Scarlet (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 2) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: lord count, King Raven, Abbot Hugo, Count Falkes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

After losing everything he owns, forester Will Scarlet embarks on a search for none other than King Raven, whose exploits have already become legendary. After fulfilling his quest--and proving himself a skilled and loyal companion--Will joins the heroic archer and his men.

Now, however, Will is in prison for a crime he did not commit. His sentence is death by hanging--unless he delivers King Raven and his band of cohorts.

That, of course, he will never do.

Wales is slowly falling under the control of the invading Normans, and King William the Red has given his ruthless barons control of the land. In desperation, the people turn to King Raven and his men for justice and survival in the face of the ever-growing onslaught.

From deep in the forest they form a daring plan for deliverance, knowing that failure means death for them all.

Scarlet continues Stephen R. Lawhead's riveting saga that began with the novel Hood, which relocated the legend of Robin Hood to the Welsh countryside and its dark forests. Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medival Britain, Lawhead's trilogy conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood.

About the Author

Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction.  His novels include Hood, Book One in the King Raven Trilogy, Patrick, The Song of Albion trilogy, the Dragon King trilogy and The Pendragon Cycle series.  Lawhead makes his home in Oxford, England, with his wife.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Second Printing edition (September 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595540865
• ISBN-13: 978-1595540867
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #17 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( L ) > Lawhead, Stephen
  #35 in	Books > History > Europe > Wales

• This is item 2 in The King Raven Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Stars...Leaves Us Hanging, September 20, 2007

By	Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily Lawhead's most mature work, November 11, 2007

By	Jacob of Sterlington (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anxiously Awaiting TUCK, October 8, 2007

By	P. Higingbotham (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.