Customer Reviews

Scarlet (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 2)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a Stephen Lawhead fan, you need to catch his spin on the classic Robin Hood tale. Obviously, he gives it his own historic ambiance, exploring old and new ideas with respect, but without rigidity. If you're not a Lawhead fan...Time to join the bandwagon! Since the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion series, he has consistently given us entertaining and intelligent stories. "Hood" and "Scarlet" only add to his impressive resume.

While last year's "Hood" followed the origins of Lawhead's Welsh Rhi Bran Hud, "Scarlet" takes us into the life of Will Scarlet. From the first page, Lawhead establishes a wonderful character with a literary voice that's consistent, lyrical, and captivating. Will is in prison, awaiting his own hanging. In the meantime, he dictates his story of meeting and pledging fealty to Bran, King Raven. We see wonderful glimpses into medieval life. We become entwined in the political/religious intrigues of the day, and we meet new heroes and villains. From Will's initial archery contest with Bran, to his gallows day, Lawhead wields his pen with attention to detail, character, and plot.

"Scarlet" meanders into a fascinating tale, gives us some romance and action, then ends with a cliffhanger, a perfect bridge into the final book, titled "Tuck." Lawhead is having fun with this trilogy and, to the delight of his readers, it shows.

I won't tell about the story line because that wouldn't be fair to the reader. I won't ruin it for you. But about the book itself, its style and flow. This book is so much better than *Hood.* The storyline is crisper, its characters so much more mature, and the dialouge is cleare.

The romance is among Lawhead's better renditions. I do fear that some of Lawhead's works tended to repeat themselves (this was especially true in the Pendragon Cycle). Here, the romance is more sensible and realistic. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Will and Noin. Also, the back and forth between Merian and Bran is better done than in Hood.

I definitely recommend this work as one of Lawhead's more mature writings. Also, be sure to find the soundtrack that goes with it. There is an official King Raven Trilogy soundtrack. Go to Itunes and type in Brian Dunning and Jeff Johnson.

It's too bad that TUCK has been delayed but at least it isn't altogether canceled. I hope Lawhead makes a full recovery or as full a recovery as nature will allow.

When I read HOOD I have to admit that I began it fully expecting to take in the story with a grain of salt. I was pleasantly surprised that Lawhead could re-imagine the story of Robin Hood and convey his image in a manner that captured me in the first chapter. SCARLET is a sequel that does not disappoint. The character development was flawless and I could feel myself emphathizing with Will "Scarlet" Scatlocke and at least relating with the Sheriff (but not quite empathizing).

The thing I found greatest about this book was that while it's still a story about Robin Hood, it is mostly related as narrative by Will Scatlocke and Will plays as the central character.

Both HOOD and SCARLET are great novels for those interested in a more grown-up version of the story of Robin Hood as well as those that enjoy historical fiction (although I cannot vouch for how historically accurate/inaccurate the books are). They are reminiscent of Mary Stewart's MERLIN TRILOGY in that both sets of books relate fantastic tales of seemingly far-fetched accounts that may or may not have occurred in a manner that, at the least, makes the stories plausible.

These KING RAVEN novels are the first novels I've read by Stephen R. Lawhead so I'm not giving my review based from the standpoint of someone who loves all things Lawhead. Having said, if TUCK is as great as the first two novels in this series, I may become a Lawhead fan after all.

After Hood, I had a difficult time getting used to the narrative voice of William Scatlocke. This alone may be what had me torn between rating this with three stars or four. Though I had to admit to myself that by the end of the book I had come to like our character Will quite well, if I don't give this tome a three-star rating, I will have no room in the future to identify the stories I truly, truly enjoyed. (Hood was a four, for me.)

Compared to Hood, which was a fine book, I thought the plot of Scarlet slow-paced. The book begins with Will in prison, scheduled to hang. It is this crisis and it's resolution that, I believe, the author intended to keep the reader on the edge of their seat while the 'main' storyline around Bran's effort to free Elfael from the Ffreinc unfolded. However, if like me, you don't buy the threat of Will's imminent demise, you'll depend on the tale he tells to keep you excited and, as I said, that story takes a long time to warm up. In fact, it's not until some 300 pages into the book until a new plan (the first plan being that which unfolded in Hood) is hatched to free Elfael - freeing Elfael being the primary motivation for all of Bran's band to begin with.

One thing Scarlet does better than Hood is portray for us the true villainy of the Ffreinc. In Hood, yes, they were the bad-guys, but more or less not really more ruthless than the Britons, just on the opposing side. A scene where the Marshall Guy and his men cruelly slaughter a farmer's livelihood, and later where the Sherriff of the March hangs that very same farmer with no mercy (and still later tries to hang three more innocent victims) goes a long way to giving the readers someone to really root _against_. Hoping to see their final comeuppance is a genuine motivator to keep reading.

The story, mainly being told from Will's perspective, gives the author a good chance to show the character of Bran and his band from the outside, but Will as a story-teller is more interested in relating the events that lead up to his situation than in truly delving into the emotional weight of what the folk living in the wood are going through. He addresses their hardship, but never gives you the feeling you're experience the true depths of what it means to be opposing the Ffreinc. Clearly, the lives of people scrabbling to subsist in the middle of an untamed wood should be more perilous than we are allowed to see. And clearly, the stories that must be behind these people who have chosen to live in exile within their own lands must be deeply compelling - we just don't get to learn any of it. I think we as readers lose something here. We get to invest in our hatred for the Ffreinc, but we can only build in sympathy for the Britons indirectly. The final difference is between a story that is a fairly exciting adventure centered on a small group of heroes, and what might have been a deeply emotional, tragic and yet inspiring tale of a people's refusal to be conquered.

Mr. Lawhead's writing is adept. Clearly he knows his craft. He made a strategic choice in how he approached the telling of this tale and my guess is that some will be won by his choice and some lost. I think few will find tremendous fault with it.

Further, this is the middle of a trilogy, and like all middles it has a hard time competing in drama with beginnings and endings. Hood was great, this is good enough to sustain the adventure. How his next book, "Tuck" fares will be the true judge of the success of the series.

At the end of the day, I am comfortable recommending the entirety of Mr. Lawhead's innovative take on the legend of Robin Hood, or, as he would put it, Rhi Bran a Hud

I gave Hood a five star rating because I truly enjoyed it. But I liked Scarlet even better. Lawhead does an excellent job creating a character that the reader truly roots for. I think this is because he presented Will Scarlet's point of view in first person. Only a writer as skilled as Lawhead could switch from first person in the main character's voice and third person for the other characters and pull it off.

This book also goes beyond Hood because it effectively showed the oppression the Normans enacted on the Welsh and how they were caught between them and the Britons. But then if I hadn't understood that, I would not have cared for the characters as much as I did. Even the monk recording Will's story becomes a likeable character caught between the outlaws (who are really the outcasts) and the church that aligned itself with whatever power prevailed. (Which makes me eager to read about a religious man who is a rebel in the next book, Tuck!)

I really think Lawhead keeps getting better and better.

Cindy Thomson
Author of Brigid of Ireland

Scarlet is the second book in the The King Raven Trilogy. Most of the story is told from the point of view of Will Scarlet, one of King Raven's men and currently in prison, which is more like a dungeon. As a Welshman, Scarlet's life has no value. As one of King Raven's band of outlaws, his life is worth more, but only for a short time. He's telling his story to Brother Odo, the monk assigned to write down his tale. Will's dilemma is to stretch out his tale long enough to avoid the hangman's noose, but not so detailed as to give out any of King Raven's secrets.

Meanwhile, King Raven-as he's known to the invading Normans-knows the fate Scarlet faces if he isn't rescued. But he also has equally pressing problems that demand his attention. On one of his band's raids, they seized a package that is mysterious to them, but based on the extreme efforts of the Normans to take it back, is of enormous value. But if the package isn't returned, then the blood of the native Welsh will begin to flow.

Book Two continues the story of a rebellious few determined to regain the land that was once theirs, no matter what the cost. Hood: The King Raven Trilogy - Book 1 (King Raven Trilogy)begins the trilogy and this re-telling of an ancient legend.

When you begin reading Stephen Lawhead, do be warned! You may become an instant fan like I did. And after finishing "Scarlet," book 2 in the "King Raven Trilogy," I'm anxiously awaiting better things! Hey, not that this was a bad thing.

In the end of "Hood," we start to see the raven really fly. And of course we meet Rhi Bran Hud, Robin Hood to the rest of us. In this installment, we meet and get to know William Scatlocke. Oh yeah, that would be Will Scarlet to the rest of us. And we get more adventures with a band of merry men, without a doubt! Archery contests do occur in the Welsh community, and the arrows fly, and the ale flows much thicker. In a tale of grit and wit, you find love in all the right places. You see the evil in the leaders who want to control everything. This plot gets to be like a noose of sorts, but does it leave you hanging?

Justice served might be a proper theme of "Scarlet." And while the conclusion is indeed satisfying, is justice really served? I think that would be for the reader to decide for themselves. Lawhead served up a great treat, and hopes you'll stick around for what will hopefully be an easy bulls eye! If this were to be compared to a meal, it would be a feast for a king. I can't wait for "Tuck" to be released, and to join a band of merry men. This reader anxiously waits for an even more satisfying conclusion.

Contrary to what some other reviewers have said this book does not take up exactly where "Hood" leaves off and my advise to anyone who enjoyed "Hood" would be to stick with this book because you do eventually find out what happens though it is a retelling within the story that is brief.

I felt this book had some problems that made it awkward to read - the least of which is the going back and forth from the telling of the story from Will Scarlet's point of view in the first person to the third person. This way of reading a story just drives me nuts and I have to admit was very irritating, partiucularly when I had just finished reading "Hood" which was told completely from a third person narrative. On top of that I was hoping to pick up "Scarlet" and continue reading precisely where "Hood" left off. Unfortunetly that doesn't happen. It just made it hard for me to get off the ground reading this story and I came close to hanging it up before I reached the end.

Thankfully I was able to stick with it because I really enjoyed the last two hundred pages of the story. If you can make it that far it takes off quickly and will keep you captivated to the end. Though I never got used to Will Scarlet's narrative I did grow to like the character and found him to be one of the more likable heros of all those that I have read that were created by Stephen Lawhead. I'm glad I read it and am now looking forward to coninuing on with "Tuck."

Ever read the book "The Sky if Falling?" Well, that is nearly literally how this book opens up, with Will "Scarlet" falling out of a tree. Scarlet is the 2nd novel in a Trilogy, retelling the Robin Hood legend from Stephen Lawhead. Scarlet picks up shortly after the first book ends, Hood. Scarlet is a very fascinating character, as he has desire, needs, and wants in life. Through the eyes of Scarlet, we see a different view of Bran and his followers. A man of nearly equal skill with the Bow, Scarlet is instantly taken in by Bran, and becomes a valued friend, counselor, and brother in arms of Bran.

The story of Scarlet is a fully packed story with love, action, and a strong plot to propel the story forward. We begin with Scarlet in jail, awaiting to be hang for a crime he did not commit, while he retells his story to his monk friend, Odo. Treachery has been discovered, and Bran and his followers will try to save his kingdom, and along while, begins to take on the bigger role as we know all Robin Hood as, the preserver of England.
We are introduced into all too familiar characters, The Sheriff, Guy of Gysborne, and we see just how ruthless they can be.

Stephen Lawhead has a wonderful, masterful writing skill, and through his creative, poem like penmanship, we read a very graceful story of Will Scarlet. We have a crisp, and clear understanding of where this story is going, and how human these characters truly are. While this novel did not open up with the stunning affect I felt from "Hood," the novel instantly grew on me, with an extremely plausible plot, fun, games, and the basic human desires. What the book lacked in the opening, it finished with a cliff hanger, that can only be finishing in the 3rd novel: Tuck.

Readers of historical fiction, adventure fans, even fantasy, or those looking for a solid story, packed with deceit, love, and more, Scarlet is the book for you. Read it, you won't be disappointed!

Longbow at the ready, Lawhead has dived head first into the Robin Hood mythos, carrying with him his customary Celtic twist. Ironically enough, if you read his personal note at the end of Hood, he amazingly has some solid research to back up this different setting for such a beloved legend.

Enter Scarlet, the continuation of the trilogy begun in Hood. As is a favorite technique of Lawhead, the second book of his trilogy is narrated by a different character than the first. Will Scarlet, as is the obvious choice, narrates this story. This works for most of the book, though Lawhead does have to throw in a few chapters narrated in third person to pick up portions of the narration which Scarlet would have no way of knowing about. This was a little awkward to me, in places. It worked, but it "tainted" the very inspired narration of Will Scarlet, in my mind.

That said, I thought the book was great. Not quite as great as the first, but definitely more than worth the read. I think this book seemed more transitory. By that I mean that it truly felt like it was moving the grand story which Lawhead has created from point A to point C, this book being the point B which explains the direction chosen and measures taken by the characters in the third book.

So, do I recommend it? Absolutely. Lawhead, in my mind, is a "must read" writer - if his hand has penned it, it's definitely worth your time. Make sure you read Hood first, but then grab yourself a copy of Scarlet and curl up with an awesome book!