Flanagan, John, Ranger's Apprentice Series:The Ruins of Gorlan. Penguin Group, 2006.
ISBN13: 9780641930522
ages: 9 to 12
Awards: New York Times Best-Selling Series
Awards: New York Times Best-Selling Series
Description:
Will is fifteen years old, small for his size, and an orphan living at Castle Araluen upon the good graces of his benefactor, the Duke Arwald. It is in this setting that Will is selected as a Ranger's apprentice during the fiefdom's traditional Choosing Day when young men and women are selected for their life-long vocation. The Rangers are protectors of the kingdom though the locals revere them as magical and somewhat suspicious. Will is reluctant to commit to his new life to the unknown, but interaction with the Master Ranger Halt begins to shape his identity, sense of belonging, and life’s focus in a way he never expected.
This first book of this series is well-written, and speaks the language of boys in a way that motivates courage, loyalty, and honor in their own thinking. The details of Battle School sword drills, Ranger target practice, and battles give a deeper dimension to the story and character development. John Flanagan expertly develops the characters as individuals, some minor ones having characterized personalities like the Castle Araluen's Master Chef who is round in body and gruff in tone. The story is full of characters to enjoy, and plenty of physical action to keep a boy interested in the plot. Will's story, and those of his comrades, have light moments of humor, tests of loyalty, and situations that highlight the need for brain over brawn. I am looking forward to the progression of the story and Will’s character through the series.
