The Outcasts: The Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1 - Download and Read for Free
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1 Free Download
Are you looking for a thrilling and engaging fantasy book to read? Do you love stories of adventure, action and friendship? If so, you might want to check out The Outcasts, the first book in the Brotherband Chronicles series by John Flanagan. And the best part is, you can get it for free! In this article, we'll tell you what The Outcasts is about, why you should read it, and how you can download it for free.
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1 Free Download
What is The Outcasts about?
The Outcasts is a spin-off of the global phenomenon Ranger's Apprentice, a series of books that follows the adventures of Will, an orphan who becomes a legendary ranger in a medieval fantasy world. The Brotherband Chronicles is set in the same world, but focuses on a different group of heroes: the Skandians.
Skandians are known for their size and strength, their skill at sailing and fighting, and their love of plunder and glory. They are divided into brotherbands, groups of young men who train together and compete against each other in various challenges. The Outcasts introduces us to a new brotherband, made up of boys who are considered outcasts by their peers. They are:
Hal, the leader of the group, who is half-Araluen and half-Skandian, and has a talent for inventing and building things.
Stig, Hal's best friend, who has a temper problem and a sense of loyalty.
Jesper, a thief and a gambler, who is always looking for an easy way out.
Edvin, a quiet and smart boy, who acts as the medic and cook of the group.
Stephan, a sarcastic and witty boy, who has a keen eye for details.
Ingenious, a strong and silent boy, who has a knack for wrestling and fighting.
Ulf and Wulf, twin brothers who are always bickering and arguing.
The outcasts have to prove themselves to their fellow Skandians by competing in a series of tests that involve sailing, navigation, combat and teamwork. Along the way, they face dangers from rival brotherbands, treacherous seas and ruthless pirates. They also discover that they have more skills and courage than they ever imagined.
A summary of the plot
The story begins with Hal's father Mikkel, a Skandian warrior who falls in love with an Araluen slave named Karina. They have a son named Hal, who inherits his father's blue eyes and his mother's brown hair. Mikkel dies in a raid when Hal is only three years old, leaving Karina to raise him alone.
Hal grows up as an outsider in Hallasholm, the capital of Skandia. He is shunned by most of the other boys because of his mixed heritage and his small stature. He finds solace in his friendship with Stig, another outcast whose father ran away with a lot of money, leaving his family in disgrace. Hal also develops a passion for building and sailing boats, inspired by his father's old ship, the Heron.
When Hal turns 16, he has to join a brotherband, a group of boys who will train together for three months under the supervision of a skirl, or captain. The skirls choose their teams from a pool of candidates, but no one wants Hal or Stig. They end up in a brotherband with six other boys who are also unwanted: Jesper, Edvin, Stephan, Ingvar, Ulf and Wulf. They name their brotherband the Herons, after Hal's ship.
The Herons have to compete against two other brotherbands: the Wolves, led by Tursgud, a bully who hates Hal; and the Sharks, led by Rollond, a fair and honorable boy who respects Hal. The competition consists of 12 challenges that test the brotherbands' skills in sailing, navigation, combat and teamwork. The winner of each challenge gets a point, and the brotherband with the most points at the end wins the trophy: a silver wolf's head on a wooden shield.
The Herons start off poorly, losing the first two challenges to the Wolves and the Sharks. They are mocked and ridiculed by their rivals and their skirl, Thorn, a former warrior who lost his hand in a battle and became a drunkard. However, they don't give up. They work hard to improve their skills and their teamwork, with Hal's leadership and inventions helping them along the way. They also bond with each other and become friends.
The Herons manage to win some of the challenges, such as the sea chase, the navigation test and the stealth raid. They also earn the respect of Rollond and his Sharks, who become their allies against Tursgud and his Wolves. The competition becomes more intense and dangerous as the challenges involve fighting with real weapons and facing real enemies.
The final challenge is the most important one: a mock battle between the three brotherbands on an island. The Herons have to defend their base from the attacks of the Wolves and the Sharks, while trying to capture their flags. The battle is fierce and bloody, with many injuries and close calls. The Herons manage to hold their ground and capture one of the flags, but they are outnumbered and surrounded by their enemies.
Just when it seems that they are about to lose, a new threat appears: Zavac, a pirate captain who has been raiding Skandian villages with his ship, the Raven. He and his crew attack the island, hoping to loot it and take some hostages. The brotherbands have to put aside their rivalry and work together to fight off the pirates. They use Hal's ingenious devices, such as a giant crossbow and a fire bomb, to damage the Raven and drive away Zavac.
The brotherbands are victorious, but they also suffer losses. One of the Herons dies in the battle, while another is severely wounded. The skirls decide to end the competition and declare all three brotherbands as winners. They award each brotherband a third of the trophy, which they break into pieces. The Herons are proud of their achievement, but they also mourn for their fallen comrade.
The story ends with Hal receiving a letter from Erak, the Oberjarl of Skandia, who is also Will's friend from Ranger's Apprentice. Erak congratulates Hal on his performance in the brotherband training and invites him to join him on a mission to recover a precious artifact that Zavac stole from another Skandian village: the Andomal, a huge amber sphere that is the symbol of Skandia's power and honor. Hal accepts the offer and prepares to sail with his Herons on a new adventure.
The main characters
The Outcasts features a large cast of characters, each with their own personality and backstory. Here are some of the main ones:
Hal Mikkelson: The protagonist of the story, he is a 16-year-old boy who is half-Araluen and half-Skandian. He is smart, creative and brave, but also insecure and lonely. He is an expert at building and sailing boats, especially his own ship, the Heron. He becomes the leader of the Heron brotherband and proves himself to be a capable and inspiring captain.
Article with HTML formatting ---------------------------- The themes and messages
The Outcasts explores several themes and messages that are relevant and meaningful for young readers. Some of them are:
Identity and belonging: The story shows how Hal struggles with his mixed heritage and his sense of being an outsider in Skandia. He has to deal with prejudice, discrimination and bullying from other Skandians who judge him by his appearance and his background. He also has to find his own place and purpose in a society that values strength and honor above all else. He learns to embrace his uniqueness and his talents, and to be proud of who he is.
Friendship and teamwork: The story shows how Hal forms a bond with his fellow outcasts, who become his friends and his family. He learns to trust them, to respect them and to care for them. He also learns to work with them as a team, to overcome their weaknesses and to enhance their strengths. He discovers that friendship and teamwork are more important than winning or losing, and that they can help him achieve anything.
Courage and perseverance: The story shows how Hal faces many challenges and dangers in his journey, both physical and emotional. He has to overcome his fears, his doubts and his enemies. He also has to cope with loss, grief and guilt. He learns to be brave, to be resilient and to never give up. He realizes that courage and perseverance are not only about fighting or surviving, but also about growing and learning.
Why should you read The Outcasts?
If you are a fan of fantasy, adventure and action, you will love The Outcasts. It is a fast-paced, exciting and entertaining book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. It is also a well-written, well-researched and well-crafted book that will immerse you in a rich and vivid world of Skandians and Araluens, of ships and swords, of pirates and warriors.
But The Outcasts is more than just a fun and thrilling book. It is also a meaningful and inspiring book that will make you think and feel. It will make you laugh and cry, cheer and gasp, hope and fear. It will make you relate to the characters, their struggles and their triumphs. It will make you learn from their lessons, their values and their messages.
So whether you are a fan of Ranger's Apprentice or not, whether you are a young reader or not, whether you are a Skandian or not, you should read The Outcasts. It is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves a good story.
How can you get The Outcasts for free?
Now that you know what The Outcasts is about and why you should read it, you might be wondering how you can get it for free. Well, there are several ways you can do that:
Download the Kindle edition from Amazon
One of the easiest ways to get The Outcasts for free is to download the Kindle edition from Amazon. Kindle is a device that allows you to read digital books on a screen. You can also use the Kindle app on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
The Kindle edition of The Outcasts is currently available for free on Amazon.com. All you need is an Amazon account and a Kindle device or app. You can download the book in seconds and start reading it right away.
The Kindle edition of The Outcasts has some advantages over the print edition. For example:
You can adjust the font size, brightness and background color according to your preference.
You can highlight passages, take notes and bookmark pages.
You can access a dictionary, a thesaurus and Wikipedia with a single tap.
You can sync your reading progress across multiple devices.
You can save space and money by not buying physical books.
However, the Kindle edition of The Outcasts also has some disadvantages over the print edition. For example:
You need an internet connection to download the book.
You need a battery charge to read the book.
You might experience eye strain or headaches from reading on a screen.
You might miss the feel, smell and look of a real book.
You might not be able to lend, share or resell the book.
So, if you prefer reading on a screen and you don't mind the drawbacks, you can get The Outcasts for free by downloading the Kindle edition from Amazon.
Listen to the audiobook from Audible
Another way to get The Outcasts for free is to listen to the audiobook from Audible. Audible is a service that allows you to listen to digital books on your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can also use the Audible app on your Kindle device.
The audiobook of The Outcasts is currently available for free on Audible.com. All you need is an Audible account and a device or app. You can download the book in minutes and start listening to it right away.
The audiobook of The Outcasts has some advantages over the print edition and the Kindle edition. For example:
You can listen to the book while doing other things, such as driving, cooking or exercising.
You can enjoy the narration, the voice acting and the sound effects of the book.
You can adjust the speed, volume and pitch of the book according to your preference.
You can skip, rewind and pause the book with a single tap.
You can access a summary, a review and a rating of the book with a single tap.
However, the audiobook of The Outcasts also has some disadvantages over the print edition and the Kindle edition. For example:
You need an internet connection to download the book.
You need a battery charge to listen to the book.
You might experience distraction or boredom from listening to a voice.
You might miss the visual elements, such as illustrations and maps, of the book.
You might not be able to lend, share or resell the book.
So, if you prefer listening to a voice and you don't mind the drawbacks, you can get The Outcasts for free by listening to the audiobook from Audible.
Borrow the book from your local library
A third way to get The Outcasts for free is to borrow the book from your local library. A library is a place that lends books and other materials to people for a limited time. You can also use the library's website or app to search for and reserve books online.
The print edition of The Outcasts is likely available in your local library. All you need is a library card and a visit to the library. You can borrow the book for a few weeks and return it when you are done reading it.
The print edition of The Outcasts has some advantages over the Kindle edition and the audiobook. For example:
You can read the book without an internet connection or a battery charge.
You can enjoy the feel, smell and look of a real book.
You can see the illustrations and maps of the book in full color and detail.
You can lend, share or resell the book after reading it.
You can support your local library and community by borrowing books.
Article with HTML formatting ---------------------------- the audiobook. For example:
You need to visit the library to borrow and return the book.
You need to wait for the book if it is already checked out by someone else.
You need to pay a fine if you lose or damage the book.
You might experience eye strain or headaches from reading on paper.
You might not be able to adjust the font size, brightness or background color of the book.
So, if you prefer reading on paper and you don't mind the drawbacks, you can get The Outcasts for free by borrowing the book from your local library.
Conclusion
The Outcasts is a great book for anyone who loves fantasy, adventure and action. It is a spin-off of the popular Ranger's Apprentice series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone story. It is about a group of outcasts who become heroes in a world of Skandians and Araluens. It is full of seafaring adventures and epic battles, but also of friendship, courage and teamwork. It is a book that will thrill you, inspire you and make you want to read more.
If you want to get The Outcasts for free, you have several options. You can download the Kindle edition from Amazon, listen to the audiobook from Audible, or borrow the print edition from your local library. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
So what are you waiting for? Get The Outcasts for free today and join Hal and his Herons on their amazing journey!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Outcasts:
Is The Outcasts suitable for children?
The Outcasts is suitable for children aged 10 and up. It is a children's book that is written in a simple and clear language. It does not contain any explicit or inappropriate content. However, it does contain some violence and death, as well as some complex and mature themes. Parents and teachers should use their own discretion and judgment when deciding if The Outcasts is suitable for their children or students.
Do I need to read Ranger's Apprentice before reading The Outcasts?
No, you don't need to read Ranger's Apprentice before reading The Outcasts. The Outcasts is a spin-off of Ranger's Apprentice, but it is not a sequel or a prequel. It is set in the same world, but it follows a different group of characters and a different storyline. You can read The Outcasts without any prior knowledge of Ranger's Apprentice and still enjoy it. However, if you have read Ranger's Apprentice, you might appreciate some references and connections that The Outcasts makes to the original series.
How many books are there in The Brotherband Chronicles series?
There are currently nine books in The Brotherband Chronicles series. They are:
The Outcasts (2011)
The Invaders (2012)
The Hunters (2012)
Slaves of Socorro (2014)
Scorpion Mountain (2014)
The Ghostfaces (2016)
The Caldera (2017)
Return of the Temujai (2019)
The Missing Prince (2020)
The series is still ongoing, so there might be more books in the future.
Who is John Flanagan?
John Flanagan is the author of The Brotherband Chronicles series, as well as the Ranger's Apprentice series and its sequel series, The Royal Ranger. He is an Australian writer who started his career as an advertising copywriter. He wrote Ranger's Apprentice for his son Michael, who was 12 years old at the time and not interested in reading. He wanted to create a story that would capture his son's attention and imagination. He succeeded in doing so, and also attracted millions of readers around the world with his books.
Where can I find more information about The Brotherband Chronicles series?
You can find more information about The Brotherband Chronicles series on John Flanagan's official website: https://www.worldofjohnflanagan.com/. There you can find the latest news, updates and events about the series, as well as the author's biography, interviews and blog posts. You can also find the book covers, summaries and excerpts of each book, as well as some fun activities, quizzes and games related to the series.
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