Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher (2024)
Had a great time with this one. Memorable cast of characters, loads of swashbuckling 'Robin Hood' action and topped off with an unlikely, funny and finally touching, sweet romance between our two lead girls.
But keep in mind, this is a teen Never Neverland version of the Sherwood Forest legends, with contemporary phrasing, sarcasm and quips liberally sprinkled into the dialogue. (Think of it as a new Netflix teen series, 'Robin's Grand-kid')
The grand-kid mentioned is Mariel Hood-Hartley, raised by her stern father to be a fierce warrior and captain of her own little band of Merry Men( and women). Unlike her Grandfather's role as a champion of the poor and downtrodden, Mariel's father just likes making perpetual war on the Sheriff of Nottingham, with the oppressed villagers only thought of as collateral damage.
Commander Hartley, seeking to track down a traitorous mole, has Mariel kidnap a potential suspect, an elderly woman who's the village 'healer'. But the group accidentally abducts the healer's more talented teen apprentice Clemence. She's a sunny, witty ray of sunshine who proceeds to confound and aggravate the driven, humorless Mariel. But 'Clem' as she's called, gradually captivates all around her with her unending warmth, empathy and genius healing skills........and even manages to romantically defrost Mariet.
But that nasty Sheriff is relentless, sending Mariel, her Merry band and Clem into bloody battles and breathless rescue missions. And here's where the book dials down a lot its snarky quipping and settles into a good old fashioned high stakes adventure, with clashing swordplay, zinging arrows and surprise revelations that stagger both Mariel and Clem.
Pure fun all the way.. If there's ever a movie or series announced, I'd be scouring the entertainment websites to see who'll play the leads
But keep in mind, this is a teen Never Neverland version of the Sherwood Forest legends, with contemporary phrasing, sarcasm and quips liberally sprinkled into the dialogue. (Think of it as a new Netflix teen series, 'Robin's Grand-kid')
The grand-kid mentioned is Mariel Hood-Hartley, raised by her stern father to be a fierce warrior and captain of her own little band of Merry Men( and women). Unlike her Grandfather's role as a champion of the poor and downtrodden, Mariel's father just likes making perpetual war on the Sheriff of Nottingham, with the oppressed villagers only thought of as collateral damage.
Commander Hartley, seeking to track down a traitorous mole, has Mariel kidnap a potential suspect, an elderly woman who's the village 'healer'. But the group accidentally abducts the healer's more talented teen apprentice Clemence. She's a sunny, witty ray of sunshine who proceeds to confound and aggravate the driven, humorless Mariel. But 'Clem' as she's called, gradually captivates all around her with her unending warmth, empathy and genius healing skills........and even manages to romantically defrost Mariet.
But that nasty Sheriff is relentless, sending Mariel, her Merry band and Clem into bloody battles and breathless rescue missions. And here's where the book dials down a lot its snarky quipping and settles into a good old fashioned high stakes adventure, with clashing swordplay, zinging arrows and surprise revelations that stagger both Mariel and Clem.
Pure fun all the way.. If there's ever a movie or series announced, I'd be scouring the entertainment websites to see who'll play the leads
4 stars (****).
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