What do you think?
Rate this book
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne #3
The Legendary Scarlett and Browne: Scarlett and Browne, Book 3
The final book in a fast-paced fantasy adventure series set in a broken, future England, from the author of the bestselling Lockwood & Co series.
Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne have raided their way across the Seven Kingdoms and eluded capture for two more years, gathering other outlaws to their cause. They are set on taking down the Faith Houses and their oppressive regime, and finding out the truth about Stonemoor.
But they also have an even more impossible to find Scarlett's brother, who she was separated from years before. In a world teeming with man-eating Tainted, Faith House operatives out for their blood and wilderness full of dangerous animals, is there a hope that one boy may have survived—and that they can find him?
The thrilling final book in a phenomenal trilogy from the bestselling author of Lockwood & Co.
Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne have raided their way across the Seven Kingdoms and eluded capture for two more years, gathering other outlaws to their cause. They are set on taking down the Faith Houses and their oppressive regime, and finding out the truth about Stonemoor.
But they also have an even more impossible to find Scarlett's brother, who she was separated from years before. In a world teeming with man-eating Tainted, Faith House operatives out for their blood and wilderness full of dangerous animals, is there a hope that one boy may have survived—and that they can find him?
The thrilling final book in a phenomenal trilogy from the bestselling author of Lockwood & Co.
Audible Audio
Published February 6, 2025
73 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Stroud
63 books11k followersJonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 173 reviews
March 26, 2025
The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne remains an all-time favorite for its iconic voice, witty characters, fascinating worldbuilding, and fast pace. In this third and final book in the series, Jonathan Stroud lives up to my highest expectations.
To begin with, I can’t think of a gentler way to describe Stroud’s prose than flawless. Every sentence, description, and turn of phrase sparks with energy, character, and uniqueness, making the story fly along at a headlong pace that renders it impossible to put down. The compulsive momentum that made the previous installments so memorable remains not just intact, but more powerful than ever, leaving me at the book’s end wishing only that I had more of Scarlett and Browne’s exploits to discover. (But perhaps I’m due for a reread of the previous books?)
The setting of Scarlett and Browne is one that I rarely see in a book that feels more fantasy than sci-fi—a futuristic England torn apart by a nebulous past filled with monsters and unsteady peace. Particularly in this volume, this world feels as much a character as any of the protagonists, one whose unlikely surprises change the ever-twisting plot as much as Scarlett or Browne’s decisions.
But Scarlett and Browne are the true stars of this book and series, and they are the only topic it is appropriate to finish a review off with. Unique, hilarious, and utterly believable, I would follow these two—inner demons, witty retorts, unexpected magical powers, and all—into any story they stumbled into next, particularly when boosted by their repartee. In this book we finally get to see the conclusions to both their personal journeys and their intersecting tales, and without any spoilers, it’s even better than I could’ve imagined.
Five extraordinarily well-deserved stars!
Thank you to TBR Tours and Knopf for providing an ARC for review purposes. All views expressed here are my own.
To begin with, I can’t think of a gentler way to describe Stroud’s prose than flawless. Every sentence, description, and turn of phrase sparks with energy, character, and uniqueness, making the story fly along at a headlong pace that renders it impossible to put down. The compulsive momentum that made the previous installments so memorable remains not just intact, but more powerful than ever, leaving me at the book’s end wishing only that I had more of Scarlett and Browne’s exploits to discover. (But perhaps I’m due for a reread of the previous books?)
The setting of Scarlett and Browne is one that I rarely see in a book that feels more fantasy than sci-fi—a futuristic England torn apart by a nebulous past filled with monsters and unsteady peace. Particularly in this volume, this world feels as much a character as any of the protagonists, one whose unlikely surprises change the ever-twisting plot as much as Scarlett or Browne’s decisions.
But Scarlett and Browne are the true stars of this book and series, and they are the only topic it is appropriate to finish a review off with. Unique, hilarious, and utterly believable, I would follow these two—inner demons, witty retorts, unexpected magical powers, and all—into any story they stumbled into next, particularly when boosted by their repartee. In this book we finally get to see the conclusions to both their personal journeys and their intersecting tales, and without any spoilers, it’s even better than I could’ve imagined.
Five extraordinarily well-deserved stars!
Thank you to TBR Tours and Knopf for providing an ARC for review purposes. All views expressed here are my own.
May 24, 2025
Stroud is one of my favorite authors. I mark up his books to show to my creative writing students because he does SO many things so well. (Setting the tone with scene; round characters; characterization through actions, dialogue, and objects; plot; pacing; humor,etc.) That said, this book was a bit of a let down. So many things were strong, but there were a few things that made the book seem very, very rushed. I think that characters fell prey to plot. There was a lot that had to be done to wrap the series up. Too much for one book, I would argue. But, it worked. I still recommend it.
December 4, 2025
The search for Thomas
If you've read the first two of Jonathan Stroud's Scarlette and Browne novels, you know that Scarlett had a younger brother, Thomas, whom she lost track of early. Her great goal has been to find him, if he is still alive. While that was always on her mind in the first two books, it is in this one, The Legendary Scarlett and Browne, that the search for Thomas really kicks into gear. Albert, too, has a quest -- he'd like to know more about where he came from, and that means tracking down the secret lab at Stonemoor where he was tortured as a child and forced to learn to use and control his psychic gift.
Scarlett and Albert have found a kind of temporary stability. They have friends now, Joe, Ettie, Sal, and a few others. They have a safe (ish) place to live. They are no longer merely notorious -- they're now legendary. In fact, they have brought the art of sacking a town, robbing its banks and freeing its slaves, not quite to perfection, but to something like routine.
It is on this background of success that they rededicate themselves to their quests.
This was a good, action-packed story. The publisher's blurb describes Legendary as "The death-defying conclusion to the ... exploits of the notorious outlaws Scarlett and Browne." The word "conclusion" surprised me a little, as the story doesn't feel finished. Based on the events it ends with, I could easily imagine a sequel to Legendary. But I guess we aren't going to get one.
Blog review.
If you've read the first two of Jonathan Stroud's Scarlette and Browne novels, you know that Scarlett had a younger brother, Thomas, whom she lost track of early. Her great goal has been to find him, if he is still alive. While that was always on her mind in the first two books, it is in this one, The Legendary Scarlett and Browne, that the search for Thomas really kicks into gear. Albert, too, has a quest -- he'd like to know more about where he came from, and that means tracking down the secret lab at Stonemoor where he was tortured as a child and forced to learn to use and control his psychic gift.
Scarlett and Albert have found a kind of temporary stability. They have friends now, Joe, Ettie, Sal, and a few others. They have a safe (ish) place to live. They are no longer merely notorious -- they're now legendary. In fact, they have brought the art of sacking a town, robbing its banks and freeing its slaves, not quite to perfection, but to something like routine.
It is on this background of success that they rededicate themselves to their quests.
This was a good, action-packed story. The publisher's blurb describes Legendary as "The death-defying conclusion to the ... exploits of the notorious outlaws Scarlett and Browne." The word "conclusion" surprised me a little, as the story doesn't feel finished. Based on the events it ends with, I could easily imagine a sequel to Legendary. But I guess we aren't going to get one.
Blog review.
January 5, 2025
I am immensely grateful to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC! Jonathan Stroud is one of my favorite authors and I was looking forward to the finale of his newest series.
Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne continue to defy the tyrannical rule of the Faith Houses in this installment. They helped build a community of outcasts and survive by pulling bank heists and freeing slaves. This time, Scarlett is actively looking for her brother and Albert seeks answers about his early life and how he came to Stonemoor. When infiltrating a slave market, they do find a promising lead. However, the Faith Houses' operatives are becoming far more dangerous and will not stop at anything to increase their power.
After book two, my enjoyment of the series increased tenfold and that trend did not stop in this instalment. Albert and Scarlett make a fantastic team with their own dynamic. It illustrates the harshness of survival with the fragility of their humanity. They are both so strong and vulnerable for each other, it's beautiful. The plot rarely slows down in between action scenes. There are always new incidents and plans to keep everything moving along.
This does not mean that the personal layer is cast aside. Every point in the journey is full of emotionally charges scenes. Both Scarlett and Albert have an awesome character development, which felt extremely satisfying. This is enhanced for the reader, because we find small flashbacks to Scarlett's brother that help us retrace his steps. We can tell that we get closer, even if the ending of his path remains unclear. This all adds to the momentum the story builds up.
This book is a worthy and wonderful finale to a series with a unique charme. It, like the other books, combines a dystopian setting with the atmosphere of a Western and the suspense of a heist book. I can only recommend the entire series!
Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne continue to defy the tyrannical rule of the Faith Houses in this installment. They helped build a community of outcasts and survive by pulling bank heists and freeing slaves. This time, Scarlett is actively looking for her brother and Albert seeks answers about his early life and how he came to Stonemoor. When infiltrating a slave market, they do find a promising lead. However, the Faith Houses' operatives are becoming far more dangerous and will not stop at anything to increase their power.
After book two, my enjoyment of the series increased tenfold and that trend did not stop in this instalment. Albert and Scarlett make a fantastic team with their own dynamic. It illustrates the harshness of survival with the fragility of their humanity. They are both so strong and vulnerable for each other, it's beautiful. The plot rarely slows down in between action scenes. There are always new incidents and plans to keep everything moving along.
This does not mean that the personal layer is cast aside. Every point in the journey is full of emotionally charges scenes. Both Scarlett and Albert have an awesome character development, which felt extremely satisfying. This is enhanced for the reader, because we find small flashbacks to Scarlett's brother that help us retrace his steps. We can tell that we get closer, even if the ending of his path remains unclear. This all adds to the momentum the story builds up.
This book is a worthy and wonderful finale to a series with a unique charme. It, like the other books, combines a dystopian setting with the atmosphere of a Western and the suspense of a heist book. I can only recommend the entire series!
January 17, 2025
This book had me STRESSING for Albert the whole time and then does a 180 and suddenly it’s Scarlett I have to worry about. Mr Stroud, you’ve been taking years off my life after how Ptolemy‘s Gate ended and somehow continue to remain at number one in my list of favourite authors…
December 22, 2025
4 because I got a happy ending, yay! I feel like I so wouldn't be surprised if Stroud eventually writes another story set in this world, though it's also fine ending the way it did.
November 27, 2024
Io sono di parte: amo Stroud da quando ho incontrato un certo jinn con tendenza alla vanagloria, e il talentuoso ragazzino che lo ha evocato e contenuto. lo amo per i mondi, sempre credibili; i protagonisti, sfaccettati e non sempre amabili; per i comprimari, che splendono di luce propria; per la prosa spumeggiante, le inattese impressionanti scene horror, i dialoghi sempre vivaci. A volergli trovare una pecca non mi piacciono i suoi cattivi, sempre cattivissimi, senza profondità; ma glieli perdono volentieri.
E non mi ha tradito nemmeno stavolta: un viaggio travolgente che ho affrontato tutto d'un fiato, rincorrendo i famigerati Scarlett e Browne - banditi, amici, eroi (?).
Mi mancheranno. E' stata una grande avventura.
E non mi ha tradito nemmeno stavolta: un viaggio travolgente che ho affrontato tutto d'un fiato, rincorrendo i famigerati Scarlett e Browne - banditi, amici, eroi (?).
Mi mancheranno. E' stata una grande avventura.
April 8, 2025
Slaver's market at the Apple and Parrot wouldn't be entirely unexpected
November 12, 2025
I tried very hard, but the world of post-apocalyptic Britain with elements from Westerns, 28 days later and Stranger Things did not entirely convince me. It’s fine, I’m glad I finished the series, but it just didn’t click with me the way I hoped.
April 30, 2025
Loved this trilogy from beginning to end!
January 30, 2025
THE LEGENDARY SCARLETT AND BROWNE sees Scarlett and Albert set off once more into the post-apocalyptic wilds of England to take on slavers, the council, and monsters.
I loved returning to this world again, England after a catastrophe (of human making) that's warped the world and created all sorts of monster - human and otherwise. It's a western tale but one where Milton Keynes is now the capital and Bath is a ruin. It's such an inventive world and I'm sad to say goodbye to it - and the characters.
The dynamic between Scarlett and Albert is so good. She's surly and sharp and a good shooter, while he has all these nerdy thoughts that he has to voice and is worrying about getting caught on brambles in the middle of a fight. They play off each other so well, giving the book a wry sense of humour. The pair have come a long way since THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE, completely trusting one another when they come up with madcap plans - and thus being able to pull them off.
At the heart of this book is a sister's quest to find her brother. After missing her brother for two books, Scarlett finally has a lead to track him down. Luckily, it coincides with their other mission to stop the council acquiring weapons, so she isn't torn, but the real driver in this book is Scarlett finally getting a chance to rescue her brother.
The book ends with a major showdown - and impressive sequence of powers, explosions, and choosing to save everyone, not just those you like. It might be the end of the series, but it's clear that it's not the end of the world's stories - the ending shows how rebellions can take time and it's not all over yet. It gives the reader space to imagine the next adventures themselves.
I loved returning to this world again, England after a catastrophe (of human making) that's warped the world and created all sorts of monster - human and otherwise. It's a western tale but one where Milton Keynes is now the capital and Bath is a ruin. It's such an inventive world and I'm sad to say goodbye to it - and the characters.
The dynamic between Scarlett and Albert is so good. She's surly and sharp and a good shooter, while he has all these nerdy thoughts that he has to voice and is worrying about getting caught on brambles in the middle of a fight. They play off each other so well, giving the book a wry sense of humour. The pair have come a long way since THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE, completely trusting one another when they come up with madcap plans - and thus being able to pull them off.
At the heart of this book is a sister's quest to find her brother. After missing her brother for two books, Scarlett finally has a lead to track him down. Luckily, it coincides with their other mission to stop the council acquiring weapons, so she isn't torn, but the real driver in this book is Scarlett finally getting a chance to rescue her brother.
The book ends with a major showdown - and impressive sequence of powers, explosions, and choosing to save everyone, not just those you like. It might be the end of the series, but it's clear that it's not the end of the world's stories - the ending shows how rebellions can take time and it's not all over yet. It gives the reader space to imagine the next adventures themselves.
February 25, 2025
There are authors who become regulars in your rotation, then there are authors who leave your jaw dropped on the floor with their ability to spin moving tales of daring, wonder and the fight for justice. Stroud is very much in the latter camp and this excellent end to a gritty and thrilling series was everything I had hoped for, Thomas and Thea’s parallel journey to Scarlett and Albert tying up emotionally in a fitting finale. Bravo.
January 21, 2025
“It was curious how quickly your perspective shifted, when you lifted your eyes just a little. Almost at once the terror and the chaos of the human world were left behind, while the skies and the plains and - maybe - the great expanse of the kingdoms themselves remained inviolate and free. It was a nice perception - reassuring somehow”
February 14, 2025
It’s very cruel of Stroud to take his readers on a rollercoaster ride! My heart nearly stopped a couple of times.
April 12, 2025
the twelve yr old bawling her eyes out after ptolemy's gate inside me has healed a little bit. glass palace fake out turned into glass palace do over thank god 🙏
April 5, 2025
She was independent, answerable to no one but herself, and on the trail of wicked things.
Well, that took slightly longer to finish than the other books - for Jonathan Stroud himself, I mean. This book took three years to get published! I was wondering why, before I read it, but now I think I understand that it can't have been easy to wrap up Scarlett and Browne's story. He does a fine job of it in The Legendary S&B, though.
There's quite a lot that still needs to be solved: Thomas (Scarlett's brother), Stonemoor, the High Council. I was wondering how long this book would be. It turns out that it's 'only' 410 pages long, nearly the same as Outlaws and Notorious. Which means that it's very action-packed. There's always something going on, and I am very glad that in the end, all the reader's questions are indeed answered.
I believe that one main reason why everything is dealt with relatively quickly, is due to Stonemoor. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. To put it bluntly: Stonemoor is . That means that the problems there are resolved pretty quickly and it also simplifies things in general, but it did feel like a kind of anti-climax as well, to be honest.
It was fun getting to see a bit of Thomas in this book in the flashbacks, and Thea seemed fun, too. Most of the other characters are already well-known and well-established by this book. The only one that still surprised me was but is much more agreeable than you'd think after Book 2. And it was clear from the beginning that he wasn't lying or anything. All the characters' motivations are rather straightforward here, which makes for a nice change from all stories with difficult-to-read reasons.
There are several climactic scenes in this book, and I feared this would be one of those series in which you're left gasping for breath at the end of the book because there'd be no rest up to the very last page, but thankfully, Stroud adds a couple of scenes at the end to wrap things up nicely and to let you catch your breath.
All in all, a very satisfying read. Even though in this book a couple of the descriptions leaned a bit too much towards horror for me, again.
8.1/10
Average rating for the series: 8.1/10
Well, that took slightly longer to finish than the other books - for Jonathan Stroud himself, I mean. This book took three years to get published! I was wondering why, before I read it, but now I think I understand that it can't have been easy to wrap up Scarlett and Browne's story. He does a fine job of it in The Legendary S&B, though.
There's quite a lot that still needs to be solved: Thomas (Scarlett's brother), Stonemoor, the High Council. I was wondering how long this book would be. It turns out that it's 'only' 410 pages long, nearly the same as Outlaws and Notorious. Which means that it's very action-packed. There's always something going on, and I am very glad that in the end, all the reader's questions are indeed answered.
I believe that one main reason why everything is dealt with relatively quickly, is due to Stonemoor. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. To put it bluntly: Stonemoor is . That means that the problems there are resolved pretty quickly and it also simplifies things in general, but it did feel like a kind of anti-climax as well, to be honest.
It was fun getting to see a bit of Thomas in this book in the flashbacks, and Thea seemed fun, too. Most of the other characters are already well-known and well-established by this book. The only one that still surprised me was but is much more agreeable than you'd think after Book 2. And it was clear from the beginning that he wasn't lying or anything. All the characters' motivations are rather straightforward here, which makes for a nice change from all stories with difficult-to-read reasons.
There are several climactic scenes in this book, and I feared this would be one of those series in which you're left gasping for breath at the end of the book because there'd be no rest up to the very last page, but thankfully, Stroud adds a couple of scenes at the end to wrap things up nicely and to let you catch your breath.
All in all, a very satisfying read. Even though in this book a couple of the descriptions leaned a bit too much towards horror for me, again.
8.1/10
Average rating for the series: 8.1/10
May 5, 2025
They'd left them with a cool image, the two of them strolling out of town like that. Scarlett felt it was one for the woodcut artists. One for the Wanted posters. One for the pamphleteers, too, maybe, when the story spread that far.
I can't believe it's over 😭 This was easily one of my most anticipated books EVER. I love Lockwood & Co., but Scarlett and Albert just have my whole heart, and their final exploits didn't change how much I adore them.
The grumpy x sunshine vibes. The found family energy. The heists, the travels, the chaos of it all. This one raises the stakes yet again, widening the scope of this post-apocalyptic world. Questions we've had since previous installments get answers (and some things are left open for me to wonder about forevermore). I'm so attached to these characters, and the feels here were so good. This one was darker at times than the first two, I think, but it was a natural place for the story to go.
Overall, I really love this trilogy, and I think this ending stuck the landing. I'm going to miss them forever, but that's what re-reads are for, haha! Five stars from me!
**Content warnings for mild profanity, human trafficking, violence, and grief. and the spooky zombies, of course, can't forget about those.
I can't believe it's over 😭 This was easily one of my most anticipated books EVER. I love Lockwood & Co., but Scarlett and Albert just have my whole heart, and their final exploits didn't change how much I adore them.
The grumpy x sunshine vibes. The found family energy. The heists, the travels, the chaos of it all. This one raises the stakes yet again, widening the scope of this post-apocalyptic world. Questions we've had since previous installments get answers (and some things are left open for me to wonder about forevermore). I'm so attached to these characters, and the feels here were so good. This one was darker at times than the first two, I think, but it was a natural place for the story to go.
Overall, I really love this trilogy, and I think this ending stuck the landing. I'm going to miss them forever, but that's what re-reads are for, haha! Five stars from me!
**Content warnings for mild profanity, human trafficking, violence, and grief. and the spooky zombies, of course, can't forget about those.
April 23, 2025
I’ve enjoyed this trilogy tremendously! Did it have its flaws? Yes. Was everything covered that I wanted to see in the end? Not really. But to be honest, so much of this story was simply about enjoying the characters, their journey, triumphs, humor, adventure, and of course, friendship. You will get me with a story with friendship at its heart every time!
In this final installment I was particularly happy to see the character moments shine through, and there was one character I was really hoping would get a redemptive arc and I was not disappointed! I’m still waiting for Stroud to completely stick the landing with his endings, without getting derailed by less interesting plot points, but this one came close by keeping Scarlett, Albert, and their crew at the center of everything, and bringing things to a satisfying conclusion.
I’ll certainly miss these two and will definitely enjoy a reread the next time I want a story about friendship and adventure with a lot of laughs along the way! It might not have been a five-star book exactly, but I had to give a salute to the experience of this unique trilogy about two outlaws in a post-apocalyptic world who rely on their wits, their courage, and each other.
In this final installment I was particularly happy to see the character moments shine through, and there was one character I was really hoping would get a redemptive arc and I was not disappointed! I’m still waiting for Stroud to completely stick the landing with his endings, without getting derailed by less interesting plot points, but this one came close by keeping Scarlett, Albert, and their crew at the center of everything, and bringing things to a satisfying conclusion.
I’ll certainly miss these two and will definitely enjoy a reread the next time I want a story about friendship and adventure with a lot of laughs along the way! It might not have been a five-star book exactly, but I had to give a salute to the experience of this unique trilogy about two outlaws in a post-apocalyptic world who rely on their wits, their courage, and each other.
May 16, 2025
Phew...that was one hell of a bumpy ride!
I'm not sure how to sift through my emotions and write a review for this series...even though I only read the first two books last year, I'd gotten really attached to all the characters, especially Albert and Scarlett (of course) and now, having come to end of the journey, I feel saddened. A little empty. But also a little...disappointed?
Don't get me wrong, I did love the last book but everything about it seemed a little rushed. The unanswered questions and the open ending aside, I wish Stroud had given the characters more time. And that left me with just a little bit of disappointment.
Still though, this is the end of an era...and I really will miss these characters a lot :(
P.S. - Finishing this book on my birthday leaves me with a special kind of sappiness :/
I'm not sure how to sift through my emotions and write a review for this series...even though I only read the first two books last year, I'd gotten really attached to all the characters, especially Albert and Scarlett (of course) and now, having come to end of the journey, I feel saddened. A little empty. But also a little...disappointed?
Don't get me wrong, I did love the last book but everything about it seemed a little rushed. The unanswered questions and the open ending aside, I wish Stroud had given the characters more time. And that left me with just a little bit of disappointment.
Still though, this is the end of an era...and I really will miss these characters a lot :(
P.S. - Finishing this book on my birthday leaves me with a special kind of sappiness :/
August 9, 2025
I have to be honest since Bartimaeus ,I stopped trusting Mr. Stroud, when I was reading Lockwood and Co. there is one chapter - I WILL NEVER FORGET- where I almost had a nervous breakdown, cos I was worried that it will happen again What you ask
so I was worried by the final chapters in this one, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions, a true one.
and it is one novel I am sure I will try to sneak it into my reading pile again, it will be perfect if it was adapted I do hope so, and to stick to the script. I truly loved every cared for everyone of them.
one small warning though, if you are a parent take care there is swearing mixing religion together ,esp the one in page 32 paperback edition, this is only thing I didn't like.
so I was worried by the final chapters in this one, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions, a true one.
and it is one novel I am sure I will try to sneak it into my reading pile again, it will be perfect if it was adapted I do hope so, and to stick to the script. I truly loved every cared for everyone of them.
one small warning though, if you are a parent take care there is swearing mixing religion together ,esp the one in page 32 paperback edition, this is only thing I didn't like.
February 28, 2025
A Dystopian UK, never explained, but with intriguing hints and fantastic ruins, and the scary Tainted, made this another brilliant world created by J. Stroud. I seem to recall that book 0ne missed the mark a little, especially Scarlett, however by book two this had been redeemed and book three is an excellent conclusion, with good character progression and a satisfying end (except for the last chapter/ epilogue, which I really didn't like, as it gave the last word to someone other than Scarlet and Albert. I felt it ended better with the preceding chapter).
June 24, 2025
Best book of the series! Jonathan Stroud can write, I tell you! He doesn’t rush the story, he ties things up neatly but doesn’t leave out details. The action is fantastic. I wasn’t sure about this dynamic duo in the first book; enjoyed the second more though; and blazed through this final book. I loved Stroud’s Lockwood & Co. I may need to revisit the Bartimaeus series and look into his stand alones. If you are looking for adventure…Scarlett and Browne are for you!
May 19, 2025
4.5 stars. A splendid, swashbuckling, dramatic and somewhat tender, conclusion to the dystopian adventure series. I have massively enjoyed everything Stroud has written. Smart, funny, inventive and dark. Characters are complex and while emotional connection is central, I really appreciate that Stroud doesn’t lard his books up with romance.
April 16, 2025
Stroud is a master at creating chaos that I’m eager to engage with. In the final installment our daring duo of bank-robber-abolitionist-anarchists are still hard at it. Freeing both slaves from drudgery and money from the vaults of the Faith Houses. Scarlett is determined to find her little brother and Albert longs to discover the secret of his own past - giant lizards, zombie cannibals just need to step aside.
52 Book Club25: 2) A character with red hair
52 Book Club25: 2) A character with red hair
July 19, 2025
Stroud ormai è una certezza.
Mi è piaciuto molto di più dei primi due. Non c’è mai un momento morto, ma nonostante il carico di eventi non mi è sembrato affrettato. Forse solo il finale, da cui avrei voluto qualcosa di più; ma nonostante tutto rimane una lettura soddisfacente.
Mi è piaciuto molto di più dei primi due. Non c’è mai un momento morto, ma nonostante il carico di eventi non mi è sembrato affrettato. Forse solo il finale, da cui avrei voluto qualcosa di più; ma nonostante tutto rimane una lettura soddisfacente.
October 26, 2025
***
"Scarlett looked at him. It was a miracle of a kind: Albert always saw the best in people, even when they were trying to riddle him with bullets. All his life, the world had rubbed savagely against him, trying to wear him down. And what had happened? His innocence had been burnished by that rubbing - burnished till it shone. It was the hard, cruel things around him that had been worn away."
***
I just really like this book.
"Scarlett looked at him. It was a miracle of a kind: Albert always saw the best in people, even when they were trying to riddle him with bullets. All his life, the world had rubbed savagely against him, trying to wear him down. And what had happened? His innocence had been burnished by that rubbing - burnished till it shone. It was the hard, cruel things around him that had been worn away."
***
I just really like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2025
I want more 🥲
A solid story and a satisfying conclusion to their arcs, but I just want to nestle into more of Scarlett and Albert's interactions with each other.
A solid story and a satisfying conclusion to their arcs, but I just want to nestle into more of Scarlett and Albert's interactions with each other.
June 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐️. It was a fun ending to the series, though I didn’t enjoy it as much as the earlier books, but that may have been more based on when I was reading it then the book itself.
Listened to Audiobook
Listened to Audiobook
June 20, 2025
Reaaaaaaaaaaaally loved this. The way these characters have matured and deepened through the books is incredible and the stakes of the plot of this book are a lot higher for so many characters and for the state of the world. I enjoyed every moment of it and I'm so happy with the way it ended <3
Displaying 1 - 29 of 173 reviews