Outlaw
A Novel of Robin Hood
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4.2 • 152 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
In the tradition of Bernard Cornwell and Ben Kane, Outlaw is a rousing historical novel that mixes legend with fact to bring to life the time, the lives and the struggles of late 12th century England. As the Henry II struggles with his rebelious children and the conflict between the Saxon nobility and the Norman conquerors continues on as bloody as ever, there is a figure that has remained firmly fixed in the imagation of generations - Robin Hood, an outlaw and a renegade nobility determined to bring down the men who took his land, his family, and his position.
When he's caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood. A tough, bloodthirsty warrior, Robin is more feared than any man in the county. And he becomes a mentor for Alan; with his fellow outlaws, Robin teaches Alan how to fight - and how to win. But Robin is a ruthless man - and although he is Alan's protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer...From bloody battles to riotous feast days to marauding packs of wolves, Outlaw is a gripping, action-packed historical thriller that delves deep into the fascinating legend of Robin Hood.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Donald drives a sword through the heart of the smiling, joking Robin Hood in his stateside debut, recasting the jolly thief of Nottingham Forest as the vicious leader of a very unjolly band of cutthroats who are prone to the slaughter or mutilation of enemies, betrayers, and anyone thought to be disloyal. The story begins in 1189 as Alan Dale, a 13-year-old thief, joins Robin's band of drunken and debauched outlaws and seeks revenge on Sir Ralph Murdac, the high sheriff of Nottingham, for the murders of his parents. While the outlaws are plundering and killing rich travelers and clergymen, a traitor betrays Robin to Murdac, resulting in Alan's capture and torture, which only hardens his resolve to kill the sheriff and several other chain-mail baddies. Add miraculous escapes, the rescue of a fair maiden, romance, witchcraft, much drunkenness, and the introduction of Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet, and the evil Prince John, and you get a rousing yarn that takes the story you're familiar with and gives it a lively jolt of brutality and gore.
Customer Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyable!
Very quick read. If you like Bernard Cornwell then you will probably like this. Though this book doesn’t have as much history education as Cornwell’s, it is still highly entertaining. I like reading about Robin Hood in a more historical light rather than the Disney version. Already bought the next book in the series.
Great title
Compelling story of a wicked smart leader and tactician
with the gravitas to cobble together a coalition of the willing and prevail.
Review
Pretty good! An easy read, realistic brutality of the times, a lot better tale than a swashbuckling robin hood where no one dies!