Outlaw Princess of Sherwood

The third installment in Nancy Springer's Rowan Hood series follows Princess Ettarde as she flees an arranged marriage to join Rowan's band in Sherwood Forest. The young noblewoman must adapt to life as an outlaw while grappling with her identity and obligations. Ettarde finds herself caught between two worlds - the structured life of nobility she left behind and the freedom of the forest dwellers. Her journey involves learning survival skills, forming new friendships, and wrestling with questions of duty versus personal choice. Training with bow and blade replace etiquette lessons as Ettarde navigates her new reality among Rowan's followers. The presence of Robin Hood and his men adds complexity to her situation, especially as her noble status becomes known. The novel explores themes of self-determination and the true meaning of honor, examining how societal expectations can conflict with individual conscience. Through Ettarde's story, traditional ideas about privilege and responsibility are called into question.

Readers note this third book in the Rowan Hood series shifts focus to Etty/Princess Ettarde, which some found refreshing while others missed Rowan as the protagonist. Readers liked: - The character development of Etty from spoiled princess to capable outlaw - Exploration of class differences and privilege - Action sequences and adventure elements - The book's message about finding one's true self Readers disliked: - Slower pacing compared to previous books in the series - Less interaction with Robin Hood characters - Some found Etty initially unlikeable - Short length at 176 pages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (11 ratings) One reader noted: "A nice addition to the series that helps develop a side character, though not as engaging as Rowan's story." Another commented: "The transformation of Etty feels realistic and earned, even if the journey takes time to build momentum."

Robin's Country by Monica Furlong A young mute boy joins Robin Hood's band of outlaws and finds his place among the rebels of medieval England.

Hawksmaid by Kathryn Lasky Maid Marian's origin story unfolds through her connection to falconry and her path to becoming a defender of the oppressed.

The Forestwife by Theresa Tomlinson A noble girl flees an arranged marriage and transforms into a forest healer who aids outlaws in medieval England.

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen Will Scarlet guards the secret of being a girl while serving as a thief in Robin Hood's band.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner A young prisoner claims he can steal anything and proves his worth on a quest through a medieval-inspired realm.

🏹 The book is the third in Nancy Springer's Rowan Hood series, which follows the adventures of Robin Hood's daughter and her companions. 📚 Author Nancy Springer has written more than 50 novels for children, teens, and adults, including the acclaimed Enola Holmes series that inspired the Netflix films. 🌳 While the original Robin Hood tales were set in Sherwood Forest, which still exists today in Nottinghamshire, England, covering about 450 acres. 👑 The protagonist, Princess Ettarde, is based on a character from Arthurian legend who appears in Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur." 🗡️ The book explores themes of identity and gender roles, as Princess Ettarde rebels against traditional expectations of medieval noblewomen, much like the historical Eleanor of Aquitaine who defied conventions of her time.