The Maid of Sherwood Forest by Sian Ann Bessey - ADVISABLE

The Maid of Sherwood Forest (A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance #2) by Sian Ann Bessey, 296 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mariah (23yo) walks into a costume shop dressing room and exits into a kitchen from medieval times—exactly the time period where her costume allows Mariah to fit in. The door she came from does not return her to the twenty-first century, and Mariah must continue to work in the kitchen or else have no roof over her head, no family, no job, and nowhere else to turn.

The second in this series, Mariah’s story is a standalone, though I recommend reading the first one as well because I love Bessey’s historical fiction-take by using time travel as the reason for unexplained historical people and events. Mariah’s story is focused on the legends of Robin Hood, and I enjoyed learning some new parts of his tales that I haven’t heard before. With humor and wit, life-or-death situations, figuring out what’s really important in life, and, of course, romance, Bessey includes a little bit of everything for her readers.

All of the characters are English. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, and illegal activity. The violence rating is for assault, battle scenes, and attempted murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Arthur the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Chris Riddell - OPTIONAL

Arthur the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell, 237 pages. Candlewick, 2023. $30. 9781536212655

CONTENT: PG-13 (The book has blood, death, war, and violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

"Arthur the Always King" follows the story of King Arthur. Through war, love, light, and darkness, we learn about the impact King Arthur had during his life. The tales of these journeys have been passed down for generations, which are still adapted and retold today. While some are violent and gruesome, some are romantic and kind. 

Arthur’s story is perfect for kids who have a darker sense of humor, love fairy tales, and love knights in shining armor. Riddell has filled the  stories with great illustrations to match about countless stories throughout the years. The art and stories themselves are very violent, with blood and more. This book might be difficult for many readers, especially younger ones. 

Bryant Baird, Librarian

Pirate’s Daughter by Mairghread Scott & Pablo Tuico - HIGH

Pirate’s Daughter (Sea Serpent’s Heir #1) by Mairghread Scott & Pablo Tuico, 144 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Image Comics Inc. 2022. $15

Language: PG (10 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG-13 (violent deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Teenage Aella is bored of her tiny medieval village and longs to leave. Unfortunately, she pins her hopes on a young knight in a band of demon hunters who have come to her island. It turns out Aella really is a demon and may be biggest baddest one of them all. When a demon hunter attempts to kill Aella, she also discovers that her fellow islanders are more than they seem and that her absentee mother is a pirate queen. Aella has to juggle controlling her inner demon as well as take out the oracle that is trying to kill her, while figuring out if she can trust the young knight she first turned to for help.

There is a lot going on in this story as it interweaves threads of politics, religion, relationships, and self-discovery. Aella and her companions make a formidable presence and her mom is a grand character. The art is spot on and the story engaging. There is a fair amount of violence, but it doesn’t seem gratuitous. Bring on book two.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Thief and the Noble by Dana LaCheminant - OPTIONAL

The Thief and the Noble by Dana LaCheminant, 268 pages. Covenant Communications, 2022. $16.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lady Marian wants to help the lower class, but first she has to understand their needs. She dons a disguise to take a job as a barmaid and meets Robin, a thief intent on redistributing wealth. But everything becomes more complicated when Robin and Marian discover that the other isn’t what they appear to be.

As a retelling of Robin Hood, I enjoyed reading LaCheminant’s story – the thrill of vigilantism, the desire to help those who need it, and the reimagining of beloved characters. Unfortunately, I did not fall in love with this Robin, which made watching Marian fall in love with him difficult. Focusing on the action/adventure parts of the story was more fun than the romance parts, though the last chapter was, admittedly, a cute conclusion to the development of their relationship.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke - OPTIONAL

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke, 320 pages. Disney-Hyperion, 2020. $18.

Language: R (45 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Isabelle lives with her mother, Marien, in a convent, though Isabelle isn’t really the convent type -- as illustrated by her being arrested. When Isabelle escapes, Marien reveals the identity of Isabelle’s father: Robin Hood. Leaving the convent is scarier than she expects, but Isabelle knows she is going to need her father’s help to save her world being destroyed by King John.

Moke mixes history and fable in her continuation of the classic Robin Hood story. I had a hard time with a lot of the details included because their references were unfamiliar to me. Eventually, everything was explained, but it was frustrating to go half the book while feeling like I was missing something I should have known. Unfortunately, I also wasn’t a fan of Isabelle. She was wishy-washy in her decisions even when the best solutions were obvious. Of course I wanted Isabelle and the good guys to succeed, but I found it hard to root for Isabelle herself. The mature content rating is for innuendo; the violence rating is for blood and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

The Band of Merry Kids by David Skuy - OPTIONAL

The Band of Merry Kids by David Skuy, 174 pages. DCB (Cormorant Books), 2018. $14

Language: PG; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL 

Robin Hood is Pip’s hero and he wants to be like him in every way--by shooting his bow accurately every time and saving people. However, Pip’s life is opposite in every way. The village bullies make his life miserable. And his father, seller of wool blankets, seems to bow and scrape to every person in the village. Pip wants his father to be like Robin Hood. To stand up to the rich men of the world. His father is going to the fair to sell his blankets. He invites Pip and his friends to come and help. Little does Pip know the adventure that he is going to have along the way and the truths he learns about his father. 

There are many legends about Robin Hood and his band of men. Pip and his Band of Merry Kids is a fun and different spin of adventures. There are scenes of violence between the lower class of people and ruling people. 

Diann, Media Specialist 

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke - OPTIONAL

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke, 310 pages. Hyperion (Disney), 2020. $18. 

Content: G (mild violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Isobelle is on the run. After her rash actions at the Kirklees convent where her mother, Marien, is the prioress, she is a wanted fugitive – wanted by King John’s Wolf. AS she follows her mother’s directions, she is taken in by the Merry Men. But in order to stay, she must prove her worth. 

 

This take on Robin Hood’s story is through the eyes of Robin and Marien’s daughter. I will say that I was very angry at the end of the book – I don’t think the author needed to do what she did in order to further Isobelle’s story. Plus, there is not a very wide audience for a Robin Hood retelling. My favorite of the recent retellings is Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell.

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Accursed Inheritance of Henrietta Achilles by Haiko Hornig and Marius Pawlitza - OPTIONAL

The Accursed Inheritance of Henrietta Achilles (A House Divided #1), by Haiko Hornig and Marius Pawlitza, 96 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2020, $10 (pb).  9781541586925

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Henrietta Achilles, possibly in her mid teens, has been living as an orphan when she is brought to the village of Malrenard.  There she finds out that as the only living relative of a deceased wizard, she had inherited his bizarre house, which is reputed to have a treasure hidden inside.  As she enters her new home, she discovers it is truly bizarre and over run with soldiers and bandits fighting one another over finding the treasure and even pastries, and yes, monsters. 

I liked the artwork and the premise, but I had to read the back of the book to get the storyline down.  There was so much going on so fast, that it didn’t give me much time to process.  At only 96 pages, all I got out of it was that Henrietta is going to stay and figure out the house.  Good luck to her with so many other bodies in it. Maybe it’s all a ploy to help readers feel as confused as Henrietta.  

Michelle in the Middle 

Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to Mistaken Identity by Jarad Greene - HIGH

Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to Mistaken Identity by Jarad Greene, 162 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, Oni Press, 2020, $20. 9781620107539

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In medieval Timberwood, the royal prince and princess are about to be married. The scrolls (tabuloids) are filled with the wedding of the century.  But then the bride, Riqa, is missing.  Riqa is a great warrior and two local scullions (dishwashers in the royal castle) named Darlis and Mae, are both avid readers of her books, “The Fair Maiden’s Guide” volumes one and two, where they learn handy warrior tips.  Darlis gets mistaken for Riqa and is kidnapped by troll siblings to be held for ransom.  Mae tries to help Darlis, and together they have to combat capitalistic trolls to free themselves.

A modern medieval read filled with humor and wit, this book is a lot of fun.  Darlis and Mae are great characters and the art is bright and colorful.  A fast, fun read.

Michelle in the Middle

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White - ESSENTIAL

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White, 337 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2019.  $19.

Content: G (some fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Guinevere has arrived in Camelot to become King Arthur’s wife.  But what only Arthur knows is that Guinevere is no pampered princess bride, in fact, she isn’t even Guinevere – the girl she is has given up her name in order to protect Arthur. As she tries to navigate court life, her personal champions seem to be her handmaiden Brangien and Arthur’s nephew Mordred.  

I don’t want to give anything away.  What I want to say is that White is a master at taking what you thought was the canon of a long-lived legend and adding twists that feel true to the original and new depths. It has been a long time since White has written a book created from new whole cloth –I would love to see what original works are in that clever brain of hers.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras - OPTIONAL

The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras, 265 pages.  Kathy Dawson (Penguin), 2018.  $17.  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY:  OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Drest lives with her father and brothers at a remote Scottish highland, the youngest of the fearsome war band.  But one day everything goes awry and Drest is left alone when the others are all captured by a group of knights and taken away to be hanged.  Drest was undertake a dangerous journey and figure out some way to save her family.  As she travels, however, she picks up a few companions and learns some things that challenge her love for her family.  

Drest is heroic and her story contains many levels of surprise and growth and danger.  I know that John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice books are very popular, but I have had a hard time selling other similar books to my students.  So it’s not for lack of quality – just lack of audience.  Hand sell this to the right students.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell - ADVISABLE

Cornwell, Betsy Forest Queen, 304 pages.  Clarion (Houghton), AUG 2018.  $18.  Language: G; Mature Content: PG (implied rape); Violence: PG (some fighting).

Silvie has lives in the Loughsley mansion with her father and her older brother John all of her life, but her best friend is Bird, the son of the huntmistress and the pair run wild through the woods as often as they can.  Now that Silvie is older and her brother is taking over running everything, she is afraid of her brother and she and Bird decide it is time to run.  On their way they find a village girl hanging from the bridge and they take her with them.  Little by little other refugees find their way into the woods to join them, and soon they have a group large enough to attract the ire of the king – and big enough for John to find and attack.

Cornwell written a lovely twist on the Robin Hood legend.   The familiar characters are different in interesting ways, without losing the appeal and thread of the original.  Silvie is not Maid Marian, nor is she Robin Hood, but her character is still well-worth reading about.  You might be able to hand this to students who like John Flanagan; I wish a wider array of knight-based books were still popular, though.  This is only advisable because of popularity; quality-wise, this is essential.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen - ADVISABLE

Gaughen, A.C.  Lady Thief (Scarlet, #2), 308 pgs.  Walker Books, 2014 (Bloomsbury).  $17.99  Content: Language: PG-13 (77 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

Scarlet and Robin want to be together and protect Nottingham from the evil Prince John.  In order to save Robin, Scarlet had to follow through with her marriage to the evil Lord Gisbourne.  Now Gisbourne is forcing Scarlet to be the noble woman she is meant to be with the promise that he will grant her an annulment if she plays the part well in front of Prince John.  What Scarlet and Robin don’t expect is the opportunity to control who becomes Sheriff and what that will cost them.  

I couldn’t put this book down.  I love the quick story line and the strong characters who have good intentions in a bad world.  The violence is upsetting including a lot of physical abuse and someone gets their fingers cut off.  

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Knights of the Borrowed Dark: The Forever Court by Dave Rudden - ESSENTIAL

Rudden, Dave.  Knights of the Borrowed Dark: The Forever Court.  416 pages.  Random House, 2017.  $16.99.  Sexual Content: G.  Violence: PG.  Language: G (2 swears). 

The second book in the Knights of the Borrowed Dark series, takes place a few months after the last book.  Denizen is still struggling to connect with his mother who left him in an orphanage for thirteen years to pursue a suicidal revenge mission.  Denizen has over seventy cants in his mind, words with magical power that seem to want to be used.  But every time magic is used—there is a cost.  Mercy, the daughter of the Endless King, who Denizen helped rescue wants to meet with the Knights of the Borrowed Dark to talk peace.  The Palatine sees it as an opportunity.  Denizen sees it as a chance to see the girl he fancies.    

A new character is introduced named Uriel Croit.  He is the narrator of every other chapter.  His family lives on a hidden island and worships the Redemptress.  His twin sister Ambrel and he are both blessed with powers.  The Redemptress awakens and Uriel is disturbed at the changes in his sister.  The Redemptress wants to take over the world and doesn’t care who she hurts to do it.  The Croit family kidnaps Denizen and Uriel must pick a side to fight for.

Magic, mystery, knights, and a hint of romance.  What more could a middle-schooler want from a fantasy adventure book?  The plot moves quickly and the twists and turns all come back neatly together at the end.  Author, Dave Rudden has excellent world-building in both books, but this second one expands the reader’s understanding of the existence and the history of the Endless King, his daughter, and the Tenebrous.  Denizen continues to be a likeable character.  Uriel’s character development is the heart of his story.  How can he do what is right and still be loyal to his family?  A great book for boys (and girls).  This is the perfect series to recommend to Rick Riordan fans.    

MS-ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Have Sword Will Travel by Nix and Williams - ADVISABLE

Nix, Garth and Sean Williams Have Sword Will Travel, 288 pages.  Scholastic, 2017.  $18.  Content: G (fantasy-style fighting)

When Odo stumble upon the sword in a dried up lake outside his village, he has no idea that this long-lost magic sword will compel him to become a hero.  It’s his best friend Eleanor who wants to be a hero like her mother was.  But something fishy is going on upriver of Odo’s little village.  The water that everyone depends on has slowed to a trickle.  When the sword, Odo, and Eleanor leave to investigate, they find a conspiracy that is aimed at holding the whole countryside hostage.  What can two youngsters and one sword do against an unscrupulous enemy?

Two skilled fantasy writers team up for a fantasy novel that injects humor into the heroics – a perfect introduction to knights and swords for those who are ready for a more classic flavor to their fantasy than Harry Potter or Fablehaven.  I would love it if this brought a resurgence to some older standards that have been ignored because of the run on fantasy based in the modern world. 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Executioner’s Daughter by Jane Hardstaff - OPTIONAL

Hardstaff, Jane The Executioner’s Daughter, 255 pgs. Lerner Publishing Group, 2016. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13 (executions described, other mild violence) 

11-year-old Moss and her father are prisoners in the Tower of London.  Her father is the blacksmith but also the king’s executioner and Henry VIII keeps him busy.  It’s Moss’s job to catch the severed heads in a basket.  She hates her job, she hates her life. She wants to escape but her father seems satisfied with his lot. When a loose brick turns into a hidden passageway that leads to the river, Moss takes her chance to see the outside world.  But a promise to the Riverwitch at her birth may seal her fate to return to the river when she is twelve. 

This debut novel is full of historical people and places: the Tower of London, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The story was full of unnecessary characters who make the plot run all over the place.  Moss can hide anywhere without being noticed, easily overhear important conversations and seems to be in the right place at the right time (continually).  An interesting Middle level read if the time period is appealing - certainly not mature enough for the High School crowd.  MS - OPTIONAL  Lisa Librarian

Hero by Alethea Kontis - ESSENTIAL

Kontis, Alethea Hero, 306 p. Houghton Mifflin, 2014 (paperback).  Language: PG (6 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (glimpse of clothesless girl); Violence: PG (regular for fantasy).

Kontis’ book is now in paperback.  If you don’t own this series already, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?  Seriously – just go out and buy it right now.  Here is a link to my original review.

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher