Title: Lady Thief Series: Scarlet #2
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Published: February 11, 2014
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Page Count: 312
Rating:
Summary from Goodreads:Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.
Way, way back in Ye Olden Days of my review writing experience, I encountered a debut novel, Scarlet, and I loved it crazily and mightily and all that. And then Scarlet got popular, and then…there was a sequel. And, to be honest, I just sort of wrinkled my nose, because a) I don’t like series or surprise sequels and b) I didn’t even think that Gaughen’s debut even warranted a sequel. For me, the story was complete.
So I didn’t read Lady Thief when it came out, because, just…why? But then I figured I’d better read it just in case, since I had loved the original novel so much. Which brings us to this review.
In short: my gut instinct was right.
Everything I enjoyed most about Scarlet is absent from Lady Thief. Which is not to say that this is a bad book—far from it. But rather than just being a simple gender-bending Robin Hood retelling, Gaughen is now getting a little too far away from where I’m comfortable. Honestly, Scarlet/Marian herself is starting to feel a little too Special Snowflakey, and the things I liked about her in the first book are much harder to find here.
What all this comes down to, really, is that Gaughen is making her plot more dramatic and “intense” and far-reaching, but it’s just getting ridiculous. Now, not only is Scarlet a noblewoman in disguise who’s an excellent thief and knife-thrower, she’s also…well. Read the book. But it was too much, and I’m finding her character hard to enjoy.
The other characters are equally not as fun. Robin himself has always been problematic, since he called Scarlet a “whore” in the first book. I keep finding other male characters to be much better/interesting love interests, which is generally a sign of the romance going flat. I honestly got sick of all the kissing and gushy scenes in Lady Thief. Just, like…give it a rest, dudes.
I also got sick of Scarlet’s husband, Gisbourne, continually beating her up. Like, okay, we get it, he’s awful, but repeating the same punches and slaps and bruises every other chapter is getting the plotline nowhere. (Side note: Gisbourne was by far the most interesting character out of the lot for me, and I was upset with where the book leaves him.)
Is A.C. Gaughen a good writer? Sure. Are girls with knives and attitudes great? Sure.
But did the very wonderful Scarlet really need a sequel, especially one like Lady Thief? I really don’t think so.
