Summary:
King Raven has brought hope to the oppressed people of Wales–and fear to their Norman overlords. Along the way Friar Tuck has been the stalwart supporter of King Raven–bringing him much-needed guidance, wit, and faithful companionship.
Deceived by the self-serving King William and hunted by the treacherous Abbot Hugo and Sheriff de Glanville, Rhi Bran is forced to take matters into his own hands as King Raven. Aided by Tuck and his small but determined band of forest-dwelling outlaws, he ignites a rebellion that spreads through the Welsh valleys, forcing the wily monarch to marshal his army and march against little Elfael.
Filled with unforgettable characters, breathtaking suspense, and rousing battle scenes, Stephen R. Lawhead’s masterful retelling of the Robin Hood legend reaches its stunning conclusion in Tuck. Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Lawhead’s trilogy conjures up an ancient past while holding a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood.
My Review:
This was the best book of the trilogy, hands down. Friar Tuck has always been one of my favorite characters in the Robin Hood stories – but he was almost replaced by a new character introduced in Tuck – that of Alan a’Dale. Lawhead did a beautiful job of writing this character and I found myself searching for as much of him as I possibly could throughout the story.
Everything must come to an end, and a satisfying end this was. I loved Tuck’s role in the resolution (even though it did seem a bit far-fetched) but even more I loved Lawhead’s explanation of where the inspiration came from.
I haven’t spoken about this on the other two books, but each of these books Lawhead gives a short 5-6 page history lesson on some of the more fantastic things we, the readers, have read about in each book. Tuck was no exception – and if anything has me already researching books to read that will give me more knowledge on the battles Lawhead described.
A worthy trilogy and a fine introduction to Lawhead. My only complaint is the pace can move a bit slowly – and I’m hoping that is something that doesn’t happen in his other series as well.
