"The Outlaws of Sherwood", by Robin McKinley, is -- obviously -- a retelling of the story of Robin Hood, done with the flair that McKinley consistently brings to all her writing. The plot never really sings the way some of her more magical stories do, but she certainly knows how to tell a tale. "Outlaws" features a broad cast of characters, some sharply drawn (Little John, Friar Tuck), some a little hazier (surprisingly, Robin Hood himself falls into the latter category). I much prefer McKinley's other works, but "Outlaws" was an engaging read nonetheless. I found it engrossing and entertaining, and I certainly admire the author's ability to deliver a gripping and exciting battle scene, which in the hands of a lesser author might become tedious or confusing. Overall, I'd recommend it to fans of McKinley for the sake of completion. However, if you're looking for an introduction to the author's works, I'd start elsewhere.