Customer Reviews

The Battle for Skandia: Book 4 (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4)

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Following the events in book three, Will and Evanlynn have been hiding out in the woods after escaping slavery in Skandia. Finally, reaching Skandia themselves, Halt and Horace discover an outpost of Skandians completely destroyed. Realizing that the Temujai army has begun invading Skandia, Halt must join forces with the Skandians in order to fend off the mighty invaders. For, if the Temujai succeed, they would eventually go after Araluen as well.

Unlike the previous installments, this book focused more on a central theme of the Temujai invasion. A lot of the book was planning, strategy, and practicing for battle. There was still character interaction and growth, but it seemed to take a back seat in this story which centered more on battle. I love the characters and especially the race of Skandians, which was this book's saving grace for me. And also unlike the others, this one didn't end in a cliffhanger. I was glad to have some resolution finally. Some wonderful events happen and friendships are forged.

My daughter received book 1 of this series a couple of years ago as a gift. I began reading it to my children at bedtime and soon all 3 of us were hooked. John Flanagan is a very talented author and keeps the suspense going all the way through each book. There were very few chapters in any of the first 3 books or this one where we were comfortable stopping for the night. More often than not, I would hope my kids would beg for one more chapter so I could give in and read on to satisfy my own curiousity. At times, after I tucked them in, I would have to go sneak a peak at the next chapter because I couldn't stand the suspense! Then I would be so excited about what was going on that I would read that chapter to my children during breakfast the next morning!

Flanagan has created a world enough like ours to be believeable and comfortable at times, but different enough to pique your curiousity and leave you frequently fearing the unknown. Book 3 was such a cliffhanger that book 4 "The Battle for Skandia" was a welcome relief to hanging at the edge of your seat. Though it is very well written, interesting, full of adventure and excitement, I am able to relax and breath a little more often while reading this one. I give the entire series five stars!

Spring arrives at the cabin high in the Skandian mountains where Evanlyn and Will have wintered. Will has shaken his addiction to the insidious warmweed, and Evanlyn has become comfortable with her new survival skills. One day she goes out to check their traps and does not return. Will, still weakened from the brutal life of a Skandian yard slave, goes looking for her, and their adventures begin --- again.

John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series began four books ago with THE RUINS OF GORLAN, about a young boy who is chosen to train to become a Ranger. Rangers function as their kingdom's intelligence-gathering agency, border patrol and guerrilla fighters. They are skilled in stealth, woodcraft and marksmanship. Their acutely trained reflexes, along with their tracking skills and the ability to go unnoticed in almost any environment, give them a reputation that borders on the uncanny.

Initially, Will is disappointed not to be chosen for his kingdom's Battle School, where the knights of the realm are trained. But his respect and affection for Halt, the ranger to whom he is apprenticed, in addition to the role he plays in fighting the evil warlord Morgorath, soon have him committed to his role as apprentice ranger.

The first book in the series has all the hallmarks of typical sword and sorcery fantasy, with a classic good vs. evil conflict. But after Morgorath is defeated at the end of the second installment, THE BURNING BRIDGE, the adventure becomes more complex. Will and his companion Evanlyn are captured by Skandian raiders and become slaves in Skandia. It is only with the help of their captor Erak, who comes to admire the spirit of his young captives, that they are able to escape.

The changing loyalties that were a central piece of book three, THE ICEBOUND LAND, continue in THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA. Will is reunited with his friends Halt and Horace, who left Araluen against their king's wishes to search for him and Evanlyn. They also discover the large army of Temujai --- fierce riders from the Asian steppes who seem to be based on the Mongols --- and must convince the Skandians to work with them to prevent the Temujai from overrunning Skandia and mounting an attack on Araluen.

Flanagan's strengths as an author are his action sequences and battle strategies. His battle plans and descriptions of fights are so detailed they could easily be reenacted or plotted on a map. He also writes marvelous relationships between the characters. Horace and Will began as enemies, but their rivalry has evolved into a powerful friendship. Halt's gruff affection for Will is clear, and his clever manipulations of the other characters provide much of the book's plot. Erak, a Skandian raider, has emerged as one of the series' most entertaining characters --- alternately fierce and comedic. Evanlyn, who occupies the unenviable role of princess in disguise, holds her own with the other characters, who have often depended upon her for their survival.

A common theme throughout the book is the primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty. This bears fruit when Erak's friendship with Will and his companions enables them to unite the Skandians and the Araluen slaves to fight against their common enemy --- the Temujai (portrayed as people who put their lives and loyalty to the common cause as secondary behind any personal relationships). With Erak's help and Halt's strategy, along with the skills of each of the companions, they mount a stirring defense against the mounted warriors.

THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA will be enjoyed most by readers already familiar with the first three books in the series. But catching up should not constitute serious hardship for fans of fast-paced action/adventure.

--- Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood

I loved this book! Without giving away the plot, I enjoyed the return to Halt and Will being together and I enjoyed the battle between the Skandians and the Temuji. The plotting was good, pacing was good and I couldn't put this down. I think I've read this book four or five times since I bought it last year. Best of the first four books by far.

In the fourth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, we find Will and Evelyn right where book 3 left off. Will has now recovered from his addiction. Spring is coming and it's time for the duo to leave the safety of the hunting cabin they've been hiding in since Erak helped them escape slavery.

While out checking the snares, Evelyn is kidnapped. Will ventures out after her and runs into Halt and Horace during his attack on the kidnappers. Reunited with his master, Will is once again in the hands of the Skandians.

Halt, Horace, Will, and Evelyn help the Skandians defend the homeland against another invading kingdom. When the Skandians are safe they head home with some new friends.

Like the first 3 books this is an excellent read, a real page turner. Will and Horace are growing up and there's a budding relationship stewing between Will, Horace, and Evelyn. The adventure is nonstop and never gets boring. This book will keep you wanting to read more. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I hope it's as good as the 4 previous books. I recommend this book to adults and children alike.

I have two sons ages 10 and 12. We read these books both together and separately and absolutely love them! This one was a lot of fun, especially as Halt the Ranger and the Skandians work together. We highly recommend it.

John Flanagan has written a captivating book. It does have some swearing so if this bothers you, now you know. My 11 year old daugter picked up on the language quickly. Other than that, it is a book with new adventure ideas. The fantasy is not too unbelievable and the historical relevance is a plus.

This is the 4th book in a series that I have found to be very good. They tell a interesting fantasy story.

I bought the first book for my son(11 at the time)as a Christmas present in 06. He thought it was awsome and asked me to read it. I did and have read all 4 books(US versions). The books have action, but also tell a story of boys growing into men. I couldn't have asked for a better book for my son. Looking forward to reading the others as soon as they are available in the US.

The "Battle For Skandia" is the 4th book in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series, and it is just as good as the others. Picking up where Book 3 left off, Halt and Horace have come to Skandia to find Will and Evenlyn, who have been kidnapped. When they get there, they find Skandia is about to be invaded by the Temujai, a race of warriors. Halt and company forge a truce with Skandia to help them with the battle. This book features far more battle planning and action then the first books. The action is intense, and Flanagan is truly talented in creating vivid images through his writing. The characters are likable, the plot is intense and unpredictable, and even though the ending has resolution (unlike the first 3), it leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone!