Outlaw Princess of Sherwood

If you've read the back cover, you know the main conflict here. Princess Ettarde ran away a year ago to escape an arranged marriage. When danger threatens her father's kingdom, he becomes increasingly desperate and despotic at the same time. Determined to capture the princess and force her to attend her duty, King Solon puts his wife, Etty's mother, in a gilded cage and leaves her there under guard, daring the princess to rescue her. Whether you're reading this because you already like the Rowan Hood series or this is your first experience, you have discovered a nice treat. AT 122 pages, the book takes even a slow reader like me only a few hours to finish, but it contains a nice mix of emotion and action.

Book # 1 of this series is Rowan Hood, about Rowan and her ancillary band to Robin's in the Sherwood Forest. Book # 2 is Lionclaw. Book # 3 is this one about Princess Ettard, a 13 year old who is rescued by Rowan and friends from a marraige to a wealthy landowner. In this, there is more backstory to Etty, we find out more about her parents and why her father is the tyrant king he is. I haven't read Lionclaw, the book about Lionel, yet, but I don't *think* this novel would stand well on its own.

Rowan Hood, the daughter of legendary outlaw Robin Hood lives in Sherwood Forest just like her father. Just like her father, she cannot stand when a big rich king bullies someone poor. In this case, it is her new friend, Princess Etty. A pretty good book by Nancy Springer, Outlaw Princess showed good promise for a new twist on Robin Hood.

Ever since she ran away to escape an arranged marriage, Princess Ettarde has lived in Sherwood Forest with Rowan Hood, daughter of the legendary outlaw. Etty lives happily in the forest until her father arrives looking for her. He uses Etty's mother, locked in a cage, as bait to trap his runaway daughter. Etty is torn between her loyalty to her mother and her new found home with Rowan's band.With the help of the outlaws, Etty formulates a plan to trap her father and free her mother. She is finally able to stand up to her father's cruelty and selfishness, but must also face her own hatred and anger. Will Etty leave Rowan's band and Sherwood Forest? This latest addition to Nancy Springer's Rowan Hood series explores the difficult choices that come with independence. --- Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood