The Traitor of Sherwood Forest, Amy S. Kaufman
The Traitor of Sherwood Forest, Amy S. Kaufman
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The Traitor of Sherwood Forest

Author: Amy S. Kaufman

Narrator: Grace Gray

Unabridged: 13 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 04/29/2025


Synopsis

An immersive, sultry, heart-pounding historical reimagining of the Robin Hood ballads, told through the piercing eyes of one of his spies.

Jane Crowe is an ordinary peasant girl who never dreamed she would work for the infamous Lord of the Greenwood. But when she’s forced out of her home, she has no choice but to turn to Robin Hood for help—and he makes her an irresistible offer. He needs a pair of eyes in the King’s Houses, and quiet, unassuming Jane—who has spent her whole life going unnoticed—will be the perfect spy.

At first, Jane’s work for Robin seems straightforward. She whispers to him about the nobles at King’s Houses and all their secrets, including the new Sheriff of Nottingham, who would like nothing more than to see Robin Hood’s head on a spike. But the more Jane is drawn into Robin’s world, the more she’s drawn to Robin himself—a man as charismatic as he is cunning, capable of plucking at her heart as easily as he notches an arrow. As Robin’s tricks grow increasingly dangerous, and shockingly violent, Jane starts to suspect that her hero cares more about his own legacy than helping the common people—and that despite his declarations of affection, he sees her as just another object to be stolen.

When Robin’s schemes implicate Jane in a brutal murder, she must decide: is she a prize to be won, a pawn to be used and discarded—or is she an equal player in the game between nobles and thieves?

About The Author

Amy S. Kaufman has a Ph.D. in medieval literature and writes about medieval history, myths, and legends. She currently resides in Vancouver, Canada.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Farda on November 10, 2024

4 Stars First off, thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is a refreshing take on the Robin Hood legend, nestled among a sea of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and other familiar retellings. And I must say, it was beautiful. I love how everythin......more

Goodreads review by Zoë on June 05, 2025

not my hot fox childhood boyfriend being evil and manipulative......more

Goodreads review by Emily on April 08, 2025

Read this if you like retellings, medieval settings, and heists with con men. I knew this was going to be a treat when I saw the author was also a medieval scholar. The setting was so captivating, and I loved how all the details tied it all together. The descriptions of the forest and the churches w......more

Goodreads review by DianaRose on May 12, 2025

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc! 3.5 stars this was an interesting retelling of robin hood through the eyes of a young woman who is recruited by robin hood to assist in his missions, and eventually becomes enamored by his charismatic and beguiling personality. our fmc jane crowe is torn......more

Goodreads review by Lola on November 25, 2024

Thank you so much Penguin for this ARC!! This was absolutely spectacular in every way. I can’t praise it enough. It was so phenomenal it made me wish I had been much stingier with my five star ratings earlier in the year so that this one truly stood alone. The pacing, in my opinion, was quicker than......more


Quotes

"Kaufman has a PhD in medieval literature and kicks this debut novel up a notch by introducing readers to a more authentic version of the Robin Hood legend. With engaging and emotionally relatable characters, both fictional and based on real-life historical figures, Kaufman’s story provides the right details to establish daily life and expectations or limitations of different social stations. The right amount of historical background and subtle inclusion of period-appropriate combat combine to make this action-adventure story a unique exploration of human relationships and growth. Fans of thought-provoking historical fiction and compelling characters will enjoy this book." —Library Journal, starred review

"[A] fascinating retelling of the tale of Robin Hood…” —Booklist

“Peasant girl Jane Crowe enters the dappled glades of Sherwood Forest seeking safety and freedom. Instead she stumbles upon a darkly woven web of danger, deceit, and violence with none other than Robin Hood at its center. Kaufman paints fresh shadows upon an ancient tale, entwining new characters with old history for a satisfying and compelling read.” —Liz Michalski, author of Darling Girl

"A dazzling tapestry of history and legend, this is Sherwood Forest as you’ve never seen it: through a woman’s eyes. Kaufman delivers a medieval England so real, so full of light and shadows and nuanced characters, you can’t help but wonder if this is what really happened." —Mary McMyne, author of The Book of Gothel and A Rose By Any Other Name