Outlaw

Robyn Fitzwarren and her family, along with countless other families, are left behind when the King takes most of the healthy men with him off to war. The King leaves behind in his stead the Sheriff of Nottingham and his conniving wife who want to line their pockets before the King and the men return.

The Fitzwarren's receive a letter stating that they owe a huge amount in taxes that had been previously waived. This exact amount is the winnings of a contest of which Robyn is pretty sure that she can win with her bow and arrow. She just might have to go dressed as a man to register though. Unbeknownst to her family and best friend Marion, she attends the contest.

Thus leading to the road of good intentions and to her path of Robyn Hood.

Once again I am reading outside of my genre comfort zone (laugh). I am not familiar with fairy tales. I do know a little about Robin Hood, but that is more from flipping channels than from reading a book or watching an entire movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed Outlaw (Nim Publishing, B07VPX4M9J, 2019) Book One of the Robyn Hood Adventures by Niamh Murphy. You heard me right. I liked a 1) a historical story; 2) a fairy tale; and 3) a story with no sex in it. Yes!

Murphy writes an engaging story of Robyn's journey from daughter and sister to...what is the nonbinary word for patriarch? Someone let me know. Robyn is at times, a lot of times, scared and confused which we all are when faced with having to change in the face of insurmountable odds. The decisions she makes to fix things and having them get worse and how she deals with that.

Robyn's family construct is another interesting facet to the story. I love her mother and I cannot wait to see if Murphy does something with Robyn's sister's character in the future.

As for the slow-burn romance between Robyn and Marion, it is almost an afterthought and it is kind of sweet that we are the only ones that seem to know what is going on. (laugh). I am curious to see where Murphy takes us on this journey. I have to assume since it is 1190 it will be more of a slow-burn.

No worries though because Murphy provides humor, action, and adventure throughout the story. It was joyride. I cannot wait to see where Murphy and Robyn Hood takes us next. ✶✶✶✶

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.