Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books and author for accepting me as arc reader for this romantasy. 💗🫧

4.2⭐️ out of 5

The reason why I was drawn to this book was because I love the story of Robin Hood and the cover is really beautiful, in fact one of the nicest cover I have seen. The story, the pacing, the flow, was great. The description was beautiful, and the scenes were all vivid. I could see how strong the author’s imagination is. I love how strong the female lead Marian is, refusing to bend to life’s weight. The chemistry between the FC and MC was great, I can really feel how they fell in love. It may not be a story that stay with me for a long time but it was definitely a good read.

- Slow burn
- Fae and mortal
- Robin Hood retelling
- Romantasy
- Strong female character
- Happy ending

Stunning prose and sentence structure. The setting was phenomenal, and being from the PNW, I could easily immerse myself in this world. I did find the FMC to be insufferable at times, but the tension between her and the MMC was incredible. Minor issues noted @ Loc 191 and the formatting on kindle is not comprehensive throughout, but I'm sure will be corrected :)

thank you netgalley for this ARC! <3

It took me a minute to stop picturing these characters in their Disney animal forms! OOO DE LALLY! Robin Hood being fae just makes sense. Now, Little John being a 7 foot tall tattoo'd fae was a surprise. Fingers crossed for a Little John book!

I thought this retelling did an excellent job. Mare with her prejudice vs. hot Robin. A battle of wills for the ages! While I did find Mare's prejudicial views irritating, I also felt like it was probably an accurate representation.

The slow burn really out did itself in this one! The pacing in this book was fast and enjoyable. I really liked the characters. While they have the same names and similar roles as in the fairy-tale, they felt fresh and new. They gave a different perspective on the Robin Hood fairy-tale while still remaining true to the nature of Robin Hood. There is definitely a narrative on environmentalism and conservation in this book that reminded me a bit of Avatar.

This was fun and spicy and exactly what I wanted from a Robin Hood retelling!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!

Thanks so much for the ARC! I will put a shorter review on Goodreads. I also found typos I will share with you at the end here but not put on Goodreads.

This was an extremely well written debut book. (I believe it is a debut since Rivers had no other books listed on Goodreads). The writing was beautiful. It read almost like poetry mixed with a fairytale at the beginning. I found myself pausing to admire so many lines for being so well constructed. River's descriptions of the nature of Sherwood were so pretty.

The plot was interesting but overall a little cliche. The author did fall into using a lot of common tropes in the genre, therefore the story was not groundbreaking. But these tropes are overused for a reason - they are fun to read. So while this did not challenge me as a reader or shock me, I still enjoyed the ride. The text being in present tense did trip me up at first but I got used to it after a couple of chapters. I think I am used to books written in past tense.

One thing River's explored which I found fascinating was making a comparison between mortals and Fae in this fictional world and colonizers and indigenous people in our world. The Fae are stewards of the land, they respect nature. They live in harmony with the natural world and give back just as much as they take. The mortals want to extract all the natural resources, raze the land, kill the Fae, conquer, and destroy. The mortals use violence and fear to impose their wills and it is mostly the MEN who uphold this system. The parallels between real-world colonizers and the mortals in the story resonated deeply with me. I also absolutely loved the themes of feminism. Rivers had such insightful takes on how a patriarchal system impacts everyone negatively. There were comparisons between men destroying nature and taking, using, exploiting resources to them being entitled to take a woman's body. They conquer as if women are a resource to be consumed. That was a very well done and it impacted me greatly. I have pulled a few of my favorite lines below.

The negatives I had for this story were I did not love how impulsive and stubborn the FMC was. She made really dimwitted decisions for most of the book which drove me crazy. HELLO - you escaped from the Sheriff who wanted to brutalize and torture you and now you get to live in a happy Fae village where everyone is chill and nice and you are FREE and yet you want to escape and go back??? LIKE WHAT? I get it she thought she could barter for her freedom from the marriage, but that was not a guarantee. I think the motivation for her to smack him in the head with a shovel and escape back to home made no sense. WHY would she want to go back to a life of torture? I think there should have been a stronger reason for her to want to escape than just loose hatred of the Fae. Sure she has been taught to hate them her whole life but by that point she had already mostly deconstructed those things as lies. She sees the Fae as not evil really soon upon living with them so I think he desire to go back home to her awful father and evil groom-to-be are very weak.

Another thing I did not love was the romance. It moved to fast for my taste. She was instantly attracted to him and him her. We don't really get a reason for why he is so into her aside from the forest told him to be. That feel flat to me. Later on as the relationship developed it got better but I wanted more tension and build-up to them being together. I did like the antler scenes though...ha!

I found the connection to Robin Hood very flimsy, it almost pulled me out of the story whenever they called him Robin Hood because the story really was not following that tale. To me, it was goofy and cartoonish when references were made to Maid Marian and Robin Hood and I think it would have been better to not try and make connections back to the fairytale. You did not need them to have the same names as the characters from Robin Hood to still explore the themes of that story.

Favorite lines:
"How could creatures so malevolent call this hallowed wood home? How could cruelty dwell in a place that felt holier than any chapel she’d ever kneeled in?"

" But nothing that burns stays hidden for long."

"‘Dusk is Sherwood’s favourite hour,’ Allen says. ‘Sun too shy to strut, and the moon not yet dressed.’"

" And maybe this is what mortal men fear–what a woman becomes when no one else dictates her shape."

Typos I found:

Location 197 of 3828 (Chapter 2): "steel father’s in a mood already.’ She yourself, girl. Your" - The formatting of this line is messed up and out of order. It is when Tilda is talking to Marian after her bath.

Location 951 (Chapter 7): "He snaps his quietly when they’re fingers in thought." - again the formatting of this sentence is messed up. This is when she is telling Allen she is not hungry and he is offering her a honey cake tomorrow.

Location 2230 (Chapter 17): "chest-tochest" you are missing another dash here. This is when she is fighting Lox.

This was beautifully done. I loved the way the characters were developed. The plot held my attention.

'Wench' is the Robin Hood retelling I've been waiting for. It is full of fae magic, heart-fluttering romance, and a woman's search for the truth. A truly fantastical read!

I absolutely loved this, the story and the characters. The romance was amazing and i loved the descriptions of Sherwood. The side characters were great especially Allen. I was scared at the end thinking Marian might actually die but im glad she survived. I am definitely buying a physical copy when it is published!!

First of all, the final cover for this book is stunning!!! 😍

I do feel like it was a little slow to get going, but it was pretty good when it picked up. Also, a couple of things were kind of unrealistic, like how Marian became a more skilled fighter than actual soldiers with minimal training. Or despite receiving almost fatal injuries multiple times, she was still able to fight, and even come out on top. I also did call what was going to happen at the end, but I’m not too mad about it.

Otherwise, the best thing about this one for me was the writing! It was so lyrical and the sentences flowed so nicely, just stunning 🙌 Plus, I enjoyed the feminist themes and feminine rage explored here. Marian was slightly annoying at times, but she wasn’t the worst FMC I’ve read. and she did have pretty valid reasons for acting out, even if that was a little irritating to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!

"If you drown, I will call you back to shore. Every time. I will be the rope at your waist and the hand on your collar. And when I go under, you'll pull me to the surface too"

Wench is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite fantasy novels! This story is perfectly whimsical and lyrical - it sings a song as it tells the story of trees and vines, of protectors and sacrificial love, of magic and ancient earth. If there was ever a place I'd want to be lost, it would be the Sherwood Forest of Erynne Rivers.

Wench is the story of Robin Hood retold through the push and pull of an age-old conflict between the fae and the humans. As tradition tells, the Sheriff seeks to bleed the earth of power and money by inflicting sheer force. Marian, enraged over her dreaded betrothal, finds herself lost in Sherwood Forest and faced with the impossible idea that the world she grew up in may have told her to hate what she did not know or understand. Marian discovers that life is fulfilling and effervescent outside of the world she knew. She's faced with the realization that just because something is different doesn't make that thing wrong. There is always room to unlearn the things we've been taught, even when we've learned those things out of fear. Fear doesn't always keep us safe. The real question becomes, is all that she has faced enough to change her path?

I've never read an author who paints a picture as clearly or as delicately as Erynne Rivers. She's a master of her craft. There were times I found myself rereading phrases because the word pictures she painted were so clear that it felt like I was in the exact moment on the page and wanted to savor that sensation. There's nothing greater than the feeling of being thrust between the pages of your favorite childhood fairytale. Read slowly enough so that you have time to soak in the atmosphere and sanctity of the moment she has created.

Wench is for readers who love epic romances paired with classic tales retold. This book was full of searing love, sacrifice, high stakes, ancient magic, all on the foundation of a fantastic story. It's a book that encourages you to be curious about what could be if we were brave or humble enough to consider it. And above all, choice matters - not only in the freedom to claim it for ourselves, but in the quiet honor of offering it to others.

Thank you to Erynne Rivers, NetGalley, and Avon UK for the incredible honor of reading and offering my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Erynne Rivers for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

First of all, the cover of this is absolutely stunning - it definitely drew me in. I did really enjoy this author’s writing style - very descriptive and made me feel like I could picture this perfectly. I did feel like it was a bit more telling then showing, which is a negative for me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters.

Wench offers a richly atmospheric reimagining of the Robin Hood legend, blending emotional character growth into a compelling fantasy narrative. The story follows Marian as she is drawn from the rigid expectations of her human world into the sacred and mysterious realm of Sherwood, shaped by living, sentient magic. Marian is a headstrong and layered protagonist whose journey focuses on reclaiming her autonomy and identity. The vivid world-building gives an ethereal, enchanting quality that makes it easy to become fully immersed in the story. This novel will especially appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn, yearning-charged romance woven into character-driven fantasy.

The side characters add warmth, humour and depth, strengthening the found-family dynamic that anchors the story. Marian’s character arc is especially compelling as she learns to challenge societal expectations placed upon her as a noblewoman, gradually freeing herself from a life defined by obedience and duty. She is stubborn, outspoken and emotionally complex, yet still healing from a lifetime of being taught to diminish her own worth. Written with an immersive style, the novel delivers a fresh perspective on a familiar tale while setting up intriguing possibilities for future instalments.

Incredible debut ! 10/10 ! Although I knew where the story would lead interms of the reveals/twists, I still enjoyed the ride. The characters were multifaceted, the writing transferred me into a new world

Beautifully written. I love works that involve settings in a forest, the beliefs that they tie to them. This author wrote so poetically, that I found myself in sheer awe at how alive the words seemed. It didn’t feel like undeserved imagery; everything was rooted in a space carved out with the author’s bare hands.

Too often I come across books written in white void rooms. This book felt lush in its descriptions, not only in its places but in its characters too.

I liked the characters a great deal; Allen was hilarious, and I appreciated Will’s hesitation about Marian. I like how Little John was an anchoring rock, steadfast in a stream and yet his inability to speak is not treated like it makes him a wounded animal. Marian had her faults, many of which I both understood wholly and equally felt frustrated with her for. Lox was passionate and stoic, but he held none of the typical tropes of “broody, aggressive man”(in my opinion). I’ve grown tired of the same types of pairings over the years — and this one, while still familiar, was just different enough that I found my appreciation for it all the same. If he was aggressive, it was because he was passionate, not violent.

I feel like this book captures the feel of Robin Hood quite beautifully, with its own whimsical twist.

This author has beautiful prose and a distinct style. I found the romance aspect rushed— the FMC character has some tropes applied that make the plot somewhat predictable. Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Truly beautiful prose, vivid setting, and an overall intriguing homage to the original Robin Hood.

Rivers writing paints a beautiful world and uses the literary elements of green spaces to tell a unique take on Robin Hood and executes it all so well. Even though I found myself frustrated with Marian at times I always think that I'd rather be frustrated with a character than apathetic to them as evoking emotions like that proves the character is well developed and feels human.

Stunning all around!

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this opportunity.
I was super exited to receive an arc of Wench by Erynne Rivers and it didn’t disappoint ! What a wonderfully imaginative retelling that gives a breath of fresh life into the Robin Hood legend with a magical romantasy twist. The fae touched Sherwood Forest is richly atmospheric, giving the story a sense of enchantment and danger that pulled me in straight away.
Marian is a compelling heroine who is strong willed, layered, and easy to root for, also her dynamic with Robin delivers a satisfying slow burn romance full of tension and heart. The blend of folklore, fantasy, and character growth feels both classic and refreshing.
Fans of romantic fantasy and fairy-tinged retellings, especially readers who enjoy A Court of Thorns and Roses style vibes, will find plenty to love here. A charming, immersive read I thoroughly enjoyed

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I thought the writing was very beautiful and really leant into the theme of the story, with fae and magic and fantasy. I loved the tie-ins to the original Robin Hood story, while still keeping this as its own tale. Lox and the Merry Men were immediately lovable to me, and I would love a whole book on just them!
I did struggle with Marian for a good portion of this story, thought I do not think she is acting entirely unrealistically. She is seeing and learning that the fae are not at all what she thought, but she still has all those bad thoughts about them deeply ingrained in her. As the reader it is easy to find frustration in her actions, but when you imagine yourself in her shoes it’s more understandable. After all, she is a mortal among powerful beings, that she has only ever known to be cruel and tricksters. It makes sense that it takes her so long to trust them and get out of her head, while at the same time you just wanna shake her and tell her to get over it haha. I do love how she came into her own, and how supportive Lox was of her and her choices.
I do wish this story had been a little longer, with perhaps more going into the romance and them really falling for each other. There were lots of good plot lines throughout, but I would have loved to see them embellished upon a little more.
I truly did enjoy this, and I definitely recommend to any romantasy lovers out there!!

I really enjoyed this magical take on the Robin Hood tale from Marian's perspective The author has a lovely writing style which successfully blended folklore and romantasy to re-tell a much loved story with a modern twist.

The Set-up
Marian Hallowmere has been promised to the Sheriff of Nottingham by her cowardly father. She must travel from her father's estate just outside Sherwood Forest to the Sheriff's home to be wed. The Sherwood Forest is home to the Fae led by Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and Marian has been taught to believe they are cruel monsters. When their path is blocked, the Sheriff's men decide to travel deeper into Sherwood to get Marian to her wedding before dark. This leads them into a skirmish with the Merry Men, and Marian is brought to the Fae village. Here she meets Robin Hood ("Lox") and learns she has been fed lies about the Fae her entire life.

The Plot
I found this book a little slow to start, but about 1/3 of the way in, I became hooked. The major conflict of the book surrounds the Sheriff of Nottingham and his desire to reclaim Marian as his bride while continuing to exploit Fae ore to feed his coffers. The world of Sherwood and the role Robin Hood plays within it was very interesting, and the way Erynne writes is very lyrical and descriptive. Questions soon emerge about why Marian is accepted by Sherwood and what role she may play in its future, and I found that to be the most gripping part of this book.

The Characters
Maid Marian is a very strong-willed FMC, and for the most part I really enjoyed her perspective. She is quite stubborn, which was frustrating at times, but also felt true to her character. We got to know the Robin Hood character later in the book than I was expecting, which is probably why I found this book a little slow to start. Once he is properly introduced, I did enjoy his character. He was loyal to Marian but also not afraid to challenge her. I wish we had a bit more time for their romance to develop. The supporting characters (The Merry Men) were entertaining and added a lightness to the story.

The Gist
I am not super familiar with the Robin Hood lore other than the basics (steal from the rich and give to the poor), so I can't speak to the authenticity of this retelling. However, I thought this was a beautifully written story with a swoon worthy MMC and a strong FMC whose love story I rooted for. It had the perfect amount of spice for me, too. 4/5

Erynne Rivers has absolutely made a statement with her debut novel Wench! This Robin Hood retelling was delightfully sweet and cozy while also tackling serious topics in a very unique way. Our main characters are far from flawless but they don't pretend to be, and openly reckon with the impact of their actions on those they love and care about. I found Rivers' prose to be so delectably descriptive which further enraptured me in the story! The combination of beautifully flawed characters, unique magic systems and vividly-rich writing has made Wench a debut to remember!

Being a Romancy fan, I knew that I had to read Wench. From the very first page I was hooked and drawn into the story with the characters. I loved the author's writing style and there was enough content to keep me interested and reading until the end. I enjoyed this spin on Robin Hood, it made for an interesting read. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Avon books, the author Erynne Rivers and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This grew on me for sure. Whilst I’ve never watched or read(?) Robin Hood I know the general story and so I was very interested in a fae retelling. Whilst it was compared to Knight and Moth this felt more whimsical romantasy and similar to Cruel Prince with the different creatures, in depth descriptions of characters and world. At the start I couldn’t get to grips with the third person present tense but I soon didn’t notice it. It felt very jovial and medieval and at first I wasn’t sure if this was going to be more of a juvenile YA style of writing but it definitely wasn’t. And yeah definitely improved as it went on once the fmc got past her stubbornness. The MMC was great and there was great banter between them and the other main side characters. It looks like there will be more in the series I would have been very happy with it being a standalone as it did seem like things were wrapping up abit but I probably would still check out the next book, I don’t think it needs to be more than a duology however!

Oh my gosh. This was such an easy FMC to root for. The plot made it immediately clear who the villains were even if the FMC didn't...

I loved the mix of Fae setting/characters with the Robin Hood Maid Marion retelling. Lox is a brilliant MMC who creates perfect tension.

I not only adored the romance, but I appreciated the other characters and found family.

Perfect spice 🌶️ that was deliciously slowburn ❤️‍🔥

My favourite book so far this year! Immersive, beautiful, a love letter to mixed people everywhere. I am in awe of the way Rivers has written a sentient forest. The world building is vivid, the writing is beautiful, Marian is a badass female character, it's just a stunning book.

This book was fantastic, if you love romantasy and fairytale vibes then this is the perfect book for you.

This story reimagines the legend of maid Marion and Robin Hood with a twist of fae. Marian is forced into an arranged marriage with the sheriff of Nottingham, but everything changes when she is kidnapped by Robin Hood. As she spends more time with him she begins to question everything she has ever been told.

The romance was definitely the highlight of the book, the tension between Marion and Robin builds slowly. They have the perfect captor - energy!

I’d rate this 4 stars - it was a fun read and I found it easy to get into. We love a good retelling and a retelling of Robin Hood was always going to grip my attention. What a fab book!

The poetic, atmospheric writing really steals the show here. Sherwood Forest feels genuinely alive. Marian's journey from ingrained prejudices to a self-made woman is really satisfying, and the slow-burning romance is sweet and feels natural. A few supporting characters come off a little underdeveloped, and some big emotional moments don’t quite hit the mark, but overall, it’s a cozy, charming debut that’s definitely worth a read.

This fae retelling of Robin Hood honours the original tale while also bringing new life to the characters.

I like that Marian is more involved, less of a passive character.

I think there will be good things from Erynne Rivers in the future, too.

This book has absolutely gorgeous prose that had me rereading lines for the beauty of them.

Rivers has taken a classic story and made it unique and bold - giving the "damsel in distress" teeth and claws with wit just as sharp.

Wench has firmly secured my wish to follow Erynne Rivers to whichever worlds she deigns to take me to, and I highly recommend you come along for the ride.

This book was so fun!! I am a big fan of adaptations or classic retelling, and this was no exception.
On one hand, I felt enthralled by the story and how the fantastical elements like faeries were brought into the Robin Hood story blended so well, and on the other I couldn’t get enough of the characters.
While I loved the world building, character relationships and trials (specifically Marion’s betrothal to the Sheriff), parts of it felt a little like being spoon fed an adaptation in a way that I couldn’t overlook. Overall, I think if you’re a romantasy lover, Classics lover, and nostalgia lover, this book will definitely be a hit.

This book started a bit slow but once I was about 40% in I couldn’t put it down! I loved the magic system it was so unique and very beautiful and Erynnes writing style is very poet and lyrical which I thought was really nice and it made it very easy to read. My only critique would be it was a slow start which meant the romance was a bit rushed for me but I did really enjoy it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, I’m leaving this review voluntarily

Wench by Erynne Rivers is, undoubtedly, my most anticipated release of the year. This story weaves a fairy tale of independence, growth, and the power of the heart for the new age. For lovers of every iteration of Robin Hood, the lost boys of Neverland, and the inspired storytelling of Gail Levine’s Ella Enchanted — this is for you. (And if you think antlers, wild magic, and tending to each other’s wounds after protecting each other sounds hot… this is also for you.)

In an increasingly saturated sphere of romantic fantasy, Rivers breathed fresh life full of whimsy, realism, and warmth. Half of that was in her writing style, which evoked the likes of Levine or Stephanie Garber. The world of Wench is centered on creating a fantastical world that was not supposed to feel familiar to readers in language, setting, or habits but relatable to their struggles, morals, and nature. The prose and world-building is truly beautiful and encourages you to abandon preconceptions of what this genre needs to sound or look like and a return to what made the fantasy classics so evocative years ago. This book was /fun/, and in a dark world, we need that.

The other half of her success was in doing what few others manage: balancing the retelling nostalgia with the novel. It is familiar beats in a new druidic-inspired faelore with a new mythos and life to explore. This is not the story of Robin Hood as you know it, but the tale of Maid Marian as I came to adore. Marian, herself, was a showcase in the duality of the strength born from a place of tenderness— neither of which she saw herself as entitled to. In a world that repeatedly took from her the things that brought her joy or agency in trade for that which was useful or valuable to the men around her— she responds authentically. Getting back up, reclaiming your identity is not easy and often doesn’t come before the bargaining, the shame, or the need to survive. Strength is often born from necessity and a need to overcome powerlessness in the most desperate way— /because/ your care and kindness tells you the world should be different. To be clear: our FMC makes mistakes, and that’s the point - to grow and be built of choices, not assigned legacy. Wench works because it lets you feel angry, disappointed, and exasperated - and assures you that you will carry hope and love at the end.

Because I would be remiss to not mention them, I must also say: I love Robin and his band of ‘Merry Men.’ You will be giggling at or with them in Elswyth, and fanning yourself… often. Each character is treated with the complexity and care that lets them make hard decisions, and you won’t always agree with them or how they went about it, but you will understand them.

Rivers wrote me back to being the little girl who hid under the covers after lights went out, carefully turning the worn pages of the fantasy book she had just discovered from the public library. In no uncertain terms, this book reintroduced me to the joy of reading— and it will for many others, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Saw the cover and Robin Hood and knew I needed to read this immediately.
I ate this up, I read for pure vibes and had the time of my life 😂

I know this is a romance and it was a main part of the storyline but seeing Marion become who she wanted to be and to grow real friendships was the most beautiful part of this book

"What a horror, what a delight, to find I've been caught."

Wench completely surprised me! I adored the title and the cover so much (who is the artist?!) and when I read the blurb I was so intrigued but I must admit I have read many Robin Hood retellings in my time being a midlands Brit so I went in with optimistic but medium-low expectations.
Plot twist, I think about 10% through I realised this was 5 star for me!
The writing was absolutely beautiful - for a debut especially it's powerfully lyrical especially describing Sherwood itself. I didn't expect such maturity in the prose style and it just elevated the experience, building such a tangible atmospheric world.
The author has an undeniable talent in crafting beautiful, quotable lines - my kindle is covered in highlights for phrases that struck me dumb or felt poignant in these trying times of ours. Themes of environmentalism, trauma, systemic misogyny, class & authoritarianism, war & greed, weaponised prejudice are painted in stark imagery that begs you to reflect on our own world:
"The stories you were fed had fat trimmed off the bone until only teeth remained."
"I believe your kind are very good at convincing yourselves that needing is the same as deserving."
I loved the LGBTQ and non-binary rep, it didn't feel tropey or self serving as it wasn't overexplained or justified - quite rightly so. Also, what is it with Fae books that don't do gender fluid characters? Makes no sense at all?!
My onlyqualm would be that near the end there is a pretty bad injury which the character seems to endure for a very long time before properly deteriorating, and the story seems to wrap up quite quickly after that. I wanted more!!!! Also more of Allen please??
All in all I was absolutely hooked. It felt refreshing and new but with all the things we love about romantic fantasy.
It would definitely work as a standalone but I will be reading anything else this author writes.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

I really enjoyed this Robin Hood retelling, it's a fantasy retelling so there are elements of the story that change but the core mythology is there and familiar to anyone who knows the stories.

The star of the show in this book for me was Sherwood Forest itself and the lyrical prose that the author uses to tell the story. Sherwood comes alive within her words and I really liked the deep connection that the Fae had to the forest and the earth. This was part of their lore and their magic but from a wider perspective it also just brought home the message that our natural world needs our protection and care, rather than to be ruthlessly destroyed in the name of resources.

The love story itself is sweet and feels earned, I did find Marian frustrating for the first half of the book, even with the Fae in front of her clearly not being the monsters she'd been warned about, she refused to question or examine her own prejudices for what felt to me like too long, especially as someone who had experienced human cruelty first hand. The way she clung to her beliefs that humans were civilised in comparison was a bit annoying when her own father had very recently sold her to save his own pride.

That said, once she had woken up to the reality of the situation, I really enjoyed her character arc and development, the world always wants women to obey and fit neatly into their boxes and I always love to read about a woman choosing to defy that obedience and come into her own strength and power and this very much gave that, and made it feel real and honest and believable.

Overall this was a great fresh-feeling romantasy and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what Erynne Rivers writes next, following this debut.

I love this book! The lyrical writing, the gorgeous setting, the fun characters, absolutely will be preordering! :)

Quote: “I’ll find you. In the soil. In the roots. I’ll bloom beside you in this lifetime or the next. This isn’t our end–wild things always grow back.”

Wench is essentially a Robin Hood retelling but focused on Maid Marian and is a fae x mortal trope. This alone before anything else, made me want to read it. And, this story did not disappoint.

This story has a lot of typical tropes that romantasy readers will enjoy. I thought they were done well albeit easy to guess BUT I loved the lore, the elemental magic, the banter and found family so much that I simply did not care if it was predictable.

The MFC Marian is a lord’s daughter and she’s being forced into a marriage with the Sheriff who is cruel and abusive. Marian longs to be free and run wild within the Sherwood Forest. On her wedding day, her carriage is intercepted by the Merry Men who take capture her and take her deep into the forest - to ‘Robin Hood’ aka Lox, who is the forest’s fae guardian to await her fate by him along with the fae council.

I did find Marian a little bit annoying for a while - she was stubborn and held tightly onto her ignorance of the fae. But I think this only made her character development all the more better as the story progressed. Of course, Marian discovers herself in the moments of learning the fae ways and sees that they’re not all cruel and dangerous as she’s been led to believe.

I loved Lox the minute we met him - he’s your typical brooding and dangerous fae MMC… but with antlers !!! He is in charge of trying to save the forest from the humans who are trying to mine the forest and destroy it. So he equally has a huge dislike of humans, feeling that they are there only to destroy and harm the fae.

I thought the found family element with the ‘Merry Men’ was SO GOOD. I loved Allen most because he was so cheeky and brought a lot of humour to the story.

Overall this was a fantastic read. I don’t know if it’s a stand alone or not, it was left kinda open-ish. I hope there might be a next book though as I’d love to return to Sherwood Forest!

This was so interesting and unlike anything I’ve ever read before read more from from this author, this was so fun and interesting and it was very intriguing and I just wanted to keep reading more

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a read.

I wasn't totally sure what to expect going into this novel outside of a Robin Hood retelling. As someone who grew up visiting Sherwood Forest on the regular, it immediately intrigued me - and what it delivered was truly incredible.

This novel follows Marian as she attempts to escape the prison that is her life - and how she finds herself face to face with the infamous Robin Hood. In this story, Robin Hood is not simply the thief tales tell him to be, but a powerful member of the fae who reside in Sherwood. Having grown up with a mortal father full of hate and a mother full of fear, Marian herself is filled with little other than trepidation.

Driven by Marian's actions and external forces alike, her journey for freedom from the man-made cage that is her former life develops further, showcasing more than just a name lost amongst the folklore and tales of a heroic man. Marian herself is as much a force as her love interest Lox (Robin) and getting to see her grow throughout this novel, to begin to take up more space on a page than just the fear and hatred stuffed into her from youth was easily my favourite part of this book.

With prose as beautiful as the setting upon which it is based, this book was an absolute joy to devour and I will definitely be interested to see more from Erynne Rivers in the future!

Trigger warnings to be aware of: blood, injury/injury description, misogyny, mentions of gallows, starving oneself, grief, death of a parent, abuse (physical and verbal), sexism, sexual assault, violence, sexual content, mentions of war, fire and fire injuries.

I'm on page eight and I am absolutely in love. This book is incredible. Erynne's prose and storytelling is beyond beautiful. She's managed to conjure such a rich and developed world in such a short amount of time. I'm so impressed. Honestly this is one of the best books I've read in a really really long time. I can already imagine the bloodshed between the Fae and the mortals.

Marian's life has been mapped out so brilliantly and it doesn't feel like heavy exposition. It has the wonderful flow of a traditional fairy tale. Honestly it's absolutely brilliant.

The way that she switches so seamlessly between past and present tense is really quite masterful actually. I feel like it's difficult to switch between tenses so seamlessly and without it being confusing to the reader. It's incredible.

I cannot wait to get a special edition of the book because, like I said, I'm already hooked so I'm only on page 8. I already feel that Marion's desperation to escape her life and the exhaustion of the land itself and the history that Erin has managed to weave around Sherwood is fantastic. Although I realise this is a retelling, it feels like an original story. It doesn't feel like it's based on folklore; it feels like its own incredible piece of world-building and literature and that's really quite an achievement for a story that's been retold thousands of times. The way that she switches so seamlessly between past and present tense is really quite masterful actually. I feel like it's difficult to switch between tenses so seamlessly and without it being confusing to the reader. It's incredible.

I cannot wait to get a special edition of the book because, like I said, I'm already hooked and I'm only on page 8. I already feel that Marion's desperation to escape her life and the exhaustion of the land itself and the history that Erynne has managed to weave around Sherwood is fantastic. Although I realise this is a retelling, it feels like an original story. It doesn't feel like it's based on folklore; it feels like its own incredible piece of world-building and literature and that's really quite an achievement for a story that's been retold thousands of times.

I will definitely update the feedback as I get further through the book but I just had to give feedback immediately because honestly it's so brilliant.

Update 2:

I am obsessed, utterly obsessed, with Elswyth. It's incredibly beautiful. It's reminiscent of Lothlorien but in an entirely original and new way. I swear I can feel the weight of the air. I can hear the fae laughing. The description of the round table is so evocative and moving; it's beautiful and the detail and care given to each different village of fae is just stunning, absolutely stunning.

And to describe Lox as ruinous was such a clever, accurate, and bold description. It conjures imagery in such an intense and exciting way for the reader. I'm fascinated, honestly. Reading it is just, I just feel like I'm tumbling through a fairy tale. Reading this book is like reading a daydream in the best possible way. This might honestly become my favourite book ever and, given that I've had my favourite book since I was 18, that's saying a lot.
Thank you for approving me for this; it's beautiful.

Update 3:
Something I have to talk about as well is the incredible depiction of racism and territorialism between the humans and the fae. Even though they all share similar skin colours, the undeniable comparison drawn between real-life racism and the fantasy world is incredible. Even with Marion and her desire to say, "No I'm not like them. I'm one of the good ones." It reminds me so much of performative allies who insist that they're anti-racist but still have a hell of a lot of unlearning to do and still fall prey to behaviours that betray their true nature.

I think that it's the sort of sensitive approach that only someone who's experienced it can really properly approach. It's tender and sensitive but it's also very clear, feeling Marion's pain because she doesn't want to be compared to the other humans. She clearly is quite different but she still has her own prejudices, talking about the tonic that her mother gave her, her reminders in her head about how they trick with one face and ensnare with the other. Seeing her trying to fight her internal prejudices whilst also giving in to them is actually quite moving.

I feel like it's a very clever and soft way of approaching racism and cultural tension and I don't mean soft in a bad way. You can't help but see it, even for people who would turn around and claim that they don't want to read political books. They would have no choice but to see the intricacy and the inescapable nature of racism and territorialism and I think that that is fantastic. It's a huge compliment to Erynne's writing, absolutely; it's not a criticism in any way.

Update four: The end of chapter 13 just made me cry. Marian giving Lox her true name is profound and the fact that he just so easily forgives her for trying to get away when all she's ever known is rage and violence and hatred. This is one of the best stories I've ever read in my life

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wench by Erynne Rivers

This is a Robin Hood retelling where Marian is a mortal woman and Robin is a Fae male.

The story starts with Marian betrothed to the Sheriff of Nottingham who is still the villain in this tale. Due to circumstances she travels through Sherwood Forest on the way to her wedding where she is taken prisoner by the Merry men. Marian has been taught to fear the fae but she slowly changes her opinion of them whilst in their company.

I enjoyed this retelling , there’s character growth, action, and romance. We get to see Marian develop from an obedient daughter to a strong self sufficient woman. The book follows the Robin Hood story of good over evil with some romance thrown in. I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Erynne in the future .

Thank you to NetGalley, Erynne Rivers and Avon Books UK for this ARC

I had sorted a TBR list out for myself, but threw that out the window once I saw I'd been approved for this book. Who doesn't want to read a Robin Hood retelling with a bit of spice?

I really enjoyed this, the pacing was really fast and I finished it within 24 hours. The words really flowed on the page, I really liked her style of writing. The sentences were really well constructed and the language was a quite lyrical. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

A Robin Hood retelling, in which he has antlers – yes, antlers. Honestly, this took me by surprise. I’m not a fan of antlers, just like I’m not a fan of tails – they just give me the ick.

Moving on from the antlers, if you can, Wench was a very easy read – took me 24 hours to finish it – but it wasn’t a gripping read. I liked the characters (antlers aside) and I found the plot interesting enough, just something was missing.

Maybe it’s the fact it is a retelling, and I’ve become less of a fan of those these days. There was a period where retellings were really being pushed at readers and it gave me fatigue, but then I did manage to finish this retelling where I have DNF’d others. Or maybe I didn’t find the writing that gripping.

I can’t put my finger on it, but, like I’ve said, something was missing for me. It didn’t spark excitement – which is something I’m finding a lot lately, so it’s not just this book. I would recommend picking it up and I'd definitely read works by the author again!

Sidenote: I think the title is brilliant!

This was whimsical. The prose was gorgeous. It was exactly what I hoped it'd be!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

For a standalone novel, I adored the amount of character development we get for our girl Marian! En route to her wedding to the Sheriff, she ends up accidentally rescued by the Merry Men and the infamous guardian of the forest, Robin. Having spent her life being taught that the Fae of Sherwood Forest are evil savages, it takes Marian some time to find her footing in this unknown world. Along the way she discovers her own ferocity that has been smothered by men who would see her cower. The way that Erynne wrote the spirit of the forest was simply magical and easily transported me into the sunny glades of Sherwood. The found family between Marian and the Merry Men was heartwarming as they learned about each other and how misplaced their hatred had been. And I cannot forget our delectable and vicious Loxleigh 🔥 I could have easily read another 50 pages of him!

"I'll always find you. Even if Sherwood falls to dust, I will claw through the grit and find the shape of you in whatever's left behind" 💕

This book ticked boxes I didn't know I had and I can't wait to read more from Erynne!!

✨ Thank you for the early copy Becky H, Avon, & Erynne. My views are my own and I loved it ✨

I couldn't put this book down (may or may not have been a 2am finish) - the story was unusual enough to be interesting and similar enough to others to be comforting. The perfect balance.

There's found family, shudder-worthy villains, and self-discovery. It has some absolutely beautiful wording and phrasing - very lyrical, yet still an easy read.

The only drawback for me was that I'm not sure the main characters had enough chemistry, potentially due to a lack of yearning - it's there, but it's subtle, and I think it could have been developed more.

I found this take on Robin Hood really interesting. I kinda wish that there was more hoodwinkery with the Merry Men, or more of a look to where the ore was going and how bad the war between the fae and humans was. I think I just wanted something more to sink my teeth into along with Marian’s character growth. But that probably would have been a longer and more drawn out series then this standalone wanted. But the slow burn could have been immaculate!

“Tell me what you want.”
“You. Just you.”
(This isn’t a criticism that I have with the book or author, more a general complaint I have with this particular phrase over all.) Gag me with a spoon! If I read this one more time, I’m going to start throwing things! JUST TELL THE MAN WHAT YOU WANT, FOR ONCE! I know it’s supposed to be romantic, but just once I would like for someone to say the most out of pocket, bat shit things.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I thought the writing was very beautiful and really leant into the theme of the story, with fae and magic and fantasy. I loved the tie-ins to the original Robin Hood story, while still keeping this as its own tale. Lox and the Merry Men were immediately lovable to me, and I would love a whole book on just them!

This is a fae-inspired Robin Hood retelling set within the atmospheric depths of Sherwood, where Marian is drawn into the dangerous and politically complex world of the forest’s inhabitants after a betrayal by her father forces her from the life she once knew. Among the forest-dwelling fae, familiar figures are reimagined in intriguing ways, and the novel explores loyalty, justice, power, and belonging.

The writing is strikingly poetic and often very beautiful, creating an evocative sense of place that makes Sherwood feel vivid and immersive. At times, however, the prose leans a little heavily into lyrical phrasing and quotable lines, occasionally slowing the narrative momentum. Earlier in the novel, Marian’s character feels somewhat familiar within the fae fantasy tradition, and her dynamic with Lox initially lacks the emotional friction needed to fully ground their relationship.

However, the latter portion of the book significantly strengthens both the characterisation and the emotional stakes. Marian’s motivations deepen as her response to her father’s betrayal develops into something more purposeful, and her growing connection to Sherwood adds weight to her decisions. Lox also becomes a more complex presence, with clearer boundaries and emotional nuance that enriches the central dynamic. These developments help the earlier elements feel more intentional in retrospect.

The reinterpretation of the Robin Hood mythos through a fae lens is thoughtfully executed, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ side characters as a normalised aspect of fae society contributes to a sense of a fully realised world rather than a purely aesthetic setting.

Overall, this is an immersive and imaginative retelling that grows in confidence as it unfolds. While the opening may feel familiar and occasionally stylistically dense, the final section brings welcome depth and cohesion, resulting in a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion.

Its takes a bit for this story to sink into your bones, it starts with a gentle brush of vines against your mind as you meet Marian. She is the rebellious daughter that so many stories paint her as, a cage of fine dresses and obedience chaining her in place. At first it felt too familiar, the pattern her footsteps made but I think it is the familiarity that allows this story to grow. It is the roots of every other version of Marian and Robin that allow this Marian and this Robin to grow into you. By the end those initial brushes of recognition had changed to the deep hold a story can have. I apologize if this is all a little poetic, I get this way when something makes me emotional. So go to Sherwood, where the forest itself is a character. Watch a girl learn to trust her own mind after years of hiding. And watch a man learn to listen to his own heart after believing he would never hear it.

I’ve always liked the tales of Robin Hood and this book had such an interesting concept. Robin Hood but make it fae, and centre a human Maid Marian!
It definitely did not disappoint.
A book full of feminine rage, I was in so gripped by the story I finished it in one sitting.
This story was exactly what I needed!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this arc.

I really loved this book. The enjoyed the fae and fantasy take of Robin Hood. The I liked the characters and the storylines. I really found myself drawn to the story and couldn’t put it down. Thank you for giving me a chance to read this book before release.

A fun slowburn Robin Hood retelling! This book has beautiful prose that suited the fae background. I enjoyed the world building, especially getting to know all the characters. The magic system was interesting.

The FMC was frustrating for the first third, only because it's a little hard to believe she actually wants to escape this literal safe haven (based on her prejudice), to run back home where her father essentially sells her to the sheriff, and she has 0 autonomy whilst getting abused by everyone around her. I found her motivations hard to empathize with.

Seeing her bond with the side characters was sweet, though I think they were too kind to her too fast when I remember how mean she was from the beginning. I wish we saw more of the "Robin Hood" part, where the fae actively stole from the rich and gave to the poor. This was only referenced in the background. Another fae world building quirk is the exhibitionism that shocked Marian at the beginning when she was still getting used to Sherwood. I expected her to come around by the end, and engage in the exhibitionism too, as a way to show how much she's acclimatized to the culture and the people. I'm not sure why, but it surprised me this never came up again. I guess it was mostly for shock factor?

I was excited to see justice served against the Sheriff at the end - so this was another disappointing part when they decided to "take the high road". I wish everyone went scorched earth on the man who deserves it.

Overall, a fun read. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

At its heart, Wench by Erynne Rivers feels like a beautifully written story with a new spin on the legend of Robin Hood, told through the eyes of Marian and her path to true belonging ✨

It’s a captivating romantasy, perfect for anyone who loves a blend of fae, slow burn romance and fairytales.

The characters carry the story with some real laugh out loud moments and others that genuinely catch you off guard.

It’s an easy five star read and worth every minute. It’s spicy, but not explicit, and definitely enough to keep the pages turning.

I loved this book and will never see Maid Marian and Robin Hood the same way again 🫶🏻🦊

Thanks for reading! Wishing you a wonderful next chapter ✨

Angharad | @oracle_and_ink

A good slow burn Robin Hood retelling. I enjoyed reading this. I liked the way the merry men were fae and that Marion becomes a kick ass fmc

I didn't know I needed a Robin Hood retelling, but wow I really liked this. I loved our FMC and was thrilled she wasn't just a damsel in distress. This story was such a fun twist on the classic.

Really enjoyed this retelling! I lived the twist on the origial story and loved seeing mare grow in herself! Solid story!

Wench by Erynne Rivers is a cheeky, light-hearted read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Packed with witty moments and a playful tone, it’s easy to breeze through and raises a fair few smiles along the way. That said, the humour can be a bit hit-and-miss, and the story occasionally feels more style than substance. Still, it’s a fun little escape if you’re in the mood for something a bit silly and spirited.

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I loved the concept of this book, a retelling of Robin Hood, but from the perspective of Maid Marian. This also takes an environmental angle where Robin Hood’s band are actually fae who are protecting the wondrous Sherwood Forest, drawing magic from the forest and the fae ore, but keeping things in balance. The sheriff on Nottingham is intent on mining this ore and doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process, wanting the fae to be destroyed and the forest razed. I loved this angle to the story and it worked really well in this context and setting.

The first half of this book would have been a five star read for me, but it lost me a fair bit in the second half. The early parts of the book where the context of the novel is set, Marian’s feeling of being trapped and the cruelty of the men around her were all fascinating. Her early introduction to Lox and the world of Sherwood Forest too were really interesting. It went downhill for me with the romance. It went from enemies to lovers a bit too suddenly and it got quite melodramatic. I was expecting this romance so it wasn’t like the enemies to lovers was a shock but it did just feel jarring the dramatic pivot that took place.

A lovely concept, brilliantly imaginative that just lost me a bit in the second half.

What a whimsical romantasy book!
I enjoyed this retelling of Robin Hood but focusing on Maid Marian story. I really enjoyed reading her moral and emotional journey, becoming a strong and confident woman. The relationship between Marian and Robin was so sweet and yet there were parts that had me kicking my feet and giggling!
It was an easy read and although I was able to guess the plot of the book, I still had a fun time reading it. The last 20% of the book was very exciting and I had to finish it to see what would happen.

I was so excited to read a book based on one of my favourite local legends - but was a little disappointed when Some of the pacing and tense swapping felt erratic, and the shift from fae hating to the relationship felt abrupt.

That said, some of the characters and the way they interacted was lovely, and I’m always a fan of a strong FMC. Still, I wasn’t sure she got to reach to her full potential, and the title felt a little like that wasn’t the focus of the story.

The writing was still lovely, the forest genuinely felt alive, and I did enjoy it, but didn’t love it as much as I hoped to

Wench
By Erynne Rivers
Pub Date: 16th July 2026

✨4.75/5 Stars
Vibes Check:
🏹 Enemies to Lovers
🌳 Robin Hood Retelling
Forced Proximity
🫂 Found Family
🌶️ 3/5

Take this shimmering, feral invitation to step off the beaten path and into the thicket. Erynne Rivers’ debut "Romantasy" pulls the legend of Robin Hood out of the dusty shadows and into a strange, intoxicating fae light.

Forget the Maid Marian you think you know. This "Mare" is a woman forged in trepidation and "man made cages," sold by her cowardly father to the reviled Sheriff of Nottingham. But fate has sharper teeth on the road to her gilded prison, her carriage is ambushed by the Merry Men who, in Rivers' hands, are a band of powerful, ancient fae. And one must never forget Sherwood itself the sentient forest practically steals the show with its magic.

I recommend this to anyone who, like me, grew up on tales of the outlaw king. Returning to Sherwood felt beautifully nostalgic, yet this fresh, fierce take on "Lox" and Marian breathed entirely new life into the legend.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Erynne Rivers for the ARC. Also reviewed on Goodreads, StoryGraph & Fable.

Disclaimer: My rating reflects the pure vibes and magic I felt while reading!

I didn't feel the title really fitted the book, to me it was more about the connection of Marion, Lox and the forest. I loved the whole world that was created and the retelling of a folk tale. A bit slow to start but gripped me eventually.

I enjoyed this! It's a bit tropey in parts (the tattoos, the fae body parts that are ultra sensitive!) but the world building is good and Marian is an engaging character.

Plot- I love the story of Robin Hood so I was so excited to get an ARC for a fantastical retelling of it with Fae 🙌 Marian is taken by the fae and thrown into their world after she was about to be wed (sold) to the sheriff of Nottingham. It was a saving grace but one she didn’t really see until later.

Marian is a really interesting lead, she frustrates you in the beginning because it’s almost like she’s indoctrinated in her thinking of the fae and her stubbornness in getting to know them. But her character arc is fleshed out well through her learning to defend herself, letting down her guard, embracing her womanhood, all were really important in her development 🙌

Lox was a fun male lead that challenges Marian well. He’s the guardian of the forest and wary of her but trusts his instincts and protects her fiercely. It was great that he wasn’t just a morally grey hero (which Robin Hood is an OG at) but one who was entrusted with a sacred duty, he doesn’t battle with power or ego like the humans do. He simply is a protector 🫶 and easy on the eyes, antlers and all 😉

The merry men were really fun characters and Allen had me cackling from the get-go. Little John also stole my heart, that gentle giant 🥰

I thought the idea of returning to the familiar despite its cruelty was a really interesting one. Marian is trying to go back to the humans because it’s what’s she knows. Without really thinking about it as what it is; subservience, punishment and a pretty cage. Remaining in Sherwood is the unknown and going against everything she was raised to believe about the Fae but she can breathe there. I thought it was a great way of exploring decisions 🙌

Setting & World-building - oh my goodness, Sherwood Forest is a fae dream. As a nature lover, I was living for the descriptions and the way Elswyth is structured (think houses amongst the tree tops and pulleys as a postal system). We get glimpses at the different fae species, and the ways in which they govern themselves and it was so interesting 🙌 and wish we had a bit more 🙏

Romance- okay so initially this seems an enemies to lovers situation, not necessarily of the stabby variety but they are on opposing sides, not trusting of the other and are quick to be cruel to each other. So a perfect recipe for love to blossom 😂 but the tension between them is there from the beginning and they clearly are attracted to each other. It was absolutely delicious to see Marian hate him because she found him attractive 😂

I will say the switch up from ‘I hate him, I’m escaping and selling the fae’s secrets for my freedom’ to ‘he’s quite nice and I think I’ll stay here’ is quite abrupt. The scene that triggers this comes at around the 50% mark and it just sort of came out of nowhere. Her realisation just felt a bit forced. However, once we move past this, the relationship develops really nicely and at a good pace. The sweaty training scene definitely helped 🥵

Overall, an enjoyable read that I had a lot of fun with. I wish it had an extra 50 pages to flesh out that ending a bit more but a really fun book 🙌

“I’m tired of being caged by men who smile when they lock the door. Tired of being told what to be. For once, I want to choose who I am.”

“Wild things always grow back.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I ended up reading this physically instead but really enjoyed WENCH. Love the title too LOL! But this one was a surprise, really loved the writing and the characters!

I will forever be a robin hood girl. This was so lush and emotional and the fantasy world creation was so vivid and perfect. Cheered for and cried for all the characters. Such a good romance.

This book was absolutely gorgeous! I’ve already went and put a library hold on the audio to reread it. Marian is such a great character. She’s headstrong, she’s smart, she’s agile. And Robin! Their romance! Ugh! This was such a cool spin on Robin Hood and I LOVED IT! I expected this to be more of a cozy fantasy based on the cover but it has so much depth and emotion. Just a stunning classic romantasy. This one is going to be such a hit. And the cover! Gorgeous!

Total perfection. I loved this fae-infused Robin Hood retelling. A brilliant, spicy romp through an immersive new world, and I couldn't get enough of the lyrical, whimsical tone of the prose. If you love folklore with a darker, magical edge, this is a great choice. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy, as the cover art looks fantastic.