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Scarlet
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Discussion #9 - Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
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This book ended up being one of my favorites of the year so far. It isn't a masterpiece, but I gobbled it up, and then the story stuck with me enough that I had to go out and buy it. I am SUPER-cheap, so actually parting with money for a book that I've already read is a big deal.What did you think of the main character?
I loved the main character. Scarlet is so feisty and fun. I mean, it's so hard to dislike a girl thief with knives, at least in my experience. The only thing that annoyed me was that she was clearly irritated with both boys but didn't make them bug off. She could've, but she didn't.
What did you think about the dialogue?
I grudgingly tolerated the dialogue until everyone found out that Scarlet was Marian. At that point, the lingo just became a nuisance because there was no longer any need for deceit. I guess it would've been too jarring for her to suddenly turn proper, but still.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
I thought the ending was fine. AC Gaughen has said that she meant for Scarlet to be a standalone and thus far has no plans to change that, so I think the ending works well in that regard. On the other end, the ending wasn't SO final that there's no way to go back and do a sequel.
Who was your favorite character?
Outside of the obvious choice of Scarlet, I ADORED Much. I hope he gets his own book.
Did Scarlet make the right choice, man-wise?
Yes!
If anyone's interested, my review is here: http://shelversanon.blogspot.com/2012...
Now I get to sit back and hear what you all have to say. Have I mentioned that I really, really enjoyed this book?
What did you think about the main character?I thought she was brilliant. I loved how bad she was: good with knives, tough, strong. And she was deep, too. The moments when she was brought to tears were really touching for me, too. One of my all-time favorite female characters!
What did you think about the dialogue?
The dialogue was unsettling at the beginning, during my adjustment period. Later, when Scarlet was revealed as Marian, I finally felt okay with it. I was glad there was a good reason she talked that way. But honestly, I would've enjoyed the book more if I hadn't had to wrap my brain around her awkward speech.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
I wanted more. Especially more about John and Robin. They were great characters for a triangle.
What did you think about the book as a whole? I loved reading about a strong female character I could relate to. She fought hard, but also loved and cried. The plot was less than memorable, but the characters were wonderful and interesting.
Mod
To be honest I really did not like her at first. (I know I'm the odd one.) She was so self-deprecating and so in her own head. She couldn't see the world around her as it was, and I just wanted to slap her into opening her eyes. I know she had a scarring past, but I've never in my life met someone who was so clueless about what was going on in their own personal life. As the book wore on, she became a bit more open and relate-able, and by the end I was okay with her, but I didn't love her.
What did you think about the dialogue?
In the beginning it annoyed me soooo much, but as I read I adjusted and it became "normal" for that book. I got to the point where I hardly noticed it.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
It ended in the way that I expected it to, I don't really have an opinion there. I really didn't like the whole idea of Will Scarlett and Marian being the same person, I guess because I'm so hugely a fan of Robin Hood. But I realize authors retell story and things change, I guess it's just harder to stomach with a story so close to me.
What did you think about the book as a whole?
I didn't hate the book! (as much as I sound like I did.) It was a decent read, just certainly not a favorite of mine. I think maybe I was a little too stuck in my Robin Hood bubble and had trouble accepting something so major as Will Scarlett being a boy, as well as her also being Marian.
What did you think about the main character?Without her, I don't think the story would have been fun. She was a very strong character, and amazing hero. I really do love her :).
What did you think about the dialogue?
Yeah I had trouble at first as well but was excited to see what happens next that I moved on. It did go great with the setting though.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
Love the ending! I was little surprised with everything being revealed but in a good way. I was hoping for a sequel actually. I haven't heard anything though, so I'm little disappointed because I know this story could have more to it.
What did you think about the book as a whole?
I think A.C. Gaughen did amazing job. I always love historical fiction told from a girl's pov because in history class, you always hear about guys and what they did. I love stories about strong heroines and was very pleased with Scarlet. Also, I'm a big fan of Robin Hood.
-Alice @ The Story Seekers
Mod
I thought that she was a really fantastic character. She had so many layers of hurt, goodness, guilt, and mischief all rolled together. I engrossed because I wanted to find out what happened to her in the past.
What did you think about the dialogue?
It really did not bother me, and I thought it made the story seem more "period". It did not disrupt the pacing. I guess I'm still in the mind-set for it from my research of Crusade accounts last year, though Scarlet only used the slang (for want of a better word) sparingly.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
Meh, I don't know. I think it left too much open. There wasn't really an ending because there are still too many loose ends. As for the big Marian reveal, I had it figured out fairly soon in the book. I mean, I was a third of the way into the book and no Marian. There was only one female main character. Hmm...
What did you think about the book as a whole?
I really enjoyed it! I like historical novels - okay, with the romance, too - but I liked that this was more about this broken girl facing her demons in a really horrible situation. I know the Robin Hood story fairly well, but I was glued to the book because of Scarlet's story alone.
Who was your favorite character?
Okay, Little John has always been one of my favorite characters in the Robin Hood legend. I liked that he was portrayed as a ladies' man, but I believed in his feelings for Scarlet. As for the answer to the question:
Did Scarlet make the right choice, man-wise?
I guess she did when it came to her, but I would've thrown my lot in with Little John in a heartbeat. Robin had his head stuck so far up his arse (you're not an earl anymore, buddy) that I did not feel like he deserved her. Oh sure, he had this secret love thing going on, but he threw a tantrum every time he saw John and Scarlet together. John was open and honest with Scarlet - always. And Robin suddenly confessing everything when he found out Scarlet was Marian just left a bad taste in my mouth. I can only imagine how much he'll whine about Gisbourne (who was an okay villain, I suppose) and guilt-trip Scarlet for being married.
What did you think about the main character?
Honestly, I was a little surprised by the main character. I was actually waiting for Marian to show up being that this is a Robin Hood story, but I didn't think about "Will Scarlet" being Maid Marian. But other than that I liked that we got Robin Hood from a female protagonist's point of view.
What did you think about the dialogue?
I actually had a touch time reading some of the dialogue in the beginning, in my mind I was trying to fix it. (I'm doing revisions on my book so that may be why) but as I kept reading it seems to make more sense given the story and it didn't bother me as much anymore.
What did you think about the ending of the book?
I don't know maybe it is just me, but I felt like that wasn't the end of the story. To me it felt like there was going to be more to the story, like a sequel is coming. (I don't know if there is one or not, is there?) That could very well be the end of the story but to me it didn't seem like it.
What did you think about the book as a whole?
Overall I liked the book as a whole. It made me think of all the Robin Hood movies that I watched but I liked that this story was told from a female perspective instead of a male perspective.
Okay your turn, discuss away, got any questions of your own?