Tag Archives: meagan spooner

Book Reviews – March 2026

27 Mar

Welcome back once again my friends, to the monthly book review!

I’ve been blessed to be able to read stories put out by friends of mine -how fun to get to review them here! Grab a cup of tea, read through this little post and share with me what you’ve been reading lately! I always love to talk books!

The Noach Project: Navigating the Path of The Seven Noahide Laws: Stories, Key Lessons, and Resources by Leba Bat Noah – I don’t normally pull from the internet for a synopsis, but she’s written it just so well… here you are. – a collection of twenty-four powerful and deeply personal stories from individuals around the world who chose a different path: one of truth, moral clarity, and connection to Hashem. These are not tales of instant enlightenment but of hard-won insight, of wrestling with faith, walking through grief, and choosing meaning over comfort. Each story sheds light on the often unseen journey of Noahides, non-Jews who embrace the Seven Laws of Noah, drawn from the Torah’s eternal blueprint for humanity. Through their voices we witness both the beauty and the cost of leaving behind inherited beliefs, the struggles of living “between worlds,” and the strength it takes to build a life rooted in divine truth.

~This is a very special book for a niche audience. I did enjoy reading the stories of each person’s journey to their chosen faith. The book was well written and put together – a simply lovely book to hold. I did have some reservations about the terminology that was used by some of the interviewees – ‘christian’ is a very broad term and having grown up in it myself, what they were describing wasn’t anything I’ve ever seen in the faith. I’m not implying that their experiences weren’t what they were, I think that some specificity might have been helpful? I don’t know, maybe not. It was heartbreaking, as always, to hear how people of faith hurt and damage other people, while using that faith as a weapon. But, it was lovely to hear how the interviewees found peace and faith. Recommend to those who have either found the noachide faith for themselves or are close with those who have.

~~The author is a dear friend of mine.

Forest Flight by Tim Maddox – when a nobleman’s daughter is attacked on the road, she’s suddenly in a chase for her life. Running and hiding through the woods to safety, there are countless obstacles in her path, but her pursuers draw closer. Eventually, she’ll have to stand and fight. But does she have the strength left for what it takes?

~This was a delightful short story. And the cover is gorgeous. This felt like the beginning of a robin hood retelling, somehow. Which I loved. But, I very much enjoyed following her flight and pursuit through the woods and the ending was very nice. Definitely recommend.

~~Tim’s a fellow pnw author that I’ve met at a couple of author events! His clean stories are mostly fantasy and I’m thoroughly enjoying all I’ve read so far.

Remember My Royalty by Hannah E. Griggs- Hamish McGregor and his sisters, Catriona and Ealasaid must leave their homeland of Scotland and travel to America to live with their uncle in Texas. They promise eachother that they won’t forget – ‘s rioghal mo dhream, my race is royal. But life in Texas is hard for each of them, and they must decide whether the fighting surrounding them will come between them or if they’ll turn to the King for victory?

~I loved how this story was steeped in history, and so much of it that I didn’t know. Yes, I’d learned about the Alamo in school, but…
I liked how we followed the siblings from their homeland of Scotland on their journey to a new life and a new land.
Highly recommend for lovers of historical, faith-based stories!

~~Hannah is a lovely friend I’ve met through King’s Daughters’ Writing Camp! She writes mostly middle-grade Christian fiction.

The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan – When memories become legend that turn to myth that then turn to something long forgotten, the Third Age is on the brink of destruction. The Shadow is covering all, and only a few know the Prophecies to try and fight it.

~It had been several years since I’d read this and man the rollercoaster! All the things that happen! WHEW! Lan is still a favorite. Nynaeve I actually found a bit more… abrasive than my first read, but remembering some of her story later on, it didn’t bother me toooo much? Rand and Egwene’s concern for each other was so touching. Meeting Min was fun. Adore Tam al Thor. Trollocs look like Orcs in my mind’s eye, Fades look like the Ringwraiths and so on – but I think it’s helping me follow the story better. Keeping track of all the different story lines is the biggest thing with this series I think! Highly recommend if you enjoy Tolkien, with the caution that I wouldn’t recommend this for younger readers, as the fighting is rather intense and there are some slightly ‘sensual’ scenes (whether they’re in this one specifically, I can’t just now remember… but I do remember they’re in future books)

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner – Maid Marian never meant to stand in Robin of Locksley’s footsteps. But when news comes that he’s died – and the Sheriff’s laws are ever more unjust and the people need protection… Besides, the terrible Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand man, is waiting to step in not only as Lord of Locksley but also as Marian’s fiancé. Marian dons the green cloak and her sword and chooses to become her own Robin Hood.

~ This was a reread for me. I adore a good Robin Hood retelling. And this one is up there – it’s got all the necessary characters – Marian, Guy, Little John, Much, etc. But included are a whole other cast that bring the story to life – her father, Elena, Will, Allen, etc… The only caveat is there is one scene, one small section out of the whole tale that is a little more sensual in nature that I skip over but it also causes me to recommend you pre-read it if wanting to gift it, or have your teenager read it. If you want to read a full review, click here!

Currently Reading:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (dramatic reading, Spotify)

Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse (audiobook, Librivox) – I’ve really fallen off listening to this!

In The Reeds by Tim Maddox

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry

Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell

Hopeful Upcomings:

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

~Laura

~I’m trying out a larger size font on this post. What do you think?

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Sherwood by Meagan Spooner Book Review

26 Oct

I love a good fairy tale.

I also love a good fairy tale re-telling. And that’s exactly what this one is. Spooner has a way of taking a classic story and weaving something new out of it – while keeping the spirit of the original tale in tact. If you read my review of Hunted, you already know that I was eager to read more of this author. Well, she did NOT disappoint, you guys! She did it again with this rendition of Robin Hood – but from Maid Marian’s point of view.

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Here’s the synopsis right from the book:

Robin of Locksley is dead.

Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé.

Who is there to stop them?

Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero: Robin Hood.

 

 

And here are a few of my favorite quotes:

 

“Who are you to say that being a lady, in itself, is not its own kind of war.”

“The soul knew the target. All Marian had to do was welcome the bow to herself, let it become her heart and the arrow her voice, and then step out of the way.”

“It’s easy to be a hero when you never look beyond your next battle.”

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Once again, we get to see not just Marian’s side of the story, but Robin’s as well. Filling in gaps and letting us get to know Marian even better, Spooner once again weaves a tale full of adventure, intrigue and romance (major and minor) between her characters. So much was unexpected in this story of the classic tale that I cannot wait to read it again. Honestly, I’ll probably be starting it again today to read before I have to return it to the library next week.

As someone who has always been intrigued about archery (I’d absolutely love to take lessons one day), it was a fun element of the story for me. The side characters were well done as well – even the changes of Little John were good. Her little band of ‘merry men’ and her maid (love her!) who supported her and sought to do what was right.

Now, there was a few paragraphs that I got concerned just how far Spooner was going to take the scene of kissing, but she kept it ‘kosher’ as we say here in my house. There’s also talk of remembering holding the other/kissing/ etc but nothing overtly sexual. If you have a teen, I’d recommend reading it beforehand, just so you know what’s in it. But, otherwise, it’s mild – which is the only way I’ll read it!

Also, there were a few curse words near the end. I remember wondering at her choice to all of a sudden use them when she hadn’t the other 400 pages…

My overall feeling of this book? It’s made it to my Favorite Reads of this Year, just like Hunted did.  I definitely plan on owning it once the price comes down – this was published this year (2019).  The world building was good – whether in the forest, her home, or in Nottingham. There weren’t too many (or too few) characters to keep track of and each main and important side ones were well thought out, in my opinion. As I said, there were enough plot twists that I really didn’t see coming so the ending was a pleasant surprise.

~side note, it’s rare when I read a newly published book so this was kinda cool for me!~

I created a board on Pinterest for archery costumes (this is what happens when you stay up really late after finishing a really good book) if you’re interested, check it out! 

While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers.

If you’ve got any fairy tale re-tellings to recommend, I’d love to hear them!

~Laura

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Hunted by Meagan Spooner Review

26 Jul

If you’ve been around SGL for a while, you probably know that I really enjoy a good retelling of fairy tales ( I’ll link some of my reviews of retellings at the bottom of this post). My friend and I found this book at Powell’s bookstore and I immediately said ‘we’ve got to get this’. I mean, look at that gorgeous cover! And when you read the synopsis, I’m sure you’ll understand why I was instantly hooked.

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I’ve never read Meagan Spooner before but I’m now eager to try more of her books. I know, of course that sometimes, there’s just one book that I’ll love of an author. I really liked the different twists given on this timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast. It’s been weeks since I finished it and I’m still thinking about it. Which means I’m likely to pick this up again soon. Yes. It really was that good.

I’m going to pull the synopsis straight from the back of the book for you:

“Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones – and in her blood. 

Here in the wilderness Yeva is under no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas… or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. Here she feels one with the ebb and flow of life. Here she is home. 

But when Yeva’s father goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey : the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.

Deaf to her sister’s protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory – a cursed valley, a ruined castle and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin, or salvation.”

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Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

“She moves like beauty, she whispers to us of wind and forest—and she tells us stories, such stories that we wake in the night, dreaming dreams of a life long past. she reminds us of what we used to be. She reminds us of what we could be.”

“She was so tired after all. Tired of fairy tales, and magic, and empty castles. Tired of wanting so intensely that she didn’t know what she wanted.”

“The satisfaction of desires sated was short and pale in comparison to the dream of wanting.”

Getting little snippets from the Beast’s side added so much to the tale, and gave us a chance to see the Beast more fully than just a selfish man having to pay a heavy price until someone comes to, basically, rescue him. His story is just as important as Beauty’s and getting to read his feelings about his transformation, about Beauty and…well, all of it, was great.

I appreciated the moral lesson that Spooner wove through the tale. She also seems to have taken inspiration from classic fairy tales that were darker and … well, more full of death. But she did it well. There isn’t any overly done, gross scenes in regard to hunting – there are descriptions of course but Spooner doesn’t get graphic with the telling.

There isn’t any sex scenes- thank you so much for that Meagan! – I appreciate a YA novel that has a good romance story without feeling the need to go to that level.

I did feel that this book could have been longer. It might have been a bit slow in pace (not that I minded) but I did feel that just all of a sudden you were at the ending. I’d have liked either a better balance or the book just enough longer that I wasn’t left going (near the end) with a – ‘wait, what?’

Thankfully, this wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me, I’m able to overlook it because she showed us a strong character in Beauty with enviable hunting skills ; a beautiful world set in old Russia ; a Beast that’s trying and Beauty’s sisters were fully rounded characters that, honestly, I’d love to read more of. I’ll add that the book didn’t end where I was going ‘wait, what?’ and that helped a lot, I think. She finished out the story a bit, leaving that bitter taste a bit diluted.

I’ve read that she’s working on a novel titled “Sherwood” and you can bet that I’m going to be reading that one. This novel has definitely made it to my favorite reads for this year. And, if you’re interested, here’s a few other retellings that I’ve read and loved over the years.

Wildwood Dancing  by Juliet Marillier

Beauty by Robin Mckinley

Spindle’s End by Robin Mckinley

~Laura

Do you love retellings? Have any favorites? I’d absolutely love to hear about them!

 

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