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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
I do love a good underdog story! At first I really missed Will and Halt, but it soon became clear that Hal and Thorn as just as awesome a pair.
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
I really didn't want to like this book. So of course I actually enjoyed it once I got past the first 50 pages. Good underdog story. I might even read the sequel...omg.
THE ENDING JOHN FLANAGAN HOW DARE YOU RIP MY HEART IN HALF LIKE THAT
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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 book is about a few guys who are pirates.
Hal is an outcast. His father, a Skandian warrior, died in battle when Hal was young. His Arulean mother is always remembered for her former slave status. At sixteen Hal is ready for Brotherband training, but when the bands are picked, Hal is left amongst the group of unwanted. These last 8 boys form a brotherband team that rises above their challenges using intelligence, strength and heart. Readers will root for Hal and his team as they train and test in wrestling, navigation, obstacle courses and night raids to become Skandian warriors. Strong themes of loyalty, honor, hard work and friendship prevail.
My 11-year old son recommended this book, along with author John Flanagan's Rangers Apprentice series. I'll be continuing on the series because I have to know where Hal and his brotherband go next. Recommended.
My 11-year old son recommended this book, along with author John Flanagan's Rangers Apprentice series. I'll be continuing on the series because I have to know where Hal and his brotherband go next. Recommended.
Wow, I wish I had read these sooner
It's the patented John Flanagan magic, all the characters seem so detailed and real, the emotion is visceral and complex, even in its simplicity
Also I just love the Skandians, "Let's get 'em!"
It's the patented John Flanagan magic, all the characters seem so detailed and real, the emotion is visceral and complex, even in its simplicity
Also I just love the Skandians, "Let's get 'em!"
This series is just as great as I remember I love how this story tells the tale of Vikings or Skandians in this story it is very well written. I loved the characters so much but I loved Hal most of all with his sharp mind and his talent for making things I also loved the unique members of his Brotherband Stig with the short temper. The twins Ulf and Wulf that fight all the time Ingvar who can't see too good but makes up for it in strength Jesper the thief that can be very willy and helps in many ways. Last but not least I love Edvin the voice of reason and Stefan I also love Thorn a former warrior who lost a hand finds so much in Hal and his group. The plot was interesting it starts with Hal's Father's death and a promise made by Thorn after that Thorn becomes a drunk and is made by Hal's mother to sober up and be there for Hal so after that he teaches Hal and loves how Hal creates things. The story moves in the Brotherband training with Hal gaining a group of misfits or outcasts they do a lot and win until it is all for not from a single mistake looking forward to reading more.
I enjoyed this book, it is a decent and fairly compelling fantasy book. It seemed classic fantasy in a lot of ways, a young boy is special and greatly talented and has to prove himself to be accepted. But the premise of a culture of raiders is somewhat original, and the training school framed the challenges in way which kept it interesting. This being said it was somewhat simplistic in the way the story was told, and the main characters were not terribly interesting or especially likeable. The fact that the main band are so predictably prevalent in the contest was boring, but somewhat cancelled by the ending which actually does make me interested enough to read the next book.
This is so stereotypical -- but I ate it up, just like I did all the Rangers Apprentice books. Even though I knew it was going to end on a cliffhanger, I was still pissed. I did like how it all came together at the end, I didn't predict it, which is good for a book like this. Likeable characters, outcasts, bullying bad guys, competitions -- it is all good. Waiting for #2!