Brotherband
Brotherband is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by Australian author John Flanagan. The first book titled The Outcasts was released in Australia and the United States on 1 November 2011 and in New Zealand on 4 November 2011. The series is a spin off from Flanagan's other, highly popular series Ranger's Apprentice but will focus on new Skandian characters.
Books
The Outcasts
There's only one way to become a Skandian warrior. You must undertake a grueling 3 month training course in groups, known as Brotherbands. Hal is reluctantly chosen to be a leader of the Brotherband, The Herons. He must fight for the survival of his Brotherband and himself, but with the boney boys he gets stuck with, it will be a challenge.
Blurb
In Skandia, there is only one way to become a warrior. Boys are chosen for teams called Brotherbands and must endure three months of gruelling training in seamanship, weapons and battle tactics. It's Brotherband against Brotherband, fighting it out in a series of challenges. There can be only one winner.
When Hal Mikkelson finds himself the unwilling leader of a Brotherband made up of Outcasts, he must step up to the challenge. The Heron Brotherband might not have the strength or the numbers of the other two teams, but with inventiveness, ingenuity and courage on their side, they might just suprise everyone.
Characters
- Hal Mikkelson — Hal is the main character of the series. He is half Araluen and half Skandian. Hal's father was a warrior. Unfortunately, he had passed away, leaving Hal and his mother living alone until Hal was 10 years old (when Thorn moved in). Due to his parentage (his Skandian father and his mother was a former Araluen slave) and the fact he doesn't look like many other Skandians (i.e. big and muscular), he is treated as an outcast. Hal is a resourceful person; he is the pioneer of the double sails which acts similarly to seabirds. It is also with the inspiration of seabirds that Hal names his ship Heron.
- Thorn — Thorn is a close friend of Hal's father, Mikkel. He has a missing hand and was in his early years, Maktig (a title for a great warrior)three years running. He was described as an "old drunk" by the Skandians due to the fact that he drank excessively. Karina, Hal's mother, gave Thorn a job. She allowed Thorn to live in their lean-to to look after Hal as he needed "a man's influence and guidance". Soon, Thorn stops himself from drinking and found himself to be a helpful person.
- Mikkel — Mikkel is Hal's father. He lost his life during a raid with Erak's crew. He was struck by a spear by an unknown townsman. Mikkel and his best friend Thorn were Erak's most trusted and reliable warriors. With his dying breath, Mikkel had made Thorn promise to look after his wife and child.
- Karina Mikkelswife — Karina is Hal's mother. She is a loving and kind mother although she usually disapproves of Hal's ideas.
- Stig — Stig is Hal's best friend. He is treated as an outcast because one night his father stole money and jewels from his crew's wolfship, then disappeared without a trace, not telling anyone where he was going. Stig has a habit of losing his temper.
- Tursgud — Tursgud is the antagonist in the first book. He is the leader of the Shark brotherband. Notorious for his arrogance and cruelty, he is disliked by the members of the Heron and Wolf brotherbands. His father is the current Maktig.
- Rolland - Rolland is a very nice boy in the first book. He is the leader of the Wolves and dislikes Tursgud. He helped the Heron's on numerous times but his team was disqualified from Brotherband training because they ruined their boat and were unable to complete all of the tasks.
- Erak — Erak captained the ship that Mikkel and Thorn worked on. He is now the highest person in Skandia, the Oberjarl
- Ingvar — Ingvar is an extremely large sixteen year old boy who would be good at fighting but has awful eyesight. He is in Hal's Brotherband, The Herons
- Jesper - Jesper is one of Hal's friends in the Heron Brotherband. Jesper is a theif and has been known to steal bracelets off people's wrists while talking to them.
- Edvin - Edvin is a member of the Heron Brotherband. When he disagrees with people he makes it quite clear. He was the first member of the Heron's to directly insult the sharks.
- Stefan - Stefan is the team smart-arse and mimic. He regularly makes impressive comebacks and when you hear someone, you can never tell if it's them or Stefan.
- Ulf and Wulf - Ulf and Wulf are two twins. Unlike most twins, there is no special bond between them. They swear at each other and make nasty remarks about the other's appearence (even though they look exactly the same so no one, not even their mother, can tell them apart).
- Sigurd - Sigurd is the organiser of Brotherband training. He along with three others (one for each Brotherband) run the show.
Future
Future books are expected in the series with a possible release of 2012. It is currently unknown if author John Flanagan is writing any books or drafts for the next novel.
References
External links
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