Hood by Stephen Lawhead

So I love anything that has to do with Robin Hood. I've seen the Russel Crowe version and the Kevin Costner version probably 100x each. I think the story is timeless and was super excited when I saw this book. I've read other Robin Hood retellings including Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen and loved it. When I was picking out books for our book clubs list this past year I saw this and knew we had to read it.

This book strays a little from the normal Robin Hood story. Instead of being set in England and Sherwood Forest this book is set in Wales and it a couple hundred years before King Richard and Prince John. The author chose to name his character Bran and he is Robin Hood. All the other basic elements are there. You met Friar Tuck ( whose name is different) and Iwan who is John. Maid Marian also makes an appearance although her relationship with Bran is quite different from the original story. This book was very well researched and gives the reader an idea of what life was like after William the Conqueror invaded from Normadie and took over England.

What I liked so much about this book is that even though the other is retelling an old story, it is written in a way that is brand new and you don't feel as if you are reading the same old thing. The characters are well developed and you most defiantly find yourself rooting for Bran and his band of outcasts. This book also has a good deal of Celtic mythology added into the story along with the plight of the Christian monks and priests during that time. This book is the first in a trilogy and I most certainly plan on reading the other two.

So if you want a good book to read, this is a great pick!