Tuesday 4 September 2012

#145 Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet
Release Date: August 1st 2012
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from 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.

Cover:
Will Scarlet, you are such a beautiful boy girl! (Technically, Scarlet's a girl but shhh, no one knows that besides the Hood and his band!) I like the cover, how the font is set out on the cover and also the model!

Story:

Who is the true Will Scarlet?

I have to admit, before reading Scarlet, all I can remember about Robin Hood is that he's a thief and he is a hero because he gives the things he steals to the poor people. And I always associate it with Disney's Robin Hood because that's probably the only version of Robin Hood I've ever watched. So, after reading Scarlet, not only did I enjoy it, I also gained more understanding of Robin Hood's tale. 

Scarlet is a fun, adventurous and surprisingly quite a romantic story! Firstly, the story introduces us to the Hood and the band; Robin Hood himself, Will Scarlet, John Little and Much. The story plot develops as we find out that Gisbourne, the Thief Taker is trying to find the Hood and kill him. The setting is absolutely fantastic, transporting me back to England in the olden days. The writing itself is witty and clever! Narrated from Scarlet's POV, there is quite an accent behind her words and that's what makes the character even more realistic! The romance is subtle yet slowly grows into something quite big which I really loved reading about.

Characters:
Will Scarlet, oh how I adore you! (Please don't be scared. I'm a girl but I just adore you!) Scar here is quite a talented thief. She's brave, courageous and her weapon of choice is a knife! Isn't that cool? Sad that she has to hide her hair most of the time but I love the moments when she wears dresses and loosens her hair from her cap. She also really likes Rob (don't be shy, Scar!) although John really likes her too. 

Rob, John and Much! You guys are awesome, seriously. Starting from Rob, you're such a gentle and kindhearted hero. These are truly admirable qualities, Rob! While I don't really like you, John, you're always there to help Scar so I guess you're still pretty cool. And Much, I simply adore you too! You all create a very awesome band of thieves!

Gisbourne, the scary Thief Taker. I just don't care about you. You are evil and that is all. Overall, the characters are fantastic and I really enjoyed reading about each and one of them!

Overall:
So you know Robin Hood's tale? Do you remember Will Scarlet? What if all this time....he's a girl? A.C Gaughen's writing is fun and adventurous! With fantastic setting and characters, Scarlet is bewitching re-telling of Robin Hood and of course, Will Scarlet too!
4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Scarlet!
Thank you Bloomsbury Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!

19 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Celine! I wasn't a big fan of it, but I absolutely loved Scar and I'm curious to see how her relationship with Rob plays out in the sequel! :D Yet another stunning review!

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  2. Oh so Scarlet has a romance with Robin? How does Maid Marion figure into this story, I wonder. Glad to see you liked this Celine. I love the name Scarlet and this cover is gorgeous. Wonderful review. :)

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  3. I have only ever heard great things about this book, so I think it needs to shoot to the top of my tbr list. I'm excited to read that there is going to be a sequel as well! Thank you for the great review!

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  4. Ohai there, Celine! LOL I was thinking about what I remember about Robin Hood but the image that kept popping up was of Robin Williams with a bow and arrow as Peter Pan. It always happens. >_> And that girl on the cover! She IS a handsome girl. I don't remember reading/hearing about Will Scarlet, but I'm a little disappointed to know that her weapon of choice is a knife.

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  5. This released here in Ausgust? O__O Where? Oh boy, I better not venture into any bookish shops otherwise I'm a goner. So many books and before I buy more, I must AT LEAST make a dent in my shelf. *cries* *runs off to read*

    Anyways... Celine! This sounds great and after hearing amazing things about it, from authors, bloggers and YOU, I think it's (nearly) time I read this :D

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  6. What a fun review, Celine. I know I was sorry when this made the rounds here this past winter. I have always loved Robin Hood from Disney to Kevin Costner in Prince of Thieves! Do me a favor watch Kevin Costner in Robin Hood it is so good. I would love to have a girl added into the mix with Scarlet!

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  7. Ohh, I'll be honest here: I didn't really want to read this, but after all the positive reviews, yours included, I don't think I have much of a choice, do I?
    Also, I agree with Heidi, defintiely watch Kevin Costner as Robin. :)
    Wonderful review as always, my dear!

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  8. Great review, hun! I've seen the cover for this everywhere but I really didn't know much about it at all. I do know the story so now I am really keen to read it, especially because you loved the characters so much!

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  9. I am the same as Mandee, I have seen cover about but I didn't realise it had to do with Robin Hood etc. Loved your review. I am rather wishing I had it to read, now:D

    MIchelle

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  10. I'm glad you enjoyed this, Celine! I read it a while back and can't remember much about it now, to be quite honest, but I do remember enjoying Rob and Scarlet's characters. Brilliant review! :)

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  11. I really want to read this, it looks great! I love the whole idea of posing as boy, and a spin-off from Robin Hood. :D Great review, thanks for sharing! :) x

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  12. While the idea of this book's inspiration is overwrought, I am intrigued because of your glowing review and the beautiful cover. :) Fabulous review, Celine! Like what Maja said- I don't have a choice in picking this up, now do I? ;)

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  13. I tried this book awhile back but got distracted! I should really give it another go, Scarlet sounds like such a fab character and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. :)

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  14. If I was a boy, I would totally crush on Scarlet :p I'm so glad you liked this book, because I loved it ^^ All the characters are amazing and the story was so well-written ^^ Great review!

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  15. When I saw the post title for this, I thought you'd read Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and I was about to totally jealous-hate you :P But now after reading your review for THIS Scarlet.... I think I'm still jealous anyway, because this sounds SO GOOD!

    I'm not overly familiar with the finer details of Robin Hood, but it's such a cool twist to make one of the guys secretly a girl. Scarlet sounds like such an awesome heroine - talented thief and can wield a knife? My kinda heroine :D You've made me so much more excited to read this, fantastic review!

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  16. Haha, I thought the EXACT thing as Brodie! I was like 'YOU READ IT???? CELINEEEEE!' But still, this Scarlet doesn't sound half bad either! :)

    I pretty much remember as much as you... Steals from the rich, gives to the poor. Robin Hood was never a story that interested me too much but I would definitely be up for reading something based on it, especially with this awesome twist! I loved the Alanna series with the girl pretending to be a boy so hopefully I will here too! Fantastic review, Celine! <3

    Sonia

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  17. WOO HOO!!! I loved this book so much Celine, I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well! I thought Scar was such a fabulous character (though her dialect took some getting used to), she was strong and refused to back down from a fight which I couldn't help but respect. I do hope we get more from this world, it felt like there was room for more at the end!

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  18. Celine my deeeeeear! <3333333333333

    I've been waiting for this book to come out on paperback to read it but with your review Im seriously doubting I'll be able to wait that long >_<

    I heard great things about this novel and your review just confirmed that this is a wonderful retelling. However, I never heard about Will Scarlet. Only RObin Hood and I seriously want to meet this girl (who is supposed to be a he) so badly now!! She sounds so delightful!

    Thank you for sharing =9

    Im may go pick up a hardcover soon! =P the paperback is coming out in way too long XDDD

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  19. CELINE! EEEEEEEEEEE! IT SOUNDS AMAZING! I've heard such AMAZING things about Scarlet, and, uh, wow. It sounds even more amazing now! So glad you enjoyed it, and... seriously. LOVING the idea of the reimagining of the myth! ♥

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