Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sajoni's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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? No
3.5
courtneyschnabel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
vhenderson93's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised at how long it took me to finish this. Normally I can devour these books within a matter of days, but I had trouble getting into this one. I blame that on that fact that I was reading four other books at the same time and was having trouble balancing my time.
Other than that, this was a very exciting and emotional read. The Herons had a close scrape this time, too close, in fact. I don't want to wreck the ending for you, but it was on point and left readers with anticipation for the next installment.
Other than that, this was a very exciting and emotional read. The Herons had a close scrape this time, too close, in fact. I don't want to wreck the ending for you, but it was on point and left readers with anticipation for the next installment.
cl1ngz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
2⭐
"Return of the Temujai" left me feeling disappointed. It seemed like the author had run out of fresh ideas, resulting in a plot that was both predictable and, at times, boring. The story lacked the excitement and intrigue that made earlier books in the series so captivating. It relied heavily on the same formulas and schemes as previous installments, making it feel repetitive. Additionally, the character development felt stagnant, and the conflicts were resolved too easily, which diminished the overall impact of the story. Some fans of the series may find some enjoyment in revisiting familiar characters and settings, but overall, "Return of the Temujai" fails to deliver the same level of engagement and originality as its predecessors. which I give 2 stars
"Return of the Temujai" left me feeling disappointed. It seemed like the author had run out of fresh ideas, resulting in a plot that was both predictable and, at times, boring. The story lacked the excitement and intrigue that made earlier books in the series so captivating. It relied heavily on the same formulas and schemes as previous installments, making it feel repetitive. Additionally, the character development felt stagnant, and the conflicts were resolved too easily, which diminished the overall impact of the story. Some fans of the series may find some enjoyment in revisiting familiar characters and settings, but overall, "Return of the Temujai" fails to deliver the same level of engagement and originality as its predecessors. which I give 2 stars
iga_w8's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
Eighth in the Brotherband Chronicles historical action-adventure series (a spin-off from Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series) for middle-grade readers revolving around the young Hal and his crew.
My Take
I do like the sailing terms Flanagan includes at the start. I also love that the Skandians are so practical about feeding the fort's garrison so well. It only makes sense. As does Hal and Stig learning to ride horses, lol.
Flanagan uses third person point-of-view, primarily from Hal's and Thorn's perspectives.
While Return of the Temujai has plenty of action, it's a bit dull for their usual adventures. The Heron's injuries are the most exciting, so to speak, of the story. Yes, yes, the brotherband's actions in hostage-taking and their escape across the steppe and down the river and its rapids are certainly exciting, as is the ensuing battle and Hal's escape. But...it doesn't feel the same.
Still, it is a must-read…if only for the ending.
The Story
The Temujai need to conquer and now they're coming east. To Skandia. They want the Skandian ships. And there might be another way the Temujai could invade.
Turns out, it's not a scouting party...
The Characters
Erak has come to rely on the Heron Brotherband for special missions.
Hal is the skirl, captain, of the Heron, a ship he designed and built in The Outcasts, 1. Stig is his second-in-command and best friend; Thorn is their battle master, who looks at ways problem could be overcome; Lydia is skillful with her atlatl and is an excellent tracker; Jesper is a former thief; Stefan is a brilliant mimic; Ingvar is a hulk of a lad with great strength and bad eyesight; Ulf and Wulf are twins and not too bright who like to riff off each other, driving the rest of the crew crazy with their nonsense; and, Edvin is their cook and medic who likes to knit. Edvin is considered the finest healer in Hallasholm. Kloof is their shaggy dog. Jake is Hal's horse; Barney is Stig's horse.
Erak is the Oberjarl, the ruler, of Skandia, and he's based in Hallasholm. Wolfwind is his ship with Svengal, Erak's best friend, as its skirl. Borsa is Erak's hilfmann (chief administrator). Gert-by-Sea is an elderly widow. Rollond is skirl of Wolfrunner, a contemporary of the Heron's crew. Torval is part of Wolfrunner's crew. Dean is an Araluen archer commander.
Fort Ragnak is...
...the primary defensive line at Serpent Pass, the junction of the Skandian, Teutlandt, and Temujai borders. Leks Longshanks is a fellow skirl and brotherband leader who is taking a turn, along with his crew, at Fort Ragnak. Villi Whitebeard of the Wolfpaw is due to relieve them. Damien is the commander of the fifteen Araluen archers on garrison duty, including Willis and Simon.
The Kingdom of Araluen is...
...featured in Ranger's Apprentice. They have a treaty with the Skandians.
I'm guessing Sonderland is another country?
The Temujai are...
...a warlike, nomadic race from beyond the mountains whose primary mission is conquest and domination — think Genghis Khan! Pa'tong is the Sha'shan, the ultimate leader of the Temujai. Lek'to is the Sha'shan's wife. En'tak was demoted from his position as an Ulan commander and now commands a 10-man patrol; Ka'zhak, his best friend, is the demoted deputy commander of that patrol. Ho'mat is one of Pa'tong's generals. Ga'tan is a senior Ulan commander. Mori is the Great Horse Spirit they worship.
Sontod is the Skandian demigod of dance and movement. Zavac was the pirate who stole a valuable artifact in The Hunters, 3. A Vallasvow is a powerful oath.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a fiery scene from Return of the Temujai. A rearing horse in the middle of a grass fire, its warrior rider waving a sword, arrows flying, and soldiers battling behind him. The cloudy gray skies have an orange cast, forming a background for the white of two lines of info blurbs at the top with the series information large beneath it in a gothic font in pale orange and white with shadows. Immediately beneath this, and above the horse, is the title in a pale yellow outlined in black. The author's name is at the very bottom in a gradient of orange to yellow and outlined in black.
The title reflects the Skandian fears of the Return of the Temujai.
My Take
I do like the sailing terms Flanagan includes at the start. I also love that the Skandians are so practical about feeding the fort's garrison so well. It only makes sense. As does Hal and Stig learning to ride horses, lol.
Flanagan uses third person point-of-view, primarily from Hal's and Thorn's perspectives.
While Return of the Temujai has plenty of action, it's a bit dull for their usual adventures. The Heron's injuries are the most exciting, so to speak, of the story. Yes, yes, the brotherband's actions in hostage-taking and their escape across the steppe and down the river and its rapids are certainly exciting, as is the ensuing battle and Hal's escape. But...it doesn't feel the same.
Still, it is a must-read…if only for the ending.
The Story
The Temujai need to conquer and now they're coming east. To Skandia. They want the Skandian ships. And there might be another way the Temujai could invade.
Turns out, it's not a scouting party...
The Characters
Erak has come to rely on the Heron Brotherband for special missions.
Hal is the skirl, captain, of the Heron, a ship he designed and built in The Outcasts, 1. Stig is his second-in-command and best friend; Thorn is their battle master, who looks at ways problem could be overcome; Lydia is skillful with her atlatl and is an excellent tracker; Jesper is a former thief; Stefan is a brilliant mimic; Ingvar is a hulk of a lad with great strength and bad eyesight; Ulf and Wulf are twins and not too bright who like to riff off each other, driving the rest of the crew crazy with their nonsense; and, Edvin is their cook and medic who likes to knit. Edvin is considered the finest healer in Hallasholm. Kloof is their shaggy dog. Jake is Hal's horse; Barney is Stig's horse.
Erak is the Oberjarl, the ruler, of Skandia, and he's based in Hallasholm. Wolfwind is his ship with Svengal, Erak's best friend, as its skirl. Borsa is Erak's hilfmann (chief administrator). Gert-by-Sea is an elderly widow. Rollond is skirl of Wolfrunner, a contemporary of the Heron's crew. Torval is part of Wolfrunner's crew. Dean is an Araluen archer commander.
Fort Ragnak is...
...the primary defensive line at Serpent Pass, the junction of the Skandian, Teutlandt, and Temujai borders. Leks Longshanks is a fellow skirl and brotherband leader who is taking a turn, along with his crew, at Fort Ragnak. Villi Whitebeard of the Wolfpaw is due to relieve them. Damien is the commander of the fifteen Araluen archers on garrison duty, including Willis and Simon.
The Kingdom of Araluen is...
...featured in Ranger's Apprentice. They have a treaty with the Skandians.
I'm guessing Sonderland is another country?
The Temujai are...
...a warlike, nomadic race from beyond the mountains whose primary mission is conquest and domination — think Genghis Khan! Pa'tong is the Sha'shan, the ultimate leader of the Temujai. Lek'to is the Sha'shan's wife. En'tak was demoted from his position as an Ulan commander and now commands a 10-man patrol; Ka'zhak, his best friend, is the demoted deputy commander of that patrol. Ho'mat is one of Pa'tong's generals. Ga'tan is a senior Ulan commander. Mori is the Great Horse Spirit they worship.
Sontod is the Skandian demigod of dance and movement. Zavac was the pirate who stole a valuable artifact in The Hunters, 3. A Vallasvow is a powerful oath.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a fiery scene from Return of the Temujai. A rearing horse in the middle of a grass fire, its warrior rider waving a sword, arrows flying, and soldiers battling behind him. The cloudy gray skies have an orange cast, forming a background for the white of two lines of info blurbs at the top with the series information large beneath it in a gothic font in pale orange and white with shadows. Immediately beneath this, and above the horse, is the title in a pale yellow outlined in black. The author's name is at the very bottom in a gradient of orange to yellow and outlined in black.
The title reflects the Skandian fears of the Return of the Temujai.
graceannee's review against another edition
2.0
DNF
I have loved rangers apprentice and Brotherband for the past 6 years. It has been my all time favourite throughout that time beating Harry Potter and Twilight. I say this to express my love. However the last year my reading has jumped in level drastically. I have gone from simple Ya to Jane Eyre and James Rollins. There is quite a difference not only in the complexity and maturity of the story line but also the language and scientific aspects as well. Put these together and your reading taste changes dramatically.
My issue was the sheer repetitiveness of the characters language and personality. Such as the fact that hal felt like will and thorn like halt and so on. As well as by they still used the same jabs at each other such as thorn is old and smelly. I also have such sentimental value attached to these books as i have loved them for so long that I felt like I couldn't bear to keep reading and have the characters let me down. I wanted to remember them like I did at the age of 9.
I will always have a soft spot for these books but unfortunately did not enjoy the return of the temujai.
I have loved rangers apprentice and Brotherband for the past 6 years. It has been my all time favourite throughout that time beating Harry Potter and Twilight. I say this to express my love. However the last year my reading has jumped in level drastically. I have gone from simple Ya to Jane Eyre and James Rollins. There is quite a difference not only in the complexity and maturity of the story line but also the language and scientific aspects as well. Put these together and your reading taste changes dramatically.
My issue was the sheer repetitiveness of the characters language and personality. Such as the fact that hal felt like will and thorn like halt and so on. As well as by they still used the same jabs at each other such as thorn is old and smelly. I also have such sentimental value attached to these books as i have loved them for so long that I felt like I couldn't bear to keep reading and have the characters let me down. I wanted to remember them like I did at the age of 9.
I will always have a soft spot for these books but unfortunately did not enjoy the return of the temujai.