Acquired Book By: I never had the chance to read the first novel by Edale Lane – which I knew was a re-telling of Robin Hood with an f/f romance which is a continuous thread in all her novels. I had it in mind to read this story at different intervals over the time I’ve spent reading her initial trilogy of the Night Flyer series. When I went to sort out which books, I wanted to purchase to read during #WyrdAndWonder – “Heart of Sherwood” was at the top of the list. If you’ve visited our #bookstagram feeds recently, you now that I included all the books I’ve purchased by this author when I was celebrating ‘Best Laid Plans’ which was the first prompt of our Wyrd And Wonder Challenge. I’ll be expounding on this during my next #TopFiveSaturday post which runs this Saturday, the 7th of May.
I decided to concentrate on Fantasy Romances on Tuesdays throughout May whilst ‘taking over’ my #RomanceTuesdays featured selection of stories which are generally limited to Harlequin Heartwarming and Love Inspired (either Contemporary or Suspense) as I wanted a dedicated day to celebrating those authors, stories and series. Wherein generally speaking other Romances & Women’s Fiction stories are read and shared on Saturdays during my #SaturdaysAreBookish featured showcases. This year, as I’m participating in “The Summer Tree” RAL (readalong) whilst posting my ruminative thoughts on Saturdays and hosting @SatBookChat all four Saturdays during #WyrdAndWonder – I decided I ought to takeover my own feature on Tuesdays instead of running these on Saturday.
I was not obligated to post a review on its behalf. I am sharing my thoughts on behalf of this novel for my own edification and a continued journey of sharing my readerly life on Jorie Loves A Story. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Note: I received the Press Materials from the author Edale Lane – of whom I have previously hosted during blog tours and have had her as a guest author several times on my blog. She is one of my @SatBookChat #WyrdAndWonder guest authors this year – on the 28th of May.
Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
As fate would have it – I began my readings of Edale Lane with her Night Flyer series although I was fully aware of this novel “Heart of Sherwood” being it was her first release. It remained a curiosity to me over the past few years since I first read “Merchants of Milan” (see also Review) which of course I followed up with a hearty interview (see also Vlog Interview) as well as a guest post! The two stories I read next of course were the sequel (see also Review) and third installment (see also Review) of the series – as previously I thought it was only going to be a trilogy. I even followed all of this up with a phone interview wherein we discussed the series further.
It has only been two years since I started my journey into her worlds – wherein I also had the pleasure of meeting her in person at one point. We’ve remained in touch as I wanted to keep tabs on her new releases as well as stay in the know about the Night Flyer series. Fast forward to now – for Wyrd And Wonder’s Year 5 I decided to go BIG whilst endeavouring to read the rest of her canon of stories: “Missing In Milan” (Book 4), “Shadows Over Milan” (Book 5), “Viking Quest”, “Walks with Spirits” (her latest release!) and “Daring Duplicity” which is a Historical Victorian Suspense which I will be featuring during #CrimeFicFridays in June ahead of the sequel “Perilious Passages” releasing that same month.
And, yet — as an appreciator of Gender Bent stories – as noted through some of my readerly choices over the last nine years I’ve been blogging my readerly life on Jorie Loves A Story, I never had the chance to delve into her spin on Robin Hood. Wherein she switched genders and turnt ‘Robin’ into ‘Robyn’ a feminine heroine of the people rather than the tale of old in which we are all quite familiar as it has become modern lore due to how oft its origins and story have been explored through literature, television and film.
As a Romance reader, I’ve appreciated her gently told romances with an uplifting centre of focus within their relationships – whilst it is her historical lens of representing History through different portals of entrance which has fascinated me with each story I’ve read of hers. Her romances are f/f romances which is why I was not surprised she had plans to see if romance might percolate between Robyn and Marian in this variant of the story.
Her novels were what inspired me of turning my #RomanceTuesdays into a curated showcasing of Fantasy Romance. Be sure to return on Tuesdays to see which #FantasyRomance I am exploring next and which author or story you might become tempted to read yourself in the process of reading over my ruminations. Whilst you have to admit – during the year we’re celebrating #ForestFantasy is there a better forest to explore than Sherwood!?
Heart of Sherwood
by Ms Edale Lane
Source: Purchased | Personal Library
What if there had been a real Robin Hood, but instead of being a "he" the heroic outlaw was a "she"?
When Robyn's father and brother are killed in the Third Crusade, she is banished from her manor home and branded a traitor by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Disguised as a boy, she joins Little John and the rest of the gang in Sherwood Forest and soon finds herself their leader.
Queen Eleanor suspects Prince John is up to no good, and colluding with Sir Guy and the Sheriff of Nottingham. To learn more, she engages Maid Marian as a spy, reuniting Marian with her childhood friend, Robyn. Together, the women defy the evil sheriff, help the queen free King Richard, and perhaps fall in love along the way.
Winner of Rainbow Awards Best Historical Lesbian Romance, 2018-2019
Relive the classic tale told from a new perspective in Heart of Sherwood!
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-1087282046
Also by this author: Chaos in Milan, Viking Quest
Published by Past & Prologue Press
on 19th October, 2018
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 312
Published by: 1st edition published by Less than Three Press
2nd edition published by Past and Prologue Press
Converse via: #FairytaleRomance, #FantasyRomance & #WyrdAndWonder
#RobinHood Retelling and Gender Bent Fairytale
About Ms Edale Lane
Edale Lane is the author of an award winning 2019 debut novel, Heart of Sherwood. She is the alter-ego of author Melodie Romeo, (Vlad a Novel, Terror in Time, and others) who founded Past and Prologue Press. Both identities are qualified to write historical fiction by virtue of an MA in History and 24 years spent as a teacher, along with skill and dedication in regard to research. She is a successful author who also currently drives a tractor-trailer across the United States. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Edale (or Melodie as the case may be) is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature.
a note about the author’s note:
Wait. Edale Lane and Alexander Brown are friends? As in this Alexander Brown? (see also Review) I used to interact with him via #bookTwitter whilst I was reviewing for Seventh Star Press and/or hosting blog tours with Tomorrow Comes Media. Over the years, the blog tours slowed down and for the last few years (at least) I believe they’ve had a few sabbaticals between tours; the last of which were not genres I would read or host myself. I was personally invited by Mr Brown to consider reviewing “Southern Haunts” and I didn’t regret joining the blog tour! It was one of those moments where I knew going into reading the anthology, I would either find the Cosier side of Horror which I do entertain a fancy for reading or I would find the more traditional sides of Horror of which I shy away from as a reader.
Wow. It just proves that the literary world is a bit smaller than you realise sometimes as I find it fascinating how many people I’ve interacted with over the years have a connection to either my past or my present; or someone I know now had known them as well. I can definitely see how Mr Brown would inspire Ms Lane to begin writing again after a ten year hiatus – actually, the roots of my own writerly life mirror that kind of path as it was in 2008 I joined Nanowrimo after a 10 year writer’s block to unlock my ability to write again whilst five years forward in 2013 I developed what is now known as Jorie Loves A Story. It proves that we cannot always see the future but we can be courageous in taking steps towards it by small changes today. The third transition will be when I pivot from being a book blogger to a full-time writer as I’ve simply have been moonlighting as a blogger when in reality I am a writer whose season of publishing hasn’t yet arrived.
I lean Indie myself as a writer which is why reading Indie Fiction across genre has been a mainstay of focus for me as a book blogger. I do read Major Trade but there is something especially wicked and brilliant about the Indie side of publishing — I was not surprised that many of my most beloved #mustreads steam from Indie Authors who continue to create and publish the stories I most desire to be reading. As evident from the past four years of #WyrdAndWonder and which stories made my #FantasticFives List! I am dearly thankful I could purchase her novels this year and showcase six of her releases in a singular month whilst hosting her via @SatBookChat on the 28th of May when #WyrdAndWonder takes over the chat!! (see also Post)
my review of heart of sherwood:
Everyone knows about Robin Hood! And, yet how much do we know about the story within the fable which is rooted in legend and myth?! As we pursued Robyn as she journeyed through Sherwood Forest, I felt a bit of a bubbling of excitement because I was finally chasing after a story I have learnt about as a child but I never actually pursued as an adult! Over the years, I’ve read many variations of Classical stories but this particular tale was not amongst those formerly explored. What was cunning of course, is how Robyn has disguised herself to appear male despite being female in a world that recognises those bourne to higher status than commoners. She is trying to blend into the scenery so to speak but I felt it was quite fitting the first person who uncovers her disguise is Little John!
It was through their conversation I learnt more about Robyn – of how estates are generally inherited by only male heirs (something which was not righted for centuries) and how the law can take a stance against an innocent person if the person of the law is both corrupt and cruel-hearted. What was most interesting though to me is how the estate not being allowed to pass to Robyn set off a series of circumstances which led her into Sherwood Forest and thus, into the new life she needed to live in order to outwit and out chase the Sheriff of Nottingham; who in this variant is a vile man who simply wanted to control Robyn after her father’s death. When she agrees to go with Little John, she encounters eight more men who were cast out of local society along with herself. Each of them had a similar story to hers or Little John as well; a misunderstanding here, an unjust circumstance there or just by trying to survive as best they could – the law took a grievance against them and into Sherwood Forest they went to escape.
As Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine strode into view, I knew I had found a very formative woman in this story – as her mere presence spoke of the strength of her person and yet, I was not a bit surprised her own son was planning subterfuge! Many in his same position had nefarious plans whilst seeking the power they knew was just outside their own reach. I’ve read enough about the Court and Royals in other Historical Fiction novels to recognise a power-hungry and ill-tempered bloke of privilege such as the Queen’s son John. To him, the seat of power was a place in which he could wench out his desires and he didn’t give two whits of interest about governing his people because to him, those persons were beneath his attendance and attention. He was the absolute worst kind of person to ascend the crown as he had no moral compass to guide his actions. Eleanor for her part tried to impart a bit of wisdom into him but given his age – you could tell it was a useless act of contrition too long in coming.
Queen Eleanor was a keenly smart woman and with her position, she had to remain several yards ahead of any plot against her or her family. Which is why I had a feeling when she recognised a danger was within her own family she would take immediate action to ensure a way to safeguard not just their reputation but their sanctity as well. This I felt might be a way for Maid Marian to enter into the fray as I was trying to discern from memory who Eleanor might take into a confidence and Marian readily came to mind as she would be within a similar position of influence and observation which would aide Eleanor’s task of surveillance against her son, John. And, it wasn’t too long before what I presumed was true became the truth on the page as Queen Eleanor took to employ Marian into her confidence and gave her a task which held unknown dangers! What better way to gain counter-knowledge of events not yet revealled than to send someone no one would suspect as a spy to the Queen?
Robyn was becoming part of the crew of Sherwood Forest – though aside from living in the forest, they hadn’t taken any action against anyone or tried to do anything but hide to stay safe from the Sheriff. That is until Marian returnt to Nottingham and it was her return which sparked the action of Robyn – as this is a wonderful sequence of the story where Lane explores their relationship and their connection to each other as they’ve known each other since they were quite young. It is through Robyn’s eyes that we see the most truth of their feelings and yet, it isn’t connected on Marian’s side of things either. Lane left the door ajar for lateron to reveal what Marian’s thoughts and feelings are about Robyn; but for now, there was a glimpse into a future Robyn herself had conceived and dreamt of seeing become a reality for them both. It was a sweet moment to observe – as Robyn herself had already undergone so much loss and change in her young life – it would be well to see her happy on the other side of all this grief and strife.
Robyn’s first bold step towards becoming Robin Hood happened rather fittingly on Maid Marian’s estate as she stood her ground not just for the sake of becoming a persona, she had to endure to survive but because she had found a new reason to live and that in of itself provided a layer of protection for her as well. Yet, lateron when Marian had to go to an official gathering to celebrate a landmark day for the Sherriff of Nottingham, you could see the mixture of emotions in Marian and the choices she was making to keep her promise to the Queen and to Robyn. It was taking a toll on her conscience and rightly so, as she was choosing to go against her own character in some respects in order to keep up the illusion of why she was interested in certain persons in order to gain more information about them.
Lane captured the state of Nottingham well – showcasing how the Sheriff kept rule and how in his absurd way of thinking he was the man of the hour so to speak. He couldn’t see past his own nose and held the auspicious opinion that he couldn’t be threatened due to his station. I had a feeling he’d fall on that arrow of thought as whilst he was busy preparing to take a harder ruling over his people, Robyn was already gathering her crew to help the unfortunate and lower class which I knew was going to needle the Sherriff as he had an unhealthy outlook about his role in the community as much as he was a true villain by every sense of the word. Lane also did well to paint the portrait of the ‘merry men’ of Robin Hood – those who chosen to follow in her stead and how each of them could also offer insight and training into how to avoid capture. It was lovely to see each of those men stepping forward and contributing something to the cause whilst recognising Robyn as their natural bourne leader, too. I especially enjoyed the kinship connection developing between Robyn and Little John.
As I never read the original story, I hadn’t realised how vile the Sheriff truly was and how hard-headed he was when it came to Robin. He just couldn’t accept being bested by a boy (or in this case, a woman who I felt would be a greater insult to his ego) of whom could get the better of him simply by outsmarting his every move! And, that was the beauty of it really – how Robyn was able to keep a few steps ahead of the Sherriff, even as he plotted to do harm against innocent people, it was Robyn who rallied to free them from his oppression. It was hard to reconcile how determined the Sherriff was to obliterate those who stood in his way – he had given himself over to wholly to the darkness, he could no longer see the light and that is what made him even more dangerous to Robyn!
In the midst of the chaos of trying to deal with the Sherriff and still keep a steady eye on those she served, Robyn and Marian had found each other caught inside a lovely romance! I felt Lane handled this section of the story well – as she crafted a very organic sequencing of events leading into the built-up into their relationship becoming official. Robyn of course was headstrong and lovingly kind at heart whilst Marian was more mindful of the etiquettes of her position and had a sweetness about her which came through in their relationship. Both were willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and I felt that was what drew them to each other overall.
The person I felt the worst for was the Sherriff’s deputy – he tried to live by his honour and his faith and in the end, he was overtaken by the evil of the Sherriff’s justice. He was a complicated bloke too, as Robyn had offered him to join her and the rest of her men to work together rather than against one another. Part of me questioned why he hadn’t taken her up on that offer and a part of me realised it was because of how much he believed in the job at hand. He truly felt he was in a position of influence and one that could have honour if it was observed above greed.
I was so consumed with joy reading this story – even though there were moments inside it which were harder hitting than others; such as the unjust ways the Sherriff overused his authority and how devious he was in trying to accomplish his goals. In the end, I felt he was given just deserts for his actions and Robyn had the final say in the kind of justice he received therein. However, it was the final scene in which Marian, Robyn, Queen Eleanor and her husband took audience with each other which truly secured the story for me. At the heart of it all is a lovely romantic arc wherein we get caught inside the joy of romance and the courage of two persons who loved one another more than life itself. It is also a story of untold bravery and how when called upon to act in the face of immediate danger, everyone can find hidden strength when it is needed most. Mostly though, it is a wicked retelling of a Classical story which I feel all readers will enjoy pursuing due to the choices Lane made in recrafting the story behind Robin Hood as she inserted the myth of Robin Hood into a centremark of History as it actually happened.
on the fantastical romantic styling of edale lane:
The interesting bit to disclose is previously I haven’t actually read Robin Hood – in any of its variant formats or interpretations of the English folklore and tale. I grew up knowing about the fable (as most schoolchildren do) but in regard to the particulars of what is original to the canon about Robin Hood and what is personal interpretation, I admit, I do not have that luxury of knowledge. I have oft felt it was much more satisfying when presented with a retelling of a Classic fable or story, to enter first into a new variant of the story in lieu of the original. In this regard – I was most graciously happy to read Heart of Sherwood this Wyrd And Wonder whilst we’re focusing on Forest Fantasies and stories of Fantasy which deal with woods, glens and forests; as what could be more infamous than Sherwood!?
When I realised this was going to be a gender-bent spin on the classical tale of Robin (herein, she is known as Robyn) I was evermore thrilled to see how Lane would approach depicting our fearless heroine and how the other characters I had a cursory knowledge about (ie. Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, Sherrif of Nottingham, etc) would thus play a role in this depiction of the tale. Robyn herself is outpacing her old life with this new persona she’s chosen to undertake – for reasons we are not yet privy to understanding as the story starts to unfold. Yet, she clued us into how this Robyn and the Robin of fable have similar personalities and qualities about themselves. From the manner of dress and the knowledge of sword and defence. Whilst she entertained us with a slice of life from the 12th Century of England – wherein there was defiance from the crown down into the shires as those who controlled the power were both elusive as they were convicting.
As Lane shifted into showcasing the Court, this is where the story took an interesting turn as it locked in on the political goings-on in the background of Robyn and Sherwood Forest. As part of the original tale was offering a juxtaposition of what was happening in the larger scheme of the world and how life was politically influence and affected by those in power against the lives of the commoners. As Lane revealled the layers of how the Court’s affairs were parlaying into backhanded schemes – it was fittingly real to have everything homed and housed in Nottingham as that would affect Sherwood Forest as well. Her version of Maid Marian was a woman of untold strength and of conviction as she had the same allegiances as her father and her honour was equal to his own. I felt in this incantation of the story, Maid Marian, Queen Eleanor and Robyn herself were the unknown heroines of the tale and rightly, were warmly outfitted with intelligence, courage and a faith in being able to overcome not just adversity by tyranny, too.
One interesting note to relay is whilst reading Heart of Sherwood, I observed the foundational layers of how Lane has crafted her other novels which have released after this debut novel. I was thankful to finally read this story which began the larger canon of what I have been reading of her stories whilst it was such a wonderful privilege to see how a writer developed her style of writing and created her own voice within the stories she’s publishing. In one regard though, I also felt Maid Marian had an influence on Maddie from the Night Flyer series as they shared a commonality between them in regard to what held their heart most and was considered their life’s work.
A notation about Sherwood Forest:
Being this is our 5th Year celebrating Wyrd And Wonder and our theme of choice is Woods, Glens & Forest Fantasies – I could not have picked a better year to read Heart of Sherwood! Lane illuminates the forest with all its glory for us to soak inside – the texture of the forest as much as the darkening shadows it can cast towards the outside world. As within Sherwood, it felt like its own setting and world – where the nine outcasts Robyn took up residence with her and herself could find refuge there. Lane placed their humble residence underneath a large tree and it felt fitting the tree would provide both protection and sanctuary to those of whom found themselves no longer welcome in proper society.
Of course, their small band of outlaws becomes quite the encampment as the story progresses forward as Robyn and the men soon learn that others are in jeopardy as much as they were by the Sheriff’s evil deeds. Each time they rescued someone they had to find a way to keep them safe and to provide security whilst it was still unsafe for them to return back to their original homes. That is the hidden beauty of the story — how Sherwood Forest became a sanctuary for the persecuted and a haven for those who needed time to heal.
Sherwood Forest was as much its own character as any other setting could be – the density of the forest and the ways in which the forest itself had percolated fear in Nottingham as being haunted all played into Robyn’s plans to remain hidden and secreted from sight. I loved how Lane had a few unexpected people know Robyn and had the courage to keep her secret for her as their admiration for Robyn was quite lovely to observe. Lane wrote Robyn as not just a leader who had been wronged by the Sherriff but as a daughter who was ousted from her own land and a woman who was tired of being cast aside by men who did not feel women were their equal. As you read Heart of Sherwood you find a lot of hidden themes which can cross-relate to today’s world and the current issues which women face in our changing political climate.
This book review is part of the #bookhaul of Fantasy novels
I purchased this year for #WyrdAndWonder:
Reading this story contributed to
my #WyrdAndWonder Year 5:
CLICK THE BANNER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR YEAR 5 EVENT | READ JORIE’S YEAR 5 INTRO
Enjoying my fantastical reviews about the worlds of Fantasy?
Ever since the beginning of Jorie Loves A Story, I have embarked on a Quest to seek out stories within the worlds of Fantasy which would heighten my awareness of the genre and give me wicked good reads – across the subniches of a genre I’ve loved since I was seventeen. Every May, I happily co-host @WyrdAndWonder – whilst throughout the months of the year, I regularly read & discuss the Fantasy reads I am discovering.
Visit my full archive for ALL my #EnterTheFantastic wanderings! As well as take a walkabout through my archives for #WyrdAndWonder – or take a walkabout through my archive for everything deemed wickedly fantastical!
{SOURCES: Book cover for “Heart of Sherwood”, book synopsis, author biography and author photograph of Edale Lane were all provided by Edale Lane and are used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Rainbow Digital Clip Art Washi Tape made by The Paper Pegasus. Purchased on Etsy by Jorie and used with permission. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #RomanceTuesdays during Wyrd And Wonder banner, #bookhaul collage badge (Photo Credit: ©jorielovesastory.com), #WyrdAndWonder Year 5 banner and the Comment Box Banner.}
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I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life
📖Heart of Sherwood
🌳Re-telling of #RobinHoodWhilst we’re focusing on #ForestFantasy this Wyrd And Wonder – Jorie explored Sherwood Forest & the legend of Robin Hood w/in a gender bent spin on a Classic!
🏹https://t.co/ta9KJfMHfT#bookreview during #WyrdAndWonder pic.twitter.com/YRg82U3ySP
— Jorie, the bookish #WyrdAndWonder elf 📖🧝 (@joriestory) May 30, 2022
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- #WyrdAndWonder
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