.png)
There are 8 books in this series, and for me, each of these books seem to stack on top of each other, making each one better than the last. I personally really liked the 4th and 8th books, but still, all of them are really good. Also, I would recommend that you read the books in order, otherwise it doesn’t really make a lot of sense. I would rate this series for ages 8+, and 4.5 stars. The books in this series have elements of many different genres, including fantasy, realistic fiction and history, adding different layers of intricacies that feel amazing to read.
In the first book, Hal, who is the main character forms a brotherband, a loyal group of Skandians, and attempts to win the year long competition, however, by the time the second book takes place, they are on the run. In the second book they attempt to stop a band of pirates from taking over a town, and when the third book takes place, they are back on the run. And so the series continues, with Hal and his brotherband fighting a series of battles against pirates, slavers, eastern riders, and more. For me, the most memorable moments in this series are whenever the brotherband discovers or travels to a completely foreign land, facing completely unknown challenges that they may never return from. I love these books because of how John Flanagan writes his books, containing so much action and suspense, described with incredible detail.