Customer Reviews

The Outcasts

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Five very different teens are chosen to attend a special class trip to an old home in Dorset, England where rumors of an ancient burial ground and a mysterious screaming skull reside.

Mia has some severe social issues. Iz and his friend Joe while virtually harmless can't seem to stay out of trouble. Helen has a secret and little time for a social life. Chris is really smart but a little lazy. These school misfits who have nothing but their outcast status in common, all jump at the chance to go on this trip and embark on an unforgettable journey.

What I liked best about this story was that I think every reader can identify with at least one of the characters. The uniqueness that seems like a hindrance back home actually helps them on this trip and each of these characters gets to step beyond their outcast label and prove their worth during their adventure.

This is a fanciful story about five unlikely but loveable heroes and another side of life as they know it; filled with obstacles, nets and dimensions. But don't be fooled into thinking this is light reading with little substance. There are some important lessons and discoveries along the way. I absolutely LOVED this book. L.S. Matthews weaves a flawless fantasy that captures your heart and sends your imagination into new and sometimes scary territory.

Five teens, who never would have thought they had anything in common, will soon find out that, aside from being misfits, the only way out is to be there for and trust each other on this very strange class trip.

Iz and Joe have always been good friends. Although Joe doesn't really know why, since it seems like whenever he is around Iz, Iz is around trouble, and Joe just so happens to end up tangled in the mess. And just like Joe, Iz is pretty confused on why they were chosen to be included on this field trip, since most of the time there is always a reason why Iz would not be able to go.

Helen was never one to be quiet. She was never one to not get into fights with teachers. So when her teacher makes her leave the classroom for talking too loud, it's no surprise to anyone. What is surprising, though, is how well not only Helen but also the teacher were nice about the situation. Which is good, since Helen still gets to go on the trip.

Mia is not really a people person. She would rather be around anything other than human beings. Of course, that doesn't really help her social skills. But this trip seems like it wouldn't be so bad for Mia, at least that is what the teachers in the Learning Support Room say to her.

Chris is pretty smart and pretty good at multitasking. This trip, to him, is just like any other trip, which is why he isn't too worried about it. If only he knew.

All five were specially handpicked to go on this once in a lifetime trip -- but can they handle what's in store for them?

THE OUTCASTS could be labeled as peculiar... in a good way. By reading this novel, just like the characters, you won't know what's coming next. This is the perfect read for anyone who awaits suspense and a thriller.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

My #1 son, in a perhaps jaded moment, called this book a sci-fi "Stand By Me" (the Stephen King story & marvelous movie). It is that -- a bunch of misfits stuck together on a quest.

My favorite character is the Aspy girl, who, at a crucial moment, shows how clever the learning different can be.

This novel works very much like a video game in that there are a series of challenges, and the characters have to figure out how to get through them. One challenge will remind those of a certain non-target age of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." The kids have to pool their knowledge and their wits, to see beyond the obvious.

They also have to figure out how to get along together. This is not easy. These outcasts are not all friends.

For those worried about "dark" YA novels, don't be. This one turns out fine enough. It's a good read.