A female Muslim soldier turned thief, with a loyal band of followers, travels through the Holy Land during the Crusades in this rousing retelling of the legend of Robin Hood.
In the summer of 1191, during the Third Crusade, Muslim female soldiers Rahma al-Hud and her sister, Zeena, are ordered to abandon their post at the city of Akko after the barbarian Faranji arrive. Rahma is homebound, but Zeena wants to defend Jerusalem from the "false Queen Isabella." On their journey, they collect a "band of merry misfits": Teni, a Mongolian clan member; Viva, a Jewish poet-scientist; John, a chaplain; and Majid, Rahma's childhood friend turned spy. Rahma becomes known as the "Green Hood," a mysterious thief wearing a green hooded mantle who "gives away her plunder." Because of her do-gooder ways, Rahma may be able to end this war--that is, if she can outwit a queen, a king and a sultan.
Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi (Tell Me How You Really Feel) is wholly original in its cultural perspective and its centering of strong female characters. While fans of the English folk hero will find much that's familiar, including the roles of Rahma's crew and the heists they carry out, Safi infuses new themes into her version. By creating an almost all-female cast, Safi makes women the heart of her story at a time when they were seen as a "bargaining chip." Though the story is told mostly from Rahma's perspective, readers get glimpses of Queen Isabella's struggles against the patriarchy. These viewpoints, combined with diverse characters and thrilling adventure, make Safi's retelling stand out. --Lana Barnes, freelance reviewer and proofreader