The Outcasts

"The Outcasts"
John Flanagan
Brotherband Chronicles
Low Fantasy

Summary
A young man, named Hal, is about to join brotherband, the right of passage for young men in Skandian to become men. Brotherband is hard for most young boys but for Hal it is even harder. His father died when he was young, and being half Araluen, most of his people don't think of him as Skandian.

As Brotherband starts, all the boys are sorted in to groups. By default Hal is put in charge of the third and smallest brotherband named the Herons. Together this rag tag group of forgotten and unwanted boys will find the strength to overcome all things through at them.

At the same time an evil pirate is seeking to steal the Skandian's greatest treasure, the Andomal. When there destinies come together an adventure will start that will lead Hal and his friend far from home.

Review
John Flanagan has done it again. He has created a story and characters that pull the reader in and keep them read and wanting more. Brotherband is a companion series to Ranger's Apprentice. Both Series take place in the same world and at about the same time.

Unlike the Ranger's Apprentice this story focus on sailing and seamanship then on archery. The Brotherband series also has more of a group store then Rangers. Even with these differences the book has also the same feel as Flanagan's other books.

I could not put this book down and I was looking for the next book before I had even finished the first. I loved all the characters and was pulled in by the plot. This book makes me hope that Flanagan keeps on writing.

I would give this book a 9.1 out of 10.