Not For the Faint of Heart

Clem is an assistant healer with a penchant for experimentative cures who is kidnapped by a band of Merry Men directed by captain Mariel – Robin Hood’s granddaughter. As Mariel sets out to prove her worth as a new captain, she learns to question the status quo under which her father’s command of Merry Men have been operating. Learning from the empathy with which Clem approaches her healing endeavours, and perhaps falling a little bit in love along the way, Mariel reflects on the heroic, people-first approach with which her grandfather led, and the ways in which her father has strayed from this ideal. Through these series of discoveries, the main adventure is offset by a series of riotous side-quests and sincere bonding. The story is fun yet earnest and encapsulates so many relevant adolescent experiences.

Combining witty dialogue with a poignant narrative, Mariel’s crew are a truly unforgettable band of friends. The warmth found in this story is the perfect release, without shying away from the darker aspects of this part of mythic history, with some references to implied homophobia and transphobia, but overall the book takes a light-hearted approach to depicting the beauty of queer love and joy.