The Brotherband Chronicles: Slaves of Socorro

Amazon Customer: We sailed to a familiar shore for readers and met an old friend. Who tags along to stop slavers who happened to be old enemies of our crew. Will the Herons stop these no gooders for good, or will the captives be introduced to a new way of life they never expected? Read to find out.

United States on Sep 11, 2023

titus: totally recommend this book and series

Canada on Jan 16, 2022

itsdale: Light reading and entertaining. Nothing deep, but moves you along quickly.

Canada on Dec 08, 2020

Stacie: I don't like spoilers in book reviews, but to all moms who are trying to find a book series their son might like... look no further. My son, a mature 12-year-old, read it in 2 days and looked up the next book! Books my son enjoys reading are few and far between. This is his favorite book series he has ever read; so much so, that he asked if I would start reading them with him. Now I am hooked!

This series has great character development, few slow parts, good moral lessons on loyalty and friendship, and is packed with action and adventure.

I highly recommend the entire series to 5th grade and up (from a teacher/ mom's perspective).

United States on Apr 04, 2020

Zulu Warrior: Hal and the crew of the Heron had spent a long time chasing the pirate leader Zavac, they caught up to him and defeated him recovering a stolen relic, Hal the leader 16yrs spent time with his mother, Hal had adopted a huge dog he called Kloof, Erak the Oberjarl of Skandia asked Hal to sail the Heron to Aruluen as a duty ship to protect King Duncan from pirates, on the voyage a trader said a Skandian ship had attacked them, Hal knew this to be Tursgood someone he had trouble with before

They also heard Tursgood attacked a village taking 12 slaves to sell, they must now defeat Tursgood and rescue the slaves, it would be extremely difficult to get into the harbour at Socorro and much harder to get out again

United Kingdom on Feb 26, 2020

Believer: "Slaves of Socorro" the fourth book in the "Brotherband Chronicles" is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that takes Hal,his bored and restless crew and the Heron to the shores of Araluen to act as the duty ship for eight to nine months. Under the terms of the treaty with Scandia the Heron and her crew is to be at the disposal of King Duncan, eradicating their shores of smugglers, slavers and pirates. The story heats up when Tursgud, Hal's nemesis during brotherhood training and his band of renegades attack a village along the Araluen coast, enslaving twelve villagers.

In an adventure that takes Hal and the Herons to the shores of Sorocco a new battle begins that has Hal not only pitting his wits against the Shark Brotherband and its malicious leader but tests his crew's skills in the rescue of captives chained in an impregnable stronghold as well as in their daunting escape.

Cleverly this master storyteller builds intensity and suspense not only in a thrilling and hazardous sea voyage that pits the Heron against the Nightwolf but also in a clash with slavers in Sorocco. In a plot filled with danger and violence the author often demonstrates the value of team...

Canada on May 04, 2015

John O'sullivan: The crew have rescued their honor and won against all odds, now erak gives them the chore of arulean duty ship! The wolf ship that is at Duncan's beck and call as part of will and halts treaty, preventing raids and fighting pirates is their lot for the term.
They have barely left shore( at speed because of KLOOF!) when they get their first piracy problem, in the guise of an old enemy of the Brotherband. Hal and his herons meet gilan the ranger and get involved in an impromptu rescue mission.
Overall another strong addition to the Brotherband legend with battles and Hals genius coming to the fore in several instances.

United Kingdom on Dec 18, 2014

K Smith: John Flanagan once again turns out an excellent novel for any casual adventure lover. I would recommend read in the whole series, as well as the rangers apprentice series as well. The characters are excellent, it is funny, and the taste of adventure is inspiring. I give it a 4 out of 5.

However, for the hardcore Flanagan fans, there are some time difference issues. In the first half of the book, the times do not match up. Gilan says that he is not yet 30, though that can't be true. The battle of ska dis happened in will's secondish year of apprenticeship, and at that time, Hal was very little, as he says. Hal is about 17 in this book, as his brother band training started at 15 and 2 years have passed since. So, let's say that a decade has passed since the war. Will is, in this book, about 27. Assuming that Gilan completed his 5 year training, he is at a minimum, 33. But. That would mean that Halt had assumed Will as his apprentice immediately after Gilan graduated. I presume that at least 3 years have passed since Gilan's apprenticeship when Will is taken on, thus raising Gilan's age to at least 35. This doesn't make it a bad book, but it is something that I noticed. Again,...

United States on Sep 19, 2014

Corey J. Bramlett: Just finished this one, and what a good read. Some of the good points are that the story is self contained, but will continue on into the next book. John Flannagan books for me are all about the journey he takes you on. From the nights on the sea, to the planning of rescues, and the interaction between the crew members. Each has their place and add to the story.
Add in the newest crew member Kloof, and bringing back a familiar face from the Rangers Apprentice. I knew it was coming but did not have an idea of who it would be. I will admit to be quite pleased with the addition for story wise, but we did not learn really anything new about the ranger yet.

Mr. Flannagan has also proven at the start of this series and with several of the Ranger books that the missions are dangerous (death, injury, and things not going according to plan). This one seems to have a lot more in terms of bloody battles. New stories lines are laid into the book, but the story follows the main path and keeps you hoping for more in the next installment.

Downfalls of the book: I read it way too fast and can lead to a sleepless night.
I bought it when it first came out like the others, so I...

United States on Aug 10, 2014

Kindle Customer: 5 STARS

I admit that I like to read John A. Flanagan Brotherband Chronicles and Ranger Apprentice books. I was excited to find this book was releasing today and read it. It did not disappoint at all. The Heron crew are all familiar characters from other books. Hal gets asked to take the duty ship a year service in Araluen.

On the way they realize that their old foe is turning mean and becoming a pirate. As they rescue a ship he attacked and left to sink.
A ranger Gilan comes with a message from the King asking the Heron's crew to the palace before they can leave they find out that Tursgud has raided a nearby village and has taken 12 Araluen's to sell as slaves. So Gilan joins the Heron's crew to save 12 and stop Tursgud.

Gilan is a familiar character if you have read the Ranger's Apprentice books. If not read them they are good.

There is one other new character that joins the crew that adds a lot of humor to the story.

There is lots of drama, action and humor. You are drawn into the story right away and kept their. Lots of ship talk but he has a glossery at front of book for reference. Good clean story. A book for the whole family to read and...

United States on Jul 16, 2014