While “Robin of the Hode” is mentioned in this novel, the main character is 17-year-old Lady Merry Ellison who, like Robin, leads a band of men (or, rather, teenage boys) and lives hidden in the forest. And there are some girls in the group as well. They are not called the Merry Men; they are known as the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest. They rob from the rich so they can survive. Merry’s father was stripped of his lands and title before being executed for plotting against the evil King John for refusing to honor the Charter of Liberties, leaving her an orphan. The attack on her town leaves quite a few children orphaned, so they band together with Merry as their leader. She vows she will do whatever it takes to protect these children. Everything she has experienced has caused her to question the existence of God. She believes she can only rely on herself. Will she find her way back to faith?

Meanwhile, Timothy Grey, ninth child of a baron, has no chance of inheriting a title or anything else. His dream is to do something extraordinary and elevate his status to ‘legend.’ Lord Windermere gives Grey the chance by tasking him with being in charge of his castle… and capturing the Ghosts of Farthingale. But there is someone else trying to capture the Ghosts, if only to keep Grey from further elevation… ( )

In this spirited twist on Robin Hood, Lady Merry steals the necessities to protect the town’s orphans while Timothy Grey hopes to find the hunted fugitive Merry to earn him the title he craves. Then, he meets Merry. Will Merry escape or will Timonthy turn her in?

Merrie Olde England is not so merry during the time of King John. Many know the Robin Hood legend in which the noble Robin robs from the rich in order to take care of the poor oppressed by John and his sheriffs. Building on this framework, but with a fresh voice, Dina Sleiman’s Dauntless takes the reader into a time of chivalry and honor, with an endearing young heroine determined to protect the most vulnerable. The first book in her Valiant Hearts series, Dauntless presents the story of Lady Merrie Ellison and her Ghosts, the children of her village left orphaned by the ruthlessness of King John. They live by their wits in the forest hoping to one day re-enter society.

Dauntless is a YA novel that will appeal to high school girls. Main character Merrie Ellison is a courageous and determined young woman who doesn’t let her weaker sex keep her from protecting those she loves. Smart and talented in the ways of defense, she leads her band while eluding detection from the kings’s men. There certainly is danger in the forest, and Merrie must use her wits and her loyal men to escape from her childhood friend Timothy. The characters are wonderful, and the romantic thread is just right. The adventures of the group keep the pages turning. Historical details abound and add a depth of authenticity. Merrie wrestles with injustice leading her to reject God as impotent or cruel. That struggle is the main thrust of the spiritual thread woven throughout the novel.

I liked Dauntless and would not hesitate to recommend it. There are two more novels in the series as well — lots of reading adventures!

Recommended.

Audience: young adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Eh, it was "okay." It's a good clean read. The plot was fair and the dialogue was okay. Nothing outstanding unfortunately. I didn't really feel that "connection" I often look for in a good book. To be honest, this isn't a book I'd keep. ( )

I was not sure I would make of this novel before I read it. Dance of the Dandelion, the author’s debut novel published a few years ago really was not my cup of tea, but this one sounded promising and I had heard good things about it. I have to say I was pleased with what I read. It is a well written, Robin Hood like story plenty of action, adventure and romance, with a strong female lead, and a host of memorable and lovable supporting characters. I warmed to Allen- who I believe is the hero of the next story, and sweet little Wrenny.
The girl in a traditionally male role in the medieval period had the potential to be problematic- yet I felt that Merry Ellison’s personality and characteristics were generally plausible and fitted in with the time period. There is evidence that women could use bows, and even on occasion led forces of soldiers into battle. She is strong, independent and a leader, but it not too militant or feministic. Nor is she confident in her abilities to the point of conceit- but worked with men and was prepared to accept help.

I also felt that Mrs Sleiman carried off the English setting well. Some novel in this genre written by Americans tend to be peopled by ostensibly British characters who just don’t cut the mustard, because they are very Americanized in their speech or attitudes. Or else some writers just display an obvious lack of knowledge for British culture or geography. Yet this Brit can confidently assert that this was not the case here.

The romance was clean without being overly mushy, and the plot was straightforward enough for the genre without being too predictable or simplistic. Generally, the story also seemed to be historically accurate and authentic- though I was a little concerned by the reference to the works of Terry Jones in the historical note, who is not considered the most accurate or reliable source by many historians.

I did spot a few issues, however. One was the frequent mention of ‘Divine Right of Kings’, a concept which was actually invented by the Stuart Kings in the 1600s and did not exist in the Middle - Ages.
I also felt that Merry’s religious doubts seemed rather too modern- and I do think the character who has ceased to believe in God because bad things happened to them is something of a cliché of the Christian Fiction genre.
Her beliefs about equality of the classes and monarchy also seemed to owe more to the modern age than the medieval age. Having a Medieval character who cares for the poor is one thing, but a medieval person expecting their fellows to espouse democratic and egalitarian ideals is a bit much.
Also, I did think the idea that nobles could just have criminals sumarily hanged didn't seem whoolly plausible- I thought that even peasants were supposed to have some sort of trial in the local courts that existed at that tme.

Generally, however, I really enjoyed this story and would happily read again and share it with a teenage reader. Thoroughly recommended.
I received an electronic version of this book free from the publisher and Netgalley for review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
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