{Review} Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Title: Scarlet (Scarlet #1)
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Publisher: Walker Children's
Genre: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | Kobo | B&N

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.

Scarlet was one of those books that took me by surprise actually. I remember it was one of those books I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on just because of the cover. (Yes, I pick out books based on covers mostly.) I remember wanting to read it really badly and then the thrill was over for me. I don't know why, I guess I got consumed with all the other books that I had piling up. Then, one day this past week, it was just staring me in the face and I knew that I had to dust it off and start reading it. Very glad that I did.

I have always like the fact of Robin Hood. You know, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. He was always so valiant and brooding.  I grew up watching the Disney movie and saw the movies Robin Hood: Men In Tights (one too many times) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (absolutely loved Christian Slater in this movie). I have always wanted to read the stories about Robin Hood however.

I liked how the writer put a twist on Will Scarlet. I didn't expect Scarlet to be who she was in the end though. I also expected a different ending to the story, but was glad that the ending I had in mind didn't happen.

The characters were likable. I really enjoyed Robin's character and Scarlet's. They were both so strong in their own ways, but it was the character of Much I enjoyed so much more. He wasn't the brute strength to the band and he wasn't the mad scientist type. He was the calmer, more reserved type person. And he wanted to be so much more than what he was. I truly admired him in this book.

The story was pretty great. I especially liked how the sheriff was far more darker then the movies made him out to be. Would love to know how the original book made him out. Gisbourne was a nice twist to the tale and so was the true identity of Scarlet. Reading the dialect throughout the book made me feel like I was living it and speaking it. I imagined Sherwood Forest like this huge area with nothing but tree houses and ropes swings. But maybe that's because I watched the movies too much.

I highly recommend this book to people ages 14 and up, who loved excitement and adventure.