Brotherband: The Outcasts (Content & Quality) Review

 Overview

Brotherband. The one thing every Skandian boy looks forward too. Hal may be half-Araluen, but Brotherband marks his transition from boy to man, but it won't be easy. Hal is a natural navigator and inventor, but he's small, and in a country where strength is valued above all else that's not a good thing. To make things worse, his mortal enemy, a bully named Tursgud is taking Brotherband training with him, and he's the head of the strongest Brotherband that year. Hal, appointed leader of a group of misfits and outcasts, boys no one really liked, has to pull them together, or else. 

Negative

A vicious pirate attack results in a flotilla of merchants being killed mercilessly, and the commander (Whose point of view is what we see it through) and his nephew are tied to a sinking ship. Hal cheats a few times in situations when he knows it isn't possible for him to win anyways (Though this is encouraged by instructors because it helps their creativity). One character has an alcohol addiction (Manages to give it up though.).

Positive

Hal's Brotherband is a group of outcasts, people everyone knew are good for nothing. One of them can't see five feet in front of him, one can't control his temper, another is a thief. Hal himself is an "Araluen weasel," yet Hal knows that they are worth something, and never gives up on his teammates, even if it means sacrificing the competition. He and others own up to their mistakes. Another character honors the dying vow of his friend, despite the fact that everyone thinks he's an old, idiotic, drunk. These are stark contrasts to the previous Ranger's Apprentice characters which were perfect in the eyes of society and almost every other way. 

Conclusion

I cared about the ending of Ranger's Apprentice. Yet, I felt disappointed that it took the author ten books to get me to feel that way. In Brotherband, I found myself relating and caring to the characters after a few chapters. The ending, though not particularly satisfying as the overall story of course continues into the other books, was good. Brotherband is what Ranger's Apprentice should have been. If the rest of the series is as good as this one, it could make my list of favorites. Therefore, Brotherband: The Outcasts gets a 👍 from me.