The Outlaws Scarlett And Browne
Jonathan Stroud
Publication Date:
7 Apr. 2021
Format:
Paperback / softback
ISBN 9781406394818
England has been radically changed by a series of catastrophes -- large cities have disappeared and London has been replaced by a lagoon. The surviving population exists in fortified towns where they cling to traditional ways, while strangely evolved beasts prowl the wilderness beyond. Conformity is rigidly enforced and those who fall foul of the rules are persecuted: some are killed, others are driven out into the wilds.
Only a few fight back -- and two of these outlaws, Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne, display an audacity and talent that makes them legends.
Information
Book Type: Junior HighAge Group: 13 years +
Traffic Lights: Green/Amber
Class Novel: No
Good Reads Rating: 5/5
Literary Rating: 5/5
Review
In a post-apocalyptic England, heavily fortified self-governing cities shelter most of the population. The Wilds beyond the walls are prowled by vicious, man-eating monsters -- but the authoritarian governments controlling the cities are just as bad.
After a bank robbery, gunslinger and highwayman Scarlett McCain happens across the wreck of a bus. Inside she finds Albert Browne, who immediately latches onto her, promising to make himself useful in exchange for her help getting to London. Scarlett, sure she's being pursued for robbing the bank, reluctantly agrees. When they're held up by gunmen she's hardly surprised, but when they ask her why she thinks they're after her, events reconfigure. She realises that Albert is being pursued by the same people involved in the bus crash. They get away by the skin of their teeth, but Scarlett loses the money she made in the bank job.
Scarlett manages to get them to a Free City, where Albert confesses that he's spent most of his life being experimented on in an institution he was incarcerated in due to his ability to read minds, and powerful telekinetic abilities. He escaped Stonemoor, and is now being pursued by Dr. Calloway. Albert and Scarlett strike a deal. She needs his help one last job, but after that they'll flee the city together.
After another tight escape, Scarlett and Browne are on a boat travelling through the Wilds. The boatman, Joe, and his granddaughter, Ettie, are strange but not hostile. The Wilds are far from safe -- strangely mutated creatures lurk in the shadows -- but working together, they fend off the Tainted--until Calloway's men catch up to them again. Albert, Joe, and Ettie manage to escape, but Scarlett is taken. Both parties are sure that the other couldn't have survived. When Dr. Calloway tracks Albert down in person, all seems lost -- until Scarlett bursts in to save the day!
The battle that ensues will take all of Scarlett's skill and Albert's surprising power, but they manage to finish Dr. Calloway off. They make plans to rob some banks together and walk off into the sunset.
This is a cracker of a book. Seamlessly blending elements of dystopia, science fiction, and Westerns, there's something in it for everyone. Unethical scientists, shadowy corporations bent on world domination, and telekinetics meld into a multifaceted Big Bad that's sure to get even more exciting in upcoming instalments. Albert's wide-eyed curiosity clashes with Scarlett's grim determination in interesting ways, and their witty banter keeps the reader entertained throughout. A highly enjoyable read!
Themes
heists, Western, Science Fiction, Dystopia, telekinesis, psychic powers, action, comedy
Content Notes
1. Moderately frequent non graphic violence, including fight scenes and two gunshot deaths. Albert sees Scarlett's nightmares about violence and death, not described in detail (p. 210). Scarlett finds a man's severed head (p. 260-261). Albert is restrained and bleeding (p. 294). Corpse -- death not shown, injuries not described (p. 293-298). Mentions that Albert was tortured by Calloway throughout. 2. Albert uses telekinesis to levitate people off a boat (p. 302). 3. Language: bloody x 17. Christ x 5, Jesus x 1. 3. Albert and Calloway are psychic -- he is telepathic and telekinetic. 4. Ableism -- Ettie is called Dumb and Defective for being mute (p. 286).
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