Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rowan Hood #5

Rowan Hood Returns

Rate this book
Guy Longhead. Jasper of the Sinister Hand. Hurst Orricson. Holt, also Orricson, brother of Hurst .To anyone else, just four names. But to Rowan Hood, the gentle healer who has waited two long years to put names to the men who murdered her mother, they are fuel to feed her desire for revenge. And so she leaves the rowan grove that had become her home in Sherwood Forest, and along with her friends, sets off to seek these men. Yet she finds that the closer she draws to them, the farther she feels from the healer she has become.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

8 people are currently reading
710 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Springer

191 books2,346 followers

BIO -- NANCY SPRINGER


Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
261 (30%)
4 stars
296 (34%)
3 stars
235 (27%)
2 stars
49 (5%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Steven Bell.
130 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2016
An underwhelming finish to this series. In short: not a ton happens in this book, relative to its length. In fact, the most interesting part is Etty returning which is a done deal at the beginning of the book.

To some degree I think Rowan's sudden urge for vengeance felt a little out of character for her and it's made worse but not really feel like much came of it (other than Robin finally putting an end to Guy of Gisborn.)

If there were more books I could just write it off as a weak entry but as a finale to the series it feels like one I will forget.
Profile Image for Samantha.
789 reviews9 followers
September 18, 2022
I think this is my favorite of the series. It ties everything together really well, and Rowan's character/emotional arc was handled really well.

I had to take a short break from this series while I waited to get my hands on this final book, but in returning to this story/world, I have to mention something I don't think I've talked about previously. I LOVE the way this author writes about the forest/nature. The names of the various plants/trees/animals just feels so natural and easy, a part of the world rather than some quick research thrown in. I'm a little bit jealous of how easy she makes it look. :P

As for the actual book, I'm glad to have an old character returning, and I also enjoyed how the story unfolded. Rowan's emotional/mental state drove everything, of how the other characters as well as the natural world reacted to her. It was written in an engaging way, even with it being fairly obvious why Rowan had lost her connections (obvious to me as an adult, anyways).

I really enjoyed how the actual revenge side played out. This series has dealt with some dark topics, but Rowan's group has stayed away from actually killing people (unless it couldn't be avoided), so I wasn't sure how the murderers would be brought to justice and where Rowan would end up. However, it's done in the perfect way. I wouldn't change a thing about how it all played out.

Overall, for the series as a whole, it was very different from what I thought I was getting, as I thought it was going to be a bunch of essentially random adventures (and possibly double the length). I wasn't expecting each book to deal with a specific character overcoming their biggest weaknesses. However, each book does a great job at delving into the POV of whichever character is being featured. I was really glad to return to Rowan for this final book, though, her POV my favorite.

Also, while Robin was barely in this book, I just have to reiterate from previous reviews that I LOVE the way he's written in this series. It makes me want a book done from his POV.

As for this book, overall, it's a perfect ending to the series. I loved being back in Rowan's POV and of dealing with the problems that started the series off. I love the writing style, the way the world is described, the way Rowan views the world, her character arc, and just everything about this book. The resolution to the various murderers is satisfying and perfect. Rowan's emotional/mental journey is also perfect.
Profile Image for C.J. Milbrandt.
Author 21 books186 followers
December 29, 2017
Rowan learns the names of the four men who were responsible for her mother's death. So she sets off for her former home in Celandine's Wood, resolved to make them pay.

Crippled legs and crippling anger. Ill omens and ignored counsel. Lost connections and loyal friends. Stubborn courage and senseless violence. While I am glad to be able to complete this series, I struggled to enjoy the final chapter's unfolding. I was excited to return to Rowan's point of view because the first book in this set was the strongest. But Rowan is no longer the plucky child who overcomes every obstacle to win a place in her father's heart. She's melancholy, frustrated, and she's lost herself.

Most of Springer's stories have a wonderful blend of surprise, humor, and suspense. Instead of building a sense of anticipation, Rowan Hood Returns compounds the reader's dread. While the resolution is just and good ... the final pages weren't enough to erase this volume's moodiness. During future rereads of this series, I will likely skip this final chapter.

Memorable characters. I cannot help but ponder where the future might take my favorites ... so they live on in my imagination.
Profile Image for Abigail G.
545 reviews5 followers
June 5, 2018
This book made me sad. I felt like this final book was. the heaviest and dealt with a lot of deep emotions. That is to be expected when dealing with the subject of revenge. I liked that I didn't know how the book was going to end even up to the last few pages. Since it is the last book in the series the author could have ended it in several different ways. I enjoyed that and finished content with the ending.
Profile Image for Elzbeth.
578 reviews
December 21, 2019
My only complaint with this is the same as all my complaints about Nancy Springer: the book moves too fast to really fall in love with these characters. But live them, I do. When Rowan learns the identities of her mother’s killers, she goes on a quest for revenge. When she gives herself over to revenge, she feels like the Forest has abandoned her. I really like this because even though Rowan gets her revenge, everyone ends up okay on a realistic way.
12 reviews
June 8, 2025
A Magnificent Ending to a Stunning Tale

You will not regret reading this series as I did, no matter your age or sense of adventure. Thank you, Nancy, for your gift of writing. So pleased to remember having you in my classroom so many years ago. Hopefully each and every student sensed the importance of the knowledge you shared with them. Adore your books.
2,964 reviews
May 22, 2021
This final installment of Springer's Rowan Hood series has a happy ending and important character development for Rowan. My only complaint is the lack of Robin Hood's presence throughout the novel but I understand why his absence was necessary for Rowan's journey into maturity.
1,352 reviews
May 21, 2018
See the first book in the series for a full review.
35 reviews
April 5, 2021
These books are my soul. Wholesome, beautiful, thematic, fantastical and simplistic. I love every character and you can't help but feel connected to their world through the writing.
680 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2023
Great ending to have Rowan face her trials. I was disappointed she gave the last ring to Robin & not Jasper
Profile Image for Annette Meier.
1,954 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2025
A wonderful ending to the trials and tribulations of being a young outlaw. This was a great series - short audiobooks - nice diversion between heavier things I maybe listening to/reading.
Profile Image for Grace.
279 reviews
May 24, 2012
In this, the final book of the Rowan Hood series, we step back into Rowan’s head and finally find out how she deals with her mother’s murder. Someone from the past** comes back bearing the names of her mother’s murderers, which catapults Rowan into action.

The writing was just as beautiful as normal - not yawningly, descriptively so that kids will lose interest though. I always admired that about Springer’s books. She has some interesting turns of the phrase. The characters were all up to par with what happened in books before and the plot picked up pretty well after having a few books between. It was written in such a way that if you have a iffy memory when it comes to books, or are reading them out of order, then you can figure out what happened without having read the first few books of the series.

My only issue was, well, shouldn’t Rowan be… above this? Sorta? As a healer and the leader (no matter what she says) of the band, you’d think she’d understand revenge a little more. Especially with Rook’s story. He should’ve spoken to her, I felt, and explained what it does to you… But it wrapped up nicely, with a good message for kids in the end, I think. (Revenge = wrong, basically.)

Would I recommend it? I feel rather sappy right now, because this is such a fond childhood book I loved, but I don’t think that it’s so bad I can’t say that I would recommend it because it was good on it’s own and not just according to my memory.

Warnings/heads up/what’s in this book - themes of revenge, with the same semi-darker tone of Wild Boy. Jasper’s character is rather shudder worthy, but I don’t believe it’s too bad. Relatively green light otherwise. There’s also an almost karma like theme in it. To quote some of the wise elf-beings: “The other three killers paid on their own for what they had done; such is the way of mortal life. Evil recoils upon the evildoer. There was no need for you to pursue them. But this one - he has paid with his soul, and against him we cannot help you.” Also, there is mention of “the Lady” like she’s… Mary? Or some goddess? Only a few times, but I feel it is worth mentioning. Otherwise, nothing I can think of.

**Rant: Etty, why did you come back with the names?! I can’t see you agreeing with revenge, so what did you hope to accomplish?! It felt far too neat an excuse for Etty to come back and to push Rowan’s story into movement. But who am I to question how Springer works her plot?

Random: When Rowan lost her ability in the beginning to “speak” or feel the forest around her, she had an angst-y reaction. When trying to explain to the others, and they weren’t getting it…

Rook said, “What you have lost is nothing any of us need to survive. Beau cannot see spirits. I cannot converse with trees. Ettarde cannot find hidden water. Lionel cannot find where his father is.”
Rowan thought about that for a moment, then mumbled, “I see.”
“See what?” Etty asked. “I don’t.”
“That I’m being a crybaby. It is no loss for me to be like the rest of you.”
“But it is a loss! You are part aelfin - “


Back up. Rowan lost her special powers and belly aches about it. Her friends are too good to be true and are oh so understanding when she basically says they’re not special. Aelfin blood or no, it’s still extremely mean hearted and rude after all they’ve gone through! *headdesk* Really, Rowan? That scene made me frown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lanie.
1,055 reviews71 followers
March 30, 2015
"Rowan Hood Returns" the final book in the "Tales of Rowan Hood" Series. I read all these way back in middle school, and I must say, I think this series is my very favorite children's series about Robin Hood. Much better than "hawksmaid" or "Robin's Country." (That one was so bad it made "Keeper of the Grail" look good)

But its not fully a Robin Hood series, is it? Nope, this is all about his daugher, Rowan Hood and her ragtag little band of teen outlaws. :D this book specifically, was about Rowan's journey home to destroy the men who murdered her mother in the beginning of the first book.

Pretty dark for a kids book, but don't fret. :D its no TO dark. Its not just about a young girl going of to slaughter people. Its more about right and wrong and staying true to yourself. And learning that revenge doesn't really pay. (And oh praise the universe and its poetic justice! If you've read the book, you no exactly what I'm talking about.) I'm very glad that in then she didn't actually kill any of them. Sure, she had a "blood right" to kill them. And I personally wouldn't have held it against her. Hell, I would've come up with the most gruesome deaths possible if someone set fire to my mama. >:)

But Rowan didn't. She finally saw sense in the end, and I'm glad for her. Revenge wouldn't have changed anything any way.plus, its a kids book, we must remember. Can't have our brave young hero killing in cold blood, now can we? :)

Over all, it was a lovely tale, and a great ending to the series. I can't wait to find the others titles in the series that I don't have yet so I can enjoy rereading the rest of the story. And the writing! Its just beautiful! Nancy springer's got talent. :D recommended for middle school kids and all fans of my beloved robin hood.
Profile Image for Brooke.
556 reviews28 followers
May 21, 2010
Well. This was the final book in the Rowan Hood series and to be honest... I am not sure I liked how it ended. As most people do, I think the end is the most important thing. A book can be well written and end poorly and you are left feeling usatisfied no matter how much you liked the book while you read it.
I play a musical instrument and let me tell you... if the beginning ofyour performance rocks and then end does too, you can get away with a few mistakes in the middle. Maybe I am alone in this (and don't get me wrong, I want a book to have a great middle) but I feel the same way with books. The middle can have a few plot holes, it can be just okay, it can just move a story along, but if the beginning draws me in and if the end leaves me content, I will, generally speaking, love the book.
So. This book wascute, as were the others. Still don't enjoy this series as much as the Enola Holmes series.
I thought there definitely could have been more character development and that even though this book focused on Rowan in particular it would have been nice to feel the other characters' stories wrap up as well.
Also, call me a hopeless romantic, but I wish there had been a love story. I know Nancy Springer seems to be all about women's empowerment, but I think a really strong woman still deserves love AND that if you are really a strong woman you can still be that WHILE being in love. So. a little disappointed there.

This series is cute and fun and worth the time it takes to read it.
Profile Image for H.
1,500 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2011
I thought this was a nice conclusion, though it didn't seem to fit into the overall story as well as the other ones did. It just seemed like Rowan was too good for something like revenge--like she had matured far beyond that--and like she had gotten over that desire. I may have only thought that because we haven't been in her head for some time, but the overwhelmingness of her desire for it felt really out of character. I was disappointed in her. But I loved the support she got from her friends, even though they disapproved. Lionel was stellar--he's for sure my favorite--and so was Rook, especially now that he smiles.
Profile Image for colleen the convivial curmudgeon.
1,370 reviews309 followers
August 30, 2012
A decent final chapter to the Rowan Hood chapter, though I felt it was both out of character for Rowan (which, admittedly, was sort of the point), a little bit heavy-handed in the moralizing, and also pretty obvious how it would turn out - though this was one of those stories where the journey was truly the important thing.

I kind of wish for more character development... development that felt more organic and less sort of forced. And I'm not sure how I feel about the resolution of the Guy storyline...

But the ultimate ending was full of warm gooshies, if bordering a bit on being a little too twee, and left me feeling content, if not quite ecstatic, with the whole thing.
Profile Image for Sonya.
Author 14 books11 followers
April 20, 2015
I would put this on a shelf for older youth, some of the topics required maturity to understand, although my eight year old loved the adventure.
Nancy Springer continues to draw in the reader to the world of Robin Hood. We all were saddened that this was the last book of the series, for all the characters became our friends, and we wanted them to succeed. The turmoil, inside and outside, brought suspense, and concern.
It wasn't just a fast pace book with a lot of adventure, it was a book about the struggles that are fought within a person's mind as well.

We will look for other of Springer's books.
Profile Image for Liana.
688 reviews36 followers
September 30, 2014
Ohhhh darker than the rest of the books! It wasn't bad. Quite interesting when Rowan couldn't feel the woods anymore, and how she's so gung-ho about revenge - wanting to kill the guys that killed her mother! O_O And y'know what's scary? Like wah, omg, wah, omg, GIRL!!! Big shocker for me for sure, it really made things interesting, especially how Rowan handles it afterwards. :)

Whether you're a fan of Robin Hood or not, this is a great series worth looking at.~
Profile Image for G H.
35 reviews
March 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this last book. I liked how it went back to Rowan and how her whole life was changed by the trap. I thought it was really sad how she wanted revenge so bad. How she changed almost completely because of it. But I was really glad that the real Rowan came back at the end. I also liked how Guy of Gisborn, her archenemy was also one who killed her mother. And how she didn't kill any of them. I was really horrified when she was about to kill the crazy guy and so relieved that she didn't. I would have been really unhappy if she had killed him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kate.
1,262 reviews15 followers
May 21, 2016
A fairly satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable series. I would definitely recommend the series to young readers. I do wish that the books had more substance (especially given the age of the protagonists), because I think that they could have been much longer and explored things more fully. They seem geared at a younger audience than I would have guessed given the age of the characters.

I'm not sure I would have liked this when I was younger, but I had very specific ideas about Robin Hood growing up. I'm glad I finally read the series, because it was a fun, very quick read.
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 127 books298 followers
August 6, 2010
Easy, fun read that could be taken on several levels. Rowan Hood learns who killed her mother and seeks revenge. The quest leads her and a band of friends on a journey to different woods with danger all around. In the end, the young heroine ... well, you can figure the rest out, right?

It's a predictable tale, but satisfying nonetheless. I have not read the other books in the series, but I shall certainly look for them.
Profile Image for Friend of Pixie.
611 reviews27 followers
October 25, 2011
The final book in a series of stories about Rowan Hood, daughter of Robin Hood, with her own outlaw band. We've listened to them all as audio books, in the car. Logan enjoyed the focus returning to Rowan. Although he liked the first book in the series best, which covers how Rowan became an outlaw, this was his second favorite.
Profile Image for Angela.
234 reviews
August 17, 2013
This last story in the Rowan Hood, daughter of Robin Hood series, tells the story of Rowan facing her unresolved feelings about those who caused her mother's death. The adventure was engaging. I even felt for Rowan and her band of outlaws as they returned to her mother's woods.

Sorry to reach the end of the series, however, it was very good while it lasted and ended well.
Profile Image for Amy.
3,051 reviews620 followers
September 22, 2009
lol! When I finished this book, I had to mentally sit myself down and re-tell the tale :D In fact, I seriously had to recall if the two people I invented for the 'next book'were not real characters. But its not as bad as most endings, there are truly a lot of lousy ones out there
Profile Image for Meredith.
2,111 reviews21 followers
January 31, 2010
A really satisfying conclusion to the Rowan Hood series. This book saw the return of Rowan as main character and certain plot lines that had been absent for a while. Not as good as Wild Boy, but i still really loved Rook in this one.
Profile Image for Sarah Tilatitsky.
335 reviews10 followers
December 2, 2010
I was just merley curious for the end, because I have read the other books, and wanted to read the ending. It was good, and I really like it, it's just that I fell too old. Oh, well. Still, it's great for all people, and to really enjoy yourselves, read it by yourselves in a closet or something.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.