I received a free copy in exchange for a free review! Thank you to the publisher!

Marian's betrothed, the boy she grew up with, learned the bow with, and who she could be herself with, is dead. Robin of Locksley, who had only just begun to be Robin Hood, will never return to marry Marian or champion the people.

So Marian does it herself. Donning the green cloak, the mask, and the bow, Marian chooses to pretend Robin is still alive, his death but a ruse to confuse the cold-eyed Guy of Gisborne and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

But Gisborne is smart and may prove to be Marian's biggest challenge as his eyes seem to see right into her soul.

It looks like Robin Hood tales will be on the upswing again, especially those with "feminist" twists. Well, this is the first I've read in the new batch and it was amazing. It is a very cerebral story, set mostly in Marian's head as she plays a deadly game of misdirection. I thoroughly enjoyed the back-flashes in Robin's POV and there is an awesome slow-burn romance you can see building throughout the story.

So much fun.