Jonathan Stroud

England has been radically changed by a series of catastrophes. The surviving population exists in fortified towns, while strangely evolved beasts prowl the wilderness beyond. Those who fall foul of the rules are persecuted. Only a few fight back - and two of these outlaws, Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne, display an audacity and talent that makes them legends

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Nessa Luna

The Lockwood & Co series is one of my favourite series of all time, so when I heard Jonathan Stroud was writing another book (series? GR says it is but there's nothing about a sequel yet) I knew I had to get my hands on this book. 

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne is about Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne who are thrown together in a future dystopian Britain, hunted by deadly enemies. This book is a bit of a genre-bending book in my opinion - it was a dystopian with a bit of a western vibe and some fantasy mixed in. And I loved it. I have to admit, it did take me a bit to get into the book at first - but once I did, I literally flew through it. Jonathan's writing just manages to pull me in all the time and the characters he writes are some of my absolute favourites. 

But yeah these types of stories (view spoiler)[found family with a little bit of heist thrown in (hide spoiler)] and I will devour those stories every time. I really hope there'll be some announcement on a sequel coming soon because I need it in my hands asap!

Action! Humor! Fantasy! This new series opener is a tour de force from international bestseller Jonathan Stroud. Scarlett McCain is a shoot-first ask-questions-later kind of outlaw. She scrapes by on bank heists, her wits--and never looking back. She's on the run from her latest crime when she comes across Albert Browne. He is the sole survivor of a horrific accident, and against her better judgement, Scarlett agrees to guide him to safety. This is a mistake. Soon there are men with dogs and guns and explosives hot on their heels. Scarlett's used to being chased by the law, but this is extreme. It was only a little bank she'd robbed . . . As they flee together across the wilds, fighting off monstrous beasts, and dodging their pursuers, Scarlett comes to realize that Albert Browne is hiding a terrible secret. And that he may be the most dangerous threat of all. In this fast-paced, quick-witted whirlwind of a story, Jonathan Stroud introduces two unlikely allies--the outlaws Scarlett and Browne--who are about to become the most notorious renegades in all that's left of Britain.

Kirsten Simkiss

This is an entirely spoiler free review. 

I'm on the fence about this book, but it was not awful. And I say was not because good grief could this book have used some contractions. I'm going to give this one a solid 3 stars because while I liked it, I don't know if I'm going to ever reread this. I've really enjoyed Stroud's books in the past, but I don't think this one was my particular cup of tea. (My favorites of his so far that I've read are the Screaming Staircase and subsequent books.)

The first half of the book felt very slow, but the second half definitely picked things up. I was a little concerned at about a third of the way through the book, but I persevered and I enjoyed the latter part.

I definitely want more world information about what happened to the planet that resulted in this post-apocalyptic world, but I also kind of like that not all the answers are just handed to you as the reader. That puzzling together of the scraps of information is kind of fun. The Tainted are also interesting, and reminiscent of the ghouls from the Fallout game series. I look forward to unraveling the world state a little more in future books.

Scarlett and Albert are definitely fun characters, though I'm hoping to get a little more information on Scarlett's backstory at some point. This book was very Albert-centric. I would also love for Albert to develop a little more in the next book as I know this one was mostly about him reaching a goal.

This would be a great book for a middle school reader. There is no cursing, but there is a solid amount of violence, death, and murder. Think Wild West but post apocalyptic England and that's pretty much what you've got.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Author: Jonathan Stroud

Book Series: The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne Book 1

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: dystopian, young adult readers, apocalyptic

Publication Date: April 1, 2021

Genre: YA Dystopian

Recommended Age: 15+ (animal death, death, violence, gore, medical experiments/torture)

Explanation of CWs: There is an animal death shown in the book. There is violence and gore. There is also some medical experiments/torture shown.

Publisher: Walker Books

Pages: 400

Synopsis: Set in a fragmented future England, The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne introduces us to a world where gunfights and monsters collide, and where the formidable outlaw Scarlett McCain fights daily against the odds. When she discovers a wrecked coach on a lonely road, there is only one survivor – the seemingly hapless youth, Albert Browne. Against her instincts, Scarlett agrees to escort him to safety. This is a mistake. Soon, new and implacable enemies are on her heels. As a relentless pursuit continues across the broken landscape of England, Scarlett must fight to uncover the secrets of Albert’s past – and come to terms with the implications of her own.

Review: Overall, this was a great book! I loved the dystopian world in this book. It’s probably one of my faves now! I loved the character development and the world building was also well done. The book had an interesting premise and it hooked me immediately. I also loved how well written the book was overall.

The only issue I had with the book is that sometimes it was a bit slow in the pacing, but overall it was very well done.

Verdict: I loved it!

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

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