Brotherband Chronicles

Review by Nathan:

The Outcast  (Aka Brotherband):
In this book Hal and the other unwanted boys at Hallasholm form their own Brotherband (ships crew in training.)  To become an actual ship crew they must succeed in their harsh training.

The Invaders:
Hal's Brotherband, the Herons, have passed their training and even beat the other boys.  But when they are given one of the most honored duties, they fail.  They let the Andomal (a precious amber stone) be stolen.  In order to redeem themselves they must track down the thief and get the Andomal back.

The Hunters:
The Herons are chasing down Zavac to get the Andomal back.  But first they must penetrate the pirate stronghold of Ragusa.  In the end it comes down to a duel between Hal's ship and Zavac's ship.

Slaves of Sorocco:
The Herons have gotten the Andomal back and now they are being dispatched to Araluen to work as the patrol vessel for the coast there.  They are soon hot on the tail of a slave ship who has taken several Araluen's captive.  The captain Tursgud was a childhood bully.  They must get the prisoners out of a large slave holding area.  But when their plan partly backfires it makes things more complicated.  Will they succeed with the help of Ranger Gilan or not?

Scorpion Mountain
The Herons are again called to Araluen not to patrol, but to protect Cassandra and track down who is behind the attempt to assassinate her.  They find their way to Scorpion Mountain, the base of the Scorpion Cult, where Gilan duels with their leader to end the threat to Cassandra.  Who will win?

The Ghostfaces:
The Herons are caught in a monster of a storm and are swept out into uncharted sea.  Then their water supply leaks and they are left with almost no water.  Hal makes a gamble and starts looking for land in the opposite direction they came from.  They finally sight land and make friends with the local natives.  Then a raiding tribe is heading towards them.  The Herons must mount a defense against this attack.  Will they succeed in protecting themselves and the tribe they are friends with?

The Caldera
Stig's(Hal's second in command) father shows up.  Hal's father stole money from his comrades and left Skandia.  Now he wants Stig and the Herons to help him find a kidnapped prince.  It turns out that Stig's father is the captain of a palace guard in Byzantos.  He was sick when the prince was captured but the Queen of Byzanto's is holding him responsible.  Hal and his crew decide to help Stig's dad.  But when they finally track down the pirates who kidnapped the prince they end up where a volcano is erupting.  Will they make it out alive?

Return of the Temujai:

The Temujai (horse riding fierce warriors) are trying to invade Skandia again.  Erak the ruler of Skandia sends the Heron (the boats and crews name) on a mission to make sure the Temujai are not going to invade Skandia via the Ice River.  It turns out they are and the Herons make a stand to stop them while Hal goes back to Hallasholm to get help.  The Herons are outnumbered hundreds to one and the Heron ship is badly damaged.  Will any one come out of this situation alive?

Note to Parents: Stories include mild violence and language.