blissofalife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder, War, and Abandonment
the_embodiment_of_chaos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Death, Murder, War, and Cursing
sestris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: War and Death of parent
marvelmania's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Bullying
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Pregnancy
therensistance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Death, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
susannamarcello's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Bullying
ypineda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
ivaliceforever's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Spoiler
This introductory book to Rangers Apprentice is a great read. Will is a well written young teen character who is not presented as perfect and his mentor, Halt is well rounded. They are truly enjoyable to read. I look forward to their evolution as characters over the course of the series. It was also nice to see Horace, a bully end up becoming a much more improved character in just this first book.Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
There are some instances of mild to extreme (by my standards) bullying around the middle of the book involvingSpoiler
Horace at the hands of older studentsSpoiler
Will's fatherailsaod's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One thing I will say is that the opening of this book is WAY more cliché than I remember. As an adult it can make the beginning a bit meh - although I would argue that it is done better than other examples of the 'young adult chooses future profession in ceremony' trope, mainly because Baron Arald being frustrated that no one realises that he is joking like 80% of the time is funny. Poor man just wanted to be a comedian.
However once we get past the beginning and Halt - the Ranger the main character Will is apprenticed to - is introduced the book gets much better. Halt is undeniably the best character - certainly at this early point in the series - although this may just be my weakness for grumpy and sarcastic but secretly very caring mentor characters showing! A big part of this book is about the relationship between Will and Halt.
In the middle of the book there are a couple of very intense scenes (intense in a good way, don't worry!) which I think are the best parts of the whole book. However, one warning for folks - there are multiple depictions of bullying in this book, both physically and verbally, and while I would say that I personally found it not to be overly upsetting it is there.
The climax of the book was very good and had quite a spooky atmosphere which was very enjoyable. However, the last couple chapters become quite cliched again - it is necessary to show Will's character development and make him realise some stuff though so it wasn't too bad.
Moderate: Bullying