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King Raven #2
Scarlet
With the Normans threatening to overrun Wales, forester Will Scarlet is being sentenced to die for a crime he didn't commit unless he betrays King Raven and his followers, and Bran ap Brychan makes a secret voyage to France to uncover a plot against the king.
443 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2007
274 people are currently reading
4924 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Lawhead
102 books2,744 followersStephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 617 reviews
September 28, 2010
With this volume, Lawhead continues his deft re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend, set in the Welsh Marches of the late 1000s. There's no "second-book-in-the-trilogy" slump here; the story arc moves steadily forward, and the telling is suspenseful and well-paced. All of the general comments from my review of the series opener, Hood, would apply here as well. This is both solidly-researched historical fiction and adventure fiction set against a sharply defined conflict of good vs. evil, justice vs. injustice. For the reader, it offers excitement, danger, disguise and subterfuge, and chaste romance --and what Robin Hood re-telling would be complete without an archery contest for life-or-death stakes? :-) (This one, moreover, has a unique twist.)
Himself an evangelical Christian, Lawhead's own faith is reflected in the sympathetic treatment of the simple faith of his good characters, who try to live kind and virtuous lives, trust God in difficult circumstances, and give thanks for whatever blessings they enjoy; their expressions of individual and common worship in places are (to me) genuinely moving. Of course, the author is also well aware that in this world (then and now) prostituted religion can be used as a prop for oppression and a cloak for the unbridled pursuit of selfish wealth and power; and he depicts that sorry reality unflinchingly as well. (Abbot Hugo's picture could go next to a dictionary definition of that kind of perverted "Christianity.") The juxtaposition of the genuine and the false serves here to clarify the contrast, and make the former shine more brightly.
So, if morally and socially conscious historical fiction with action and characters you care about is your reading pleasure, come along and join King Raven's "flock" in the greenwood --you won't be sorry! I'm champing at the bit to begin the concluding volume, Tuck.
Himself an evangelical Christian, Lawhead's own faith is reflected in the sympathetic treatment of the simple faith of his good characters, who try to live kind and virtuous lives, trust God in difficult circumstances, and give thanks for whatever blessings they enjoy; their expressions of individual and common worship in places are (to me) genuinely moving. Of course, the author is also well aware that in this world (then and now) prostituted religion can be used as a prop for oppression and a cloak for the unbridled pursuit of selfish wealth and power; and he depicts that sorry reality unflinchingly as well. (Abbot Hugo's picture could go next to a dictionary definition of that kind of perverted "Christianity.") The juxtaposition of the genuine and the false serves here to clarify the contrast, and make the former shine more brightly.
So, if morally and socially conscious historical fiction with action and characters you care about is your reading pleasure, come along and join King Raven's "flock" in the greenwood --you won't be sorry! I'm champing at the bit to begin the concluding volume, Tuck.
May 6, 2015
I enjoyed Hood (the first book in this series) and stuck with it until the end of the book, but it didn't instantly inspire me to pick up book two. So it was several months before I found myself leafing through the first pages of Scarlet, but oh how glad I am that I did.
Here Will Scarlet takes the lead narrative and POV. I think the hardest thing for me to swallow with this series is that it is a Robin Hood Tales that is NOT a Robin Hood tale - or is, at least, leagues away from the one you would expect. Perhaps especially because of that, I appreciated the change from Bran's perspective to Will's.
Though I can't say whether it was the unique style of storytelling or just the way Will Scarlet's voice drew me into the story as he told the tale in his own way and time, until I could practically imagine myself sitting beside him in his dank cell while the monk scribbled away on the other side of the bars. All told, Scarlet was an intriguing read and has convinced me to pick up Tuck, book three in the series.
Here Will Scarlet takes the lead narrative and POV. I think the hardest thing for me to swallow with this series is that it is a Robin Hood Tales that is NOT a Robin Hood tale - or is, at least, leagues away from the one you would expect. Perhaps especially because of that, I appreciated the change from Bran's perspective to Will's.
Though I can't say whether it was the unique style of storytelling or just the way Will Scarlet's voice drew me into the story as he told the tale in his own way and time, until I could practically imagine myself sitting beside him in his dank cell while the monk scribbled away on the other side of the bars. All told, Scarlet was an intriguing read and has convinced me to pick up Tuck, book three in the series.
July 8, 2013
When I was a boy we lived on a farm. There were no public libraries where I could go and money was tight...so books were a bit scarce. The small school library, a World Book Encyclopedia...Progressive Farmer magazine and a few books around the house were all I had access to. In the summer I often reread books I'd read before, but there was one set of books to access. My dad's mother had purchased for him a set of Zane Grey books that were being published two a month. You may have seen a set like these, cream and red covers. I still have the set it shows a copyright date of 1953. I read those also and there's one thing about Zane Grey's writing I remember well. He was "wordy". My dad said he could take two pages to describe a bush.
If Mr. Lawhead's books have a draw back that's it. He's "wordy". This is a good book, it's an inspiring take on the Robin Hood tale. It's well conceived and the characters are thoroughly drawn. VERY THOROUGHLY DRAWN.
And there's the rub for me. I think these could be great books...but they are so slow and drawn out. Long conversations that bleed into the pointlessly mundane. Rambling descriptions that take forever intersperse the points of the story. By the end, the climax I was of two minds.
First I was caught up in the struggle and enraged by the told of in the story.
Second I was relieved that now I can move on to another book of more interest. I think it's simply a matter of a writer's style finding the correct audience. I like Mr. Lawhead's work, sometimes immensely, but I usually end up with a "get on with it" feeling about the actual storytelling.
Here Will is relating things to his scribe. The memories are "interspersed" with "interludes" that move us to the present. The action builds often only to grind to a halt...so, I like the book. I can recommend the book. But i really can't go higher than 3 stars as I was also (at times) bored stiff by the book.
If Mr. Lawhead's books have a draw back that's it. He's "wordy". This is a good book, it's an inspiring take on the Robin Hood tale. It's well conceived and the characters are thoroughly drawn. VERY THOROUGHLY DRAWN.
And there's the rub for me. I think these could be great books...but they are so slow and drawn out. Long conversations that bleed into the pointlessly mundane. Rambling descriptions that take forever intersperse the points of the story. By the end, the climax I was of two minds.
First I was caught up in the struggle and enraged by the told of in the story.
Second I was relieved that now I can move on to another book of more interest. I think it's simply a matter of a writer's style finding the correct audience. I like Mr. Lawhead's work, sometimes immensely, but I usually end up with a "get on with it" feeling about the actual storytelling.
Here Will is relating things to his scribe. The memories are "interspersed" with "interludes" that move us to the present. The action builds often only to grind to a halt...so, I like the book. I can recommend the book. But i really can't go higher than 3 stars as I was also (at times) bored stiff by the book.
September 22, 2010
I'm really loving this series. I had a hard time putting this book down. I like how Lawhead writes and I especially love how he weaves in the Celtic theme.
At times, I feel like I'm there, as if I'm one of the inner circle fighting the good fight alongside Bran and company. I love that quality in a book, probably more than any other. I can say my delight with the King Raven series is my passion for anything Celtic but that's not quite right. It's Lawhead's talent that brings this series to life for me.
If you've been thinking about reading this, I urge you to do it. You won't regret it, I promise you.
At times, I feel like I'm there, as if I'm one of the inner circle fighting the good fight alongside Bran and company. I love that quality in a book, probably more than any other. I can say my delight with the King Raven series is my passion for anything Celtic but that's not quite right. It's Lawhead's talent that brings this series to life for me.
If you've been thinking about reading this, I urge you to do it. You won't regret it, I promise you.
October 11, 2020
It’s been a long time since I read Hood, the first book in this series. For this reason I had a hard time remembering any previous events that had taken place and while this certainly isn’t ideal, Scarlet worked really well as a more or less standalone book.
I got a little confused at times with the geography and origins of the characters. There were a couple of chapters that seemed a tad bit random, but their function became clear further on.
I enjoyed the initial “flashback” style writing, and the switch of pace later on was refreshing. There is a level of unknown and intrigue which kept the story engaging, and the occasional inclusion of chapters told from different character perspectives is nice.
Looking forward to reading part three soon :)
I got a little confused at times with the geography and origins of the characters. There were a couple of chapters that seemed a tad bit random, but their function became clear further on.
I enjoyed the initial “flashback” style writing, and the switch of pace later on was refreshing. There is a level of unknown and intrigue which kept the story engaging, and the occasional inclusion of chapters told from different character perspectives is nice.
Looking forward to reading part three soon :)
November 20, 2010
Scarlet is at least an improvement over Hood. There are sympathetic characters and an actual plotline, even if it's near-hopelessly muddied by transitions between Scarlet-as-narrator and actual third-person-omniscient in two separate chunks of timeline.
Scarlet's verbal tics (calling people "fella" and using "en't" for "isn't") come and go, never ceasing to be jarring or managing to sound like anything other than a folksy affectation in the mouth of the character. They are handy markers as to when he's narrating, though - or would be, if they didn't disappear all the time.
I also have a rough time getting excited about the whole two-popes/warring kings drama that drives the plot. It's far too distant to have any emotional impact, and it never really informs the actions of the villains except in the very big picture - all the pointless puppy-kicking that happens onstage is just to establish that they're Bad Guys.
There's no real resolution to anything other than the immediate crisis, either, which is not atypical for the middle book in the trilogy, but it doesn't really whet my appetite so much as dull my enthusiasm. And Lawhead's Christian focus, which was such a beautiful, fundamental part of the Pendragon Cycle, just comes off as forced, here.
(Also, I just wanna say, while I like the use of Welsh myths to foreshadow plot points in theory, he did it a hundred times more elegantly in Merlin, and WITH THE SAME STORY. Jeez, man, now you're just getting lazy.)
Scarlet's verbal tics (calling people "fella" and using "en't" for "isn't") come and go, never ceasing to be jarring or managing to sound like anything other than a folksy affectation in the mouth of the character. They are handy markers as to when he's narrating, though - or would be, if they didn't disappear all the time.
I also have a rough time getting excited about the whole two-popes/warring kings drama that drives the plot. It's far too distant to have any emotional impact, and it never really informs the actions of the villains except in the very big picture - all the pointless puppy-kicking that happens onstage is just to establish that they're Bad Guys.
There's no real resolution to anything other than the immediate crisis, either, which is not atypical for the middle book in the trilogy, but it doesn't really whet my appetite so much as dull my enthusiasm. And Lawhead's Christian focus, which was such a beautiful, fundamental part of the Pendragon Cycle, just comes off as forced, here.
(Also, I just wanna say, while I like the use of Welsh myths to foreshadow plot points in theory, he did it a hundred times more elegantly in Merlin, and WITH THE SAME STORY. Jeez, man, now you're just getting lazy.)
August 12, 2008
Oh, Stephen Lawhead, how I love your books.
Lawhead's latest project is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend. This is the second book in the trilogy, told from the perspective of Will Scarlet. A good deal of the story is relayed, by Scarlet, to a monk he refers to as Odo while he is imprisoned.
I consistently enjoy Stephen Lawhead's storytelling style, as well as his attention to detail. Lawhead has mastered the technique of portraying actions, gestures, and facial expressions without resorting to over-describing. In addition, Lawhead can write in a manner that indicates the story is being told verbally without overusing dialect or confusing the reader.
Lawhead's latest project is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend. This is the second book in the trilogy, told from the perspective of Will Scarlet. A good deal of the story is relayed, by Scarlet, to a monk he refers to as Odo while he is imprisoned.
I consistently enjoy Stephen Lawhead's storytelling style, as well as his attention to detail. Lawhead has mastered the technique of portraying actions, gestures, and facial expressions without resorting to over-describing. In addition, Lawhead can write in a manner that indicates the story is being told verbally without overusing dialect or confusing the reader.
March 1, 2014
Accidentally hit something that deleted my review before I saved it. Grrrrr. I read the book that comes before this one, Hood, and began this one right away. I was kind of disappointed that instead of going right on from the previous book which ended rather abruptly, this one began a year or two later with Bran's man known as Will Scarlet, captured by the sheriff and soon to be hanged. I should explain that this series is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend but it has been relocated to Wales and is written around the history of what took place there. Bran was a prince of a small kingdom when his father and his warband were all murdered, and thus Bran is a king without a kingdom. His people have been driven from their homes, murdered and persecuted and he is an outlaw known as King Raven.
I quickly got used to having the story told by Will as he was telling it to a priest who is a scribe. Will knows well that his captors are allowing this because they believe they will gain information about the infamous King Raven from his story. He insists on telling the young and rather dull scribe everything that has happened to him to drag out the inevitable end they have planned for him. We know from his story that there is a sort of mystery going on as the outlaw band found three strange things in the spoils of one of their adventures. They found a huge gold ring with an unknown crest on it, a pair of fancy embroidered gloves with a cross and other symbols fit for a Cardinal and a sealed letter written in the language of the enemy and no one can translate it. While the reader is hearing Will's story, we also have chapters that reveal what is happening with Bran's band and with the enemy too.
This is a story of intrigue, lots of action and excitement, a little bit of romance. Some of the names have been changed, but you can recognize the Robin Hood band.
I did not tag this as a romance but there are two love stories inter-woven into it. I liked this passage and will not give away who it involves:
"It is lovely - just as I always hoped it would be."
And so, my lady, are you," I told her, and, pulling her close, I kissed her with the first of countless kisses we would share that night.
As for the rest, I need not say more. If you have ever loved anyone, then you will know full well. If not, then nothing I can say will enlighten you.
____________________________________
I have enjoyed these books and will read the next one. Tuck. Will take a little break as I have another book sitting her calling to me but won't wait long to get back to this world.
I quickly got used to having the story told by Will as he was telling it to a priest who is a scribe. Will knows well that his captors are allowing this because they believe they will gain information about the infamous King Raven from his story. He insists on telling the young and rather dull scribe everything that has happened to him to drag out the inevitable end they have planned for him. We know from his story that there is a sort of mystery going on as the outlaw band found three strange things in the spoils of one of their adventures. They found a huge gold ring with an unknown crest on it, a pair of fancy embroidered gloves with a cross and other symbols fit for a Cardinal and a sealed letter written in the language of the enemy and no one can translate it. While the reader is hearing Will's story, we also have chapters that reveal what is happening with Bran's band and with the enemy too.
This is a story of intrigue, lots of action and excitement, a little bit of romance. Some of the names have been changed, but you can recognize the Robin Hood band.
I did not tag this as a romance but there are two love stories inter-woven into it. I liked this passage and will not give away who it involves:
"It is lovely - just as I always hoped it would be."
And so, my lady, are you," I told her, and, pulling her close, I kissed her with the first of countless kisses we would share that night.
As for the rest, I need not say more. If you have ever loved anyone, then you will know full well. If not, then nothing I can say will enlighten you.
____________________________________
I have enjoyed these books and will read the next one. Tuck. Will take a little break as I have another book sitting her calling to me but won't wait long to get back to this world.
August 24, 2014
Told primarily through the voice of Will Scatlocke (Scarlet) during a series of reminiscences in jail as he awaits his execution, Will tells his story to a lowly monk who serves as scribe. He again expands this story of conquest, subjugation and displacement. As he is forced away from his native lands, he begins to hear the stories of Rhi Bran y Hud and decides to join his men.
The leader he meets and shows through a series of episodes that he is not the jolly figure of the classic legend who has a successful plan for every situation. Bran is young and impetuous, brilliant and fallible. He wants to win back his father's kingdom, but he will not forsake the traditional rules and obligations of his position with his people. The main person he relies on for counsel is Angharad, the wise woman who is the keeper of Briton traditions. She has kept him focused on his main goal, but she is not always successful.
"In a single ill-advised, ignorant stroke, Bran had dashed Angharad's carefully considered design for defeating the Ffreinc invaders and driving them from Elfael. In a mad, impulsive rush he had destroyed months of subtle labour and, she could well imagine, stirred the ire of the enemy to white-hot vengeance. For this and much else, the hudolion blamed Bran -- but, more, she blamed herself. Angharad had allowed herself to believe that she had weaned Bran away from that unreasoning rage that he had possessed when she first met him, that she had at long last extinguished that all-consuming fire of an anger that, like the awen of the legendary champions of old, caused the lord of Elfael to forget himself, plunging him into the bloodred flames of battle madness -- a worthy attribute for a warrior, perhaps, but unhelpful in a king. No mistake, it was a king she wanted for Elfael, not merely another warrior."
In the last third of the book, Lawhead ties the story to the original started in "Hood" and lays the foundation for the next installment. Bran and his Grellon are unwittingly thrust into two major power struggles: the first is between two Popes, Urban and Clement; this affects a more local struggle between King William and his brother Robert. Choosing the wrong side has dire consequences.
In his afterword, Lawhead likens Will's story to the plight of contemporary displaced refugees. But I think that Will's story is one of the many examples given of the overarching quest for justice for past and present grievances, and more importantly, seeking the the answer to the question of "what is just rule?".
The leader he meets and shows through a series of episodes that he is not the jolly figure of the classic legend who has a successful plan for every situation. Bran is young and impetuous, brilliant and fallible. He wants to win back his father's kingdom, but he will not forsake the traditional rules and obligations of his position with his people. The main person he relies on for counsel is Angharad, the wise woman who is the keeper of Briton traditions. She has kept him focused on his main goal, but she is not always successful.
"In a single ill-advised, ignorant stroke, Bran had dashed Angharad's carefully considered design for defeating the Ffreinc invaders and driving them from Elfael. In a mad, impulsive rush he had destroyed months of subtle labour and, she could well imagine, stirred the ire of the enemy to white-hot vengeance. For this and much else, the hudolion blamed Bran -- but, more, she blamed herself. Angharad had allowed herself to believe that she had weaned Bran away from that unreasoning rage that he had possessed when she first met him, that she had at long last extinguished that all-consuming fire of an anger that, like the awen of the legendary champions of old, caused the lord of Elfael to forget himself, plunging him into the bloodred flames of battle madness -- a worthy attribute for a warrior, perhaps, but unhelpful in a king. No mistake, it was a king she wanted for Elfael, not merely another warrior."
In the last third of the book, Lawhead ties the story to the original started in "Hood" and lays the foundation for the next installment. Bran and his Grellon are unwittingly thrust into two major power struggles: the first is between two Popes, Urban and Clement; this affects a more local struggle between King William and his brother Robert. Choosing the wrong side has dire consequences.
In his afterword, Lawhead likens Will's story to the plight of contemporary displaced refugees. But I think that Will's story is one of the many examples given of the overarching quest for justice for past and present grievances, and more importantly, seeking the the answer to the question of "what is just rule?".
April 13, 2015
23Jan15
4.5 stars
The decision to change the narrative scheme from the first book (where everything was told in third-person) to Will narrating the majority of the tale to a priest while he's in prison was a very interesting choice. It really served to drive home the fact that this was a very different character from Bran. Will told his story very well and I immediately liked him. I continued to find little gems that harked back to the old Robin Hood legend and, a bit indirectly, the old Disney movie that I continue to treasure (ahem archery contest). I swear I'm gonna watch it again once I finish this trilogy. Anyway, I still love the way Lawhead weaves a story, and Verner's narration is very good -- although I would love him more if he didn't mangle the French almost beyond recognition.
12.23.14
Just put this on hold from the Cincinnati-area library. I love OhioLink.
4.5 stars
The decision to change the narrative scheme from the first book (where everything was told in third-person) to Will narrating the majority of the tale to a priest while he's in prison was a very interesting choice. It really served to drive home the fact that this was a very different character from Bran. Will told his story very well and I immediately liked him. I continued to find little gems that harked back to the old Robin Hood legend and, a bit indirectly, the old Disney movie that I continue to treasure (ahem archery contest). I swear I'm gonna watch it again once I finish this trilogy. Anyway, I still love the way Lawhead weaves a story, and Verner's narration is very good -- although I would love him more if he didn't mangle the French almost beyond recognition.
12.23.14
Just put this on hold from the Cincinnati-area library. I love OhioLink.
February 2, 2014
As bad as the first, but painfully narrated in Lawhead's approximation of a Yorkshire accent. The result is, if anything, more like bastardized West Country than Northern. It's like expecting Richard Sharpe and getting Hagrid on weed.
January 9, 2018
Overall, I liked "Scarlet" about ten times as well as I liked "Hood." It still took me months to read, but this time it was because I had to set it aside to read a few things that I had a deadline for. However, this book was exciting and enjoyable, with a great mix of danger and emotion, and even some fun here and there.
This book is narrated by Will Scatlocke, aka Will Scarlet, whom I became very fond of indeed. He was such a cheerful, sensible guy! He tells most of it to a scribe while he's in prison. I got closer and closer to the end and started worrying that the whole book would end before Will ever got out of prison, but happily, that totally didn't happen. While in captivity, he relates how he joined up with Rhi Bran Hud's band of Welsh rebels even though Will isn't himself Welsh, how they fought against their oppressors by every means possible, and how he got captured. He also talks about gradually falling in love with one of the rebels, a widow named Noin.
The last hundred pages or so were extremely awesome, and I read them in one day.
This book is narrated by Will Scatlocke, aka Will Scarlet, whom I became very fond of indeed. He was such a cheerful, sensible guy! He tells most of it to a scribe while he's in prison. I got closer and closer to the end and started worrying that the whole book would end before Will ever got out of prison, but happily, that totally didn't happen. While in captivity, he relates how he joined up with Rhi Bran Hud's band of Welsh rebels even though Will isn't himself Welsh, how they fought against their oppressors by every means possible, and how he got captured. He also talks about gradually falling in love with one of the rebels, a widow named Noin.
The last hundred pages or so were extremely awesome, and I read them in one day.
November 8, 2022
An imprisoned Will Scarlet tells his story to a monk; a tale of how he left his native Yorkshire to join a band of rebels in Wales. I enjoyed this continuation of the story and the plotline which felt both new and familiar.
August 13, 2024
“Hood” set the stage for these Welsh characters and “Scarlet” really got into some fun Robin Hood-y action. I loved this book! It was everything I could want in a Robin Hood tale. I was enjoy Angharad and her tales - she’s one of the best parts of this story. Highly recommend.
March 31, 2009
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Scarlet, the second book in Stephen Lawhead's King Raven Trilogy focuses on Will Scatlocke ("Scarlet"), a disillusioned forester who goes searching for, finds, and joins King Raven's infamous band of thieves. During one of their exploits, Will is caught, sentenced to hang, and thrown into prison where he is asked to tell his story to a priest in hopes that he'll let slip some information that will help sheriff Guy of Gysborne find and defeat the robbers. Thus, most of the story is told in past tense from Will Scarlet's perspective.
Even though the pace is slower than in Hood and we're not much concerned that Will might actually hang, Lawhead still spins us a fine yarn -- the story is thoroughly entertaining. And, as usual, we are not just entertained, but enlightened as we get a real feel for the period -- the tyranny of the Freinc, the corruption of the church, the suffering and stubbornness of the Britons. This is what Stephen Lawhead does so well.
The characterization is mostly well done. The male characters are all three-dimensional, life-like, and immediately likeable. However, the female characters, most notably Merian and Will's love-interest, Noin, remain flat (I have noticed this lack of attention to female characters in some of Lawhead's previous books). These were strong women whose presence was important to the plot, but whose personalities and motivations were never explored.
For example, Bran kidnapped Merian at the end of Hood, and in this sequel she is at his side. Will relates a few observations about their relationship, but we are never sure exactly what that relationship is and whether or not Merian wants to be there or not. I'm sure that Lawhead's intention was to leave this vague, but I found it frustrating (especially since I wondered if Merian knew, or cared, that her family thought she was dead) and wished for a chapter or two from Bran and/or Merian's perspective. Likewise, I wasn't completely convinced about Will and Noin's relationship because I wasn't told anything from Noin's perspective.
Again, I listened to this installment in audiobook format. It was the same reader (Adam Verner) who did Hood and I have the same comments: he's got a pleasant and enthusiastic tone, but some of his accents and character voices made me chuckle. If you can listen past that, it's a good format.
Read more Stephen Lawhead book reviews at Fantasy literature.
Scarlet, the second book in Stephen Lawhead's King Raven Trilogy focuses on Will Scatlocke ("Scarlet"), a disillusioned forester who goes searching for, finds, and joins King Raven's infamous band of thieves. During one of their exploits, Will is caught, sentenced to hang, and thrown into prison where he is asked to tell his story to a priest in hopes that he'll let slip some information that will help sheriff Guy of Gysborne find and defeat the robbers. Thus, most of the story is told in past tense from Will Scarlet's perspective.
Even though the pace is slower than in Hood and we're not much concerned that Will might actually hang, Lawhead still spins us a fine yarn -- the story is thoroughly entertaining. And, as usual, we are not just entertained, but enlightened as we get a real feel for the period -- the tyranny of the Freinc, the corruption of the church, the suffering and stubbornness of the Britons. This is what Stephen Lawhead does so well.
The characterization is mostly well done. The male characters are all three-dimensional, life-like, and immediately likeable. However, the female characters, most notably Merian and Will's love-interest, Noin, remain flat (I have noticed this lack of attention to female characters in some of Lawhead's previous books). These were strong women whose presence was important to the plot, but whose personalities and motivations were never explored.
For example, Bran kidnapped Merian at the end of Hood, and in this sequel she is at his side. Will relates a few observations about their relationship, but we are never sure exactly what that relationship is and whether or not Merian wants to be there or not. I'm sure that Lawhead's intention was to leave this vague, but I found it frustrating (especially since I wondered if Merian knew, or cared, that her family thought she was dead) and wished for a chapter or two from Bran and/or Merian's perspective. Likewise, I wasn't completely convinced about Will and Noin's relationship because I wasn't told anything from Noin's perspective.
Again, I listened to this installment in audiobook format. It was the same reader (Adam Verner) who did Hood and I have the same comments: he's got a pleasant and enthusiastic tone, but some of his accents and character voices made me chuckle. If you can listen past that, it's a good format.
Read more Stephen Lawhead book reviews at Fantasy literature.
April 11, 2010
This book is one of those that I didn't feel compelled to read but still enjoyed it while I was reading it. This is just me. For being the second book of a trilogy I was glad that I liked this one better than the first because I usually like the second book the least all the time. But I didn't give it a higher rating because well...it wasn't that much better.
Lawheads writing style is an acquired taste for me. It always takes me a while to get used to but it works for the time period. I should've read the jacket before; I thought the narrator was going to be Bran -our Robin Hood- but then I found it was a man named Will Scarlet which makes sense now because of the title. I was confused in the beginning because he talks about himself in third person every once in a while but its mostly first person. Like in the first one I was having trouble with keeping up with all of the different points of view. It's predominantly Will Scarlet's point of view but there are about five other characters that give their point of view as well.
The politics of the whole thing was easier for me to follow. And Will Scarlet is a good man with personality. He took the fact that the Abbot might decide to hang him at any moment in stride for the most part; he is definitely not a moper. I do like it that Bran has developed into a better character and that other characters are developed thoroughly. The whole system that Bran and his flock create is interesting. It seems mostly plausible and partly magical -especially the old woman's ability to predict weather and know events happening far off.
If it wasn't so long and complicated then it may have been an easier read but I have a feeling I wouldn't be that same if Lawhead didn't include everything he did. I will be reading the third since there is a bit of a cliff hanger at the end and things seem like they just got worse for Bran and his flock.
Lawheads writing style is an acquired taste for me. It always takes me a while to get used to but it works for the time period. I should've read the jacket before; I thought the narrator was going to be Bran -our Robin Hood- but then I found it was a man named Will Scarlet which makes sense now because of the title. I was confused in the beginning because he talks about himself in third person every once in a while but its mostly first person. Like in the first one I was having trouble with keeping up with all of the different points of view. It's predominantly Will Scarlet's point of view but there are about five other characters that give their point of view as well.
The politics of the whole thing was easier for me to follow. And Will Scarlet is a good man with personality. He took the fact that the Abbot might decide to hang him at any moment in stride for the most part; he is definitely not a moper. I do like it that Bran has developed into a better character and that other characters are developed thoroughly. The whole system that Bran and his flock create is interesting. It seems mostly plausible and partly magical -especially the old woman's ability to predict weather and know events happening far off.
If it wasn't so long and complicated then it may have been an easier read but I have a feeling I wouldn't be that same if Lawhead didn't include everything he did. I will be reading the third since there is a bit of a cliff hanger at the end and things seem like they just got worse for Bran and his flock.
June 5, 2011
I still find the setting of this trilogy infinitely more engaging than the actual story. I really want to like it -- a Welsh Robin Hood? -- but it just doesn't grab me. It's not hard to read: I managed most of it in one day. On the other hand, the prose doesn't come to life, I certainly don't savour every word. Robin Hood stories are supposed to be all adventure, and I guess this shows a more realistic, difficult side of it, but I just don't like that as much.
This book gives the reader a more outside view of Bran: we hardly ever know what he's thinking. Instead we have Will Scarlet, who has a reasonably realistic backstory and a kind of narrative voice of his own. I did hear his voice in my head somewhat, those bits aren't badly handled. The thing that did annoy me about them was the "and we trudge on..." bits. So contrived and dry, especially when they come over and over and over again. Will's capture does let us meet Odo, who is a halfway interesting character, especially considering his defection. I kind of liked him.
I didn't feel the romance, either. Not Mérian and Robin, and not Will and his lady. I guess I'm not engaged enough with the characters for that. There continues to be a problem with those, too: they're all painted in broad strokes, good or bad -- but particularly the bad guys. Guy and the Sheriff are particularly bland.
This trilogy is worth reading, though, if only for the fact that it does something new with the old story, and puts it into a new context that might actually be closer to what the original context was. It's nice to see that these stories aren't set in stone, because originally they weren't -- travelling bards would have adapted the stories as they saw fit to interest people of certain regions by changing the settings and names to those of local interest.
This book gives the reader a more outside view of Bran: we hardly ever know what he's thinking. Instead we have Will Scarlet, who has a reasonably realistic backstory and a kind of narrative voice of his own. I did hear his voice in my head somewhat, those bits aren't badly handled. The thing that did annoy me about them was the "and we trudge on..." bits. So contrived and dry, especially when they come over and over and over again. Will's capture does let us meet Odo, who is a halfway interesting character, especially considering his defection. I kind of liked him.
I didn't feel the romance, either. Not Mérian and Robin, and not Will and his lady. I guess I'm not engaged enough with the characters for that. There continues to be a problem with those, too: they're all painted in broad strokes, good or bad -- but particularly the bad guys. Guy and the Sheriff are particularly bland.
This trilogy is worth reading, though, if only for the fact that it does something new with the old story, and puts it into a new context that might actually be closer to what the original context was. It's nice to see that these stories aren't set in stone, because originally they weren't -- travelling bards would have adapted the stories as they saw fit to interest people of certain regions by changing the settings and names to those of local interest.
July 21, 2011
A great addition to the series told mainly from the perspective of the captive Will Scarlet, one of my favorite characters in the legends of Robin Hood. It sort of irked me a bit that this was told very different from the first book. The first book, aptly titled Hood, was told from many perspectives, that of Bran/Hood, Count De Braose, and Baron Neufmarche; whereas, Scarlet is told almost entirely from the perspective of Will Scarlet, if definitely feels like a different writing style this way, and more one sided of a tale, but you get used to it. And it isn't entirely from his perspctive,. it does switch a couple times to Neufmarche, or the Count De Braose's Sheriff.
Most of the book is told by Will Scarlet while he is imprisoned by the Abbott Hugo. Hugo has sent a monk named Odo to chronicle Will's journey to getting imprisoned and is writing everything Will says to him down. Will knows that he is a pawn of the Abbott and starts his tale WAY before even meeting Bran to draw out the conversation and thus his date of hanging, which he knows is coming. Along the way Odo ends up sypathizing with Will and hels him get a message to Bran and planning his escape from custody and death.
One drawback to Lawhead's writing is that it doesn't grip me right away. It tends to take me a while to really get into each book, this one was the same way, I wouldn't say its a slow start to his books but it must be the way he writes. But the tale and the historical work he puts into the book make it well worth the read and continuing the series. It was a good book, and I look forward to the conclusion of the trilogy by Lawhead.
Most of the book is told by Will Scarlet while he is imprisoned by the Abbott Hugo. Hugo has sent a monk named Odo to chronicle Will's journey to getting imprisoned and is writing everything Will says to him down. Will knows that he is a pawn of the Abbott and starts his tale WAY before even meeting Bran to draw out the conversation and thus his date of hanging, which he knows is coming. Along the way Odo ends up sypathizing with Will and hels him get a message to Bran and planning his escape from custody and death.
One drawback to Lawhead's writing is that it doesn't grip me right away. It tends to take me a while to really get into each book, this one was the same way, I wouldn't say its a slow start to his books but it must be the way he writes. But the tale and the historical work he puts into the book make it well worth the read and continuing the series. It was a good book, and I look forward to the conclusion of the trilogy by Lawhead.
March 30, 2012
This is a continuation of
The story is told from the point of view of William Scatlock that becomes known as Will Scarlet as he is being held in prison. We learn about how he comes to be with Rhi Bran y Hud and his life among the outlaws and his love for Noin. Bran is still fighting for his lands and the rights of his people when he learns of a plot against the king and believes he can use the information to regain what is his. As Will is telling his story we read alternating chapters with the Ffreinc. We see how the people have been abused and oppressed by the usurpers.
This is definitely a story that has a little bit of everything: laughter, tears, tyranny and rebellion, love and loss. The ending certainly left us knowing that there is more to come and I am looking forward to reading
Stephen R. Lawhead has done an awesome job retelling the Robin Hood story, its definitely one that I have enjoyed so far. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the retelling of fairytales as it has certainly been brought to life.
The story is told from the point of view of William Scatlock that becomes known as Will Scarlet as he is being held in prison. We learn about how he comes to be with Rhi Bran y Hud and his life among the outlaws and his love for Noin. Bran is still fighting for his lands and the rights of his people when he learns of a plot against the king and believes he can use the information to regain what is his. As Will is telling his story we read alternating chapters with the Ffreinc. We see how the people have been abused and oppressed by the usurpers. This is definitely a story that has a little bit of everything: laughter, tears, tyranny and rebellion, love and loss. The ending certainly left us knowing that there is more to come and I am looking forward to reading
Stephen R. Lawhead has done an awesome job retelling the Robin Hood story, its definitely one that I have enjoyed so far. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the retelling of fairytales as it has certainly been brought to life. 
September 13, 2008
Not as good as the first book in the series, Hood. On the whole, it wasn't bad; it simply failed to capture my interest. For four hundred and fifty pages.
And also, Mr. Lawhead, I get that you are Christian. Super. Your faith is a major part of your life, and of your writing. God is good, and so on. I respect that. But if you were to remove all of the preaching and praying from this book, I'm not even sure that would leave you with one hundred pages of story. Even the Bible has a better ratio than that.
And also, Mr. Lawhead, I get that you are Christian. Super. Your faith is a major part of your life, and of your writing. God is good, and so on. I respect that. But if you were to remove all of the preaching and praying from this book, I'm not even sure that would leave you with one hundred pages of story. Even the Bible has a better ratio than that.
November 6, 2015
This is the second book in the King Raven trilogy and I'm glad to say that I liked this more than the first one.
This one is about Will Scarlet. He was an endearing character and I thought the narrator (who I didn't like in the first book) fit Will Scarlet's personality so much better. There was also more Robin Hood type action in this one, which was missing in the first one.
My main problem with this one is that it felt like the author gets distracted sometimes from the plot goes off on these tangents that feel like aimless wandering.
This one is about Will Scarlet. He was an endearing character and I thought the narrator (who I didn't like in the first book) fit Will Scarlet's personality so much better. There was also more Robin Hood type action in this one, which was missing in the first one.
My main problem with this one is that it felt like the author gets distracted sometimes from the plot goes off on these tangents that feel like aimless wandering.
February 17, 2024
Celtic mythology meets Robin Hood in the second King Raven book. Full of political intrigue, this book primarily follows Will Scarlet, a Saxon and a member of the Grellon, as he faces a hangman's noose. Though a bit slow in parts, Scarlet kept my interest, and the ending makes me anxious for book three.
Content:
Infrequent language.
Violence.
Romance between an engaged (and then married) couple.
Ages 15+
Content:
Infrequent language.
Violence.
Romance between an engaged (and then married) couple.
Ages 15+
February 16, 2025
I really enjoyed transitioning the narrator and POV to a supporting character for this second installment of the Trilogy, which still centers on the Robin Hood/King Raven plot. It is a great way of providing exposition as Will enters the inner circle, but as an outsider, much like the reader.
I also appreciate how the machinations of the greater world such as William II's need to consolidate his own power as well as the historical turmoil caused by rival popes bear on the Frontier struggle of a dispossessed Welsh royal trying to come to terms with both his abilities and responsibilities.
I also appreciate how the machinations of the greater world such as William II's need to consolidate his own power as well as the historical turmoil caused by rival popes bear on the Frontier struggle of a dispossessed Welsh royal trying to come to terms with both his abilities and responsibilities.
September 15, 2019
I enjoyed this second book in the series even more. I read this a few years after the first one but this book stands solely on it's own.
Will Scarlet has been captured by the Norman's and tells he's story to one of the Monks (Odo) while in captivity. The voice of will is compelling and draws you into the story and live it throughout.
I enjoy a retelling on a folk story and this is extremely well done.
Will Scarlet has been captured by the Norman's and tells he's story to one of the Monks (Odo) while in captivity. The voice of will is compelling and draws you into the story and live it throughout.
I enjoy a retelling on a folk story and this is extremely well done.
November 27, 2019
I enjoyed this as much as Hood, and am excited to start Tuck.
I loved the voice of Will Scarlet, and appreciated his perspective. The injustice of the Norman invaders was infuriating (as it is meant to be). It felt personal (haha), knowing my Williams ancestors in Wales took that Norman name. I look forward with anticipation to the comeuppance of the Normans.
I loved the voice of Will Scarlet, and appreciated his perspective. The injustice of the Norman invaders was infuriating (as it is meant to be). It felt personal (haha), knowing my Williams ancestors in Wales took that Norman name. I look forward with anticipation to the comeuppance of the Normans.
January 15, 2021
Perfectly good historical fiction, and would have rated it 3 stars if that was what I was looking for, but I was reading it for the Robin Hood adventures and it did not deliver. I did enjoy the new telling of the "rescue of Will Scarlet", and the villainy of Abbot Hugo, but besides those, it did not integrate any of the classic folklore we know and love.
March 12, 2018
Wow! This book blew me away! I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did--which was a lot. I love the way this story is told. I found myself laughing more than once as well as crying. A very rewarding read!
August 31, 2025
This was an incredible step up from the first book. The first was a great love letter to mythology, but this one was much more gripping and fast-paced. Scarlet was a more interesting main character as well. Pleasantly surprised!
November 26, 2025
4.5⭐️
I am really enjoying this trilogy. If you’re looking for clean, fantasy stories, this trilogy might be for you.
I am really enjoying this trilogy. If you’re looking for clean, fantasy stories, this trilogy might be for you.
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