2. Scarlet

Changing up genres a bit, we have some historical fiction. Not only that, but this novel has been gaining some notice in recent months. In the YA world, the sequel has caused quite the stir. I would conjecture that this excitement stems from the fact that this story is simply so different from the other YA novels that are coming out at this time; it is not centered on a cheesy supernatural romance and it is not dystopian, either. That makes it quite refreshing, so I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little change. 

...SPOILERS...

The tale of Robin Hood is a beloved one. It has been retold and adapted many times over the years, but Gaughen's Scarlet truly takes unique perspective on it. Transferring Robin to the role of a side character, albeit a prominent one, the author makes the infamous Will Scarlet the narrator. More importantly, the mysterious and moody Scarlet is a girl in this reimagined classic. While lending new insight into the Merry Men's escapades, a feminine Scarlet also changes the entire story. She suddenly has a vicious, jilted fiancé and greedy, royal parents. Her role as a female also creates the subplot of Robin and his friend Little John fighting over her. Still, she is a tough heroine. She (at least originally) has no time or patience for romance, choosing instead to focus on aiding the poor. She maintains her stubbornness in doing the right thing. She is a fairly likable character, but my biggest complaint is in her accent. Considering the fact that her character is meant to be from England, he accent is terribly off. It is awkward and stilted, like a parody of a hillbilly who cannot understand proper subject-verb agreement. But after overlooking that, the plot becomes enjoyable. There is suspense and action and a take-charge protagonist. The storyline moves along quickly, and the novel is exciting. I'm glad I was captivated enough by the cover to pick up the novel, because it was well worth the read.