I really thought I'd love this as I loved his previous books but this just didn't grab me so much so that I decided to stop reading.

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow, and not in a good way. I really didn’t enjoy this. I think it will perhaps still be popular with teenage boys - especially if they enjoyed the Cherub series, but for me it was underwritten and didn’t really go anywhere.

For a book with heists in the subtitle, you get only one, right at the end, to set up a Robin Hood type personna. It just wasn’t enough for me. I love the Robin Hood legend, and I really wanted to love this. And while I liked some of the characters, the recognisable ones didn’t really age down that well.

Little John in particular looked to be okay until half way when his entire characterisation was wiped and restarted. Marion maid is okay; but didn’t really have the ring I wanted from Marion. Her family is excellent, but sadly this goes back to the ages - we have to have the outlaws and forest people be adults, and that will forever mess with the story. Robin himself read a little two dimensional, but I liked that his heart was in the right place. He’s trying to save his town and his family.

Plus Muchamore is a British author and this is being produced by a British publisher, so WHY is so much of the book Americanised? From little things like strip malls, to bigger things in how they talked and behaved, this is a book written for an American audience. I understand that, for a US release this works, but a good edit for a UK audience really wouldn’t have gone amiss. It was jarring and I feel will massively impact how well the book does here.

I did like some of the setting, the whole thing around Gisbourne, and the hacking. But that’s about it. The whole book is a prequel to one where Robin is more set up as Robin Hood character, and as a result not enough happens. This is all backstory, and reads like it.

Really pleased that Muchamore has modernised the Robin Hood folktale. Whilst I enjoyed his stand alone books (some serious themes) nothing has come close to Cherub for popularity amongst teenage boys in our school library. Although they were written a few years ago they continue to be the most popular series we have. Robin hood is that new series to hook teenagers, particularlyboys that we have been waiting for. Fun and exciting. My only criticism is that it was too short!

In terms of story elements, this is a fairly close retelling of the classic tales of Robin Hood, although seamlessly transplanted into a twenty-first century setting. The only concession to the medieval origin of the legend made is Robin’s talent for archery, which he cultivates even in a time when this is rather unusual (this is even featured on the cover). As the book is based on the transposition of medieval legends onto a modern story, many of the characters are largely grounded in stereotypes of good and evil, black and white. This lack of space for gray areas is further cemented by the fact that this is a middle grade book, allowing for less nuance than adult or even YA would.

Nevertheless, it is a thrilling, fast paced read featuring a pair of charming heroes, eponymous Robin Hood and his companion Marion Maid, who is rather formidable in her own right. There is some rather interesting backstory to the villains, and I am looking forward to seeing how that is going to be explored in the coming sequel(s). In typical Muchamore fashion, there is no shying away from a bit of violence, but also a fair share of humour, and some arrows hitting in …rather unfortunate places.

I very much enjoyed returning to Muchamore’s imagination after probably almost a decade away, and I encourage you to give his latest a shot!

A 12 year old, modern era Robin Hood who's a hacker, loves archery, and has one real friend in school. It is so interesting to see how the know characters and places are being portrayed here. For example: Locksley is a town in financial crisis, Little John is his big brother and the Sheriff is a woman.

Straightforward descriptions, but with details of unexpected little thing, that make them truly different and more interesting. The narrative has a kind of in you face attitude and I like it. Also the back and worth between POVs might be a little whiplashy in parts, but show you everyone's story and make it more exciting. Plus there are a few jaw drops along the way.

Sometimes the action is confusing. It is as though the author had it in his head, but in his enthusiasm it didn't come out as clearly on the page.

A statement on today's consumerism and financial inequality, this is the basis of Robin's inevitable need to fight for justice. Showing us how cruel and greedy we can be, but also the magnitude of compassion and the strength of family. People will always come together in times of need.

This is an origin story and fun one at that. Muchamore obviously has a great sense of humor. Short an sweet, but I still think I needed more, either the story to have gone faster or the book to have been longer. Well I guess I will have to wait for the sequel.

Robert Muchamore does it again with a thrilling read, packed with action, where kids outsmart adults with a winning combination of skill, cheekiness and luck.
In this first in the series, we have a modern setting for the Robin Hood legend. In this setting, Robin is a twelve year old boy who finds himself on the wrong side of the law because he refuses to let local bully boy Gisburne try and set up Robin’s father. He escapes into the forest where he is befriended by a local biker gang and the leader’s daughter Marion.
Though on the wanted list, Robin prepares to fight for justice for his father and do whatever he can to get revenge in Gisburne for his corrupt practices.
There’s no denying this is highly fantastic in approach, but it was good fun and I’m sure it’ll entertain many readers.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this before publication in exchange for my review.

All I can say about this book that it is absolutely fabulous, from the first chapter I was intrigued on how the book and characters would develop throughout. I was not disappointed this author should be so proud because this is one children’s book that would have any child hooked on reading.

Robert Muchamore is back with another highly addictive and must read series. Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists & Flaming Arrows, is an action packed page turner that grabs you from the very first line. Taking you on a roller coaster ride with many twist and turns in this modern retelling of the much loved tale of Robin Hood, with Robin a 12 year old boy on the run.

A must read and a strong opener for Robert's latest series.