Learn More. With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app. App Store Preview. Screenshots iPhone iPad. Description Defend the innocent and save the day! Aug 16, Version 1. Supported OS: iOS 9. Ratings and Reviews. App Privacy. Size Category Games. Compatibility iPhone Requires iOS 9. Languages English. Price Free. Game Center Challenge friends and check leaderboards and achievements. That's about all I liked about this book, but I liked it a lot.
Otherwise, it was dark and grim -- exactly what I hate in Robin Hood retellings. It isn't that dark, grim stories don't have a place; it's just that the whole point of the Robin Hood legend is to be romantic and inspiring. Aug 19, Nicky rated it liked it Shelves: historical-fiction-alternatehistory , based-on-myth-saga-etc , children-s-and-ya , for-class , robin-hood. If I'd read this when I was about eleven or twelve, I would probably have loved it. It's the Robin Hood story, but focused around the women, including one main strong woman, Mary de Holt, or Marian.
I doubt it, though; I think it's all quite strongly focused on Marian. Reading it as an adult, it's less enchanting. I'm not as caught up in the sense of adventure and empowerment and young girls doing wonderfu If I'd read this when I was about eleven or twelve, I would probably have loved it. I'm not as caught up in the sense of adventure and empowerment and young girls doing wonderful things.
The story is a bit more realistic than some Robin Hood stories, I suppose -- with the concern about feeding the children, and about babies being born, and so on. It's low on the exciting stuff, like defying the Sheriff -- it's done, of course, but it seems quite low-key.
Which is appropriate for something that follows the women more than Robin, of course. I don't think I'm going to write about this in my Robin Hood essay. It hasn't caught my interest enough for that, though I'll read the rest of it. Did realise I'd read another book by Theresa Tomlinson -- the one about Troy. I loved that, as a younger girl. It'd probably lose something in rereading it now. Dec 17, Liss Carmody rated it really liked it.
Ah, I love this book. I read it for the first time when I was fourteen or fifteen maybe, and hadn't revisited it quite some time, so I was prepared for it not to hold up well. Honestly, it does all right. There are some legitimate criticisms in other reviews - that it's too cursory in its characterization - fair - and that the 'old timey' language is distracting - can't disagree with that. But broadly, I'm in favor of YA reimaginings of classic mythology, and the Robin Hood story is nothing if not that.
I appreciate a deftly done woman-centered story as well, and thought Tomlinson did a fair to good job in designing a story that fits around the edges of the Robin Hood tales as we know them, while marrying them to some of the true concerns and realities of daily life in the twelfth century. Historical fiction blended with mythology is not an easy beast to tame and I appreciated how Tomlinson was able to skillfully use pagan imagery like the green man and green lady without diving wholesale into a neopagan slant.
She brought together a very literal, down-to-earth focus on the logistics of feeding hungry people and negotiating power as basically noncombatants in a world filled with marauding soldiers and brigands with the magical, outlaws-living-hidden-in-the-forest ambiance we expect from a Robin Hood tale in a way that is generally very successful. There is plenty of hard life here on view, but it doesn't seem gratuitous. I also very much enjoyed the nuns and found their depiction fairly realistic, if a bit romanticized.
Alas, although teenager-me thought the romance s between Marian and Robin and Emma and Little John were quite swoonworthy, on this pass I found them unremarkable. Marian and Robin's early relationship is heavily colored by his negative feelings toward her on account of his mother having gone to be her wet nurse, and although that relationship, so deeply entwined with her significant relationship with Agnes, seems fleshed out and truthful, the romance that develops later doesn't really seem to have much basis other than, 'I guess if I don't hate and resent her then I'll end up falling in love with her because On the other hand, that justification seemed like a bit of a forced pretext - it would have been stronger, I think, for Marian to simply assert that she preferred her relationship with Robin not to have the formality of marriage about it.
That might have been a hard sell, so I don't mind the way she handled it very much. Ultimately, this is a Maid Marian story and only loosely based on Robin Hood tales as told elsewhere. Most of the time that's to its advantage, but if you come looking for a story that hits all the expected notes you're likely to be disappointed. Those plot details are happening off-camera, if they happen at all. Promised to a much older man, Mary runs away into the wild wood, in search of freedom. She is joined by Agnes, who reveals her knowledge of the land and the world is critical to their survival.
Agnes takes on the role of the Forest Wife, a midwife and healer who lives deep in the woods and helps the desperate and injured. Mary is remade into Marian, becoming a capable woods woman and healer herself. Those familiar with the Robin Hood story might recognize more names than I could. But the Forest Wife is concerned with women characters living on the fringes. There is Philippa, who is sentenced to the scolds bridal and branding for speaking up to William of Langdon.
There is also the Sisters of Saint Mary who are imprisoned for holding services without a male priest and actively doing charity work instead of spending their lives in prayer. Pagan elements are also thrown in this mix. There is a May Day celebration in which a man dances wearing the horns of a stag. Little John is married to Emma by three sisters. Marian is too busy working the land to feed starving peasants to go into battle, and dramatic fighting scenes are often told to her after the fact.
Her romance with Robert is surprisingly slow and sweet. I read this as a teenager, and wanted one more read before I gave my copy away. I was pleasantly surprised by the Forest Wife, and found this last read to be rewarding. I have always loved traditional stories retold through the eyes of the women who are so often sidelined or painted one-dimensionally. This story especially because it recognises the importance and strength of women and the unique powers they have.
I also love the idea of the almost mythical character of the 'Forestwife'. The women recognise that even though they have to take on the responsibility of it, it doesn't make the role any less magical- we create our own myths, but that nevertheless myth has power. Also that they must be ready both to care, and to fight, and that the role of a women has stages maiden, warrior, mother, crone if you will and that each stage is as important as the last I suppose the only thing that is a little disappointing is that they all seem to pair up at some point with one of the men in one way or another- a little more diversity on that front might have been cool!
My book The Forest Wife by Theresa Tomlinson is a historical fiction book based on a young girl at the age of 15 being forced into an arranged marriage so she takes to the forest from her oppressive uncle and her lovely maid who goes by the name of Agnes. This book is an amazing book and I very much recommend it.
The author Theresa Tomlinson wrote this book with great confidence, and it shows. I very much enjoyed this read with all the added emotion and excitement leading you through the book. This book was very surprising and left me wanting more. This book is very well written, and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning about the harsh truth of history and the excitement a book can leave you in by the end.
Mar 07, Amy rated it liked it. Some of the Robin Hood story from Maid Marian's perspective. A short novel written in what felt like an older style with short vignettes to tell a longer story.
Tossed in a few bits of Shakespearean sounding English around the mostly normal sounding dialogue. As far as a remake of an old tale goes it was fine. The ending was kind of strange and awkward. None of the characters were very developed and I didn't feel much of a connection to the people or the story. Violence, no sex, mild language, themes of medieval torture things, a stillbirth, a pagan ritual thing, drunk clergy This area used to be covered in a vast forest and this book covers the stories of some of the people who lived there.
Mary is fifteen when she flees her home to escape an unwanted suitor. She takes shelter with the Green Lady of the woods where she is introduced to Robert of Sherwood. Mary reinvents herself as Marion. She is willing to stand against the cruel laws An interesting version of the story of Maid Marion and Robin Hood , Set in the area between Wakefield in Yorkshire and Nottingham. She is willing to stand against the cruel laws of Medieval England Apr 14, gio rated it it was ok Shelves: a-book-i-own , a-short-book.
I started this book with high expectations, but as I kept going on with the book I was quickly let down. Some of the writing is just annoying, and after the beginning it isn't really exciting anymore. This is a retelling of Robin Hood, yet 75 pages in he still hasn't shown up.
Its dissapointing to say that I will not be continuing the book, or the rest of the series. Maybe one day I could get back to it! FYI: I've never read the original Robin Hood story I started this book with high expectations, but as I kept going on with the book I was quickly let down.
Oct 13, Caroline rated it liked it. The Forestwife by Theresa Tomlinson is overall an okay read it wasn't personally for me but it did have a good plot. It was a historical fiction book about a girl named Mary who lived with her uncle and her maid Agnes. Mary was about to be forced into a marriage at the young age of Mary knows what she wants with her life and this is not it. Read more to find out what Mary dose to escape this life.
This book has so many twists and turns, and you never expect any of them. Once it ended it was like saying goodbye to old friends. Feb 14, Sierra rated it it was amazing. A fantastic book that any fan of Robin Hood shoukd read, indeed anyone should.
It focuses on putting "her" and "she" in the spotlight, rather than "he" and "him", which gives a classic tale a refreshing spin. I think that every child should read this, little boy and girl alike, to gain a new perspective that puts women in the spotlight, and not as a damsel.
Five out of five stars. Jul 13, Jani rated it it was amazing. I read this when i was an early teenager so probably years ago, while I can't remember most of the story, I remember that i adored this trilogy. It was exciting, well written and heartbreaking at the same time. May 15, Doug Dalglish rated it really liked it. An enjoyable addition to the Robin Hood universe. There is not much development of each character in the novel but, if a reader is willing to fill in the gaps with their own imagination, Tomlinson has sketched an interesting world that is enjoyable to spend time in.
The themes of charity, kindness, sacrifice and helping the community, fighting injustice and cruelty on a personal and wider level. Marian becomes the Forestwife, an age-old position of herbal medical healer and caretaker for the poor who live in and around Barnesdale Forest.
Helping her is Robert, also known as the Hooded One, who fights the oppressi 4. Helping her is Robert, also known as the Hooded One, who fights the oppression of the peasant class against the cruelties of the leaders. Together with the group of friends and family they find along the way to aid in their missions and adventures. Touching story, with an especially powerful end that will linger with me for some time. A 'powerful retelling' this book certainly is.
Tomlinson deserves major kudos for the concept behind this novel alone - and the convincing narrative she weaves, combining legend with legend and her own ideas - makes this one of the most satisfying versions of the Robin Hood story I've come across. And I'm pretty obsessed with Robin Hood. This book's female focus is immediately striking, with a huge cast of varied, realistic, well rounded and convincing female characters. This was incredibly refre A 'powerful retelling' this book certainly is.
This was incredibly refreshing, as my preferred genre of fantasy is incredibly male heavy and full of female stereotypes. I was almost moved to tears by the quietly feminist presentation of the women in this book - this is something an awful lot of authours should take note of. Brilliantly, the book does not suffer for the lack of focus on the traditional male battles and adventures of Robin's life, and is arguably stronger for it.
Instead, the fascinating descriptions of life in the forest bring the world of Marian and Magda life in vivid clarity, and make me long to go live in the woods myself. Though I was not always entirely convinced by Tomlinson's style, as she does not explore the emotional development of character relationships in as much detail as I had hoped, I would thoughrily recommend this book. Vastly superior to the disappointing Moon Riders, and a book I will make sure my children read some day, both the boys and the girls.
View 2 comments. Sep 14, Katherine Roberts rated it liked it. I'm a great fan of Teresa Tomlinson's Moon Riders about the Amazon warriors and expected more of the same here. The story is certainly promising, with a young Maid Marian taking over the title of 'Forestwife' and making her home in a remote forest hut as a healer and mystical Green Lady of the wood, where she soon links up with the author's historical version of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws.
Robin - or Robert in this trilogy - provides a gentle romance angle in keeping with the age of the I'm a great fan of Teresa Tomlinson's Moon Riders about the Amazon warriors and expected more of the same here. Robin - or Robert in this trilogy - provides a gentle romance angle in keeping with the age of the readership, and the book seems set for plenty of exciting action featuring Marian and her longbow see cover! However, as the series unfolds, I found myself stuck at the hut with the Forestwife aspect of Marian, dealing with the broken families and wounded men from Robin Hood's exploits.
Much of the action takes place off-stage, and although the reader hears about the daring exploits of the outlaws, Marian herself is rarely involved directly. The best parts of the book are when she finally grabs her bow and leads her women on daring exploits of her own to rescue prisoners - and I wish there had been a lot more of that, and less of the broken families!
If you want the legend, then you're probably better off watching the film 'Prince of Thieves'. However, this book might appeal to girls who are more into babies than battles, and provides a fascinating glimpse of what life might have really been like for the refugees who lived in the forest with Robin Hood.
Shelves: adventure , british-history , fiction , historical-fiction , own , travel , series. Stories of Robin Hood have always fascinated me. This author wished to write a book from the female point of view. She also likes Robin Hood, but as she wanted the female viewpoint, her main character had to be Maid Marian. Tomlinson produced an intriguing book that included Robin's adventures, Marian's role which actually became the female's role in the Medieval Ages wh Stories of Robin Hood have always fascinated me.
Tomlinson produced an intriguing book that included Robin's adventures, Marian's role which actually became the female's role in the Medieval Ages which led to family life during the same era. With King John as the monarch, I was well aware that the characters were heading into violence and upset because King John was only out for himself.
Personally, I do not think that he truly cared for his subjects just his own power and comfort. Violence, suffering, disease, starvation, and poverty were all present during the Middle Ages, and the author places each of these in her trilogy of The Forestwife. One gets a very clear picture how hard life was for the lower classes especially with a king such as John.
Also, the reader visualizes the role of a woman at the time - a healer, organizer of supplies and foodstuff, and often a warrior. The author does a very good job bringing the Middle Ages and Mariam and Robin Robert in the book to life.
Very enjoyable! Jun 05, Becky rated it it was amazing Shelves: fantasy , children. I've read this book about times. I first read it when I was about 9 or 10, I don't remember when, but ever since then I have taken it off the shelf at random points and read it over and over again. Despite this, I always find the story thrilling and just what they should be!
It's the best Robin Hood book I've ever read!! Mar 31, Fiona Bainbridge rated it it was amazing. I love this book could read it over and over again! Apr 13, Ellie rated it really liked it Shelves: trilogy. Jun 02, Rachel Foreman rated it really liked it Shelves: favorites. Nov 04, Jodie rated it liked it. An average book with some excellent bits and a tear Jersey ending. Nov 13, AJ rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites.
I'll be honest, I think I've read this book a hundred times. I think I was 10 the first time I read this, and over the years I have re-read it again and again. I laugh and cry in the same spots every time, feel the same victories and the same heartbreaks, and every time I read it I take a little more away from it. I don't like to include spoilers, so will keep this love rant as succinct as possible. Theresa Tomlinson takes an old story and refashions it into something new, and even better, from I'll be honest, I think I've read this book a hundred times.
Theresa Tomlinson takes an old story and refashions it into something new, and even better, from the female point of view :. We've all heard of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, but what of the women? And I'm not talking about some simpering Maid Marian waiting around for some man to save her. I'm talking about the real women. Tomlinson focuses the story on the strong women who surrounded themselves with these infamous men - pushing Robin Hood into the background - and the day-to-day struggle of surviving outside of the law, deep in the forest.
Couldn't recommend this book enough! Nov 07, Maddalenah rated it really liked it Shelves: british , history. I've read the first book of the trilogy years ago, in italian, and I had a good, if confused, memory of it. However, three or four chapters in, it suddenly got interesting!
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