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lurker_stalker's review
5.0
Fantastic addition to the series. New characters facing new challenges and discovering themselves. Great read! Can't wait until the next book.
kivt's review
3.0
I really really enjoyed this til the eventual reveal that of fucking course
Spoiler
the main cast are central to this story too. It’s yet another story about how Salomen is supernaturally compassionate and Tal is overprotective. Yaaaaawn. Should have stayed a story about life for the rest of Alseans.stillinbeta's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Suicide and War
buchanator's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jokai's review
5.0
I'm trying to space out each of the Chronicles of Alsea books just so I can appreciate DeLancey's writing more. She is my favorite genre and her story telling is second to none. It's like a ride in a cadillac. Smooth, powerful and classic. Outcaste is a book that shows the heart of the hero that takes a different path. This book empowers those who are not heard, seen and deemed unworthy. I love it!
velvetvan's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Torture, Mental illness, and Abandonment
sleeplessrivers's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mjsam's review
5.0
I’ve enjoyed all of the Alsea series, though some more than others. This is... sort of a departure from the other stories, in that it features a main character that has not previously been introduced (sort of) and follows her from childhood to adulthood. And it’s quite the ride.
Rahel is the child of a crafter and a merchant but longs to be a warrior. Due to Alsea’s ridiculous caste system (which I’m hoping will be addressed in future books) she has to challenge to join a different caste, but can’t without her parent’s permission. This leads to her leaving home at a young age and living on the streets, essentially becoming ‘Outcaste’. Here she is befriended by Mouse, another street kid with an even worse life than Rahel. They bond and band together, but even this does not save them from all of the things you’d imagine would befall them, although poor Mouse bears the brunt of this. Rachel meets many ‘benevolent’ adults who help her remain on her path. Honest to god though, they all infuriated me. Not one of these ‘adults’ had the strength to challenge this system and take this CHILD in and give her a proper home. I can’t go into any more detail here without giving away massive spoilers, but this section of the book had me alternating between gritting my teeth and having a lump in my throat. I did enjoy the complexity of Rahel’s relationship with her mother (and Sharro) over the life of the book though.
Anyway, circumstances improve and Rahel crosses paths with another character that has featured prominently in the past books. This storyline sheds some valuable light on the other side of what was happening during the Battle of Alsea and the Lancer’s Challenge, which culminates in events leading to what was easily my favourite part of the book. There’s a few reasons for that, the emotional context is just as moving as the first part of the book, but in an entirely different way, and Salomen and Laniril, who are two of my favourite characters, feature heavily. There are also some cameos from other favourites, which I also enjoyed. Unfortunately I did not really like Andira in this book, her behaviour smacked of hypocrisy really, and she needed to get the hell over herself. I’m also not a huge fan of Vallmar, there’s something about her that annoys me (I was irritated by the fact that she got paired with Lanaril in earlier books, Laniril deserves better) and she did nothing to endear herself to me in this one. Rahel has now jumped to top spot as my favourite character in this series (though she’s only just topping Salomen, and Lhyn and Lanaril are not far behind).
Fair warning, this is not an easy read. It deals with heavy topics and the aftermath of these situations, and doesn’t shy away from them. There were points where I had to put it down and take a break. I applaud Fletcher for including these, and looking at how the choices we make can shape not only our future but also that of those around us. Ultimately though, this is a story of courage, forgiveness and redemption. 5 stars.
Rahel is the child of a crafter and a merchant but longs to be a warrior. Due to Alsea’s ridiculous caste system (which I’m hoping will be addressed in future books) she has to challenge to join a different caste, but can’t without her parent’s permission. This leads to her leaving home at a young age and living on the streets, essentially becoming ‘Outcaste’. Here she is befriended by Mouse, another street kid with an even worse life than Rahel. They bond and band together, but even this does not save them from all of the things you’d imagine would befall them, although poor Mouse bears the brunt of this. Rachel meets many ‘benevolent’ adults who help her remain on her path. Honest to god though, they all infuriated me. Not one of these ‘adults’ had the strength to challenge this system and take this CHILD in and give her a proper home. I can’t go into any more detail here without giving away massive spoilers, but this section of the book had me alternating between gritting my teeth and having a lump in my throat. I did enjoy the complexity of Rahel’s relationship with her mother (and Sharro) over the life of the book though.
Anyway, circumstances improve and Rahel crosses paths with another character that has featured prominently in the past books. This storyline sheds some valuable light on the other side of what was happening during the Battle of Alsea and the Lancer’s Challenge, which culminates in events leading to what was easily my favourite part of the book. There’s a few reasons for that, the emotional context is just as moving as the first part of the book, but in an entirely different way, and Salomen and Laniril, who are two of my favourite characters, feature heavily. There are also some cameos from other favourites, which I also enjoyed. Unfortunately I did not really like Andira in this book, her behaviour smacked of hypocrisy really, and she needed to get the hell over herself. I’m also not a huge fan of Vallmar, there’s something about her that annoys me (I was irritated by the fact that she got paired with Lanaril in earlier books, Laniril deserves better) and she did nothing to endear herself to me in this one. Rahel has now jumped to top spot as my favourite character in this series (though she’s only just topping Salomen, and Lhyn and Lanaril are not far behind).
Fair warning, this is not an easy read. It deals with heavy topics and the aftermath of these situations, and doesn’t shy away from them. There were points where I had to put it down and take a break. I applaud Fletcher for including these, and looking at how the choices we make can shape not only our future but also that of those around us. Ultimately though, this is a story of courage, forgiveness and redemption. 5 stars.
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