In the tradition of Bernard Cornwell and Ben Kane, Outlaw is a rousing historical novel that mixes legend with fact to bring to life the time, the lives and the struggles of late 12th century England. As the Henry II struggles with his rebelious children and the conflict between the Saxon nobility and the Norman conquerors continues on as bloody as ever, there is a figure that has remained … remained firmly fixed in the imagation of generations – Robin Hood, an outlaw and a renegade nobility determined to bring down the men who took his land, his family, and his position.
When he’s caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood. A tough, bloodthirsty warrior, Robin is more feared than any man in the county. And he becomes a mentor for Alan; with his fellow outlaws, Robin teaches Alan how to fight – and how to win. But Robin is a ruthless man – and although he is Alan’s protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer…From bloody battles to riotous feast days to marauding packs of wolves, Outlaw is a gripping, action-packed historical thriller that delves deep into the fascinating legend of Robin Hood.
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Definitely not for children, but if you’re looking for an author who knows how to write with real intensity and drama, particularly within a battle, then there are few who can compete with Angus Donald. He definitely gave me something to aim for with [the-spyglass-and-the-cherry-tree-the-shadowland-chronicles-book-1-by-matt-beighton]. Only you can judge if I’ve got anywhere close!
This is the first in the Robin Hood series; read it and you’ll be buying the rest before you get to the end.
Outlaw is the Robin Hood retelling that we all needed and deserved.
Set at the end of the 12th century, beginning of the 13th, this book takes us straight into a merciless Plantagenet England!
The story is told to us by Alan Dale, a young man that was caught stealing and ends up joining Robin’s group of outlaws in order to not lose his hand. Threading through Sherwood forest we learn more about our favorite bandit and his comrades through the eyes of a boy that is still growing and learning how to be a warrior.
But this is the time where punishments were to be dealt swiftly and with no compassion, when a leader had to use all his cunning to keep his head on his shoulders, so bloodshed and gruessoment enforcement of the “law” are in order.
With a fast-paced story, it is difficult to put this book down. As it is also very hard not to like or side with some of the characters.
As the plot develops the reader is bound to keep going just to see how our band of outlaws will get out of the predicaments that await them. How will they get out alive?… Or if they even manage to do so!
This is a tale of Robin Hood as you have never seen before.
A unique and wonderful take on the Robin Hood legend. Very believable.
Loved it!
I loved it! The trilogy is epic, makes me think of a mash up of Tokien and Treasure Island, with historical context.
Never heard of Angus Donald before but if Stephen Pressfield recommended the book I felt I had to give it a try. It was GREAT! I’m a big fan of historical fiction and I’ve just found a fantastic new writer to follow. Very creative retelling of Robin Hood story. Good characterizations, very realistic battle scenes. Warning, there are a couple of unexpected and gruesome episodes of punishment and torture that made me cringe, but they weren’t gratuitous, they were germane to Robin’s and other characters’ development. The whole thing kept me turning pages to find out what happened next. Very satisfying ending.
A very unique interpretation of the Robin Hood legend from Alan Dale perspective! Fun!
First of all, although the book is the first in a series, it is a standalone story. No cliffhanger endings to worry about. You’ll probably Want to read the next books, but you don’t Have to. Second, fair warning – there are no kittens frolicking down rainbows to play in flower covered fields here. The Middle Ages were a brutal time in human history and many of the scenes in the book are brutal. But every bit of the story was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed every single page. I Really didn’t want to put it down. Don’t miss this book; it’s a thoroughly credible, well written portrayal of what Robin Hood (if he were real) might have been like and it’s entertaining from first page to the last.
Interesting and original take on the legend of Robin Hood. Well done.
Having the the Robin Hood legend told from one of the “merry men’s” perspective was an interesting way to related the tale. I also found it interesting that Robin’s was portrayed as a flawed character.
The Robin Hood story has been done many times. This is one of the better versions that I have read. I’m looking forward to following the series.
Liked it a lot