“☆ A fiercely female, feminist take on the traditional legend.”
The Forest Queen
From a New York Times bestselling author, a fresh, female-centered take on “Robin Hood” in which a young noblewoman, like the legendary hero, becomes an outlaw fighting for social justice. Perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and Sarah J. Maas.
When 18-year-old Silvie’s brother takes over management of their family’s vast estates, Silvie feels powerless to stop his abuse of the local commoners. Her dearest friend asks her to run away to the woods with him, and soon a host of other villagers join them. Together, they form their own community and fight to right the wrongs perpetrated by the king and his noblemen. Perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings or anyone who loves a strong female lead, this gorgeously-written take on the Robin Hood tale goes beyond the original’s focus on economic justice to explore love, gender, the healing power of nature, and what it means to be a family.
Praise for The Forest Queen:
“With all the traditional players naturally recast as women, it becomes a fiercely female, feminist take on the traditional legend. It’s a lush, lovely exploration of the bonds of a community as one girl learns about her own privilege, and, eventually, her strength.”
“An inspiring, female-centric retelling of the classic medieval ballad of Robin Hood.”
“This book brings to light a strong female lead who learns the meaning of caring about others in the community . . . a great read with parallels to current events.”
“The inspiring ethos, brisk pace, and genuinely thrilling climax all hold attention.”
“An exciting and empowering fairy tale retelling starring a fierce heroine you will love cheering on.”
“Sylvie and her mission to redistribute wealth among the people of Loughsley are easy to root for, but the additional focus on gender roles, womanhood, and the idea of community as family are what set this retelling apart. Strong secondary characters help to challenge Sylvie and force her to take a strong stand against a system that she would otherwise benefit from, and parallels can be drawn from the injustices in the story to those of today’s world.”
“An inspired and inspiring feminist rewrite of the Robin Hood legend . . . All readers will find Cornwell’s new queen of the greenwood a powerful and sympathetic hero for our time and all times.”
“A cracking adventure read. The writing is fluid and filled with meaning; at times cinematic, with a high-paced rhythm that takes the reader on a brisk ride to a gripping climax.A thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you wanting more.”
“Cornwell has 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 . . . quality-wise, this is essential.”
“An absolute treat. It’s a story about claiming your own freedom, and with that comes responsibility for your actions and a refusal of ignorance . . . And on top of that it’s just an utterly charming book, written with delicacy and strength.”
“One of the best fantasy books I’ve read in ages; I loved the storyline, the characters, the narrative – I loved everything.”
“A book that oozes with female power and freedom of thought. Every page is filled with action, the fear of the unknown, and even a bit of romance. You all are going to love this one.”
“Stays true to the heart of Robin Hood by telling the story of a hero rising up to defend the people . . . The Forest Queen is the perfect read for fans of Robin Hood, strong heroes, and adventure.”
“Straight talk for librarians: The Forest Queen has earned a new position next to Stand on the Sky on the shelf of my favorite books. I am so captivated by this book. Cornwell has woven love into each page, through fear, anxiety, heartbreak, and betrayal. . . . I can’t praise this book enough.”