Hood is a standalone retelling of Robin Hood, or more accurately it's a continuation. Isabelle of Kirklees leads quiet life with her mother Marian inside a convent but when she gets arrested for defending innocent villagers she becomes the target of King John's ruthless right hand man, the Wolf. Marian helps Isabelle escape and with little fanfare tells her to find the father she never knew, Robin Hood. As she's still reeling from this bombshell and running for her life, she eventually joins forces with Merry Men who will lead her to Robin. She discovers more of her family's history (and enemies), what the Merry Men stand for and a chance to figure out what her path is. It's definitely on the light and adventurous side and never delves too deep into each of the character or their origin story. It stays fair superficial throughout but I didn't mind it. It's a quick, fun romp that certainly entertained me even if it didn't necessarily become a new favorite.

Do I recommend? I do! I've always enjoyed the tale of Robin Hood and I enjoyed seeing this YA take on it.

Such a fun take on a classic story I really enjoyed this adventure overall. The action was exciting and kept the story moving wonderfully. The characters weren’t developed quite as intelligently as I would’ve liked, there were several times I questioned the believability of Isabelle’s actions. I really think the younger side of this genre will appreciate the fresh take on a new Robin Hood adventure.

Does anyone remember the movie The Princess of Thieves? This book reminds me of a reboot of this movie. But more of what if she did not start with the Merry Men. I love what-if stories and alternate scenarios. This one I enjoyed. I am hoping for a sequel but will be happy with what we got.

Isabelle of Kirklees is the main character of this story. Isabelle could be rounded a little more, but it is not enough to call her a flat character. You see her flaws and how they related to her time growing up in the quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent where she lives with her mother, Marien, and her growth when she is with the “new-gen” of Merry Men. What I liked about her is, you can tell whose daughter she is by her personality and she is still her own self. Isabelle is an interesting character and loved how you see who she is throughout the book.

There was a part of this book where it reminded me of The Prince of Thieves movie. The part where we see the Merry Men’s village in Sherwood forest. I could relate to most of this part from the movie how it was the first time Marien saw the village to how it was when Isabelle first saw it. The gathering of the families at the tables, the homes up in trees, and various other things. The way the Merry Men interact with each other and how everyone seems to not care what the backgrounds are as long as you are loyal to Robin and prove your place amongst them.

Adam, Patrick, Little, and Helena are who I like to call the “new-gen” of the Merry Men. I fell in love with these characters. Each one is different, and yet they fight like siblings. I enjoyed learning about them throughout the novel. They were well flushed. The small rivalry between Isabelle and Helena was great to see. How accepted Isabelle into the group was great to see after she proved herself to be amongst them. I would love to see more of these characters.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend this to those who love fun reading and what-if books.

The Pros: What worked for me

I liked that the story was not an exact replica of the original Robin Hood tale. The author took liberties to change things up and I really liked this because it brings some variety to a well-known story.

This book was fast-paced and action-packed! There was always something happening and I was zooming through this book because there was not a single dull moment.

I love the band of Merry Men! They were so lovable and funny that they lifted the story up and gave it some positive vibes.

The Cons: What I didn't like

I didn’t really get a feel for the main character or for the character of Robin Hood. This might be because of the fast pace of the novel not giving the story enough time to develop the characters. It was just hard to connect to both of them and enjoy their relationship.

Overall, this story read almost like a movie in that it was fast-paced and I could envision everything happening so clearly in my head! If you are looking for a Robin Hood retelling that you will whiz through, consider this one. I’m giving it 3/5 stars.

I love a good retelling! This book was really fun. I thought the authors writing and plot were very well thought out and enjoyed watching the story unfold. I never really felt like there was a spot in this book where it slowed down, which is a good thing. Thank for the opportunity to read and review early.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There were many aspects of this book that I enjoyed: Isabelle’s bond with her parents, The Merry Men, Robin Hood’s personality and kindness. The action sequences were a lot of fun and Adam, Little, Patrick & Helena’s banter is hilarious.

“You have the blood of kings and rebels within you, love. Let it rise to meet the call.”


Some things that took me out of the story: I felt like it took a little too long for the story to pick up. In the first 40% of the story, I found it very easy to put the book down and wasn’t too invested in what was going on. Once Robin Hood enters the picture I felt like the storyline was gripping and I finished the second half of the book in the span of a few hours.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It’s not a new favorite but I had a great time reading it!

I wanted to like this more. The Outlaws of Sherwood remains, for me, an exemplar among Robin Hood retellings. Unfortunately it sets a very high bar. Hood is very good historical fiction and a fun reinterpretation but was not quite what I wanted. When I look for Robin Hood retellings I really want a story focusing on Robin Hood and Marian and the Merry Men, not a story about Robin Hood’s child and what comes next.

I am so very disappointed in this book. It looked so good and the synopsis had me hooked!! But then I actually started reading it and not only did a lot of things not make sense, but I really, really didn’t like Isabelle.

Having an inexperienced and naive main character is one thing, but this girl was just making one dumb decision after another. And just when you think she’s learning and growing from her mistakes, she makes another damn huge mistake!!!! That goes on for the WHOLE TIME!!!! That was the ending too. You think that she’d make the right choice, having grown into a more thoughtful and mature person, but nope, you’d be mistaken.

It is also super annoying when stuff just doesn’t make sense at times. And here come the spoilers... Marien sends Isabelle to a good friend at a pub and tells her that he’ll help her. Then at the end Marien is confused as to how Isabelle learned of her father... but the dude she sent Isabelle to is a good friend of Robin and obviously took her straight to see Robin... So I feel like if she didn’t want Isabelle to know Robin was her father, she’d not have sent her straight to his friends.

Or how about Isabelle is supposed to be this great hunter, yet she tromps around the forest making tons of noise and can’t seem to run away and hide from ANYTHING?!?! Does not make any sense.

I’m also confused as to why the Merry Men would send only YAs to go on a dangerous mission to find Robin without any real adult supervision. True, they didn’t say how old they were, but they are definitely not really adults.

There were a few other parts that straight up didn’t make any sense, but my favorite has got to be when Isabelle and her mother are trapped in the cellarium and Isabelle takes a peak out the door. It seriously says the view was hidden by the back of a guard, but then says she could see no other guards. Well yeah, you just said the view was blocked. So how do you really know if there are any other guards in the room or not?!?!

I’m going to be honest, I could probably rant for quite a while, but I’m pretty sure my blood pressure is getting higher, so I’m just going to say this. I usually love retellings, continuations, and most young adult novels I read, but I really didn’t like this one. I was so glad when I finished because I felt like I’d been reading it forever. I may be in the minority, but it’s just my own opinion!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This fresh take on Robin Hood was exactly what I wanted. It was spirited and new
—a completely original tale following beloved childhood characters.

I loved this book from start to finish. It was a great reimagining of Robin Hood through his daughter whose actions reveal her heritage. In the beginning, I was a bit confused about who was who because the names felt similar, but their personalities begin to shine around halfway through and I could more easily connect with their character. I understand that Isabelle, like her father, wants to help people, but I did get a bit frustrated at how short sighted she was. She made rash decisions that put other people in danger. Not a criticism of the novel by any means - many characters are imperfect - but just a personal pet peeve of mine. I just wanted her to learn from her mistakes and stop making them over and over. I enjoyed the flow of the book - it was an easy and enjoyable read that I will definitely be recommending to my students (7th and 8th grade).

I rather enjoyed this retelling of Robin Hood and I thought it was very creative in the way that it was about his daughter. The characters were unique and described in a way that I felt like I really got to know each of their personalities. The part I struggled on was the speed of the story. I felt that a lot of the book was just filler material, but that being said it was still a good read. There were some parts I skimmed over, but I would still recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fairy tale reimagining!

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I like Robin Hood retellings and so have read several of them. This one is a bit different since the main character, Isabelle is actually the daughter of Marien and Robin Hood. She is on the run because the Wolf is back and after her parents.

I found Isabelle a little annoying at times due to to how immediately after encountering the Merry Men, she challenges them to become a member and defeats their best champion in an archery contest (not really believable I think since she grew up in a priory). She also insists on going with the group (most second generation outlaws so they are all her age and they do most of the actions) and that causes so many more problems than if she had stayed in Sherwood Forest. But I guess that is just the sensible me thinking and it would have cut a lot of the action of this book. She also keeps secrets when she shouldn't and ignores the advice of people that know better than her. The instaromance was contrived too and did not need to happen to keep the story going.

I think I enjoyed the appearances of the original Merry Men better that the younger ones. It was fun to read about the scheme that Robin was doing when the group finally caught up to him in York. The ending was unexpected and I have conflicting feelings about it.

It is a fairly fast read and I believe younger readers would enjoy this more than I did. I prefer the Scarlet version or some of the other more adult ones.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for letting me read a copy of Hood early! I’ve always loved Robin Hood stories (I even watched the shitty 2018 version of Robin Hood with Taron Egerton, so you know I’m serious about this haha) and this one was no different! I really, really enjoyed it!

Hood 4.5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads: Isabelle of Kirklees has only ever known a quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent, where she lives with her mother, Marien. But after she is arrested by royal soldiers for defending innocent villagers, Isabelle becomes the target of the Wolf, King John's ruthless right hand. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Marien helps Isabelle escape and sends her on a mission to find the one person who can help: Isabelle's father, Robin Hood.
As Isabelle races to stay out of the Wolf's clutches and find the father she's never known, she is thrust into a world of thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws, new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead. As she joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men in a final battle against the Wolf, will Isabelle find the strength to defy the crown and save the lives of everyone she holds dear?

This is the first Robin Hood story I’ve read about Robin and Marien’s daughter and I liked it way more than I thought I would! It’s like it was the second generation of Robin Hood and I am here for that for sure. I really liked Isabelle and Adam and Helena and Little and Patrick, and I doubt there would be a reason for the author to write a second book, but man would I love to read a second book set in this world with these characters. It was the perfect quick read with the right amount of action, adorable romance, and heartbreak to make you want to keep reading. I highly recommend it!

I genuinely enjoyed this interesting new look at the tales of Robin Hood. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this was much better than I thought it was going to be!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of the book!

Hood turned out to be a really cute story. I love that it’s not re-telling of Robin Hood as much as a continuation of the story. We get to glimpse some of things we are familiar with from the legend but also a whole new story.

Isabelle is an interesting character. I could tell if i always like her or not. She struggles with a lot of self-doubt and kind little miny pity parties. She is also sixteen though and figuring out that her father and mother are not exactly who she thought they were. When she overcomes her challenges she really overcomes them. Throwing herself into the fray to help people. She can show great strength at times.

I really enjoyed the plot. It’s an easy flowing story that is a fun quick read. Very fast paced and of course brings together elements from the Robin Hood tale. Lie Sherwood Forest and the Merry Men. I really loved the design of Sherwood Forest. It makes so much more sense in Hood. Ha ha. I also like how no element is too overpowering. There is a little dabble in romance but it doesn’t take over the story. There is definitely adventure but the root of the story is family. I think the things that were meant to shine through did and didn’t get lost in the story somewhere.

It would definitely be interesting to see more from this world. Even maybe with some of the characters that were particularly close to Isabelle. Maybe Adam, Helena, Little or Patrick could get some more spotlight.

I really enjoyed Hood and it’s a nice read when you need a break. Of course I really like Robin Hood tales in general though and I think this does justice in the vein.

Thank you for the ARC,

I received this ARC a little late in the game, after release date and to be honest I was a little worried going into this one, the last Robin Hood story I read was a DNF for me. But this was not that book. This was a million times better and I always automatically give five stars to a book that makes me cry and this ending had me in tears.

I loved the direction this book went with the story, that being said I hated the ending because it hurt too much,

Isabelle was a real well rounded character, I was a little put off by her holier than thou attitude at first but she really grew into herself and honestly she got it from her dad.

I really loved Robin Hood's character, he has always been a favorite of mine and he was just as charismatic as I wanted him to be, the small moments with him and Maid Marien made my heart soar which just makes the ending hurt all the more.

The development was great, the romance was there but not the focus because in the end I think family was a better focus even though in most cases I would sooner pick romance. The author did a great job of creating an great family that sacrificed for each other within such few pages.

Well done.

Title: Hood
Series: no. stand alone
Author: Jenny Elder Moke
Publisher & Release: Disney – Hyperion, June 9th 2020
Length: 320 pages
Rate & Recommend: ⭐⭐⭐⚡ for fans of the genre!
Thank you so much to Disney Book Group via NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!

Hood is actually the first Robin Hood retelling I have ever read. It follows Robin & Marien’s daughter, Isabelle, as she learns her parents’ true identities and discovers her place in the world.

I don’t know much about the actual historic time period but rotten kings and dashing outlaws and overcoming oppression always attracted me to the Robin Hood story. Even with little to no historical knowledge, Hood makes a great story. I loved seeing Isabelle grow in confidence and strength, and was so happy when she made a few choice excellent bow & arrow shots.

The characters are great, I never felt too attached to any of them but they are a witty, loyal bunch of mixed talents. The banter in Hood is definitely note worthy. Isabelle’s romance probably could have been left out – I didn’t see any context to it – but the Robin and Marien love story was PERFECT. Truly perfect. What a pompous ass Robin was 😂

The pacing was very well done as well, plenty of action spread out so that I never got bored. I read the book in two sittings and enjoyed it fully. Between the plot itself, the characters, and the absolutely excellent ending, I would definitely recommend this one to young adult readers and fans of these types of legends.

I docked the star for a tad bit of repetitive language and for not feeling the romance aspect at all.

Blog link can be seen at https://onereadingnurse.com/2020/06/21/arc-review-hood-by-jenny-elder-moke/

I have loved every Robin Hood inspired YA novel that I’ve read and Hood by Jenny Elder Moke is no exception. I fell in love with the idea that Robin of Locksley and Lady Marien got their happy ever after (well sort of) and as a result got to see the next generation of protectors of Sherwood Forest. I found this take on the subject of Robin Hood a unique perspective on the legend because I haven’t seen a plot that centres around a less than confident female lead like Isabelle. She had to learn quick how the real world worked and she adapted the best she could. She is a main character who isn’t great at everything and I found that refreshing, plus her development throughout the plot was substantial. It ushered in a new perspective of how Robin’s actions have affected the lives of his beloved village years later. This is a story about loyalty, justice, and heart. It’s incredibly easy to follow, there’s tons of character development across many characters, and this features a main character who’s the best of both of her parents as she’s stubborn like her mother and strong like her father.

“These men don’t deserve your fear, Isabelle,’ he said, brushing his thumb across her cheekbone. ‘You’re stronger than the whole bleeding lot of them. Don’t you forget that.”

Let’s talk about Adam. Adam exudes a cocky confidence while still showcasing his responsibility for The Merry Men. He seems to have adapted to Robin’s previous role as their leader and he does it perfectly. He has the perfect balance of Robin and Alan. I appreciate seeing someone like Adam in this role because it respects and honours the legacy left behind by these characters. He’s also absolutely adorable with Isabelle and the chemistry between them is palpable as it’s an immediate connection with a slow burn romance built on respect and skill. She wants to prove herself strong enough to hold her father’s heavy legacy and he sees that. He’s not a jerk to her, especially when he sees her struggling, instead he offers advice to help her grow. It sounds kinda cheesy, but I swear it doesn’t read like that at all. There’s this pivotal point where she’s keeping a secret from him and despite knowing it, he lets her keep it to herself until she can come forward. He’s astute and smart while still keeping his cockiness which I loved. He’s a different type of love interest in the YA fiction genre and I’m here for it. He’s not completely full of himself or an uncoordinated book worm, he has both and that makes him the perfect match for the daughter of Robin Hood and Lady Marien.

There is one thing that did bother me about these two however. In the beginning, Adam would call Isabelle “sister” a lot showing her connection to the church where she was born and raised in order to keep her save from Robin’s vast amount of enemies which should make sense, but it only came across as off-putting. It was cringey to read. He would say it in a way that would make it feel like they were related rather than a clever play on words to reflect her past. For me, this killed the budding romance trying to form between them. It sounds so creepy when you read it because it takes you into a whole other head space where they shouldn’t be together because they’re related (similar to the Shadowhunters series with Clary and Jace).

I understand the whole sister angle, but I mean the way they said it and the reputation of the Merry Men being a band of friends that really act like a family, them calling her sister made it sound like they saw her as their literal sister, so when Adam teased with that name it felt off. I think it was a mistake to be honest because instead of pointing out maybe her innocent, naïve nature (due to living in a convent) it conveyed very differently to me as I read it. I got past this as the scenes between him and her increased and that teasing stopped, but it’s always going to be there and unfortunately, it’s at the beginning. The romance does get better and this particular aspect does fade away thankfully but prepare yourself! Let me know if you felt the same way about this in the comments because I’m definitely curious if this is all just in my head or if someone else got that same feeling!

“You’ll certainly do a sight better than me with those big blue eyes of yours. Men love a good damsel in distress, something about her helplessness makes them feel even manlier. Which is pathetic, frankly, because it takes a real man to handle a woman who can speak her own mind.”

I was worried that there might not be many female characters in here as this is mostly a male dominated legend, but thankfully Moke included a merry maiden as well to this new generation and her name is Helena. She’s sharp tongued and she’s an absolute riot in scenes. Helena is all business and she’s exactly what the merry men need. Very worthy addition! She is not a girly girl and SHE is an equal in the band.

Another thing I really loved with this book was hearing about Robin and Marien’s love story from Robin to his daughter. It was heartwarming and adorable and it completely fit the tone and voice of their history. This is a prime example of how well Moke respected the legend while still keeping it unique. This scene was perfect for this hopeless romantic.

“I love you, my infuriating daughter,’ she said, giving her another kiss. ‘Find the place that calls your heart.”

Moke really had me going there for a while near the end. I get realistic endings, but I’m that girl hoping for a happily ever after every time. My heart almost stopped because I had no idea what direction this book was going to end in. I’m so glad that Moke left it open ended with a possibility of a sequel (right now this book is planned as a stand-alone but the chance of more is always a good thing!)

“You have the blood of kings and rebels within you, love. Let it rise to meet the call.”

Hood is another fantastic Robin Hood retelling and if you love these types of books as much as I do then add this one to your TBR right now! You will not be disappointed! I also highly recommend A.C. Gaughen’s Scarlet series which centres around another very strong female character.

Hood was a book I could not put down! I enjoyed the tenacity and drive of the female lead in combination with the witty banter between the Merry Men. So many wonderful ties between this story and Robin Hood. The ending brought me to tears (and many tissues,) but ultimately offered a sense of hope for Isabelle, Marien, and the Merry Men.

If you’re looking for a compelling adventure with a twist, then Hood is an excellent choice. While Jenny Elder Moke changes things up by making “Hood” a girl, the scene still feels familiar. The choices she makes as a writer make sense within the story and in the outside world. There’s also an added layer of historical detail that gives the overall tale a sense of permanence.

But the book wouldn’t work without Isabelle. While her father is mythical and her mother pious, Isabelle is neither. Her heart lies beyond the convent, but not so far as the forest. As her journey continues, Isabelle comes into her own. She may be Robin and Marien’s daughter, but she is her own person as well.

Hood is a fast-paced tale full of adventure and intrigue. It’s easy to get swept up in the story, you won’t want to put it down.