The Ruins of Gorlan (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1) (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: saxe knife, apprentice warrior, castle wards, Sir Rodney, Baron Arald, Old Bob (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–A strong debut in a new fantasy series. Will hopes to become a knight; instead, he winds up as a Ranger's apprentice, joining the secretive corps that uses stealth, woodcraft, and courage to protect the kingdom. His aptitude and bravery gradually earn the respect of his gruff but good-hearted master. When the kingdom is attacked by evil magic forces, Will helps track down and defeat a couple of particularly nasty beasts. This closing episode sets the stage for a good-versus-evil war that will likely be at the heart of future volumes. In this opener, though, most of the story focuses on the learning process that Will goes through as an apprentice. Descriptions of Ranger craft are fascinating. Exciting confrontations with bullies and wild boars help to establish the boy's emerging character. Side stories involving a rival Battleschool apprentice and the identity of Will's father are woven in smoothly. The author occasionally spells things out more than is needed when actions demonstrate them clearly enough. However, the well-paced plot moves effortlessly toward the climax, letting readers get to know the world and the characters gradually as excitement builds. The public adoration Will gains at the end seems slightly overdone given the established distrust people feel for Rangers, but it's still a pleasing finish and should leave readers eager to share the future adventures of the Ranger's apprentice.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. Like the other 15-year-old wards of Castle Redmont, Will is nervous about Choosing Day, when each of them will be assigned to a different master for training. Though his dearest wish is to enter the Battleschool, his small stature prevents it. Instead, Will is apprenticed to the grim-faced, mysterious Ranger. Soon Will learns that becoming a ranger is more difficult, dangerous, and worthwhile than he had imagined. He earns the respect of his elders and the friendship of a former foe, but all this is prelude to the great adventure that follows, when his skills wielding a knife and keeping a heightened awareness of his surroundings become vital to the survival of his mentor and the safety of the kingdom. The last few years have seen the publication of many fantasies, but few have the appeal of this original story. Rather than creating a host of strange creatures and magical powers, Flanagan concentrates on character, offering readers a young protagonist they will care about and relationships that develop believably over time. Will's world is a colorful place, threatened by an evil warlord and his fierce minions, but it's the details of everyday living and the true-to-life emotions of the people that are memorable. Children will definitely look forward to the next adventure in the Ruins of Gorlan series. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142406635
• ISBN-13: 978-0142406632
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,376 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Ranger's Apprentice Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read for parents and kids alike, November 9, 2006

By	Jonathan Appleseed - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1) (Hardcover)

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.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wanna be a Ranger, too!, January 31, 2006

By	Elizabeth Slater (Jacksonville Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1) (Hardcover)

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.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars worth a read, not worth buying., March 1, 2007

By	Rowan Reader - See all my reviews

Of the book(s) themselves - I read The Ruins of Gorlan and the sequel, The Burning Bridge in a night - I have very few complaints. The other rewiewers are correct. These are juvenile books, intended for younger boys, and I found the pace and tone of them to be highly appropriate for that age-range.

The core of the first book - a coming of age tale - may be a bit slow for modern impatient boys, as the action and suspense don't pick up til nearly the end of the book. The focus is on Will, who realizes that he doesn't have to be a knight to be a good person, and a good warrior. As he grows, he learns more about his history, his kingdom, and his character. Because it is a character focus, there isn't much action/adventure for most of the book. Despite this, it is a strong introduction, and was very similar to the feel of C.S. Lewis' intro, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Both stories contain little actual action, but feel interesting and full.

I respectfully disagree with the reviewer who mentioned that the mentor Halt (an older ranger character) acts outside himself when he encourages revenge, and suggests that the revenge-taking itself is not morally appropriate. For them, perhaps. Everyone has their own beliefs.

HOWEVER, it is important to realize exactly what the context is. There is a distinct mark between vengeance and revenge. I suggest that reviewer (and everyone else) watch V for Vendetta, and understand that occasionally it is JUSTICE for bullies and torturers to be forced to endure the pain they inflicted on others. Because of this distinction, also based on character development throughout this book and the next, and also based on the understanding that the Halt character has the authority of the KING to act independently to punish wrongdoers in the realm as he sees fit, I firmly believe that Halt acted entirely within his character, and that it was a defining moment for both boys.

The second book has much more action, and develops a few more characters. I read this, and I am reminded highly of the old "serial" novels which were released as magazine articles in the past centuries. These stories have that same highly structured, episodic feel. Excellent for reading aloud over a series of nights, a bit repetitive for an older lady devouring two books in an evening. Despite the style, the author writes very well, refusing to tone down his language or historical details to make the story easier to read. The second tale quite definitively rids the world of the overarching threat which has been the tension of the story thus far, but events create a more personal threat to our growing hero and his friends, and the story ends on a cliffhanger similar to the Lemony Snicket Unfortunate Events tales.

In short, the stories themselves are well done, but not quite to the level that this poor lady will splurge on them for her library (yet) When I am old and rich, these will be on the list, but for now, and for anyone - I highly suggest your local library, as at the very least, we don't know whether the author will improve or decline in his writing style, as he has a few more novels to go.

The complaint that I have, and it is a HUGE one, is that the author has already written and PUBLISHED 5 of his series in his home country of Australia (which so far has 6 titles announced)

For the US, the third book won't be released until July '07, and the 4th until late 2008. Now I completely understand that it takes a long time to write. I've waited patiently for the Harry Potter books, just like everyone else in the world. HOWEVER, these books are ALREADY WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED!!! ... but only in Australia.

Now, I could go to an Australian online seller, convince my credit card company that the charges are legit, buy the other 3 that we don't have yet, pay to have them shipped half across the world, and then pay customs (both in Australia and here), but for books which I finish in a night, it really isn't worth the bother.

Instead, I'm going to shelve this series in the back corner of my mind, and have yet another reason to dislike publishing companies.