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Robin Hood: Demon's Bane #2
The Two Torcs
Evil is everywhere. Through terror and dark sorcery, Prince John wields the power of the throne. Lord and peasant alike meet violent ends as the Sheriff’s arcane beasts spread fear and death.
A small group of rebels oppose John, striking from Sherwood Forest...the one place his creatures cannot pursue them. Though their numbers grow, so do the forces of darkness. Unless Robin and Marian fulfill the ancient prophecy of the Two Torcs, the forest will be overrun, and England will fall.
A small group of rebels oppose John, striking from Sherwood Forest...the one place his creatures cannot pursue them. Though their numbers grow, so do the forces of darkness. Unless Robin and Marian fulfill the ancient prophecy of the Two Torcs, the forest will be overrun, and England will fall.
368 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2016
6 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Viguié
91 books1,040 followersDebbie Viguié is the New York Times Bestselling author of more than three dozen novels including the Wicked series co-authored with Nancy Holder. In addition to her epic dark fantasy work Debbie also writes thrillers including The Psalm 23 Mysteries, the Kiss trilogy, and the Witch Hunt trilogy. Debbie also plays a recurring character on the audio drama, Doctor Geek’s Laboratory. When Debbie isn’t busy writing or acting she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, visiting theme parks.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 4, 2021
Sherwood Forest, Nottingham. Reign of Richard, the Lion-Heart (1189-1199. Richard only spent 6 months in England during his entire reign, please remember Richard went to the Holy Land for the Third Crusade and he ruled much of what is known today as France. It still is a very short period in England). Debbie Viguié and James R. Tuck’s The Two Torcs (Robin Hood: Demon’s Bane, #2) is a very dark tale. Robin aka The Hood has been living in Sherwood for quite awhile. Unfortunately, King Richard left Prince John responsible for England. A big mistake! Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham practice the dark arts, and the only place anyone is safe is Sherwood because the prince, the sheriff, and their soldiers cannot enter Sherwood, but they are doing all kinds of damage everywhere else near Sherwood. As winter begins Prince John and the sheriff are raising taxes to a ridiculous degree, taking all the people’s food to leave them to starve, and darkness is descending around Nottingham Castle, but Robin, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Much, Alan-a-dale, and Marian will fight for a free England. Be prepared for horrors that no reader should read when reading about Robin Hood, but Prince John is Prince John! 4 stars.
September 3, 2016
I am familiar with the story of Robin Hood. In fact, until this book I thought that the movie version featuring Kevin Costner was the darkest version of this story. Now it is this trilogy. I have not read the first book but I really want to get my hands on a copy after finishing reading this book. In addition, I can't wait to read book three. Sadly, I have to wait a year until book three is released.
I almost feared that Robin and his men were not strong enough to battle John and his men. John is one evil mother f*cker. If I had to compare him to someone I would call him Samuel L. Jackson. Although, Robin has brain smarts to help back him up. There was not a lot of interaction between the two sides until closer to the end of the book. Yet, there was plenty of action happening in the story to keep things interesting. Both authors did an great job as I could not tell where one left off and the next one picked up. This book is a keeper.
I almost feared that Robin and his men were not strong enough to battle John and his men. John is one evil mother f*cker. If I had to compare him to someone I would call him Samuel L. Jackson. Although, Robin has brain smarts to help back him up. There was not a lot of interaction between the two sides until closer to the end of the book. Yet, there was plenty of action happening in the story to keep things interesting. Both authors did an great job as I could not tell where one left off and the next one picked up. This book is a keeper.
April 25, 2022
Three and a half stars. Some excellent moments in this second installment of Debbie Viguie’s trilogy, including a mythic journey into Sherwood Forest by Robin and Marian to obtain the titular objects. The author also strikes a good balance between fine storytelling and the plausibility of the personal sacrifices involved, including the death(s) of a couple of the key characters. I was disappointed with the very short introduction and subsequent plot line involving a bestial “Guy of Gisborne.” We as the reader “meet” him emerging from a fetid bog sometime around Chapter 25. Despite the beast’s revolting creation and character description, it’s exciting to have a new, powerful villain introduced into the storyline. (It gets a little dull and predictable with just the usual trio of Prince John, The Sheriff and Robin’s mother, Glynna). But Gisborne’s presence is short-lived. After stirring up fear among the outlaw group and stray villagers, and chasing them through Sherwood (also a plot twist in itself because previously the forest was protected from evil), Gisborne meets his end by Chapter 33 when Robin uses the one and only magic black arrow to kill the creature. Besides the fact that Robin (or so it’s implied) was supposed to save this arrow to defeat the Sheriff, and now has lost it, it’s a big letdown for the reader that this new villain is introduced and then defeated within the span of less than ten chapters. Some might not be particularly bothered by this development in the story, but from my perspective this was a significant disappointment. Near the end of the book, the fey creatures even debate among themselves as to whether or not they should use their powers to help a wounded Robin or let him die. One of the fey actually states that it is Robin’s fault that the Gisborne creature was ever recreated/summoned by the Sheriff. To me this implies the Gisborne creature was more than just a mere “pet” of the Sheriff but actually possessed a lot of power and malevolence all its own.
August 20, 2017
Keeping up the action this book is driving the legend of Robin Hood hard and taking it in a very different direction.
It has been a bit of time since the end of the last book. Time is nebulous in these books, with mentions of hard weeks and interminable days, making it clear that this is playing out over an extended period of time. As the Sheriff's control holds harder to Prince John and the land things are growing worse. This is driving more people to the forest and more responsibility to Robin, the very thing he sought to run from. A prophesy was once written about the time, that the land and its people could be saved with the aid of the heart of Nottingham forest, but first they will have to survive and fight to get there.
You cannot at all look at the traditional stories to find the line of this one. From the loss of characters to the twisting of their origins and purposes, each character lives up to their namesake in the side they fight for, but otherwise has a unique story. The book becomes more dark as time goes on and is painting an increasingly bleak picture for England, with plenty of blood and death. There were little tiny hopeful moments which kept me hanging on, and there is plenty of intrigue that has me curious how this whole story will round itself to and ending.
Fraught with magic and telling a story familiar and yet different, this is for you if you ever felt that Robin Hood was missing out on more swords and sorcery.
It has been a bit of time since the end of the last book. Time is nebulous in these books, with mentions of hard weeks and interminable days, making it clear that this is playing out over an extended period of time. As the Sheriff's control holds harder to Prince John and the land things are growing worse. This is driving more people to the forest and more responsibility to Robin, the very thing he sought to run from. A prophesy was once written about the time, that the land and its people could be saved with the aid of the heart of Nottingham forest, but first they will have to survive and fight to get there.
You cannot at all look at the traditional stories to find the line of this one. From the loss of characters to the twisting of their origins and purposes, each character lives up to their namesake in the side they fight for, but otherwise has a unique story. The book becomes more dark as time goes on and is painting an increasingly bleak picture for England, with plenty of blood and death. There were little tiny hopeful moments which kept me hanging on, and there is plenty of intrigue that has me curious how this whole story will round itself to and ending.
Fraught with magic and telling a story familiar and yet different, this is for you if you ever felt that Robin Hood was missing out on more swords and sorcery.
January 11, 2017
The story picked up as where it ended in the first book. Evil continued to overtake the sovereign in England. Robin and his compatriots continued to thrive to win over it during the absence of King Richard. Many lives were lost, including the characters I had become fond of (Will and Chastity). :(
The author had done a great job in allowing me to live through the life of Robin in that era. I felt like I was actually there battling the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and living in Sherwood forest. The vivid imagery given by author was splendid. The story flowed smoothly, but it ended in cliffhanger. ~sighs~ Now, I have to wait until August for the finale of this series. ~another sighs~
The author had done a great job in allowing me to live through the life of Robin in that era. I felt like I was actually there battling the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and living in Sherwood forest. The vivid imagery given by author was splendid. The story flowed smoothly, but it ended in cliffhanger. ~sighs~ Now, I have to wait until August for the finale of this series. ~another sighs~
May 15, 2020
Really good book with lots of action and character development but it carries straight on from the first book. I had a few months in between reading so I struggled to remember everything that happened in the first book and had to piece things together for the first few chapters.
Overall really enjoyable and you want to keep reading to find out what happens
Overall really enjoyable and you want to keep reading to find out what happens
December 23, 2024
I begrudgingly continued to read this book hoping for development. I kept hoping for character development and a feel of voice from each character that was not there. A lot of dialogue felt out of place. I did not read the first book and perhaps I missed it there.
The only redeeming quality was the character’s faith in God and prayer.
The only redeeming quality was the character’s faith in God and prayer.
March 15, 2021
Paid 1$ for it at the store. Was an interesting read, but I'm disappointed by the number of main characters who bite the bullet. Didn't realise it was book 2 in a trilogy until i was almost done with it. Probably will not read the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
The Robin Hood legend has new life!
August 21, 2019
Really good. I couldn't stop reading it. I liked how things were playing out. Although I hated how some of the characters ended up dying. I'm curious as to how things will end up going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2022
Tightly plotted, intense, engrossing novel continuing the story of Robin and the gang in Sherwood Forest. Strong celtic vibes to this dark fantasy. I'm eager to read the third installment.
August 29, 2022
This did everything I wanted it to... As a massive fan of anything Robin Hood. It got a little serialistic towards the end, it's not a literary masterpiece but good fun!
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June 16, 2017I went into this book hoping that the slight disappointments in the first book would be rectified, but I was still left a little disappointed. Yes there was more Robin Hood and I thought that the storyline in this book flowed more and it didn’t have a slow middle, but I was still left wanting a bit more from the book.
Evil is everywhere. Through terror and dark sorcery, Prince John wields the power of the throne. Lord and peasant alike meet violent ends as the Sheriff’s arcane beasts spread fear and death. A small group of rebels oppose John, striking from Sherwood Forest…the one place his creatures cannot pursue them. Though their numbers grow, so do the forces of darkness. Robin Longstride has lost everything—his family, his land—so all that remains is his mission to free England from the evil that has descended upon it. Unless Robin and Marian fulfill the ancient prophecy of the Two Torcs, the forest will be overrun, and England will fall.
This was a definite improvement on the first book, the story was gripping and I was invested in the book from beginning to end. The characters got their chance to shine and grow throughout the book. Even Robin, who I thought was a little wasted in the first book, was more prominent in this one and I really do like his character. I didn’t think I could hate Prince John any more than I did at the end of the first book, but I hated him on a whole new level by the end of this one. Prince John is definitely a character you love to hate because you hate him and what he is doing in the story, but you love him because he is such a great villain.
I enjoyed where the story went in this second book and how it built on what was left at the end of the first one. I loved all the action scenes especially the ones with Robin. I managed to read this book in a couple of sittings which goes to show how gripped and immersed in the story I was. I think a major reason this book is an enjoyable read is because of the writing. As with the first book both writers do a brilliant job in describing everything in such vivid detail.
With the plot and characters being such an improvement in this book I don’t know why at the end of the book I’m left a little disappointed. I don’t know if its because I’ve never read any Robin Hood books before and because it has Robin Hood mixed with fantasy and magic, I hyped the series up a little too much to myself. I just finished this book and I wanted a bit more, perhaps this is because its a series and its leading up the third book, but it still left me feeling disappointed.
I would still recommend this series for fans of fantasy and Robin Hood. I will still check out the third book when its released next year and hopefully then I can judge the series as a whole and actually find that I love it.
I rate this book 3/5 stars
***I was sent a copy of this book by the Publisher to review. Everything in this review is my own honest opinions.***
Evil is everywhere. Through terror and dark sorcery, Prince John wields the power of the throne. Lord and peasant alike meet violent ends as the Sheriff’s arcane beasts spread fear and death. A small group of rebels oppose John, striking from Sherwood Forest…the one place his creatures cannot pursue them. Though their numbers grow, so do the forces of darkness. Robin Longstride has lost everything—his family, his land—so all that remains is his mission to free England from the evil that has descended upon it. Unless Robin and Marian fulfill the ancient prophecy of the Two Torcs, the forest will be overrun, and England will fall.
This was a definite improvement on the first book, the story was gripping and I was invested in the book from beginning to end. The characters got their chance to shine and grow throughout the book. Even Robin, who I thought was a little wasted in the first book, was more prominent in this one and I really do like his character. I didn’t think I could hate Prince John any more than I did at the end of the first book, but I hated him on a whole new level by the end of this one. Prince John is definitely a character you love to hate because you hate him and what he is doing in the story, but you love him because he is such a great villain.
I enjoyed where the story went in this second book and how it built on what was left at the end of the first one. I loved all the action scenes especially the ones with Robin. I managed to read this book in a couple of sittings which goes to show how gripped and immersed in the story I was. I think a major reason this book is an enjoyable read is because of the writing. As with the first book both writers do a brilliant job in describing everything in such vivid detail.
With the plot and characters being such an improvement in this book I don’t know why at the end of the book I’m left a little disappointed. I don’t know if its because I’ve never read any Robin Hood books before and because it has Robin Hood mixed with fantasy and magic, I hyped the series up a little too much to myself. I just finished this book and I wanted a bit more, perhaps this is because its a series and its leading up the third book, but it still left me feeling disappointed.
I would still recommend this series for fans of fantasy and Robin Hood. I will still check out the third book when its released next year and hopefully then I can judge the series as a whole and actually find that I love it.
I rate this book 3/5 stars
***I was sent a copy of this book by the Publisher to review. Everything in this review is my own honest opinions.***
September 24, 2016
This review was originally posted on StrupagUpon reading the first book in this series last August (review here) I was very much looking forward to book two. I had enjoyed book one but felt it largely scene-setting. I had anticipated that book two would be more action packed.
Yes, there's plenty of action in this book. Yet, I found myself struggling more with this book despite that. I'm not sure that I particularly gelled with the writing style on this occasion. I've also come to realise that I like to use my mind when I'm reading and not have every detail spelled out to me, as was the case with this book. There were times when I felt this book almost stated the obvious. It felt more aimed at a younger audience in that respect, making sure the reader was following along.
I don't really know if I am explaining myself well here. While I was happy accepting this style in the first book as I classed it as 'scene-setting', it was something I did not enjoy in this book.
The story itself? I enjoyed it well enough but I didn't ever feel swept up in it. I continued to enjoy the twist on the Robin Hood tale and the nods to folklore. However, all in all, I just wasn't crazy about this book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it? Either way, I fully intend to read the conclusion to the trilogy Robin Hood: Sovereign's War, next year. The title itself has me intrigued.
Yes, there's plenty of action in this book. Yet, I found myself struggling more with this book despite that. I'm not sure that I particularly gelled with the writing style on this occasion. I've also come to realise that I like to use my mind when I'm reading and not have every detail spelled out to me, as was the case with this book. There were times when I felt this book almost stated the obvious. It felt more aimed at a younger audience in that respect, making sure the reader was following along.
I don't really know if I am explaining myself well here. While I was happy accepting this style in the first book as I classed it as 'scene-setting', it was something I did not enjoy in this book.
The story itself? I enjoyed it well enough but I didn't ever feel swept up in it. I continued to enjoy the twist on the Robin Hood tale and the nods to folklore. However, all in all, I just wasn't crazy about this book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it? Either way, I fully intend to read the conclusion to the trilogy Robin Hood: Sovereign's War, next year. The title itself has me intrigued.
May 5, 2021
This second story in the Robin Hood trilogy was just as gripping as the first one. The demons and creatures that Debbie Viguie and James Tuck create are just as creepy as the previous book. The details that they put into the magic system and the violence/torture scenes can be hard to read at times, but the writing style makes you want to keep reading and see how the cast of characters are going to make it through.
I can't wait to get my hands on the third and last book of this series. The cliffhanger that they ended on was great. Robin's mother; Glynna Longstride, has just gone into labor with the Sheriff/demon child. Whatever kind a creature is about to be born into this universe can't be good and I am dying to know how it's going to effect everything else that is going on.
I can't wait to get my hands on the third and last book of this series. The cliffhanger that they ended on was great. Robin's mother; Glynna Longstride, has just gone into labor with the Sheriff/demon child. Whatever kind a creature is about to be born into this universe can't be good and I am dying to know how it's going to effect everything else that is going on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2017
I really love the concept of these books: Robin Hood with a dash of Arthurian legend, and I devoured the first in the series.
I'm still enjoying the second instalment, but have realised just how terribly written they are despite the great concept. Namely, overuse of terrible and long winded metaphors/similes.
The worst part though is the just plain lazy historical research. Apparently early medieval castles (the approximate period for the classic Robin Hood story, though it can be dated much earlier), apparently they had opening glass windows. I'll just let that sink in.
I'm still enjoying the second instalment, but have realised just how terribly written they are despite the great concept. Namely, overuse of terrible and long winded metaphors/similes.
The worst part though is the just plain lazy historical research. Apparently early medieval castles (the approximate period for the classic Robin Hood story, though it can be dated much earlier), apparently they had opening glass windows. I'll just let that sink in.
December 2, 2024
Absolutely recommend. This is the traditional Robin Hood story with more magic, evil spirits, woodland nonsense, a baby fox! And Marian is a total bad ass.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews