The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud || Funny, Fast-Paced Adventure

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Action! Humor! Fantasy! This new series opener is a tour de force from international bestseller Jonathan Stroud.

Scarlett McCain is an outlaw, a bank robber and a sharp shooter--a girl of formidable skills. Fueled by a tragic injustice in her past, she travels the broken kingdoms of England alone, carrying out daring heists in the surviving towns and fending off monstrous beasts in the wilds outside their fortified walls. Her life is dangerous, free, and simple--until she finds a wrecked bus on a lonely road. Albert Browne, the sole survivor of the accident, is a seemingly innocent and harmless youth. Against her better judgement, Scarlett agrees to escort him to safety.

This is a mistake. They are soon pursued by men with dogs and guns and explosives. Scarlett is used to running from the law, but these trackers are the most skilled she's ever encountered--and they don't seem to be after her. Just who is this Albert Browne Scarlett must uncover his shocking secrets if either of them are going to survive.

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Perfect for readers who want:

• A dark dystopian fantasy world that will make you feel better about this one.
• And also will sometimes rise up out of nowhere and smack you in the face with how messed up it is.
• Super badass female protagonist outlaw who’s good at what she does.
• Utterly adorable cinnamon roll male protagonist who’s not as innocent as he seems.
• Funny duo dynamics and banter.
• Fast-paced adventure that’ll pull you in and take you along for the ride.
• Lots of plot twists and little surprises to be discovered along the way.

Many thanks to Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers and Rocksar Book Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Would you believe that I had never read a Jonathan Stroud book before? Even though I’ve heard ridiculously good things about his book. Even though he’s one of Annemieke @ A Dance With Book’s favorite authors and I see her talk about his work all the time. Despite owning several of his books? Yeah, I’m a little disappointed with myself, too. So as soon as I saw that he was coming out with a new series, let alone one about outlaws, I knew I had to jump on it!

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne is a fast-paced adventure fantasy set in a dystopian world you won’t want to visit but filled with characters you’re sure to love, with plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing as to what’ll happen next.

Boy am I glad I decided to pick this up, and now I see what I’ve been missing. I’ll definitely need to go back and read some of Stroud’s work, because this book was so much fun! It’s got a wonderfully dark world juxtaposed against this very comic duo that end up together through no fault of their own: an awesomely badass female outlaw and the hopeless, naive boy she has the misfortune of saving. I absolutely cannot wait for more in this series!

Unlike a lot of dark worlds, I’m not sure I’d want to join this one. It’s dystopian, and filled with monsters, but the people here just might be worst than any of the wild beasts.

The reader gets a look at the world in bits and pieces, as we travel along with Scarlett and, eventually, Albert. It takes some time for Stroud to build a better picture of the world . . . and when he does, I assure you, you may not like what you see. It’s a rough and tumble world, but not like the old west sort. More like The Handmaiden’s Tale meets the creatures from your worst nightmares. So maybe not the type of place to schedule as your next vacation retreat.

Lucky for those of us not living there, this creates a lot of tension and what I like to call fun for the characters. That’s obviously my word and not theirs. I don’t want to talk too much about the world, because I feel like half the pleasure is all the little surprises that come up as you delve deeper into the world and discover new things. I was definitely surprised by what I learned as Scarlett and Albert ventured into new areas and met new people.

The female protagonist, Scarlett, is a badass outlaw who’s good at what she does and doesn’t apologize for that. In other words, she’s a delight.

If nothing else, read this book for Scarlett, because she is an absolute treasure. She’s very much the outlaw stereotype: no nonsense, nothing holding her back, out for her own. She’s smart, though, and very shrewd and calculating. In fact, when you first meet Scarlett, she’s doing what she does best: casually robbing a bank. You know, like you do. For me, it was love at first theft, because how can you not fall for this girl?!

Then enter Albert, of course, who seems to be her opposite (and nothing but a thorn in her side, really).

The male protagonist, Albert, is a little less . . . well, everything. But he’s utterly adorable, slightly naive, and absolutely filled to the brim with secrets.

I lied when I said you should read the book for Scarlett. Read it for Scarlett and Albert, because the juxtaposition between the two personalities is just *chef’s kiss*. They’re so different and yet so perfectly suited for each other. When you first meet Albert, he’s also doing what he does best: hiding from the scary world outside.

Albert is such a cinnamon roll that it’s impossible not to love him. He’s just adorable. Also definitely hiding things. Then again, who isn’t? Albert is one big mystery in this book, from his background to his goals to his personality in general.

This book isn’t just dark, though. There’s a little bit of everything: adventure, humor, mystery. It’s a book that will sink its jaws into you and refuse to let go.

I had high expectations going into this book just because of all the good things I’ve heard about the author. The minute I started the book, though, I knew I was going to love it. How could you not with an opening like this?!

If that doesn’t immediately make you fall in love with Scarlett . . . well, this book probably isn’t for you, and I don’t know that we can be friends anymore. Okay, okay, we can still be friends. Just know that I’m definitely going to judge you for this. Probably give you more than a little side-eye, too.

There is a lot of action in this book, and even when there isn’t, there’s never a dull moment. It’s dark but funny, with characters and a world shrouded in mystery, discovered through one plot twist after another. There’s a little something for everyone, and I can already tell that I’m going to love this series!

About Jonathan Stroud

Jonathan Stroud is the author of two internationally bestselling series: the award-winning Bartimaeus Sequence, which has been published in thirty-six languages worldwide, and the critically acclaimed Lockwood & Co., which is currently being adapted by Netflix. His stand-alone titles include Heroes of the Valley, The Last Siege, The Leap, and Buried Fire. Jonathan lives near London with his wife and three children. You can visit him at jonathanstroud.com and follow him on Instagram at @jonathan.stroud and on Twitter at @JonathanAStroud.

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3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE, US Only.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

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