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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
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
I couldn't figure out why I hadn't reviewed this when I read it ages ago - awards reading!
Who'd have thought that a bedtime story, created for his son, could lead John Flanagan to a second amazing series? The Ranger's Apprentice series is a must read for any middle-school child. Robust characters, great plotting, fabulous adventures, and the Brotherband Chronicles continue the tradition.
The Outcasts creates a new story based around the Skandians, introduced to readers through Erak from the Ranger's Apprentice series. Erak is now the Oberjal of Skandia, living in the small village of Hallasholm. But The Outcasts is not focused on Erak, rather, the main characters are a bunch of misfit boys, the outcasts of the title. Teenage boys in Skandia are expected to undertake Brotherband training to prepare them for a life of raiding and fighting on the ocean. No one wants to be in a team with the Outcasts - even them! So how do you get a group of loners to work together long enough to put up a tent, let alone have a chance at the title of champion brotherband?
Teamwork, heirarchy and leadership are all key themes in this, the first of the series. Flanagan is skilful at introducing the characters as part of the story, and, of course, the story rollicks along at a grand pace. Recommended reading.
Who'd have thought that a bedtime story, created for his son, could lead John Flanagan to a second amazing series? The Ranger's Apprentice series is a must read for any middle-school child. Robust characters, great plotting, fabulous adventures, and the Brotherband Chronicles continue the tradition.
The Outcasts creates a new story based around the Skandians, introduced to readers through Erak from the Ranger's Apprentice series. Erak is now the Oberjal of Skandia, living in the small village of Hallasholm. But The Outcasts is not focused on Erak, rather, the main characters are a bunch of misfit boys, the outcasts of the title. Teenage boys in Skandia are expected to undertake Brotherband training to prepare them for a life of raiding and fighting on the ocean. No one wants to be in a team with the Outcasts - even them! So how do you get a group of loners to work together long enough to put up a tent, let alone have a chance at the title of champion brotherband?
Teamwork, heirarchy and leadership are all key themes in this, the first of the series. Flanagan is skilful at introducing the characters as part of the story, and, of course, the story rollicks along at a grand pace. Recommended reading.
I picked this up at the library, after having read Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series and loving it to absolute pieces. I had to wait a while after it was released to be able to start this one, because I loved Will and Halt too much. I almost felt like I was betraying them by reading this series (because I'm a geek like that) but I'm so glad I finally did.
This is the story of a half Araluen/half Skandian boy named Hal, and a group of other Skandian boys who go through what they call brotherband training together. It's set on the same world as the Ranger's Apprentice series, and there's a few familiar faces from there in these books (which makes me hope that Will and Halt may eventually make an appearance) - most notably Erak, the Oberjarl of Skandia.
Flanagan's characters are very well-written, and generally well-rounded, and there's several moments in The Outcasts that had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to get started on the second book, The Invaders.
This is the story of a half Araluen/half Skandian boy named Hal, and a group of other Skandian boys who go through what they call brotherband training together. It's set on the same world as the Ranger's Apprentice series, and there's a few familiar faces from there in these books (which makes me hope that Will and Halt may eventually make an appearance) - most notably Erak, the Oberjarl of Skandia.
Flanagan's characters are very well-written, and generally well-rounded, and there's several moments in The Outcasts that had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to get started on the second book, The Invaders.
This is the start of another great series by John Flanagan. In this book, Hal is an outcast in his home: The raider country of Skandia. His mother is Araulen, and his deceased father was a Skandian warrior. Hal is sixteen, and he is an inventor, more brains than brawn. Hal and the rest of his age group in Skandia undertake Brotherband training, where they learn how to become a proper warrior.
Hal and his teammates must undergo serious mental and physical training in order to win the contest, even though they are outnumbered and weak. They also have to deal with Tursgud, a ruthless competitor. Journey along with Hal as he struggles to succeed in his training, and make his family proud.
Hal and his teammates must undergo serious mental and physical training in order to win the contest, even though they are outnumbered and weak. They also have to deal with Tursgud, a ruthless competitor. Journey along with Hal as he struggles to succeed in his training, and make his family proud.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Very solid for what I’d call a middle grade book! Good recommendation for upper elem. readers!
Everything about this book was fantastic! I just finished rereading the Rangers Apprentice series and have been meaning to start the spin off series for some time. I'm so glad I did! I love the characters, the themes of courage, loyalty, and determination to keep going even if the waters get rough. At one point toward the end- I literally had to stop reading as I soaked in the inevitable hard truth that was to happen. This is defiantly a book that you have to read for yourself. I loved that there was no language, unlike the RA. I'm so pumped to get the second book!
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous