Reviews - The Legendary Scarlett and Browne

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81 reviews for:

The Legendary Scarlett and Browne

Jonathan Stroud

4.33 AVERAGE

ethans_books's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The concluding novel in the legendary trilogy about the notorious Outlaws Scarlett and Browne brings the series to a satisfying end… right??

After two years of frivolous searching, hotheaded Scarlett McCain and easygoing Albert Browne have hit too many deadends in searching for Scarlett's long-lost little brother.

In that time, their fame has grown immensely as they have kept up their notorious actions of robbing banks… and setting enslaved individuals free. Real outlaw work, for sure.

They seem to have finally run out of leads on the long lost-sibling when they suddenly come across an old nemesis who seems to hold the information they need.

Scarlett and Browne set out on a new adventure, joined with they're usual companions— Joe and his granddaughter Ettie— as well as a new edition to the group.

Filled with nonstop action and unforgettable characters, the final revelations revealed about both of their pasts… will impact their future.

Lowkey sad that this was the end of such a great series that I’d fallen in love with last fall. But hey, all good things must come to an end, I guess.

All in all this was a great and strong ending to this fantastic series! I've really enjoyed every step of the way through this series.

Scarlett and Browne will forever be a legendary duo 🫂

This was an eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Content Warnings

smiley_c's review against another edition

4.0

Rating: 4.5/5

It's been such a long wait (I read the 2nd book at Jul 2022!) and I'm really excited to dive into this adventure, stifling a sob at 'Final exploits' on the title. Had such a blast reading this underrated series -- Scarlett and Albert are definitely living in my head rent free for a while.

Context-less dump, too vague to be spoilers: lizard, big dome, white hats. Oh, and a scar. Buckets.

Or more specifically, an action bridge sequence, a full on confrontation with Tainted and scary kids, many explosions (yeah, this is Scarlett we're talking about), things flying around (well, there's Albert, you know), then unwind by drinking tea or coffee around a campfire (alright, they're British, of course ya gotta have a cuppa). There's so much action, but still nice to see how well the emotional moments play out (especially as I am really attached to the main duo!)

The characters:
My fav duo Scarlett and Albert: the best platonic grumpy x sunshine. Having grown more comfortable around each other, working seamlessly as partners, they're formidable (although it's not as interesting as the start where their dynamics are part fascination, part exasperation, and a lot of glares and banter). The bank robbing scene is chef's kiss. How they support each other is so sweet to see.

Spoiler

And Scarlett actually hugs Albert, wow. The forehead press is so, so sweet.

I also love that they remain friends instead of becoming lovers, because it's actually so much sweeter and more fitting to their characters.

Spoiler

yeah, about that forehead press. Strange to say at that moment, if they were in fact kissing, I would have felt mad, because it'd be so out of the blue.

It's so refreshing in the current YA market.

Ettie: adorable as usual.

Spoiler

And she's psychic too?! Woah.

Mallory: could be developed more, but I guess it's sufficient. Reminds me of Kipps. Cool entrance though, movie freeze frame worthy.

Thomas:

Spoiler

I thought he'd be psychic actually, because he survived the centipede, but never mind. I had such crazy theories when I was reading lol: such as...is Mallory actually Thomas (never mind the age thing and how they don't even look alike)? Reading about his flashbacks is unfortunately not as interesting as reading about Albert's or Scarlett's. At first I thought the flashbacks would be Mallory's, but I guess his would just be similar to Albert's.

Joe and Sal: unfortunately not very interested in them, given how the others take all the spotlight.

One critism would be about the pacing. The place descriptions slow it down so much (and I somehow find it hard to imagine a spatial setting, than say, a person or a scene) and they are sometimes far more detailed than necessary. There are also some events not really driving the plot, but seemingly just to add some action (like the Tainted trap) -- not that I'm complaining, mind. I could read another volume of just my favourite duo going on adventures.

My eyes were wet near the end, and BARTIMAEUS SPOILER

Spoiler

I was so worried Jonathan's going to pull a Nathaniel ending on us. What with the dome exploding (aha an easter egg!) spitting green fire, and before that them having to separate.

. Well, I'd just say the ending is a good one, don't worry.

Can't believe we've come to the end of the notorious, legendary outlaws Scarlett and Browne's adventures -- or should I say, the beginning of many more exploits, taking place not on paper and words but in the movie theatre of our imagination?

PS
I'm guilty to say, Lockwood and Co still remains my favourite series from Jonathan Stroud (the whole gang together is simply too much to resist), but hey, only by a fraction. Please, fan artists, we need a gathering of characters having a cosy evening, probably at Portland Row. What fun Bartimaeus would have meeting the skull (they're probably soulmates), and I have a feeling Kitty, Lucy and Scarlett would get along like a house on fire -- or literally ('why are you all looking at me,' Flo protested.) Holly and Kipps would absolutely adore Ettie, though Kipps would attempt not to show it (but Albert would know anyway). Lockwood would get along unexpectedly well with Joe (I don't know why), and George and Albert would have fun discussing history and stuff.

Two years passed since the events of the last book (which incidentially more or less corresponds to actual time passage in reality... wow). Now, Scarlett and Albert are older than me -- not sure about Albert, but Scarlett is 21 in this book? I used to think of them as lost children/teens, so it's disorientating to know they're finally older than me lol.

Also, I was so happy to see Taunton on the map, because I used to live there! (It probably isn't the case, but I once commented 'would Scarlett and Browne go to Taunton? Because 'they'll take anyone' (quote from second book) on the author's social media post, and he liked it. Is it fanciful of me to think this is why the fair is in Taunton, out of the many places it could have been instead?
However, it's a really weird feeling to see this version of Taunton in the book!

styxx's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

gehaiena's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nathalie_tl's review against another edition

4.5

fast-paced and gripping while give space for characters to breathe and grow. i really do love all of these characters very much and this was a brilliant end to the trilogy!