News: Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall

Like most book bloggers, I get sent a lot of press releases about forthcoming books. I do very little with most of them, preferring instead to wait until a book is published, or at the very least a book cover is available to display for you all. However, yesterday I received a press release from Lauren that I just had to share with you all, as it sounds like an incredibly exciting variation on a much-used legend. Many people have tried to 'get clever' with the Robin Hood story, some have been successful, and some have failed dismally. I really, really hope that this one works, and knowing David Fickling's insticnt for what makes a cracking story I am sure it will.

There is one sentence in the press release that really intrigues and excites me. How great does this sound: "  ..... a blind, ruthless assassin and elemental creature of the forest."? It sounds like a delicious cocktail of Zatoichi, Swamp Thing and Daredevil, all shaken together with the Robin Hood legend. I am sure there will be more information coming from David Fickling Books so keep watching book fans.

Press release

David Fickling Books is delighted to announce that they have successfully bid for three fantastic YA novels by debut author Tim Hall. The team at DFB made the deal for UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) with James Wills of Watson, Little Ltd.

David Fickling comments, “We are all very excited by Tim's writing and we believe that Tim has it in him to be a huge world-renowned writer. After meeting with him, we immediately got the sense that he loved to work with the stuff of story and had many, many tales to tell. For us that is beyond exciting, and we are very keen indeed to begin working on this trilogy and prepare it for publication.”

The first book of the trilogy, Shadow of the Wolf, is set in Sherwood Forest in medieval England. However, if you think you know the story then think again. Tim Hall presents a Robin Hood more heroic and horrific than ever before: a blind, ruthless assassin and elemental creature of the forest. Fourteen-year-old Robin may not be able to see, but he learns to understand every sound that the forest makes – the heartbeat of a nearby bird, the sound of a deer drinking from a stream, the gentle rustle of an enemy boot passing through the foliage...

Tim Hall expertly weaves influences ranging from Japanese cinema to Norse mythology, making this novel a fabulously rich treat that works on multiple levels. Packed full of dark drama and unexpected plot twists, Shadow of the Wolf is an absolute page turner that will have teenage readers clamouring for its sequel.

Tim Hall previously worked as a news journalist for the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph. Most recently, he spent almost two years in Bermuda running the news desk for the Bermuda Sun newspaper. Shadow of the Wolf is his first novel, and he has a clear plan for books two and three.

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“So many tales have already been told of Robin Hood. Already he's the hero with a thousand faces.

First, forget everything you've heard. Robin was no prince, and he was no dispossessed lord; he didn't fight in the Crusades; he never gave a penny to the poor.

His real name wasn't even Robin Hood. Marian called him that as a kind of joke. Sir Robin of the Hood. A name Robin would cling to when he was losing grip of everything else. Mind you, one thing you've heard is true. He was blind.

No, that's not right. Let me put that another way. Truer to say, Robin Hood didn't see with his eyes. In fact he was the only one who saw clearly in this place of illusion and lies.”

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