Scan barcode
courtneyschnabel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Brotherband Chronicles children's adventure-fantasy series revolving around eight young men of Hallasholm who are anxious to prove themselves to their peers and countrymen. This story is set several years after the events in The Battle for Skandia, 4, in the Ranger's Apprentice series.
In 2012, The Outcasts was nominated for the The Inky Awards for Gold Inky.
My Take
The prologue is half-finished which made a reveal later in the story a bit confusing. I'm not really sure why Flanagan bothered with a prologue.
The main theme is team building as the eight primary characters — all outcasts in the village — come together as part of the brotherband training season. Secondary themes include strategy, humanity, and ingenuity.
I liked the glossary explanations Flanagan provided; I had never thought to remember that "port" is "left" and they both have four letters. I've always remembered it as "pass the port on the left". Tells ya where my mind is at!
The Story
It's a critical year for Hal and Stig. They are 16 now and, with 26 others, will take part in the brotherband training this year. Teams are chosen much as kids today choose teammates, and there are a number of young men this year who know they will be chosen last or forced onto a team. And so it goes, Rollond and Tursgud have each chosen 9 other teammates and neither of them wants what's left; Erak makes his own choice and determines that the remaining eight will form the third brotherband.
What follows is three months of training in tactics, weapon skills, seamanship, ship handling, and navigation and facing down Tursgud and the Sharks team. Proving themselves to each other, growing together as a team, and demonstrating their abilities to their people. Until that last day. The day when all falls apart.
The Characters
Hal Mikkelson is Thorn's protégé and brilliant. He sees a way to make things better, and he does it from improvements to a crossbow to ideas on indoor plumbing to prosthetics to improved sail designs. Because his mother, Karin, was brought to Skandia as a slave, many in Hallasholm still see her as one even though Mikkel freed her as soon as he bought her. Stig is his best and only friend; his father stole from his shipmates and ran off years ago. Now his mother takes in laundry to survive. Wulf and Ulf are bickering twins; Edvin is good at math but so average in every way that most don't even notice him; Jesper has real talent as a thief and pickpocket; Stefan is the village clown and an expert mimic; and, Ingvar is very strong and very nearsighted.
Tursgud leads one of the boys' cliques in Hallasholm; he's tall, well-built, athletic, handsome, and an arrogant bully always bragging about his father, the Maktig. Rollond is elected as the second team leader.
Erak is Oberjarl of Skandia. Sigurd is responsible for the brotherband training while Gort, Jarst, and Viggo are in charge of a team each.
Thorne was a mighty warrior until the voyage when he lost his hand saving the ship and his best friend, Mikkel, died; in the six years since he has degenerated into a staggering drunk until one night, Karin Mikkelswife, Mikkel's widow, saves him from himself.
Zavac is the captain of a pirate ship plotting to steal Skandia's greatest treasure.
The Cover and Title
The cover is chilling and exciting as I'm guessing that Hal is pulling on one of the sheets as the Heron and two other ships battle a storm at sea. It's a gorgeous figurehead on Hal's ship...the boys must have added that after this story ended because it sure ain't in this story. Nor is this particular scene.
The title is very accurate for the eight boys are The Outcasts twice over.
In 2012, The Outcasts was nominated for the The Inky Awards for Gold Inky.
My Take
The prologue is half-finished which made a reveal later in the story a bit confusing. I'm not really sure why Flanagan bothered with a prologue.
The main theme is team building as the eight primary characters — all outcasts in the village — come together as part of the brotherband training season. Secondary themes include strategy, humanity, and ingenuity.
I liked the glossary explanations Flanagan provided; I had never thought to remember that "port" is "left" and they both have four letters. I've always remembered it as "pass the port on the left". Tells ya where my mind is at!
The Story
It's a critical year for Hal and Stig. They are 16 now and, with 26 others, will take part in the brotherband training this year. Teams are chosen much as kids today choose teammates, and there are a number of young men this year who know they will be chosen last or forced onto a team. And so it goes, Rollond and Tursgud have each chosen 9 other teammates and neither of them wants what's left; Erak makes his own choice and determines that the remaining eight will form the third brotherband.
What follows is three months of training in tactics, weapon skills, seamanship, ship handling, and navigation and facing down Tursgud and the Sharks team. Proving themselves to each other, growing together as a team, and demonstrating their abilities to their people. Until that last day. The day when all falls apart.
The Characters
Hal Mikkelson is Thorn's protégé and brilliant. He sees a way to make things better, and he does it from improvements to a crossbow to ideas on indoor plumbing to prosthetics to improved sail designs. Because his mother, Karin, was brought to Skandia as a slave, many in Hallasholm still see her as one even though Mikkel freed her as soon as he bought her. Stig is his best and only friend; his father stole from his shipmates and ran off years ago. Now his mother takes in laundry to survive. Wulf and Ulf are bickering twins; Edvin is good at math but so average in every way that most don't even notice him; Jesper has real talent as a thief and pickpocket; Stefan is the village clown and an expert mimic; and, Ingvar is very strong and very nearsighted.
Tursgud leads one of the boys' cliques in Hallasholm; he's tall, well-built, athletic, handsome, and an arrogant bully always bragging about his father, the Maktig. Rollond is elected as the second team leader.
Erak is Oberjarl of Skandia. Sigurd is responsible for the brotherband training while Gort, Jarst, and Viggo are in charge of a team each.
Thorne was a mighty warrior until the voyage when he lost his hand saving the ship and his best friend, Mikkel, died; in the six years since he has degenerated into a staggering drunk until one night, Karin Mikkelswife, Mikkel's widow, saves him from himself.
Zavac is the captain of a pirate ship plotting to steal Skandia's greatest treasure.
The Cover and Title
The cover is chilling and exciting as I'm guessing that Hal is pulling on one of the sheets as the Heron and two other ships battle a storm at sea. It's a gorgeous figurehead on Hal's ship...the boys must have added that after this story ended because it sure ain't in this story. Nor is this particular scene.
The title is very accurate for the eight boys are The Outcasts twice over.
0blitzhuman0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
easleyma's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
whosevita's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the book, therefore 4 stars. I was very young when I read the Rangers apprentice series and this book made me feel that glee of being a teen reading this at night before school.
That said,
I have to criticise the lack of female characters. I understand that the theme of the book doesn't allow a lot of female characters. BUT it really feels like a "boys only" club no-girls-allowed.
The only female addition are to serve as the love interests (yikes). Also a little hetero normative if you ask me.
The love interests I cant even remember the name of. Flanagan, as good as he is writing action and worldbuilding he's just so bad at romance. Hopefully he'll just stick with his strengths and doesn't add a half baked sour tasting romance just because he feels he has to.
That said,
I have to criticise the lack of female characters. I understand that the theme of the book doesn't allow a lot of female characters. BUT it really feels like a "boys only" club no-girls-allowed.
The only female addition are to serve as the love interests (yikes). Also a little hetero normative if you ask me.
The love interests I cant even remember the name of. Flanagan, as good as he is writing action and worldbuilding he's just so bad at romance. Hopefully he'll just stick with his strengths and doesn't add a half baked sour tasting romance just because he feels he has to.
sallyavena's review against another edition
4.0
The average of 5 stars for the fact that I just really like the way he writes and his characters and 3 stars for the originality...really it's just Ranger's Apprentice set in Scandia, tweak a couple of circumstances and put new names to the characters. That being said, I still liked it, just don't go reading it expecting something really different or for it to be a continuation of Ranger's for that matter. Erik is the only carry over character and they mention Halt a couple of times, but that is it...all new people.
charlotteg's review against another edition
4.0
The Outcasts is about Hal who is the leader of his brotherband. They learn how to be warriors through hard tests of knowledge, skill, and strength against other brotherbands. Through this training, Hal becomes a leader.
This book was very interesting. I learned a lot about the characters. Also it was very fast paced and interesting. I thought it was historical fiction!
This book was very interesting. I learned a lot about the characters. Also it was very fast paced and interesting. I thought it was historical fiction!
thomasnel's review against another edition
4.0
Unlike the Ranger's Apprentice series, the Brotherband Chronicles is a bit fresher in my mind and as such I highly recommend it. As a kid this was by far my favorite series. In this book I really appreciate how each character contributed and well it is shallow looking back, these were my first introductions to many different character types which I thoroughly enjoy.
margaretb6's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
As someone who loves the Ranger’s Apprentice series, this book was such a fun opportunity to return to that world and meet a bunch of new characters! At least in this book, though there is a wide cast of characters, each boy in the crew is able to have their moment to shine. Also, there is such warm, found family feelings and the growing camaraderie among the boys is really lovely.
I also love a good school/training book and this one delivers with a lot of interesting competitions and learning moments.
I also love a good school/training book and this one delivers with a lot of interesting competitions and learning moments.
emeraldletter's review against another edition
4.0
Good! I really liked it! Such a different feel than the Rangers Apprentice books but I liked it