Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood. He was a Lord who saw the people of Notthingham suffering from the taxation that Prince John was applying to the people while King Richard the Lionheart was off fighting in the Crusades. To help the people Robin turns thief and robs from the rich to give to the poor. He has a band of men who help him, Little John, Friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet. The story of Robin Hood is also one of love. He finds himself in love with the beautiful Maid Marian who returns his love. We all know how the story ends as it has been told numerous times in numerous ways and has been the subject of many different movies.

This book throws a twist into all of that. Gaughen uses the original characters and uses a few of her own to tell the story of Will Scarlet, a knife throwing, swearing, thieving member of Hood's band. Scarlet is a complex character who seems to be driven by a desire to help others and to atone of some unknown sin. Scarlet also has a secret, he is actually a she. Robin and his men know this and as the story unfolds the reader finds that there is way more to Scarlet's story than what she has even told Robin. Soon she finds herself dealing with her past and she must choose between her love for Robin and his men and her own life. Will she be able to save those she loves?

This story has everything. Action, romance, adventure and even a love triangle. I love how the author took a very familiar story and put such a twist on it that I felt like I was reading the Robin Hood story for the first time. She did an amazing job with the characters in that she kept their most notable traits, such as Little John being the muscle, and Robin always being the hero but she gave them more depth and you find yourself wanting to learn more about them. You're pulled into the story and you don't feel like its just another retelling that just rehashes the story told before. The ending leaves you hanging and I truly hope that there will be more books in this series. Pick up this book and read it! You won't be disappointed.