The Outlaws of Sherwood (Firebird)

Reviews (See all 40) Write a reviewfor this

• 
  

  This was a quick and easy summer read offering an enjoyable fresh rendition of the old Robin Hood tales. Robin McKinley is one of my favorites for retellings and for her spunky female characters (though they still end up married far too often for my liking). "Outlaws" is definitely not her best or most original book, but it was entertaining. One way in which the book stands apart from McKinley's other works is the gender of her lead character... this is the first time I have seen he... (show more)

  This was a quick and easy summer read offering an enjoyable fresh rendition of the old Robin Hood tales. Robin McKinley is one of my favorites for retellings and for her spunky female characters (though they still end up married far too often for my liking). "Outlaws" is definitely not her best or most original book, but it was entertaining. One way in which the book stands apart from McKinley's other works is the gender of her lead character... this is the first time I have seen her attempt to write from the perspective of a male MC. She does a fairly good job, though Robin's inner life is not developed nearly as much as, say, Aerin's in "The Hero and the Crown." McKinley also can't quite resist dipping into the female psyche and occasionally switches to the perspectives of Marian or, near the end, Cecily. Overall there was a sense of detachment, either from the jumping perspectives or perhaps because McKinley isn't quite comfortable with her male persona, and I couldn't manage to feel the same concern and attachment to the characters that I have felt for her previous stories. Still, McKinley remains at the foremost of my favorite YA fantasy authors. (show less)

   

   

  by Andrea Connolly on Aug 23, 2009 at 03:50AM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• 

  I liked this a lot more than previous books I read by McKinley. It offered a different take on the Robin Hood myth, but was still familiar enough to draw me in. I thought the humor and characterization were both particularly well done.

  My only wish is that McKinley had fleshed out the back stories of a few more of the outlaws. They seemed so interesting, but we only got brief glimpses into their lives and personalities, making it hard to be completely vested in them as characters. Bu... (show more)

  I liked this a lot more than previous books I read by McKinley. It offered a different take on the Robin Hood myth, but was still familiar enough to draw me in. I thought the humor and characterization were both particularly well done.

  My only wish is that McKinley had fleshed out the back stories of a few more of the outlaws. They seemed so interesting, but we only got brief glimpses into their lives and personalities, making it hard to be completely vested in them as characters. But otherwise, a great read. Very enjoyable. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Aug 19, 2009 at 01:11PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• See all reviews
  Write a review