Scarlet (King Raven Trilogy Series #2) by Stephen R. Lawhead

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Apr 24, 2008

Sheena rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

bookshelves: fantasy, stephen-lawhead

Read in August, 2008

Oh, Stephen Lawhead, how I love your books.

Lawhead's latest project is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend. This is the second book in the trilogy, told from the perspective of Will Scarlet. A good deal of the story is relayed, by Scarlet, to a monk he refers to as Odo while he is imprisoned.

I consistently enjoy Stephen Lawhead's storytelling style, as well as his attention to detail. Lawhead has mastered the technique of portraying actions, gestures, and facial express...more

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Feb 03, 2009

Holzi rated it:

(review of isbn 3785723415)

bookshelves: history

Read in December, 2008

Die Menge an Büchern, die sich auf die ein oder andere Weise mit den Abenteuern des Geächteten Robin Hood beschäftigen, ist Legion und die Inhalte variieren von dem Versuch, historisch halbwegs korrekt sein zu wollen, bis hin zu unerträglichen Schmonzetten.

Der amerikanische Autor Stephen Lawhead, bekannt durch seine historischen Romane wie auch durch Werke im Bereich SF und Fantasy, hat sich des Themas ebenfalls angenommen. Heraus kam eine Trilogie, von der zwei Teile vorliegen u...more Die Menge an Büchern, die sich auf die ein oder andere Weise mit den Abenteuern des Geächteten Robin Hood beschäftigen, ist Legion und die Inhalte variieren von dem Versuch, historisch halbwegs korrekt sein zu wollen, bis hin zu unerträglichen Schmonzetten.

Der amerikanische Autor Stephen Lawhead, bekannt durch seine historischen Romane wie auch durch Werke im Bereich SF und Fantasy, hat sich des Themas ebenfalls angenommen. Heraus kam eine Trilogie, von der zwei Teile vorliegen und das dritte fertig gestellt aber noch nicht erhältlich ist. Als erklärter Robin-Hood-Fan erhielt ich Teil zwei als Rezensionsexemplar und hatte trotz des Fehlens des ersten Bandes keinerlei Verständnisprobleme und das obwohl sich Lawheads Interpretation doch an diversen Stellen deutlich von üblichen Variationen der Sage unterscheidet.

Wie der Titel bereits suggeriert, steht im Mittelpunkt des Romans nicht Robin Hood selbst, sondern dessen Mitstreiter Will Scarlet. Der größte Teil der Geschichte wird dann auch von diesem in der ersten Person erzählt – Will wurde von den Schergen des Sheriffs gefangen genommen und sitzt nun im Kerker; dort erzählt er einem Mönch seine Geschichte, die dieser auf Geheiß seines Dienstherrn, des üblen Abts Hugo, niederschreibt; auf diesem Wege wollen der Abt und sein Kumpane Sheriff de Glanville wiederum der Gruppe von Geächteten habhaft werden. Doch Scarlet verzögert durch die Art seiner Erzählung die anstehende Hinrichtung und verrät selbstverständlich auch seine Freunde nicht.

Stephen R. Lawhead verlegt das Ganze ins 11. Jahrhundert und ignoriert die bisherigen Erkenntnisse darüber, wo die Wurzeln der Robin Hood-Legende liegen, geflissentlich. In seiner Variante ist »Rhy Bran y Hud« – ungefähr soviel wie »der zaubernde Rabenkönig« – ein walisischer Edelmann namens Bran ap Brychan, der von den Normannen seines Landes beraubt wurde, was ihn in die Wälder trieb, wo er andere Vertriebene um sich schart und auf Rache sinnt; Nottingham und den Sherwood Forest wird man also ebenso vergeblich suchen wie Robin of Loxley oder Huntington. Die Darstellung ist zwar nach wie vor romantisiert, tendiert aber deutlich etwas in realere Gefilde und Beschreibungen, als man das üblicherweise bei Robin-Hood-Geschichten gewöhnt ist. Auch William geschieht etwas Ähnliches wie Bran, als sein Thane seines Landes beraubt und aus dem leibeigenen Waldhüter mit Perspektive ein mittelalterlicher Arbeitsloser wird, der nicht mehr weiß, wo und wovon er leben soll. Will Scarlet (eigentlich William Scatlocke) hat von den ruhmreichen Taten des Rabenkönigs gehört und will sich ihm anschließen. Dies führt zu einer Reihe von Abenteuern, die jedoch schließlich in seiner Einkerkerung münden.

Der Autor bemüht sich um eine archaische Sprache, um das Szenario lebendiger werden zu lassen. Dies erscheint mir im Großen und Ganzen auch gelungen, zumindest in der deutschen Übersetzung, denn die habe ich – entgegen meiner sonstigen Gewohnheiten – diesmal gelesen. Ohne Kenntnis des Originals scheint mir die Übersetzung ganz gut geraten, wenngleich ich mich auch hier diverse Male gefragt habe, warum manche Namen im Original bleiben - zum Teil sogar im altenglischen oder walisischen Original - und andere gnadenlos ins Deutsche übersetzt werden. Irgendeine Regelmäßigkeit konnte ich dabei nicht entdecken und so wird es wahrscheinlich ein Geheimnis bleiben, warum der englische König im Buch als Wilhelm und nicht William oder Gulliaume benannt wird.
Eingeflochten in das leicht aufpolierte Stimmungs- und Sittenbild der Zeit (meist) aus der Perspektive Nichtadliger wurden von Lawhead Facetten walisischen Lokalkolorits und neben der Darstellung der christlichen Kirche auch Anflüge des alten Glaubens, der zusammen mit dem Christentum eine Art hybride Religion bildet. An manchen Stellen war's mir fast etwas viel mit der Kirche, aber das mag an meiner persönlichen Abneigung gegen diese liegen. Meiner Ansicht nach ist die Bibel auch nur ein Fantasyroman, nur eben ein sehr erfolgreicher mit verdammt gutem Marketing – und das seit Jahrhunderten. ;o)

Scarlet ist gut lesbar und unterhaltsam, aber leider fehlen dem Roman die Höhepunkte und Spannungsbögen und so plätschert er ein wenig dahin und kann weder mit echten Überraschungen noch mit dem Zwang aufwarten, jetzt die nächste Seite unbedingt noch lesen zu müssen, er ist also nicht das, was man im Englischen als klassischen »Pageturner« bezeichnen würde. Trotzdem würde ich ihn als nicht zu schwere Unterhaltungslektüre für lange Winterabende durchaus empfehlen wollen, insbesondere den Freunden von Robin Hood, die hier eine gegenüber anderen Werken leicht veränderte Perspektive serviert bekommen, was an sich schon nicht unattraktiv ist. Auch die Wahl einer archaischen Sprachform hat mir - wie schon geschrieben - ganz gut gefallen.

Ob ich mir Buch eins und drei der Trilogie auch noch geben werde, weiß ich im Moment offen gesagt nicht, und das obwohl »Scarlet – Herr der Wälder« mit einem Cliffhanger aufhörte. Wer so etwas nicht mag, lässt besser die Finger davon. Für alle anderen gilt: Lawhead hat die Arbeit an Buch drei mit dem Titel „Tuck“ im September abgeschlossen, so dass der Roman in englischer Sprache kurzfristig vorliegen dürfte. Deutsch dauert – wie üblich – etwas länger. Teil eins unter dem Titel »Der Rabenkönig« (engl. »Hood«) ist bereits erhältlich.(less)

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Jul 23, 2009

Ladyslvr Perkins rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in May, 2009

While there was nothing particularly wrong with this book--in fact, I quite enjoyed it--there was an overall feeling of "too much." "Hood" was such an excellent story and such a compelling read that it left me very much wanting more; however, that desire may have been best left unquenched.

The story of Will Scarlet joining Rhi Bran y Hud's gang of Welsh freedom fighters is fairly straightfoward, even if it's not told that way. The first three-quarters of the story ...more

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Jun 23, 2009

Heather rated it:

(review of isbn 159554089X)

Read in June, 2009

Review I reviewed the first book in this series, Hood, and had a few complaints--namely, the characters were hard to follow, the pacing was inordinately slow in the beginning, and the primary protagonist was too wishy-washy. Some of those were solved, some weren't.

The characters were trimmed down (or at least more familiar and there were very few new characters) in this book. Most of the Barons took a big back seat--it was Will, one key priest, Bran, and the band of Merry Men (and Me...more Review I reviewed the first book in this series, Hood, and had a few complaints--namely, the characters were hard to follow, the pacing was inordinately slow in the beginning, and the primary protagonist was too wishy-washy. Some of those were solved, some weren't.

The characters were trimmed down (or at least more familiar and there were very few new characters) in this book. Most of the Barons took a big back seat--it was Will, one key priest, Bran, and the band of Merry Men (and Merien) taking center stage in this book. The only truly new character who had a big place in this book was the Sheriff de Glanville (this series' reembodiment of the Sheriff of Nottingham). He was well characterized--evil, nasty, and downright ruthless (and a bit of a drunk, which comes in handy).

The beginning pacing problem was... still a problem. The book started off so slow with Will, a character you don't yet care about, telling a lot of back story and not getting to the meat of the problem--why he's wallowing away in jail--until nearly half-way through the book. The pacing of this book nearly requires that you know going in that it won't get really good until around page 250 or so... be prepared. In my opinion it was worth it, but just be warned that it'll be tedious for a long while.

The third problem, the vascillation of the protagonist wasn't so much a problem in this book. Will Scarlet is the number one guy (narrative-wise) in this book, and he's pretty much with you from jump, and Bran ap Brychan is more focused and reliable than he was in the first book; however, the "bad" characters are shams. Lawhead writes them as ruthless (which they should be), but also drunks who aren't that shrewd. Too many times Bran and his guys are able to easily outwit the Sheriff and the Abbott and the Count. It was too easy, the climax not so much climactic because the bad guys weren't smart enough.

Bran and the rest of his followers (the Grellon) are totally awesome fighters, slippery in the woods, handy with a long bow, worth reading about in a fight, but Lawhead makes it way too easy for them (and kind of boring for you to read). He needs to work harder in the final book, Tuck, and give them a better opponent.(less)

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May 20, 2009

Jill Williamson rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Will Scarlet is in prison and dictating his story to a monk who seeks to discover information on Rhi Bran y Hud for his master Abbot Hugo. Through Will’s memory we learn the latest news of Prince Bran’s exploits. He and his men have become experts at stealing from the rich and giving back to the poor people of Elfael. Will Scarlet tells how he found Prince Bran and joined up with him. As always, Prince Bran’s only goal is to take care of his people and get his land back.

As Will...more

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Jul 08, 2009

MKat rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

bookshelves: fiction, folklore-fairy-tales-mythology

Read in July, 2009

I didn't love it as much as the first one, but it was still fun and exciting. The lines between Goodies and Baddies are more cut and dry in this one, which made it a little less interesting than Hood King Raven Book 1, and the relationship between Bran and Mérian resolved itself a little too easily for me (considering the ending of the last book!). Perhaps Lawhead portrayed Bran as a more idealized version of the same character from the first book because this story is told through Will's eye...more

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Jun 07, 2009

Nikki rated it:

(review of isbn 1904233724)

bookshelves: based-on-myth-saga-etc, historical-fiction-alternatehistory, robin-hood

Read in June, 2009

I still find the setting of this trilogy infinitely more engaging than the actual story. I really want to like it -- a Welsh Robin Hood? -- but it just doesn't grab me. It's not hard to read: I managed most of it in one day. On the other hand, the prose doesn't come to life, I certainly don't savour every word. Robin Hood stories are supposed to be all adventure, and I guess this shows a more realistic, difficult side of it, but I just don't like that as much.

This book gives the read...more

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Mar 23, 2009

Kipi rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

bookshelves: 5-star-reads, historical-fiction, read-in-2009

Owns a copy — Read in April, 2009

As much as I enjoyed Hood, the first book in the King Raven series, Scarlet is that much better. Written almost entirely in first person from the viewpoint of William Scatlocke, whom Bran dubs Will Scarlet, it takes the reader even deeper into the band of outlaws leading the resistance against the Norman invaders.

Will, who has been captured and awaits hanging, is dictating his "confession" to Brother Odo, a Norman priest. Sheriff Robert de Glanville (Lawhead's equivalent ...more As much as I enjoyed Hood, the first book in the King Raven series, Scarlet is that much better. Written almost entirely in first person from the viewpoint of William Scatlocke, whom Bran dubs Will Scarlet, it takes the reader even deeper into the band of outlaws leading the resistance against the Norman invaders.

Will, who has been captured and awaits hanging, is dictating his "confession" to Brother Odo, a Norman priest. Sheriff Robert de Glanville (Lawhead's equivalent of the Sheriff of Nottingham) and Abbot Hugo hope that Will will turn against Bran and the Grellon in exchange for mercy, but Will's loyalty, like all Bran's followers, is non-negotiable.

One thing I've enjoyed so far is seeing Bran grow from the selfish headstrong young man he was at the beginning of Hood to the strong leader his people need. He is still far from perfect, often acting out in anger over some Norman injustice, but he has matured enough that he can see his mistakes, admit to them and try to make amends. One thing missing in this book, obvious since it written from Will's perspective, is more of what is happening with Bran. I missed that, but even through Will's eyes we see him mature.

This book has considerably more intrigue and surprises than the first and, at least for me, was even harder to put down. Like Hood, Scarlet is free of profanity, gratuitous violence and sex, making it a great read for the whole family. [WARNING: There is some violence, including a hanging (I won't say whose!).] There is also a hint of romance, but this is the one aspect of Lawhead's writing that is a little lacking. It could have been a fabulous story if there had been a bit more about Bran and Merian, but...alas, it isn't there. The ending is a cliffhanger and makes me glad that I discovered these books after they were all available.

I will also add that some have complained that these books try to "proselytize" readers, but I beg to disagree. The Catholic church has a strong presence, but this was a time when faith and/or religion was as much a part of the lives of most people as family. The Robin Hood legends say that he invited Friar Tuck to join his band in order to offer them spiritual guidance. To leave out this aspect of the story is to do it an injustice. Lawhead also presents the positive and the negative of religion...after all, Abbot Hugo is hardly a good guy. There is no urging the reader to a greater faith or to visit a local church. Religion is presented simply as a part of the story.

I honestly couldn't recommend these books any higher. I've enjoyed them so much that I have even ordered the first book in Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle, Taliesin. This is a step further into the fantasy genre that I never expected to take, but his talent as a story teller is that good.

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Feb 11, 2009

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in February, 2009

Scarlet is the second in the King Raven trilogy about Robin Hood. The story picks up where Hood leaves off, with Will Scarlet being kept prisoner by Count de Braose. Will is in prison for alleged treason to the crown, and will be hung, unless he tells the count where to find King Raven. While in prison, Will is narrating his story to a young monk named Odo, so parts of the story are from Will's first person perspective and others are a third person narrative. The dual narratives work here. Wi...more

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Nov 06, 2009

Cv Rick rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in November, 2009

It's quite a jolt moving from Hood to Scarlet and having a new narrator and a completely different voice, even a different attitude to the story. Will Scarlet is amiable, brash, quick-witted and easy to like. That's where the story begins, with Scarlet in jail telling his story to a monk scribe who is trying to persuade the rogue to give up details on the whereabouts of Bran, the Raven King. Instead of giving up useful information, Will takes the priest, and the reader on a remarkable journey...more

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Apr 15, 2009

Jillian rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

I haven't finished this book, but I am putting it down. As mentioned in my brief review of Hood, the concept is promising for this story. I do enjoy the fact that this second book is from Will Scarlet's POV and that Scarlet is telling it like a story (in telling Odo). Very great concept...just poorly accomplished.

This book simply is not engaging. Lawhead has a very plain way of writing which, while it gets the job done, just does not interest me in the least. The characters are ...more

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Mar 31, 2009

Kat at FanLit rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in August, 2008

Scarlet, the second book in Stephen Lawhead's King Raven Trilogy focuses on Will Scatlocke ("Scarlet"), a disillusioned forester who goes searching for, finds, and joins King Raven's infamous band of thieves. During one of their exploits, Will is caught, sentenced to hang, and thrown into prison where he is asked to tell his story to a priest in hopes that he'll let slip some information that will help sheriff Guy of Gysborne find and defeat the robbers. Thus, most of the story is told...more Scarlet, the second book in Stephen Lawhead's King Raven Trilogy focuses on Will Scatlocke ("Scarlet"), a disillusioned forester who goes searching for, finds, and joins King Raven's infamous band of thieves. During one of their exploits, Will is caught, sentenced to hang, and thrown into prison where he is asked to tell his story to a priest in hopes that he'll let slip some information that will help sheriff Guy of Gysborne find and defeat the robbers. Thus, most of the story is told in past tense from Will Scarlet's perspective.

Even though the pace is slower than in Hood and we're not much concerned that Will might actually hang, Lawhead still spins us a fine yarn -- the story is thoroughly entertaining. And, as usual, we are not just entertained, but enlightened as we get a real feel for the period -- the tyranny of the Freinc, the corruption of the church, the suffering and stubbornness of the Britons. This is what Stephen Lawhead does so well.

The characterization is mostly well done. The male characters are all three-dimensional, life-like, and immediately likeable. However, the female characters, most notably Merian and Will's love-interest, Noin, remain flat (I have noticed this lack of attention to female characters in some of Lawhead's previous books). These were strong women whose presence was important to the plot, but whose personalities and motivations were never explored.

For example, Bran kidnapped Merian at the end of Hood, and in this sequel she is at his side. Will relates a few observations about their relationship, but we are never sure exactly what that relationship is and whether or not Merian wants to be there or not. I'm sure that Lawhead's intention was to leave this vague, but I found it frustrating (especially since I wondered if Merian knew, or cared, that her family thought she was dead) and wished for a chapter or two from Bran and/or Merian's perspective. Likewise, I wasn't completely convinced about Will and Noin's relationship because I wasn't told anything from Noin's perspective.

Again, I listened to this installment in audiobook format. It was the same reader (Adam Verner) who did Hood and I have the same comments: he's got a pleasant and enthusiastic tone, but some of his accents and character voices made me chuckle. If you can listen past that, it's a good format.
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Jan 07, 2010

Arlene Allen rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 2010

I wasn't sure whether to put this in fantasy or historical fiction. It doesn't have any elements of magic in it, although it is based on the centuries old legend of Robin Hood. Historically it is a tale of how the Normans slowly took over all of Great Britain, focusing primarily on the conquest and take over of Wales. Lawhead beautifully blends the legend of Robin Hood with 'King Raven', the displaced King of a provence of Wales. Told in a different style from "Hood" (book 1 in he ...more

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Mar 31, 2009

Adrienne rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

bookshelves: book-count-08, fantasy, own-it

Owns a copy — Read in July, 2008

Lawhead has taken the Robin Hood of legend (well, not the Disney version or the “Men in Tights” version) and placed him in Wales in the time of King William Rufus (William the Conqueror’s son). The story is begun in Hood which tells the story of Bran, a Welsh king who is driven to outlawry by the Normans who have invaded Wales, becoming the famous Robin Hood (Rhi Bran y Hud, in Welsh). Scarlet is the sequel to Hood, and tells how Will Scarlet is forced from his forest home in England and j...more

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Oct 08, 2009

Vic rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in October, 2009

I grew up watching Robin Hood on television. I loved Errol Flynn and tolerated Kevin Costner in the movie versions. I even have come to enjoy the updated television series from the BBC. You can imagine my surprise and feeling somewhat disoriented when Stephen Lawhead's trilogy, Hood, didn't even take place in Sherwood Forest, and Robin was not Robin of Locksley, and the Sheriff was not the Sheriff of Nottingham, and King Richard wasn't even born yet. Boy was I discombobulated.

All tha...more I grew up watching Robin Hood on television. I loved Errol Flynn and tolerated Kevin Costner in the movie versions. I even have come to enjoy the updated television series from the BBC. You can imagine my surprise and feeling somewhat disoriented when Stephen Lawhead's trilogy, Hood, didn't even take place in Sherwood Forest, and Robin was not Robin of Locksley, and the Sheriff was not the Sheriff of Nottingham, and King Richard wasn't even born yet. Boy was I discombobulated.

All that aside, Lawhead is such a superb story teller and so adept at dropping people into English and Celtic history that it really wasn't a problem to accept his vision of the origin of the Robin Hood legend. By the time I finished reading Hood, the opening book, I was not only sold on this being a plausible beginning to the legend of Robin Hood, but I no longer cared. That's how good Stephen Lawhead writes.

Scarlet, the second book in the trilogy, is a continuation of the story as seen through the eyes of Will Scarlet as told to a monk while in prison awaiting his hanging. It was a masterful way to continue the story placing the spotlight on someone other than Hood. So thoroughly does Lawhead drop into this time period, that the dialog between Scarlet and Odo, the monk, actually reminded me of listening to the old time radio shows that could light up your imagination while holding you spellbound.

Scarlet is a more than likeable character. He is a true hero in his own right, one of Hood's inner circle, albeit a late comer to the group of outlaws. A displaced woodsman by trade, victim of the Norman conquest of England, Will had heard about a supposed phantom raven (Hood) that was terrorizing the French somewhere between England and Wales. Not having a clue how or where to find him, or if he even existed, he began making his way in the general direction of Wales, the supposed location of this supernatural raven. In time he stumbles upon some of Hood's band of outlaws, is allowed to join the group, and so begins his life on the wanted list. All of that happens in book one. Book two brings Scarlet to life, fleshes him out and gives him a magnificent voice.

From Little John, to Maid Marion, to Friar Tuck, all of the beloved characters exist in this version of legend, but like from an alternate universe. There are similarities and at the same time vast differences. The heroes, except for Will, are Welsh, not English, and from an earlier time period. It is a time of two Popes vying for control of the Catholic Church, a French King ruling England, and a whole lot of displaced English nobility. It has nothing to do with the Robin Hood I grew up loving and at the same time, everything. It is and is not the story of Robin Hood. It is brilliantly conceived, educational and exciting to read.

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Dec 14, 2008

Jessica rated it:

(review of isbn 159554089X)

So, I've had this one a while, I got it when it came out in paper back because I had the first one, Hood, in paperback. But I put off reading it because the last one in the series won't be out for a while and I didn't want to have such a huge gap between them. But, the moment arrived, and I read the book. It was good, I enjoyed the writing, and the characters were likable and interesting. The thing I didn't like was how I kept getting pulled out of the story when the perspective would shift or W...more

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Nov 10, 2009

Allison rated it:

(review of isbn 159554089X)

bookshelves: arlington-pls

Read in October, 2009

I was so happy when I realised that my library does indeed have this book it was just in a different section then the first--go figure. Anyway Lawhead's writing is masterful as always, gripping and descriptive. I think this book suffered from what all second installments in trilogies do, that they are mainly for plot development and device, no matter how well they are written. I liked that it was a different perspective and Will Scarlet is always a colorful character in the Legend and Lawhead...more

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Nov 22, 2008

Sophie rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Read in November, 2008

An engaging story. I did have some trouble keeping track of all the names, and who was doing what, especially in relation to various barons and counts.

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Nov 25, 2008

Sally rated it:

(review of isbn 1595540865)

Scarlet is the middle book in a trilogy which retells the Robin Hood story, only realisticly not as the legend we know today. It is set in the time of the Reign of William the Conqueror's son's reign and tells of the social upheaval that the Norman conquest caused in England and how out of that,the story of Robin Hood apparently emerged before it became the legend we know today. Stephen Lawhead writes vividly as he tells the story of Will Scarlet, how he came to be part of the "band of mer...more

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Jul 23, 2009

Levi Hamilton rated it:

(review of isbn 159554089X)

Owns a copy — Read in March, 2009

The second installment is really unique. It centers around Scarlett instead of King Raven (Hood). It starts with Scarlet in prison giving his account to a monk as his noose is being prepared. It's a little slower than the first book right up until the last 1/4 of the book, but I don't want to spoil things. What's great about Lawhead is he writes these historical fantasy and includes actual historical events and the characters responses to those events. This book centers around the struggle ...more

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