Tuck

I zoomed through 'Tuck' even faster than a read through 'Hood' and 'Scarlet'. By now all the characters save one have been introduced and the stage has been set. All Lawhead needed to do was deliver the final, rousing battle between Rhi Bran y Hud's Grellon and the King's men.

And deliver he did. The final book picks up directly where 'Scarlet' left off; with the Grellon disappointed in the King's decision regarding their kingdom. In response Bran is adamant he will fight until his dying breath to have his people free and unhunted. So he and his loyal companion Friar Tuck set off to Gwenydd in north Wales to try to bring back men to aid in the fight. Again they engage in a clever ruse complete with disguises to rescue the disposed king show more of the realm from the dungeons of the portly Earl Hugh.

Tuck is a fair narrator, his happy and cautious but still adventurous personality balancing out the dark rage of Bran, making the book speed along at a quick pace. By the final confrontation I was loathe to put the book down for even a second.

I highly recommend the entire trilogy as it never lets up, never dragging even to the last. It's entertaining, smart and will make you believe that this truly is the real story of Robin Hood. show less

Tuck is the third volume of Stephen Lawhead’s King Raven trilogy. Billed as "Robin Hood - the legend begins anew," the first volume, Hood, gives re-birth to the Robin Hood of lore in a new time and a new place. Rather than keeping to the assumed boundaries of the Old English tales, Lawhead explores what he (as he explains in the afterword, titled "Robin Hood in Wales?") believes could be the true origins of the legendary thief and his band of merry men. Scarlet continues in this tradition with the introduction of William Scatlocke (friends call him Scarlet), forced from home and occupation by the Normans, who seeks out King Raven as an ally. Finally, Tuck brings the series to its conclusion.

Fortunately, Lawhead spent enough time show more previously on the good Friar's exposition, allowing this final volume to move along rapidly, with more fervor than its predecessors. Friar Tuck nevertheless remains integral, essential to the plot. And whereas poor Scarlet ended up causing more trouble for the Grellon, dragging them into the open more than they'd wanted to be, Tuck seems to be the balm for those wounds. The Friar, as a Saxon, as a priest, as a member of the Grellon, manages to bridge the gaps between the warring parties, bringing the story to a satisfying end with less bloodshed than one expects.

But Tuck is not the only essential character. The Baron Neufmarché, whose actions against Rhi Bran in the first novel, is guided by his previously frigid wife, whose new love for all things Welch changes him. We're also introduced to Alan a'Dale, a character who figures in to the Robin Hood legend later than most other canon characters. Alan proves a surprising character, almost as quick on his feet as King Raven himself, and his business as a minstrel invites Lawhead to use minstrel-song as a literary interlude, as a device to tie the story securely to its epilogue.

Tuck makes for a nice, tidy conclusion to the series. Lawhead's research is impeccable and his creative storytelling really shines through in the finale. Definitely see this series through to the end - it'll be worth it.

Lauren Cartelli
www.theliterarygothamite.com show less

While going from really enjoying [b:Hood|73931|Hood (King Raven, Book #1)|Stephen R. Lawhead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170843498s/73931.jpg|1458314] and then to absolutely loving [b:Scarlet|611787|Scarlet (The King Raven, Book #2)|Stephen R. Lawhead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176311990s/611787.jpg|1008418] it was no surprise that I was thoroughly impressed with [b:Tuck|4286737|Tuck (King Raven, Book #3)|Stephen R. Lawhead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1219171233s/4286737.jpg|3308534]. The first book in the series, Hood was told from a narrative standpoint outside the eyes of the main characters. The second, Scarlet was directly dictated by Scarlet himself. And lastly, the third, Tuck was narrated partially by Tuck and show more partially by an outside vision. The change in perspective through out the series was very unique to me and I felt that it made the series come more alive than it would have in a monotone narration. Though, I suppose one could read this book alone without having read the first two in the series. I would not suggest it because you will miss so much, however the bard's poetry through out in the beginning of each section does a wonderful job of recreating the tale. Having read the first two books over two years ago, I really loved having the reminder of the plot that I might have forgotten. Friar Tuck's final installation to the trilogy completes the story in a favorable manor that I could never have imagined. There is much action and battle, but also underlying romance from characters you would not have thought it possible. Easily, I would tell you that this story is about hope and perseverance. Journeys to other areas of the continent filled with excitement and disappointment as well build through out the story and give you encouragement to continuously turn the pages until there are no more. My one regret with this story is that it has ended. It was so good and so much fun to read that I cannot wait for future books filled with the imagination of Stephen Lawhead to become available. I highly recommend this book, but also the entire series as well. Go read the excerpts available on Lawhead's website and decide for yourself if it might be of interest. I doubt you will be disappointed. show less

Tuck was a lackluster end to a lackluster series. It had the problems of its predecessors (flat characters, inconsistent viewpoints, glacial pacing) and nothing new to add. There's really none of the gleeful mischief of the legend of Robin Hood - none of the sense of fighting because it's the right thing. It's all aimed at the ultimate goal of getting official recognition of the kingship of the cantref, and that just isn't particularly satisfying, given the cost.

Overall, I find the whole King Raven cycle a terribly disappointment. There was clearly a ton of potential here, and it was squandered.

I almost loved this one. Some of it is very good - especially from Tuck's point of view.
But then that one death nearly ruined it for me. For a series that generally avoids character deaths, the death of a child was too much.

I zoomed through 'Tuck' even faster than a read through 'Hood' and 'Scarlet'. By now all the characters save one have been introduced and the stage has been set. All Lawhead needed to do was deliver the final, rousing battle between Rhi Bran y Hud's Grellon and the King's men.

And deliver he did. The final book picks up directly where 'Scarlet' left off; with the Grellon disappointed in the King's decision regarding their kingdom. In response Bran is adamant he will fight until his dying breath to have his people free and unhunted. So he and his loyal companion Friar Tuck set off to Gwenydd in north Wales to try to bring back men to aid in the fight. Again they engage in a clever ruse complete with disguises to rescue the disposed king show more of the realm from the dungeons of the portly Earl Hugh.

Tuck is a fair narrator, his happy and cautious but still adventurous personality balancing out the dark rage of Bran, making the book speed along at a quick pace. By the final confrontation I was loathe to put the book down for even a second.

I highly recommend the entire trilogy as it never lets up, never dragging even to the last. It's entertaining, smart and will make you believe that this truly is the real story of Robin Hood. show less

Great conclusion to the King Raven series. I've eally enjoyed the transplanting of the Robin Hood story to Wales, and the epilogue provides a nice link to Sherwood...