As a reader, I much prefer Lasky's 500 kingdoms tales in which she mixes romance with tweaking of classic fairy tale tradition. I like a little bit of humor with my fantasy. That said, I think there are girls who will love this somewhat somber re-telling of the Maid Marian / Robin Hood story. The falconry is a bit of a twist on the tale, and it is nice to see a heroine a bit more resourceful in this age of "rescue me" clones of Twilight. Good for girls grades 5-7 who like heroic fantasy or girl-centric tales that aren't straightforward BFF school stories.