The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Fifteen year-old orphan Will has hopes of becoming a knight. Instead, however, he is assigned by the Baron to become an apprentice to a Ranger named Halt, one member of a mysterious corps that protects the kingdom from danger. Though local superstitions of the rangers’ craft leave Will reluctant to join this secretive militia, this first in a fantastical series of books follows the exciting journey of an ambitious young man learning the skills of a cunning and stealthy group of resourceful soldiers. As former enemies of the kingdom begin to cross back into its borders, Will must summon his courage to use his newly learned skills and save his village and the kingdom from harm. These perils are just a glimpse of the dangers soon to come as the series progresses.

Less about being a fantasy book and more about being an adventure and following the lives of Will and his friends, this book takes you deep into their daily lives. Without losing momentum in the story, the reader learns as Will learns, getting to know more about him, his friends, and the world in which they live. You'll be brought into the ups and downs of their daily lives, as they overcome the difficulties of learning new skills. Excitement and anxiety about what lies ahead for Will are often present and will make you feel like you're a part of this book.

This is the first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Here is a list of the complete series:


Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan
Book 2: The Burning Bridge
Book 3: The Icebound Land
Book 4: Oakleaf Bearers
Book 5: Sorcerer in the North
Book 6: The Seige of Macindaw
Book 7: Erak's Ransom

Book review by
Mr. DiScala, Media Specialist