Customer Reviews

Hood (The Raven King, Book 1)

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Stephen Lawhead is doing for Robin Hood what he did for King Arthur in The Pendragon Cycle. You have heard the legends, you have watched the movies, now you can see a realistic portrayal.

It seems that Lawhead is at his best when talking about the Britons of Wales and in this book he takes Robin Hood and puts him in Wales in the 11th century. It works! In an afterward Stephen Lawhead explains his reasoning for this, but I just like that he is able tell a familiar story in a totally unique and different way.

The story pulls you in right away, though it takes it a while to resemble the Robin Hood legends you have heard. The characters are real and even the villains are shown as real people and you even see them questioning their actions. I received the book about a week ago, devoured it, and it left me wanting more. Thankfully, this is the first book in a trilogy.

What else can I say. This is Lawhead at his best. It is remeniscent of the Pendragon Cycle in that it is re-defining legends we already have heard, but it bases them in a real world that comes alive. It is remeniscent of "The Silver Hand" as the main character works from a hidden base, a place he lives with a group of followers. And, like the best of Lawhead, the spirituality doesn't beat you over the head but rather becomes a part of the fabric of the world you are reading about. I highly recommend this book.

Lawhead's books are arrows in his quiver, and he has let fly over the years with some remarkably true weapons. "Byzantium" was a shot to the soul. The "Song of Albion Series" and "The Iron Lance" stopped me in my tracks. On the other hand, I barely got the point of "Patrick."

When I heard there was a retelling of Robin Hood in the works, I thought: What better man for the job than Stephen Lawhead! And, thankfully, the book confirms that idea. "Hood" gives us the story of Bran ap Brychan, a reluctant prince who tries to buy back his dead father's land from corrupt English rulers, only to find himself running for his own life. At the hands of an old crone, he discovers a connection to legend and a calling to his people. Along the way, he meets Friar Tuck (a wonderfully memorable character) and Little John (given less stage time than I would've liked). We also see the maiden Marien. Although some reviewers seem to have found the story's religious and political intrigues to drag, I enjoyed them. And some of the fight scenes and spooky forest encounters are magical.

"Hood" is told with Lawhead's attention to detail, yet with a streamlined style. My chief complaint, if any, is the hurried resolution and epilogue. Yes, there's a lot of material here for the continued trilogy, but I still would've liked a more complete ending in this first volume. That said, I'll be rushing out for the sequel when it arrives. This is perfect material for Lawhead's gifts, and he let's this arrow fly.

Having read fifty or sixty nonfiction books already this year, I began to crave some lighter, easier reading. And, in a case of great timing, an Advance Reader Copy of Stephen Lawhead's Hood arrived in the mail just a few days ago. Lawhead, known for writing fantasy and historical fiction, has set his sights on the greatest of the English heroes, Robin Hood. But rather than simply retelling the oft-told story, he has re imagined Robin Hood and has attempted to arrive at the source for this great story. This is a "completely re-imagined epic of the man known as Robin Hood--told in a far more earthy, eerie and elemental way than ever before." In a lengthy appendix to the book, the author explains his belief that the story of Robin Hood may well have originated in Wales and provides ample proof that this just may be the case.

And so it is that the story of Hood is set not in Sherwood Forest, as we might expect, but in the dense, primeval forests of Wales. The son of a minor Welsh king, Bran ap Brychan finds his world torn apart when his father and his father's army are massacred, leaving the young prince to ascend the throne. But, fearing for his life, Bran is forced to flee. He eventually wanders into the forest and establishes himself as king of those who have fled before him into the safety of the woods. He is a disturbed and flawed hero, but one who begins to grow into his legend as a hero who fought on behalf of the poor, displaced and persecuted. The usual cast of characters, Marian, Little John and Friar Tuck are all worked into the story, though once again, not in the way we've come to expect. The villains, also different from what we've seen in book and film, are well-crafted and not so evil that they are unbelievable.

This novel, which is due for publication in September of this year, is very well-written and tells a very intriguing story. It is difficult to do justice to as well-known and enjoyable story as Robin Hood, but Lawhead does so successfully. To tell the truth, I can't think of the last time I enjoyed a novel as much as this one (though I'll have to admit that this may speak more to the quality and quantity of fiction I read than the quality of this particular book!). Still, I found Hood to be a fun, exciting take on a great story. And what's more, this is only the first novel in a series of three, so there will be much more to enjoy in the future.

While I am glad to recommend Hood I feel it necessary to point out that the book should probably be considered PG. There is a very small amount of rough language (words such as "[...]" and a handful of French equivalents), a few hints toward sexual activity, though certainly nothing graphic or voyeuristic, and a fair bit of violence, though nothing too graphic. And, of course, Robin Hood could not be told without at least a few people being impaled with arrows. Still, this is probably not a version of Robin Hood one would want to read with the family. But again, I enjoyed it tremendously and am already eagerly anticipating the sequels.

Hood (King Raven Trilogy, Book 1) proves that Stephen Lawhead is still the master when it comes to history, fantasy, theology and again in this case all three. His Arthurian series is the best in that genre' ever done and now we have Robin Hood. No, not the Robin Hood in my father or grandfather's day. This is not the fantastic Errol Flynn going through the trees like Tarzan or even the more realistic Sean Connery portrayal.

I would suggest that the reader might want to read the author's notes at the end first. That is if they expect this to be another of the same old-Same old taking place in Sherwood Forest with a Sheriff of Nottingham, a King John and King Richard. This story takes place earlier and the author explains why and it is set in Wales. The author does not doubt that there was a Robin Hood, even the noted English historian G. M. Trevelyan gave credence for the tale, though he calls it "half myth". Lawhead has a different take and as he did with King Arthur, he makes you believe. Several authors like Irene Radford, in her Merlin's Descendents series, have given us a Robin of Locksley as the real Robin Hood. Few of them have passed muster like the first stories we read as kids. You'll like this interpretation better.

The time and setting in Wales is put forward with logic and you will believe that Bran ap Brychan is the basis for the Robin Hood legend, however he will not appear so at first. The young Bran is a prince who does not get along with his father and is considered a playboy. When his father's kingdom is taken over by the hated Normans he is nearly killed. This first book in the series is more about the maturing of a gifted young man and the people who surround him. Yes, there is a Little John and a Friar Tuck though they have other names before these are given. And of course a Maid Marian (Marien). However, there is no King John, Richard or sheriff as that would not fit the time and place.

I do admit you will have to suspend your former beliefs about this legend, but you may certainly still cherish them as do I. This is a rip roaring good story with action and suspense and the reader, like myself, will be looking forward to the next in the series.

I was anticipating this book ever since I heard it went to auction with several publishers. I wasn't disappointed. Lawhead does such a supreme job of painting pictures for the reader that you are instantly swept up into the story. Some of his descriptions are scenes that I would turn away from in a movie, but that showed me just what a master he is at bringing readers into his fictional world.

Like most people, before reading Hood I wondered why Wales and why not Sherwood Forest? Part of the answer became clear while I reading: the Normans were classic bad guys and the historical setting was fitting. The exact reasons were explained by the author in the back of the book.

I also love Jeff Johnson and was pleased to discover that they joined up again (along with Brian Dunning) to produce music to go along with this book (details are in the back of the book.)

If you're a Lawhead fan, you won't want to miss this one.

Cindy Thomson, author of Brigid of Ireland

Like another reviewer, I bought this book on a whim. I'm not much of a fan of fantasy stories so I put off buying it when I first saw it. Seeing it again at a book store I decided to get it. I like the story of Robin Hood and love British history so I decided to read it. I am very glad I did. Some of the book does drag a little, but the story is compelling enough to make you want to keep reading. I found Bran (Hood) a bit flat at first but he's managed to round out as the book goes on. Count de Braose is a great "bad guy" in my opinion the best charachter in the book. Lawhead does a great job of developing him. He's a sneaky, backstabbing rat who would sell his own mother for the right price. Tuck is also a great charachter as Lawhead has made it easy to visualize the fat little friar and his antics. It can't be easy to take a story like Robin Hood and rewrite it, but Lawhead is off to a very good start. If you like British history and good fiction, this book is worth reading. I think this series will get better with each book. I am looking forward to reading the others.

I recently finished Hood, the first book in the King Raven Trilogy, and can't wait for the next two books to arrive. Stephen Lawhead does a marvelous job creating believable characters in a gloriously painted historical setting. I have read many versions of the Robin Hood legend, but this is the best that I have seen.

Lawhead intrigued me by placing Robin Hood (or should I say, Bran ap Brychan) in Wales during the reign of William Rufus of England. Normally, legend shows Hood as a Saxon refugee striking out against Norman oppressors during the reign of Richard I (a la Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe). Lawhead makes him of an older time and an older race--Welsh, or to use a less insulting term, British. When his father, the king of Elafel, is slaughtered by a Norman baron hungry for land, Bran ap Brychan must take his place as king of his people. Kingship, especially the unwilling king who must learn to sacrifice for his people, is a favorite theme of Lawhead's (see his Song of Albion trilogy). Through hardship and trial that bring him close to death, Bran learns that he cannot desert his people in the time of their need. He decides to stand up against the Normans in Elafel. Donning a feathered robe and bird mask, Bran becomes the Norman invaders' worst nightmare. He is King Raven, the mysterious avenger who steals their horses, cattle, swine, and silver to bestow them upon the starving British.

Lawhead skillfully weaves other characters from the legends into his tale. Merian, the daughter of a Welsh king from a neighboring cantref, dazzles the Norman barons with her dark beauty and disdains Bran just enough to make her desirable. Iwan (or "Little John") is the sole surviving soldier from the massacre of Elafel's warband. He joins Bran in the forest to wreak retribution on their foes. Aethelfrith (a food-loving cleric whom Bran affectionately christens "Tuck") provides intelligence about the Norman movements and light-hearted comedy with his antics. The villains are also names from legend. Falke de Braose is the iron fist that will pound Wales into submission, and Sir Guy of Gysebourne makes his debut escorting a treasure convoy through the forest.

This book is a fast-paced adventure that will keep you turning pages late at night, ready to read more and rejoicing that there are two more to follow in the trilogy.

Review by Rosanne E. Lortz, author of I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince

The oh-so familiar tale of Robin Hood and his merry men has been revamped in HOOD, the first novel in the King Raven series by famed author Stephen R. Lawhead. Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne of Elfael, shirks his duty to his kingdom after the murder of his father and runs for his life to the Welsh woodlands. HOOD takes you on a rather engrossing adventure that will leave you anticipating book 2. At 512 pages, it won't be a one-sitting read, but it is well worth the time it takes to read this enjoyable story of an old legend dearly loved by many. The language used at times can be a bit much, but is necessary to make the story realistic, and the violence at times may make the squeamish skip a few pages. Overall, a very intriguing read sure to please most readers, and one that will have them searching out books 2 and 3.

If you liked the Dragon King Trilogy or The Pendragon Cycle then I think you will enjoy this book. Those are some of my favorites and I had a hard time putting this book down. I also found some of Lawheads latest books hard to read so I was very happy to see this book back on track. I am ready for books 2 and 3 now.

Plunge into the world of Bran ap Brychan, Prince of Elfael. From the opening prologue until the last page, you will be consumed with this well-told story. About a third into this book, I was stunned when something dramatic happens to Bran. But it shows the power of story and how Stephen Lawhead is back at his best.

I knew the story was a fresh twist on the story of Robin Hood but I didn't put it together until on page 414, where a count talking with a knight about a phantom figure which rises in the forest and has frightened the locals. "The folk of Elfael call it Rhi Bran the Hud," he said. Waving his hand dismissively, he added, "I am sick of hearing about it."

The twists and turns of this story make it a pure page-turner and as a reader, I'm reading for the next volume in this King Raven Trilogy. I highly recommend it.