The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Set in a broken, future England, where gunfights and monsters collide, this is the exciting first title in a phenomenal fantasy teen series by the bestselling children's novelist.

“You won't be able to put this down. A classic in the making.” – Eoin Colfer

“Perfectly paced, beautifully written and bursting with black humour and bold ideas.” – Philip Reeve

““Imaginative, original, taut and with multi-layered protagonists... A wild ride.” – Jo Cotterill

“Scarlett and Browne is phenomenal, unputdownable storytelling of the highest order.” – Piers Torday

England has been radically changed by a series of catastrophes – large cities have disappeared and London has been replaced by a lagoon.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.

“Brilliant from start to finish.” – SFX

“Stroud’s writing is a treat; brilliantly crafted world building, taut action scenes, fabulous villains and witty dialogue. A wild ride indeed, and the first in a series.” – The Observer

“Another triumph. This adventure – starring a pair of charismatic anti-heroes, intensely cinematic action laced with characteristically dry wit, and a mash-up genres – crammed with gun fights, monsters and shadowy government operatives. Pitched for younger teens, but I expect discerning readers of 10 and up to devour it.” – The Bookseller

“A unique blend of Wild West-inspired action and fantasy, this is a brilliant new tale from the author of Lockwood & Co. It's bold, funny and original, and older, more adventurous readers will love it from start to finish.” – The Week Junior

You won't be able to put this down. A classic in the making. -- Eoin Colfer
Thanks to Albert's quirky likeability, Scarlett's insouciant bad-assery and the evocative setting, you soon forget the cliches and simply enjoy the ride. [...] In short, this is bleedin' brilliant from start to finish. And did we mention the giant otters? SFX
Stroud’s writing is a treat; brilliantly crafted world building, taut action scenes, fabulous villains and witty dialogue. A wild ride indeed, and the first in a series. The Observer (The New Review)

the incomparable Jonathan Stroud
fresh and startling
As ever with Stroud, the narrative tone is sophisticated and sardonic.

I’ve gone for the sheer entertainment and escapism of Jonathon Stroud’s The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne, first in a series, and the perfect tonic to January lockdown. [...]

Stroud’s talent for creating astonishing yet utterly believable literary worlds is well known – and this is another triumph. This adventure – starring a pair of charismatic anti-heroes, intensely cinematic action laced with characteristically dry wit, and a mash-up genres – crammed with gun fights, monsters and shadowy government operatives. Pitched for younger teens, but I expect discerning readers of 10 and up to devour it.

Jonathan Stroud wrote his earlier novels – Buried Fire, The Leap and The Last Siege – whilst working as an editor at Walker Books. Now he works full-time as a writer, with his bestselling Lockwood & Co. series and Bartimaeus trilogy gaining worldwide interest and two titles, Ptolemy’s Gate and The Empty Grave, having been long-listed for the Carnegie Medal.

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