The Ruins of Gorlan

I’m not sure if this book is good. I’m not sure if the writing is good, if the plot is original, if the characters are three-dimensional. In fact, in the back of my mind, I realize that it’s a mediocre novel that treads very similar ground to lots of things that came before. Why, then, do I find myself loving it so much? Why does it make me literally shout and squeal with joy? Why do I find almost every single character so likeable that the instant any of them are put in any amount of danger I tense up and let my mouth hang agape?

I feel like John Flanagan is pushing all of my right buttons and getting these reactions out of me—almost like a cheap trick. Sometimes though, cheap tricks can be pretty darned impressive.

*Spoilers show more Ahead*

This novel is pure, distilled “good-ness.” There is certainly conflict, both on the small-scale (Will’s hesitation at being a ranger’s apprentice; Horace’s trouble with bullies at battleschool) and on the large-scale (A dark lord putting plans into motion after almost twenty years of inaction). That said, this novel is a lot “nicer” than almost everything else I’ve read. All of the adult figures seep kindness and understanding from their pores. Will and Horace could have easily been written as enemies, but are instead turned into the closest of friends.

As a fledgling writer myself, I know how hard it can be to put your characters through adversity, but adversity is what drives a story forward, and so you have to. Flanagan manages to have just enough of it to drive the story forward, while still having enough nice stuff left over to make his book…unique, if nothing else. Maybe that’s why I like it. Maybe the overwhelming niceness of the main characters, and the strong friendships within, are a refreshing change from all the selfishness, close-minded-ness, back-stabbing, betraying, and dual-loyalties that I find in most of my other reading material. If that’s what you’re looking for as well, you’ve come to the right place. show less

All told, I don’t think this is my favorite book in the series, but I do think it is one of the best in the series and one of the best starts to a series I’ve ever read. Man, was I spoiled with high quality middle grade fiction as a kid. I’m rereading this series and I honestly can’t wait to start the next one. It’s been 15 years since I last read this book and it holds up so well. Anyway, my nostalgia trains rolls on. Wildly biased reviews only, people. If you’re looking for objectivity, look elsewhere.

Will and the other wards his age are facing the day that they are chosen as apprentices by Baron Arald's masters. Most seem excited, but Will is more nervous than anything else; he wants to follow in his late father's footsteps and be a warrior, but he's afraid that he's too small. His fears are realized when the battle master rejects his request to join the ranks of warrior apprentices. Instead, he is chosen by the ranger, Halt, to learn his trade. And so starts Will's life as a ranger's apprentice.

I loved this first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Lovely world building and plot setup, with fantastic characters all around. I'm completely in love with Halt already, and Will is adorable and extremely root-for-able. Overall, show more highly recommended and I'll be continuing with the series, I suspect. show less

I’d give this book five stars for enjoyment but three for how good a book it was.
Parts of this book are the usual fantasy tropes. Will is an orphan who is bullied and isn’t as strong as the other orphans who is then taken in by a mentor and finds he is good at something. He then has to help defeat an evil baron who wants to invade the country and uses magically enslaved beasts. He shows he is a hero and is offered the chance to become a knight but refuses.
But the rest is well done and original. Apart from Morgarath’s beasts, and in later books the Ranger’s ability to communicate with their horses, there is no magic. The world is based on medieval England, and although some details have been changed is fairly similar. In this show more world there are Rangers in the employ of the king who are extremely proficient in archery, knife throwing, unseen movement. The author goes into detail about the weapons, training and battles and this is mostly very well done. It is well researched and not boring. The conflicts are well done and interesting. Halt is an interesting and well developed character. The other characters are decent.
After the second book the series improves. The are none of the stereotypical fantasy tropes and the focus is more on the battles. The series is set over a number of years and most of the books are individual or two books in a short period of time. Some of the books are set in different countries. The characters all undergo good character development. A lot of the characters and the way people of different countries are portrayed is stereotypical. The author breaks stereotypes but shows them in the first place in an exaggerated way as the norm then creates one character that defies them. The author also seems to forget some details from earlier books. There is some romance but not too much that happens later in the series. The descriptions of the battles might be considered violent but probably isn’t too bad.
Overall it’s a good series that improves in later books. It is worth reading if you are interested in medieval warfare and the like but might be boring otherwise. show less

An original, well-plotted adventure story that I thoroughly enjoyed; it's a dependable and fun series and this first novel sets the tone perfectly.

Will is a ward at Castle Redmont; one of the many fiefs in the massive, Anglo-inspired kingdom of Araluen. His parents both died when he was young, so he has grown up lumped among the other orphaned children of the fief. But now the time has come for the wards to be chosen as apprentices in the different trades. Will, who desperately wants to be a knight, is crushed when he is turned away. But a different destiny lies in wait for him; the mystery-shrouded life of the Ranger Corps. Many folk whisper that the Rangers know black magic; they can blend seamlessly into the scenery, use knives and show more bow-and-arrows with uncanny accuracy, track any human or animal, and scout in absolute silence.

In company with his wise but grouchy mentor Halt, Will learns a trade that very few are allowed to glimpse. But when the dark lord Morgarath, banished years ago from the kingdom, makes a reappearance in company with hideous beasts called Wargals, Araluen will need its Rangers more than ever.

Will is a fiery, clever, and believable hero, and he and his teacher Halt make a wonderful and often amusing duo. Other supporting characters such as the bullying knight Horace, gentle Alyss, and other denizens of the kingdom are well-developed and interesting. And this is only the set-up for a great series. show less

Excellent YA coming-of-age fantasy novel. We have our underdog here, an orphan boy who longs to become a warrior but doesn't have the strength and size required. One of the mysterious rangers takes and requests him as apprentice. The writing is just functional, but then again it is targeted to middle grade or the younger end of YA readers. The plot is exciting and readers will be thrilled to follow Will's adventures and wishing he will succeed.

The Rangers, with their shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. And now fifteen-year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. But what he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom who will fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time he will not be denied...