han81's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- 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
byethemarina's review against another edition
5.0
At first I thought it was a bit slow in the beginning but once Will became Halt's apprentice I could not but the book down!. I loved the different point of views from the characters and when the point of views did change they flowed and transitioned very easily and almost did not seem like the POV changed!. The battle scenes were my favorite because they were interesting and I found myself bringing to think like Will, Horace or Halt and what I would have done in those situations!. I cannot wait to read the next book!.
beckykeister's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't expect anything too deep from this and so was not disappointed in that front. I was surprised by how well the story kept moving, making it a generally enjoyable experience.
sarahed's review against another edition
4.0
This book is nicely paced throughout. Will and Horace have good character arcs. The resolution of the personal arc with the bullies gave them the skills they needed to face the enemies later, and was very satisfying. I enjoyed the wild boar scene and the way it drew the boys together.
The book took a few chapters to get into its stride. The prologue made me think it would be a more adult book. The initial writing style once we got into the choosing felt a bit childish...the scene with the Baron's servant being overly formal just made me cringe. But it seemed to settle after that, once Will became a Rangers Apprentice, and I mostly stopped noticing writing issues.
Overall I give it four stars because I enjoyed it a lot and was engaging. But it didn't go the extra mile for me. I didn't feel the story offered anything new to the genre. It was based in a typical fantasy world, with typical fantasy weapons and professions. It was very western world medieval. The wargals were orcs and the kalkera was a basilisk with legs. The female characters were underdeveloped and the hint of romance could have been cut because it felt pointless. And there was no magic, which is something I miss if it's not there. So the book as a whole didn't have that special something.
I'd recommend it mainly to younger readers and/or people who haven't read much fantasy and want to get into it - as they wouldn't be as familiar with the various tropes and would probably enjoy it more at face value.
The book took a few chapters to get into its stride. The prologue made me think it would be a more adult book. The initial writing style once we got into the choosing felt a bit childish...the scene with the Baron's servant being overly formal just made me cringe. But it seemed to settle after that, once Will became a Rangers Apprentice, and I mostly stopped noticing writing issues.
Overall I give it four stars because I enjoyed it a lot and was engaging. But it didn't go the extra mile for me. I didn't feel the story offered anything new to the genre. It was based in a typical fantasy world, with typical fantasy weapons and professions. It was very western world medieval. The wargals were orcs and the kalkera was a basilisk with legs. The female characters were underdeveloped and the hint of romance could have been cut because it felt pointless. And there was no magic, which is something I miss if it's not there. So the book as a whole didn't have that special something.
I'd recommend it mainly to younger readers and/or people who haven't read much fantasy and want to get into it - as they wouldn't be as familiar with the various tropes and would probably enjoy it more at face value.
teebeethegreat's review against another edition
5.0
The Nitty Gritty: Will is a young ward of Baron Arald, has dreams of being a knight. Just like ever other boy of the realm. Unfortunately for Will he is the smallest thing running around the castle. His chances of becoming a knight couldn't be worse if he were blind and lame.
With his hopes dashed he agrees to undergo the training to become a King's Ranger. He agrees to become a part of a group that the populace swears practices black magic with uncanny ability to step out of trees and slip out of any situation.
Will will learn how to track, hunt, shoot and strategist with the best of them, but his idilic training is cut short when news of Morgarath's schemes reach the ears of the Ranger's Corp. Being nothing more than an apprentice Will has to step into the role of a seasoned Ranger if he is to survive until he get's his silver oakleaf.
Opening Line: "Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, former Baron of Gorlan in the Kingdom of Araluen, looked over over his bleak, rainswept doman and, for perhaps the thousandth time, cursed."
What's the 411: I picked up this book during a stroll through Barnes and Noble. I like to hang out in the kid's section because they seem to have the best fantasy books. Now this isn't strictly a fantasy book, but it is set in a alternate world as such as any fantasy book can be.
I picked up this book because of the cover and truth be told. This isn't the sort of book I would normally read, but I read it anyways and I am glad that I did. I instantly fell in love with Will and the entire gang.
Though this book series has ten books and they all tie in together the first four books thread together better than the other books do. Well the series is more of a grouping of books in a collection.
This is the build up of the great story arch of the first three books. So Morgarath used to be the Baron or Gorlan until he thought he should be King. He lead a revolt and was outsmarted by Halt and the Ranger corp. Running with his tail between his legs he sought refuge in the Mountains of Rain and Night. There he began to plot his revenge. The start of his takeover involved the killing of key members of the King's army and his inner circle. Instead of getting his hands dirty he sends monsters of legend after his victims.
Creatures so fearsome not even the ranger Halt can fell them alone. Will is thrust into a man's world well before his time, but he rises to the occasion. He saves the entire fiefdom and his mentor.
The Good: With all the female dominated fantasy its nice to see a fantasy book written from the point of view of a boy. The later books focus on the female characters, but in the beginning its all about Will and I love that.
I love Halt. I really do. Don't know if I could be his apprentice but I love him. He is a no-nonsense mentor that you want. He is going to teach you how to do things right and expect that from you each and every time. He appreciates the things in Will that Will thought were stumbling blocks. Though he is cold and distant at first he soon warms up to the young ward and starts to think of him as a son. He doesn't coddle him in the least, but he is still protective of him just the same.
I love that we got to see another side of Horace. We all know a bully when we see one and at first glance Horace is a horrible bully that made life hell for Will. So much so that Will had to have escape routes mapped out all over the castle so he could avoid a beating. Like you I wrote Horace off as a stupid jock bully that would go on to do nothing amazing save father a few dimwitted babies and drink himself into a stupir every night at the pub. Wait for it...Horace actually becomes the victim once he starts Battleschool. He suffers torment at the hands on three older cadets. Horace thinking that it the bullying is all part of Battleschool and some insane hazing ritual keeps his mouth shut and suffers in silence. My estimation of Horace rose at that point. It wasn't until his reconciliation with Will did I finally grow to like Horace. He turned out to be a pretty decent guy. By the end of the series Horace turns out to be one of my favorite characters. He just grows into a strapping young man that I wouldn't mind marrying myself.
I love the idea of the Ranger's Corp. They are more than police and more than spies. They are fiercely loyal to King Duncan and they put the safety of the kingdom above all else. They take the small and the apparently weak and turn them into well honed machines of justice. Several kingdoms are only still standing because of them. They are a sneaky bunch of fellas that do more for the kingdom than anyone realizes.
During the boar hunt Will is put into mortal danger and after he is rescued he cries. I'm not a crier myself so I don;t really understand the emotions that spark such an outpouring, but I know enough about the act to know that men are not supposed to cry. Maybe when they get shot in the face its ok for them to cry a little, but they better suck it up before someone sees, but Flanagan allows Will to cry and he allows Halt to comfort him. He doesn't tell him to suck it up and be a man, he holds him and tells him the tears are ok.
The Bad: I can't find too much wrong with this book. I do wish there were more female characters in the book, but that is purely personal and didn't effect the book in shape or form. I really loved it and I am hoping there is a movie forth coming.
My Final Say: If big things coming in little packages is your idea of a fun ride then the Ruins of Gorlan is your ticket to funky town. Love every single book in this series. And you always remember your first.
With his hopes dashed he agrees to undergo the training to become a King's Ranger. He agrees to become a part of a group that the populace swears practices black magic with uncanny ability to step out of trees and slip out of any situation.
Will will learn how to track, hunt, shoot and strategist with the best of them, but his idilic training is cut short when news of Morgarath's schemes reach the ears of the Ranger's Corp. Being nothing more than an apprentice Will has to step into the role of a seasoned Ranger if he is to survive until he get's his silver oakleaf.
Opening Line: "Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, former Baron of Gorlan in the Kingdom of Araluen, looked over over his bleak, rainswept doman and, for perhaps the thousandth time, cursed."
What's the 411: I picked up this book during a stroll through Barnes and Noble. I like to hang out in the kid's section because they seem to have the best fantasy books. Now this isn't strictly a fantasy book, but it is set in a alternate world as such as any fantasy book can be.
I picked up this book because of the cover and truth be told. This isn't the sort of book I would normally read, but I read it anyways and I am glad that I did. I instantly fell in love with Will and the entire gang.
Though this book series has ten books and they all tie in together the first four books thread together better than the other books do. Well the series is more of a grouping of books in a collection.
This is the build up of the great story arch of the first three books. So Morgarath used to be the Baron or Gorlan until he thought he should be King. He lead a revolt and was outsmarted by Halt and the Ranger corp. Running with his tail between his legs he sought refuge in the Mountains of Rain and Night. There he began to plot his revenge. The start of his takeover involved the killing of key members of the King's army and his inner circle. Instead of getting his hands dirty he sends monsters of legend after his victims.
Creatures so fearsome not even the ranger Halt can fell them alone. Will is thrust into a man's world well before his time, but he rises to the occasion. He saves the entire fiefdom and his mentor.
The Good: With all the female dominated fantasy its nice to see a fantasy book written from the point of view of a boy. The later books focus on the female characters, but in the beginning its all about Will and I love that.
I love Halt. I really do. Don't know if I could be his apprentice but I love him. He is a no-nonsense mentor that you want. He is going to teach you how to do things right and expect that from you each and every time. He appreciates the things in Will that Will thought were stumbling blocks. Though he is cold and distant at first he soon warms up to the young ward and starts to think of him as a son. He doesn't coddle him in the least, but he is still protective of him just the same.
I love that we got to see another side of Horace. We all know a bully when we see one and at first glance Horace is a horrible bully that made life hell for Will. So much so that Will had to have escape routes mapped out all over the castle so he could avoid a beating. Like you I wrote Horace off as a stupid jock bully that would go on to do nothing amazing save father a few dimwitted babies and drink himself into a stupir every night at the pub. Wait for it...Horace actually becomes the victim once he starts Battleschool. He suffers torment at the hands on three older cadets. Horace thinking that it the bullying is all part of Battleschool and some insane hazing ritual keeps his mouth shut and suffers in silence. My estimation of Horace rose at that point. It wasn't until his reconciliation with Will did I finally grow to like Horace. He turned out to be a pretty decent guy. By the end of the series Horace turns out to be one of my favorite characters. He just grows into a strapping young man that I wouldn't mind marrying myself.
I love the idea of the Ranger's Corp. They are more than police and more than spies. They are fiercely loyal to King Duncan and they put the safety of the kingdom above all else. They take the small and the apparently weak and turn them into well honed machines of justice. Several kingdoms are only still standing because of them. They are a sneaky bunch of fellas that do more for the kingdom than anyone realizes.
During the boar hunt Will is put into mortal danger and after he is rescued he cries. I'm not a crier myself so I don;t really understand the emotions that spark such an outpouring, but I know enough about the act to know that men are not supposed to cry. Maybe when they get shot in the face its ok for them to cry a little, but they better suck it up before someone sees, but Flanagan allows Will to cry and he allows Halt to comfort him. He doesn't tell him to suck it up and be a man, he holds him and tells him the tears are ok.
The Bad: I can't find too much wrong with this book. I do wish there were more female characters in the book, but that is purely personal and didn't effect the book in shape or form. I really loved it and I am hoping there is a movie forth coming.
My Final Say: If big things coming in little packages is your idea of a fun ride then the Ruins of Gorlan is your ticket to funky town. Love every single book in this series. And you always remember your first.
luciaaa3's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
amby's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It was super easy to read. Loved the caracters and their growth. The story mostly felt like the start of something (and that makes sense😂).
I'm still not really in to the kid fighting a war (or wars in general) kind of stuff. Yet I keep reading these books because people keep recommending them to me😂
I'm still not really in to the kid fighting a war (or wars in general) kind of stuff. Yet I keep reading these books because people keep recommending them to me😂
liedora's review against another edition
4.0
This book was part of World Book Night 2014, and the book I was assigned as a Giver.
There is something that any reader who is thinking of picking this up to read should know; it is the first in a series of books, and when I series I don’t mean 4 or 5 books, this one stretches out over 12 instalments. Also for a YA fantasy novel this one really is a good cut above the others I have read in this genre, so much so that I sat and read it in one sitting.
This book was a complete and total surprise for me; I was expecting the usual coming of age teenage angst filled book that would have me wanting to throw it against the wall in parts, but this was definitely not the case. I would like to say it was the characters and their development that had me hooked, and they were very well written, but it was the complete package of characters, theme and plot that did it for me.
Our main protagonist is a typical boy, he’s into climbing, mischief and the occasional fight but he’s also very smart, not overly so that he comes across as cocky or arrogant, but just enough to make the reader realise that this boy is going places. His is not the only character that this Author treats well, and brings the reader round to liking, he treats the main characters peers in the same way too, with a skilful pen and a lot of insight. The main character has a mentor, and I really liked this man; he is aloof, rarely smiles and seems to have the weight of this fantasy world on his shoulders. As the novel progresses we see how the relationship between Master and Apprentice grows and matures, and how this also affects the way the relationship between the main characters peer changes. Very well written and believable, these characters are people that new or inexperienced readers could soon be drawn to and want to read more about.
The storyline itself is told from the point of view of the main protagonist, and it moves along in an easy fashion, suitably picking up pace as the events narrated and occurrences dictate. As well as being a great adventure fantasy novel, this book is also filled with subliminal messages about loyalty and honour, doing what is right and also touches on the subject of bullying. It is full of suspense, action and some heart-stopping moments that will keep even the most reluctant of readers’ turning the pages until the end. The reason this review received 4 thumbs and not 5; I just didn’t need to get sucked into another series of books right now, especially one of this length. Seeing as I have though it looks like there will be some major reading sessions ahead.
I would highly recommend this book for people of all ages who like an epic fantasy, but I think it would be especially suitable for novice or inexperienced readers who have an interest in fantasy. At just 249 pages it is not long enough that would lose interest, but full of enough adventure to have them wanting to continue reading.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/29/review-the-ruins-of-gorlan-rangers-apprentice-1-john-flanagan/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
There is something that any reader who is thinking of picking this up to read should know; it is the first in a series of books, and when I series I don’t mean 4 or 5 books, this one stretches out over 12 instalments. Also for a YA fantasy novel this one really is a good cut above the others I have read in this genre, so much so that I sat and read it in one sitting.
This book was a complete and total surprise for me; I was expecting the usual coming of age teenage angst filled book that would have me wanting to throw it against the wall in parts, but this was definitely not the case. I would like to say it was the characters and their development that had me hooked, and they were very well written, but it was the complete package of characters, theme and plot that did it for me.
Our main protagonist is a typical boy, he’s into climbing, mischief and the occasional fight but he’s also very smart, not overly so that he comes across as cocky or arrogant, but just enough to make the reader realise that this boy is going places. His is not the only character that this Author treats well, and brings the reader round to liking, he treats the main characters peers in the same way too, with a skilful pen and a lot of insight. The main character has a mentor, and I really liked this man; he is aloof, rarely smiles and seems to have the weight of this fantasy world on his shoulders. As the novel progresses we see how the relationship between Master and Apprentice grows and matures, and how this also affects the way the relationship between the main characters peer changes. Very well written and believable, these characters are people that new or inexperienced readers could soon be drawn to and want to read more about.
The storyline itself is told from the point of view of the main protagonist, and it moves along in an easy fashion, suitably picking up pace as the events narrated and occurrences dictate. As well as being a great adventure fantasy novel, this book is also filled with subliminal messages about loyalty and honour, doing what is right and also touches on the subject of bullying. It is full of suspense, action and some heart-stopping moments that will keep even the most reluctant of readers’ turning the pages until the end. The reason this review received 4 thumbs and not 5; I just didn’t need to get sucked into another series of books right now, especially one of this length. Seeing as I have though it looks like there will be some major reading sessions ahead.
I would highly recommend this book for people of all ages who like an epic fantasy, but I think it would be especially suitable for novice or inexperienced readers who have an interest in fantasy. At just 249 pages it is not long enough that would lose interest, but full of enough adventure to have them wanting to continue reading.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/29/review-the-ruins-of-gorlan-rangers-apprentice-1-john-flanagan/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.