The legendary Sherwood Forest sets the stage for Eva Howard's winning adventure series debut, League of Archers.
Twelve-year-old Ellie Dray is a novice nun in Kirklees Abbey, but when the sun sets, she escapes to the woods. There, she joins with her League of Archers, four friends whose illegal poaching on the ruthless baron's land is inspired by Robin Hood and his Merry Men. No one has heard from the controversial hero in the years since the Merry Men disbanded, but the League is determined to follow his example of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, noting that "It's not the man that's important, it's what he stands for." One night, Ellie encounters a mysterious archer in the forest, only to see him shot by an arrow. Ellie leads the arrow-poisoned man to the abbey, where the abbess reveals her true identity as Maid Marian: "And this man was Robin Hood." Soon the villainous baron arrives to arrest Marian, confiscate Robin Hood's body, and falsely accuse Ellie as his assassin. Now an outlaw, Ellie will need the League's help to clear her name and save the day.
Rife with fights and flights, the action-packed League of Archers is a fantastic addition to the Robin Hood canon. Ellie is a delightful heroine. Gentle Marian tells her, "You remind me of Robin in so many ways--his spirit, his faith in himself. And his shooting arm, I think." Surprise cameos from legendary figures coupled with the nostalgic style of Howard's writing keep the spirit of Robin Hood alive and well. --Kyla Paterno, former children's & YA book buyer