Scarlet is one of my all-time favorite YA novels. I can think of only one or two books that I can even dare to put on the same level as A.C Gaughen’s debut novel.
Of course, I may be a bit biased, considering I’ve had an unhealthy obsession with Robin Hood from an unlikely young age. Disney. Check. Russel Crowe. Saw it. BBC’s Robin Hood. Helloooooo, Richard Armitage. Been there, done that, and probably loved it. There’s something about the promise of uncommon justice that has me.
And Will Scarlet. As a girl. Having the hots for Robin Hood. Can I say yes enough times and not disturb the hell out of you guys? Because even thinking about it is giving me fangirl syndrome. Contrary to all the ideas that may give you, Scarlet hasn’t provoked half the inappropriate fanfiction you’d wish it would.
Getting to the bottom of things though, as much as I loved Scarlet, I never actually had the opportunity to review it, and as much as that fact pains me, getting to review Lady Thief totally makes up for it. Like, a hundred times over.
Badassery. Everywhere. You thought you’d gotten enough of it in Scarlet? Think again, and prepare to have your mind blown. There is so much action tension in this second installment that it nearly drove me crazy. And one specific sort-of action scene that involved blood and what and all the sad, sad feels. And lots of crying on my part. And wait, no, make that two, another blood shedding scene just as heartbreaking. I was an emotional mess. Keep in mind I was also at my Uni’s library while reading and I may or may not have been spotted by a few judgmental spectators.
The romance is just as packed in Lady Thief, as well, and the few tender moments between Scarlet and Rob had me swooning all over the place. Guy of Gisbourne also had his few moments of softness that had me feeling for him now and then. But this may also be because I have a thing for Richard Armitage, as mentioned before, and I might always have him in mind while reading. I mean, can you blame me?
WAIT, this reminds me, three scenes, it’s three scenes that broke my heart but probably shouldn’t have because I have thing for bad Guy’s. See what I did there?
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One of my favorite things about the Scarlet series is that A.C always seems to remain as historically accurate, depending in whether you believe the Robin Hood tale or not, as possible. I love getting to read about King Richard and Prince John knowing that at one point, all that’s being written could very well been true. Lady Thief can be a retelling, or somewhat of biographical account depending on which side of the field you’re on, but I can guarantee either way that you’ll be satisfied with Gaughen’s storytelling skills.
Seeing the characters we all know and love grow as we flip through the pages was equally enjoyable, but hands down all the drama Scarlet had going on is what mainly had me on edge. All the secrets being kept from one another had me with heart palpitations and without the book wouldn’t have been half as good. Cheers to Gaughen for ruining my once-was healthy blood pressure.
When it comes down to it, Lady Thief is a great sequel to a glorious twist on the tale of Robin Hood and one of his very special merry men, Will Scarlet.
Rating: 9/10
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