Friday, December 6, 2013

Book Review - Daughter of Sherwood - Laura Strickland

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Title:  Daughter of Sherwood


Review:  Start off with I enjoy everything and anything related to Robin Hood and the adventures that people have written.

Wren the heroin of the story was raised without any knowledge of who she truly is. The Sheriff's Head guard attacks Wren in Nottingham Castle and she quickly defends herself causing herself to be exiled to the forest she was born in.  When she arrives she discovered she is the daughter of the legendary Robin Hood and Maid Marion and her so called mother Lil was not her mother but a friend who kept her safe. Wren’s caretaker Lil explain that a magical triad that she is a part of can create a bond that will be strong enough to defend Sherwood and its people from the tyrant Normans. Wren and two other young man who are the other part of the triad Sparrow Little and Martin Scarlett.  She is to choose between the two men to create a magical bond to protect the people of the forest. Sparrow loves Wren the second he meets her but knows that Martin, a lifelong rival, desire to conquer Wren to take his rightful place as guardian and captain for Sherwood forest whether Wren loves him or not. 

Laura created a world of fantasy and magic based on the folklore of Robin Hood. I was excited to read a strong female version of Robin Hood but was disappointed Wren was in fact very wimpy and child like for being in her 20's.  The two love interested again were more like horny 16 year old teenagers than two young men who were raised knowing they were to protect and love Sherwood. Wren's first night in the woods she is told she is to choose one of them to marry and to be bond for life with. The author writes of Wren as having a fiery spirit but I never felt she was completely committed to that. 

 The love triangle was contrived and at some points almost unbearable to read.  The love triangle wasn't exciting you knew right away who Wren would choose and yet the author felt the need to draw it out when she could have built one character strong and created a more realist romance.

What I enjoy normally about an authors love triangle is when the one rejected character is able to grow and develop to become someone you cheer for at the end of the story while the happy couple rides off into the sunset but instead the author drug out the love triangle painful slow and left the characters extremely flat. 

The battles were not exciting to read and the author focused on the magic of the forest that made people fall in love, defy death and for some reason just get pregnant in the middle of turmoil.

Sherwood is one forest out of hundreds I assume flowing though England but the author has decided to make you think it is the only forest in England and that it breathes and create a life beyond all knowledge and people are drawn to it. The forest itself takes Serfs people and puts magic into them to fight against the wealthy Normans.  As I read the author way of writing made me think of glitter flowing down to the ground and that woodland fairy should be dancing and singing.  I enjoy stories wrapped with magic and the mysteries of mother earth but I feel she didn't full commit to that angle of the story leaving it feeling unfinished.

I quickly finished the book to find out what was going to happen but in all honesty if you paid attention to the first two chapters you knew right away Wren decision and it wasn't really a surprise.

This book is one in a trilogy but was left to wonder about.  I dislike authors who create a trilogy and leave an open ending almost darning the reader to buy the next book even if they don't want to hoping it’s better than the first.  I prefer a complete story that can be built upon.

There book is written towards young adult to adult woman, with several sex scene.

Thank you Heidi for this review

Publisher:  Published July 23rd 2013 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc; English Tea Rose
ISBN: B00E4USIGA
Copyright: 2013
Pages: 238 Kindle Edition
Where did I get the book: Sent by the author for review.
Quick Review:  3 out of 5 stars


Synopsis:  Raised in the kitchens of Nottingham Castle, Wren has no idea she is the daughter of the legendary Robin Hood until she is summoned to Sherwood Forest. Since Robin's death many years before, the resistance against Norman tyranny has been upheld by a magical triad, but now one of the guardians has died. With two young men, Sparrow and Martin, Wren must form a new triad with a bond strong enough to defend Sherwood's magic. To one of them, she will also give her heart.

From the moment Wren bursts into his life, Sparrow loves her. But he knows she may choose his lifelong rival, Martin, as her mate. Martin wants Wren also, but Sparrow fears Martin is driven not by love but by ambition. When Martin is captured and held at Nottingham Castle, will the conflict between love and duty destroy the triad?
 
Author Biography:   Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. Currently she is at work on the third book of the Guardians of Sherwood series.


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