Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S. Kaufman is a retelling of Robin Hood based on the original medieval version of the story, not how we have come to know him in the modern day. This Robin is much more morally grey, with once good intentions now gone bad. In the center of this story is not Robin, however, it’s a young woman named Jane Crowe. Jane is dating Bran, who works for Robin, and through him she gains a job at the Kings Houses to spy for Robin. As she gets closer to Robin and his men, she begins to see that maybe they aren’t doing their acts for justice for the people, but rather as an act of revenge for themselves.

As someone who has only ever grown up with the modern day Fox Robin Hood story from Disney and the merry men from Shrek, this was a vastly different story than what I know. I did, however, like reading what is closer to the original story, and felt that the authors note about the historical accuracy was really helpful in understanding the story. I almost would suggest reading it before beginning, but it gives some plot points away. I think going into this book, you need to expect a more gruesome historical fiction and not a cozy, kind Robin Hood story.

All this being said, I actually enjoyed a lot of the novel. I found that Kaufman told the darker side of the story well, and we were given a taste of everything that would have been going on in this time with wars and robbers without going overboard with graphic detail. It was hard to read at times, but like I said, I feel that it was keeping in line with what would have been happening.

What I actually struggled to most with was our main character, Jane. She was very willfully ignorant despite being told numerous times that Robin wasn’t a good guy, and it was honestly really annoying about halfway in. I wish that there had been a bit more nuance with her character with that aspect. I did like that we had a main character to tell the tale who isn’t in any of the original stories. I just wished I had liked her a little more.

Overall, I think this was a good, historical fiction. It gives insight to the original tale of Robin Hood and what was going on in England around this time period. I found it interesting and engrossing at times, especially towards the end. If you cannot handle gruesome details about battles and fighting, then I would skip this one.

I had such high hopes for the The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S. Kaufman, but sadly was disappointed. I am a huge fan of reimagining's for beloved characters, and it was refreshing to have Robinhood and is cast of Merry Men to be portrayed, as flawed and sometimes unlikeable, but I just could not connect, with the main female character. Initially, it looked like I was going to get a character that was going to develop during the story and experience some personal growth, but instead got a female character who just let life happen to her and never achieved her own agency.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Penguin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC . All Opinions are my own.

Rating: 2 Stars
Publication Date: Apr 29 2025

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As always, thank you to @netgalley and @vikingbooks for the opportunity to read and review Amy S. Kaufman’s debut novel, released April 29, 2025.

“The Traitor of Sherwood Forest” is a retelling of the Robin Hood tales told from the perspective of one of his spies, Jane Crowe, who, while not the only woman serving as Robin’s eyes and ears, is the only one worth mentioning as the others are glossed over on page. While this one promised action, adventure, and intrigue, I found these elements to be lacking. I felt as though I was plodding through the story waiting for something to happen that snared my attention and would have me racing through to the end, but that didn’t happen for me until the last few chapters and I was left feeling dissatisfied when I finally made it to the end. As I found it difficult to become immersed in the story, I often found myself avoiding reaching for this one and often abandoned my read after only a short while in its pages.

This debut is undoubtedly well researched and favors the Medieval tales of Robin Hood rather than the story we grew up hearing, but it lacked the whimsy, heart-pounding adventure and romance it teased throughout. By the end, I liked neither Jane nor Robin and was relieved when I could finally shelve it.

Overall, this would have been a 2.5-star read if not for the end, which made it a 3-star read for me. It had potential, as noted, but the execution didn’t necessarily do it for me. Maybe it will for you though!

#netgalley #vikingbooks #arcreview #books #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgirly #arcreview #bookreview #reading #robinhood

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

This was a Robin Hood retelling that told through the eyes of a young woman who finds herself swept up into the live and adventures of the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. While there were some things that I found myself not particularly liking, I still had a fantastic time with the setting and both the well known and the unknown side characters that were introduced long the way. 🗡️

The story follows Jane Crowe who follows her lover, Bran, into Sherwood Forest to be introduced to Robin Hood and join the Merry Men. While I really did enjoy the perspective of medieval England through the eyes of an ordinary woman instead of a noble one, she felt rather immature for her age at times and really didn’t think things through at others. The one thing that really ground my gears while reading through her perspective was that she was constantly back and forth with herself about her lust for Robin while still trying to stay “loyal” to a guy that doesn’t really do anything for her, but still expects to have all the benefits of being in a relationship. But I didn’t like her outright. I really did enjoy her interactions with Bran, her brothers, and the other Merry Men when she wasn’t in the same scene as Robin since she seemed to come alive with them. I especially enjoyed her time spent with Mooch and Tuk since they were some of the few individuals that treated Jane like a human instead of either a wayward girl or an object to be won and shown off. 😒

Now what really made this book shine to me was that of the amount of research that went into this book. I loved that Kauffman had decided to set this book in the historically accurate period of Robin Hood while also including the different ballads of the outlaw in the story itself. This decisions for a setting and the use of the known ballads made the book feel more like an in depth take on who Robin Hood was as a man in this period of time instead of a folkloric figure that doesn’t really have a personality outside of their tales. Again, this understanding of the story came from me reading the Author’s Note and again continues my active campaign to get people to read this part of the book first and have the publishers put this at the beginning of the book instead of at the back of the book. ‼️

A big thank you goes out to Penguin Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in this in exchange for an honest (and late) review, and to the author, Kaufman, for writing such a wonderfully darker take on the man, the myth, the legend that is Robin Hood! ❤️

Publication date: April 29, so go take a look at it!

Overall: 4/5 ⭐️

As someone who’s always been drawn to Robin Hood retellings—I grew up watching Kevin Costner and Christian Slater bring the legend to life, with Bryan Adams belting out that unforgettable theme—I was all in for this book from the start. The premise, the cover, the promise of adventure… I was ready.

But I have to admit, it didn’t quite sweep me away like I’d hoped. I struggled to connect with the FMC, and while I can appreciate a character being unaware or naive as part of their growth arc, it didn’t land as endearing for me here. That said, the historical grounding really stood out—I could tell the author did their research, and that added authenticity I appreciated.

The side characters were a highlight and brought color and energy to the story. The pacing picked up significantly in the second half, and by the end, I felt satisfied overall. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was hoping for an epic journey and only found sparks of it. Still, there were bright spots, and I’m glad I stuck with it.

“Jane is not a noblewoman born to greatness. And she’s no hero either. But she still matters.” 🏰🤍

a special thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Books & Viking Books for allowing me access to an Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S. Kaufman!! it’s an absolute privilege to receive an ARC & i’m so honored to be able to share a honest review in exchange.

🏹 publication date: april 15th, 2025
review: ★ ★ ★ ★.25 (04/17/25)
a bloody, brilliant novel with tricks & games that make it difficult to predict what’s next!

the histrionical elements are so well done, as expected from an author with a PhD in medieval literature (which is unbelievably cool). definitely recommend her newsletter if you’re interested in learning more!

as someone who doesn’t read much histrionic fiction & not super familiar with robin hood, i was worried about being confused or disconnected but this book is so approachable & such a interesting way to reimagine robin hood.

i love watching jane’s character develop, especially at a time where women were heavily undervalued. i adore strong, complex female characters & this book delivers. i do support women’s wrongs but some choices were a bit questionable.

which leads me to my final point of how this book was full of moral & societal discussion (much about war and what a hero is) and I LOVED IT. especially in the last few chapters (which were packed with plot twists & deception), it was such a great way to end the book.

I was excited to read this because, #nostalgia, I loved Robin Hood stories growing up. However, I am sad to report that the best part of the book was the historical note. The female main character had few redeeming qualities, and the "chemistry" between her and Robin was inert; "immersive, sultry, and heart-pounding" it was not. I did enjoy the retelling of Robin as something more vindictive, but the book dragged on for quite a bit before making a mad dash to a rushed ending. Wanted to love this, but I just couldn't.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Book is out now if you'd like to pick it up and tell me I'm wrong!

What if the Robin Hood you learned about as a child wasn’t the hero you thought he was?

First off… Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Group Viking Penguins, for gifting me a copy of The Traitor of Sherwood Forest via Netgalley so I may read and write a review.

If you are lover of retellings like me, you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did. I really liked this take on Robin Hood. He may be charming and the type of vigilante you’d support, but what if it’s all a facade?
Also, what about the women in this story?

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest follows protagonist Jane. She is clever and finally learning to be her own person. Yet, always being in the shadow of her three brothers, she meets Robin Hood and his brotherhood who welcome her and are impressed with her people skills. With her ability to read people and play in the background, they use her as their spy.
Unfortunately, like most women in the tales of Robin Hood, Jane is naive and falls for Robins “heroic act.”

I loved Jane. I found her very interesting despite being frustrated with some of her flaws. Robin Hood is a character you can’t help but love and hate. The side characters are all delightful and make the adventure in this book that much more fun.

4 Stars!⭐️


Check out my review on my Book account on Instagram and Goodreads!

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S Kaufman ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This retelling gave all the comfort vibes, and I thought it would be perfect for a cool, fall day. Also, this cover is gorgeous! 😍

Written by a medieval scholar, this was a retelling of medieval’s literature Robin Hood, characterized by his alternating personas (charming and bullying/heroic and brutal) which the author explained in the Historical Note. (Highly recommend reading this note - so fascinating!)

I found the book to be slow-paced and well-written. The medieval time period and setting was well-established. The characters were well-done, but I always wanted just a bit more from them. I felt like I experienced this retelling from above instead of being immersed in it.

Fans of Robin Hood, medieval time periods, and slow-paced, well-written reads will enjoy this one.

If you like web-of-lies and espionage stories, stories of corruption and knight's tales.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is a true dive into how power corrupts, and once men get a taste for it, they will do anything to maintain it. Told from the perspective of a woman who gets tangled up in Robin Hood's schemes, only to realize too late what she has gotten herself into. Suddenly Robin Hood is not the upstanding man she thought he was, and now the ripple effects of her actions will come to haunt her.

I didn't love this novel, but only because the genre is not my favorite. Too much time talking about who owes what debt around the table of a noble, or whispering to each other in the kitchens, or worrying about what actions are going to pull you out of the good graces of god and end you up in hell.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is a different take on the Robin Hood legend by Amy S. Kaufman. It is an interesting version where the lines are blurred as to what exactly are Hood’s motives and how far he will go to achieve them. In the middle is not Maid Marian but a common peasant girl who is at first in awe of the famous outlaw but before the end, disillusionment has come. Still is it her own naïve at fault or something more like trickier. One must read on one’s own to decide.

This was such an exciting and heart-wrenching Robin Hood tale! We follow Jane Crowe, a mere servant girl turned informant for The Lord of the Greenwood, the legendary Robin Hood. Throughout her work in the King's Houses and her adventures with Robin and his men, Jane learns more about the man and the myth that has taken hold of her heart. In the end she must choose between loyalty and freedom.

Amy S. Kaufman's writing style is absolutely phenomenal - it's clear that time, devotion, and research into Robin Hood's mythology has gone into this writing, and the prose is charming and emotional.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend to any readers who enjoy retellings, political intrigue, and chivalrous romance!

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Books for an eARC❤️❤️❤️

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest isn’t just another Robin Hood retelling—it’s a dagger to the ribs of the myth, twisting until something far more interesting bleeds out.💔
Forget noble outlaws and merry men. This book hands you a rusted knife and asks, "What would you do to survive?" Jane—no lady, no noble, just a peasant girl with dirt under her nails and fire in her veins—becomes the bruised, beating heart of Sherwood’s legend. And oh, how it hurts to watch her learn that heroism is just villainy with better songs.
The genius here isn’t just in flipping perspectives, but in dissecting the entire idea of heroism with the precision of a fletcher carving arrows. Robin Hood? Charismatic, yes, but also calculating, manipulative—a man who trades in lives as deftly as gold. The Merry Men? A band of desperate souls clinging to a cause that might not deserve them. Every character is a wound waiting to be prodded, and the story doesn’t shy away from the pus.
What wrecks me (in the best way) is how the book weaponizes medieval realism like a mace to the skull* No Hollywood sheen here—just the stink of unwashed bodies, the terror of arbitrary justice, and the crushing weight of hunger. Jane’s voice cracks with exhaustion and fury, her idealism hardening into something sharper and far more dangerous. You don’t just root for her; you feel every splinter in her hands, every betrayal in her ribs.
The story forces you to kneel in the mud and grapple with impossible questions: Is theft righteous when the alternative is starvation? Can rebellion stay clean when survival demands blood? There are no easy answers—only the haunting realization that history’s heroes are often just the ones who lived long enough to lie about it.
Read this if you want a retelling that doesn’t just **recycle a legend, but sets it on fire** and watches what crawls from the ashes. Brutal, brilliant, and uncomfortably human—this is the Robin Hood story we’ve been starving for.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest had all the makings of a thrilling reimagining, secrets, betrayals, and the legendary pull of Robin Hood’s world, but unfortunately, it ended up feeling too dry to fully capture the magic. The author's background in medieval literature is clear, with careful attention to period detail and realism, but it often comes at the expense of pacing, emotion, and energy. The characters, while believable, felt a bit distant, and the plot, though grounded and plausible, lacked the spark and urgency that could have made it truly gripping. It's a solid read for those who love rich historical accuracy, but if you're looking for adventure, heart, and sweeping rebellion, you might find yourself wishing for a little more fire in these woods.

This was a darker take on the Robin Hood legend and canon. Jane, the female MC, is recruited by Robin Hood by her sometimes lover, Bran, and she finds herself being used as a spy in the Kings’ House. Robin Hood is known as a legend who steals to return the wealth to the poor, but in this version he is known as being magnanimous, but his actions prove more manipulative and self-serving to the point that Jane must decide who and what she cares about the most. I was entertained by the nonstop political machinations and plots as Jane is swept up in the intriguing conflict between Robin, “the Sheriff of Nottingham” and the throne- this was a thoroughly well done historical fiction drama and though the darkest version I’ve ever read of this story, it was completely entertaining and riveting. It’s Robin Hood as you’ve never seen him, a dark knight, in the midst of Sherwood Forest- I’d read another retelling by this author in a heartbeat. I liked the female forward plot and new characterization of this folk “hero”.

You know the Charli XCX song “party 4 u”? Where she throws a party for someone who never shows up. That’s the song I listened to after finishing this book.
The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is about limerence, men manipulating women for their own gain, greed disguised as altruism, and decentralizing male heroism to bring reality into the chat.
I was mad at every character at some point during this story. Then I related to every character and understood their flaws, and forgave them in the end.
This is an incredibly important story that I think everyone should read at some point, especially teenage girls. Amy S. Kaufman was able to take the infamous story of the hero Robin Hood and show it from a totally different angle, but still make it interesting. She was able to show what it felt like to want a love that doesn’t really exist, to put someone on a pedestal who should actually be burned at the stake.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest is a dark retelling of an imperfect Robin Hood, with roots in the medieval lore rather than the glorified Victorian stories. He is a man of wit and cruelty and vengeance, rather than philanthropy and justice. If you know that going into the story, it’s an enjoyable alternate take on the storybook Robin Hood we all know and love.

The prose was easy to read, and the pacing moved at a medium speed in four parts, each based on a different ballad of Robin Hood’s antics. The “merry men” were not so merry at all, but each stood out with different personalities, strengths and (of course) weaknesses. My favorite of the merry men was Mooch, but maybe that was because we saw so little of him, and also probably because he was the pioneer of the doggie bag of poop on fire on your enemy’s doorstep.

Positive things notwithstanding, I really felt the reason this book didn’t work as well as I’d hoped was because of the choice of protagonist. Jane tells us straight off the bat that she isn’t clever, and how jokes and jibes often go straight over her head. She’s learned to read people, but only in the context of domestic abuse, and so she doesn’t have the wit and verve to match Robin Hood, therefore everything she does feels like it was forced upon her and she loses agency. Each new task of espionage or trickery is something she just goes along with, even when it goes too far.

On top of that, she develops an inexplicable, overly romanticized and lusty view of Robin Hood. He really does nothing to win her, especially with the scenes at the Shire Reeve’s house. When he is in danger, she thinks of him with a single minded determination and damn the consequences attitude that you’d expect from a deeply intimate or married couple. Mind you, they’ve barely spoken a hundred words at this point. I simply was not sold on their romance or, perhaps more pointedly, her infatuation.

I did love the prioress as a character. If you’ve read A Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher, Ibota is very reminiscent of Hester. Strong, middle aged, and with a deeply devoted man named Roger at her beck and call. Absolutely love the prioress I really think she saves the book for me.

Many people were squeamish about the brutality of Robin Hood, but I suppose after decades of reading fantasy and romantasy, I wasn’t bothered by the gruesome descriptions. I think the scariest part of Robin was his own ability to convince himself of his righteousness. He had all the red flags of gaslighting and isolation that go into DV. As a sane woman, you would not want a man like that in your life. So how frustrating, then, that Jane felt the need to enter into a love triangle for this man. Ehhhh.

I do wish we at least had some closure with Jane. I mean her whole life is in flames by the end🔥. I needed a solid answer, and if it wasn’t the job offer she got in the final pages I need to slap her.

Things I liked: grumpy old lady with a good head on her shoulders, loyal knight, no horses harmed in the making of this novel, not prudish, interesting depictions of medieval life.

Things I did not like: Jane, a love triangle (my least favorite trope after miscommunication), the writing lacked atmosphere and a sense of place, loss of life of a child. What happened to that poor potter?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

There are so many wonderful things I can say about this story, about a book that made the childish Robin Hood of heroic action into a real person with flaws and darkness. But the most important thing I can think of is saying thank you, taking something as intricate and complex as old English prose and recreating it into such a beautiful story that flows is truly wonderful.
Don't read this book if you want a swashbuckling hero to sweep you off your feet.
Don't read this book if you want to remove that scene of fox Maid Marian and Robin Hood at the waterfall.
This book is not a fairytale. It is a story, with no true heros because there are no true heros. There are just winners and losers. Oh, and of course there are those of us who are good at dealing a trick or two.