Robin Hood 2: Piracy, Paintballs & Zebras

I was so looking forward to reading the second instalment of Robert Muchamore's dystopian Robin Hood series, and this book certainly did not disappoint. I found myself straight back into the action where book one had left off. What I absolutely loved about this book is that you really do not need to have read book one to be fully immersed and gripped by the story. Within the first couple of chapters we are skilfully reintroduced to our heroes Robin, John and Marion, their plight, and what they have endured before. Within the first few chapters we are also reintroduced to those truly despicable villains Guy Gisbourne and Sheriff Marjorie - the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The story begins as we find Robin Hood in hiding in the closed-down Sherwood Designer Outlet shopping mall which lies in the heart of Sherwood Forest. This mall is now home to a large, organised outlaw community. After Robin's last adventure and his rise to notoriety and outlaw fame, he has had to go into hiding as Gisbourne has put a huge bounty on his head. Marion Maid and her family have taken Robin into their community for his own safety and protection. This community offers Robin a home, food and schooling, as well as friendship, shelter and security. However, Robin gets bored of hiding out, and when Marion's brother Flash offers him an opportunity to take a risk and make some money, Robin just cannot resist.

Meanwhile, at the Sherwood Designer Outlet, Will Scarlock needs Robin for a bigger much more ambitious plan. He needs Robin's computer hacking skills to hack into the main computer at Nottingham Castle and stop Sheriff Marjorie's planned exotic animal hunt. And so begins Robin's next adventure.

This book is a fast-paced, witty, high adrenaline adventure novel that will have all readers hooked in from the very first page. I didn't want to put it down. What I really like about this series of books is that all of the characters are really accessible and relatable. Muchamore's heroes are brave and fearless, but also have their flaws and weaknesses. The villains of the book are deliciously wicked and menacing, but also have their own difficulties and faults. I really enjoy the familiarity of the characters and the setting and how Muchamore has brought the legend of Robin Hood into the twenty-first century, incorporating modern technology and modern-day issues.

I cannot recommend this book and this series highly enough. It has the capacity to appeal to lots of different types of readers. Please do not discount this book as a book for 'boys', it is for everyone. The female characters in the book are smart, tough and strong women.

With its very short chapters and action-packed storyline I am sure that it will be enjoyed by the most reluctant of readers. However, for those who love Robert Muchamore I have no doubt that this book will be devoured in one sitting. I would recommend this book to readers aged 10+ and it's a fabulous one to start off this year's reading journey.

254 Pages / Ages 10+ / Reviewed by Julie Broadbent, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Thrilling, fast paced and a real page turner; Robin Hoods adventures are a huge success with my teen readers.

The sequel to the best selling Robin Hood - Hacking, Heists & Flaming Arrows, Robert Muchamore delivers yet again with this exciting new novel - Piracy, Paintballs and Zebras. If you're looking for a gripping read for a teen reader, look no further. This book will hook you right from the offset and immerse you in the exciting world of Robin Hood.

Muchamore's Robin Hood is a modern re-working of the original tale. In these books, Robin Hood is a young teenage boy from a non-too wealthy family. In the first novel, Robin found himself in danger from the mobster Guy Gisborne who rules Sherwood and Robin has to seek refuge with the inhabitants of Sherwood Forest, where he befriends the young Marion Maid. But, as a talented archer and with a skill for computer hacking, Robin soon found himself a home with his new friends.

In this latest novel, Robin's father is wrongly incarcerated, his brother Little John now lives with the wealthy Sheriff and Robin is left to try and find a way to save his father from jail. Robin, being young and impressionable, often makes (humorous and typical teenage) mistakes but is loved by his new family. With several mini adventures at the beginning of the novel, the story builds to the Sherwood forest dwellers finding out about the Sheriff's annual hunt. They plan to infiltrate the Sheriff's muti-billion resort to save all the animals. In typical Robin style, there is action, arrows and paintballs along the way where Robin must use his skills to save the animals from a painful death.

What is brilliant about these books is how completely filled with action and absorbing they are. For teen readers, the chapters are short and exciting which really supports the engagement for teen readers reading a whole book. My Year 8 class (aged 12-13) have absolutely loved reading this sequel and were so excited to tell me what happens in each chapter. They loved the adventure and action, but also how Robin was their own age, intelligent and learning from his mistakes. They keep asking me when the next book will be released!

I cannot recommend these books enough, they make an excellent class/shared read as you can read several short chapters per session as well as include discussion activities to accompany the text.

We greatly anticipate what mischief and adventure Robin will find himself involved in the next novel to be released - Jet Ski, Swamps and Smugglers!

254 Pages / Ages 10+ / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+