Hood - The King Raven Trilogy

Title: Hood - The King Raven Trilogy Author: Stephen R. Lawhead ISBN: 1595540881, 9781595540881 Publication: June 2, 2007

This is a really fascinating book! Hood, the first novel of the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead, is basically a Robin Hood story; the twist is that the author has done his homework and changed the standard fairy-tale to fit a more realistic scenario.

Set in Wales, Hood sheds light on the plight of the Cymry (Welsch) people during the turbulent years following the Norman Conquest of Britain. Kingships are overthrown and lands given to men loyal to the new King of England. One of these kings is slaughtered in an ambush and his son Bran ap Brychan (which means Raven in the native tongue) becomes the rightful, but displaced, king - Rhi Bran. After some very turbulent months, and after being befriended by an old wise woman, Rhi Bran becomes known as Rhi Bran y Hud. Robin Hood! (you find out more about how the name got changed in Scarlet, the second book of the trilogy). Hood takes us from the fall of Elfael's king, past Bran's flight into the ancient forest that serves as a dividing line between the March and Wales, and into the founding of a community within that forest.

The book is long, but every page is a gem. The pacing is great, and the numerous characters are charming. The only thing this book left me wanting was the sequel!

For me the wealth of beckground research was evident and important. The rich tapestry of history added immensely to the value and intrigue of this book. I have honestly never seen a better revision of a fairy tale. If you like Robin Hood, history, or just plain old action you will like Hood.