The Outcast (Summoner #4)
Author: Taran Matharu
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Enter an immersive world where the chosen few have the ability to summon de-mons...
Arcturus is just an orphaned stable boy when he discovers he has the ability to summon demons from another world. He is sent to Vocans Academy where the lost arts of summoning, spell craft and demonology are taught to the noble children of the Empire. As the first commoner gifted with this ability, his discovery challenges the nobility and the powers that be and Arcturus soon makes enemies. With no one but his demon Sacharissa by his side, Arcturus must prove himself as a worthy Summoner...
Set before the events of SUMMONER: The Novice this is the perfect introduction to the New York Times bestselling SUMMONER series.
Other Books in the Series:
It’s been a long time since I’ve read The Summoner Series and I actually bought Battlemage but didn’t get a chance to read it. Reading The Outcast reminded me how much I really enjoy this series and that I want to go back and reread the whole thing now that I have a little different insight.
So even though The Outcast is the fourth book in the series it’s actually a prequell. It reads like a standalone but leaves you enough at the end that makes you want to go back and start from the beginning. It’s actually a perfect way to get a feel for the world and series before diving into Fletcher’s story. (I love Fletcher by the way so go back and read!)
We find ourselves with Arcturus in this story. He is a simple commoner. Someone who has been abused and looked past his entire life. He has never had a sense of belonging or the feeling of being loved. When Arcturus discovers he can summon, this is at a time when Nobles are able to do so. Throwing himself into a world that he once again is an Outcast. Not only that but the commoners are becoming restless with the cruel King and Arcturus could just be the key to overthrowing them. Arcturus walks that line however where he doesn’t really belong on either side.
I love watching Arcturus develop. You can tell that he is hesitant at first, not just with trusting people but with his confidence as well. As the story goes on we see him grow into this person that he is meant to be. Strong and loyal and finding friends but also family. The strongest with his bond with his demon Sancha.
The plot is great and interesting. We don’t spend the whole time at Vocans. Which is the school for summoners, we actually get to explore different parts of the country. Even get a little up close and personal time with the Orcs. It kind of reminded me a little bit of World of Warcraft, which if I can find a video game comparison a series has sold me. Ha ha. I don’t want to give anything away because it’s an adventure story of sorts. PIcking up people as they go along.
I love how the magic of Summoners works. Since they do start at the school, you get a great introduction to some of the simpler spells and how summoning works. As well as different demon types and even a brief introduction to the Ether.
I also really love that this is a series that I think my son would enjoy as well. I’m always happy to find one that I think will appeal to him. Especially when he gets a ittle older.
I really enjoyed The Outcast. I think if you haven’t read the series it’s a great introduction and will make you want to read Fletcher’s story as well. If you have read the series, I think it’s a great addition to the World.
Taran Matharu is a New York Times bestselling author. He was born in London in 1990 and found a passion for reading at a very early age. His love for stories devel-oped into a desire to create his own during early adolescence, beginning his first book at 9 years old.
Straight after graduating with a First Class degree in Business Administration, Taran was keen to explore a new avenue and get inside the publishing world, land-ing an internship in Digital Sales at Penguin Random House, from June to Septem-ber 2013.
Thereafter, while taking time off to travel, Taran began to write ‘Summoner’ in No-vember 2013 at the age of 22, taking part in ‘Nanowrimo 2013’.
Thanks to Wattpad.com and updating daily, its popularity dramatically increased, reaching over 3 million reads in less than six months.
After being featured by NBC News, Taran decided to launch his professional writing career and has never looked back.
His SUMMONER series is published by Hodder Children’s (Hachette) in the UK, Australia and Commonwealth, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) in the US and Can-ada, Hachette Jeunesse in France, Heyne in Germany, Planeta in Spain, Crown in Taiwan, Record in Brazil, EKSMO in Russia, Jaguar in Poland, Ecliptic in Bulgaria, Alpress in the Czech Republic, Ithaki in Turkey and Unieboek in the Netherlands.
GIVEAWAY
• Prize: 1 set of the entire series!! US/Canada Only
• Starts: 4.27
• Ends: 5.8
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86297/?