Book Recap: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Cover Inspection:
Honestly, I am not liking this cover.
I don't find it attractive.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	2.0
Plot	3.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	3.5
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.5 Superior! (93% to 96%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
The story is set Nottinghamshire in the middle ages.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
Scarlet is the main character. She is basically Robin Hood's informant. People do not know that she is a girl pretending to be a boy. But Robin's band know her true identity. Scarlet is a kick ass heroine as can hold her own in a fight. Scarlet lies. Scarlet steals. But despite being an outlaw, the people of Notingham love her (or him).

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
This is basically a retelling of the story of Robin Hood and his band of thieves - with a twist.

LOVE:
There is a heavy romantic tension between Robin and Scarlet. Theirs is the kind where one look sends a message. I loved those scenes where one is just looking at the other... watching, observing, gazing. Really, those scenes between the two of them left me swooning and sighing. Their literary chemistry isn't sizzling. What they have is slow and sweet. Simmering. I loved reading about their attraction to each other, but both are in denial and don't want to cross over the line.

The book is filled with action scenes. Scarlet is a kick ass heroine, and she isn't affaid to fight men twice her size, twice her strength. Her weapon of choice are knives, and she knows how to use them. I had fun reading those scenes. There was violence, yes, but it wasn't gory.

I have no complaints regarding the pacing. It's steady and consistent. Something interesting is always happening in this book, be it fighting or flirtation. Not one boring chapter!

NO LOVE:
The narration was written in "modern Middle English," if that makes sense. Here's an example:

Rob looked at me, and as were fair usual, I felt my heart jump. He has a way of looking at me in particular that I’m none too pleased ’bout. I like slipping around and not being noticed. But Rob sees me. He even saw me before I knew he were looking.

Here's another one:

“Just because you kissed me don’t mean I’m your girl none,” I told him.

At first, it felt awkward. But I eventually got used to it, and I got comfortable with it.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Robin Hood! Here, the leading man is authororitative and commanding. A true leader. He's passionate about helping the people of Nottinghamshire. That makes him sexy.

FAVORITE SCENE:

“Rob, did you hear about Scar’s new lover?” John crowed.
Rob looked sharp to me. “Was there an old one?”
“Jenny Percy!” Much said, pleased with himself.
Rob smiled. “Of a band with three actual boys, why is it that all the maids lust after the fake one?”

MUSINGS:
Scarlet is a very good retelling of the story of Robin Hood. It truly captured the essence of the legend/story: the setting, the characters, the emotions, and even the language! It felt authentic. And yes, there was a love triangle in this story. But it's one of those predictable ones where the girl is already in love with one of the boys. Also, when I first started reading, I actually thought that the plot was predictable, but there was a twist in the story that I did not see coming! A pleasant surprise. With respect to the ending, I think it was indefinite. The conflict of the major story line was resolved, but there were issues that remained unresolved. A sequel maybe? All in all, I enjoyed reading Scarlet! It's a a quick, fun read filled with fighting and romance.

DOODLES:


AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
A.C Gaughen

SIMILAR READS:
Gilt by Katherine Longshore

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: mild
violence: moderate
sexual content: mild - moderate
mature themes: mild
age recommendation: 13+