Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Expected publication: February 14th 2012 by Walker & Co (J)
Summary from Goodreads
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. 

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.


After reading the summary of this book I HAD to read it.  Will Scarlet a girl?!  I love it when authors put women back into history or legend and Scarlet is the perfect heroine for that.  It is so much fun unraveling Scarlet's history chapter by chapter.  This book is more than a retelling of a legend that happened long ago - it is a story full of emotions and situations that are still relevant today.  It is about hope, family, sacrifice, and trying to do good in a world filled with evil.  This book was a great kick-off read for 2012!

2012 Reading Challenges

I will be doing at least 3 reading challenges next year - The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge, Chick Loves Lit's Sophomore Reading Challenge, and IceyBook's and I Like These Book's The Standalone Reading Challenge. Whew!

The Debut Author Challenge is a fun way to discover new authors through reading there first published book in 2012.  I'm not sure if there is a set amount that you have to read but I'm going to give myself the goal of at least 1 per month(12). The challenge is 12 books - I'm a pretty good guesser.


1. Everneath by Brodi Ashton (January 24)
2. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (February 7)
3. Harbringer by Sara Wilson Etienne (February 2)
4. The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker (January 2)
5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
6. Shadow's Edge bu Maureen Lipinski
7. May B A Novel by Caroline Starr Rose
8. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
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The Sophomore Reading Challenge has you reading the second book that an author has published in 2012.  The challenge is set at reading at least 10 of these books.  Oh and the book has to be Young Adult or Middle Grade.  Here's my list.


1. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton (February 1)
2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (January 17)
3. Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay (August)
4. Timepiece by Myra McEntire (June 12)
5. Perception by Kim Harrington (March 1)
6. Fever by Lauren Destefano (February 21)
7. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (March 27)
8. Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs (June 5)
9. The White Glove War by Katie Crouch (July 3)
10. Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel (2012)

The Standalone Reading Challenge features books coming out next year that are not a part of a series.  You must read 15 standalone books in 2012.


1. Harbringer by Sara Wilson Etienne
2. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
3. Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama
4. Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker (January 2)
5. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (June 12)
6. Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy (May 1)
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