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Three stars for the book itself - 2 stars for the series at this point.

Series Review: What started out as an interesting series ran its course (in my opinion) by the end of book six. The storyline was wrapped up relatively nicely and felt done. These last two books have really started another series (in my opinion) which should be marketed as either a companion series or a sequel series, not as part of the original series. For pacing reasons, I think the next three books in the series should have been placed after the first six then what are seven and eight should come followed by books twelve - fifteen. Rewrite Nyroc/Coryn so that he isn't Soren's nephew, and I think the series would be much stronger.

Book Review: As a stand alone book (or at most, as sequel to the book right before it) the book wasn't bad. It's weaknesses were mainly in its pacing with regards to the rest of the series. Nyroc/Coryn was hatched shortly after the battle that wraps up the 6th book and only about a year to eighteen months has passed. Yet because we don't experience any changes with the original group, it's very jarring to discover that our former "children" (for that is what Soren and company were during the first six books) are adults and some of them are married with children of their own. It just doesn't feel like enough time has passed in order for that to have taken place. ( )

As the eighth book of this series this book was supposed to have pretty good action and a good plot, but this book goes beyond good. It goes beyond amazing! The Outcast has to be one of the best books in the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series. After escaping from his canyon home and his tyrant mother Nyra (leader of an evil army known as the Pure Ones), Coryn seeks out his destiny and begins a journey to the one place he suspects his destiny is to take place -- in Beyond the Beyond. But as he grows stronger in the Beyond, little does he know that Nyra has also had the idea of coming to the Beyond so she could recruit wolves for her army. If their paths cross it will surely be an eruption of blood and feathers. So will they encounter each other? And will Coryn fulfill his destiny?

I loved reading this book. Kathryn Lasky kept this book moving along making it a good-paced action thrilled adventure. I also loved how she made the book not just about one character. She included many other characters that made this story much better.

The message of this story is that if one good soul believes then he can fend off the forces of evil. Coryn never loses hope and continues his destiny without ever considering to give up.

Owl lovers would probably love this book along with fiction readers. If you love both owls and fiction, this could be the perfect series for you. Kathryn Lasky really brought alive a new world in these books. Which makes them so amazing.