The Forest Queen, written by Betsy Cornwell, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: The Forest Queen is a twisted fairy tale, changing the story of Robin Hood and Little John to a story about Sylvie, Little Jane, and Bird. When Sylvie's brother, John, is granted the position of sheriff, simultaneously promising her hand in marriage to a friend, Sylvie realizes her escape might be the last chance she has at regaining control of her own life. With the help of her friend Bird, a skilled outdoorsman, and the comorodary of a budding friendship with a girl named Little Jane, Sylvie escapes the palace and runs into the forest to build a new life for herself. Soon, it is revealed, John will be as horrific of a sheriff as he was a brother. Though she just wanted to escape herself, Sylvie quickly learns, not only can her forest home provide shelter for the residents of the local city, terrorized daily by her brother, but she might be the key to ending his reign of terror and bring peace to her land once more. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Forest Queen has earned a new position next to Stand on the Sky on the shelf of my favorite books. I am so captivated by this book. Cornwell has woven love into each page, through fear, anxiety, heartbreak, and betrayal. Filled with so many lessons for young ladies, the compassion and grace in Cornwell's writing will touch the hearts of women everywhere, of any age.
The Forest Queen is, at its root, about love, friendship, and family. Sylvie is torn between a love and a loyalty to her family, but also choosing what is right for herself. Her father is ill, and does not understand her anymore. Her brother is cruel. But those years of loving each other give her hope that things could change. When she decides to pursue a life on her own away from her family home, she encounters another type of family, one she loves just as dearly. Her new family is one made up of necessity, one of people who will struggle together, rely on each other, learn to trust each other, and from that trust, gain each other's loyalty. Can her new family help her save her blood-family? I believe, for me, the most influential relationships in the book were those shared by Sylvie, Little Jane, and Bird. Tested and tried, pulled in every direction, but the friendship they share is so rooted in love and forgiveness that they are stronger together, combining their strengths and shared experiences.
By changing the character of Robin Hood to a young lady, Cornwell laid a path for the perfect back story to explain the relationship between the sheriff and the bandit. It gave motive for the wealth stolen from the rich and given to the poor, as well as context as to how it could be possible. It also provided a fantastic avenue to reach out to young girls and discuss tough topics - and oh was this book jam packed with tough topics. From opioid use in animals and animal abuse, suicide, bullying, and violence, to sexual consent, birth control, rape, unplanned pregnancy, and a woman's right to choose, even briefly touching on racism, LGBTQ equality, incest, and hunting violence. Though that list sounds like a lot to pack into one book, every topic was addressed within the casual everyday conversation of characters. I felt discussion was, for the most part, unbiased, giving facts rather than trying to influence a decision, and above all, these conversations were rooted in love. Topics are heavy, but told with such kindness and truth, that the love behind these truths was what I walked away remembering, not embarrassment or frustration over a simple discussion. This unbiased, caring style of writing is consistent throughout the book, continuing when describing the consideration, effort, and team work it took to build the tree houses that would provide safety for her forest family, when illustrating the despair felt when enduring starvation, the gratitude at a first kill, and eating meat for the first time in weeks, or when giving image to a dream, terrifying in depiction, but so similar to nightmares we have all endured. Cornwell's depictions of dark and horrific situations are balanced by joy-filled scenes, such as when one of the characters gives birth at the forest camp or succeeding at helping a local farming family.
I can't praise this book enough. I already have a list of female friends I will be sharing this book with, as I think they can identify with pieces of the story and find joy. From suffering and recovering from rape, to learning to survive on your own, to enduring your first heartbreak, I can see the faces of so many of my female friends and students in the life of Sylvie. Sylvie and her friends will provide inspiration for so many young ladies who have suffered similar situations.