Book: Will In Scarlet

I don't like reviews like this, but this book is the biggest disappointment in reading that I have had in a long time. I am a big fan of Robin Hood, but this telling is just deplorable. Folks, I feel strongly that children should not waste their time reading this book! The language, the hints of sexuality (though mild), and the crude comments about people's private body parts pulled focus from the storytelling; it was as if the author was trying too hard to be edgy (or was this originally intended for an older crowd?) 

The best part about this book is the Author's Note at the end.  Here, Author Matthew Cody explains how the legendary characters of Robin Hood have transformed through the centuries.  Because of this, Cody felt he had the right to introduce a whole new origin story.  It felt like he was just trying to alter it for the sake of alteration. Even the antagonists were changed.  I liked the author's explanation, but not his treatment of the legend.

The story itself, kind of an origin story for "Rob", is pretty anticlimactic and never excited me to turn pages.