The Outcasts by John Flanagan

Type of Read:
Young Adult

Plot Summary:
This is a coming of age story for a group of boys who are are the rejects of their society. They live in a country that values fighting and seafaring (just like Vikings...but they aren't called Vikings). The main character Hal, is more of a thinker and inventor then a Viking. He has the ability to fight and sail, but he is always tinkering with things, always wanting to improve. He and his outcast friends enter the training program that will graduate them into manhood. Their are many tasks they must accomplish to show their strength, their smarts, and their courage. All the while, there is trouble brewing out on the sea that threatens their country.

Strengths:
I love Flanagan's writing style. He is very clean and simple. But don't let that fool you. He also has the ability to make you care about characters, see the made up world he has created and want more of this world. He is an amazing talent, but I don't think he gets nearly the amount of recognition that he deserves. So here's me, giving you props Mr. Flanagan (although you'll probably never read this)

Also, this is a spin-off story from his Ranger's Apprentice series. It takes place in the same world as the previous series, but in a different country. There are a few lines in the book that refers to past adventures of the Rangers, but there is no need to read that series before reading the Brotherband Chronicles.

Weaknesses:
The only weakness is the fact that certain things seem to come too easy to the main characters. They don't succeed in everything, but they manage to succeed in the things that matter and help them reach their ultimate goal. *SPOILER* And when they get what they want, they make a really stupid decision that makes it all fall apart. You just want to shake the characters! (I guess that's good writing for ya...) But I can understand why Flanagan does it. This is a young adult book that is supposed to inspire, but teach caution at the same time...just wish the characters struggled a bit more (wow that sounded horrible...'I just wish the characters I am reading about suffered more for my enjoyment...')

Opinion and Recommendation:
I have enjoyed all the John Flanagan novels that I've read. His clean style and fast moving story is great. I would definitely recommend this to both kids and adults alike. Since it is a fast read, I would check it out at the library first, but then buy it for your kids (If you're like me, you are already have a baby library for future wee ones.)