Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! This book did not draw me in as I felt no real connection to the characters who more or less annoyed me. It missed the mark for me.

2.5 rounded up to 3

First, thank you to Penguin Books, NetGalley, and author for the chance to read and review before being published!

This book missed the mark for me. There were parts where it pulled me in, but much of the book dragged on, and I had no personal connection or interest in any of the characters, minus maybe Ibota.

It took me longer than usual to read this book and found myself making goals like making it to 50%, etc.
If it wasn’t an ARC, I most likely would have DNFed it. But I wanted to give it a completely fair review.

This book is a good depiction of the term “grey area”. None of the characters are truly good or bad, really. They’re all just selfish and have to decide what is worth it to them. If you like books like this, you’d probably love The Traitor of Sherwood Forest!

This Robin Hood retelling had a lot of potential but left me a bit torn. While the unique take on Robin and the addition of Jane as a spy were interesting, Jane’s back-and-forth morality and the repetitive middle section slowed things down for me. The historical accuracy was impressive, but I wished for more depth in the characters and setting to fully bring the story to life.

A Robin Hood retelling with a FMC that’s his spy. Interesting concept and had some good parts but overall felt repetitive and was kinda hard to get through. I enjoyed a lot of it but it dragged for me in the middle and Jane got a bit tiresome.

Thank you so much Penguin for this ARC!!
This was absolutely spectacular in every way. I can’t praise it enough. It was so phenomenal it made me wish I had been much stingier with my five star ratings earlier in the year so that this one truly stood alone.
The pacing, in my opinion, was quicker than is typical for historical fiction in a way that made it feel more engaging while still not being rushed or seeming like it didn't fit the genre. It's really hard to balance the genre expectation that the plot be a bit more protracted while not making it seem tedious or winding. I think Kaufman perfectly hit the balance that makes it approachable for readers who aren't used to historical fiction as well as satisfying avid readers of the genre.
The prose is just delightful. It was illustrative, thought provoking, and all around enjoyable to read.
Characters are complex and multifaceted, and each and every one is fleshed out. None of them felt like an easily forgettable side character or someone who was just inserted for plot convenience.
The romance and chemistry between characters is compelling and exciting, if you like true slow burn this is the perfect book for you.
This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and may be my favorite historical fiction book of all time, I can't recommend it enough!

I received an E-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think for those readers who want a historically accurate retelling of Robin Hood, they will love this book.
The factual history of that time woven in with a character most of us girls have had crushes on since we saw the (Disney) animated film was done exceptionally well, even though Robin was not the knight in shining armor we all saw him as.

Though I could appreciate the depth of knowledge the author had, as well as a jaded side of Robin that I've never read, this just was not for me personally.

History is written by the victors, but much of it is accomplished by the simple actions of everyday people.

This retelling of the Robin Hood tale was less Disney and more gruesome, as a band of roving thieves should be.
It introduces a new character to the story - a woman but it’s not Maid Marian.

Jane is overlooked by everyone around her, the perfect spy for the band of merry men. But as she becomes more entrenched in the group, she starts to question the motives of these vigilante men. In the end, she must decide who, and what, is worth protecting.

I also appreciated the inclusion of the church, the characters’ faith, and how their theology (albeit flawed) affected their decision making.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off I’d like to say thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. I am always favorable to retellings of classic stories and fairytales, and I had high expectations for this book. I truly wanted to like Jane, but before I say how I really feel about her as a character I must say that I can only imagine how the author tried to portray her as if she were truly a peasant in the mid evil time period. Life was hard if you were not born into nobility or even middle class, so Jane’s story is probably more realistic than fiction. That being said, she was very hard to like. Her consistent back and forth struggle with morality and her ability to be easily manipulated was irritating to say the least. She knew that Bran was the smart choice, and just like so many other female characters in books I read she goes full send towards all the red flags.

I did like the twists and turns throughout the book with Robin and his merry men, and I especially liked Little John’s character. I really liked that he challenged Jane to see the danger she was in, and again she chose to ignore it.

Lastly, I loved Ibota, and wish I had more of a back story for her. I think her character was extremely interesting, wish I knew if she was actually a witch, and how her and Roger came to be together.

Overall I was entertained and enjoyed the book, and especially the ending. I love the backstory about Robin Hood and how his story has been changed throughout the generations.

#arc #netgalley

I'm a little torn on this one.
This Medieval version of Robin Hood had a lot of potential, and the story was overall good. Reading the Historical Notes at the end of the book was arguably more interesting than the story itself though. I wanted more of that - more of the grown-up historical stuff, if you will. As a result, this felt more like a YA novel or screenplay. I would have appreciated more character development, more setting of the time and place, more historical elements integrated into the story.

Overall, this was a solid re-telling and worth a read if you enjoy Robin Hood or similar stories.

*This was an Advanced Reader Copy via Net Gally and Penguin Books.

I really loved this take on Robin. I think it's a wonderful thing to examine heroes with a critical eye. Just because someone foes heroic things or has a heroic reputation, doesn't make them this altruistic great person. To do this take on a beloved classic is bold and I really enjoyed the story and how it unfolds.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I should start by saying, that, overall, I thought it was brilliant. But. The dialogue in the first two chapters is so jarringly bad, switching from too modern to nearly Chaucerian, that I almost didn't finish the book. If my review accomplishes nothing else, I am begging for the dialogue in the first couple of chapters to be reworked, because once I made it past there I read the entire book in one sitting. I love reading historical fiction by people who have doctorates in history, and Traitor of Sherwood lived up to my expectations on that front. It was a definite upgrade from the story books and middle-grade fiction about Robin Hood I used to read, one that very cleverly gets to the root of his appeal in his own time, and refuses to make any of the characters more palatable for modern audiences. I genuinely enjoyed the prose, and I am curious to read some of Dr. Kaufman's nonfiction writing. I will say that I do not think this book will appeal to people who did not have a childhood Robin Hood obsession, or to people who don't care for the minutiae of history. I enjoyed every minutte of herbs, of kirtle lacing (spiral!), the politicking within the religious order, the cooking descriptions. Dr. Kaufman mentions in the historical note that she replaced some more archaic terms with modernizations, and I wish she hadn't; as I mentioned before, I think the people who will really like this book are the people who would understand those terms.
A last note (Spoiler warning? I mean it's been about 500 years since the ending was set but I guess if you don't know you don't know):


If you'd told twelve-year old me that the prioress of Kirklees who bled Robin dry would be my favorite character in a retelling, I would have scoffed at you. And yet here we are.

A little iffy on how I feel about this one. The ending felt rushed and rather anticlimactic in my opinion. The plot itself was promising in the beginning and had some interesting bits, but it fizzled as the story went on. I think a lot of it boiled down to personal preference for me as I didn’t LOVE the idea of Robin being a villain, but I figured it could be good if executed well..I’m just not sure that it was. I also didn’t like how easily swayed the FMC was, she struck me as a bit shortsighted and naive and those kinds of characters end up annoying me more than anything.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc.

*"The Traitor of Sherwood Forest"* reimagines the Robin Hood legend in a way that is both refreshing and deeply thought-provoking. This novel takes a bold approach, casting the infamous outlaw as a morally gray figure, stripping away the romanticized heroism of ballads and presenting a gritty, historically grounded tale. Through the eyes of Jane, a peasant girl navigating a treacherous medieval world, the story becomes a layered exploration of survival, trust, and betrayal.

Jane's journey is at the heart of the novel, and her perspective offers a unique lens on the familiar Robin Hood lore. Initially depicted as industrious and self-reliant, Jane’s repeated missteps and lapses in judgment can be frustrating but also serve to heighten the suspense as her choices spiral into inevitable consequences. Her interactions with Robin Hood, whose charisma masks his darker, more ruthless nature, challenge traditional notions of heroism. Watching her grapple with her feelings for him—torn between admiration and disillusionment—adds a compelling layer of tension.

The supporting cast shines as well, with standouts like Ibota, whose sharp wit and intelligence make her an instant favorite, and the Shire Reeve, who evolves from a despised figure into a surprisingly sympathetic character. These complexities keep the reader guessing about where each character’s loyalties truly lie.

The pacing is a mixed bag. While the division of the story into parts inspired by Robin Hood ballads is a nod to historical authenticity, it creates a slow burn that takes time to fully ignite. Once the plot thickens midway through, however, the intrigue and moral ambiguity take center stage, making it hard to put down. The historical context, explored in the author’s note, adds depth but might have benefited from being more seamlessly integrated into the narrative.

Though the resolution leaves some threads frustratingly vague—particularly Jane’s motivations and the fate of characters like Little John—the novel’s raw, unpolished edges feel intentional. This is not a tidy tale of good versus evil but a reminder that real life is messy, and morality often lies in the gray spaces.

For fans of historical fiction and reimagined folklore, *The Traitor of Sherwood Forest* offers a nuanced, character-driven narrative that lingers long after the final page. It’s a story that challenges you to question not only its characters but also the myths we hold dear.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this retelling. I've read various remakes with either Robin or Will as a female, and I think this one is one of the better ones I've read.

Spoilers:

I enjoyed this. I'm part of the target audience that will try almost any version of Robin Hood (ditto for King Arthur). The protagonist, Jane, gets involved with Robin Hood's band through her boyfriend. Her opinions on Robin himself vacillate from sexual attraction to him to realizing that he's evil in a sadistic, self-righteous way. A mythical figure like Robin Hood always comes across vague: either idealized or vilified, but the book shows both perspectives on him well.

The author has a PhD in medieval literature. It shows beautifully in the setting and characterization. For example, beliefs in the wheel of fortune, medieval Catholicism, and sexual norms and judgments are important to many characters. These ideas also can harm them. Unlike many other books set in this time period, the characters felt medieval to me. But the period details and digressions slow down the momentum of many scenes.

I liked Jane. Her ambivalence and fear throughout the story were believable, given her personality and social circumstances. This makes her bravery more admirable when it comes. Mother Ibota is a fascinating, strong character, but this book doesn't make the mistake of making every female character equally indomitable.

Thanks, Netgalley and Penguin, for the free ARC and instant download!

"The Traitor of Sherwood Forest" strips away the romantic veneer of the Robin Hood legend, presenting instead a gritty tale told through the eyes of Jane, a peasant girl coming of age in medieval England. This fresh perspective transforms the familiar story into a nuanced exploration of morality and survival in a harsh world.

The novel's strength lies in its protagonist's journey from idealistic youth to clear-eyed realist. Jane's struggle to forge her own path in a society that offers women few choices feels both historically authentic and deeply relevant. Through her increasingly discerning gaze, we see Robin Hood not as the traditional hero of ballads, but as a complex figure walking the line between noble intentions and harsh necessity.

The author excels in creating a vivid, historically grounded world where survival often means choosing between bad options and worse ones. Each character Jane encounters carries secrets and conflicting loyalties, cleverly subverting readers' expectations about heroism and villainy. The result is a compelling narrative that reminds us that in real life, moral choices rarely come in black and white.

This is not your grandfather's Robin Hood – it's a thought-provoking coming-of-age story that uses its historical setting to explore timeless questions about trust, betrayal, and the price of finding one's own voice in a world that would rather keep you silent.

This is a historical reimagining of Robin Hood, told through the eyes of one of his spies. Jane loses her home and comes to work for Robin to survive. He hires Jane as a spy because she is unassuming and can easily fit in. Jane ends up “falling” for Robin… but she kind of realizes maybe he’s not all he’s cracked up to be. He is violent and dangerous and Jane is losing trust in him. Some things happen, don’t want to spoil anything, but Jane has some choices to make. I really enjoyed this book! I kind of feel like Jane wasn’t the most exciting character but I’m kind of ok with that because this story is really about Robin through her eyes.

I received this book as an eArc from NetGalley and really enjoyed it! I grew up a Disney kid watching all the classics and as soon as I saw a Robin Hood retelling, I knew I had to read it.

The book focuses on Jane, the FMC, a character that is poor, invisible, lost in her life's purpose, and looking for more. The opportunity to meet the illustrious rumored-about Robin Hood is presented to her and she is instantly enamored with him. She is set up to become his spy in the King's House and so our story unfolds.

I loved the imagery of this book and the details brought to life in each character. They were all very memorable and I could instantly picture them when they were brought up. I loved the re-telling of a classic story, a more realistic view of the fabled Robin Hood.

The only reason this book did not receive a perfect 5 star from me, is towards the middle end the pace of the story felt like it slowed down a little bit and I wasn't itching to pick it up every spare minute I had. I also didn't understand why she was set up in the King's House and then the king was never there. She only ever interacted with lower level players like the Reeve of Knottingham, a bounty hunter, and the female cousin of the king. I feel like this book could have greatly benefited from some interactions with him, it might have made it feep more dangerous, I don't know. That's just my two cents.

I also think this would be a good book for an older teen, definitely YA vibes going on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Robin Hood. Told from the view of Jane, a new hired spy, we come into a whole new world of Robin. Everyone has heard the tales of Robin and his men, but it's with Jane that we find there's more to them than what the stories tell.

Getting caught amongst more games than she can handle, Jane finds in the end she needs to choose for herself the life she wants. But is the life she wants worth it, and will she get it?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I love the story of Robin Hood, so give me a whole novel with a morally gray hero and I’m hooked. While I’m giving this four stars, I think most readers who aren’t as infatuated with our green-caped vigilante might be more critical than I am.

The characters in this novel were wonderfully complex, with backstories that are revealed layer by layer.

Ibota was my favorite character. Crotchety. Putting men in their place with her sharp and witty words. Intelligent. Using society’s preconceived notions about women to her own advantage.

A character I was surprised to develop a heart for was the Shire Reeve (and his wife!). He’s such a dislikable character at the beginning but the author did a wonderful job with his story.

Robin himself was all of the good from his lore but also all of the bad. Morally gray indeed, you’re not quite sure how to feel about him until the very end.

Now to some of my gripes. Our heroine, Jane, was very frustrating. She’s introduced as industrious, capable, and required to take care of herself because of her circumstances. Despite all of that, she’s kind of an idiot. She repeatedly makes the same mistakes, believes the same lies, and ignores the advice of every person she’s close to. It definitely helped build the suspense, because you knew deep down it wouldn’t end well. It was like a train wreck you couldn’t look away from.

The Baron’s War, which is an important point referenced throughout the novel, was very confusing. It seems like it should have been straightforward, but I found the authors explanation insufficient. Am I dense or was it not explained well? For how important a role it played, I think it needed to be expounded upon more than a couple of sentences.

The authors note explains the division of the novel into four parts, based on specific ballads of Robin Hood lore. However I think it messed up the pacing of the plot because it didn’t feel like the story had much of a direction until over halfway through where the plot really starts to thicken. I admire the intent to stick close to the historical lore, but I think this could have been achieved while having a more defining and clear plot line.

Overall, I liked it! It was a refreshing and unique take on a story that usually falls to stereotypical and tired tropes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!