Customer Reviews

The Burning Bridge (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Ranger's Apprentice (Prebound))

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second page turner from Mr. Flanagan, following on the story of Gorlan's Ruins. I read Gorlan's Ruins and now this book to my third grader at bedtime. Even though the books are written for teens, my son picks up the book and reads it on his own because he can't wait to find out what happens next. And I have to admit, after my son fell asleep I had to read through to the end of the book to find out what happened next. I couldn't put it down. Excellent story and excellent writing, and like Harry Potter, it will be enjoyed by all ages. The only problem I have is, book #3 isn't available in the United States until September of 2007. However, my local library has "The Icebound Land" on its shelves, and I was surprised to find that if one googles "The Oak Leaf Bearers" you will find the book #4 is already available for purchase from Australian websites. I don't know why the release of the remainder of the series is delayed in the United States, but there's no reason for anyone with a credit card to wait.

With war threatening the borders of Araluen, apprentice ranger Will is sent on a diplomatic mission to Celtica. With him are Gilan, his master's first apprentice, and his friend Horace, a battle school apprentice. Expecting a routine journey, the three are unprepared for what they find.

The villages of Celtica are deserted, and brigands wander the hills in search of abandoned treasure. The country is also crawling with Wargals, the fighting beasts that are under control of their enemy Morgorath. When a mysterious woman appears at their camp with the news that Morgorath has been abducting villagers, the three boys stumble across a plan that threatens their country and the lives of the people they love.

Like the first book in John Flanagan's series, THE BURNING BRIDGE relies on typical fantasy tropes for its characters and setting. Araluen is clearly England, with Celtica standing in for Wales. There is a Dark Lord who controls fighting beasts, and our heroes are primarily untried boys. Readers who enjoy fantasy will find much that is familiar in this book.

What makes The Ranger's Apprentice unique is the author's attention to strategy and combat techniques. Flanagan's war plans could be easily mapped to show natural obstacles and the movements of armies. The scenes involving combat are so specific, they could be acted out by readers. Even the training sequences are easy to follow and interesting to read, and unlike most fantasy adventures, the apprentices have lots of practice before being thrown into battle.

Another interesting aspect of THE BURNING BRIDGE is the introduction of the Skandian mercenaries, who are clearly based on Norse raiders. The Skandians are crude and brutal, but they are not beasts like the Wargals, or without their honor. They are also one of the book's most unpredictable elements, as they are on no one's side but their own. This ambiguity makes for a much more interesting read than the usual battle between the forces of light and darkness.

Ever since the success of Harry Potter, children's literature has been flooded with fantasy. The Ranger's Apprentice is more in line with Tolkien than Rowling, but its racing plot and likable characters offer fantasy fans a new series to read and love.

--- Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood

I picked up the first book, because I was bored and had nothing better to do. The book just took me in and I read it in one day. Then I had to wait a whole week just get the second book. I was going crazy. I read the second book in a day. Now I am upset I did because that means I have to wait till September 1, 2007!!! I don't think I can wait that long. You know the saying a sequal ruins a book. Well truth be told I didn't want to read this book in fear it would ruin the first one, but I was sure wrong. This book just took me in. I was riding home from school and was actually laughing out loud. My friends were all staring at me. I told them about the book and more than half of them were reading it the next day. One last point to add is I HATE these kinds of books. I like to read books about the civil war and I have had a favorite book for 4 years but these just flew by that book. Anyone I see learns about what a great book this is. So if you are looking for a good read just pick up this book you will be so happy. A devoted reader,

M.A

This is the second book in the series of Ranger's Apprentice. I saw the first book and had to get it for my son. I thought it might be something he would enjoy reading. He wasn't interested so I read it myself and was very impressed. I couldn't wait for the second book to come out, which I have now read along with the entire series including book five. That is my only complaint. Why aren't the other titles out in the United States yet? Number three won't be released until June or July 2007 and Book Four won't come out until September of 2008. They already have them in Austrialla. They even have Book Five out now. This series is so capavating I couldn't wait to get the rest of the books to read. By the way my son finally read the first and second book and is now reading the third book. I had to purchase the last three books online from a bookstore in Austrialla but it was very much worth it. Especially book five: it was rivioting, I couldn't put it done. Now I am awaiting the release of book six in Austrialla so I can purchase that. I think these books are on parr with the Harry Potter Series. I find them much better than the Eragon Series, which I have also read, book two being disapointing for me and I haven't yet been able to finish it since it doesn't hold my attention. They diffenently need to make movies out of these books. My advice is to see if you can locate the remaining books and purchase them. Great Series! Five Stars!

This book actually surprised me in how good it was. The first one was definitely good, but I didn't think that Flanagan would find it possible to write one as good as the first. Great book and a very nice follow up to the first. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or a combination of the two! Come here for awesome prices on this book and all the others: [...]

The Burning Bridge is the second installment of John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series and it is just as good as the first. Flanagan's ability to create vivid images, intense plot twists, incredible character development and fast, moving dialogue is unparalleled. Will, Halt's ranger's apprentice, is on a mundane quest with two comrades when they discover the evil Morgarath has plotted a surprise attack on the kingdom of Araluen. They must figure out a way to stop the attack from happening and risk their lives while doing so. I don't want to ruin the story for those who haven't read it yet, but let's just say the book is amazing and will leave you desperate to read book 3 to find out what happens. If you're a fan of this genre of writing you will LOVE Flanagan's ability to tell a story!

The flow is good in the book and the plot twists and turns keep it interesting. Overall a good easy read.

"The Burning Bridge" is the 2nd in the ongoing "The Ranger's Apprentice" series by John Flanagan.

The adventures of Will (the Apprentice) and Halt (the Ranger) continue seamlessly into this tale from Book I. This is fantasy-light, written for the young adult genre...there is less gore and the language is toned down considerably from more adult orientated works of a similar ilk.

And because it is young adult in nature I found there were some areas that the 'obvious' was missed and other spots of duress that our protagonists reacted with questionable decision making. However, that being said, this technique of story telling is more the norm for Y.A. books.

Overall, I liked author John Flanagan's style of writing; easy to read but solid enough to allow the reader to bond with the characters in the story.

Conclusion:
I found this tale a little slow to start but quite interesting through the latter two thirds of the book. As an Y.A. book...5 Stars.

Ray Nicholson

P.S.
This is the type of book/series that may really interest students (especially boys) that don't like to read. There is, in general, lots of action and intrigue without the related gore and violence that sometimes accompany works of adult fantasy.

Flanagan is consistent with the foundations of this story that were set in The Ruins of Gorlan. The characters continue to be full of life, the story full of action and a whole lot of fun.

The writing improved 100% in The Burning Bridge. Not quite so corny (although it still had its moments), there was a lot more focus on the development of characters rather than attempting to just keep and hold the readers attention with slapstick jokes.

Will and Horace grew in leaps and bounds through this story. The final battle scene had me gripping my book and flipping anxiously through the pages wanting to devour it as quickly as possible. While definitely not "Great" literature, this series is a fun, action-filled one that is sure to continue to appeal to young boys for a long time.

The continuation of the Ranger's apprentice's story begins with Will, Horace, and Gilan heading off on a diplomatic journey to Celtica after Will has a bad scare. They go in hopes of recruiting the Celtics for the impending fight but once there, the threesome find Celtica deserted and a girl, Evanlyn, abandoned.

So Gilan leaves Will and Horace to protect Evanlyn as they follow behind while he goes on ahead. Taking his horse and heading off at a gallop, Gilan goes to tell the horrible news to the awaiting leaders of Araluen.

Misfortune strikes again and the threesome take an unexpected detour. During this time they discover some information of vital importance to the kingdom and try to slow down the anxious armies of Morgarath before going to tell King Duncan.

I enjoyed this book as well as the first and stick to my review of the first in which I said that it was a good book for girls too. I remained attached to Will throughout this book and found myself growing to like the other characters more too. And when the book ended in a surprising cliffhanger, I was determined to read the next book immediately. Luckily my dad just so happened to have it on his shelf waiting for me to discover its hidden treasures!