"The prophecies all indicate that the time of darkness .... when Evil will walk free on the earth, roaming where it will and killing whomever it wishes .... will take root on the day the king sets sail, abandoning his people to their fate."
That time has come. King Richard, along with many of his noblemen, has sailed for the Holy Land leaving his brother, Prince John, to reign in his absence. John's cruelty and greed is quickly made evident to the people. What is less apparent at first is the unspeakable evil that he's brought with him to England. No one's sure how to fight this spreading dark magic, but the prophecies give one glimmer of hope.
"A man will rise and accept the mantle of leadership, to fight a war while the infirm can only watch .... (a man) of Sherwood."
I don't read as much fantasy these days as I used to, but every once in awhile I get in the mood for an epic read with magic and swords (or a bow and arrow in this case), good vs. evil, and an unexpected (and often reluctant) hero. Mark of the Black Arrow, the first book in the Robin Hood: Demon's Bane trilogy by Debbie Viguie and James R. Tuck is a fun retelling of Robin Hood but with a supernatural twist. I liked it a lot. Especially the characters. As the king's niece, Marian is determined to stop Prince John despite the vulnerability of her own position in his court. She forms a small rebellion with Will Scarlet, Alan-a-Dale, Little John and Friar Tuck. But what they really need is a hero to lead them. Only the Hood is just an old legend. And Robin Longstride? He's young and stubborn and hot-tempered, and more at home hunting in Sherwood Forest than he is at his own home. He's also just the man they need if they have any hope of defeating Prince John and the very evil (and not-quite-human) Sheriff of Nottingham.
Talk about a good first book in this fantasy series! I really liked Robin, Marian and Will. And I can't wait to read the next two books. Here's hoping my library gets them in soon.
Happy Reading!
I love James R Tuck's urban fantasy series Deacon Chalk...we've been waiting ages for the new book to finally come out!
ReplyDeleteI do love a good urban fantasy series; I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for the rec! :)
DeleteThis sounds like something I'd enjoy! Thanks, Lark!
ReplyDelete:D I'm excited to read the next one; hopefully it's just as good.
DeleteI don't read much fantasy these days, either. But now you have me wanting to go back and identify the ones from the past I've enjoyed most so that I can see if those authors have added to their backlist.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea! I should do that, too. :)
DeleteThat sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt is! :)
DeleteI’m the same I’m not much one for fantasy these days either but I do like the sound of a supernatural Robin Hood!
ReplyDeleteThat's what drew me to this one. :D
DeleteI rarely read fantasy nowadays but this series sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the first book. :D
DeleteI don't read much straight-up fantasy these days either and I don't know why that is, lol. Give me an urban fantasy and I'm so there for that. This book sounds good though. I'll have to check it out. I'm always down for a good retelling. :)
ReplyDeleteI read a lot more urban fantasy these days, too. :)
DeleteSounds like a fun take on Robin Hood. Glad to hear you enjoyed it and I hope your library gets the next two books, stat! :)
ReplyDeleteThey've got them on order, so fingers crossed they come in soon. :)
DeleteThis sounds nice! I like the idea of a supernatural element to go along with Robin Hood.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I liked about it, too. :)
DeleteI haven't read too many Robin Hood re-tellings, but a few are on my wish list. This one sounds like a really interesting take on it--and I like the supernatural angle. I am glad you enjoyed it, Lark.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about the Robin Hood story that makes for some good books! :)
DeleteI read a fair amount of fantasy when I was younger. I read a lot less now. This sounds fun. These days, When I start a series, if I like the books at all, I generally read all the books through without pausing between them.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best way to read a series! If I pause too long between books there's a good chance I'll never get around to finishing the series. :)
DeleteSounds like an interesting twist on the Robin Hood legends! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteI did really like it...especially they way they wrote all the characters. :)
DeleteI don't read a lot of fantasy but this sounds fun. Glad it was a good read for you!
ReplyDeleteIt hit the spot. :)
DeleteThis sounds great! The Robin Hood story was one of my favorites as a kid/teen. :D
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I even liked the Disney animated version of it. :)
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