They are outcasts. Hal, Stig, and the others - they are the boys the others want no part of. Skandians, as any reader of Ranger's Apprentice could ...
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Feb 13, 2012
Barb
rated it: 
If you liked the Ranger’s Apprentice series you will like John Flanagan’s new series that follows the same formula. Instead of Will, there is Hal. Instead of Halt, there is Thorn. Instead of Horace, there is Stig. All have flaws and strengths. There is plenty of action and humor throughout the story. This formula works and it’s highly entertaining.
Hal is an outcast in Skandia because of his mixed parentage. His Mom, a former Araluen slave, was set free by his Skandian dad who later mar More...
Hal is an outcast in Skandia because of his mixed parentage. His Mom, a former Araluen slave, was set free by his Skandian dad who later mar More...
Dec 29, 2011
Tyrean
rated it: 
Hal, an outcast mentored by an outcast, befriend by outcasts, is a well-written character in the midst of a somehwat expected plot. Yet, for all the familiarity of the plot, and even some of the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Flanagan has a way of taking some familiar characters and giving them a new look and a new way of dealing with tough situations.
At first, it seems that Hal is up against his entire society, but we find that he has unexpected allies, and More...
Flanagan has a way of taking some familiar characters and giving them a new look and a new way of dealing with tough situations.
At first, it seems that Hal is up against his entire society, but we find that he has unexpected allies, and More...
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Dec 12, 2011
Kathy
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First in the Brotherband Chronicles children's adventure-fantasy series revolving around eight young men of Hallasholm who are anxious to prove themselves to their peers and countrymen. This story is set several years after the events in Battle for Skandia, number 4 in the Ranger's Apprentice series.
<h2>My Take</h2>
The prologue is half-finished which made a reveal later in the story a bit confusing. I'm not really sure why Flanagan bothered with a prologue.
T More...
<h2>My Take</h2>
The prologue is half-finished which made a reveal later in the story a bit confusing. I'm not really sure why Flanagan bothered with a prologue.
T More...
Nov 26, 2011
Andrew Shuping
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Hal doesn’t really fit into the typical mold of a Skandian nor does he really fit in well anywhere for that matter since his mother is an ex-slave from Araluen. So when he comes of age and begins brotherband training he’s a bit worried, especially about Tursgud who makes Hal’s life miserable every chance he gets....and is bound to be one of the leaders of the brotherbands. So its with a just a wee bit of surprise and trepidation that Hal finds himself a leader of a brotherband, a brotherband o
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Nov 19, 2011
Gaby
rated it:
I'd loved John Flanagan's Ranger Apprentice series and had high hopes for the first book in his new series, The Outcasts. This time, Flanagan tells the story of Skanians, a race and culture similar to the Vikings, through the point of view of Hal. Hal's father, Mikkel, was a renowned warrior who had traveled with Erak and was killed in battle while Hal was a very young child. Mikkel's best friend Thorn promises to look after Mikkel's son and wife. Hal grew up with his Araluen mother, always a
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Nov 09, 2011
Katrina
rated it:
HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP!
THIS BOOK WAS SO AWESOME!
i cannot believe he ended like that!!!!
no john flanagan! u must not do this to us!!!!!!!!!
nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how long must i wait for the next?! how long?! how long must i suffer?!
ok so anyway, i am calm now.
so to any who was just thinking about reading this book, let me give you a basic run-down of what to expect. the book opens to a scene where erak and h More...
THIS BOOK WAS SO AWESOME!
i cannot believe he ended like that!!!!
no john flanagan! u must not do this to us!!!!!!!!!
nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how long must i wait for the next?! how long?! how long must i suffer?!
ok so anyway, i am calm now.
so to any who was just thinking about reading this book, let me give you a basic run-down of what to expect. the book opens to a scene where erak and h More...
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Oct 02, 2011
James
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Brotherband
Book 1 The Outcasts by John Flanagan
Hal Mikkelson lives with his mother
in Hallasholm
(the capital of Skandia, modern day Norway) and is always inventing something new to help his Mum run her eating house and inn. Sadly, most of his inventions don't work, and he ends up getting in trouble from her. Hal and his best friend Stig also get bullied by Tursgud (the local bully) and his thug-like friends. But when Thorn (a man who lost his arm in a raid) teaches him to defe More...
Book 1 The Outcasts by John Flanagan
Hal Mikkelson lives with his mother
in Hallasholm
(the capital of Skandia, modern day Norway) and is always inventing something new to help his Mum run her eating house and inn. Sadly, most of his inventions don't work, and he ends up getting in trouble from her. Hal and his best friend Stig also get bullied by Tursgud (the local bully) and his thug-like friends. But when Thorn (a man who lost his arm in a raid) teaches him to defe More...
Dec 31, 2011
Brandon
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Dec 21, 2011
David
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The Outcasts (Brotherband #1) by John Flanagan is the beginning of a new series following a group of young Skandian boys who are outcasts of their age group and outcasts from their society.
Hal, Stig, Wulf, Ulf, Edvin, Jesper, Stefan and Ingvar are the boys the others want no part of. Most of them don't possess size and strength, yet they have skills and courage - which they will need every ounce of to do battle at sea against the other bands, the Wolves and the Sharks, in the ultimat More...
Hal, Stig, Wulf, Ulf, Edvin, Jesper, Stefan and Ingvar are the boys the others want no part of. Most of them don't possess size and strength, yet they have skills and courage - which they will need every ounce of to do battle at sea against the other bands, the Wolves and the Sharks, in the ultimat More...
Nov 14, 2011
Shannon
rated it: 
I got this as a free copy from a book rep only to open the front cover and see a list of sailing terms you should really know. Immediately I groan in my head because if there's one genre that really doesn't excite me it's sailing/boating. Regardless of this I persevered purely due to John Flanagan's name (despite never having read any of his before). Despite my initial reaction I really grew to enjoy the characters (mostly), the plot line and the humour.
Outcasts follows the Brotherb More...
Outcasts follows the Brotherb More...
Dec 01, 2011
Khornberger
rated it:
Life has its way of throwing punches, many of which are unevenly doled out. Hal, the son of a former Araluen slave and a Skandian who freed her, is seen as not fully Skandian and, therefore, not fully worthy of respect. To add to it, Hal's father died when he was young and he has been raised by his mother with the help of the town drunk. Hal is becoming of age to enter Brotherband training and endures the taunts from a local bully and others and is not selected into a Brotherband. He, and ot
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Nov 12, 2011
Gail
rated it:
I have been a big fan of the Ranger's Apprentice books. This is very similar. Instead of Will, we have Hal. Instead of Horace, we have Stig. Instead of Halt, we have Thorn. Hal's father dies in battle and asks Thorn to take care of his son and wife. Thorn becomes a drunk because he can't fight anymore and fails in his vow to take care of the boy. Hal's mother helps Thorn to straighten up and then a great relationship develops between Thorn and Hal. Stig is the big friend that is truly lo
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Nov 21, 2011
EA
rated it:
I love the RANGER'S APPRENTICE series so was really, and I mean really, excited when I heard about this new series by John Flanagan. THE OUTCASTS is a group of Skandian boys who are grouped together in a coming of age challenge. The main character, Hal is a great thinker and always coming up with new inventions. He doesn't necessarily fit in with the other boys, but he is proud of his parentage (half Skandian half Araluen). When I first described this book to a friend of mine they said "Oh
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Nov 28, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Call me a dork, but I really like the Ranger's Apprentice series and this companion series is just as fun. In this series it starts with Hal as a teen and how he grows up. He is part Skandian and part Arulean so he must deal with prejudice and hatred. He joins a 'brotherband' to learn about being a Skandian warrior and has lots of adventures doing so. I like the easy flow of the story and how it is funny and full of adventure and has good morals in it too. What I can't figure out, which hopefull
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Nov 07, 2011
Cinnamon
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Great story, as good as the Ranger's Apprentice series
Hal has always been an outcast in Skandia, partly because of his Arulean heritage and partly because of his smaller build. He has few friends and spends most of his time inventing things and trying to make life easier. His best invention is a new sailing ship, one that allows sailing in all kinds of wind conditions.
All young Skandian men must participate in a coming of age activity called Brotherband. Hal is made leader o More...
Hal has always been an outcast in Skandia, partly because of his Arulean heritage and partly because of his smaller build. He has few friends and spends most of his time inventing things and trying to make life easier. His best invention is a new sailing ship, one that allows sailing in all kinds of wind conditions.
All young Skandian men must participate in a coming of age activity called Brotherband. Hal is made leader o More...
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Nov 14, 2011
Dracolibris
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book, as I do all of Flanagan's works, but I felt that for the first in a new series, the formula seemed a little bit too familar. The main character, named Hal, is the son of a freed Arulean slave and his deceased Skandian warrior father. So not necessarily an orphan, but an outcast because of his Arulean blood. He is mentored by his father's one-time best friend, a one-armed man name Thorn who is gruff but lovable, wise, influential and a total bada$$ once upon a time.
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Nov 06, 2011
Rhonda
rated it:
5 STARS
As far as I am concerned John Flanagan has another hit series going. It was exciting and drew you in from the first. Did not want to put it down. The only bad thing is wait till the next book comes out.
It starts out 12 years in the past when Erak is still raiding and two warriors are holding off some fighters whill the rest are taking the treasure to the ship. One is killed and he asks his friend to watch over his wife and boy.
Than it tells a little abo More...
As far as I am concerned John Flanagan has another hit series going. It was exciting and drew you in from the first. Did not want to put it down. The only bad thing is wait till the next book comes out.
It starts out 12 years in the past when Erak is still raiding and two warriors are holding off some fighters whill the rest are taking the treasure to the ship. One is killed and he asks his friend to watch over his wife and boy.
Than it tells a little abo More...
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Dec 05, 2011
Cameron
rated it:
John Flanagan Hasn't failed me yet(You could never fail me!!) with Brotherband Chronicles, I have yet to get my other brothers to read but I know they'll thank me when they do because it was amazing! I was literally there, staring out far it the sea water feeling the speed, the danger and the heart-break near the end (and there was alot of me screaming but that didn't help..much) I'm so glad my friends agree with me and love His books too.
I still cannot wait for the next book. the t More...
I still cannot wait for the next book. the t More...
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Nov 25, 2011
Eoin
rated it:
Yes! I am so happy I liked this book. I was really nervous going into it because I never was attracted to John Flanagan's original series, The Ranger's Apprentice, but I'm so sold on him now. Flanagan is able to seamlessly blend detailed exposition in Part 1 of the book (The book is split up into 4 Parts), which is mainly made up of exposition. This is a skill many authors lack and is why many readers may not enjoy a book. Thorn was my favorite character, he was such an underdog who overcame all
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Jan 01, 2012
Sandra (I don't read, I devour.)
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I'm wondering if the characters from this new set of books will have anything to do with the Wolfwill's little changes. :)
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Jan 02, 2012
Sterling
rated it:
I didn't expect this to be as good as Ranger's Apprentice (without Halt, nothing can compare, although Snape and Jayfeather have made their respective series awesome as well) but it was nice to read something of Flanagan's again. And even though Thorn wasn't as grumpy as Halt, he still was my favorite character.
This was a very interesting and captivating tale of Hal's brotherband training, as well as his fghts with the other boys and, of course, getting in trouble and sailing off to More...
This was a very interesting and captivating tale of Hal's brotherband training, as well as his fghts with the other boys and, of course, getting in trouble and sailing off to More...
Dec 03, 2011
Kristen
rated it:
I really enjoyed this promising series debut from Flanagan, author of the Ranger's Apprentice series. It's not necessary to have read the Ranger's Apprentice books to like this, but they do add to the background a bit. Anyway, it's about this group of Skandian teens who are training to be warriors on wolfships. They get divided into groups called brotherbands and compete against each other in basic-training-type challenges. I'm a bit disappointed in the paucity of female characters but otherwise
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Nov 07, 2011
Anne
rated it:
First book in a new series by the author of Ranger's Apprentice!!! If you like Rangers, you will like this one, too.
Set in Skandia, Hal is the son of a great (Skandian) warrior who was killed in battle and a freed Araluen slave. He is teased and bullied. His only friends are Stig, a boy whose father stole loot from the village, and Thorn, a drunk. Hal is clever though and when they go to Brotherband training, he is able to lead his team through the challenges despite a lot of hards More...
Set in Skandia, Hal is the son of a great (Skandian) warrior who was killed in battle and a freed Araluen slave. He is teased and bullied. His only friends are Stig, a boy whose father stole loot from the village, and Thorn, a drunk. Hal is clever though and when they go to Brotherband training, he is able to lead his team through the challenges despite a lot of hards More...
Jan 09, 2012
Mary
rated it:
Excellent YA Novel by John Flanagan, Australian author of the Ranger's Apprentice series (8 books)
Marvelous characters, growing into adulthood. I love the descriptions of a nearsighted young boy who is trying to "make it" in a warrior culture. He's incredibly strong, but to him everything beyond arm's length is a blur. I've often wondered how I would fare (being extremely nearsighted) in a world where I didn't have corrective lenses. As the character comments several time More...
Marvelous characters, growing into adulthood. I love the descriptions of a nearsighted young boy who is trying to "make it" in a warrior culture. He's incredibly strong, but to him everything beyond arm's length is a blur. I've often wondered how I would fare (being extremely nearsighted) in a world where I didn't have corrective lenses. As the character comments several time More...
Feb 07, 2012
StorySnoops
rated it:
Brotherband Chronicles is a new spin-off series from the author of the popular Ranger's Apprentice series. Boys who enjoy adventure will not be disappointed by this story that is full of action and even boasts a few devilish pirates. While there are some familiar faces from the Ranger's Apprentice, this story focuses on a new hero, Hal, who is extremely bright, responsible, and insightful. He leads a motley crew of outcasts who come together as a team to prove... (click for full review http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php?id...
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Dec 19, 2011
Mara
rated it:
The first installment in John Flanagan's new companion-series to Ranger's Apprentice was far more promising than I was anticipating. Readers are introduced to an entirely new set of characters, each with their own unique personality, albeit fairly cliche personalities. And while I found myself not especially attached to any particular boy by the end of the book, I also didn't find myself hating any of them, with the horrible urge to claw my own eyes out every time they spoke in the book. Thanks
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Dec 07, 2011
Sally
rated it:
The average of 5 stars for the fact that I just really like the way he writes and his characters and 3 stars for the originality...really it's just Ranger's Apprentice set in Scandia, tweak a couple of circumstances and put new names to the characters. That being said, I still liked it, just don't go reading it expecting something really different or for it to be a continuation of Ranger's for that matter. Erik is the only carry over character and they mention Halt a couple of times, but that
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Jan 29, 2012
Orchid
rated it:
Story:
So far I have only read one book by John Flanagan, The Ruins of Gorlan, even so, I really wanted to listen to the first book in the spin-off series The Brotherband Chronicles. Was it worth it, absolutely.
One of the things that helped to make The Outcasts so good was that it started with a little bit of backstory-before you even meet the MC, Hal. I really enjoyed that it started out that way because it helped to set the scene for what was to come and introduce you to the More...
So far I have only read one book by John Flanagan, The Ruins of Gorlan, even so, I really wanted to listen to the first book in the spin-off series The Brotherband Chronicles. Was it worth it, absolutely.
One of the things that helped to make The Outcasts so good was that it started with a little bit of backstory-before you even meet the MC, Hal. I really enjoyed that it started out that way because it helped to set the scene for what was to come and introduce you to the More...
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Dec 01, 2011
Alison
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This is a great read featuring a fully-realized cast of characters, a plot that (while long) includes lots of action and suspense, underlying messages that teachers and parents will applaud, and an ending that will make readers want to move right along to the sequel. It’s a terrific companion to the Ranger’s Apprentice series (of which I am also a fan), written in the same style and with almost identical themes. John Flanagan’s fans will NOT be disappointed! Woven into the story is lots of inter
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Dec 29, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
What a great read! Flanagan has, once again, created rich, interesting, and lovable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed The Outcasts. Flanagan has created a new side to the already-established world of Skandia.
The system of training for the boys in Skandia, is very interesting. I was a bit worried we wouldn't get to see how the Brotherband training went down but I am so glad the author showed us how exactly it worked. One thing I wished he'd done in the Ranger's Apprentice series is sho More...
The system of training for the boys in Skandia, is very interesting. I was a bit worried we wouldn't get to see how the Brotherband training went down but I am so glad the author showed us how exactly it worked. One thing I wished he'd done in the Ranger's Apprentice series is sho More...
