Review: Outlawed by Margaret McNellis

I received an advanced review copy of this book for free from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Series: Heroes of Sherwood #2
Pages: 259

Synopsis

Can Alys restore the Lion’s Heart to England’s throne?

Alys Fletcher Hood is leaving Nottinghamshire and England for the first time in her life, on a quest to save King Richard the Lionhearted from captivity following the end of his crusade. But she’s not the only one racing to find the king, and when her journey over the waters ends abruptly, she faces new challenges and meets new friends on her journey.

Charged with leading warriors in greater numbers than ever before, Alys’s attempt to win the king’s freedom takes an unexpected turn, and the king himself orders Alys to return to England and protect her people until he can return.

Back in Nottingham, can Alys rally the Merry Many to restore justice when it means standing against not only family but also the prince and legal regent of the land? Alys must choose between protecting those whom she loves and fighting for what’s right.

My Thoughts…

Alys Fletcher Hood is an outlaw with a mission: to free King Richard the Lionhearted from imprisonment at the hands of the Holy Roman Emperor. To do so, she will have to leave her home, England, for the first time in her life, embarking on a perilous journey to Almany. With numerous obstacles in her way, unexpected encounters and new friendships, Alys will need to make some extremely difficult choices and, above all, she will need to learn to trust herself.

Picking up right where The Red Fletch left off, Outlawed is a solid second book in the series allowing the reader to spend more time with Alys as she travels across Europe to reach and free her King. Where the first book was fast-paced and filled with twists and turns, Outlawed takes a step back, using the long journey to allow space for reflection and providing a deep dive into Alys’s mind as she wrestles with the morality of her actions thus far and her overwhelming feelings of guilt.

The cast of secondary characters is greatly reduced for the most part, which really allows for the focus to be solely on Alys, without sacrificing some truly beautiful relationships and exchanges. Alys’s internal conflict is the centre of the novel and is depicted with great care and detail. Unfortunately, this does mean that, at least for the first part, the pace is at times frustratingly slow and certain passages (while probably realistic in this context) can feel quite repetitive. Still, the story really picks up around the halfway mark, fully rewarding readers for their patience as it delivers an incredibly satisfying conclusion to Alys’s character arc (for now).

The settings are as beautifully constructed as in the first book, and it is almost possible to breathe the medieval air through the clear, detailed descriptions. The author really showcases her historical research and expertise in the field while managing to keep an even tone, providing ample context for characters’ choices, thoughts and beliefs.

Outlawed follows in the footsteps of the previous book to continue building on a beloved legend, expertly blending action and introspection. A solid second book in the series, setting up the stage for the next chapter, perfect for readers looking for a queer feminist retelling who don’t mind an occasionally slower pace.