Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

Format: Paperback (arc)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Published: 7th June 2012
Pages: 292
Main Characters: Scarlet, Rob, John, Much
Date Started: 13th May 2012
Date Finished: 16th May 2012
Rating Given: *****

Blurb from Goodreads:

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire.

Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

I love re-telling but all I seem to read are fairytale re-telling which don't get me wrong I love. I also love Robin Hood stories whether it's in film or TV format and now in a book. So when you put these two things together it's something that I just had to read and I'm glad I did. I did actually receive this on Netgalley but for some reason I just never got around to reading it so when the chance came for me to receive a hard copy from the UK publishers at Bloomsbury I jumped at the chance and now I can't thank them enough for giving me this chance to review as I completely fell in love with this book.

With the cover I wasn't too keen on it to start with but the more I look at it the more I love it. I am glad that they used a model with piercing eyes that just draw you in as this is mentioned in the book about her eyes being the thing that can give her away so for me that was fitting as other covers don't always match the characteristics of the main character. I love that the title is in scarlet as again this is in keeping with the story and even the title. I just think the whole thing works as it just ties the story together.

Scarlet is A. C. Gaughen's debut novel and what a debut it is. The style of writing is different to what I am used to reading but it didn't matter as I was able to get into that style straight away. I can't wait to read more from this author and I hope she will start with a follow up to this story as I felt there could be more to come but so far on Goodreads this is a stand alone :(

There was always something going on in this book it kept me entertained and hooked as every chapter went by and by the time I was coming to an end I just didn't want it to finish I want more and need more. It was a great suspense novel that kept me guessing all the way until the end. There was a few action scenes that worked so well that I was able to keep up with what was going on and I think they would translate well into a film. This book is definitely one I would re-read over and over again which doesn't happen very often.

The characters I loved. There's not many female characters that I love but Scarlet is one of them as she's a strong independent woman that I feel is a refreshing change especially from the Robin Hood era when they are supposed to be seen but not heard. I didn't even mind that we didn't know that much about her until near the end as I felt we knew just as much as the other characters. She was sometimes a little annoying but I can forgive her for that. Rob I loved but I have always loved Rob from the other versions but this time he did get a bit annoying especially around Scarlet as he kept giving her mixed messages but I didn't mind too much as he is Rob after all! John I also loved he was a sweetheart even if he was a bit of a male slut but you just knew how he was feeling and by the end I really felt for him. Much was very much a contender for best character and I don't think we got to see enough of him.

Overall I loved everything about this book and I think it needs to be a film I just need to see this on the big screen.