Among the bestselling fantasy fiction I’ve been reading lately is A Forest of Vanity and Valour by A.P. Beswick. The story is a fantasy retelling of the legend of Robin Hood, and it’s quite good. Here’s my review.
Vireo Reinhold plays the role of Robert of Locksley in Beswick’s retelling, set in the fictional kingdom of Levanthria. But in a twist, Vireo begins the tale as a somewhat despicable character. He’s a selfish, well-off nobleman, but the nobles of this land are charged with collecting taxes from their subjects, and Vireo is particularly ruthless when it comes to this job.
On top of that, Vireo is also having an affair with the beautiful wife of Jareb, the noble lord who rules the kingdom while the king is off at war. Jareb, who ostensibly fills the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham, begins the story as a thoughtful ruler worried about the heavy toll the king’s taxes are taking on the people. He’s also a loving husband devoted to his wife. But when he learns of her affair with Vireo, Jareb’s life takes a very dark turn.
After a shocking twist I dare not spoil, Vireo becomes an outlaw, forced to live with his followers in the forest. There, he slowly embarks on a path toward redemption. The trading places between Vireo and Jareb — a scoundrel becoming a hero and a good man becoming a villain — works well in this novel and helps drive the story forward.
Jareb’s descent into darkness is enabled by a sorceress he ends up employing named Morgana. Her appearance is the first hint that Beswick’s fantasy retelling aims to go beyond the legend of Robin Hood into the myths of King Arthur. But that is left for another tale.
Overall, this is a gripping fantasy with memorable characters and some shocking twists and turns. However, I will note that the book is written in the present tense, which is not my favorite. It’s also written in the first person, despite alternating chapters between the viewpoints of Vireo and Jareb. This took some getting used to, but it worked out fine in the end.
Lastly, the book is short. My paperback is only 233 pages, which made for a quick read. If you’re a fan of fantasy fiction but also like the historical legends of Robin Hood and his band of merry men, I suspect you’ll enjoy A Forest of Vanity and Valour. I know I did, and I’m curious to see where the author takes things next.