This is good, fast-paced fun, with engaging characters, snappy dialogue, action, and a bit of heart.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

This book was fantastic. It definitely had the vibe of classic films like butch cassidy. It was very good.

The Notorious Scarlett and Browne are a couple of orphans who are the epitome of, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Scarlett and Albert Browne both grew up with abusive adults. This team of outlaws are anti-heroes committing crimes to stay alive and trying to stop those in power from abusing more children. The tale is action-packed. Definitely more upper middle grade reading.

Move over J.K.! Jonathan Stroud is here, writing incredible dark fantasy for young readers with a pair of strong, identifiable lead characters.
Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne are an unlikely pair, often getting on each other's nerves, but the two need each other more than they likely can see or would care to admit. Scarlett has led a rogue life all her few years, and she's more than adept at getting out of a tight jam, whether it's stealing the un-stealable, or facing off against a squad of killers.

Albert seems to be the mild-mannered, quiet child, constantly in need of Scarlett's help and approval. But the truth is, Albert is probably the more powerful of the pair. He doesn't use his power often, but wen he does everyone in his path, including Scarlett, is in danger. The two met up in the first book when Albert ran away from a home that was 'helping' him understand and harness his power. Now he's being hunted by an operative from the school - someone with similar powers but who has learned how to control them, giving him an advantage when they ultimately face off.

Meanwhile their past, as thieves and robbers, has caught up to them and new-found friends of theirs have been kidnapped and the ransom for their release is that Scarlett and Brown must rob the most secure mine around. This will be the easier challenge when they are caught, imprisoned, and led to the gallows under full guard.

Although I gave the first book a 4-1/2 star rating and this gets the same, this is a slightly better book. We get some much-needed background on our protagonists - where did Scarlett come from, what happened to her brother, and just how bad was Albert's forced indoctrination in the school.

The previous book was an exciting romp, with Scarlett and Albert slowly discovering one another and deciding where to put their trust, there was also a sense of randomness. They were running but what they were running from was a bit amorphous and what they were robbing along the way was simply a matter of convenience.

Now there's a planned target ahead of them, but even more importantly, what's chasing them has a face and a name (Mallory) and powers that make him a very formidable foe. And his presence suggests that Scarlett & Browne will have to be looking over their shoulders in books to come.

One of the things that I really appreciate about this book is that while it's clearly written for a younger reading audience, it doesn't shy away from darker themes. Of course this is nothing new, and J.K. Rowling took some heat in the press for how dark some of the Harry Potter books were, but it definitely helped establish that young readers are by and large capable of accepting this. Which is good, because there's a fair amount of violence going on here. So much so that I won't go into detail, but there's a harsh beating that Albert takes, and both Scarlett and Albert are waked to the gallows and a noose placed around Scarlett's neck in the climax of the book's action.

But Jonathan Stroud is a master author and while it is a very tense scene, we know that everything will work out. It wasn't about will they make it/won't they make it, it was about how and when.

One thing that I'm not sure I needed was a larger presence for "The Tainted" - essentially evil spirits or angry ghosts. I didn't even remember them from the first book and had to go back to see if they were there. They do play a large role here in both the rising action and the denouement, but for me it brings this series too close to Stroud's really phenomenal Lockwood & Co. books. As much as I like them, I'd much rather see this series have a much more unique voice.

Even so, give me a Jonathan Stroud book and I will have some very happy reading.

Looking for a good book? The Notorious Scarlett & Browne by Jonathan Stroud is a fast-paced, action-packed dark fantasy for young (and old) readers.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a truly excellent follow-up to the first book and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent listening to it.

It expanded on the worldbuilding from the first book while still leaving many things about the world mysterious, hinting at possible origins and histories but not fully revealing them. It delved more into Scarlett's past and traumas, slowly revealing them as the book progressed. It also pushed Albert into taking control of his power and gaining confidence in himself.

And of course there were the obligatory heists, mad escapes, one pitfall after another, and an encounter with the tainted that pushed them from creepy and unsettling into truly terrifying territory. I actually had difficulty falling asleep one night after reading that enounter because I couldn't get it out of my head. And I'm 36 lol.

Joe and Ettie showed up again, this time taken hostage as motivation for Scarlett and Albert to pull off an impossible heist. And we got the addition of Sal Qin. I quite liked her addition to the found family Scarlett and Albert have cobbled together.

I really like how things ended up feeling both resolved and that that resolution is temporary. Scarlett and Albert Spoke openly of their plans of where to go and what to do next, and each hinted at a crusade to come. I think, more than anything, I was left with the feeling that Scarlett and Albert are a unit now and neither of them intends to leave. In the first book, and even much of this one, their alliance felt somewhat temporary, like they could walk away at any moment. I don't get that feeling anymore. I am eagerly anticipating what the next book will bring.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.

This series has been so much fun to read! The main characters are entertaining, Scarlett is always scheming and showing off her amazing skills and Albert makes me laugh with his endless optimism and how he constantly ends up in bad situations.

The story was exciting, with heists and bad guys and sticky situations for Scarlett and Albert to maneuver. I'm loving Stroud's books and hope a third one is on the way.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the copy.

'The Notorious Scarlett and Browne', second in the series is great for all the reasons I usually like Jonathan Stroud's work - deadpan humor, the brilliant characters and fun story.

We learn more about the two lead characters in this book and they grew on me, almost sneakily like most of Stroud's characters, by the end. The story is fast paced and engaging, befitting the two outlaws, but also setting the stage for character growth. It was satisfying to see Scarlett confront her past and Albert confront his powers.

The world-building in this series is tantalizingly slow, we find out bits and pieces about the world and the big Cataclysm in this book but I would have liked more information. However, Stroud's writing really brought together everything and kept me engaged - deceptively simple but gripping as always. The focus is kept mostly on the plot and the characters, but hopefully we find out more about the world in the next book!

The rating is 4 1/2 stars and rounded up to 5 as the book on the whole is good.
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; One star for the story arc; One star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building - Four and a half stars on the whole.]

Thanks to NetGalley, Jonathan Stroud and the publishers Random House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clear your schedule, because once you start this book you will not want to put it down. In the second installment in this series, Stroud delivers and does not disappoint. Initially, the plot starts out quite similar to the first book but just when the reader wonders if this will be a retread, then things start to get crazy and there is no turning back.

The pacing is sizzling and the dialogue continues to sparkle with witty banter, abundant sarcasm, and some dry humor. In the first book, the reader became acquainted with a lot of Albert’s past, but Scarlett was a mystery with only a few hints. In this book, Scarlett’s history is told through a series of flashbacks. There is satisfying character development for both: Albert gaining in self-confidence while retaining a gentle nature and Scarlett coming to terms with retaining her fierceness. The duo are an effective team and good foils for each other.

This book checks all the boxes for adventure, characters, and just pure enjoyment.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy provided by the Publisher

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Okay, so, I had actually forgotten how much I loved #1 in this series (pls go find my review for it) and then this was just an absolute delight too. I love Scarlett and Albert. The world is SO unique, but I still don't know what time period we're in because it's a mesh of industrialism but no longer, and also like ye olden times, but also not? There's bicycles and cars, but also outlaws and slavers, and they're excavating relics of the past that sound like cities from our times, but the kingdoms represent the 7 kingdoms of britain and there's just ALL the religions.

Anyways, I loved this. I loved how one simple heist turned into so many bigger problems for them. I love Albert figuring out his powers. I love the growth Scarlett had. Their friendship is just absolutely amazing to read. I also really liked how this developed the world a bit more (still not enough) but also started some pretty deep conversations as well about the Faith House and what it means to be different.

Anyways, please read book #1 in the series and then read this.

This magical mystery is about two young people, Scarlett McCain and Albert Brown are notorious thieves, robbing from the ruling powers and re-distributing their wealth as they see fit. This is a sequel to Stroud's Outlaws Scarlett and Brown. In this one, you get some of the back story of how Scarlett and Albert have come to be thieves as well as how they found each other as well as some remarkable thievery and escapes. They each have special powers (although Albert's are more magical than Scarlett's) and sometimes their powers take them places they really didn't want to go. This is an exciting story but there's a quite a bit of violence, so it wouldn't work in my elementary library but I'll bet a lot of bigger kids are going to enjoy this one.

I had enjoyed the first book enough to want to continue the series. Neither book really blew me away.

This series as a whole is fine but not excellent.

Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne are both in their teens, but couldn’t be more different. She’s a fiercely competent career criminal and weapons master and he’s a clumsy naïf with some rather extraordinary skills. Their exploits in a post-apocalyptic Britain have become legendary, but when old adversaries hold their loved ones hostage, the partners must undertake their most impossible heist yet. Plenty of action, crackling repartee, and well-defined characters populate this second installment in a fantasy trilogy perfect for fans of Bardugo’s Six of Crows (Holt, 2015). All main characters present as white. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an unbiased review.

"The now notorious outlaws Scarlett and Browne are back in their second death-defying adventure - and this time it's not just their own lives on the line....

Albert and Scarlett are a formidable pair. With his ability to read minds and her way with a weapon, no bank can keep them out and no jail can keep them in.

But their notoriety may have spread a bit too far. Now old enemies from Scarlett's past and a sinister new threat from Albert's world are boxing them in - and holding their friends hostage.

To win their freedom, the outlaws Scarlett and Browne are charged with pulling off an impossible mission.

And the clock is ticking . . .

Fans of Jonathan Stroud's The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne won't want to miss their next adventure."

After adoring Stroud's Lockwood and Co. series I am so excited I have this new series of his to dive into!

Another fun adventure by a pair of unlikely partners and thieves in a series that feels like OLIVER TWIST and GOOD OMENS. Scarlett is a master thief and after rescuing and befriending Albert she is set on modeling him in her image. They each bring to the table certain useful skills but Albert is still hiding a darker side and Scarlett is wrestling with her past. Now with their faces on the most wanted posters they must pull off their most daring heist yet to rescue friends from the even more notorious Brothers of the Hand. The plot is fun and fast paced, the dialogue is delightfully witty and even though there are plenty of snipes and barbed arguments they remain the best of friends and always have each other's backs. Jonathan Stroud excels in writing stories that appeal to a wide age range. He doesn't dumb down the vocabulary or shy away from darker moods. A delight to read and share, pure and simple as are all his books. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Ahoy there me mateys!  In this second book of the series, the outlaws Scarlett and Browne are continuing their life of bank robbery and survival.  Much of the joy of this installment is watching how much the duo has grown by interacting with each other.  Scarlett remains snarky and awesome.  Browne is the tempering force that is teaching her how to be less selfish.  Scarlett is teaching him the life skills he needs not to die.  Both are still learning to trust and depend on another person.  The banter between them delights.

Scarlett's past comes knocking and brings the duo a seemingly impossible heist.  I loved that both Scarlett and Browne are wrong-footed and scrambling to come up with a plan to beat the clock.  They do not have the upper hand and nothing goes to plan.  While there was a lot of action, there are also introspective moments from both characters.  Their growing friendship is wonderful.

The plot of this book is wound up but there are many possibilities for what comes next.  I want another!  Arrr!

Jonathan Stroud is one of my very favorite authors and I'm greatly enjoying this series. This second book was even better than the second. I understand the purpose of the Tainted but wish they weren't there because personally that kind of creature freaks me out but overall, I really enjoyed it. There is some subtle fatphobia which I also could have very much done with out and ask Stroud to do better.

Another action packed adventure from author Jonathan Stroud!

In this sequel we get more answers about the world they live in, and it's full of fun banter between the leads again.

I admit, I was a bit nervous when I started this one. I absolutely loved Stroud's Lockwood & Co series, but felt that the first Scarlett and Browne book had a bit of pacing issues and the story felt a somewhat scattered to me. I did not need to worry, however. I really enjoyed this second entry in the Scarlett and Browne series. The story felt a lot more cohesive to me, and I felt like I got to know the characters much more in this book than the first. There was a lot of action and adventure and the signature banter and snark that I associate with Stroud's characters.It felt like the first book took me forever to finish. I read this one in three days. In short, I really, really liked this book and I'm eagerly anticipating the next. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of the author's previous work, as well as readers that enjoy action, adventure and heist style stories.

Jonathan Stroud writes in a way that older and younger readers can enjoy. The Notorious Scarlett and Browne is an intriguing continuation — well worth adding to school libraries.