Review – Wolf’s Head by Steven McKay

I’m on a mythology/historical fiction run at the moment, and seriously, who doesn’t love Robin Hood? Remember all those movies over the years giving different portrayals of the lovable rogue? This one is different. Quite different. This one goes mostly for historical accuracy, hence it’s dark. But don’t let that put you off.

We start with a young Robin (17 or so), not the heroic Knight Templar, but essentially a country bumpkin who takes umbrage with an abbot who tries to take his ladyfriend, Matilda, to work in his brothels. Robin escapes from the abbot’s guards, but now has a price on his head, so he escapes to Barnsdale Forest (Yorkshire). He can no longer go home, so he seeks out the local outlaw bunch, with all the big names – Will Scarlet, Little John and so forth – who are led by the mysterious Adam Bell. They take him in and train him to be one of their gang. And the legend begins…

This is a interesting take on Robin. The mystical side, with Hearne the Hunter and so forth, is pushed rudely aside early on in favour of political intrigue and heists. This is a harsh world they live in. Food is scarce and the common people are starving, while the nobles live like fat cats in their castles. Robin and his men do steal from the rich and give to the poor, but it’s not an act of charity, more a move to keep the people on their side.

There is action aplenty, but not the silly sword fights we’ve become accustomed to. Blood is spilled, people die agonising deaths and even a scratch can be fatal. The cast are likeable, but there is no failure on the author’s part to point out that they are killers, some more bloodthirsty than others. They are, in fact, little better than the actual bad guys.

I mentioned political intrigue. There is more than just anti-church (it is corrupt) sentiment here. This is post-Norman invasion Britain, where the Saxons resent the current status quo, while the Normans are at war with the pesky Scots. Caught in the middle, Sir Richard (aha!) is trying to organise a rebellion against the current King Edward (II).

The author does take a couple of liberties with historical facts, but defends it well, in my opinion. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was rock solid, doing a great job with a lot of characters and handling the tone well.

Before I sign off – be warned! This is not your Disney Robin Hood. This is a bunch of boozy, sweary thugs and the story is bloody and bleak. In saying that, I loved the old Michael Praed/Jason Connery Robin Hood TV show back in the 80s, so this could be second favourite retelling yet. Roll on book two – 4.5/5 stars.