Hood

by Jenny Elder Moke

You have the blood of kings and rebels within you, love. Let it rise to meet the call.

Isabelle of Kirklees has only ever known a quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent, where she lives with her mother, Marien. But after she is arrested by royal soldiers for defending innocent villagers, Isabelle becomes the target of the Wolf, King John's ruthless right hand. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Marien helps Isabelle escape and sends her on a mission to find the one person who can help: Isabelle's father, Robin Hood.

As Isabelle races to stay out of the Wolf's clutches and find the father she's never known, she is thrust into a world of thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws, new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead. As she joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men in a final battle against the Wolf, will Isabelle find the strength to defy the crown and save the lives of everyone she holds dear?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Adventure

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2020

About the author

Jenny Elder Moke writes young adult fiction in an attempt to recapture the shining infinity of youth. Her debut novel, Hood, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Mayor's Book Club selection, and received critical acclaim.

When she is not writing, she’s gathering story ideas from her daily adventures with her two irredeemable rapscallions and honing her ninja skills as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jenny lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5-stars**



What happened after Robin Hood and Maid Marian rode off in their love carriage?

They may not have lived happily ever after, but they did end up having a daughter, Isabelle. Hood is her story.



Finding herself on the wrong side of the law, Isabelle is forced to flee the village of Kirklees and the priory where her mother, Marian, is Prioress.

Her mother instructs her to seek a particular public house, a few days away, where one of her old friends will help to hide Isabelle from the King's men.



After a long and fearful journey, Isabelle is relieved to finally reach the Inn, no matter how questionable some of the patrons seem to be.

It's there she joins up with the Merry Men, learns the truth of her parentage and grows ever closer to meeting the infamous, Robin Hood.



This was an action-packed, super fun story, full of adventure and close calls.

I enjoyed where Moke took this, finding out how Robin and Marian's 'happily ever after' went.



While I had fun reading this, it was quick and light, I wasn't necessarily blown away by anything here.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good story, and if you are a fan of the Disney animated version, you should definitely check it out, but I can't help but wish it would have been built-out further.



Moke has a very pleasing writing style and all the bones were here, but I just wanted more.

I believe this is a standalone, but I sort of wish it was going to be a duology. I started to feel very connected with Isabelle towards the end, and the rest of the Merry Men. Personally, I would really enjoy following them on further adventures.



While I wasn't crazy about some parts of the conclusion to this tale, I do believe there is a lot more story to tell and Moke is the perfect person to tell it.

Give me more Isabelle. She is just starting to come into her own!



Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Book Group, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.

I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to reading more from Jenny Elder Moke!

[Jenny Moke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard it's *pretty* good. You should read it yourself and find out.

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Disney Book Group via NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!

Hood is actually the first Robin Hood retelling I have ever read. It follows Robin & Marien’s daughter, Isabelle, as she learns her parents’ true identities and discovers her place in the world.

I don’t know much about the actual historic time period but rotten kings and dashing outlaws and overcoming oppression always attracted me to the Robin Hood story. Even with little to no historical knowledge, Hood makes a great story. I loved seeing Isabelle grow in confidence and strength, and was so happy when she made a few choice excellent bow & arrow shots.

The characters are great, I never felt too attached to any of them but they are a witty, loyal bunch of mixed talents. The banter in Hood is definitely note worthy. Isabelle’s romance probably could have been left out – I didn’t see any context to it – but the Robin and Marien love story was PERFECT. Truly perfect. What a pompous ass Robin was 😂

The pacing was very well done as well, plenty of action spread out so that I never got bored. I read the book in two sittings and enjoyed it fully. Between the plot itself, the characters, and the absolutely excellent ending, I would definitely recommend this one to young adult readers and fans of these types of legends.

I docked the star for a tad bit of repetitive language and for not feeling the romance aspect at all.

[Alaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, another hard book to rate.

Okay, so when I saw that Hood was coming out I was freaking excited. Then when I got denied on NetGalley.. well I was still excited but it did dim a little bit. Once I finally got my hands on this book - I think I was A-Okay with being rejected to read the ARC of it.

In this, you will meet a girl name Isabelle who is pretty good with an arrow. So she's like the female version of robin hood but lamer than Katniss from Hunger Games. Also, she barely listens to anyone in this book and constantly finds herself in trouble. So, yeah.. she's a stubborn fool and gets lots of people in danger.

Besides that, the merry man expanded a bit and there are now females! I loved that part but that's pretty much it. The ending most definitely pissed me off and I'm honestly happy that this is a standalone. This book had so much potential in it but it just disappointed me right and left.

[Shannara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so very disappointed in this book. It looked so good and the synopsis had me hooked!! But then I actually started reading it and not only did a lot of things not make sense, but I really, really didn’t like Isabelle.

Having an inexperienced and naive main character is one thing, but this girl was just making one dumb decision after another. And just when you think she’s learning and growing from her mistakes, she makes another damn huge mistake!!!! That goes on for the WHOLE TIME!!!! That was the ending too. You think that she’d make the right choice, having grown into a more thoughtful and mature person, but nope, you’d be mistaken.

It is also super annoying when stuff just doesn’t make sense at times. And here come the spoilers... Marien sends Isabelle to a good friend at a pub and tells her that he’ll help her. Then at the end Marien is confused as to how Isabelle learned of her father... but the dude she sent Isabelle to is a good friend of Robin and obviously took her straight to see Robin... So I feel like if she didn’t want Isabelle to know Robin was her father, she’d not have sent her straight to his friends.

Or how about Isabelle is supposed to be this great hunter, yet she tromps around the forest making tons of noise and can’t seem to run away and hide from ANYTHING?!?! Does not make any sense.

I’m also confused as to why the Merry Men would send only YAs to go on a dangerous mission to find Robin without any real adult supervision. True, they didn’t say how old they were, but they are definitely not really adults.

There were a few other parts that straight up didn’t make any sense, but my favorite has got to be when Isabelle and her mother are trapped in the cellarium and Isabelle takes a peak out the door. It seriously says the view was hidden by the back of a guard, but then says she could see no other guards. Well yeah, you just said the view was blocked. So how do you really know if there are any other guards in the room or not?!?!

I’m going to be honest, I could probably rant for quite a while, but I’m pretty sure my blood pressure is getting higher, so I’m just going to say this. I usually love retellings, continuations, and most young adult novels I read, but I really didn’t like this one. I was so glad when I finished because I felt like I’d been reading it forever. I may be in the minority, but it’s just my own opinion!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Precious ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was graciously granted this book by Hyperion via Netgalley (all opinions are my own)


I am happily surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this.

I’ve been eyeing the Disney retellings in the bookstores for ages now, thinking.. it can’t possibly be any good if I already know the original story. So when I saw I was approved for this ARC I was excited.. 1) since it was my first go at it and 2) because this one I could take a chance on without knowing too much of the original. The story of Robin Hood is the one I only know by the many remakes and renditions throughout the years so I was open to whatever happened.

The story has great pacing, plenty of action, emotion upheavals. There were times throuhgout the book that a few things were predictable but nothing that took away from the book itself. I was able to connect to Isabelle, our MC, plenty enough and was hoping for a HEA for her and myself once I got through the first couple of chapters.

If you’re into retellings or coming of age (with a small side of romance and/or big side of family reunions) I’d recommend this. I personally like that the main focus of the story was Isabelle and her family and the differences in the lifestyle she grew up in versus what she finds when she leaves to start her adeventure. There is a love interest but it stays very much second fiddle in comparison but it was enough that I also wanted to see how that set up played out.

Overall I loved the novel for keeping Robin Hood alive as well as doing a good job of it.

[The Nerd Daily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Laura Erne

I have loved every Robin Hood inspired YA novel that I’ve read and Hood by Jenny Elder Moke is no exception. I fell in love with the idea that Robin of Locksley and Lady Marien got their happy ever after (well sort of) and as a result got to see the next generation of protectors of Sherwood Forest. I found this take on the subject of Robin Hood a unique perspective on the legend because I haven’t seen a plot that centres around a less than confident female lead like Isabelle. She had to learn quick how the real world worked and she adapted the best she could. She is a main character who isn’t great at everything and I found that refreshing, plus her development throughout the plot was substantial. It ushered in a new perspective of how Robin’s actions have affected the lives of his beloved village years later. This is a story about loyalty, justice, and heart. It’s incredibly easy to follow, there’s tons of character development across many characters, and this features a main character who’s the best of both of her parents as she’s stubborn like her mother and strong like her father.

Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one I was so excited for but so nervous about. I truly did not know what I would end up feeling by the end of the book because so often these retellings are just 'okay' versions of what I make up in my head in excitement. I started this book and was immediately hooked. I've never read a retelling of Robin Hood (at least, from what I can remember) and I'm not sure why because I don't see a reason to not like it? I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced the Isabelle and the Merry Men and watching this journey unfold.

Each character had their own charming personality and Robin Hood was clearly the best of the best, he was charming and witty and kind... all the things I had hoped for but not expected because YA usually makes me expect the worst outcome in a highly anticipated meeting of two long lost characters.

Moke opens up the world of Merry Men in an exciting new way and one that I hope I get to revisit in another book or two (I'm sensing duology or trilogy vibes). The writing was excellent and the story was fun.... it was never a dull moment.

This loses a star because I feel like the cover could've been better. I expect a lot from Disney so it just feels lacklustre.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Last Book Marauder]

There will never be enough Robin Hood re-imaginings to suit me

[A Book Shrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Robin Hood retelling. I feel like there needs to be a medal—a plaque! And for my first, what a fun one this was!

Full review at A Book Shrew

Yes, this book was a grand old time, running around the great oaks of Sherwood Forest and besting those pesky Sheriffs. Outlaws stealing gold to give away and shooting arrows like its nobody's business. Someone described it as campy fun—they legit all wear hose and tunics—and now I can't think of a better way to describe this. Even though this book is centred on Robin Hood's daughter, there are many characters we recognize like Marien, Little John, and a passing reference to Friar Tuck. And, obviously, the big man himself.

The story goes that Isabelle must find her father, whom she has never met, in order to keep her mother, Marien, safe from the King's righthand man. She leaves Kirklees and the priory she calls home for the first time, and ventures out into the unknown to find the fabled Merry Men. And while this is a great way to kick off this story, it was executed very poorly. As a writer myself, I am obsessed about starting a book off right. Drop your reader into the last possible moment before they don't know what's going on. This felt like page 30, not 1. Within three pages, Isabelle is randomly thrown in prison, is sprung from it, and sent off to meet a mysterious man her mother says will help. As the reader, I sorely needed that extra time to see what she did to land in jail. I needed that extra time to meet Isabelle before she's slapped with the label of Robin Hood's daughter. A label that essentially defines her.

And although we got off to a sour start, I did come to like Isabelle. Adore, even. She's an innocent yet fiery little thing who doesn't seem all too hung-up on the religion she's grown up with and is a crackshot with a bow. Most of the characters in this band of outlaws were great, actually. The villains were a little bland for me, but the Merry Men made up for it. They are a tight-knit group that is a family found. Isabelle is welcomed into their ranks, even without them knowing who she is, and it was sweet reading of their interactions with one another. A of them few were hard to tell apart because they were all abnormally huge and two were named Little in some form. As expected, there is a romance, but it's a small one. It's very obvious who Isabelle will be with—can it be one-sided instalove if it's the whole book but actually a few days? However, aside from two memorable moments, I didn't really get chemistry between them beyond friends.

It pains me to say this, but while this was super entertaining, I fear it won't be memorable for me. In the moment it's great, but it didn't feel bold enough a retelling to stick with me down the road. I'm fairly certain that if I were to try writing this review in a week, it would be a lot shorter.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

[Shannon Doleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAH I AM A SUCKER FOR A RETELLING/REINVENTION WITH A NEW POINT OF VIEW, AND HOOD DELIVERS.
Okay, so this is the story of Isabelle. Imprisoned for shooting a soldier, she is rescued by her mother Marien, who tells her she must flee the priory and seek refuge with Thomas, a three-day journey away. An adventure begins. When she finds the Merry Men, she falls for a boy with brown curls, reconnects with her father, and learns how to be braver than she feels.
The writing in this book is so lush and beautiful. But that doesn't take away from the action. It is all action adventure. And Elder Moke can write some action scenes with heart, let me tell you. It is fast and fun and witty.
Our main character, Isabelle, is everything a good hero is. She is brave and smart. But my favorite is when she is tentative and scared. We all feel this way. Even heroes.
And Isabelle isn't the only woman or girl. We've got an expert archer, Marien as a prioress, and nuns. I loved the next generation of Merry Men, including a cast of characters that will be full of shipping potential for every fan of fantasy, historical fantasy, and historical alike.
1000 out of 100 totally recommend!!!

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hood” was better a retelling than I was originally expecting and despite some elements being changed around to draw in more of a YA audience with the focus of the story primarily on Robin Hood’s daughter Isabelle instead, this whirlwind adventure about the great legendary heroic outlaw left me wanting more.

If you haven’t already know, this novel based on the world renowned English Folklore that takes readers through a journey of epic proportions as we follow Isabelle, the newly discovered daughter of the notorious outlaw, find the father she's never known while dealing with wild thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws (and possible romance), new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead.

It has all the elements you would want in a story like this and would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of the childhood series or want to further explore what made Robin Hood so infamous.

[Vee_Bookish]

This cover looks like the sneak peek cover before they release the real one, or an ARC cover.

[Raquel Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOOD is what I like to call a legit Portal Book. It opens into its own, ancient oak-lined pathway, inviting you to step into its world, drink its mead, and banter with its characters as you follow an irresistible story.

Isabelle, daughter of prioress Marien, finally discovers the identity of her father. He’s Robin Hood— a man whose existence she wasn’t even sure about until then. And now she must deliver to him the most urgent of messages. Robin Hood, unsurprisingly, is a difficult man to find, so Isabelle utilizes the help of the Merry Men, including the mysterious and handsome Adam, who Isabelle finds just a bit too distracting.

HOOD contains a large cast of characters, each one so well-crafted and palpable, you can hear the deep rumblings of Little John or the snarl of Helena (the two who quickly became my favorites).

HOOD is a retelling, and Elder Moke’s version is so tantalizing, I foresee a devout fandom in its future, complete with fanfiction. When an author envisions a world so rich with detail and lyrical descriptions, with a voice that’s funny and wise all at once, it’s impossible not to imagine the tales happening alongside our main narrative. Even as I read it, I immediately needed to know the origin story of Robin and Marien (so, get on that, please, author!).

With phenomenal world building, a strong and sensitive protagonist, a charming and hot romance, HOOD is a book you will treasure, just as a skilled archer does with her beloved bow.

[clara [inactive account] · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf at 47%



Studies Show I Literally Can't.

can't what? you may ask. oh. can't read a book with a main character like this one! i mean, god! ✨gain a personality! ✨

well. i guess she sort of has a personality, if you count "saying 'shall' all the time" "using perfect grammar" and "being robin hood's daughter" a personality.

and really, NO ONE in this book has a personality! you're either
-a nun,
-pretty
-hot
-mean
-or short.
and that's IT.



yeah... i really don't have much to say about this, except, boring!!!! who? has? the? time????

...also for christ's sake, NO ONE needs to use "shall" that much. that word is reserved for the bible.



tl;dr: 😴huh? what? ...i'm asleep from boredom

[Uma | Books.Bags.Burgers · Rating 3 out of 5]

(A huge thank you to the FFBC toursand the publisher for the eARC of the book)

~3 THOUGHTS WHILE I READ HOOD~

~Fast paced and doesn't slow down till the end~

Hood is a really fast read; the kind of book where you start reading and then realize you're already 50% in. I read the book in one sitting and the action starts from page one. We are introduced to the protagonist, Isabelle when she's been captured by the soldiers and the story just takes off. I did think that while it was fast paced, it glossed over a lot of things and times didn't give me enough time to know the characters or understand the surroundings. Nevertheless, the speed at which the plot moved, kept me hooked and turning the pages quickly.

~Found family love~

If there's only one trope I could ever read, I'd pick found family. Robin and his merry men are obviously the best characters for a lovely found family. Although we don't get acquainted with all the merry men, I did like the ones who were the secondary characters. Helena and Patrick were my favourites. Helena with her sharp tongue, quick temper and immense skill in archery was fun to read about and learning how despite her rough attitude, she also cares about her friends with a fierce loyalty.

Patrick is a kind soul and the best at making Isabelle feel at home among the merry men. i liked that he takes the time to teach Isabelle something. Even though it wasn't much, he made her feel welcome by teaching her how to use a knife.

I wanted to like Adam, but he felt too two dimensional for my taste. The moment we meet this boy with piercing eyes, smelling of pine, I knew he was to be the love interest and I wasn't impressed. i hoped he's impress me later on but alas. But the other secondary characters definitely make up for the lack of Adam's originality.

~Action filled plotline~

Like I mentioned, the action moves really fast and there are multiple fighting scenes that were done quite well. The plot keeps moving and while nothing in it shocked me, I didn't think a certain incident towards the end would happen. It was a bittersweet and considering the fun adventurous tone, I wasn't expecting that and was surprised!

My only issue is that as far as plot twists go, I found most of them predictable. I wish the story had made me jump up in my seat a lot more than it did. That being said, the way the story ended, I think a sequel would be great. This book wraps up as a standalone really well but there's a lot of scope for sequels or other books set in this world. I would like to have a closer look at some of the political schemes that were kind of the the far background in this book.

Hood is a unique take on the robin Hood tale as it revolve's around his daughter. I enjoyed the premise and fast writing but would have loved to see more depth in the main character.

[thewordlover · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this Robin Hood retelling would’ve been pretty good if it weren't for how annoying the MC was. Isabelle was constantly too distracted by how handsome her love interest looked while saving her to actually try to save herself. Yes, she’s innocent and sheltered, and yes, it’s because she grew up in a fucking priory. That doesn’t mean she has to stand there and do nothing for the first half of the book. Then she suddenly does a 180 and acts like she’s all tough and can get shit done, except for when Adam appears. Then she turns to mush. But when she really needs to focus not even Adam’s whispers in her ear can distract her? Can you see how confusing it is?

Besides the MC’s infuriating idleness for the majority of the book, the story was interesting. It builds up pretty nicely. Unfortunately, towards the end it all starts going downhill (it took me so long to get through it). She takes on this... leadership role all of a sudden? I would not follow this blushing child anywhere, and I can’t imagine a group of grown men who just met her would do the same, no matter whose daughter she is. Then at the very end the story kind of levels out again. The whole experience was as inconsistent as Isabelle’s personality. 2.5 stars.

[Ashley W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like Hood. I love Robin Hood and the idea of him having a daughter sounded wonderful. Then when I learned she is another archer, I thought, Hey, a young, female Robin Hood? Heck Yeah!
But no.
For most of the book Isabelle just kind of annoyed me.

Strike #1: Did she seriously have to competitive with the only other girl around? Do we have to pit girls against each other for everything?
Strike #2: She came off as wishy-washy for much of the story. It wasn't until the very end that she makes decisions. I get that she needed to build some confidence, but the protagonist really needs to be stand out from the get-go. I would rather have read about Helena.
Strike #3: Robin goes immediately from 'Robin Hood' to 'Oh, Father!' way to fast. This man is still a stranger to her in the end and it just came off as melodramatic how quickly she became attached to him.

However, I did like that she was just so naturally her parent's daughter. Rebellious, adventure-seeking.

Honestly, it isn't often that I say I can do without the romance. But I didn't care for that either.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this delightful book early, and I am SO glad I didn’t have to wait! HOOD is straight up my street — an incredibly fun historical that gives an immersive world without getting bogged down in details, complete with mystery, costumed heists, and a feisty heroine who has daddy issues and a smoldering love interest. Also, archery contests! Because what’s the point of a Robin Hood retelling without some of those, right? If Robin Hood was one of your childhood favorites, you may rest assured that his legacy is safe in Elder Moke’s talented hands. This story has every bit as much fun and adventure as the original, but with a delightfully fresh take.

[Caryn - iam.caryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a truly exceptional and well written book until it hit the last few chapters. The ending, in my opinion, did not fit the tone of 90% of the story.

When I was trying to explain the writing and tone of this book to someone, I said that it’s like it’s being told to you with a smile. That it’s a story to fill you with joy when you’re having a hard time.

So an ending like that was like a slap in the face considering the rest of the book; at least to me.

Endings matter and this one did not work.

[Cindy ✩☽♔]

This sounds like a promising retelling, so fingers crossed

[MK ( MaKayla) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hood is everything a Robin Hood fan could ever ask for ; adventure , cunning tricks and escapades , and wit . In a way that is fondly reminiscent of BBC'S Robin Hood . ( Which you should go watch if you haven't ! )

Our heroine Isabelle lives in a nunnery where she was raised by her mother
( Marian ). Unexpected events force her to flee from home ,bow in hand to deliver a message . The quest soon turns dangerous ,leaving her with an ultimatum ; either deliver the father she never knew into the hands of the Sheriff, or lose her beloved mother to the noose. What at first seemed a simple choice now is tearing her apart when faced with the reality of who her father truly is .

I loved this so much. It had all of the things I love about the Robin Hood legend . It was nostalgic continuation of the story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men .

While this wasn't my favorite book ever it was still an enjoyable adventure in the world of Robin Hood .

Content : PG-13

Action violence

Mild language


I cannot believe I had the opportunity to read this !! Thanks, so so much to the author most of all ( you're amazing ) the publisher , and Netgalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review . You made one of Robin Hoods' biggest fans dreams come true ! 🥰

I was supposed to review this back in June but due to me heading back to work suddenly, I didn't have time to stay on top of all the books I would've read during self isolation . A thousand pardons . 😅

[Jamie Dacyczyn]

DNFed around page 90. I would have quit even sooner, except I REALLY love Robin Hood stories, and I wanted to give this one a solid effort.

This is tricky, because for once it wasn't the writing that was bothering me. The writing here was actually FINE, not distracting or bogged down in thesaurus abuse or excessive dialogue tags or wretched first-person/present-tense or whatever. Totally fine. This was part of the reason I was able to get as far as I did.

Unfortunately...some of the dialogue and character's actions were just dumb. I mean, at one point a soldier actually shouts, "Who goes there?" like the worse kind of campy made-for-TV action movie.

But by far, the main character's stupidity was the biggest offender. I actually started putting sticky notes with the word "dumb" to mark each instance, just to see if she would get smarter as the boom progressed. But, nah, she was just an moron. She's Robin Hood's daughter, which apparently gives her some incredible archery and sneaky skills, but...man, she is dumb. Like, ok, she's on the run because she apparently shot an arrow into a soldier before the events of this novel began. That was probably a poor choice, but since we didn't see the circumstances, I'm not going to count that one. Still, she's on the run and has to find a guy at a tavern to ask for help. She gets to the tavern, disguises herself as a boy (by hiding her hair under a burlap sack?), and decides the best way to sneak in unnoticed is to WALK STRAIGHT INTO A FIGHT with a group of boys outside. When they challenge her, she escalates things by punching one of them in the face, and then is like, "Oh shit, I don't actually know how to fight" which was.....ugh....WHY did you do this then, you fool? WAY TO MAKE A SCENE.

LATER, the person who's helping her tells her to stay put and hide until he returns and gives a special signal. Instead, she hears footsteps and immediately pops out of her hiding spot, like a total dumbass. Interestingly, right before this we were shown how incredible of a hunter/woodswoman she is by her ability to count soldiers based on the sounds of their feet on a floor overhead (and later she's able to close her eyes and still split an arrow to make a bullseye, all using her woodsy spidey sense), and yet she wasn't able to tell the difference in sound between the big barrel-chested man that she's waiting for and the young soldier who catches her (who's probably wearing mail and a sword). Even if they sounded exactly the same, wait for the damn signal, you twit!

This kind of stupidity continues. She eventually makes some friends, and they headed off on a mission. Once again, she ends up at a tavern, and sees a group of suspicious men. Instead of acting cool, she keeps glancing at them AGAIN AND AGAIN until she makes eye contact with one of them, attracting his attention. Of course, they turn out to be baddies, so....nice going.

This was about where I quit. On top of the cheesy "Who goes there!" style, the unbelievable eyes-closed-bullseye-archery-skillz, and the protagonist's utter lack of sound judgement.....I couldn't bring myself to care any more. I took a look at some other reviews, and it seems like she doesn't get any smarter, though the other characters take her seriously anyway because her dad is Robin Hood.

Oh yeah, and the other scene that bothered me was when MC and her new friends sneak into a city by hiding in a wagon full of apples. There are four of them in this wagon. Now, I'm not an expert in medieval vehicles, but I'm having a hard time visualizing a medieval wagon big enough to hid four people AND enough apples to cover them up properly. Also, why apples? Surely that would look suspicious? Aren't apples usually packed in bushels or barrels (or maybe a smaller shallow cart), not just in a big ol' pile in a big ol' wagon? Then, after the friends get out of the apple wagon, they complain that they "reek" of apples. Really? Do non-rotten apples reek? I mean, they're fragrant, but not so much that you'd expect to smell pungently like apples after hanging around with some for a few minutes. This whole section makes me wonder if they were originally going to be buried in manure (which WOULD be piled in a big pile in a wagon and WOULD make you reek afterwards), but then someone said, "Wait, how are they able to breathe?" so the author changed it quickly to apples.

Anyway, all of this is a shame because the writing itself was fine. Usually that's where my problem's start, so it was disappointing that the main character was so lame.

[Lauriane (L.M. Durand) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood is such a thrilling young adult fantasy with a cast of characters that will make laugh out loud. This loose retelling of Robin Hood is fast-paced and I simply couldn’t put it down.

Isabelle is in great danger. After being thrown in jail, her mother, Merien, frees her and sets her on a mission. Isabelle must leave the priory where she lived her whole life to deliver a very important message. In one night, Isabelle sees her world turned upside down. She discovers a world where outlaws fight for the greater good and Robin Hood and The Merry Men are not only a legend. She befriends a unique set of young outlaws that will show her what love and family really mean. But as she uncovers an unsettling truth about her past, she faces a terrible choice that will set her in motion to face the enemy once and for all, and ultimately, fight for what is right.

This story was everything I love in a YA Fantasy. It was a fast-paced quest with great banter and true friendship, badass characters with giant hearts, and a slow burn romance. I definitely hope there will be another book, but I’m not sure if this is planned. The ending made me laugh, cry, and gasp. It wraps up pretty nicely but still remains open enough for another book. (crossing my fingers here). I very much enjoyed the writing - beautiful, entertaining, and easy to read. The author did a really great job here. It gets all the stars from me. I highly recommend it.

[Yub Yub Commander · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this story minus two elements that weighed heavily enough that I docked a star and a half. Isabelle was a compelling heroine, and I loved that the story had the campy feel of a Robin Hood movie. It didn't need to be totally believable in how the Merry Men were "that" good at fighting or how they always got out of the worst situations with nary a scratch. Yet Moke did a great job writing it where the story had stakes while also containing those nostalgic feels for the old shows. Isabelle had skills with a bow, and could shoot extraordinarily well, and, is it believable? Not entirely, but the fact that she regularly didn't have a bow or any type of weapon added credibility to her as she wasn't always pulling out arrows and God-moding her way through situations.

I loved Robin and Marian. The family dynamics in this are some of the best I've ever seen in YA. Isabelle starts off the story not knowing who her father is, and when she finally meets Robin, it's so sweet and his love for her is so completely selfless. Robin was quirky and goofy while yet retaining an air of mystery and seriousness. Marian was loving while being stern, and strong when most might consider her weak. She's not a BA character who kicks butts and defeats men, but she's subtle in her power, and a lot of her strength comes from her beliefs and devotion to helping anyone.

But, my complaints: I hated the romance, especially after the idiotic drama that occurred. You could tell exactly who Isabelle would fall for the minute they appeared on screen, and there was no development. They met, and instant attraction, then kisses and the end. It was rough, it was bad, and there was absolutely no chemistry.

The drama issue that plagued a good portion of the book was so beyond pointless that it made me despise every person in Isabelle's friend group.

Isabelle doesn't know who her father is, and as such, when she finds out, she starts asking the Merry men and her friends a bunch of questions, because she wants to know more about her father. No one thinks anything of it because she has an important message to give Robin, from her mother. She never mentions to them that Robin is her dad, and when it's revealed, her friends turn their backs on her and go so far as to say that they're "angry, and it's justified." It's justified for her to fall in to a gang of people whom she has never met and just tell them that SHE just found out Robin Hood is her father? Also, the whole reason she never brought it up is because she was warned by another character that telling her friends could put them in mortal danger with the person chasing her. So by being silent and protecting her own personal secret that would also harm them if they were caught, she's ostracized and blamed for it, and the book fully believes Isabelle was in the wrong for not wanting to talk about this. The story goes so far as to talk about how guilty and horrible she feels and how she's basically having a full breakdown because none of her supposed friends feel any pity or understanding for her and instead all act like she has the plague.

Not. Cool.

This carried on for such a long amount of time, and literally only one of the four characters even apologizes to her, that I have them on my black list. They were awful, and I genuinely wish that whole drama fest was excluded from the story completely because other that and the stupid romance, they were minor characters the entire time, so there was no reason for this.

[Alex Nonymous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing World Wide for providing an ARC Of Hood!

I was really worried about the tone Hood would take because most Fairy Tale adaptations tend to be leaning into the dark and gritty and despite the fact that Robin Hood probably has a higher kill count than most other fairy tale heros, it’s always been more of a fun, campy adventure story and I was pleasantly surprised by Hood’s portrayal of Robin and the world of Sherwood.

I liked that instead of going the easy “male MC is now a woman or had a secret woman supporting him the whole time” YA fantasy route (I mean, robin’s a unisex name so it would have been incredibly easy) Hood tells the story through the characters daughter so she can write her own, unique character instead of trying to write a full character arc for one of the most beloved characters of all time.

It’s a fun, campy story and the only real issue I could think to point out is a bit of insta-romance, but what book doesn’t have that? I’d recommend if you’re looking for a good adventure.

[Prerna Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOOD by Jenny Elder Moke is a fast-paced, action packed adventure. With a memorable cast of characters, both old and new, Elder Moke has created a unique yet familiar story that centers around Isabelle, the daughter of Robin Hood himself. What I loved about this historical fiction novel is that it took the classic tale of Robin Hood and wove it into a reimagined feminist tale. Isabelle is a relatable character who comes into her own but not without some doubts and struggles. Isabelle is thrown into an unfamiliar world and even though she’s afraid and unsure of herself, it doesn’t stop her from doing what she must to keep the people she loves safe. Isabelle, in short, is a badass. There is romance, comedy, and lots of emotion in this wonderful debut. You’ll want to add it to your list immediately! And I cannot wait to read what else Jenny Elder Moke has up her sleeve.

[Hannah Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It gives a backstory and a look at what happens with Robin and Marian. The ending wasn’t my favorite (no spoilers) but I loved this book overall. If you love the Robin Hood aesthetic, this book is for you.

[Dominique Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I really hated the ending.

[WondrousReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was cute!
It was quick, fast and enjoyable!
Truth be told, I've been stuck in a bit of a reading slump for the past month. I didn't even finish a book in June! But this book brought me right out of it! I have a few qualms with it, which I will get to in a second, but for the most part, I had a lot of fun reading this book! The characters were mostly enjoyable, the plot interesting, and the atmosphere of Sherwood Forest was welcoming!
I am always a fan of Robin Hood retellings, so with me, it is very hard to read one that I won't enjoy, simply because I love the legend of Robin Hood itself. However, like I said, I did have a few little issues, namely our MC, Isabelle.
She wasn't awful, certainly not at the same level as Kelsey from Tiger's Curse, or Everly Morrow from The Evil Queen, but at times she did fall victim to the "YA Heroine Standard" trope.
Isabelle started off the book believably, her general naivete and almost"mary-sue-esque-ness" being perfectly acceptable considering her background of being raised by Maid Marian in a convent, but towards the middle and especially the end of the book, she seemed to almost overnight discover this endless well of courage, skill, and leadership qualities that just didn't really fall into place for me. A lot of it was attributed to her being Robin Hood's daughter and just "Inheriting her father's qualities" which I just didn't really buy. In that way, her character sort of fell flat for me.
Another thing that just really jarred me was the ending of this story. It felt really abrupt, and in a way, sort of misfitting. The whole book was leading up to this big confrontation with the "Wolf", and the whole scene to me seemed a bit messy and disorganized, with the final plot point of the book feeling awfully forced and out of place. It just sort of felt that the author was trying really hard to pull the rug out from under the reader that they just let the plot get lost and muddled.
However, All that aside, I had a lot of fun with this book! Like I said, the atmosphere of Sherwood forest, the convent, and the Merry Men was well written and satisfying!
I especially liked how the author wrote the characters of Maid Marian and Robin Hood. They seemed to gel really well together, and their romance was totally believable. Robin really shined in this book. He was just as witty, charming, clever, and caring as I hoped he would be and more. I loved every scene he was in, and his bubbly personality came through with every bit of dialogue he had.
Overall, A pretty good, easy, quick summer read that was perfect to get me out of my reading slump!