Jazzy Reads

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book Five – Review

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In this thrilling adventure, Scorpion Mountain, Hal and the crew finally get to meet King Duncan of Araluen.

When they get there, King Duncan sends them on a special mission of great importance.

A man named Ikbaal has payed the Shurmel of a tribe in Arrida to put a Tolfa on King Duncan’s daughter, Cassandra.

(For those who don’t know what a Tolfa is, it is basically when this certain tribe hires themselves out as assasins to kill someone.

It is based on their belief that it is what their goddess wants them to do.)

With the fear that any day his daughter might get assassinated, King Duncan sends Hal and his crew, along with  Gilan, to destroy the tolfa by any means possible.

But at the same time, Hal is astonished to find that Ingvar plans to leave the Brotherband, for good.

Can Hal somehow manage to change Ingvar’s mind?

Can the Heron Brotherband and Gilan stop the Tolfa and save King Duncan’s daughter?

In this amazing adventure of the Herons you will find danger, excitement and much more.

Enter into the Heron’s world in this fifth adventure, Scorpion Mountain, and be prepared to be amazed.

Book Details

Author: John Flanagan

Publisher: Philomel Books

Series: BrotherBand Chronicles book 5

Name: The Scorpion Mountain

Age Range: 11 and up

Media Type: Kindle, Audiobook, Paperback, Hardcover;

ISBN-10; 0399163565

ISBN-13; 978-0399163562

What to Expect: Action, Adventure, Danger;

Character of the Day;

Of all the characters in the Brotherband Chronicles, Ulf and Wulf are the ones that bring a lot of the humor into the story.

Ulf and Wulf are constantly arguing with each other over the most crazy and ridiculous things ever.

For example, Ulf might say something like, Wulf is ugly as a dead deer and then Wulf will say something equivalent to that about Ulf.

They are identical twins. In fact, they are so alike that no one can ever tell them apart.

They often use this to their own advantage.

What adds even more to the humor is when Hal will tell Ingvar to throw one of them overboard.

John Flanagan did a good job adding humor in the right places in his books.

In Scorpion Mountain, Wulf and Ulf are shown a little bit more.

Well, at least, it seems to me that they are.

It is kind of ironic how they will argue with each other but the minute someone threatens one of them the other will be there defending him in a heartbeat.

Another character who is in Scorpion Mountain is one of the legendary rangers of Araluen named, Gilan.

Gilan was in the previous book, Slaves of Socorro, as well.

What I liked about Scorpion Mountain;

I like Scorpion Mountain because it is full of action and adventure. And it also has a good amount of humor.

One of my favorite parts in Scorpion Mountain is when Hal is working on one of his new inventions while the others go to an abandoned arena. Except for Jesper that is.

That particular part definitely made me smile.

I also like that Gilan is in Slaves of Socorro and in Scorpion Mountain.

It definitely gives an added perspective to them.

What I didn’t like about Scorpion Mountain;

In Scorpion Mountain there is some fighting and bloodshed in it.

Which to be honest, I’m not that crazy about.

In the book, there will be sword strokes called out or maybe it will say that someone fell down dead with a shocked look on their face, but it isn’t gory.

So there is definitely some of that in there. Though a good bit of the book they aren’t fighting.

The Brotherband Chronicles in order;

Book 1: The Outcasts

Book 2: The Invaders

Book 3: The Hunters

Book 4: Slaves of Socorro

Book 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6: The Ghost Faces

Book 7: The Caldera

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book Four – Review

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In this book, Slaves of Socorro, the Herons have returned from chasing Zavac and have finally found a place where they belong.

As the days go by though, the Herons begin to miss the adventure and excitement of the old days.

Until that is, Oberjarl Erak gives them the special job of being the Araluen king’s ship.

This means that if the King has any special messages to be delivered or a special mission he needs done he would simply send for the Heron’s.

(NOTE: I can’t remember the correct word for their job in the book.

But this explanation is essentially correct. You will have to read the book to get the rest of the details.)

When they get there everything seems to go fine, they even meet one of the legendary Araluan Rangers.

They are getting accustomed to their new surroundings when slavers attack a nearby town.

They steal away twelve Araluans before setting sail for the slave market of Socorro.

Hal and his friends set chase after them following them all the way to Socorro.

In a valiant attempt to release the Araluens, Ingvar is left behind in the slave market.

There he is to wait and warn the Araluens of Hal’s plan.

For Hal and the crew of the Heron the stakes are higher than ever before.

For not only must they rescue the twelve Araluens but Ingvar as well.

One mistake, one wrong move and Ingvar could be lost to them forever.

Slaves of Socorro is an exciting and adventurous book. Once you start reading you won’t want to put it down.

Book Detail

This is John Flanagan’s fictional map of Skandia!

Author: John A. Flanagan

Publisher: Philomel Books

Series: The Brotherband Chronicles; book 4

Name: Slaves of Socorro

Age range: 11 and up

Pages: 482

Media type: Kindle book, audiobook, hardcover, and paperback,

ISBN-10; 0142427268

ISBN-13: 978-0142427262

What to Expect: Danger, excitement, Loyalty, Adventure

Character of the Day:

One of my favorite characters is probably Ingvar.

No matter what happens he is always loyal to Hal, even when things get rough.

When Ingvar is put into the horrible slave cell in Socorro he is still able to keep a stiff upper lip.

He draws strength from the bond he has as a crew member of the Herons.

What I liked about the Slaves of Socorro:

This is Hal’s ship, the Heron.

The Slaves of Socorro is a very interesting and exciting book.

It is the first one in the series where they are not chasing Zavac and returning the Andomal.

This is also the book where Hal finds Kloof.

Kloof is a giant mountain dog who is forever chewing things up.

Although to make up for it she is tremendously helpful when it comes to a fight.

And to top it off, the Herons end up meeting one of the mysterious rangers of Araluen.

What I didn’t like about the Slaves of Socorro:

In Slaves of Socorro there is definitely fighting. A good bit of the bad guys end up dying, but it is not gory.

So if you’re not okay with fighting or anything like that. Then this book is probably not what you want.

A list of the BrotherBand Chronicles:

Book 1: The Outcasts

Book 2: The Invaders

Book 3: The Hunters

Book 4: Slaves of Socorro

Book 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6: The Ghostfaces

Book 7: The Caldera

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book Two – Review

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The Invaders is the second book in The Brotherband Chronicles and just as good, if not better, than The Outcasts.

Hal and his friends have lost Skandia’s most priceless treasure, the Andomal, to a ruthless pirate named Zavac.

Now they face rejection for the rest of their lives, unless they can return it.

Quietly, Hal and his friends sneak away before a raging storm makes it impossible for them to escape.

After being at sea for days, they finally find a cove and set up camp.

As they wait for the storm to pass, Thorn continues to train the boys for battle.

Meanwhile, Hal and Ingvar work on a mysterious machine.

When the mysterious machine is finished Hal and his friends begin their search for the evil pirate, Zavac.

As they are sailing they spot a rowboat drifting on the water.

In the distance, they see a someone waving toward them.

When their boats are side by side they are stunned to find that the figure is a beautiful girl named, Lydia.

When asked why she was out so far on the sea in a rowboat, she tells them that the city of Limmat, where she lives, has been attacked by pirates.

They go back to the island away from the pirates on the hope of seeing who they are.

On further inspection, the Herons find out that the pirate is none other than Zavac and his merciless crew.

On the way back to the ship Hal, Stig and Lydia stumble across some escaped villagers who are trying to set up an army to fight Zavac.

The Herons attempt to rid the town of its invaders but even with the villagers and Lydia’s help they are still badly outnumbered.

The Invaders is a remarkable story full of adventure and excitement.

Book Details

This is Hal’s ship, the Heron.

Author: John Flanagan

Publisher: Philomel Books

Series: The Brotherband Chronicles, book 2

Name: The Invaders

Age Range: 12 and up

Pages: 464

Media Type: Kindle book, Audio book, Paperback

ISBN: 978-1-101-57227-6

What to Expect: Adventure, Excitement, Danger, Fiction and Fantasy,

My Favorite Character:

One of my favorite characters is probably Lydia.

This is the first book that she is in. I really like how there is a girl in the story and it’s not just boys.

I also like how she has a really cool weapon and can take care of herself.

She is pretty funny at times and completely unaware of her own beauty. She adds a new sphere of things to the series.

What I liked about The Invaders:

This is John Flanagan’s fictional map of Skandia!

I like The Invaders because it is full of excitement and humor.

For example, one of my favorite parts is when Thorn is training the boys.

He is forever full of amusing sarcastic comments.

The author did a really good job in making the characters realistic.

I like how they’re not these perfect saints who can do anything.

What I didn’t like about The Invaders: 

In The Invaders they use their own curse language based on their fantasy gods.

It is not vile but simply added to make the reader laugh. Which personally, I feel is not the greatest but does add a good amount of humor.

A list of the BrotherBand Chronicles:

Book 1: The Outcasts

Book 2: The Invaders

Book 3: The Hunters

Book 4: Slaves of Socorro

Book 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6: The Ghostfaces

Book 7: The Caldera

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book Seven – Review

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If you are interested in book seven (click on link here) of The BrotherBand Chronicles, you have probably read in book 6.

When Hal and his crew got lost out at sea and how they found a mysterious land.

Now in John Flanagan’s new exciting book, The Caldera, Hal and his friends find themselves visited by a surprise stranger.

He has a secret mission for them. Hal and his friends agree to the mission but find themselves encountering marauding pirates.

But time is ticking with a volcano about to blow. Can they complete this mission?

Book Details

This is the cover of my audio book. I got it from my library on my Fire Kindle. I love the colors in it. Oh, and by the way it’s just a picture so you can stop clicking it. It’s not going to play.

Author: John Flanagan

Publisher: Philomel Books

Series: The BrotherBand Chronicles, book 7

Age Range: 12 and up

Media Type: audio book, hard cover,

Pages: 432

ISBN: -10: 0399163581

-13: 978-0399163586

What to expect:

Humor, fighting, sailing, mystery, rescue mission.

And though they don’t say that the BrotherBand are vikings it definitely has a viking feel to it.

Introduction:

Hal and his crew are asked if they can help save a young emperor who has been kidnapped by pirates.

In order for Hal and his friends to save the young boy they must go where they’ve never gone before, Byzantos.

This is where the angry empress, Justina is waiting for her son.

This is John Flanagan’s fictional map of Skandia! Now because I did the audio book it didn’t have this picture but it is in some of his other books. And I decided that I would put it in anyways.

They quickly sail from there to Santorillos where the young boy is being held captive in a rocky fortress.

Hal and his friends try to help the young boy.

But their progress is checked by the  tremors that constantly are shaking the ground.

Can they get the young boy out in time? Or will the volcano get to him first?

The Caldera is a fantastic book filled with escalating highs, danger and much more.

Once you start reading The Caldera you won’t want to put it down.

What I liked about The Caldera:

I liked The Caldera because it was full of surprises.

Things kept happening that I hadn’t even really thought of.

This book captured my attention from beginning to end.

The last meeting between the stranger and Stig left me feeling a bit sad.

I am really glad that all of the original crew are still in it and haven’t died or anything.

I really enjoy reading the struggles of Ulf and Wulf, or rather the struggles of the crew as they try to deal with their incessant arguing.

It is always interesting when they enter the scene, you never quite know what will happen with them.

Well, besides the fact that they’re arguing all the time.

It is also hilariously funny how they always know what the other is up too.

And how they seem to always have a trick up there sleeves.

What I didn’t like about The Caldera:

This is Hal’s ship, the Heron.

The Caldera was good but there were some fighting scenes, but they weren’t gory.

It’s a little weird because there’s a bit of a time lapse.

Between the last few books it’s supposed to be a couple of years put together somehow.

But I always thought that everything happened in one year.

But then of course, that could just be me. I don’t know.

Overall I think that The Caldera was pretty good.

A list of the BrotherBand Chronicles:

Book 1: The Outcasts

This is the cover of the my book, in some places the cover is different.

Book 2: The Invaders

 

Book 3: The Hunters

Book 4: Slaves of Socorro

Book 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6: The Ghostfaces

Book 7: The Caldera

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book One – Review

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My brother started listening to The Outcasts, and knowing me, he told me about some of it and how I would like it.

I decided to give it a shot. I love fictional stories in the medieval settings.

So when I started reading it I could hardly stop!

The BrotherBand Chronicles is a wonderful series full of adventure and excitement.

If you’re like me you won’t want to put it down.

BrotherBand(The Outcasts): Book Review

Book Details

This is the cover of the my book, in some places the cover is different.

Author: John Flanagan

Publisher: Philomel books

Series: The BrotherBand Chronicles, book 1

Age Range: 12 and up

Media Type: kindle book, paperback, audiobook

Pages: 452

ISBN: 9781101545393

What to expect:
Vikings, Humor, Fighting, Bullies,

Introduction:

This is John Flanagan’s fictional map of Skandia!


Hal Mikkel, is a young teenage boy who lives in Skandia.

His father died when he was young.

With his mother being an Araluen, Hal continually faces rejection as an outcast.

This fact is even more evident when he shows up for BrotherBand training.

BrotherBand training is when the boys who are turning sixteen form into their own teams.

Each team is trained in the use of weapons, ship navigation and teamwork.

This prepares them for life in Skandia.

The boy chosen as the leader of his team is also Skirl when they are on the sea.

(A skirl is a captain of a ship.) Each BrotherBand competes against each other.

The team with the most points wins.

A celebration is held for the winner.

The winning team is honored by being allowed to guard the most sacred treasure of all of Skandia, the Andomal.

The losing team will then carry a sense of shame they will work to overcome.

Hal along with the other outcast boys are left standing by themselves while all the the others are chosen into their own BrotherBand teams.

Erak, the Oberjarl of Skandia, seeing this, delegates the remaining boys into their own BrotherBand team.

(For anyone who doesn’t know who an Oberjarl is, it’s the chief or leader.)

The other boys elect Hal as their leader.

But can Hal and his friends win against such overwhelming odds?

Or will they continue to be outcasts forever looked down upon?

What I liked about the BrotherBand Chronicles, The Outcasts:

This is Hal’s ship, the Heron.

I liked how the different boys in the crew worked together as they try to win.

I also like when the boys are teasing each other.

Their arguments are amusing to read and I enjoy the humor.

And then there’s Thorn, a raggedy old seawolf who watches out for Hal.

(A seawolf is basically a sailor and a warrior.)

Thorn tends to be gruff and sarcastic but cares deeply when it comes to Hal and his friends.

Although he does tend to keep them on their toes.

What I didn’t like about BrotherBand(The Outcasts):

In chapter 20 and 21 it briefly describes a statue of a boy urinating as a water fountain.

I felt this was fairly inappropriate.

There are some fighting scenes, but the ones that are there are not gory.

If you don’t like fighting then this book is not for you.

A list of the BrotherBand Chronicles:

Book 1: The Outcasts

Book 2: The Invaders

Book 3: The Hunters

Book 4: Slaves of Socorro

Book 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6: The Ghost Faces

Book 7: The Caldera

BrotherBand Chronicles – Book Six – Review

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When my brother first told me about the BrotherBand Chronicles (available here on Amazon.com), I just had to read them.

Since then, I can barely put them down.

Once I start reading I am almost instantly transported into the world of the Heron, and its’ crew.

It is full of adventure and humor. John Flanagan certainly knew what he was doing when he wrote the BrotherBand Chronicles.

Book Details

This is the title cover on my Kindle.

Written By: John Flanagan

Series: Book 6 of the BrotherBand Chronicles

Age range: 12 and up

Publisher: Philomel Books

Media Type: Kindle Book, Paperback, Hardcover and Audio book

Pages: 400

ISBN: 9780698174597

What to expect: Humor, Fighting Vikings, Sailing Boats, Romance,

Introduction:

Hal, Skirl of the Heron, is returning home with his crew only to be caught in a life threatening storm.

(Okay, if you’re like my Mom, here’s a tidbit.

A Skirl is a captain of a ship and the Heron is, you guessed it, a ship.)

The storm takes them further away from home than ever before.

They eventually find a harbor were they are safe for the moment. But are they the only ones there?

This is Hal’s ship, the Heron.

Once outcasts and now honored warriors, Hal and his friends must find a way home.

But while they are there a series of unexpected events continue to delay them.

Will Hal and his friends ever get back home?

THE GHOSTFACES, written by John Flanagan is book six in a series of thrilling adventures that you just do not want to put down.

If you are looking for book one or any of the others look down at the bottom for a list of the BrotherBand Chronicles in order.

What I liked about BrotherBand (The GhostFaces)

This is John Flanagan’s fictional map of Skandia!

I like the BrotherBand Chronicles series because it’s full of excitement and humor.

The BrotherBand series is not only full of adventure and daring acts of bravery, but the author also has them looking out for each other.

As if they really were brothers.

I like how each character is different.

Each one of them brings their different talents together to help one another.

One of my favorite characters is Lydia. I like how she’s funny, and humble about her own beauty and fighting skills.

The parts where she is teasing Thorn are full of humor. Her sympathy when one of  her crew mates is hurt is sweet.

And then there’s Hal, captain of his ship, the Heron.

Once an outcast and now respected as one of the finest helmsman there is.

He is definitely one of my favorite characters.

As he sails across the Stormwhite Sea he leads his crew with a boldness that few ever have.

With him is his second mate, Stig, who with help from his friends and BrotherBand training mastered his once fiery temper.

Not only is he first mate aboard the Heron, but he is also one of the best fighters on board.

And with Stig is Thorn, guiding Hal whenever he needs it.

Thorn is a shabby sailor who is tough and full of sarcasm but as soft as a teddy bear when it comes to the crew of the Heron.

Other BrotherBand Chronicles Books you might like:

BOOK 1: The Outcasts

BOOK 2: The Invaders

BOOK 3: The Hunters

BOOK 4: Slaves of Socorro

BOOK 5: Scorpion Mountain

Book 6 : The Ghost FacesBOOK 7: The Caldera