Lady Thief
Series: Scarlet #2
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Published February 11th 2014 by Walker Childrens

Goodreads Synopsis
Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.
Goodreads

Review
After the ending of Scarlet, anyone would need to pick Lady Thief up immediately. Now that everyone knows just who Scarlet is, and why Gisbourne was so interested in finding her, they are trying to come to terms with the revelations. However, Prince John is due to arrive, to appoint a new Sheriff for the county. Obviously, everyone wants Robin to be Sheriff, and back in his rightful home, but John has another idea. He wants Gisbourne, and for this, Gisbourne needs his wife by his side. Even knowing that John and Gisbourne will make her life hell, she goes along with playing the dutiful wife, hoping that it will help Rob become Sheriff, and protect the people of Nottingham.

Once again, I find myself in love with Scarlet. She's so selfless when it comes to protecting the people she cares about, and even though she knows it's going to be dangerous to move into the castle and play at being Gisbourne's wife, she'll do it anyway, to help Rob and the others. She suffers loads in this book, and never once does she complain - I think it's kind of a self deprecating thing, where she feels that her past actions means that she deserves the pain she is suffering at the moment. However, that doesn't mean she'll just take it lying down, she plans on making Gisbourne, and John, suffer for what they are doing to Nottingham.

The romance between Scarlet and Rob was so bittersweet. After Scarlet, they thought that they could be happy together, but, of course, the whole matter of Scarlet having to play at being Gisbourne's wife, she and he are separated for a lot of the book. They want to protect each other, but by doing so, they hurt themselves more and more. No matter what, protecting the county and the people of Nottingham, is more important that anything else could be.

Having some actual historical figures in the book - not that I don't think Robin Hood was real, but, you know - was amazing. Eleanor of Aquitaine is my favourite Queen Consort of English/British history, and I adore anything to do with her. Having her power and strength shown in this book, and the fact she won't listen to John, who's just a jumped up prince, goes hand in hand with everything that is historically known about herself. I had a feeling why she was taking so much of an interest in Scarlet, but having them two together, was wonderful.

Yet again, there's a awful cliffhanger, and you'll need to have Lion Heart in your hands, or it'll cause you pain. I really can't help but to recommend these books over and over again, everyone needs to read them in their life.

Dates Read:
May 30-31, 2016
February 25-28, 2017

Rating
5 Stars