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Sherwood Outlaws #1
Outlawed
OUTLANDER meets ROBIN HOOD in the first book in this new trilogy keeping readers up late at night.
Changing history is easy. It's what comes after that's difficult.
Traveling through time to twelfth century England was never on Maryanne Warren's to do list. Not that modern-day life's going so well, but at least her little brother is in it. He's the only reason she's climbed out of bed recently.
To get back to him, she's just got to convince young outcast Robin of Woodhurst to become Robin Hood. It should be simple. A quick trip through time, instigate a carriage robbery or two, then back to life as she knows it.
Yet somehow Rob slips past the walls she's spent years building and makes her care about his cause. She doesn't even want to think about the way his intense stare renders her speechless.
As the time to return home draws closer, she becomes less certain her brother is her future. Perhaps her place is here at Rob's side, as his Lady Marian.
But the magic that sent her here has its own agenda, and Maryanne must decide which of her two lives is the life worth fighting for.
Outlawed is packed full of fast-paced action with a slow-burn romance that fans of Sarah J Maas, Kiera Cass and Marissa Meyer can't get enough of.
Changing history is easy. It's what comes after that's difficult.
Traveling through time to twelfth century England was never on Maryanne Warren's to do list. Not that modern-day life's going so well, but at least her little brother is in it. He's the only reason she's climbed out of bed recently.
To get back to him, she's just got to convince young outcast Robin of Woodhurst to become Robin Hood. It should be simple. A quick trip through time, instigate a carriage robbery or two, then back to life as she knows it.
Yet somehow Rob slips past the walls she's spent years building and makes her care about his cause. She doesn't even want to think about the way his intense stare renders her speechless.
As the time to return home draws closer, she becomes less certain her brother is her future. Perhaps her place is here at Rob's side, as his Lady Marian.
But the magic that sent her here has its own agenda, and Maryanne must decide which of her two lives is the life worth fighting for.
Outlawed is packed full of fast-paced action with a slow-burn romance that fans of Sarah J Maas, Kiera Cass and Marissa Meyer can't get enough of.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2019
282 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Osborn
11 books26 followersHayley Osborn was born in Ashburton, New Zealand. She has worked as a travel agent, receptionist, imports officer and personal assistant.
She started writing after the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch and would rather be writing than almost anything else – especially housework! Her next favorite activity is stretching out in the sun with a good book – something she wishes she had more time for.
She currently lives in Christchurch, NZ with her husband, three children, dog and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 18, 2020
I read every Robin Hood book I can dig up, so I would have gotten to this one eventually, but it jumped ahead of the line with a review that compared it to Outlander. It's not that really at all. But it is a pretty good, well constructed YA take on the concept.
I've been working on a book with that theme for a while now, so I was eager to read this and see what the author came up with. I wanted to *looooove* this book. And there was a lot to like in this story. it's a fresh take on Robin's origins and his backstory is compelling and the rest of the gang are such fun. I had some trouble really connecting with the heroine Maryanne, your typical YA heroine full of spunk and angst and tragic backstory and all you'd expect. She is on a mission, to right the mistakes her time-traveling father had committed and return Robin Hood to being a legendary hero for the ages.
Personally, I've never liked the concept that Marian had to "teach" Robin how to be a hero, to rob from the rich and give to the poor, and such. Usually for that Robin is caught up in games of revenge and battles and needs to be shown the good he can do. Nice thought, and I know love can change and improve a person, but I feel needing to be taught the most basic tenant of Robin Hood's legend -- the altruism and heroic giving -- undercuts the character's intrinsic heroic qualities. I prefer the genuine generosity and compassion come from within Robin. But it can make a decent character arc. And I enjoyed this Robin quite a bit.
There was a lot to like, and I am curious to read the other books in the series.
I've been working on a book with that theme for a while now, so I was eager to read this and see what the author came up with. I wanted to *looooove* this book. And there was a lot to like in this story. it's a fresh take on Robin's origins and his backstory is compelling and the rest of the gang are such fun. I had some trouble really connecting with the heroine Maryanne, your typical YA heroine full of spunk and angst and tragic backstory and all you'd expect. She is on a mission, to right the mistakes her time-traveling father had committed and return Robin Hood to being a legendary hero for the ages.
Personally, I've never liked the concept that Marian had to "teach" Robin how to be a hero, to rob from the rich and give to the poor, and such. Usually for that Robin is caught up in games of revenge and battles and needs to be shown the good he can do. Nice thought, and I know love can change and improve a person, but I feel needing to be taught the most basic tenant of Robin Hood's legend -- the altruism and heroic giving -- undercuts the character's intrinsic heroic qualities. I prefer the genuine generosity and compassion come from within Robin. But it can make a decent character arc. And I enjoyed this Robin quite a bit.
There was a lot to like, and I am curious to read the other books in the series.
September 24, 2019
4.5 ✨
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a Robin Hood retelling, but with a heroine as the main focus. Maryanne is a girl who has to travel back to Robin Hood’s time and make sure he becomes a legend. Although she was sent there against her own will, she ends up becoming part of the legend that surrounds Robin Hood.
From the very beginning, I was completely immersed . I could not stop reading and wanted to know more of Maryanne’s adventure. Her interaction with the other characters made me like her a lot, and for the situation she was in, I say she knew exactly how to deal with them. Traveling back in time is a concept I really like in books. However I do wish there had been a bit more of an explanation of Maryanne’s family time traveling. There were some parts I found quite predictable but didn’t bother me too much.
Overall, I highly recommend this retelling! It is fun and highly entertaining. I can’t wait for Outplayed!
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a Robin Hood retelling, but with a heroine as the main focus. Maryanne is a girl who has to travel back to Robin Hood’s time and make sure he becomes a legend. Although she was sent there against her own will, she ends up becoming part of the legend that surrounds Robin Hood.
From the very beginning, I was completely immersed . I could not stop reading and wanted to know more of Maryanne’s adventure. Her interaction with the other characters made me like her a lot, and for the situation she was in, I say she knew exactly how to deal with them. Traveling back in time is a concept I really like in books. However I do wish there had been a bit more of an explanation of Maryanne’s family time traveling. There were some parts I found quite predictable but didn’t bother me too much.
Overall, I highly recommend this retelling! It is fun and highly entertaining. I can’t wait for Outplayed!
August 3, 2020
Review will follow with the third book
January 20, 2022
4.5/5
I LOVED this book. It was a light fantasy read with time travel. I loved the premise and the main characters chemistry with Rob. It was basically Outlander meets Robin Hood! My only complaint was the ending which was a cliff hanger.
I LOVED this book. It was a light fantasy read with time travel. I loved the premise and the main characters chemistry with Rob. It was basically Outlander meets Robin Hood! My only complaint was the ending which was a cliff hanger.
December 27, 2020
Absolutely brilliant
2020 may have sucked, but (most of) the books I've found during these 12 months have become some of my absolute favourites - Outlawed *definitely* goes on the loved list!!
Well, except for the major cliffhanger ending. I didn't love that. 🤐
It was Lost In Austen (but this main character wasn't an idiot and knew what she was doing) meets Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic meets Robin Hood and I cannot think of a better combination!
I loved the settings, details, characters, and personalities. I never once hated the MC, which is rare for me as I'm very picky!
I also loved that this takes place over a month; it was nice to know characters had time to get to know each other a bit better.
And I'm cool with fictional violence, especially when it's historical accurate/necessary and not obscene, so the level of violence in this book was perfect for me.
Overall with the content it felt targeted to the older side of YA - which is right up my alley as a young at heart 25yo! :D
My only complaint is that occasionally sentences were complicating to read, or could have used another go-over with editing.
And then there's one time when a character calls another by a name they don't know to use yet... But I couldn't tell if that was deliberate.
I've spent too much on books already this year, but heck yes will I be buying the remaining books in this series as well! I'll be desperately hoping I can read about a happy ending even if living one has become difficult.
2020 may have sucked, but (most of) the books I've found during these 12 months have become some of my absolute favourites - Outlawed *definitely* goes on the loved list!!
Well, except for the major cliffhanger ending. I didn't love that. 🤐
It was Lost In Austen (but this main character wasn't an idiot and knew what she was doing) meets Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic meets Robin Hood and I cannot think of a better combination!
I loved the settings, details, characters, and personalities. I never once hated the MC, which is rare for me as I'm very picky!
I also loved that this takes place over a month; it was nice to know characters had time to get to know each other a bit better.
And I'm cool with fictional violence, especially when it's historical accurate/necessary and not obscene, so the level of violence in this book was perfect for me.
Overall with the content it felt targeted to the older side of YA - which is right up my alley as a young at heart 25yo! :D
My only complaint is that occasionally sentences were complicating to read, or could have used another go-over with editing.
And then there's one time when a character calls another by a name they don't know to use yet... But I couldn't tell if that was deliberate.
I've spent too much on books already this year, but heck yes will I be buying the remaining books in this series as well! I'll be desperately hoping I can read about a happy ending even if living one has become difficult.
January 5, 2021
Don't judge a book by its cover...
...which I did, and now I regret the money I wasted. This book is a hot, wretched mess. Don't even for one second believe it is ANYTHING like Outlander or that it will meet even the lowest expectations that Robin Hood fans hold on to.
What is it about?
Um, let's see. This is a story about a snarky, upset teen who only wears black and pants and abhors the idea of a wearing a period-correct outfit, even if said period-correct outfit will save her life.
Setting
Hold onto your hat; there isn't one! You just made a jump through time to several hundred years in England's past, but it isn't remarkable enough to comment on. And all Maryanne can do about it is be a bitch about having to wear a dress. She would rather strip some dead guy of his sweaty, lice-filled clothing than wear a freaking dress! That aside, I have no idea where Nottingham is in relation to Sherwood Forest, how big the forest is, what the trees look like, etc. The characters spend 95% of the book in "camp" and I don't know what this camp is supposed to look like. Everyone and everything (JK, there aren't any things in this book) is floating around in a void. It doesn't help that the story is mostly dialogue. And the dialogue just small talk that goes around and around and around.
Is there character growth?
Possibly. It is difficult to pin down the goal in this novel. Maryanne fluctuates between what she wants/doesn't want/doesn't know she wants/doesn't know she doesn't want. It is very tiring as a reader to keep track of all these moods that follow a very insular pattern. I liked Maryanne best at the end when she finally overcame her aversion of dresses to get something done. If that counts as character growth, then she gets a pat on the back. Otherwise, Maud/Marian/Maryanne/whoever you are...you need a personality.
What is it that makes this book even related to Robin Hood?
-They rob a carriage once
-They live in the woods
-They use bows and arrows
That could be anyone!
Some of the characters are familiar, others are not. The inconsistency feels like an obstacle.
Rob: Obviously, RH
Guy of Gisborne: exactly the same
John: Little John, I assume
Miller: probably Much
Michael: to the best of my knowledge, I never hear of a Michael in RH
Maryanne: some skewed parallel to Marian
This was the most difficult point of the book to grasp. Why is there a Maryanne, Marian, and Maud? The answer is never made clear, and it just gets distracting.
Then we get Tabitha, Eliza, and Nessa, who are related to the very vague time travel element in this story but there is very little information about them. Why are they there at all? To add to the confusion?
Other Concerns:
-sentence structure is awkward at times
-multiple spelling typos and run-on sentences
-entire story is dialogue
-The body of this book is not about plot. It's the typical cheesy drama: "He loves me...he loves me not..."
Would I read this again? No.
Am I going to read the sequels? Definitely NOT.
Read this book if this sounds exciting to you:
M goes for a swim because she feels gross. M is concerned about Rob seeing her lacy black bra that isn't at all too girly but wearing a blue dress is. Rob comes. Turn your back. I'm naked. Rob turns his back. M throws soap onto bank. R throws clothes onto bank. M gets out. R gets in. R splashes around. There's no danger. M gets in. Don't get too close. Wow, he's hot. Don't get too close.
...which I did, and now I regret the money I wasted. This book is a hot, wretched mess. Don't even for one second believe it is ANYTHING like Outlander or that it will meet even the lowest expectations that Robin Hood fans hold on to.
What is it about?
Um, let's see. This is a story about a snarky, upset teen who only wears black and pants and abhors the idea of a wearing a period-correct outfit, even if said period-correct outfit will save her life.
Setting
Hold onto your hat; there isn't one! You just made a jump through time to several hundred years in England's past, but it isn't remarkable enough to comment on. And all Maryanne can do about it is be a bitch about having to wear a dress. She would rather strip some dead guy of his sweaty, lice-filled clothing than wear a freaking dress! That aside, I have no idea where Nottingham is in relation to Sherwood Forest, how big the forest is, what the trees look like, etc. The characters spend 95% of the book in "camp" and I don't know what this camp is supposed to look like. Everyone and everything (JK, there aren't any things in this book) is floating around in a void. It doesn't help that the story is mostly dialogue. And the dialogue just small talk that goes around and around and around.
Is there character growth?
Possibly. It is difficult to pin down the goal in this novel. Maryanne fluctuates between what she wants/doesn't want/doesn't know she wants/doesn't know she doesn't want. It is very tiring as a reader to keep track of all these moods that follow a very insular pattern. I liked Maryanne best at the end when she finally overcame her aversion of dresses to get something done. If that counts as character growth, then she gets a pat on the back. Otherwise, Maud/Marian/Maryanne/whoever you are...you need a personality.
What is it that makes this book even related to Robin Hood?
-They rob a carriage once
-They live in the woods
-They use bows and arrows
That could be anyone!
Some of the characters are familiar, others are not. The inconsistency feels like an obstacle.
Rob: Obviously, RH
Guy of Gisborne: exactly the same
John: Little John, I assume
Miller: probably Much
Michael: to the best of my knowledge, I never hear of a Michael in RH
Maryanne: some skewed parallel to Marian
This was the most difficult point of the book to grasp. Why is there a Maryanne, Marian, and Maud? The answer is never made clear, and it just gets distracting.
Then we get Tabitha, Eliza, and Nessa, who are related to the very vague time travel element in this story but there is very little information about them. Why are they there at all? To add to the confusion?
Other Concerns:
-sentence structure is awkward at times
-multiple spelling typos and run-on sentences
-entire story is dialogue
-The body of this book is not about plot. It's the typical cheesy drama: "He loves me...he loves me not..."
Would I read this again? No.
Am I going to read the sequels? Definitely NOT.
Read this book if this sounds exciting to you:
M goes for a swim because she feels gross. M is concerned about Rob seeing her lacy black bra that isn't at all too girly but wearing a blue dress is. Rob comes. Turn your back. I'm naked. Rob turns his back. M throws soap onto bank. R throws clothes onto bank. M gets out. R gets in. R splashes around. There's no danger. M gets in. Don't get too close. Wow, he's hot. Don't get too close.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2020
Terrible mix of modern story and Middle Ages setting
Don’t ask me to believe a teenager from the 21st century can travel back in time and fit right in to the 12th century, with 800 years of evolving attitudes, behaviours, values, beliefs and language.
An author who wrote with more skill and thought could have managed it (I have read other time travel novels which provide a reasonable explanation). This author didn’t even try. The main character pops out into a village, fits in to the 12th century as if she were born there and Bob’s your uncle. Even when she is pretending to be a lady whilst running around in pants and shooting deer with a bow, no one blinks an eye. It was appalling.
The only reason I’m giving it 3 stars is because the bones of a good story were there and I did finish it, although I was rewriting it in my head and trying to fix some of the gaping historical and plot errors as I went along (it wouldn’t have taken much!). The romance was also surprisingly sensual and sweet. However, I that wasn’t enough by itself and I won’t be reading the rest of the series. Nothing more jarring than being thrown out of a story by a plot hole or historical inaccuracy the size of a moon crater!
Don’t ask me to believe a teenager from the 21st century can travel back in time and fit right in to the 12th century, with 800 years of evolving attitudes, behaviours, values, beliefs and language.
An author who wrote with more skill and thought could have managed it (I have read other time travel novels which provide a reasonable explanation). This author didn’t even try. The main character pops out into a village, fits in to the 12th century as if she were born there and Bob’s your uncle. Even when she is pretending to be a lady whilst running around in pants and shooting deer with a bow, no one blinks an eye. It was appalling.
The only reason I’m giving it 3 stars is because the bones of a good story were there and I did finish it, although I was rewriting it in my head and trying to fix some of the gaping historical and plot errors as I went along (it wouldn’t have taken much!). The romance was also surprisingly sensual and sweet. However, I that wasn’t enough by itself and I won’t be reading the rest of the series. Nothing more jarring than being thrown out of a story by a plot hole or historical inaccuracy the size of a moon crater!
March 4, 2021
Would you look at that, another Robin Hood book. Seriously, If GoodReads suggest one there's a very--okay, extremely high chance I'll look into it and then read it.
Publication: August 12th 2019
Synopsis: Changing history is easy. It’s what comes after that’s difficult.
Travelling through time to twelfth century England was never on Maryanne Warren’s to do list. Not that modern-day life’s going so well, but at least her little brother is in it. He’s the only reason she’s climbed out of bed recently.
To get back to him, she’s just got to convince young outcast Robin of Woodhurst to become Robin Hood.
It should be simple. A quick trip through time, instigate a carriage robbery or two, then back to life as she knows it.
But somehow Rob slips past the walls she’s spent years building and makes her care about his cause. She doesn’t even want to think about the way his intense stare renders her speechless.
As the time to return home draws closer, she becomes less certain her brother is her future. Perhaps her place is here at Rob’s side, as his Lady Marian.
But the magic that sent her here has its own agenda, and Maryanne must decide which of her two lives is the life worth fighting for.
Review/Thoughts: In case you haven't already noticed, I love Robin Hood stories and this sounded neat in a way. I will admit I was a little skeptical about the time traveling bit, but the idea that Robin Hood originally had his mind set on revenge and someone had to come along to nudge him and shape him into the legend he is...now that's an interesting idea.
Maryanne comes from a family of time travelers, who possess the ability to travel through time, but there's a catch. They can travel to a destination and come back again, but they can only do it once in their life. You'd want your trip to be a place of your choosing, some time and place you'd desperately wanted to visit. Well, Maryanne never wanted to use her trip to travel to the 12th century and set Robin Hood on his correct path. She didn't have a say in her trip. Her dad chose it for her so she could right a mistake he made. To add to it all she and him don't have the best relationship, and the fact that she doesn't want to go and him not listening only adds to it. I admire how independent she is and the walls she built around herself make sense after everything that's happened to her. I liked seeing her soften around Rob and his gang. It truly showed she doesn't typically do friendships, and because of the walls she built around herself, she doesn't really know how to build friendships. She does build them but it takes a bit for all the kinks to be worked out. I expected her and Rob to have a thing or end up together I expected something, but it felt rushed! Maryanne's side of things definitely did. Now, because she bares a strong, uncanny resemblance to Lady Maud from Rob's time I can understand his side a little better but over all, them liking each other felt way to rushed. By the end of the book it felt right and I liked it there, so it grew on me over time but the start to it felt very rushed and felt like that was supposed to be the main spotlight instead of getting Robin Hood onto the right path.
I loved this version of Robin Hood. In the beginning he's cold and shut off like he's annoyed with the very world around him. We learn real quick this is a very different Robin Hood than most. You end up finding out why he acts that way though, and as he pursues the course of robing from the rich to give to the poor you see him change and grow into the legendary Robin Hood he's known as. Him entering the tournament was different, but that's not a bad thing. We always see it from Rob's eyes. Him sneaking it, him focusing down his shots and splitting the arrow. This time it was seen through Maryanne's eyes, and I liked that changed. My favorite part out of the whole book took place on Page 397. Rob's little speech about how grateful he is that he met Maryanne was so perfect and it was just at the right place too. I had to read it more than once. I adored how Rob stood and fought back every time Gisborne threatened or hurt Maryanne. It felt very Robin Hood like to me, and despite all his bitterness he held all pent up he'd never want to see Maryanne be hurt.
So, over all I truly did enjoy this take on Robin Hood. The only thing I didn't really like is how fast Maryanne fell for Rob. I felt like that was rushed and that it needed to be the center spotlight over the true goal of the story. Oh, and that ending. Like c'mon! I'm fine. I just need the second book that's all.
~Till the next Chapter~
You can also find me on:
WordPress: https://wordpress.com/view/areaderswo...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shylas_sher...
Publication: August 12th 2019
Synopsis: Changing history is easy. It’s what comes after that’s difficult.
Travelling through time to twelfth century England was never on Maryanne Warren’s to do list. Not that modern-day life’s going so well, but at least her little brother is in it. He’s the only reason she’s climbed out of bed recently.
To get back to him, she’s just got to convince young outcast Robin of Woodhurst to become Robin Hood.
It should be simple. A quick trip through time, instigate a carriage robbery or two, then back to life as she knows it.
But somehow Rob slips past the walls she’s spent years building and makes her care about his cause. She doesn’t even want to think about the way his intense stare renders her speechless.
As the time to return home draws closer, she becomes less certain her brother is her future. Perhaps her place is here at Rob’s side, as his Lady Marian.
But the magic that sent her here has its own agenda, and Maryanne must decide which of her two lives is the life worth fighting for.
Review/Thoughts: In case you haven't already noticed, I love Robin Hood stories and this sounded neat in a way. I will admit I was a little skeptical about the time traveling bit, but the idea that Robin Hood originally had his mind set on revenge and someone had to come along to nudge him and shape him into the legend he is...now that's an interesting idea.
Maryanne comes from a family of time travelers, who possess the ability to travel through time, but there's a catch. They can travel to a destination and come back again, but they can only do it once in their life. You'd want your trip to be a place of your choosing, some time and place you'd desperately wanted to visit. Well, Maryanne never wanted to use her trip to travel to the 12th century and set Robin Hood on his correct path. She didn't have a say in her trip. Her dad chose it for her so she could right a mistake he made. To add to it all she and him don't have the best relationship, and the fact that she doesn't want to go and him not listening only adds to it. I admire how independent she is and the walls she built around herself make sense after everything that's happened to her. I liked seeing her soften around Rob and his gang. It truly showed she doesn't typically do friendships, and because of the walls she built around herself, she doesn't really know how to build friendships. She does build them but it takes a bit for all the kinks to be worked out. I expected her and Rob to have a thing or end up together I expected something, but it felt rushed! Maryanne's side of things definitely did. Now, because she bares a strong, uncanny resemblance to Lady Maud from Rob's time I can understand his side a little better but over all, them liking each other felt way to rushed. By the end of the book it felt right and I liked it there, so it grew on me over time but the start to it felt very rushed and felt like that was supposed to be the main spotlight instead of getting Robin Hood onto the right path.
I loved this version of Robin Hood. In the beginning he's cold and shut off like he's annoyed with the very world around him. We learn real quick this is a very different Robin Hood than most. You end up finding out why he acts that way though, and as he pursues the course of robing from the rich to give to the poor you see him change and grow into the legendary Robin Hood he's known as. Him entering the tournament was different, but that's not a bad thing. We always see it from Rob's eyes. Him sneaking it, him focusing down his shots and splitting the arrow. This time it was seen through Maryanne's eyes, and I liked that changed. My favorite part out of the whole book took place on Page 397. Rob's little speech about how grateful he is that he met Maryanne was so perfect and it was just at the right place too. I had to read it more than once. I adored how Rob stood and fought back every time Gisborne threatened or hurt Maryanne. It felt very Robin Hood like to me, and despite all his bitterness he held all pent up he'd never want to see Maryanne be hurt.
So, over all I truly did enjoy this take on Robin Hood. The only thing I didn't really like is how fast Maryanne fell for Rob. I felt like that was rushed and that it needed to be the center spotlight over the true goal of the story. Oh, and that ending. Like c'mon! I'm fine. I just need the second book that's all.
~Till the next Chapter~
You can also find me on:
WordPress: https://wordpress.com/view/areaderswo...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shylas_sher...
March 4, 2020
>Book Review – Outlawed
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Sherwood Outlaws series and ends in a cliffhanger. Maryanne’s family is able to time travel, but only one trip back and forth in a lifetime. Maryanne’s backstory is really sad. We don’t find out exactly why at first, but her family treats her very poorly. Maryanne’s family ignores her. She even eats alone in her room each night. She seems to only be loved by her blind little brother. True to character, her father forced her to time travel back to the time of Robin Hood. It is important to her father to make sure Robin becomes the hero he should be, instead of the killer he is in their history.
>Maryanne seems to be the twin to someone in the past, Lady Maud. This Maud caused issues between Robin and his evil brother. Maryanne has trouble getting Robin and his friends to trust him because they all did not trust Maud. Time travel is not something people believe in, so she can’t tell the truth as to how she came to be in the forest. She does know how Robin Hood should rob the rich and give to the poor. It is fun watching her teach the boys how to steal. The other friends of Robin are pretty well developed with interesting personalities.
>I loved the slow burn romantic pull between Robin and Maryanne. Maryanne kept wanting to go back to the Big Tree throughout the book. The gang would travel far, taking over a few nights, but then take, like no time at all to keep returning to the Big Tree for Maryanne whenever she asked. The story has a very ‘G’ rated romance , but very violent descriptions. Slowly we begin to understand why Maryanne has an aversion to the bow and arrow, even though it is obvious she can use one.
>This book is appropriate for a young adult (18+) audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. The story is a unique retelling of a popular tale.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Sherwood Outlaws series and ends in a cliffhanger. Maryanne’s family is able to time travel, but only one trip back and forth in a lifetime. Maryanne’s backstory is really sad. We don’t find out exactly why at first, but her family treats her very poorly. Maryanne’s family ignores her. She even eats alone in her room each night. She seems to only be loved by her blind little brother. True to character, her father forced her to time travel back to the time of Robin Hood. It is important to her father to make sure Robin becomes the hero he should be, instead of the killer he is in their history.
>Maryanne seems to be the twin to someone in the past, Lady Maud. This Maud caused issues between Robin and his evil brother. Maryanne has trouble getting Robin and his friends to trust him because they all did not trust Maud. Time travel is not something people believe in, so she can’t tell the truth as to how she came to be in the forest. She does know how Robin Hood should rob the rich and give to the poor. It is fun watching her teach the boys how to steal. The other friends of Robin are pretty well developed with interesting personalities.
>I loved the slow burn romantic pull between Robin and Maryanne. Maryanne kept wanting to go back to the Big Tree throughout the book. The gang would travel far, taking over a few nights, but then take, like no time at all to keep returning to the Big Tree for Maryanne whenever she asked. The story has a very ‘G’ rated romance , but very violent descriptions. Slowly we begin to understand why Maryanne has an aversion to the bow and arrow, even though it is obvious she can use one.
>This book is appropriate for a young adult (18+) audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. The story is a unique retelling of a popular tale.
May 6, 2021
Typical teen romance
Overall, if I'd read this when I was younger (13-16) I may have actually enjoyed it a lot more, but I just couldn't get myself to like it.
The characters felt very one dimensional, the plot ran in circles, and while not an awful book, definitely not the best.
Not a lot happens. Even the actual fight scenes come off as bland and anticlimactic.
Here you have a twenty-first century girl, Maryanne, who comes from a long line of people who can inexplicably travel through time (but only one round trip per person). She is forcefully sent back in time, by her father, to mend his mistakes from his previous trip through time. In which he completely mucked everything up, got somebody killed, and ended up rewriting the legend of Robin Hood- to the point that the band of merry men in tights, became a band of mass murderers.
So, here comes Maryanne, reluctant heroine, who's totally here to help. Totally.
And by that I mean, she mentions once that Robin should rob from the rich to give to the poor, and everyone is immediately like, "Yeah, okay, that's brilliant." And just goes with it.
And the rOMANCE.
Honestly. Like I get it, it's a teen romance; but the second hand embarrassment I got from their interactions almost killed me.
Also, if you didn't get the idea that her father is kind of awful here's a little spoiler for you,
Anyway, totally predictable and kinda boring, but for a young teen I'm sure they'll like it.
Overall, if I'd read this when I was younger (13-16) I may have actually enjoyed it a lot more, but I just couldn't get myself to like it.
The characters felt very one dimensional, the plot ran in circles, and while not an awful book, definitely not the best.
Not a lot happens. Even the actual fight scenes come off as bland and anticlimactic.
Here you have a twenty-first century girl, Maryanne, who comes from a long line of people who can inexplicably travel through time (but only one round trip per person). She is forcefully sent back in time, by her father, to mend his mistakes from his previous trip through time. In which he completely mucked everything up, got somebody killed, and ended up rewriting the legend of Robin Hood- to the point that the band of merry men in tights, became a band of mass murderers.
So, here comes Maryanne, reluctant heroine, who's totally here to help. Totally.
And by that I mean, she mentions once that Robin should rob from the rich to give to the poor, and everyone is immediately like, "Yeah, okay, that's brilliant." And just goes with it.
And the rOMANCE.
Honestly. Like I get it, it's a teen romance; but the second hand embarrassment I got from their interactions almost killed me.
Also, if you didn't get the idea that her father is kind of awful here's a little spoiler for you,
Anyway, totally predictable and kinda boring, but for a young teen I'm sure they'll like it.
March 20, 2022
He didn’t care that he was sending me back to a time when just surviving the day was a battle. He didn’t care that I might die alone with a sword through my neck because I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn’t care, so long as I fixed his damn mistake. I had no interest in his stupid mistake. I just wanted to stay with my family. I wanted to be in a place I was loved, even if I wasn’t loved by him.
I can't wait to see where this goes.
I felt like this book was more lead up than anything. It was really enjoyable, but there were definitely points where it dragged. I felt like a lot of the of the book was spent talking about how no one trusted Maryanne, and how she really missed her brother, and while I understand that it was needed to build up tension in regards to the end of the book, I still felt like about 100 pages of that could have been cut out and reached the same effect.
I'm curious to see what happens in the next two - I don't know much of Robin Hood legends, outside of the Disney movie, and I feel like that has been completely covered here. I'm also very curious to see what the repercussions of Robin killing Guy will be. Also, seeing how Maryanne travels back in time. I also really hope that some more of the classic Robin Hood characters are introduced - like the bard character.
I can't wait to see where this goes.
I felt like this book was more lead up than anything. It was really enjoyable, but there were definitely points where it dragged. I felt like a lot of the of the book was spent talking about how no one trusted Maryanne, and how she really missed her brother, and while I understand that it was needed to build up tension in regards to the end of the book, I still felt like about 100 pages of that could have been cut out and reached the same effect.
I'm curious to see what happens in the next two - I don't know much of Robin Hood legends, outside of the Disney movie, and I feel like that has been completely covered here. I'm also very curious to see what the repercussions of Robin killing Guy will be. Also, seeing how Maryanne travels back in time. I also really hope that some more of the classic Robin Hood characters are introduced - like the bard character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2021
I have to admit something that will label me forever. I am the kind of person who jumps to the end of a book to see the ending. Yup, that's me. I become so emotionally involved in stories, that if something in the story gives rise to emotions that will send me into a weeklong depression after finishing, I try to determine the possibility and prevent the worst case scenario.
That being said, I never finished this story. Something about the progression had me running interference. In this case, it included reading reader reviews about the books to follow. Hence, I did not finish more than half of the book. With this in mind, I admit the story is unique and a really good idea. It began brilliantly with enough mystery, excitement, and confusion to keep me reading. I enjoyed the characters and the scene. This is about the most I can say since I quit halfway through.
That being said, I never finished this story. Something about the progression had me running interference. In this case, it included reading reader reviews about the books to follow. Hence, I did not finish more than half of the book. With this in mind, I admit the story is unique and a really good idea. It began brilliantly with enough mystery, excitement, and confusion to keep me reading. I enjoyed the characters and the scene. This is about the most I can say since I quit halfway through.
July 26, 2021
Outlander but with Robin Hood
First of all, someone needs to fix the first half of this book. Different fonts and font colors... It was incredibly annoying. Now as for the story itself, it was a little too childish for me. Convenience for convenience sake. She didn't want to put in the extra effort to develop her plot and find real solutions to the problems her story created. Now if you don't really care about a proper plot, or grammar, or spelling, then you may enjoy this book. It's a quick read, great for teens as there is very little gore and PG-13 romance. Personally, I prefer kids and teen books that are well written and edited... Two point five out of five stars to Outlawed.
First of all, someone needs to fix the first half of this book. Different fonts and font colors... It was incredibly annoying. Now as for the story itself, it was a little too childish for me. Convenience for convenience sake. She didn't want to put in the extra effort to develop her plot and find real solutions to the problems her story created. Now if you don't really care about a proper plot, or grammar, or spelling, then you may enjoy this book. It's a quick read, great for teens as there is very little gore and PG-13 romance. Personally, I prefer kids and teen books that are well written and edited... Two point five out of five stars to Outlawed.
November 25, 2020
“Expectations are the root of all disappointment.”
I love Robin Hood! Every adaptation is wonderful, including this one. Maryanne is forced through time to right a wrong and make Robin Hood the hero he was always meant to be. This is a really interesting twist on the tale and Maryanne’s mistaken identity with Maud made for a fun plot twist. I really enjoyed Robin, Tuck, Miller, and John. They were great versions of the original beloved characters. The story moved very quickly. Don’t expect a lot of build up at the beginning or throughout the story. It’s quick but a good story. I’m so glad it’s a series so I can experience more of the world in Sherwood Forest.
I love Robin Hood! Every adaptation is wonderful, including this one. Maryanne is forced through time to right a wrong and make Robin Hood the hero he was always meant to be. This is a really interesting twist on the tale and Maryanne’s mistaken identity with Maud made for a fun plot twist. I really enjoyed Robin, Tuck, Miller, and John. They were great versions of the original beloved characters. The story moved very quickly. Don’t expect a lot of build up at the beginning or throughout the story. It’s quick but a good story. I’m so glad it’s a series so I can experience more of the world in Sherwood Forest.
Read
October 15, 2021I thought that this book was well written. From the beginning, I was immersed in the book. The way the story is told, and I don't read many first-person POV novels, makes you want to continue reading, makes you wanting more. I loved the interactions between the characters, loved that the main character didn't get along with every single person in Rob's group. I felt like they were all real.
I think my two biggest complaints, though, are that the novel wasn't long enough and I wish there had been a bit more explanation about the whole family time travel thing they had going on.
I think my two biggest complaints, though, are that the novel wasn't long enough and I wish there had been a bit more explanation about the whole family time travel thing they had going on.
March 1, 2020
Amazing! Hayley Osborne pulls you over 800 years into the past where we meet “Henry” and the journey begins! This book is entrancing, it has humor, drama, romance, and you feel as if you are in Sherwood Forest! This book also leads you into several mysteries, where some are solved and others remain to be solved! The book also deals with guilt and learning how to work through it. I can’t say enough things about this novel.
June 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book about a girl forced to go back in time to make a hero, a rogue bandit trying to get his revenge, and a kingdom suffering under the hand of a brutal tyrant. This book had it all: relatable characters, lots of action and a great romance. Hayley Osborn’s way of creating complex characters did not disappoint and her writing style was also very good. Outlawed was a fun read, a story about a girl on a mission she didn’t want, and the man she never expected to love.
September 12, 2021
Wow! I loved this! I’m fact, I’ve just gone and purchased book two as well.
A twist on a Robin Hood tale, Outlawed tells an interesting tale about overcoming guilt, righting wrongs, and believing in yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters and watching Maryanne navigate her way through a time 800 years in the past.
It’s a fantastic premise for a story, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
A twist on a Robin Hood tale, Outlawed tells an interesting tale about overcoming guilt, righting wrongs, and believing in yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters and watching Maryanne navigate her way through a time 800 years in the past.
It’s a fantastic premise for a story, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
December 8, 2021
Could MaryAnne be Maid Marian?
In this first installment of the Robinhood retelling, we discover how MaryAnne was sent back through time to correct a wrong instigated by MaryAnne’s father when he had time travelled himself in years past. She didn’t want to go but was forced to so what will happen after MaryAnne completes her assigned tasks? Will she stay or will she go or does she even have a choice?
In this first installment of the Robinhood retelling, we discover how MaryAnne was sent back through time to correct a wrong instigated by MaryAnne’s father when he had time travelled himself in years past. She didn’t want to go but was forced to so what will happen after MaryAnne completes her assigned tasks? Will she stay or will she go or does she even have a choice?
October 8, 2020
Could have been better
It was a fun read and completely unexpected. I got it for free on prime and I must say the first half was great. I feel like the back half made marysnne so whiny and weak and the ending was dumb but I’m still curious enough to read the next book. It is about Robin Hood after all.
It was a fun read and completely unexpected. I got it for free on prime and I must say the first half was great. I feel like the back half made marysnne so whiny and weak and the ending was dumb but I’m still curious enough to read the next book. It is about Robin Hood after all.
June 18, 2021
Fantastic.
Oh my Lord. This was a fantastic novel of Robin Hood’s origin story. I absolutely loved this fast paced novel. Maryanne was a lovely character and Rob was so realistic.
I have always loved the legend of Robin Hood, and the author did an amazing job bringing this version to life. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Oh my Lord. This was a fantastic novel of Robin Hood’s origin story. I absolutely loved this fast paced novel. Maryanne was a lovely character and Rob was so realistic.
I have always loved the legend of Robin Hood, and the author did an amazing job bringing this version to life. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
August 23, 2021
Had this been more wrapped up of an ending and not a cliff hanger, I would have given it 4 stars. But I absolutely can't stand cliff hangers as they give me too much anxiety! Putting that aside though, this was a neat retelling of Robin Hood, though the romance was a little too up and down for me at times and the side characters didn't have much depth to them.
October 28, 2022
Robin Hood out for Revenge
Maryanne is sent back in time by her father to fix a wrong he had committed. Guilted by an accident that had happened, she is unable to pick up a bow and defend herself. She must make Rob into the hero he is meant to be instead of the villian she knows. She can only go home once this is complete.
Such a good retelling. Love it!!
Maryanne is sent back in time by her father to fix a wrong he had committed. Guilted by an accident that had happened, she is unable to pick up a bow and defend herself. She must make Rob into the hero he is meant to be instead of the villian she knows. She can only go home once this is complete.
Such a good retelling. Love it!!
April 4, 2020
Wow
I’ve read a lot of retelling of favorite stories and this one was the most captivating. I love the idea of time travel and the play on names. I can’t wait to see where the story is taken, because it left me wanting more.
I’ve read a lot of retelling of favorite stories and this one was the most captivating. I love the idea of time travel and the play on names. I can’t wait to see where the story is taken, because it left me wanting more.
June 17, 2020
Horrible hH
I only made it to 46% of this book. The storyline was weak. The h was immature and unlikable. The writing was passable but wasn't able to draw me into the storyline. The h was also unbearably stupid. I started rooting for the bad guy and knew it was time to move on.
I only made it to 46% of this book. The storyline was weak. The h was immature and unlikable. The writing was passable but wasn't able to draw me into the storyline. The h was also unbearably stupid. I started rooting for the bad guy and knew it was time to move on.
November 9, 2020
I tend to be suspicious of time travel plot lines, but this one sidesteps most of those issues quite neatly. Maryanne is smart and bold and an easy protagonist to follow. Rob and Grismore feel distinct, and the soon-to-be Merry Men are bros.
November 14, 2021
What a great reimagining of the tale of Robin Hood. I loved every minute of it and I was so glad to hear that it was a continuing series at the end of the book. It kept my attention and the author did a great job with creating multidimensional characters that urged you to connect with them throughout the story ! Great read.
did-not-finish
May 11, 2023DNF
I think I might have enjoyed this when I was younger (like middle school early high school age) but I couldn’t get into it. Honestly the thing that bugged me the most was the dialogue—they are in the 1100s for heavens sake—why is Robin Hood speaking like he is from 21st century?
I think I might have enjoyed this when I was younger (like middle school early high school age) but I couldn’t get into it. Honestly the thing that bugged me the most was the dialogue—they are in the 1100s for heavens sake—why is Robin Hood speaking like he is from 21st century?
January 9, 2020
Fun retelling of the Robin Hood legend, with a bit of the feel of Outlander (i.e., time traveling main character). Will read the next in the series.
February 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but I loved the characters and i think I'll definitely be reading the next installment.
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