Previous Post ROBIN HOOD – KING OF SHERWOOD Regular posters will recall I've been threatening a Robin Hood novel for some time now. Here it is. It's available from the publisher's website now, on Amazon as soon as they catch up, and via bookshops if they bother to order it. Those who'd like to read the first chapter are directed to http://www.cornerstonepublishers.com/robinhood.pdf You're welcome to post any feedback here, of course. Reviews might well get snatched up and splashed elsewhere though. Here's some of what I have to say about his book in the afterword:     Sometimes, to uphold justice you have to break the law.     That’s a fundamental human belief. We hold that whatever the rules we’re expected to live under say we have an absolute right to defend out loved ones, to feed the starving, to fight for our freedoms. We’ve fought wars and revolutions because of it. And not surprisingly it’s an idea at the root of a good chunk of our literature.     In our stories there’s always a good man – or good woman – who knows this. He’s the maverick. He’s willing to do what others won’t and take on all the forces of authority because something’s wrong. When the law no longer serves natural justice then a hero has to be an outlaw.     Sometimes that hero is a revolutionary. He and his little band of friends take on the mighty Empire and blow up the Death Star. Other times the hero is an avenger. He rides into town with no name and guns down evil men who’ve held it in fear. And sometimes the hero is a trickster, tweaking the nose of authority and making us laugh at it while “they”, the oppressors, are telling us to be very quiet – they’re hunting wabbits.     Robin Hood is the archetypal outlaw. He and his merry men live in an era of injustice, where the law is used to oppress and confine, where the rich and the powerful conspire to exploit the poor and the weak. Sometimes his stories have him be the revolutionary (especially good for movie resolutions) or as the avenging adversary. Sneaky Robin though has always been mostly the trickster who invites us to laugh with him at those in power. I suspect that to the forces of oppression that could be the scariest enemy of all. *** Here's what the publishers have to say: Airship 27 Productions & Cornerstone Book Publishers are proud to announce the release of Robin Hood – King of Sherwood, a brand new full length novel by I.A. Watson. In 1190, two years after resting the crown from his father, Henry II, Richard the Lionhearted departed France for the Holy Lands and the Third Crusade. He left behind regents, Hugh, Bishop of Durham and his chancellor, William de Longchamp. But his younger brother, Prince John, lusted after the crown and saw Richard’s absence as a golden opportunity to seize control. John began a program of heavy taxation that threatened to destroy the social-economic stability of the England. While the royals conspired against each other, it was the people of the land who suffered. Working under inhumane laws, they became no more than indentured slaves to the landed gentry. Amidst this age of turmoil and pain, there arose a man with the courage to challenge the aristocracy and fight for the weak and helpless. He was an outlaw named Robin of Loxley and how he became the champion of the people is a time worn legend that has entertained readers young and old. Now, I.A. Watson brings his own vivid imagination to the saga, setting it against the backdrop of history but maintaining the iconic elements that have endeared the tale of Robin Hood throughout the ages. It is a fresh and rousing retelling of an old legend, imbuing it with a modern sensibility readers will applaud. The book features a stunning painted cover by professional artist, Mike Manley and black and white interior illustrations by the book’s designer, Rob Davis. Airship 27 Productions is extremely proud to present – ROBIN HOOD – KING OF SHERWOOD! ISBN: 1-934935-65-4 ISBN 13: 978-1-934935-65-1 Produced by Airship 27 Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers http://www.cornerstonepublishers.com/books/?page_id=8 Release date: 03/25/2010 Retail Price: $21.95

I enjoyed it quite a bit... The exposition setting up the state of things was delivered in an interesting way as Matilda and her mother sparred in the carriage, but things really took off once the robbery began.

Naturally, I find this "Robin" guy to be a bit of a little punk, what with taking hostages and all... Not that he's without his charms as they begin their march through the woods. I do like that you choose to introduce him in a way that makes him have to earn our sympathy and support by having him rob characters who don't obviously deserve it. We know that the world is unjust as of this point, but since the main character is the focus of the injustice we know about, having her be robbed and kidnapped certainly stack the deck against this cocky rogue.

I'm really looking forward to settling in with the whole thing. I'll try and give you some solid feedback when I do.