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Scarlet (King Raven book 2) by Stephen R. Lawhead
02/02/2008 . Source: RJ Barker 
pub: Atom/Little Brown. 427 page enlarged paperback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-904233-72-5). Buy Scarlet in the USA - or Buy Scarlet in the UK  check out websites: Atom Books www.littlebrown.co.uk and www.stephenlawhead.com
William Scatlocke, known as Scarlet, has been captured by the forces of Abbot Hugo and Count de Broase in abortive attempt to kidnap Sherrif De Glanville. While waiting for his neck stretch, Scarlet tells his story to the monk, Odo. As Will reflects on his adventures, he realises a conspiracy is afoot that may win back the lands for the Welshmen he has come to love. We follow Scarlet's adventures, in his own words, from the point he is driven from the north by land-hungry Normans, down through England to join the band of Rhi Bran Tha Hud. Will tells us of his meeting and final acceptance by the band up to his part in the abortive kidnap. From there, we follow Will as he's rescued and runs with the men of the Hood to France where they put the conspiracy in front of the king, William the Red.
The book takes place a short time after the events of book one, 'Hood', enough time for the robber band to have truly made themselves a thorn in the side of the occupying Norman forces.
Where the forerunner to this, 'Hood', is a very good book, 'Scarlet' is a wonderful one. Mostly, its told in the first person, which is a form I love, but one that relies entirely on the voice used to present it. If the voice is unbelievable or dislikeable the book will fail. Thankfully, Will Scarlet is a wonderful chap. As a narrator he's concise, wry and amusing when telling his tale which makes the whole thing a pleasure to read. Really good first person writing is an art-form. When done well you find yourself within someone else's mind and Lawhead manages this with aplomb.
He's also clever with his characters. There are no black and whites in this book, everyone is different shades of gray. As with 'Hood' even the often reprehensible actions of the Normans are understandable. One of the best characters in the book is the Norman priest, Odo. His gradual warming to and eventual siding with Will is believable and extremely well-handled but it's really just one of the many highlights in this book.
The history is impeccable and this is much closer to historical fiction than fantasy. These fantasy elements are, as in 'Hood', subtle and understated and it's the action of men that really counts in this book. There are some wonderful sequences. A particular favourite of mine is Lawhead's clever re-working of the 'archery competition' scene from the original myth which he twists in a particularly pleasing manner.
As with films, the second of a trilogy can be a tricky book for the writer and an unsatisfying read for the reader but 'Scarlet' delivers and does it in spades. This could well be Lawhead's finest work to date and has really left me champing at the bit to get hold of 'Tuck', the final work of the trilogy.
RJ Barker
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