Scarlet

Scarlet is the second book in the The King Raven Trilogy. Most of the story is told from the point of view of Will Scarlet, one of King Raven's men and currently in prison, which is more like a dungeon. As a Welshman, Scarlet's life has no value. As one of King Raven's band of outlaws, his life is worth more, but only for a short time. He's telling his story to Brother Odo, the monk assigned to write down his tale. Will's dilemma is to stretch out his tale long enough to avoid the hangman's noose, but not so detailed as to give out any of King Raven's secrets. Meanwhile, King Raven-as he's known to the invading Normans-knows the fate Scarlet faces if he isn't rescued. But he also has equally pressing problems that demand his attention. On one of his band's raids, they seized a package that is mysterious to them, but based on the extreme efforts of the Normans to take it back, is of enormous value. But if the package isn't returned, then the blood of the native Welsh will begin to flow. Book Two continues the story of a rebellious few determined to regain the land that was once theirs, no matter what the cost. Hood: The King Raven Trilogy - Book 1 (King Raven Trilogy)begins the trilogy and this re-telling of an ancient legend.

I gave Hood a five star rating because I truly enjoyed it. But I liked Scarlet even better. Lawhead does an excellent job creating a character that the reader truly roots for. I think this is because he presented Will Scarlet's point of view in first person. Only a writer as skilled as Lawhead could switch from first person in the main character's voice and third person for the other characters and pull it off. This book also goes beyond Hood because it effectively showed the oppression the Normans enacted on the Welsh and how they were caught between them and the Britons. But then if I hadn't understood that, I would not have cared for the characters as much as I did. Even the monk recording Will's story becomes a likeable character caught between the outlaws (who are really the outcasts) and the church that aligned itself with whatever power prevailed. (Which makes me eager to read about a religious man who is a rebel in the next book, Tuck!) I really think Lawhead keeps getting better and better. Cindy Thomson Author of Brigid of Ireland

I won't tell about the story line because that wouldn't be fair to the reader. I won't ruin it for you. But about the book itself, its style and flow. This book is so much better than *Hood.* The storyline is crisper, its characters so much more mature, and the dialouge is cleare. The romance is among Lawhead's better renditions. I do fear that some of Lawhead's works tended to repeat themselves (this was especially true in the Pendragon Cycle). Here, the romance is more sensible and realistic. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Will and Noin. Also, the back and forth between Merian and Bran is better done than in Hood. I definitely recommend this work as one of Lawhead's more mature writings. Also, be sure to find the soundtrack that goes with it. There is an official King Raven Trilogy soundtrack. Go to Itunes and type in Brian Dunning and Jeff Johnson.

i have read many of lawheads books, beginning with the song of albion trilogy. i thought they were good books and over the years i read them again. i saw the book "hood" on line, read what it was about and bought it.i have read it twice in the last 6 months. i almost went crazy waiting for "scarlett" to come out. what a fabulous book, i could not put it down. now i must suffer through till "tuck" comes out. please write faster mr. lawhead, please!!!!!

It's too bad that TUCK has been delayed but at least it isn't altogether canceled. I hope Lawhead makes a full recovery or as full a recovery as nature will allow. When I read HOOD I have to admit that I began it fully expecting to take in the story with a grain of salt. I was pleasantly surprised that Lawhead could re-imagine the story of Robin Hood and convey his image in a manner that captured me in the first chapter. SCARLET is a sequel that does not disappoint. The character development was flawless and I could feel myself emphathizing with Will "Scarlet" Scatlocke and at least relating with the Sheriff (but not quite empathizing). The thing I found greatest about this book was that while it's still a story about Robin Hood, it is mostly related as narrative by Will Scatlocke and Will plays as the central character. Both HOOD and SCARLET are great novels for those interested in a more grown-up version of the story of Robin Hood as well as those that enjoy historical fiction (although I cannot vouch for how historically accurate/inaccurate the books are). They are reminiscent of Mary Stewart's MERLIN TRILOGY in that both sets of books relate fantastic tales of seemingly far-fetched accounts that may or may not have occurred in a manner that, at the least, makes the stories plausible. These KING RAVEN novels are the first novels I've read by Stephen R. Lawhead so I'm not giving my review based from the standpoint of someone who loves all things Lawhead. Having said, if TUCK is as great as the first two novels in this series, I may become a Lawhead fan after all.