THE LEGENDARY SCARLETT & BROWNE - Jonathan Stroud

Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne have always managed to get out of as much trouble as they've gotten in to. But whether luck or skill (or a combination of the two) they are about to meet the trouble that even they can't escape.

While Scarlett follows up on leads to find her brother, Albert returns to the harrowing Stonemoor Prison where he developed his abilities but was treated worse than a lab rat. The pair continue to defy the Faith Houses and The Tainted are creatures of horror right out of their worst nightmares.

Even after building of community of outcasts and rescued slaves, Scarlett and Browne will have to face some of their worst nightmares alone. And it is very unlikely they will survive.

Have I really only been waiting three years for this book? Because it seems like forever.

I think that without a doubt, Jonathan Stroud is the best YA fantasy/thriller author today. His characters are outstanding. Despite their youth, they have an incredibly rich background. Scarlet and Albert, while coming from vastly different backgrounds, carry a lot of baggage for two who are so young. But they also carry a lot of power. The series has been so wonderful, watching them grow into their abilities and to lean on one another they way that they have.

The world building has also been quite fantastic. The underlying darkness that we could sense in the first two books, come fully to the fore here. The duo have been able to keep the darkness at bay, but it is so integrated into who they are that they can't outrun what has made them who they are.

This isn't just a fast-paced, thrilling, dark fantasy (though it is that), this book (the conclusion of the series?!) is wracked with emotions - each scene brings out something and hints at more to come. The pair grow - emotionally - a lot in this book. Perhaps Albert moreso.

Don't start with this book. Read the trilogy. If you haven't read any of the books, you're lucky that you can read them straight through and not have to wait years for the next volume, because I can assure you that you won't want to wait.

Looking for a good book? The Legendary Scarlett & Browne by Jonathan Stroud brings about a tear-gushing conclusion to the Outlaws Scarlett & Browne trilogy. Read them all for a thrilling dark fantasy adventure.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

The Legendary Scarlett & Browne

author: Jonathan Stroud

series: The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne

publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780593707364

hardcover, 448 pages

 

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