Set in a broken, future England, where gunfights and monsters collide, this is the exciting first title in a phenomenal fantasy teen series by the bestselling children’s novelist.

England has been radically changed by a series of catastrophes – large cities have disappeared and London has been replaced by a lagoon. The surviving population exists in fortified towns where they cling to traditional ways, while strangely evolved beasts prowl the wilderness beyond. Conformity is rigidly enforced and those who fall foul of the rules are persecuted: some are killed, others are driven out into the wilds. Only a few fight back – and two of these outlaws, Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne, display an audacity and talent that makes them legends. 

I purchased a copy of this book for my own reading.

I’d not heard of these books, or their author before. Though I had distantly heard of the Lockwood and Co. book series. I saw the third book in the series in a bookshop prior to my holiday in Wales back in June, and it really caught my eye. The blurb certainly piqued my interest and I ended up purchasing all three.

Set in a post apocalyptic Britain, Scarlett & Browne follows the roguish Scarlett McCain. She roams the wastelands from safe city to safe city, dodging countless unspeakable monsters in the forests and swamps. When she reached civilisation, she scoped out ways to cheat and steal her fortune from less than reputable people. On one of her journeys between cities she encountered the sole survivor of a bus accident, young Arthur Browne.

Awkward and inept, Scarlett had no idea to the mysteries the boy held within. This journey of understanding and growth on the part of both Scarlett and Browne make for a really interesting read. Though more aimed towards a YA market, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to diving into the rest of the series.

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