I’m late posting this (though I did do a ridiculous victory dance on Twitter when it was first announced. But I’m happy to say that Will in Scarlet is in very good company. Just in time for the holidays, too . . . .
I’m currently in lovely Saratoga Springs visiting the equally lovely Northshire Bookstore, but I wanted to take a moment from the road and share this very nice review from The Bulletin. They say so many nice things I’m going all blushy.
«Cody, Matthew Will in Scarlet. Knopf, 2013 [272p]
Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-375-86895-5 $16.99
Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-96895-2 $19.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-375-89980-5 $10.99
Reviewed from galleys R* Gr. 5-7
With his father off crusading for King Richard, thirteen-year-old Will Shackley must leave childhood mischief behind him as he takes on the responsibility of governing the Shackley estate. He makes a fine start, slaughtering two wolves during a hunt with his father’s men, but when Prince John’s thugs later attack Will’s home in an attempt to force fealty, the boy flees the battle to survive. Finding refuge among a merry band of thieves (including a drunken archer named Rob) in Sherwood Forest, Will sets out to plan his revenge but is soon confronted with the possibility that injustice is not simply the fault of one bad man. The punches packed in this historical action tale are both physical and emotional, as Will discovers that the sheltered world he grew up in is a privilege for very few and a distant dream for most. Cody’s pacing is a clever construction of frenzied but focused fight sequences balanced with quiet, subtle moments of self-reflection on Will’s part. Rich characterization does justice to each of the main players here, especially the villains: their motivations are made clear and understandable so that readers, like Will, come to realize the world is a complicated place with room for good and evil and much in between. Early scenes of wolf hunting and thrilling ambushes will likely draw even the most reluctant reader in, while the careful prose and likable hero will see them through to the satisfying conclusion. KQG
I’ll be traveling the country this fall talking about Will in Scarlet to any vagabonds and scallywags that will listen! Below is the schedule of where you can find me and when. Be sure to check back for updates as we get closer to the actual dates!
Huzzah!
Friday, October 4th
Voracious Reader (Larchmont, NY)
Sunday, October 13th
New York Comic-Con
Tuesday, October 15th
Lemuria Books (Jackson, MS)
Thursday, October 17th
The Country Bookshop (Southern Pines, NC)
Friday, October 18th
McIntyre’s Books (Chapel Hill, NC)
Saturday, October 19th
Barnes & Noble (Cary, NC)
Sunday, October 20th
Barnes & Noble (Skokie, IL)
Monday, October 21st
Anderson’s Bookshop (Downer’s Grove, IL)
Tuesday, October 22nd
The Book Stall (Winnetka, IL)
Saturday, October 26th
Books of Wonder (New York City, NY)
Friday, November 1st
The Center for Fiction (New York – not open to the public)
Sunday, November 3rd
Northshire Bookstore (Saratoga, NY)
Saturday, November 9th
YALLFest (Charleston, SC)
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By: Matthew Cody,
on 12/2/2013
