Guest Review: Immortal Outlaw by Lisa Hendrix

Since being cursed Steinarr has pretty much kept to himself. He travels with another one of his brotherhood, Torvald, who is horse by day, man by night. He wants nothing to do with anyone else. He’s more or less a bounty hunter and that’s how he earns money to feed and clothe himself and Torvald. When Steinarr comes to the aid of an old man who is set upon by thieves he unwittingly puts himself in the path of Robin and Marian.

Robin and Marian say that they are cousins and are on a pilgrimage (although Steinarr knows that there are lies in there). They ask for Steinarr’s assistance in getting to their destinations but Steinarr refuses. He is too taken with Marian and wants to get far away from her. When Steinarr is asked to capture Marian and Robin – whose real names are Matilda and Robert – and will be paid more money than he can make in 5 years, he’s all over it. Steinarr finds Marian and Robin and is determined to do exactly what he’s paid to do; return Marian to her cousin, Guy, and make sure that Robin doesn’t darken Guy’s door again. But as Steinarr finds out, there are two sides to every story.

It turns out that Robin is the bastard son of Marian’s father. In order to inherit his father’s title and land Robin must decipher riddles and go to different places to get new riddles – a treasure hunt. They are searching for a treasure that Marian’s father and King Edward have hidden. Robin has 40 days after his father’s death to find the treasure and get it to King Edward to claim his title. If he fails then Guy inherits. But during their first find, Robin falls from a tree and breaks his leg –forcing Marian to go alone to find the treasure…eventually along with Steinarr. During the time that Steinarr and Marian are together a relationship develops and love blooms.

Immortal Outlaw is a great second installment in the Immortal Brotherhood series. I have to say that I was slightly leery to read the book when I saw that names Robin and Marian – thinking that Ms. Hendrix had gotten the two legendary figures separated. But as it turns out it is more or less the beginning of the tale as interpreted by the author. I think Ms. Hendrix did a great job bringing characters into the story and making them useful.

The relationship that Steinarr and Marian build is a good one. I think that although not every word that the couple spoke was written, it was implied that they talked more than was shown – but don’t get me wrong, many conversations between the two were shown. Even though Steinarr couldn’t be with Marian at night he always made sure that she was safe and looked after her the best way he could. For someone who had pretty much been a loner I think he did a wonderful job of adjusting…but not so well that it was unbelievable.

So far I’ve enjoyed this series and look forward to the next book. You can read my review of the first book, Immortal Warrior, here.