Ranger's Apprentice Series

The Ranger’s Apprentice books are written by the author John Flanagan. He is from Australia and it somewhat shows in the way that he writes his books. If you are a big stickler for grammar then you might have a hard time every now and again. He also uses some language in these books too. The first book in the series had about 13 words but as you read further along in the series he seems to be able to control himself better in that area. The reason that I started to read these books was because my husband was reading them and he really enjoyed them. Looking at the cover I could tell that it was not the type of book that I would pick out myself but I would still give it a try. Now after reading the entire series I can say that I actually liked these books over all, which really surprised me. I have got a picture and a little short about each book but this time I am going to write a little something extra after each brief of the book, my opinion of the book. If you think this is the book for you then don’t read to far but then again you may want to do that anyways so you can get a better feel for what this series holds. Anyhow, enjoy!Ranger’s Apprentice Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan
The Rangers, with their shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. And now fifteen-year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. But what he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom who will fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time he will not be denied.
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(I loved this book the most out of the entire series which is kind of funny since it uses the most language. It is a somewhat slower pace than the other books but it gives you a good background area for the characters before you get into the real adventure.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 2: The Burning Bridge
For years, the Kingdom of Araluen has prospered, with the evil Lord Morgarath safely behind the impassable mountains. But the scheming hand of the dark lord has not been idle. When Will and his friend Horace, an apprentice knight, travel to a neighboring village they discover the unsettling truth. Could it be that Morgarath has finally devised a plan to bring his legions over the mountains? If so, the King’s army is in imminent danger of being crushed. And Will and Horace are the only ones who can save them.
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(This book was also pretty good and it has some unexpected turns to it too. But for the series this is when the battling and things can get a bit descriptive, especially if you have a good imagination.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 3: The Icebound Land
Kidnapped and taken to a frozen land after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives. Halt has sworn to rescue his young apprentice, and he will do anything to keep his promise, even defy his king. Expelled from the Rangers, Halt is joined by Will’s friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged again and again by freelance knights, but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon his skills begin to attract the attention of warlards for miles around. But will he and Halt be in time to rescue Will?
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(Ok, honestly, I did not like this one too much. Parts of it were really sweet and tender and really got you connected to some of the characters more but I don’t like how they introduce certain things, sorry but can’t say more about that. I guess you should just read this on carefully. Don’t get me wrong it is a very important book for the rest of the series because the last three books will refer to what happened in Skandia.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 4: The Battle for Skandia
For Will and Evanlyn, freedom has never felt so fleeting. Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, the Ranger’s apprentice and the princess’s plan to return to Araluen is spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by warmweed’s toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand until old friends make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when they make a horrifying discovery: Skandia’s borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, the unlikeliest of unions must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?
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(This was really good and actually I think it was probably the funniest book of the lot. A lot of serious things happen in it and I am sure that is why the author put more hummer in it to help lower the tension that is created. In all honesty I think that the author could have ended the series here but I guess he figured that left some loose ends.)
Ranger’s Apprentice Book 5: The Sorcerer of the North
Several years have passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, led the Skandians to victory against invaders, and Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy, boring, even until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron and who is planning to betray him. Will and Alyss must battle growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time. Lord Syron is fading, but when Alyss is taken hostage, Will is forced to make a desperate choice between loyalty to his mission and loyalty to his friend.
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(I did not like this book. I do like how things were cleared up but for over half of it the main character, Will, just did not match the personality that he has had all along. Maybe the author was trying to make him seem more grown up but I don’t think it worked. I did like how the new characters were introduced but man it really annoyed me that one of the characters that I liked turned out to be completely different. You know the saying, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” (funny that it applies here)? Well that totally applies to the characters in this book.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 6: The Siege of Macindaw
The kingdom is in danger. Renegade knight Sir Keren has succeeded in overtaking Castle Macindaw and now is conspiring with the Scotti. The fate of Araluen rests in the hands of two young adventures: the Ranger Will and his warrior friend, Horace. Yet for Will, the stakes are even higher. For inside Castle Macindaw, held hostage, is someone he loves. For this onetime apprentice, the time to grow up is now.
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(I’m glad that the author went back to his old method in this story and that the characters once again hold the same personality as they did before. I was also impressed with the pretty impossible circumstance that was presented to the characters and how they actually managed to do what they did. My husband says that this is the one book that does seem a little farfetched in that area but he still enjoyed it. But the best part of all for this book was the ending by far. Now I don’t know if more books are to come but don’t worry because I’ll let you all know.)
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(Picture provided by Barns & Noble)