Not the Hood you remember, but the Hood you need

If you enjoyed By Force Alone, just get this - you'll love it!

If you have no idea what I'm on about, let me tell you why I recommend this novel.

It's absolutely laden with nods to the original May Day ballads, numerous poems and songs of Robin Hood, as well as wry historical observations, witty dialogue, and a dark, winding story that gives you a taste of the medieval mindset and what it feared was lurking in the depths of every forest.

We also get to meet the Band of Merry Men, and hear their origin stories from their perspective - which quite often involves a wee bit of murder and mayhem, and lots of carousing in between.

Somewhat pleasingly, much of the story also focuses on Rebecca and her gang, as well as Maid Marion's influence on the Merry Men, while also dabbling with and rearranging various Fairy Tales and Ballads to fit the narrative - there's some really excellent authorial techniques on display, and I loved it!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this romp, and found it just as compelling as By Force Alone, if not more so.

Toby Longworth does an absolutely fantastic job of the narration, being able to switch voices and dialects effortlessly - like Peter Kenny, he's a master of his art and never ceases to disappoint.

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