I’m a huge fan of this recent Remix Series. It began with A Clash of Steel and So Many Beginnings and Travelers Along the Way is the latest addition. Based off Robin Hood, Safi imagines what would have happen in this gender bent retelling. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Jerusalem, 1192. The Third Crusade rages on. Rahma al-Hud loyally followed her elder sister Zeena into the war over the Holy Land, but now that the Faranji invaders have gotten reinforcements from Richard the Lionheart, all she wants to do is get herself and her sister home alive.
But Zeena, a soldier of honor at heart, refuses to give up the fight while Jerusalem remains in danger of falling back into the hands of the false Queen Isabella. And so, Rahma has no choice but to take on one final mission with her sister.
On their journey to Jerusalem, Rahma and Zeena come across a motley collection of fellow travelers—including a kind-hearted Mongolian warrior, an eccentric Andalusian scientist, a frustratingly handsome spy with a connection to Rahma’s childhood, and an unfortunate English chaplain abandoned behind enemy lines. The teens all find solace, purpose and camaraderie—as well as a healthy bit of mischief—in each other’s company.
But their travels soon bring them into the orbit of Queen Isabella herself, whose plans to re-seize power in Jerusalem would only guarantee further war and strife in the Holy Land for years to come. And so it falls to the merry band of misfits to use every scrap of cunning and wit (and not a small amount of thievery) to foil the usurper queen and perhaps finally restore peace to the land.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
If you’re a fan of sister shennanigans, found family (with some seriously sweet moments), and tons of sneaking you have to read this one. The sister relationship is an element I immediately loved and still one of my favorite elements. And they’re not just sisters, but also sisters who are hatching plans and adventuring together! The found family trope is done so perfectly here. Travelers Along the Way is rich in historical elements carefully balanced with sabotage, thievery, and betrayals.
Rahma instantly had my heart with her love of horses and capability to believe in people. As I become a bit more cynical, I admire her ability to believe, to see what people could be, what they could chose. Safi brings other perspectives into Travelers Along the Way which merely expand on the historical scope. It builds upon a fabulous foundation of Robin Hood and is a definite must read for fans of the original. At the same time, if you just love stories about cons, stealing from the rich, and found family, pick up Travelers Along the Way.
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