pretty sure I’ve been subtly warned, pretty much in the same way I’m trying to give a warning here, but I still jumped to conclusions (in my defense, I couldn’t help it, it’s just the way my brain is wired) and I found myself having to readjust my expectations during this book. Which wasn’t fun, because those expectations were about something I really care about, about I’ve really, really come to care about, but I can’t complain too much because so far at least everything has been believable, realistic and perfectly in character. I just feel like whining at the unfairness of life (or fiction) for not going where and how I want it to go.
I’m lucky my amazing buddy-read companions are very patient and understanding, because the 'I just feel like whining' wasn’t hypothetical. It has been very, very real.
Nevertheless, I still highly recommend taking a journey to the Shire Wode, just leave any preconceptions and assumptions behind and enjoy the ride.
Since I’m struggling to remember what even happened in this book merely 10 days after finishing it, when I still remember vividly the first two books even after six months, I’m lowering my rating to 3.5 stars and rounding down.
------------------------------
Original review (09/08/2020):
This series is truly amazing and while this book is slower than the first two, clearly a set-up for future developments, and lacked a bit of the emotional charge Greenwode and Shirewode had, I enjoyed it very much. The writing is top-notch and the cast of characters so vivid and complex, this story keeps being a pleasure to read.
I’m not sure I should mention what follows because this aspect didn’t weigh on my rating and even mentioning it in general terms may give too much away, but it did impact my reaction to the entire series and I feel like I should acknowledge it at least as a heads-up to new potential readers, especially potential readers who are used to m/m romance.
My intent is not to discourage anybody from giving this series a try, it is so, so good and it deserves to be known, read and enjoyed by more people, but I think I might have had an easier time with this book if I had gone in it with a different mindset. I won’t put the rest under spoiler tags because I don’t plan on giving any spoilers, but if you read between the lines of this review you might guess at least at the general topic of my…discontent. I really sound much more disgruntled than I am, which is a small miracle and proof of how good this series is. Under other circumstances, I would’ve DNFed and tried to forget all about it.
It may be too soon to rush to conclusions, but the hints are many and all point to the same direction. I miscalculated, misread and made assumptions about some aspects of this story during the first two books, which will always have a place in my favorites shelf even if none of the rest should ever made it there. I’m pretty sure I’ve been subtly warned, pretty much in the same way I’m trying to give a warning here, but I still jumped to conclusions (in my defense, I couldn’t help it, it’s just the way my brain is wired) and I found myself having to readjust my expectations during this book. Which wasn’t fun, because those expectations were about something I really care about, about I’ve really, really come to care about, but I can’t complain too much because so far at least everything has been believable, realistic and perfectly in character. I just feel like whining at the unfairness of life (or fiction) for not going where and how I want it to go.
I’m lucky my amazing buddy-read companions are very patient and understanding, because the 'I just feel like whining' wasn’t hypothetical. It has been very, very real.
Nevertheless, I still highly recommend taking a journey to the Shire Wode, just leave any preconceptions and assumptions behind and enjoy the ride.
August 28, 2020
I'm back to The Wode and while I've been anticipating this return, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting... talk about expectations...
The story and its characters continue to being good, don't get me wrong, but I had to readjust some of my expectatives when it comes to some characters and their doings... and it's been hard, and I'm afraid it's going to get harder. Still, the story is fascinating, so, despite my sense of dreading, let's see where it leads!
Thank you to my awesome BReaders for bearing my snail pace reading, and for all the comments, and the discussion, you always make stories more enjoyable!
The story and its characters continue to being good, don't get me wrong, but I had to readjust some of my expectatives when it comes to some characters and their doings... and it's been hard, and I'm afraid it's going to get harder. Still, the story is fascinating, so, despite my sense of dreading, let's see where it leads!
Thank you to my awesome BReaders for bearing my snail pace reading, and for all the comments, and the discussion, you always make stories more enjoyable!
August 5, 2020
This series continues to impress. Just to be upfront - this series isn't a romance. Yes, there's a love story but the focus is really on Robyn and Marion's fight against the various forces that would see an end to their pagan way of life. Completing the trifecta is Gamelyn, Summer lord to Robyn's Winter. While Robyn's quest is pretty straightforward, the complications come from Gamelyn's inner turmoil and doubts and Marion's continued recovery from her ordeals in the previous book. They're both trying to find their footing, and Robyn's just trying to keep everyone together, after having lost them before.
I did miss having narration, since the narrator for the first two books is so great. He had a way of reading the passive voice structure of some of the sections and sentences that still gave them energy. It took some time getting used to it, but once I did the story moved along flawlessly.
This is a bridge book to the next trilogy of books in the series, but there's plenty here to keep my interested, and it does have a beginning, middle, end. It wouldn't stand on its own though, as you really do have to have read the first two books first, and while there's no cliffhanger per se, it's obviously a "to be continued" kind of ending.
I did miss having narration, since the narrator for the first two books is so great. He had a way of reading the passive voice structure of some of the sections and sentences that still gave them energy. It took some time getting used to it, but once I did the story moved along flawlessly.
This is a bridge book to the next trilogy of books in the series, but there's plenty here to keep my interested, and it does have a beginning, middle, end. It wouldn't stand on its own though, as you really do have to have read the first two books first, and while there's no cliffhanger per se, it's obviously a "to be continued" kind of ending.
December 8, 2015
I’ll never be able to adequately express the effect these books have had on me. This is my absolute favorite kind of reading experience. The kind where you are totally sucked in, totally immersed in this other world and it’s actually unsettling to surface from where you’ve been and reenter the real world.
There’s nothing I love more than a book that requires my full attention. There is lovely rich language and a complicated story here and I was gleefully looking up Welsh phrases, words beyond my vocabulary, and more information on the real people and myths used as inspiration. So much fun!
I read this in a constant state of unease, as the ever present danger keeps the stakes high for our beloved cast of characters. And that was fun too. I want to be on edge and uncertain: I don’t want to guess where things are going. And what a wonderful ride it is!
I'm so glad that there are two more books coming and, of course, my experience of this book won't be complete until the very talented Ross Pendleton reads it to me when the audio book is released. What a relief that there's so much more Wode on the way! Even though I'm afraid of whatever heartache is sure to come, there's no place I'd rather be.
There’s nothing I love more than a book that requires my full attention. There is lovely rich language and a complicated story here and I was gleefully looking up Welsh phrases, words beyond my vocabulary, and more information on the real people and myths used as inspiration. So much fun!
I read this in a constant state of unease, as the ever present danger keeps the stakes high for our beloved cast of characters. And that was fun too. I want to be on edge and uncertain: I don’t want to guess where things are going. And what a wonderful ride it is!
I'm so glad that there are two more books coming and, of course, my experience of this book won't be complete until the very talented Ross Pendleton reads it to me when the audio book is released. What a relief that there's so much more Wode on the way! Even though I'm afraid of whatever heartache is sure to come, there's no place I'd rather be.
May 31, 2017
ETA: I've now read this a third time, and it's still utterly superb.
Superb. This is the amazing third book of J. Tullos Hennig's epic historical fantasy series concerning the adventures of Robyn Hood and Co., and it does not stand alone. These books are very special to me and it's hard to know what to say at this point other than "this series is spectacularly good and I love it so much." It's an amazing reading experience and completely immersive. This story is complex and vivid and full of emotion and requires that you pay attention. There is such substance here. The writing is gorgeous, the characters are magnificent, the plot is nicely complicated, and it all has so much depth. This is wonderful storytelling and I re-read the series right after finishing this book. I found it completely riveting the first time, and even more so the second time. This is a big, grand, epic story full of life and I absolutely love it. There's so much more to come in this story and I am tremendously excited for the next book.
Superb. This is the amazing third book of J. Tullos Hennig's epic historical fantasy series concerning the adventures of Robyn Hood and Co., and it does not stand alone. These books are very special to me and it's hard to know what to say at this point other than "this series is spectacularly good and I love it so much." It's an amazing reading experience and completely immersive. This story is complex and vivid and full of emotion and requires that you pay attention. There is such substance here. The writing is gorgeous, the characters are magnificent, the plot is nicely complicated, and it all has so much depth. This is wonderful storytelling and I re-read the series right after finishing this book. I found it completely riveting the first time, and even more so the second time. This is a big, grand, epic story full of life and I absolutely love it. There's so much more to come in this story and I am tremendously excited for the next book.
January 20, 2020
As this series has progressed, it has developed more and more of its own history and rules. The world J Tullos Hennig is building has become, at least in my mind, more of an alternate history with events and consequences all of its own. While some things like the church and the country’s political rulers are pretty similar to what we know of history, others are very different. Magic is very real here, and the spiritual lore around the Lord of the Forest plays an increasingly important role in the fight against an overbearing Catholic church and the suppression of the people via taxes and inequitable law enforcement. This third book has fascinated and impressed me even more than the first two, and I am more invested in the story than ever.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 15, 2016
Winterwode
By J. Tullos Hennig
Five stars
I bought this book because I assumed it was the terminal volume of a trilogy; but apparently it is the beginning of a trilogy. I gave the first two books of this series..Shirewode and Greenwode…four stars, possibly because of the turmoil they put me through. As a pair of books, they created a remarkable world, a fantasy based in historical fact and legend, that was captivating and compelling. These are not romances, any more than Ken Follett’s celebrated “Pillars of the Earth” is a romance; but at their center is a love storey of an epic, visceral kind. They are also fascinating studies of life in 12th-century England, a country torn apart by politics and religion. It is Hennig’s attention to detail that give the books an authenticity that is riveting.
“Winterwode” is the third of the “Wode” series, but the first of a new trilogy by J. Tullos Hennig. If “Greenwode” offered some needed closure, to make up for the appalling cliff-hanger of “Shirewode,” this book walks us back up another cliff—but doesn’t really make us jump off. Some of us might have liked to leave well enough alone—but then again, England in the 1100s was hardly a place of peaceful life and uninterrupted happy endings. I raised my rating for book three to five stars, because I cannot get over what a tour-de-force Henning has created.
It all begins with our little family of thieves settling into something like routine life. But there is Marian, the avatar of the Lady, goddess of the Wode. She has no man and chafes at the role of caregiver to this band of men that she’s taken on. She eyes the golden-red hair of Gamelyn, and can’t help but feel a bit envious of his relationship with her brother. For his part, Gamelyn is still haunted by his training as a Knight Templar, and by the vows he took for his order. Only his Templar servant, Much, ties him to a past he doesn’t really want to forget. Both Robin and Marian are frustrated that Gamelyn can’t quite give himself up to the Wode, to embrace the magic within and become fully part of their world.
And then an elegantly dressed troubadour appears in the woods. What a first seems to be another easy mark for the Thieves of Sherwood to relieve of his coin, soon turns into something far more politically fraught and dangerous.
Most interesting of all is the guest star of this story, an extended cameo by Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of the imprisoned Richard Lionheart and his nasty brother John. Both Eleanor and Hubert, master of the fortress-monastery where Gamelyn was trained, play crucial, if circumscribed roles in “Winterwode.” Representatives of the greatest geopolitical power of the day, these two nonetheless act as bridges between the world of the Wode and the world at large. They are the enemy, and yet not. They are reminders that Good and Evil are rarely simply defined. Eleanor, in particular, is a counterpoint to Marian, and their shared womanhood forms an important thread in the book’s plot.
Hennig’s Wode series takes some care in the reading. Her language is studied and complex, mostly to deliver a palpable sense of the medieval world in which it is set. Equally studied is the contemporary feel that much of the dialogue between the main family of characters has; we understand Marian, Robyn, Gamelyn, and their cohort as young people, divided by class and training, but united in their ties to the Wode and its magic. For all the carefully crafted archaism of the language, we can identify with these three.
The absence of any kind of cliffhanger at the end of “Winterwode” is misleading, because we end with an anxious sense of unfinished business. In “Winterwode” Robyn, Marian and Gamelyn begin to understand themselves and each other as they will be together. At the same time, they also gain clarity about what inevitably lies ahead. Hennig manages to leave us calm and satisfied, while not letting us forget that, in the wild magic world of Shire Wode, there is no such thing as calm for long.
By J. Tullos Hennig
Five stars
I bought this book because I assumed it was the terminal volume of a trilogy; but apparently it is the beginning of a trilogy. I gave the first two books of this series..Shirewode and Greenwode…four stars, possibly because of the turmoil they put me through. As a pair of books, they created a remarkable world, a fantasy based in historical fact and legend, that was captivating and compelling. These are not romances, any more than Ken Follett’s celebrated “Pillars of the Earth” is a romance; but at their center is a love storey of an epic, visceral kind. They are also fascinating studies of life in 12th-century England, a country torn apart by politics and religion. It is Hennig’s attention to detail that give the books an authenticity that is riveting.
“Winterwode” is the third of the “Wode” series, but the first of a new trilogy by J. Tullos Hennig. If “Greenwode” offered some needed closure, to make up for the appalling cliff-hanger of “Shirewode,” this book walks us back up another cliff—but doesn’t really make us jump off. Some of us might have liked to leave well enough alone—but then again, England in the 1100s was hardly a place of peaceful life and uninterrupted happy endings. I raised my rating for book three to five stars, because I cannot get over what a tour-de-force Henning has created.
It all begins with our little family of thieves settling into something like routine life. But there is Marian, the avatar of the Lady, goddess of the Wode. She has no man and chafes at the role of caregiver to this band of men that she’s taken on. She eyes the golden-red hair of Gamelyn, and can’t help but feel a bit envious of his relationship with her brother. For his part, Gamelyn is still haunted by his training as a Knight Templar, and by the vows he took for his order. Only his Templar servant, Much, ties him to a past he doesn’t really want to forget. Both Robin and Marian are frustrated that Gamelyn can’t quite give himself up to the Wode, to embrace the magic within and become fully part of their world.
And then an elegantly dressed troubadour appears in the woods. What a first seems to be another easy mark for the Thieves of Sherwood to relieve of his coin, soon turns into something far more politically fraught and dangerous.
Most interesting of all is the guest star of this story, an extended cameo by Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of the imprisoned Richard Lionheart and his nasty brother John. Both Eleanor and Hubert, master of the fortress-monastery where Gamelyn was trained, play crucial, if circumscribed roles in “Winterwode.” Representatives of the greatest geopolitical power of the day, these two nonetheless act as bridges between the world of the Wode and the world at large. They are the enemy, and yet not. They are reminders that Good and Evil are rarely simply defined. Eleanor, in particular, is a counterpoint to Marian, and their shared womanhood forms an important thread in the book’s plot.
Hennig’s Wode series takes some care in the reading. Her language is studied and complex, mostly to deliver a palpable sense of the medieval world in which it is set. Equally studied is the contemporary feel that much of the dialogue between the main family of characters has; we understand Marian, Robyn, Gamelyn, and their cohort as young people, divided by class and training, but united in their ties to the Wode and its magic. For all the carefully crafted archaism of the language, we can identify with these three.
The absence of any kind of cliffhanger at the end of “Winterwode” is misleading, because we end with an anxious sense of unfinished business. In “Winterwode” Robyn, Marian and Gamelyn begin to understand themselves and each other as they will be together. At the same time, they also gain clarity about what inevitably lies ahead. Hennig manages to leave us calm and satisfied, while not letting us forget that, in the wild magic world of Shire Wode, there is no such thing as calm for long.
ebooks-tbr
August 29, 2017the first two were on Kindle Unlimited but this one isn't and i have no money, what the fuck kind of cruel and unusual punishment IS THIS!!!!!!!!!!
May 26, 2016
Excellent. What can I say? It's bloody brilliant and you need to read the whole series.
That's what I can say, come to think of it.
For some unknown reason I have a hard time writing reviews about books that I really adore (which is probably the reason I rated the other two other books in the series 5 stars but didn't write a review. I get tongue-tied.). I guess that pointing out what went wrong comes easier to me than pointing out what went right. Sorry about that.
So, what went right (for the whole series).
This is an interesting take on the Robin Hood myth and the author takes the familiar characters and stories and rearranges them to her liking, which is a totally valid thing to do. That's what every other writer has done over the centuries. And the result is just great.
Excellent world building, I loved the characters (because excellent books do deal in grey areas), I loved the writing, I loved how much care and time obviously went into the making of the books, I love the books.
So there. Very highly recommended for people who love well written, well-edited, epic fantasy with gay characters. And there are two more books to come! Can't wait!
That's what I can say, come to think of it.
For some unknown reason I have a hard time writing reviews about books that I really adore (which is probably the reason I rated the other two other books in the series 5 stars but didn't write a review. I get tongue-tied.). I guess that pointing out what went wrong comes easier to me than pointing out what went right. Sorry about that.
So, what went right (for the whole series).
This is an interesting take on the Robin Hood myth and the author takes the familiar characters and stories and rearranges them to her liking, which is a totally valid thing to do. That's what every other writer has done over the centuries. And the result is just great.
Excellent world building, I loved the characters (because excellent books do deal in grey areas), I loved the writing, I loved how much care and time obviously went into the making of the books, I love the books.
So there. Very highly recommended for people who love well written, well-edited, epic fantasy with gay characters. And there are two more books to come! Can't wait!
October 17, 2015
Another magical, wonderful installment. From the first page I was pulled right back into this beautifully vivid world of Robyn, Gamelyn and Marion.
And I'm beyond excited to hear that this is merely the start of another trilogy.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that it did in fact feel a bit like laying the groundwork for an even more exciting book.
I just wish a bit more had happened in 'Winterwode' and Robyn and Gamelyn had gotten more time together.
I loved the rich mythology that unfolded even more in this part and am slightly anxious, but totally intrigued about what's going to happen next.
Like I said in a previous review, this is now my definitive version of the Robin Hood myths.
And I'm beyond excited to hear that this is merely the start of another trilogy.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that it did in fact feel a bit like laying the groundwork for an even more exciting book.
I just wish a bit more had happened in 'Winterwode' and Robyn and Gamelyn had gotten more time together.
I loved the rich mythology that unfolded even more in this part and am slightly anxious, but totally intrigued about what's going to happen next.
Like I said in a previous review, this is now my definitive version of the Robin Hood myths.
January 8, 2021
3.5 stars for the third instalment of a series that has quickly captured my attention and my heart.
The Wode series recasts Robin Hood (known within these pages as Robyn Hode) as a druid-outlaw, maintaining the "Old ways" and trying to secure a safer future for his people. The first two entries in the series served more as a Bildungsroman, highlighting the struggles of Robyn, who is forced to come into his power before he is ready, and Gamelyn, the young, Christian boy who befriends (and later falls in love with) him.
Winterwode serves to progress this series past its adolescent beginnings and expand upon the political intrigue that has been meticulously built over the previous two novels. We continue to see the impact of Christianity on the peasants of the English countryside and follow Robyn's struggle to adapt to a new way of life while trying to honour his own beliefs. Gaemlyn, whose inner conflict drove the narrative in book 2, continues to reject both his Christian upbringing and his pagan ties, and its mostly his endless self-flagellation that made this a slightly less enjoyable read for me. While I still find his relationship with Robyn to be drawn with perfect tension, his frequent (and longwinded) musings about his purpose and his identity have grown somewhat stale. I don't necessarily expect him to resolve such a deep and intimate conflict immediately, but I also don't care to continuously have a front-row seat to his indecisive wallowing.
Beyond narrative concerns, I would also love to be granted more about Robyn's outlaws; the additional focus on Much was well appreciated! John continues to be given page time, but only to highlight his importance to Robyn. I want to know more about the outlaws' lives; we're provided with surface-level explanations about what drew them to Robyn, but they lack the rich characterization that makes Robyn, Gamelyn, and Marion such fascinating protagonists to follow.
While Winterwode may not have sparked the same type of reaction as its predecessors, this novel still contained so much of what I love about this series: lyrical writing; an immersive setting; fantastic worldbuilding; and a nebulous, dark magic system that would drive any Sanderson fan mad, but I can't help but love. Robyn remains one of the best fantasy characters in recent memory, and though I may disagree with some of the narrative choices, this pagan-inspired retelling still aligns so perfectly with everything I love about historical fantasy.
The Wode series recasts Robin Hood (known within these pages as Robyn Hode) as a druid-outlaw, maintaining the "Old ways" and trying to secure a safer future for his people. The first two entries in the series served more as a Bildungsroman, highlighting the struggles of Robyn, who is forced to come into his power before he is ready, and Gamelyn, the young, Christian boy who befriends (and later falls in love with) him.
Winterwode serves to progress this series past its adolescent beginnings and expand upon the political intrigue that has been meticulously built over the previous two novels. We continue to see the impact of Christianity on the peasants of the English countryside and follow Robyn's struggle to adapt to a new way of life while trying to honour his own beliefs. Gaemlyn, whose inner conflict drove the narrative in book 2, continues to reject both his Christian upbringing and his pagan ties, and its mostly his endless self-flagellation that made this a slightly less enjoyable read for me. While I still find his relationship with Robyn to be drawn with perfect tension, his frequent (and longwinded) musings about his purpose and his identity have grown somewhat stale. I don't necessarily expect him to resolve such a deep and intimate conflict immediately, but I also don't care to continuously have a front-row seat to his indecisive wallowing.
Beyond narrative concerns, I would also love to be granted more about Robyn's outlaws; the additional focus on Much was well appreciated! John continues to be given page time, but only to highlight his importance to Robyn. I want to know more about the outlaws' lives; we're provided with surface-level explanations about what drew them to Robyn, but they lack the rich characterization that makes Robyn, Gamelyn, and Marion such fascinating protagonists to follow.
While Winterwode may not have sparked the same type of reaction as its predecessors, this novel still contained so much of what I love about this series: lyrical writing; an immersive setting; fantastic worldbuilding; and a nebulous, dark magic system that would drive any Sanderson fan mad, but I can't help but love. Robyn remains one of the best fantasy characters in recent memory, and though I may disagree with some of the narrative choices, this pagan-inspired retelling still aligns so perfectly with everything I love about historical fantasy.
May 10, 2017
Book 3: Winterwode
POV: 3rd person, multi-character
Pages: 370
Star rating: ★★☆☆☆
Okay, you have to excuse me, because I'm writing this immediately after finishing the book and I'm angry.
1 – this is advertised as a “series”, only for me to discover in the Author's Note that it's actually two trilogies. Although, how it can be called that when the author claims “Winterwode is, as the beginning of a new trilogy and the third book in the overall series” when it takes three books to create a series, I just don't know.
2 – I've pushed myself through all of these three books without one ever having a proper ending. They all leave you with a cliffhanger and uncertainty. There is not ONE straight ending to ANY of the books!
3 – I was supposed to read book 4 to review, but after the lengthy and exhausting sludge through the first three books, that won't be happening. Not when I know that I'm only going to end up reading the same story, all over again, with no ending in sight. And, how do I know it's the same story? Because EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Is about Gamely and his damned existential crisis between whether to follow Robyn or follow his faith. It is not only boring, but tedious and frustrating and so damned repetitive that I could read book 1 over and over again and never miss anything important. Because NOTHING HAPPENS. Ever.
~
Right, with that off my chest, here goes my review of book 3.
I still feel like Marion's only part to play is to be a woman, cook and care for the boys, while getting her own POV to snoop on Robyn and Gamelyn, to tell us things about them that we can see quite clearly without her. Unless her real purpose is to cause trouble – because she excels at dropping the boys into hot water and then acting all innocent, like it wasn't her fault, or even going so far as to be the victim. It rubs me up the wrong way, because it's all been done before.
The first 10% of the story was brilliant. I loved that it started with something other than an old guy in the woods, Seeing things that were very mysterious and prophetic. But by the 15-20% mark it all unravelled a little. It became just as stagnant, repetitive and predictable as the first book was, using new characters to explore the same plot/threats in so many ways. The pattern continued with every 10-20% block of the story. Some blocks would be brilliant, some would just be rehashing stuff that we've already read before.
The one thing that definitely hasn't changed it the completely frustrating inconsistency of these “dreams” and how some are italicised, giving us fair warning of a switch from past to present POV, but most are not. It is the one thing that is plucking at my last nerve and I'm almost tempted to not read the last book, because of it. Only, the author added the new addition of not italicising a letter or even separating it from the main text, as well, so that's something...new.
The Horned Lord and Lady are useless, as far as I can see. They're nothing more than puppet masters, constantly whispering their plots and plans into Robyn and Gamelyn's ears, but never acting in time or allowing them to. If they love their people so much, then why not change things? And if it's one of those things that can't be changed, because an alternative would have more drastic consequences, why force them to try to change it at all? Or are they really so ignorant as to not let on that these things are set in time and can never be changed, hoping that the pain and consequences of the trying will make their puppets stronger? Because, if so, that's an f-d up idea. As usual, it's up to Robyn and Gamelyn to do their dirty work, often without having any clue they're doing it, and suffer the consequences.
So, I'm glad that the Dierdre issue was resolved, but I really don't get why. It was all for nothing, giving her a POV threatening revenge and then making it a huge waste of time by eliminating her from the equation. Why couldn't she simply have been killed off in the Wild Hunt, along with the Abbess, and one of her nun friends could have delivered the arrow, as Dierdre's dying wish.
Finally, we were allowed to see the Robyn, John and Gamelyn tangle unwind into something beautiful, with a hint at an MMM romance. And, while I love that it happens, because I've been waiting for it since book 1, and that neither Gamelyn or John are threatened by each other but accepting, I'm pretty miffed that there is no equality. There is no we-are-three concept, there is no equal sharing of each other between all three of them. It's merely that Robyn and Gamelyn are together, heart, body and soul, while John sits on the sidelines accepting whatever scraps that he's given. That is not a true poly- or MMM relationship and that makes me frustrated at the misrepresentation.
Worse, I really hate the constant thread of Robyn-Gamelyn-Marion. It's gross, despite the timeline, to think that Robyn and Marion are supposed to be entwined in some lovers triangle, constantly being referred to by the Gods as brother-lover or sister-lover. It's always made me feel squidgy, throughout the first two books, but this one really lays it on thick, especially with the constant hints and suggestions that Gamelyn and Marion have some sort of “connection” and are flirting with each other. I don't mind that Gamelyn is described as bisexual, in this book, what bothers me is that it was NEVER once mentioned before. He has NEVER shown interest in a woman, until it becomes convenient for the plot of this book. Worse still, this incest – because, let's not sugar-coat what the author is implying here – has no emotional or physical basis. It's not as if there is ANY hint of chemistry between Marion and anyone but Will and Much.
Which bring me to the warning that there is MF sex contained in here. It's not overly explicit, but it's there for anyone who'd rather not read it.
And while we're on that subject, I'm really annoyed that Much and John's relationship has never been explained, nor that John can't have someone of his own to love fully. Because, it's clear that while Robyn loves him, it's not the way he loves Gamelyn. John deserves to have that kind of love of his own and I'd hoped it would be Much, after that tearful, excited reunion in book 2, but that fizzled and went nowhere. We didn't even get an explanation of WHY they behaved like two long-lost lovers.
Overall, Book 2, for me, was the best. It could have easily have been a standalone novel, based on the story of Robin Hood, by adding maybe another 50-100 pages to it, to offer flashbacks to tell the story of how Rob and Gamelyn met, then how they had their romance and the inevitable “betrayal” at the end. For me, I can't see the need for any of the rest of the books. They don't amount to anything but repeating the same storyline over and over again. Book 2 is the only one that had a consistent, logical plot, with characters that grew and learned and actually had an impact, while the rest are, as I said above, just puppets being twisted in the wind by their Gods.
~
Favourite Quote
“Only Robyn would call him “beloved” with tears running down his cheeks, and mere moments after hurling a veritable fury of indignation; a backdraft of fire up a turret stair, just as quickly sucked back into the depth.”
POV: 3rd person, multi-character
Pages: 370
Star rating: ★★☆☆☆
Okay, you have to excuse me, because I'm writing this immediately after finishing the book and I'm angry.
1 – this is advertised as a “series”, only for me to discover in the Author's Note that it's actually two trilogies. Although, how it can be called that when the author claims “Winterwode is, as the beginning of a new trilogy and the third book in the overall series” when it takes three books to create a series, I just don't know.
2 – I've pushed myself through all of these three books without one ever having a proper ending. They all leave you with a cliffhanger and uncertainty. There is not ONE straight ending to ANY of the books!
3 – I was supposed to read book 4 to review, but after the lengthy and exhausting sludge through the first three books, that won't be happening. Not when I know that I'm only going to end up reading the same story, all over again, with no ending in sight. And, how do I know it's the same story? Because EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Is about Gamely and his damned existential crisis between whether to follow Robyn or follow his faith. It is not only boring, but tedious and frustrating and so damned repetitive that I could read book 1 over and over again and never miss anything important. Because NOTHING HAPPENS. Ever.
~
Right, with that off my chest, here goes my review of book 3.
I still feel like Marion's only part to play is to be a woman, cook and care for the boys, while getting her own POV to snoop on Robyn and Gamelyn, to tell us things about them that we can see quite clearly without her. Unless her real purpose is to cause trouble – because she excels at dropping the boys into hot water and then acting all innocent, like it wasn't her fault, or even going so far as to be the victim. It rubs me up the wrong way, because it's all been done before.
The first 10% of the story was brilliant. I loved that it started with something other than an old guy in the woods, Seeing things that were very mysterious and prophetic. But by the 15-20% mark it all unravelled a little. It became just as stagnant, repetitive and predictable as the first book was, using new characters to explore the same plot/threats in so many ways. The pattern continued with every 10-20% block of the story. Some blocks would be brilliant, some would just be rehashing stuff that we've already read before.
The one thing that definitely hasn't changed it the completely frustrating inconsistency of these “dreams” and how some are italicised, giving us fair warning of a switch from past to present POV, but most are not. It is the one thing that is plucking at my last nerve and I'm almost tempted to not read the last book, because of it. Only, the author added the new addition of not italicising a letter or even separating it from the main text, as well, so that's something...new.
The Horned Lord and Lady are useless, as far as I can see. They're nothing more than puppet masters, constantly whispering their plots and plans into Robyn and Gamelyn's ears, but never acting in time or allowing them to. If they love their people so much, then why not change things? And if it's one of those things that can't be changed, because an alternative would have more drastic consequences, why force them to try to change it at all? Or are they really so ignorant as to not let on that these things are set in time and can never be changed, hoping that the pain and consequences of the trying will make their puppets stronger? Because, if so, that's an f-d up idea. As usual, it's up to Robyn and Gamelyn to do their dirty work, often without having any clue they're doing it, and suffer the consequences.
So, I'm glad that the Dierdre issue was resolved, but I really don't get why. It was all for nothing, giving her a POV threatening revenge and then making it a huge waste of time by eliminating her from the equation. Why couldn't she simply have been killed off in the Wild Hunt, along with the Abbess, and one of her nun friends could have delivered the arrow, as Dierdre's dying wish.
Finally, we were allowed to see the Robyn, John and Gamelyn tangle unwind into something beautiful, with a hint at an MMM romance. And, while I love that it happens, because I've been waiting for it since book 1, and that neither Gamelyn or John are threatened by each other but accepting, I'm pretty miffed that there is no equality. There is no we-are-three concept, there is no equal sharing of each other between all three of them. It's merely that Robyn and Gamelyn are together, heart, body and soul, while John sits on the sidelines accepting whatever scraps that he's given. That is not a true poly- or MMM relationship and that makes me frustrated at the misrepresentation.
Worse, I really hate the constant thread of Robyn-Gamelyn-Marion. It's gross, despite the timeline, to think that Robyn and Marion are supposed to be entwined in some lovers triangle, constantly being referred to by the Gods as brother-lover or sister-lover. It's always made me feel squidgy, throughout the first two books, but this one really lays it on thick, especially with the constant hints and suggestions that Gamelyn and Marion have some sort of “connection” and are flirting with each other. I don't mind that Gamelyn is described as bisexual, in this book, what bothers me is that it was NEVER once mentioned before. He has NEVER shown interest in a woman, until it becomes convenient for the plot of this book. Worse still, this incest – because, let's not sugar-coat what the author is implying here – has no emotional or physical basis. It's not as if there is ANY hint of chemistry between Marion and anyone but Will and Much.
Which bring me to the warning that there is MF sex contained in here. It's not overly explicit, but it's there for anyone who'd rather not read it.
And while we're on that subject, I'm really annoyed that Much and John's relationship has never been explained, nor that John can't have someone of his own to love fully. Because, it's clear that while Robyn loves him, it's not the way he loves Gamelyn. John deserves to have that kind of love of his own and I'd hoped it would be Much, after that tearful, excited reunion in book 2, but that fizzled and went nowhere. We didn't even get an explanation of WHY they behaved like two long-lost lovers.
Overall, Book 2, for me, was the best. It could have easily have been a standalone novel, based on the story of Robin Hood, by adding maybe another 50-100 pages to it, to offer flashbacks to tell the story of how Rob and Gamelyn met, then how they had their romance and the inevitable “betrayal” at the end. For me, I can't see the need for any of the rest of the books. They don't amount to anything but repeating the same storyline over and over again. Book 2 is the only one that had a consistent, logical plot, with characters that grew and learned and actually had an impact, while the rest are, as I said above, just puppets being twisted in the wind by their Gods.
~
Favourite Quote
“Only Robyn would call him “beloved” with tears running down his cheeks, and mere moments after hurling a veritable fury of indignation; a backdraft of fire up a turret stair, just as quickly sucked back into the depth.”
December 27, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
4.5 stars
Winterwode is the third book in a series which must be read in order.
This book – indeed this series- is a marvel of writing. Every time I was forced to break from reading it I had to shake myself. My living room is a far cry from Robyn’s mystical Wode you see – and his Wode is exactly where I was transported to every moment I was reading.
So much is special about this book. The research involved in, the loving care with which the language, settings and characters are portrayed, the careful pacing of events and awakenings. It’s definitely a book to immerse oneself in, to traverse the pages along with the extraordinary characters.
I found Winterwode to be a transitional, quieter sort of book in the series. Many questions get sorted, and many more arise. There are significantly less action scenes than were present in Shirewode, which gave it an overall slower pace. Through the Winter season during which this book takes place, we see the characters discover much about themselves, through close interaction, reflection and introspection. For a while during the first few chapters I was wondering where things were going, when was something more substantive going to “happen”. I needn’t have worried, for happen they did! Many things within this world are not quite what they seem and many are achingly exactly as they seem. Changes occur mostly in the hearts and minds of Robyn, Gamelyn, Marion and company.
This series has historical basis on knowledge regarding church and religious leaders we have of the time period, yet the author has created a fascinating, multi layered fantasy world unto itself within the realm of Robin Hood lore. The mystical, magical and ethereal elements are very much front and center. The Forest Lord and Lady loom large. The connection Robyn, Marion and Gamelyn have with them is ever-present. There is an on-going undercurrent of repression and burdens placed on the common folk vs how the royals and church leaders live and are treated is apparent.
At the beginning of Winterwode, Robyn is found to be pleased with outcome of recent events (I won’t spoiler for those who haven’t read yet). His loyal group is reunited, and best of all, Gamelyn is back at his side. They are all ensconced in the beloved forest where Robyn alternately finds peace as well as questions emanating from the Forest Lord. I so enjoy the deep spirituality conveyed in this story. The accord Robyn and his band share with the land. The subtle and not so subtle confusion and mixed signals that were swirling about amongst the entire group added to the air of anticipation and mystique. There was quite a bit of push and pull taking place among the group.
Gamelyn is caught in the middle of this mystique and yes, trepidation. Suffering from injuries both physical and emotional – including nightmares and loss of temper – he is afraid for himself and his effect on those he loves. Being a trained Templar Knight, he is torn regarding his obligations to the order and his deep bond with Robyn – and the Wode itself. A bond which is undeniable stronger than ever – despite the years the two men spent apart, and despite his time away from the pulse of the forest. Much exploration and depth is lent to these struggles, both with himself and with his interactions with Robyn, Marion and Will in particular. Gamelyn ultimately finds himself returning to Temple Hirst, out of necessity if not out of fealty. Marion finds herself questioning her role in staying with Robyn and the other men, but is steadfast that the Lord and Lady will eventually allow her path as the Maiden to be revealed. These detailed and differing interpersonal dynamics were fascinating to follow. The fluidity, the growth displayed. The overall power struggles relating to convictions. Robyn keeps a close watch, for his loved ones have enough potential threats from the outside without needing to worry about ones from within the fold.
The relative peace found by the group is short lived as struggles with their enemies both old and new leap to the forefront again. What good can come of Gamelyn returning to Temple Hirst? Will he remain permanently or will it be temporary? Can they trust his Commander, Hubert de Gisborough? Time will tell.
Although not a cliffhanger, the ending bodes heavily of the “stay tuned” variety. Never fear, at least two more books are planned in the series. Bring on book 4 – Summerwode.
* The cover of this book is absolutely stunning, and captures the essence and mood of the depicted characters. Beautiful work.
4.5 stars
Winterwode is the third book in a series which must be read in order.
This book – indeed this series- is a marvel of writing. Every time I was forced to break from reading it I had to shake myself. My living room is a far cry from Robyn’s mystical Wode you see – and his Wode is exactly where I was transported to every moment I was reading.
So much is special about this book. The research involved in, the loving care with which the language, settings and characters are portrayed, the careful pacing of events and awakenings. It’s definitely a book to immerse oneself in, to traverse the pages along with the extraordinary characters.
I found Winterwode to be a transitional, quieter sort of book in the series. Many questions get sorted, and many more arise. There are significantly less action scenes than were present in Shirewode, which gave it an overall slower pace. Through the Winter season during which this book takes place, we see the characters discover much about themselves, through close interaction, reflection and introspection. For a while during the first few chapters I was wondering where things were going, when was something more substantive going to “happen”. I needn’t have worried, for happen they did! Many things within this world are not quite what they seem and many are achingly exactly as they seem. Changes occur mostly in the hearts and minds of Robyn, Gamelyn, Marion and company.
This series has historical basis on knowledge regarding church and religious leaders we have of the time period, yet the author has created a fascinating, multi layered fantasy world unto itself within the realm of Robin Hood lore. The mystical, magical and ethereal elements are very much front and center. The Forest Lord and Lady loom large. The connection Robyn, Marion and Gamelyn have with them is ever-present. There is an on-going undercurrent of repression and burdens placed on the common folk vs how the royals and church leaders live and are treated is apparent.
At the beginning of Winterwode, Robyn is found to be pleased with outcome of recent events (I won’t spoiler for those who haven’t read yet). His loyal group is reunited, and best of all, Gamelyn is back at his side. They are all ensconced in the beloved forest where Robyn alternately finds peace as well as questions emanating from the Forest Lord. I so enjoy the deep spirituality conveyed in this story. The accord Robyn and his band share with the land. The subtle and not so subtle confusion and mixed signals that were swirling about amongst the entire group added to the air of anticipation and mystique. There was quite a bit of push and pull taking place among the group.
Gamelyn is caught in the middle of this mystique and yes, trepidation. Suffering from injuries both physical and emotional – including nightmares and loss of temper – he is afraid for himself and his effect on those he loves. Being a trained Templar Knight, he is torn regarding his obligations to the order and his deep bond with Robyn – and the Wode itself. A bond which is undeniable stronger than ever – despite the years the two men spent apart, and despite his time away from the pulse of the forest. Much exploration and depth is lent to these struggles, both with himself and with his interactions with Robyn, Marion and Will in particular. Gamelyn ultimately finds himself returning to Temple Hirst, out of necessity if not out of fealty. Marion finds herself questioning her role in staying with Robyn and the other men, but is steadfast that the Lord and Lady will eventually allow her path as the Maiden to be revealed. These detailed and differing interpersonal dynamics were fascinating to follow. The fluidity, the growth displayed. The overall power struggles relating to convictions. Robyn keeps a close watch, for his loved ones have enough potential threats from the outside without needing to worry about ones from within the fold.
The relative peace found by the group is short lived as struggles with their enemies both old and new leap to the forefront again. What good can come of Gamelyn returning to Temple Hirst? Will he remain permanently or will it be temporary? Can they trust his Commander, Hubert de Gisborough? Time will tell.
Although not a cliffhanger, the ending bodes heavily of the “stay tuned” variety. Never fear, at least two more books are planned in the series. Bring on book 4 – Summerwode.
* The cover of this book is absolutely stunning, and captures the essence and mood of the depicted characters. Beautiful work.
June 23, 2018
I tried to read this book slowly and at first I succeeded but then i just needed to know what happened to my boys! I can't believe I finished this book Ive been waiting for it obsessively for over a year and I had no idea what to expect from it! But I was not disappointed
I have only just finished it so my thoughts are still muddled and it definitely deserves a second reading, i think this series always deserves a second reading as I always notice new things such as the excellent foreshadowing, which comes out in the second reading. The one thing I hope for in the next book and I hope this isn't a spoiler, but I hope Gamely has decided who he is now because this back and forth was getting a little frustrating. I hope the Templar clothes have been put away forever.
Gamelyn and Robyn's relationship is always my favourite part to these books and their constant struggle to be together is heartbreaking. and when they are together the book sparkles. The Quotes in this book are so delicious i know I'm going to be reading them over and over and still getting butterfly's in the pit of my stomach.
"Only Robyn would call him 'beloved' with tears running down his cheeks"
and
"You know what I want. What I've allus wanted, and tis here, in my reach. My men beside, strong and untrammelled. My sister, alive and with me. You."
So Hennig has started a new arch but it relates seamlessly with the other two novels, I can just see the new threat making its ominous way over the horizon. There wasn't death in this book so now I'm too tense for it, we all know its coming and have to wait a year! How am I going to wait another year! Rob and Gamlyn are part of me and I need them to be together!
The book's main focus at the beginning is on the tension Gamelyn's presence brings to the merry men but I love how accepting John is. The first half of the book is set in the Wode which i loved as stated before the book sparkles when Robyn and Gamelyn are together. The second half of the book is flash reading as you desperately wait for them to find each other again as bad stuff always happens when their apart.
You have to read this novel if you read the first 2 back in 2013 and have been obsessively waiting for Winterwode for years. 5 stars again and I cannot wait to re read it!
Re-Read 28/08/2016
So I see all the Marion and Gamelyn moments now and I think I understand a lot more of the deeper layers in Winterwode now that I have read the book three times. The puzzle pieces are coming together and I cannot wait to see where Summerwode leads us with the Summerlord taking his place in his Wode. I took my time over the book really saving the beautiful writing style that Hennig has and appreciating how each strand of the story comes together to create a not yet complete tapestry.
I have only just finished it so my thoughts are still muddled and it definitely deserves a second reading, i think this series always deserves a second reading as I always notice new things such as the excellent foreshadowing, which comes out in the second reading. The one thing I hope for in the next book and I hope this isn't a spoiler, but I hope Gamely has decided who he is now because this back and forth was getting a little frustrating. I hope the Templar clothes have been put away forever.
Gamelyn and Robyn's relationship is always my favourite part to these books and their constant struggle to be together is heartbreaking. and when they are together the book sparkles. The Quotes in this book are so delicious i know I'm going to be reading them over and over and still getting butterfly's in the pit of my stomach.
"Only Robyn would call him 'beloved' with tears running down his cheeks"
and
"You know what I want. What I've allus wanted, and tis here, in my reach. My men beside, strong and untrammelled. My sister, alive and with me. You."
So Hennig has started a new arch but it relates seamlessly with the other two novels, I can just see the new threat making its ominous way over the horizon. There wasn't death in this book so now I'm too tense for it, we all know its coming and have to wait a year! How am I going to wait another year! Rob and Gamlyn are part of me and I need them to be together!
The book's main focus at the beginning is on the tension Gamelyn's presence brings to the merry men but I love how accepting John is. The first half of the book is set in the Wode which i loved as stated before the book sparkles when Robyn and Gamelyn are together. The second half of the book is flash reading as you desperately wait for them to find each other again as bad stuff always happens when their apart.
You have to read this novel if you read the first 2 back in 2013 and have been obsessively waiting for Winterwode for years. 5 stars again and I cannot wait to re read it!
Re-Read 28/08/2016
So I see all the Marion and Gamelyn moments now and I think I understand a lot more of the deeper layers in Winterwode now that I have read the book three times. The puzzle pieces are coming together and I cannot wait to see where Summerwode leads us with the Summerlord taking his place in his Wode. I took my time over the book really saving the beautiful writing style that Hennig has and appreciating how each strand of the story comes together to create a not yet complete tapestry.
December 12, 2015
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
Winterwode is book three in the Wode series, but is the beginning of a new trilogy starring Gamelyn, Robyn, and Marion as they come into their own in the magic of the shire. It is essential that you read the first two books as these are not stand alone novels.
I was unsure what to expect from this book. I had hoped for more of the magic the other two had, and wasn’t disappointed. There is plenty of mysticism and evolvement of the Horned Lord and his Lady.
I also hoped for more of Robyn and Gamelyn together, and while we got some, I was disappointed that the author chose to fade to black the love making scenes that were previously more detailed. I felt we lost a bit of the give and take between our heroes that occurred between the sheets. We got more detail from an MF encounter than we did between them. However, some might enjoy the lack.
While the story is steeped in historical lore, if you are a stickler for dialogue to match the time period, you will find flaws. Though the dialects reflected the time period, the language often didn’t, using colloquialisms from more modern times. It made the story accessible and entertaining but not accurate.
There were also times I found myself unsure as to some of the subtleties being hinted at. I thought I got it, but finished the book not quite sure if I was totally on the same page. This didn’t dissuade me, as I wasn’t sure if it was just me or the intent of the book, and despite its flaws, I did enjoy this introduction to a new adventure and look forward for more to come.
Winterwode is book three in the Wode series, but is the beginning of a new trilogy starring Gamelyn, Robyn, and Marion as they come into their own in the magic of the shire. It is essential that you read the first two books as these are not stand alone novels.
I was unsure what to expect from this book. I had hoped for more of the magic the other two had, and wasn’t disappointed. There is plenty of mysticism and evolvement of the Horned Lord and his Lady.
I also hoped for more of Robyn and Gamelyn together, and while we got some, I was disappointed that the author chose to fade to black the love making scenes that were previously more detailed. I felt we lost a bit of the give and take between our heroes that occurred between the sheets. We got more detail from an MF encounter than we did between them. However, some might enjoy the lack.
While the story is steeped in historical lore, if you are a stickler for dialogue to match the time period, you will find flaws. Though the dialects reflected the time period, the language often didn’t, using colloquialisms from more modern times. It made the story accessible and entertaining but not accurate.
There were also times I found myself unsure as to some of the subtleties being hinted at. I thought I got it, but finished the book not quite sure if I was totally on the same page. This didn’t dissuade me, as I wasn’t sure if it was just me or the intent of the book, and despite its flaws, I did enjoy this introduction to a new adventure and look forward for more to come.
August 28, 2022
Call me shallow, but sex scenes fading to black are quite disappointing. On the other hand, with mentions of threesome that sprang (at least on me) from nowhere, may be it is better that way. I am not a fan of threesomes and would have appreciated a warning on the publisher's website. I also did not like hints at potential M/F between two main characters and could only hope that I misunderstood and it will not "come to pass". This book definitely laid foundations to the future story and, therefore, ends with a sort of a cliff-hanger or more like a HFN. However, it left me wanting to wait until the other two books are out, so I could make more sense of the overall arc.
And while this is a fascinating story with its own merits, it is definitely no longer an M/M romance. I will buy the rest of the trilogy thought, to find out what happens next at least.
I think overall, I was anticipating and even savoring this story so much that it was bound to disappoint me no matter what. I will reserve my judgement though, till I read the rest.
Four stars for now, for the sake of the first two books, which I loved...
As usual, I would love to see what other readers think.
And while this is a fascinating story with its own merits, it is definitely no longer an M/M romance. I will buy the rest of the trilogy thought, to find out what happens next at least.
I think overall, I was anticipating and even savoring this story so much that it was bound to disappoint me no matter what. I will reserve my judgement though, till I read the rest.
Four stars for now, for the sake of the first two books, which I loved...
As usual, I would love to see what other readers think.
October 22, 2015
Well, I do love gay!Celtic fantasy Robin Hood. And I did finish the book. Eventually. Not entirely sure what happened all the time. Needed serious editing.
Also, seriously, in the 12th c. people were not speaking: modern English (of any painfully spelled out dialect), modern French, modern German, or modern Welsh. The word "modern" is in front of those for a reason. :(
Also, seriously, in the 12th c. people were not speaking: modern English (of any painfully spelled out dialect), modern French, modern German, or modern Welsh. The word "modern" is in front of those for a reason. :(
December 23, 2023
This book started off slowly and took awhile to get into, unlike the previous two books. But once it got going...I didn't want it to end. I kept reading and rereading the passages. This is such a beautiful series.
March 16, 2024
A livello di tematiche continua la striscia dei primi due libri. Molta più Marion che Robin, e ci sta: la vediamo alle prese con il suo essere donna in entrambi i mondi, quello che dovrebbe essere il suo e quello che invece non lo è. Gamelyn ha sempre la dicotomia di "a quale mondo appartengo" che sta invece iniziando a diventare un po' ripetitiva.
Ma mi è piaciuta molto la figura della regina.
Non mi ha convinto invece la parte romance. Come nel secondo libro, questo è molto meno un romance che uno storico/fantastico/mystery, però ammetto di non essere riuscita in alcun modo a apprezzare la sottotrama romance. Ormai definiti Robin e Gamelyn con l'aggiunta di John, il focus si è spostato su Marion, per cui si buttano in mezzo triangoli e quadrangoli (Will, Gamelyn, persino Robin) per poi risolverlo in un modo che mi ha francamente lasciato basita: la chimica fra i due personaggi è inesistente.
Credo che l'autore (anche perché ce lo dice) volesse sottolineare l'indipendenza di Marion a scegliere il suo amante, tuttavia avrebbe dovuto essere costruito meglio.
Ma mi è piaciuta molto la figura della regina.
Non mi ha convinto invece la parte romance. Come nel secondo libro, questo è molto meno un romance che uno storico/fantastico/mystery, però ammetto di non essere riuscita in alcun modo a apprezzare la sottotrama romance. Ormai definiti Robin e Gamelyn con l'aggiunta di John, il focus si è spostato su Marion, per cui si buttano in mezzo triangoli e quadrangoli (Will, Gamelyn, persino Robin) per poi risolverlo in un modo che mi ha francamente lasciato basita: la chimica fra i due personaggi è inesistente.
Credo che l'autore (anche perché ce lo dice) volesse sottolineare l'indipendenza di Marion a scegliere il suo amante, tuttavia avrebbe dovuto essere costruito meglio.
January 20, 2020
As this series has progressed, it has developed more and more of its own history and rules. The world J Tullos Hennig is building has become, at least in my mind, more of an alternate history with events and consequences all of its own. While some things like the church and the country’s political rulers are pretty similar to what we know of history, others are very different. Magic is very real here, and the spiritual lore around the Lord of the Forest plays an increasingly important role in the fight against an overbearing Catholic church and the suppression of the people via taxes and inequitable law enforcement. This third book has fascinated and impressed me even more than the first two, and I am more invested in the story than ever.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 3, 2020
3.5 stars
i didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first two. the writing is still incredible and i still really love these characters, but this story felt noticeably weaker than the first installments of this series. i really loved it for the first few chapters, they were interesting and introduced characters i was interested in. after that though, it really felt like it fell into a not so interesting lull that lasted until the very last chapter. i don’t know, i just felt like i was left with more questions than answers and not in a particularly good way. i’m still holding out hope for this series though, i just love the characters too much to put it down for now.
i didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first two. the writing is still incredible and i still really love these characters, but this story felt noticeably weaker than the first installments of this series. i really loved it for the first few chapters, they were interesting and introduced characters i was interested in. after that though, it really felt like it fell into a not so interesting lull that lasted until the very last chapter. i don’t know, i just felt like i was left with more questions than answers and not in a particularly good way. i’m still holding out hope for this series though, i just love the characters too much to put it down for now.
January 1, 2018
Another lovely installment to the Wode series. This one had a bit slower pace and a bit less tension than Shirewode, but I think that actually worked quite well--I needed a bit of a breather after the previous book! I love all of the character development that happened in this book, and am intrigued by the developing plot. Can't wait to read the next book.
March 1, 2022
Really enjoyed it. Winterwode was a bit slower than previous installments, but still great. I'm always amazed at the author's ability to take a scene of walking from point a to point b, give it four different viewpoints, and each one is gripping and interesting. So much of this book is just the characters walking in the woods, and the character study is so great.
June 6, 2023
I *think* I finished reading this book in early January, when I first got to Jordan. (I've fallen woefully out of habit with updating Goodreads this past year.)
It was not my favorite of the Books of the Wode, mostly because it felt rather incomplete. Like the first half of a longer book, rather than a story in itself.
It was not my favorite of the Books of the Wode, mostly because it felt rather incomplete. Like the first half of a longer book, rather than a story in itself.
November 28, 2023
Eleanor is such an icon. i want to be her when im old.
writing is GODLY. slayed.
if u dont read this book i will enter your walls and eat all of your bread.
writing is GODLY. slayed.
if u dont read this book i will enter your walls and eat all of your bread.
August 4, 2017
If Robyn is so in love with Gamelyn then why does he cheat on him with John?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
Excellent winter read. I continue to really enjoy this pagan retelling of Robin Hood -- very immersive.
February 3, 2019
I really like the overall story in these books, but this one on its own was painfully slow.
August 9, 2016
Robyn's band is all back together. His sister, Marion, is back at his side. And he's recovered the lost love of his youth, Gamelyn. Except Gamelyn isn't just Gamelyn anymore. Guy of Gisborne, Templar, still resides in there somewhere. It's an identity that can't easily be shed. But Robyn is patient, and Gamelyn sometimes seems willing to try.
When a traveling minstrel informs the Shire Wode outlaws that the Queen Mother is essentially being held prisoner by Prince John, their relatively happy reverie is broken. Despite being branded outlaws, they're too noble to let that stand. Of course, it helps that it's an opportunity to stick it to the tyrannical prince.
There are a few problems, though. Not only do they need to sneak in and break out the Queen Mother. They will need to take her to Temple Hirst, thrusting Gamelyn/Guy right back into the Templar order. And to complicate matters even more, someone with knowledge of the Wode's magic is on their trail. And he may just be a force to be reckoned with.
Can they pull off the rescue? And if Gamelyn rejoins his fellow knights, will he fall back into the life of Guy? Will Robyn lose him forever? And what would that mean for the Lady's prophecy?
---
I'm such a fan of this series, and I'm so glad there are some additional books coming. It's such a well-written retelling of the Robin Hood story. This history, the imagery, and the fantasy combine to create such a rich, dynamic world. And I've honestly devoured every page since I started the first book in the series.
There are some wonderful twists and turns in this book that certainly serve to keep readers on the edge of their seats. And the tension that exists throughout creates an incredible thread to pull you along. Writing of this caliber is a rare find.
When a traveling minstrel informs the Shire Wode outlaws that the Queen Mother is essentially being held prisoner by Prince John, their relatively happy reverie is broken. Despite being branded outlaws, they're too noble to let that stand. Of course, it helps that it's an opportunity to stick it to the tyrannical prince.
There are a few problems, though. Not only do they need to sneak in and break out the Queen Mother. They will need to take her to Temple Hirst, thrusting Gamelyn/Guy right back into the Templar order. And to complicate matters even more, someone with knowledge of the Wode's magic is on their trail. And he may just be a force to be reckoned with.
Can they pull off the rescue? And if Gamelyn rejoins his fellow knights, will he fall back into the life of Guy? Will Robyn lose him forever? And what would that mean for the Lady's prophecy?
---
I'm such a fan of this series, and I'm so glad there are some additional books coming. It's such a well-written retelling of the Robin Hood story. This history, the imagery, and the fantasy combine to create such a rich, dynamic world. And I've honestly devoured every page since I started the first book in the series.
There are some wonderful twists and turns in this book that certainly serve to keep readers on the edge of their seats. And the tension that exists throughout creates an incredible thread to pull you along. Writing of this caliber is a rare find.
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