Scarlet
Series: Scarlet #1
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Published February 14th 2012 by Walker Childrens

Goodreads Synopsis
Will Scarlet is good at two things: stealing from the rich and keeping secrets - skills that are in high demand in Robin Hood's band of thieves, who protect the people of Nottingham from the evil sheriff. Scarlet's biggest secret of all is one only Robin and his men know...that she is posing as a thief; that the slip of a boy who is fast with sharp knives is really a girl.
The terrible events in her past that led Scarlet to hide her real identity are in danger of being exposed when the thief taker Lord Gisbourne arrives in town to rid Nottingham of the Hood and his men once and for all. As Gisbourne closes in a put innocent lives at risk, Scarlet must decide how much the people of Nottingham mean to her, especially John Little, a flirtatious fellow outlaw, and Robin, whose quick smiles have the rare power to unsettle her. There is real honour among these thieves and so much more - making this a fight worth dying for.
Goodreads

Review
I simply adore these books! I've read them twice now, and can;t help but picking them up from time to time to re-read my favourite sections.

Scarlet follows the story of Will Scarlet, one of the heroes of the Robin Hood legend, but who is actually a girl in disguise. She has joined Robin's band of Merry Men, but is keeping her true identity a secret. Once the Sheriff invites the infamous Guy of Gisbourne to Nottingham to rid the county of Robin once and for all, Scarlet finds herself risking her life, and her identity, in order to save others, and protect Nottingham.

Scarlet is honestly the best heroine I have ever read in historical fiction. Gaughen obviously did her research to make the story appear so realistic, it was as if you were actually with Scarlet and the gang on their adventures. Scarlet embodied everything I know about this period, and though she kept as much of herself a secret as she could, there was a vulnerable side to her, one which came out the most when she was with Rob. No matter what it would do to herself, she would risk her life to save innocents, especially when Guy is turning up the pressure to discover her.

Like I said, everything about the world building and writing style just improved the book even more. The description of Nottingham and Sherwood made everything come to life, and I loved how everything just flowed naturally - nothing seemed out of place. Guy was a piece of work, but in a way that showed he might just have some humanity about him, and there was a reason behind his anger.

The romance is infinitesimal, but its more a slow burn which make your heart ache, but also means you have the biggest grin on your face. Robin and Scarlet are perfect for each other, but they both have their demons, and their secrets, and don't trust themselves enough to let someone else in. The way Rob knew that Scarlet would reveal more about herself and her past when she was ready, you just knew that they were the best for one another.

The ending of this book means you need Lady Thief immediately. I found the revelation of her identity done in the best way, though everyone knows who Scarlet actually is. If you're a fan of Robin Hood in any form, or historical fiction, this is definitely a book for you.

Dates Read:
May 28-9, 2016
February 23-24, 2017

Rating
5 Stars