Customer Reviews

The Ruins of Gorlan: Book One (Ranger's Apprentice)

5 star:		(132)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I got this book from our local library 2 weeks ago. My 12 year old son read it, and loved it so much he loaned it to a friend, who loaned it to a friend, who loaned it to a friend. Yes it was passed around THAT much. I was taking a group of them to church Wednesday night and the were talking excitedly about what sounded like a really awesome new movie, and when I asked them what the were talking about, of course, it was this book. My son was bummed to find out our library doesn't have the 2nd book of the series yet, so I'm here to buy them for Christmas.

After I had purchased the book a friend mentioned to me that the book was listed for the tweens audience. I thought of returning it but I am glad I didn't because the book is great! Flanagan writes very well and obviously understands a wide range of male age groups. I am 40 and I was hooked after the 2nd chapter. You really do start to like all the main characters and I can't wait for the next installments. And no I am not biased because my name is Will as well. ;-)

This book is well written and very entertaining. I recommend it for those with a good imagination and a appreciation for strong character writing.

Here is to "The Burning Bridge".

This is actually the first in a new fantasy series for juveniles, but I thought it was excellent. Lord Arland has taken in the orphans of the area, and in their 15th year, they have Choosing Day. Will, whose parentage is unknown, wants to go to Battleschool more than anything. However, his slight stature stands in his way, and he, instead is lured into apprenticeship with the Ranger. Will comes to enjoy his apprenticeship, although he still finds his master, Halt, a little strange. When danger threatens the kingdom, though, Will finally realizes the importance of his job and his master. I really liked this story - and I look forward to the next in the series, The Burning Bridge, released in June.

My son has read this series - and I read them too! It is a fantasy series based around the life of Will, a fifteen year old who is apprenticed to (warning, spoiler alert) a ranger (not much of a spoiler, I know!). Will has dreams for what he wants to do and be - but is forced into another path (being a ranger) which he eventually appreciates is the right one for him.

At the same time as developing his skills as a ranger and growing up, he is engaged in some of the troubles in his country, Araluen (a thinly disguised England).

The book(s) are pacy and well written. While Will is the main character, other characters are well drawn and develop over the series, as do the relationships between them, in a way that I believe is appropriate for the age group. You also get to see some foibles and weaknesses - they aren't cardboard cutouts! The fantasy genre is managed without magic (despite the title of Book 5, The Sorceror in the North) - "success" is about values such as character, skill, courage and teamwork - oh and skill? the message there is one of 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration, as we see Will and his friend Horace, practise, practise, practise...

One small downside is that some of the books - eg Book 1 - stand alone, but some of the others flow into each other a bit more. I guess that is good for marketing (!) if a little dissatisfying when you finish a book and feel like the story is still up in the air. Just as well the author is getting them out very quickly!

The age recommendations on these books are appropriate. The length is good for this age group too.

My son was clamouring for the latest book - book 5 was released a fortnight ago here in Australia - and he has read it with great enthusiasm. Several other children in his class are reading them and they have greatly enjoyed discussing them and sharing them around. It is great to see that buzz around a series of books.

There should be more like this one!

I was very intrigued by the exceptional reviews it had received here on Amazon - no review received less than three stars! After reading it, I understood why.

This very solid, well-written book displayed remarkable accuracy with respect to its portrayal of what I'll call "medieval life". Such accuracy is usually reserved for older readers.

The main character was immensely likable, not to mention well portrayed and tangible. Halt - who seems to be a fan favorite if the reviews here are any indication - is a bit too archetypal and at one point displays a remarkable departure from his "core identity". I'm referencing the scene where Horace faces his three tormentors. Halt actively encourages revenge, and this - while certainly enjoyable - was shocking. Vigilante justice doesn't fit his core identity.

Still, this book held its audience captive even without the use of magic. Considering what some young adult fantasy novels need to do to captivate their audience, this is a remarkable feat.

I knew this was kid-lit, but I was intrigued. I decided to read it with forgiving eyes and pretend I was in 5th grade.

I was surprised to find that the story, though not very original, was quite engaging and well crafted. The author did not use juvenile language to tell this tale (I can't remember reading the word *ululating* before). The characters are a good mix of juveniles and adults. The settings and peoples were believable as medieval European, though they did not claim to be. You've read the other reviews about storyline, so I won't go there.

In Flanagan's tale virtues such as courage, fidelity, benevolence and respect are honored and rewarded. However, he conveys that those qualities do not always come easy, and must be worked at. On the contrary, those who would impose their will for their own gain, or who torment others, meet some sort of undesirable fate. There is forgiveness for those who would change those behaviors, however.

The main lessons of this tale are that the thing we desire most may not be where we are most gifted or talented. Do not judge anything or anyone by appearances, which are usually deceptive. Training is hard but invaluable when it's time to make the difficult choices.

The monstrous beasts of the tale are not magnified to horrific proportions, so this shouldn't be too terrifying for younger kids. The gore of battle is not extremely detailed.

The one caution I have is that there is some mild cursing by the main adult character. I wonder why Flanagan included this, considering his target audience of juvenile boys? It was gratuitous, and the only negative about the book.

Despite that, I do recommend this book for youngsters. I enjoyed it, and intend to read the rest of the series.

I am a 38 year old homemaker and picked the book up one day because of the guy on the cover (surprised? Not...) It was really great. I wanted the main guy to be like Aragorn from LOTR and it was so close. He was so cool. Will was great as a main character and loved the evil creatures like the Wargals and those Kalkara. It seems like these creatures are done in in this book but I hope that there is a possibility that there are more in book two. I have to say, Horace's character was pretty cool too. I definetly recommend this book to others as well who love fantasy adventure. Heck I'd love to be a RAnger for Halloween if I could. Anyhow, the book and the writing was not Ugh...It was AWESOME!!!! Go by my review. You will not be sorry.

Gilraen

the first time I passed it in a book store i thought "oh that looks cool," but i didn't buy it because i was already reading something. the second time i bought it because i had nothing to read and i likedd the cloaked guy on the cover. I found the book amazing. I reccomend this book to anyone who loved The Lord of The Rings.

Just imagine being forced to work under, as a slave of a secretive and quirky ranger.This is the very thing that occured in the life of Will the Ranger and wannabe knight.In the time of this book, the orphans under the baron's care had a special day, a choosing day,where their futures were decided.All the orphans got their desired choices except Will.Will was put under the care of the ranger,Halt, a mysterious old man who worked in a secret force of rangers who were, imour modern time, quite like secret police.Will spends the first day of his apprenticeship as the servant of Halt,as he helped with the house work and other duties.He became obediant to Halt and in the end,he became the unnoficial son of Halt.This whole story bases around life as an apprentice ranger,which is extremely interesting.I found this book very resolving and loved the end, which was satisfying and to me, definitely coplete.

PS: I can't wait till i get the 2nd book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will is an orphan raised in the household of Baron Arald. It is Choosing Day, when each ward is apprenticed to a Craftmaster to learn a trade. Will wants to be accepted in Battleschool where the fief's knights are trained. Instead, he is chosen to become a Ranger's apprentice. Will is deeply disappointed, and a little scared. Rangers are shadowy characters, believed to practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. His master, Halt, is cranky and makes Will do all the housework.

What Will doesn't know is that Rangers are protectors of the kingdom. They are highly trained spies and agile fighters who warn the country of coming danger. With the exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, gathering his forces for an attack, Will's growing skills will be tested, immersing him in unexpected adventures.

Many elements of THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE RUINS OF GORLAN are typical fantasy fare. Readers know before they open the book that they will encounter a feudal world threatened by an evil warlord. There is a typical cast of fantasy characters, with the threat of malign magical creatures. The plot centers on a battle between good and evil. It is possible that the reason why fantasy remains a popular genre is because there is a certain comfort in its repetitiveness.

This book shines most in its details. In elevating a ranger to a main character, the author allows for lots of adventure, but also a chance to explore an element that has been pursued less frequently within the fantasy genre. John Flanagan also has some interesting twists in the relationships between some of the characters. He fleshes out the relationship between Will and his fellow ward Horace, who begin the book as enemies, but end as friends. Flanagan also takes on the topic of bullying. He doesn't draw a parallel between the schoolyard battles and the greater forces that threaten the kingdom, but young readers are likely to identify with the experiences of the young characters.

THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE RUINS OF GORLAN is not likely to convert non-fantasy readers to the genre, but it will be appreciated by those readers who already enjoy fantasy and are looking for a new world to explore. This is the first book in a larger series. It finishes a major story arc, but will leave readers waiting to find out what adventures Will and his friends will encounter next.