The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw

By: Christopher Healy

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

The League of Princes returns in the hilariously epic conclusion to the hit series that began with Christopher Healy's The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, which the Los Angeles Times called "one of the more clever, hilariously successful incarnations of the current literary rage to rip apart and rewrite fairy tales."

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You think you know those guys pretty well by now, don't you? Well, think again. Posters plastered across the 13 kingdoms are saying that Briar Rose has been murdered - and the four Princes Charming are the prime suspects. Now they're on the run in a desperate attempt to clear their names. Along the way, however, they discover that Briar's murder is just one part of a nefarious plot to take control of all 13 kingdoms - a plot that will lead to the doorstep of an eerily familiar fortress for a final showdown with an eerily familiar enemy.

©2014 Christopher Healy (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Favorite series for all-family listening

This has got to be our favorite series for all ages to listen! It is a combination of a great story (admittedly, we like the updated fairy tale genre) and the best narrator. Pinchot is amazing! He jumps from voice to voice flawlessly, and the range of characters he creates is impressive. If you are looking for a series for a family road trip, this is it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

what can I say?

I didn't love the ghost/possession bit in a couple chapters. They made total sense with the story. I just really dislike that concept... and there are a few less than kid-friendly moments (not "adult" in the unfortunate modern sense, just beware of how your kid will take or be scared by certain creepy concepts. there are a few in there---and it's fairly intense in a few places).

But....

This was the perfect close to the series. All my petty grievances from the first two books (which were also great to read/listen to---though they they each had a few less than kid-friendly moment's as well) were wrapped up nice and tidyly. I was thoroughly satisfied with the end of the book. It made the whole series work. I look forward to sharing these books with others.

Bronson Pinchot... who remembers Balki Bartokomous? I feel a little bad for Bronson that Balki is the role he's most remembered for... but his character acting is on superb display in this audio book. I've always had a way with reading stories aloud that engage people, but it's as if through this book Bronson has thrown down a gauntlet to me and anyone else who thinks they're good narrators. Well, Mr. Pinchot, I accept and I love this reading. The books are great... truly... and the performance is the best I've ever heard (and I love audio books). I will forever remember Bronson (now) as the guy who threw the gauntlet and narrated The Heroes Guides ... ... and as Balki. what can I say, Balki was part of my childhood.

These books took stories from my childhood, turned them on their ears and, making me laugh out loud, made them somehow better... mostly.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Most fun fractured fairy tale laugh out loud funny

Would you listen to The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw again? Why?

Yes, any time I need a good laugh!

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes he has great voices and makes the jokes so much better with perfect timing and good pauses.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Straight Comedy for the whole family!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is super clever in it's humor and yet still down to earth with thought provoking themes. My kids listen to this series probably more than any other, because it's so uplifting and fun!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Cool story and what a narrator!!

Bronson could read a cereal box and make it fascinating , but this story works on its own and soars with his help.

best audible performance ever!!!

we love the league of princes! hilarious voices! fun story! lots of adventure and funny situations.

This is the best book ever

This is the very very very very very best book ever written in the world

A great finish to the series!

Last book in the series and I enjoyed it just as much as the other two. Lots of fun and excitement. Bronson Pinchot's narration was excellent and my main reason for coming back to this series over and over again. Recommended for anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted adventure with awesome narration!

Amazing

It is a well constructed book that is so funny. the voices are also great.

hilarious adventure for kids big and small

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the third book in the highly entertaining "Heros Guide" series. The success of this series -- at least the Audible version of it -- is not only down to Christopher Healy's great writing, but equally owing to the narration mastery of the multi-talented Bronson Pinchot. Book 3 is not as funny as Book 2, which is in turn not quite as amusing as Book 1, which is so often the case, alas. Whether this is due to the fact that Book 1 apparently boasted two authors, while the sequels had only one, or perhaps the fact that any sequel will be hard pressed to seem as fresh as the original, is anyone's guess. Also, there were a lot more characters in this story, which took the focus away from the "core 4". Additionally, it seems to me that Bronson Pinchot's game is slightly off sometimes, as if he hadn't prepared quite as well as he had on the others. Sometimes his rhythm seems off (like stressing the wrong part of a sentence), sometimes his voice or accent seems different from the first two books (which I've listened to numerous times, they are so good!). Also, I'm still bothered (as I mentioned in my review for the 2nd book) by the accent change for the character Ruffian, who started out with an Irish accent, but transitioned in books 2 and 3 to a sort of working class London accent. But hey, Pinchot was so perfect the first time around that it's hard to approach that level of perfection again. In any case, he delights with his proficient variety of accents and voices, so I still have to give him a "5", because he's still head and shoulders above most others. I did give the story-writing a "4" because the humor didn't reach the level of hilarity as the first one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I've gotta say Gustav. I love his hilarious sarcasm and awkward avoidance of any sort of tenderness, even though he has a fondness for his comrades. Duncan and Snow are tied for 2nd place, with their goofy, removed-from-reality approach to life. And Lila's also sassy and fun.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where a Genie grants a wish to each of the "League's" associates, and Snow White wishes for a sandwich. Classic!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Gustav's heart gets broken. Awww, who knew it could happen?

Any additional comments?

Don't read book 3 without reading books 1 and 2, or you'll miss some context.