Robin Hood: The Shadows of Sherwood Forest
This novel opens at the 1189 death of King Henry II, followed by the crowning of his older son, Richard the Lionheart, and Richard’s departure for a Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. Greedy younger brother, John, and his cruel acolytes now rule. They tax commoners into starvation and hang or jail any complainers. Evil sheriffs and lords murder loyalists merely because they witnessed earlier crimes.
A giant young hunter, John Little, brings home a precious deer. His small village rejoices. But wild game belongs to the King. Soldiers ambush the villagers and slaughter everyone they find. Only John and a young girl, Marian, escape. Together they flee into deep forests and are captured by Robin Hood’s outlaws. Robin quickly assesses John’s many skills and quiet strength. Robin’s band renames John as Little John, and he becomes Robin’s constant advisor. The story unfolds mainly through John’s point of view.
For years Robin Hood’s bases remain hidden while his men raid the wealthy and help the poor. Local rulers use bribes and all the soldiers and horses they can muster to thwart Robin. Clever forays by both sides build to thrilling encounters between the two groups.
Magnetic leader Robin runs like a cat and is a champion archer. We watch Marian grow up and a banished priest, Friar Tuck, join the outlaws. Roehrig’s secondary characters are often scene stealers. He knows the terrain, the customs and clothes, the foods and weapons. He puts readers deep into secret forests, noisy towns, and castles. This YA/adult crossover story, though translated from German, is not just a rousing addition to the legend of Robin Hood but also a well-told slice of English society and history during challenging times.
