In plot alone Stroud has presented us with a strong book. The world of this series is one devastated by climate change and some unnamed disaster. Cities are abandoned and lost to wilderness and floods. The remaining towns are insular and ruled by secretive cabals and strict standards of "purity". The spaces in between are the domain of monstrous man-eating animals and a sort of zombie. All elements that make for exciting reading and would be enough to make this a book easy to recommend. But Scarlett and Albert, the titular outlaws, are phenomenal. Both are keeping secrets and both add charm and quirks to the story. Scarlett is the bandit we love, who commits her crimes with cheek yet seeks to do good in the world when she sees the chance. Albert is a wide-eyed innocent who loves everything, bumbles endlessly, but is so effortlessly charming and guileless that we automatically cheer for him. A charming listen that will engage reluctant readers.
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