The King Raven trilogy by Stephan R. Lawhead is a new and
exciting twist on the Robin Hood legend. I’ve read Mr. Lawhead’s work before
and I have truly enjoyed them. When I heard he was writing this trilogy, I
wanted to read it. I never got the chance and other books took priority. I
forgot about the trilogy until my aunt gave me the first book and the
anticipation grew.
Hood is the first
book and is about Bran ap Brychan, Prince of Elfael in Wales. His father is
king who is brutally murdered by Count Flakes de Braose, a Norman nobleman who
has begun to invade Wales. King William II has given land in Wales to various
nobles in order to invade the land as his father, William the Conqueror, had
done in England. This book is Bran’s journey from spoil prince to ousted prince
who is trying to get his land and people back to outlaw. How he begins to steal
from the rich Normans and gives to the poor of Wales.
Scarlet is the
second book and is told form the perspective of Will Scarlet as he is in jailed
awaiting execution. He tells his story to Odo, a monk who has been charged with
writing down this tale. It has been a year since the ending of Hood and another Welsh king has fallen
to the Norman invaders. His lands have been proclaimed as King William’s under
Forest Law and a sheriff has been assigned to guard the land. Sheriff de
Granville is evil and ruthless. Will accounts his adventures as a member of
Bran’s band of outlaws. Will he be rescued in time?
Tuck is the final
book of the trilogy. The story picks up right where Scarlet leaves off. The struggle is coming to a close. Bran is
close to getting his home back from the evil Normans. He will not find allies
in familiar places as well as find ones in the unusual places. Will he be able
to persuade King William II to give him back his land or will he have a war
with London now? The twists and turns, joy and sadness fill the pages and bring
an exciting close to this trilogy. Tuck
is a fitting end to a great telling of the Robin Hood legend.
It was a fun adventure to read about Robin Hood in Wales. I
really enjoyed King Raven trilogy,
although long and the names may be difficult to pronounce but once the
adventure picks up, I was cheering for Bran and eagerly anticipated the next
books. All the same players are here. Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Little John,
Friar Tuck and an evil sheriff doing the binding of an ruthless king. I’ve read
that many people were upset that Robin Hood wasn’t in Sherwood Forest but as
Mr. Lawhead explains that there is evidence that the Robin Hood legend actually
began in Wales following William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066. I
love how Mr. Lawhead gave a scenario on how the Robin Hood legend became
English. The King Raven trilogy is a new and exciting take on the Robin Hood
legend and I highly recommend it.
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